Rachel joined her fellow Legislative Council members in acknowledging the devastating impact of recent bushfires on Victorians and expressing gratitude to those who have volunteered and donated.
Tuesday the 3rd of February 2026,
Victorian Legislative Council
Rachel Payne (South-Eastern Metropolitan):
I too would like to rise and pause to reflect on the devastating bushfires in our state. The impact of these fires on our local communities, on wildlife, on farmers and on businesses is beyond comprehension. We are especially thinking of the loved ones of farmer Max Hobson, who lost his life in these devastating fires.
400,000 hectares lost
Bushfires are destructive and fierce, and this January we saw blazes tear through over 400,000 hectares across this state. I too have seen some of my dear friends lose everything in the Longwood fire, including their property, which has been in their family for generations – six generations, I believe – and the devastation that they are experiencing they cannot even speak to right now. It was a property that has been not only part of their generations but part of their make-up in their community for a very long time.
Community support and resilience
On behalf of my colleague David Ettershank and me and everyone at Legalise Cannabis Victoria I want to honour the fact that the mental and emotional impact of losing your home and your livelihood cannot be overstated. It is also a very triggering time for people who have survived other bushfires, and we want you to know that we are thinking of you. I especially want to acknowledge the collective power and resilience of community, who have come together to support one another, from volunteering to provide food and shelter and to help with clean-up efforts – and it is a massive clean-up effort – and fundraising and rolling up your sleeves to deliver hay bales for livestock through to those who rescue and rehabilitate our native wildlife.
Important discussions ahead
There will be time for discussions about climate change. They are important discussions to have. There will be time for discussions about fire readiness and adequate funding – again, imperative discussions to have – and we will be fulfilling our duty as crossbenchers to ask those questions of the government and seek resolution on some of those questions. But for now, we simply send our love to all affected and an enormous thanks to the many volunteers and firies who have showed up, even when many themselves are devastated and exhausted. Your commitment to your community and your bravery in the face of adversity are unwavering. I am relieved to hear that some of these fires are under control, but we are in the middle of summer and hot summer days are to continue, and we all must take care and follow all of the emergency advice. We must look out for each other and for our wildlife. Stay safe, and please reach out for help when you need it.
Related:
- Zoning loophole raises alarm on environmental safeguards – Rachel Payne
- Who’s cashing in as climate funding dries up? – Rachel Payne
- Data needed to justify landfill buffer reduction – Rachel Payne
