Australia says it’s just not fair

Australia expressed its solidarity with New Zealand after the southern city of Christchurch suffered a violent earthquake, saying the latest disaster “just isn’t fair”.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard told parliament there had been some “very distressing images” following the intense tremor, with buildings reduced to rubble and fears for the untold numbers trapped inside.

Australia had immediately sent a search and rescue team to help its neighbour, she said, stressing that “needs are likely to be time-critical because there is likely to be a lot of searching to do under the rubble.”

Ms Gillard said she had spoken to Prime Minister John Key and told him that “anything we’ve got that they need we will get to them”. “They have already requested a search and rescue team and that is literally on its way,” she said.

“We wish the people of New Zealand well at this time, they are in an urgent and very difficult situation.”

“We wish them all the speed in the world with the rescue efforts and we hope that they are able to make as many people safe as possible as soon as possible.”

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd earlier described it as “horrible time” for the people of Christchurch who are still reeling from a large quake which devastated the city of 340,000 in September.

“For the people of Christchurch this just isn’t fair.”

More than one million Australians visit New Zealand each year.