Sonya Feldhoff, Host: In the last, well, more than 24 hours, probably 36 hours, we've been hearing the news coming out of Nepal and it is pretty shocking. Each hour that goes by, we're finding new information about this disaster. And in particular, Australian authorities have been working very hard in terms of trying to locate Australians. But also look at how the best way is to help. Amongst those working on this is the Foreign Minister, Penny Wong. Minister, good morning.
Penny Wong, Foreign Minister: Good morning, Sonya. Good to be with you.
Feldhoff: Minister, this morning we heard the news that the number of Australians missing has increased. What is the latest update on that?
Foreign Minister: That's correct. Yesterday I indicated that at that stage, and obviously it was in the first hours after the disaster, we identified some 35 Australians who were missing. We now have some 39 Australians who we know were in the region and have not been accounted for. So, we are working as hard as we are able to ascertain their whereabouts and their wellbeing. These are an additional four who were not associated with the two tour groups that I described yesterday. It's in the context of what is obviously a catastrophic event. I want to say our thoughts are with the families and friends of those Australians who are missing. This is an incredibly distressing time for them. And our thoughts are with the broader Australian Nepalese and Tibetan communities.
Jules Schiller, Host: How difficult is it to get information from that part of Nepal?
Foreign Minister: It's pretty challenging at the moment. The circumstances on the ground and the numbers of people who have been, who have died and who are missing, as you've seen. We have deployed additional staff into Nepal. We have now some 20 Australian officers on site. We have another four consular officers who will be there in the next day, and what we call a rapid response team. We were putting through an initial team of three. These are people who are expert in responses to these disasters in logistics and communications and planning. So, we'll get a better sense, hopefully, as more resources are deployed, of what is needed and also as much information as we can get from those on the ground.
Feldhoff: Before we find out a little bit more about how Australia will help with those relief efforts. What is it that you can tell us about the Australians that we know are there because we may not know all of them at this point.
Foreign Minister: Well, that's right. We opened our Consular Emergency Centre and they are obviously receiving information and calls and other communication from the community. And that is one of the ways in which we've identified the additional Australians who are in country. So, we are also trying to speak to the next of kin of any Australians who we've identified. So, we've had over 300 calls since we opened the Centre yesterday and we are making calls and contacting next of kin when we can identify who the Australians who are currently missing.
Schiller: Listening to Penny Wong, the Foreign Minister Sonya and Jules for breakfast on 891, ABC Adelaide, eleven minutes to eight. Are there any plans to send any ADF over there, Minister?
Foreign Minister: Look, I've been asked this. We tend to deploy these rapid response teams because they are experts who've been involved in humanitarian disasters and responses around the world. So, we have a cohort of Australians who are good at working overseas in response to natural or other disasters. I'm speaking to the Nepalese Foreign Minister later today. I'll certainly listen to, ask him, what assistance, if any, they want from Australia and we'll be guided by that.
Feldhoff: We were talking earlier with a South Australian over there who was describing the topography of the area and how incredibly skillful the Nepali rescuers and response teams there are because they've endured so much disaster. Do we know if our defence forces have the skills to deal with that very hilly terrain and what that requires?
Foreign Minister: Look, I always have enormous confidence in the ADF, but as I said, our focus at the moment is on the experts who have experience in dealing with a humanitarian response and also to identify what the Nepalese want from us. That's certainly part of why we're deploying more people into the region and part of what my discussions with the Nepalese Government will be.
Schiller: Foreign Minister, many people would want to know how they can help. Is there a website or a fund being set up by the Australian Government?
Foreign Minister: Look, yes, there is. So, we've announced $5 million in assistance. So, a couple of million through the World Food Program, a couple of million through Australian humanitarian agencies. We've announced a million dollars towards what's called the Emergency Action Alliance. So, this is a group of Australian charities and humanitarian organisations. If you wish to donate to that, and people have asked me about this, go to emergencyaction.org.au and their appeal is on that website, if people wish to donate.
Feldhoff: Minister, what do you know about a potential second flood event that's being reported this morning?
Foreign Minister: I've seen reports of that publicly. I don't have any additional information. What I would say to any Australians who are in the region, please ensure you keep updated with Smartraveller's travel advice. We will update that advice as quickly as we can, if we receive information. Please also listen to the advice of local authorities and follow that advice.
Schiller: And Foreign Minister of people are intending on travelling to, you know, Nepal, we do know it's a popular tourist destination, what would you advise?
Foreign Minister: Well, we always put, you know, we always include our travel advice for country on the website and on social media. But I would say to Australians, I think everyone would be aware of the catastrophic situation that the Nepalese people and Nepalese authorities are dealing with right now.
Feldhoff: Yeah. If Australians are over there now, is it easy for them to leave and get out? Are flights still going?
Foreign Minister: Commercial flights are still available, was the advice I had this morning.
Feldhoff: And look, I know it's difficult to talk about the details of the Australians, but are you able to say whether any South Australians are amongst those missing?
Foreign Minister: Look, I thought you would ask me that question and you'll understand, Sonya, we're very careful, particularly with the sorts of numbers we have and making sure we have spoken to all the next of kin, not to release any private details of any individuals until the family, families and friends are open to that. So, at this stage, I'm not in a position to give you that advice.
Schiller: And finally, Foreign Minister, there was a lot of discussion yesterday about our humanitarian intake when it comes to immigration, I think it's staying solid at 30,000. But, you know, with the Nepali people affected by this disaster. Is that an example of some of the humanitarian intake that we might include?
Foreign Minister: Look, we have a humanitarian intake of actually 20,000 and that has been the same as it has been since we came to government. The intake will keep stable in the years ahead. The Prime Minister has made that clear. And obviously that goes alongside our strong border protection policies. You know, how we manage that intake, people, obviously we always have more applicants for that than are places, and the Department of Home affairs assesses those people in terms against need and obviously security considerations.
Feldhoff: Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Look, thank you so much for joining us. I know it's a very busy time and a lot of Australians our hearts go out to what's happening over there and all the efforts by Australians to try and help out.
Foreign Minister: Yeah, thanks very much. Thanks for having me.