Dean Jacqui: General Debate 
Dean Jacqui: General Debate 
[Volume:666;Page:13791] 
JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki) 
: 
 The Government’s reaction to the terrible earthquake in Canterbury was swift and entirely appropriate and it showed the depth of concern and care that every member of the Government benches—and indeed those across the House—has for the events that have unfolded in Canterbury. I do not need to rehearse to the House the impact it has had on all of those people in Canterbury. The MP for Selwyn Amy Adams has done that and I do not think any other contribution can express to the House what it is like for those people living in Christchurch. 
Today there was another aftershock. It was one of some 260 aftershocks and I understand they are to be expected for another couple of weeks. The shock this morning was over 5.1 on the Richter scale. Taken in isolation that event would be enough to cause damage and terror amongst people but this is day 5 of this event. As Amy Adams expressed the ongoing sense of fear anxiety and terror particularly amongst children and older folk is of great concern to this Government. 
The Prime Minister went down to Canterbury just as fast as he was able. It was noted and appreciated by the people of Canterbury as was the response by Mayor Bob Parker. There has been extensive news coverage about the earthquake in Canterbury. Most of that coverage seems to have included footage of Mayor Bob Parker with his sleeves rolled up getting stuck in and doing what he can to help. I pay tribute to other members of Parliament from across the House who have also rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in to help the people of Canterbury and Christchurch because that help will need to continue. 
With today’s announcement that the state of emergency—[ 
Interruption 
] I am sorry that the member across the House Darren Hughes is choosing to make light of this debate. Those of us on the Government benches take this issue very seriously and it is regrettable that the Labour Party does not seem to share our sense of ongoing responsibilities in our reaction to this earthquake. I think it is regrettable but it is notable that people will not see that response on the Government’s side. 
It was announced today that the state of emergency in Christchurch will be extended for another 7 days. That is a very telling decision that speaks to the sheer breadth and depth of damage that has happened in Christchurch and to the degree of fear for the safety of civilians that exists in the city. 
Our civil defence emergency management system has worked exactly as it should have. All the people on the ground in Canterbury are doing an amazing job. Many people in civil defence the police and the military as well as volunteers and the council have literally dropped everything left the crises they have in their own homes and put their concerns aside and they are continuing to do that to help out. 
The response from my own electorate of Waitaki is that yes we felt the earthquake and yes it woke up a number of people and a number of people were fearful. The damage in my own electorate has been minimal but I extend my concern and condolences to the Acland family of Mount Peel Station whose lovely old stone church the Church of the Holy Innocents sustained considerable damage. The sense of loss they feel at many many generations of family history being destroyed must be terrible. I extend my condolences to them and to other families who have lost mementoes of past family experiences. 
In the time I have remaining I ask members to spare a thought for the young people because a lot of them come from my electorate. They go to Christchurch to study or to earn a living. They might as I did many years ago work in the centre of Christchurch. I worked in a takeaway bar and a sandwich bar. I literally lived from one pay to the next—maybe not even that. I applaud the Government for bringing in initiatives that will support businesses and their employees. Thank you. 
The debate having concluded the motion lapsed.