Transcript of interview, Ten News – Special Bulletin

Transcript, E&OE, proof only

Subjects: Christchurch Earthquake

23 February 2011

NEWSREADER: The federal government has pledged any assistance New Zealand may need for its ongoing recovery effort. Right now we're joined by our Foreign Minister, Kevin Rudd, live from Canberra. Mr Rudd, thanks so much for your time today.

KEVIN RUDD: Thanks for having me on the program.

NEWSREADER: We saw our Prime Minister Julia Gillard confirm a short time ago that one Australian has died in this earthquake disaster. Do you have any updated information on the situation with any other Australians injured, or confirmed deceased at this stage?

KEVIN RUDD: We have concerns about three Australians who are known to be in the CBD area of Christchurch at the time of the earthquake who we have not been able to establish contact with.

Furthermore we also have concerns about reports of an Australian who has sought to establish telephone contact with media outlets and who says, according to those reports, that she is trapped in a building. That is a matter we are following with extreme intensity right now. Of course our concerns lie for the wellbeing of all Australians in the area.

NEWSREADER: That lady trapped under the desk, can you confirm that she is an Australian because there was speculation she was for Melbourne. Is that what you're hearing?

KEVIN RUDD: I hear conflicting reports. We understand that she's an Australian. Key thing is whether she's an Australian or not, our job is to make sure that we help our Kiwi friends get her and others out. That's why overnight we've deployed search and rescue capabilities to Christchurch.

One very large contingent of 75 and two aircraft has arrived. We have another one which has left Amberley Air Force Base in Queensland. We also have a medical team of some 25 which is on its way today, in addition to a large number of federal and Victorian and other police.

NEWSREADER: Mr Rudd, we're hearing such heartbreaking stories come from Christchurch, and of course all of our thoughts are with New Zealand residents at this stage and this difficult time for them. How important is that extra logistical and physical and emotional aid from Australia for our fellow people in New Zealand?

KEVIN RUDD: When we're talking about Kiwis, we're talking about family. That's the bottom line here. And when we cop a kick in the guts, as we did in the floods in my home state of Queensland, then Kiwis, like others, come rallying and do what they can. We do the same for them. And this is an extraordinary tragedy for the people of Christchurch, to be kicked in the guts twice, and by some measures three times in recent months with an earthquake. People of Christchurch just don't deserve this.

But what do we do with members of the family? What we do is we throw everything at it, we pull out all the stops, we do what we need to do; get everything that we need to get there as quickly as we possibly can. And certainly that's the attitude which was in the conversation I had with the New Zealand Foreign Minister, not on one occasion yesterday but on several occasions yesterday.

NEWSREADER: And in regards to the ongoing effort, obviously this is going to take a long time for physically to rebuild Christchurch but also emotionally. Is Australia going to be there for many months to come?

KEVIN RUDD: We always stand by our Kiwi mates. We'll continue to do it into the future.

The immediate tasks are in two categories. I mean, the first is what we've just been talking about; search and rescue. And that's where we've really deployed forward as much kit and equipment and people as we can.

The second is our responsibility to Australians, to do what we can to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those Australians in the area.

The figures for us are just enormous – an estimated 8000 Australians in the area. We now have more than 2000 who are registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs, as we tick these off one by one, against name on the one hand with establishing contact on the other.

So we're whittling down this list in terms of those that we are concerned about.

Furthermore, on the ground in Christchurch - and your viewers may be interested in this - if there are friends and family on the streets of Christchurch at the moment who don't know how to get to the airport, who have lost their travel documents, who are in need of emergency accommodation, or whatever practical support we can provide as the Australian Government, we've established an Australian crisis centre in a hotel called the Capthorne Commodore.

It, I understand, is located between the CBD on the edge of the Central Business District, and the road to the airport, the main road to the airport.

So, if you're in Christchurch, you're an Australian, you need help, and if the phone lines are down or your mobile phone has lost its battery, or whatever, that's the place to head to and we'll help you from there.

NEWSREADER: Mr Rudd, we'll have to leave it there. Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd, thanks so much for your time today. We really appreciate it.

KEVIN RUDD: Thanks for having me on the program.

END

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