O'Connor Damien: Motions — Fox Glacier—Light Aircraft Crash 
O'Connor Damien: Motions — Fox Glacier—Light Aircraft Crash 
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Hon DAMIEN O’CONNOR (Labour) 
: 
 I rise to support the motion. On behalf of the Labour Party I express our deepest sympathy for the families of the nine people who were so tragically taken from them on Saturday. 
Less than 12 hours after a massive earthquake on the east coast without any loss of life it seems almost incomprehensible that nine lives could be lost on the West Coast in the course of a normal tourism operation. On a spectacular South Westland day in one of the most inspiring environments in the world four enthusiastic young tourists to New Zealand were ready for an amazing adventure. This was the ninth flight of the day by a very experienced pilot in a plane built for the job and all four experienced jumpmasters had prepared as they had for literally thousands of jumps before this fateful occasion. No words can describe or compensate for this horrific tragedy as friends of the deceased waited and watched as this crash occurred right in front of them. To them we also offer our support in any way we can. 
I visited the site yesterday and I understand that my colleague Chris Auchinvole has been there as well. The people are stunned; the community is numb. 
I can relate to these people in a number of ways. I have jumped out of a plane with Rod Miller on three occasions and can attest to his professionalism and enthusiasm. With his partner John Kerr he built this company to be a key activity in West Coast tourism. Our sympathy goes to Rod’s wife Robyn and to their two sons. As a former adventure tourism operator I can attest to the experience and professionalism of the three other jumpmasters—Adam Bennett Michael Suter and Christopher McDonald—who have shared their passion for skydiving with tens of thousands of thrill-seekers. Although it has always been a high-risk activity their families and friends will be struggling to come to terms with their loss. They have our deepest sympathy. The very experienced pilot Chaminda Senadhira had a new family—a wife and a daughter—who will be in shock. We offer them our deepest sympathy and support. As a West Coaster I can say that those people were part of a small Fox Glacier community—a community that exists with nature with tourism and with the risks and rewards that depend upon the professionalism of adventurers such as those who were tragically killed on Saturday. 
We must offer also our special sympathy and support to the families of the four young tourists who lost their lives: Patrick Byrne from Ireland Glenn Bourke from Australia Annita Kirsten from Germany and Brad Coker from England. They came to New Zealand for a special holiday. They cannot return to their homes to tell of their experiences and adventures. We all have a responsibility to look after those who visit us in the true spirit of manaakitanga. We cannot explain at this stage why their lives were lost but we can give a commitment to do everything possible to prevent such terrible tragedies occurring in the future. No amount of speculation or guesswork will help. We must allow a proper investigation to conclude and act from there. 
We offer our deepest sympathy to the friends of those adventurous travellers and to the families of all those who were tragically killed. Our thoughts prayers and deepest sympathy go out to all of them. Kia kaha.