Interview with Stephen Cenatiempo – 2CC

STEPHEN CENATIEMPO:

Now, of course, Australia and New Zealand have announced that they're going to partner to assist in disaster relief and recovery support for Tonga following the eruption. Zed Seselja is the Minister for International Development in the Pacific and joins us now. Zed, good morning, and happy New Year.

MINISTER SESELJA:

Good morning Stephen. Happy New Year to you.

STEPHEN CENATIEMPO:

Not the start you would have hoped for. A lot of people think that Minister for International Development and the Pacific is an easy ride, but it hasn't been since you've taken over.

MINISTER SESELJA:

Well, look, there's obviously a lot going on and a concerning time for the people of Tonga, Stephen, because obviously, damage assessments are still being done. I think one of the so far pleasing aspects is we've had no reports of any serious casualties or death. There is, I understand, one UK citizen who is missing. No Australian citizens are unaccounted for or there are any concerns for at the moment. So I guess that's the good news. The bad news is that there is some reports of some pretty significant property damage in the main island. And when it comes to the outer Islands, we are still seeking to get those assessments. And that's going to be one of the really important tasks that Australia and New Zealand will be partnering on over the next few hours is to get an assessment of those outer Islands and the damage that may or may not have occurred because the communications are basically completely cut off from those outer Islands. So some assessments have been done, as I say, on the main island from the AFP and other posts. But, yes, we've got a P-3 Orion New Zealand aircraft and a P-8, which will be launching out of Brisbane at about 8:00am Australian time, looking to get assessments and find out exactly the extent of the damage.

STEPHEN CENATIEMPO:

And I imagine that there's still a risk to the broader Pacific region because I mean the tsunami warnings are still in place. So this could be a bigger operation and a bigger need for assistance than it currently stands at.

MINISTER SESELJA:

Yeah well, that's right. And this is the job over these next few hours and days is to work out exactly what is the need. And obviously, to the extent we can and through our post talking to the Government of Tonga, what we are doing, though, is we are preparing to deliver humanitarian supplies in a number of different ways. So even I guess, ahead of knowing the exact extent of the damage. So we actually have prepositioned humanitarian supplies in Tonga through some of our partner NGOs, through the Red Cross in particular, I think we have prepositioned supplies, so those supplies will be able to be distributed very quickly. We also are loading up a C-130 out of Air Force Base Amberley near Brisbane. And so that will be full of supplies, particularly around shelter, because obviously, there's been reports of property damage. And so there are concerns about people being displaced from their homes as a result of the tsunami. So that's things like tarpaulins, cooking equipment, water purification kits, all of those things that would look after a family for a few days if they are displaced from their home. We're also, in addition to that have HMAS Adelaide which is deploying from Sydney to Brisbane today where it could be loaded with significant supplies and would be ready to go as needed. But I think we anticipate things like water and fuel, there will be shortages almost certainly. And so that's what we're preparing contingencies for and obviously, you need a larger craft like a ship rather than planes to be able to deliver some of those type of supplies.

STEPHEN CENATIEMPO:

Can you ascertain at this stage, how long the need for assistance is going to go? I mean, is this the kind of thing that takes weeks? Does it take months? How long are we likely to be in the position where we're going to have to assist Tonga to get through this?

MINISTER SESELJA:

I don't think that this will be an easy fix or an easy clean up from the initial reports I'm getting. So AFP visited the Western beaches in the last 24 hours, and they've reported significant damage and, quote, “with houses thrown across the road”. So we know there is some significant damage, and know there is significant damage to resorts. So there will be a long clean-up and it won't obviously just be a job for Australia, although Australia stands ready as a close friend of Tonga. New Zealand obviously are playing a major role and we're coordinating a lot with them. And we're also reaching out to other partners in the region such as the United States and France in particular who obviously may have assets that they can assist with over the coming days and weeks.

STEPHEN CENATIEMPO:

My understanding is that parts of New Zealand have actually been affected to a lesser extent. Do they have their own issues they've got to deal with? How much are they going to be able to add to this assistance program?

MINISTER SESELJA:

New Zealand is certainly adding a significant amount. And Prime Minister Morrison and Prime Minister Ardern had a conversation yesterday about how we can coordinate. I think the most important thing as we work together, I think Australia and New Zealand will be the key partners, obviously, along with a number of others, but we will obviously be taking a lead. Obviously, I mentioned their aircraft that they've gotten in the air, the P-3 Orion. So obviously New Zealand will be doing their part, as we will. But what we want to make sure is we're not doubling up on what we're doing. So when it comes to things like the surveillance and analysis of things on the ground using those aircraft, they'll obviously be surveying different parts of the country.

STEPHEN CENATIEMPO:

Well Zed keep us posted as to how this all goes because I think this is going to be going on for some time. Really appreciate your time this morning.

MINISTER SESELJA:

Will do. Thanks very much Stephen.

[ENDS]