Australia welcomes home the Greek wildfire response team

Today I welcome home Australian fire and disaster recovery experts, deployed to Greece to assist with recovery efforts following devastating fires near Athens in late July.

This tragic event claimed 94 lives and injured more than 180 people. Australians know only too well the impact bushfires can have on communities.

In response to this catastrophe, Australia sent a 10-person Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), made up of members from Fire and Rescue NSW and the Victoria Fire and Emergency Services, which was supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Emergency Management Australia.

For almost two weeks, the team, alongside Greek authorities, carried out post-fire impact assessments, drawing on their experience responding to devastating fires in Australia.

Their work planning reconstruction efforts with Greek authorities will rebuild the community.

I thank the team, Fire and Rescue NSW, the Victoria Fire and Emergency Services.

Australia and Greece have a longstanding and close friendship. We have been proud to stand in solidarity with Greece and support the Greek community in their time of need.