continue to receive the ports throughout the night. of course the first response has been provided by the victorian government. and the federal government. and the federal government stands by the emergency management to provide whatever assistance is needed. at this stage we have had no reports of serious injuries or worse, and that is very good news. we hope that good news will continue but obviously we will continue but obviously we will get further reports as the night unfolds here in the united states. a very disturbing event, an earthquake of this nature. they are very rare events in australia. and as a result, i�*m sure people would have been quite distressed and disturbed, particularly in the most immediate area affected. i�*m joined now from sydney by our correspondent shaimaa khalil.