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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
There is a push on from social media, to compile a national map of what is needed where, as well as what is available where - for those needing accommodation, help with pets/livestock, food, water, resources, communications, access to donations etc.
You can find quite a bit of information here - and add to it, if you know where people can find help.
It is raining in Melbourne and the smoke is still choking the city.
Health authorities are warning vulnerable people to “minimise” their exposure to smoke - but they’re telling everyone to stay inside if you can.
And just a reminder a P2 mask isn’t perfect protection. And if you have a beard, you need to shave it, for the mask to have any hope of working.
VicEmergency has issued a couple more watch and act alerts.
The air quality in Canberra has been so bad, the emergency management department is temporarily relocating.
From AAP:
This week is going to be spent preparing for what could come by Friday, when the heat and fire conditions return.
The loss of animal life in these fires has been absolutely staggering.
Researchers estimate wildlife deaths will reach 500m. The images of farmers having to shoot their livestock in places like Batlow should haunt us all.
David Littleproud said a lot of today’s efforts will be focused on what to do with the animals caught in the fire crisis.
“We will be trying to take pre-emptive steps today with state agencies making sure the disposal of the livestock is done quickly – there is a biosecurity risk there,” he told the ABC.
“We have to think about our native species that have been decimated by the fires, too, in terms of our recovery.”
We have broken heat records – and now we have some of the coldest January days on record for part of the country.
Just your semi-regular reminder that weather and climate is not the same thing. You can’t look at a frozen zooper dooper and claim warming doesn’t exist.
You may have missed this yesterday, but Scott Morrison was asked if the government would still be committed to delivering a surplus this year, given the cost of the fire season – which is still going. He did not answer the question.
Scott Morrison is in Canberra again today. There is a cabinet meeting, where the government will sign off on the national recovery agency.Scott Morrison is in Canberra again today. There is a cabinet meeting, where the government will sign off on the national recovery agency.
David Littleproud, appearing on the ABC this morning, was asked whether the government under-estimated the impact of climate change on the bushfire season.David Littleproud, appearing on the ABC this morning, was asked whether the government under-estimated the impact of climate change on the bushfire season.
And yet we had several members of the government, including the deputy prime minister, rubbish that link as the season took hold. Members of the government – like Craig Kelly – are still rubbishing that link.And yet we had several members of the government, including the deputy prime minister, rubbish that link as the season took hold. Members of the government – like Craig Kelly – are still rubbishing that link.
In Victoria, there are still two emergency warnings – for Wangarabell, Wingan River, Wroxham and Buldah, Chandlers Creek, Club Terrace, Combienbar, Hilo Crossing, Noorinbee, Noorinbee North, Weeragua.
Here is David Crowe’s exchange with Scott Morrison.
Crowe: You’ve announced more air tankers yesterday. You announced $11m in December, but there have been calls for a long time now for more capacity with aerial firefighting and more contributions from the federal government. Why wasn’t more done by the federal government sooner to put in funding ahead of the bushfire season? Have you been putting in too little, too late?
Morrison: Well David I addressed this yesterday at the press conference we had yesterday. The response that we made was to provide the additional funding last year of $11m and this year of $11m. Which brought it up to the level that was being sought in those years. And in this year’s budget, that will be provided again on an ongoing basis. And so after becoming prime minister they were matters we put in train with that additional funding and resource and as was noted yesterday, at 8pm the previous evening we received the request for an additional water bombing asset and we moved to provide four with an additional $20m so when you look at that over the scheme over the last couple of years and the additional resource that has been provided on top of our standing commitment of $15m, it means that the resources were delivered and now we will ensure they are there on an ongoing basis.
Scott Morrison has also deflected any questions on whether or not our agencies had everything they needed in advance of the fire season. Morrison has repeatedly said the government had warnings that last year was going to be the monster season, but those fears weren’t realised. We have it now, obviously – but we knew it was coming.
It is also worth noting that the government has shown no indication it is open to shifting its position on emission reduction policies.
In fact – just the opposite. Scott Morrison has repeatedly said the government will not be changing its policy and continues to parrot the line we will “meet and beat” the Paris target.
If you haven’t read this, I recommend it.
Phil Coorey, the Australian Financial Review political editor, on what happened when the south coast was told to evacuate – and what became important.
You may remember that Scott Morrison was asked yesterday if Australia would advocate for better global climate change action with allies like the US yesterday.
Here was his response:
Julie Bishop saved her best line for last, with some advice for her former colleagues.
Karl Stefanovic went on about hazard reduction burns and the “huge issue there ... a massive issue that’s bigger than anything Scott Morrison has done wrong” – because he’s an expert, obviously.
I refer you, again, to this:
Julie Bishop popped up on the Nine Network’s Today show.
She was, of course, asked about Scott Morrison’s leadership and response in the fire crisis.
“I think Scott Morrison is doing the best he can,” she said, before going on to describe the “national crisis”.
Linda Reynolds was asked about her holiday in yesterday’s press conference.
Here is how that exchange, with Samantha Maiden, went down:
Maiden: The prime minister has obviously copped a bit of belting for going to Hawaii during the bushfire crisis. Minister Reynolds, have you taken any leave during this period? Have you been out of the country at all?
Reynolds: Like many of my colleagues, I have certainly spent time with my family over Christmas. But throughout that time I can assure you that I have been regularly on the phone with the CDF, with the prime minister, with Minister Littleproud, constantly. So ...
Maiden: So you haven’t been out of the country?
Reynolds: I have had a holiday with my family for a few days over Christmas, but again, I wasn’t on leave.
Maiden: Was that in Bali?
Reynolds: Yes I was.
Maiden: Were you on holidays in Bali?
Reynolds: I spent a few days with my family, yes. But again, I was in total contact with the prime minister and the secretary and the CDF.