Hamish Macdonald, Host: The Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, Matt Thistlethwaite, is here. Good morning to you, what's the update?
Matt Thistlethwaite, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs: Good morning, Hamish. Firstly, we're offering condolences to those that have been affected by this horrific flooding in Nepal. We have consular officials on the ground in Kathmandu. The site is Rasuwa, which is about 120 kilometres northwest of Kathmandu. And Australian officials at our embassy there are working as hard as they possibly can to confirm the number of Australians involved. We understand that this is a popular destination for pilgrims, particularly for the Hindu faith at this time of the year, and that there are Australians that were involved in tours there. So, we're just trying to confirm how many were involved and obviously get in touch with their families.
Macdonald: And what is the communication like with Nepal at the moment, trying to get that information? Because these are remote areas we're talking about.
Assistant Minister: Yes, that's right. It's a difficult area to get into at the moment, obviously, but our officials that are based in Kathmandu do have contact with them. They've advised that if anyone has any questions or concern for loved ones or friends who may be in the region have indicated they were travelling to the region to call the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade hotline, which is 1300 555 135 or 612 6261 3305 if you're calling from overseas.
Macdonald: Obviously it is the very early hours of the morning there in Nepal now, over the coming hours we're going to start to get more information, particularly in relation to the whereabouts of these Australians?
Assistant Minister: Yes, we should. Our officials are going to work through the clock, around the clock, sorry, through the night, to ensure that we get the information when it comes to hand and that we try and contact relatives and loved ones here in Australia. We're doing our best at the moment to try and get officials as close to the area as possible, but obviously with roads cut off and the difficulties associated with the landslide in particular, I mean, that image that's been floating around this morning on news radio and news television was just shocking, absolutely devastating.
Macdonald: Matt Thistlethwaite, we appreciate you jumping on the radio this morning to give us that update. Thanks very much.
Assistant Minister: My pleasure, Hamish.