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Wednesday, 8 February 2012
Page: 270

Mr ABBOTT (Warringah—Leader of the Opposition) (14:03): In rising to support the remarks of the Prime Minister, I know I speak for my colleagues the member for Wright, the member for Groom and the member for Leichhardt, and I think I may also presume to speak for the member for Kennedy on this matter, in honouring all who were the victims of the floods and cyclones a year ago.

The physical scars of flood and storm can quickly heal, but the mental scars, as the Prime Minister has just indicated, can take much longer. I know that for the people of the Lockyer Valley in particular the events of 12 months ago will always be with them, and all of us in this place need to be with them on the difficult journey that they will have in the months and years to come.

There were many victims of those terrible events 12 months ago, but for me one stands out—the young boy Jordan Rice. It is my hope, if I may express it, that this could be a lasting memory of that inland tsunami: the sacrifice that a small boy made for his brother. That may be one way that we can draw some inspiration from what was otherwise just a terrible tragedy.

The SPEAKER: I thank both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition for their moving words.