NSW: Carr, Bashir praise workers for tsunami relief operation

AAP General News (Australia)
02-17-2005
NSW: Carr, Bashir praise workers for tsunami relief operation

By David Crawshaw

SYDNEY, Feb 17 AAP - Medical and emergency workers from NSW who helped in the Asian
tsunami relief effort were rewarded today with a thank-you lunch at Government House.

Flanked by Governor Marie Bashir and emergency service bosses including NSW Police
Commissioner Ken Moroney, Premier Bob Carr praised the workers' contribution to helping
the people of tsunami-affected regions.

More than 50 police, forensic and medical specialists and emergency personnel took
part in the aid operation.

Mr Carr said the workers had done NSW proud.

"Today we've got these people together to thank them, to acknowledge them and to thank
their families for all that they did," he told reporters.

"It was very hard work. You had our police up there - recognised as experts in forensic
identification - and in the tropical heat, going through bodies, matching DNA with corpses,
that was the essence of their work.

"We couldn't have asked them to do a more difficult, burdensome task, and they did it.

"Our medical crews were there performing operations without making any demands on the
local population. We honour them for that as well."

As a result of the tsunami relief operation, NSW Police and forensic staff were now
recognised as world leaders in disaster victim identification, Mr Carr said.

"It's not something that you put your hand up to be recognised as a leader in," he said.

"But from the experience of Thredbo and East Timor, September 11, Bali and now the
2004 tsunami, our experts are recognised as world authorities in this delicate and tragic
field."

Governor Bashir said she had nothing but admiration for the aid operation.

"I believe this has demonstrated to the world what Australians are made of, not only
their compassion but incredible skills and organisational abilities," she said.

"Within hours they were up there - people from the emergency services, our fire brigades,
technicians, police ... I really find it difficult to believe anyone could have mobilised
more rapidly.

"And certainly they did this at great cost to themselves - the trauma that they visualised
will stay with them for a very long time."

She said their efforts had prevented another "tsunami" of cholera, typhoid and other
deadly diseases.

AAP dcr/jel/maur/jlw

KEYWORD: QUAKE AUST THANKS

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