*** CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY ***

I thank the Member for Denison for reminding the House of this anniversary.

February the 7th – a Tuesday in 1967, a Saturday in 2009 - is seared in the memories of Tasmanians and Victorians alike.

Black Tuesday remains the worst bushfire in Tasmanian history.

Sixty-two Tasmanians lost their lives, over 900 were injured.

Thousands more lost homes, pets, crops, livestock.

And the countless other treasures fire claims: the photo albums, the films, the scrapbooks, the hand-made memories and heirlooms gone for good.

In their place – the imprint of fear.

The memories of lost loved ones, narrow escapes, the heart-stopping recall of a last-minute decision to flee that nearly wasn’t made.

Now, 50 years is more than enough time to replant crops, to re-grow trees, to rebuild homes and communities.

But for many Tasmanians, time will not have faded the memories, dimmed the sadness or eased the pain.

We stand with them today.

ENDS