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Australia fires live: NSW and Victoria bushfires heap pressure on Scott Morrison – latest updates Australia fires live: NSW and Victoria bushfires heap pressure on Scott Morrison – latest updates
(32 minutes later)
The PM’s handling of the Australian bushfire crisis comes under further scrutiny as NSW and Victorian towns gain brief reprieve from fires. Follow the latest news and live updatesThe PM’s handling of the Australian bushfire crisis comes under further scrutiny as NSW and Victorian towns gain brief reprieve from fires. Follow the latest news and live updates
In terms of the additional Australian Defence Force deployment: We are going to be hearing this line a lot from the government.
497 reservists have been called out so far. Scott Morrison:
The government has made much of its surplus - last year there was the ‘back in the black’ campaign which ran immediately after the budget was delivered in April, as well as the “we brought the budget back to surplus next year” line Morrison deployed during the debates.
It has also consistently pointed to what it has said was Labor’s mismanagement of the economy last time it was in government, while ignoring the impact of the global financial crisis which happened at the same time.
So this pivot is very interesting.
As is this line from Josh Frydenberg:
So now that the budget is unlikely to be in surplus (it had already been downgraded by about $21 billion over the forwards and cut about $2bn to just $5bn for this year) the line has switched to - we can respond to these disasters because of the budget position.
Not that politics is important right now, but it should be noted.
The prime minister deflects a question on why he signed off on the defence minister Linda Reynolds’ leave, and why she said she wasn’t on leave yesterday, when she was.
Asked about Julie Bishop’s comments about Australia needing to take a lead in climate policy, Scott Morrison again says his government won’t be changing its emission reduction policy:
Of that additional $2bn in disaster recovery funding, Josh Frydenberg says that $500m will be in the 2020 calendar year.
Scott Morrison has already ruled out a bushfire levy (he did that yesterday).
Given the election rhetoric over the surplus (which is being walked back now), Morrison is asked whether he can guarantee there will not be cuts to other areas to pay for this.
Morrison:
Scott Morrison is lowering expectations here, in terms of Australia’s budget position over the forwards:
Asked if the Morrison government will still be able to deliver a surplus, the prime minister says:
The Australian Taxation Office will defer debt payments for at least two months.
You can call 1800 806 218 if you need help with that.
At least 6,000 insurance claims have been made so far, totalling nearly $400m.
Insurance assessment and recovery specialists are being sent out, where it is safe.
Josh Frydenberg will meet with the insurance council, regulators and banking CEOs to “see what can be done to get that money back into people’s pockets as quickly as possible”.
100 veterinarians are headed into the fire zone to help with wildlife and livestock.
Sugar Pine Walk in Bago state forest is “almost totally destroyed”, says Michael McCormack.
In terms of the additional defence deployment:
497 Australian army reservists have been called out so far.
New Zealand is sending three helicopters and an engineering team.New Zealand is sending three helicopters and an engineering team.
Singapore has sent two Chinooks, which are on their way to East Sale in Victoria.Singapore has sent two Chinooks, which are on their way to East Sale in Victoria.
There was a lot in that announcement.
A few quick takeaways:
$2bn disaster recovery fund on top of current disaster payments.
The states will not have to match the funding, but will complement it.
20 Service Australia pop-ups to help with accessing payments and resources.
Debt recovery (what is left of robodebt) to be suspended for two months in fire zones.
Producer grants for restocking and fences.
Small business grants.
Mental health support.
Direct branch of government to aid with rebuilding works.
Scott Morrison:
Scott Morrison:
Scott Morrison:
Scott Morrison has made his first major announcement today: the Andrew Colvin-led National Bushfire Recovery Agency will oversee a $2bn fund (funding over the next two years).
Michael McCormack looks like he is reading Scott Morrison’s notes over his shoulder.
Scott Morrison:
We have an Auslan translator as well.
Finally.
The prime minister is giving a national update on the situation. It’s what we have heard so far, individually from the states – but this is what people have been wanting – a national response and overview of what is happening.
It’s taken way too many weeks, but looks like we have got there.