TSUNAMI DISASTER

29 December 2004

On behalf of all Australians, I extend to the millions of people of the Indian Ocean region affected by the recent tsunamis our deepest sympathy on the loss of life and property.

It is a catastrophe of epic proportions necessitating a global response. The spread of death, grief and devastation across so many nations and nationalities compounds the enormity of the disaster.

We are all greatly saddened by the loss of Australian lives and the uncertainty surrounding the whereabouts of many others. Our thoughts are with all those, here and in every nation where people are grieving, injured or homeless.

I am contacting the Ambassadors and High Commissioners of the countries concerned to extend our sincere condolences on behalf of the nation, and to assure them and their Heads of State that the Australian Government will do all it can to participate in appropriate relief and assistance measures.

I urge Australians wherever they are, to support our aid agencies through cash or kind in their critically important relief work.