Lisa Singh

Labor Senator Lisa Singh will tomorrow move a Senate motion supported by all Tasmanian Senators to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Black Tuesday Bushfires.

The motion in the Senate highlights the devastating impact of the fires on the Tasmanian community.

Senator Singh said the 1967 fires took the lives of 64 Tasmanians and injured hundreds more, as well as destroying thousands of buildings across Southern Tasmania.

“The Black Tuesday fires were the worst in Tasmania’s history, and many Tasmanians still bear the scars from that day,” said Senator Singh.

“This motion is recognition by the Australian Senate of the devastation communities have suffered, and the legacy that the 1967 bushfires have left behind.

“The effect of bushfire on our local communities is always destructive and awful. We’ve seen this time and time again in Tasmania, most recently during the destructive fires at Dunalley and in the Derwent Valley.

“The incredible effort by emergency service personnel and volunteers should never be forgotten. Without their dedication, may more lives and properties would have been lost.”

Senator Singh also thanked the other 11 Tasmanian Senators for their support.

“The Black Tuesday fires are beyond politics and I would like to thank all Tasmanian Senators for joining me in supporting this motion.