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| Another death confirmed as bushfires heap pressure on PM – as it happened | |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| This blog is now closed | |
| That’s all from our live bushfire blog for today. There’ll be another tomorrow. | That’s all from our live bushfire blog for today. There’ll be another tomorrow. |
| Here’s a quick summary of where things stand, and some of the big stories from the day. | Here’s a quick summary of where things stand, and some of the big stories from the day. |
| First, the fires. | First, the fires. |
| NSW police confirmed the 20th death in the state from the current fire season, after a search found a body on a property in the Eurobodalla shire at 4pm today. | NSW police confirmed the 20th death in the state from the current fire season, after a search found a body on a property in the Eurobodalla shire at 4pm today. |
| In NSW, all fires are at advice level with no immediate danger. | In NSW, all fires are at advice level with no immediate danger. |
| In Victoria, 31 fires are burning, with 13 watch and act warnings in place. | In Victoria, 31 fires are burning, with 13 watch and act warnings in place. |
| Authorities in Victoria are looking at Thursday and Friday this week as days with the potential for worse conditions. | Authorities in Victoria are looking at Thursday and Friday this week as days with the potential for worse conditions. |
| In South Australia, fire activity is increasing on Kangaroo Island and a total fire ban has been declared for Tuesday. | In South Australia, fire activity is increasing on Kangaroo Island and a total fire ban has been declared for Tuesday. |
| Smoke haze continued to impact residents around fire areas, and in Melbourne and Canberra in particular. | Smoke haze continued to impact residents around fire areas, and in Melbourne and Canberra in particular. |
| The prime minister, Scott Morrison, announced a new $2bn National Bushfire Recovery Agency to “coordinate a national response to rebuild communities and livelihoods”. | The prime minister, Scott Morrison, announced a new $2bn National Bushfire Recovery Agency to “coordinate a national response to rebuild communities and livelihoods”. |
| Victoria’s premier, Daniel Andrews, announced Bushfire Recovery Victoria to coordinate the government’s recovery efforts. | Victoria’s premier, Daniel Andrews, announced Bushfire Recovery Victoria to coordinate the government’s recovery efforts. |
| About 300 people stuck on a major highway in Western Australia since Christmas are being escorted out after a break in dangerous fire conditions. | About 300 people stuck on a major highway in Western Australia since Christmas are being escorted out after a break in dangerous fire conditions. |
| At the Golden Globes in Beverley Hills, California, Australian winner Russell Crowe and award presenter Cate Blanchett both took the chance to highlight climate change and the bushfire crisis. | At the Golden Globes in Beverley Hills, California, Australian winner Russell Crowe and award presenter Cate Blanchett both took the chance to highlight climate change and the bushfire crisis. |
| Please stay safe and if you’re in fire-prone areas, keep a close eye and ear on local broadcasts and warnings from authorities. | Please stay safe and if you’re in fire-prone areas, keep a close eye and ear on local broadcasts and warnings from authorities. |
| We’re only just into January, so there are going to be many more weeks of this bushfire season still to go. And then there’s the recovery. | We’re only just into January, so there are going to be many more weeks of this bushfire season still to go. And then there’s the recovery. |
| Keep being kind to one another. There have been many harrowing stories in recent weeks, and thousands of people have gone through severe and life-changing trauma. This will take a toll on our mental health. | Keep being kind to one another. There have been many harrowing stories in recent weeks, and thousands of people have gone through severe and life-changing trauma. This will take a toll on our mental health. |
| So if you feel you need to, remember to talk to someone – it could be your GP, a psychologist, a counsellor, or a friend. Or call Lifeline on 13 11 14. | So if you feel you need to, remember to talk to someone – it could be your GP, a psychologist, a counsellor, or a friend. Or call Lifeline on 13 11 14. |
| The smoke haze that’s been a major issue across NSW and parts of Victoria for weeks is giving organisers of the Australian Open tennis some major concerns. | The smoke haze that’s been a major issue across NSW and parts of Victoria for weeks is giving organisers of the Australian Open tennis some major concerns. |
| Organisers are hopeful the tournament will be able to start on time. We’ve just posted this report. | Organisers are hopeful the tournament will be able to start on time. We’ve just posted this report. |
| This reminds me of the major issues they had back in 2014, when extreme temperatures caused the Canadian player Frank Dancevic to hallucinate a cartoon dog, shortly before collapsing on court. | This reminds me of the major issues they had back in 2014, when extreme temperatures caused the Canadian player Frank Dancevic to hallucinate a cartoon dog, shortly before collapsing on court. |
| The same heat burned Serbian tennis player Jelena Jankovic’s bum. | The same heat burned Serbian tennis player Jelena Jankovic’s bum. |
| Some relief appears to be on the way for more than 300 people who have been stuck at roadhouses along the Eyre Highway in south-east Western Australia since Christmas Day. | Some relief appears to be on the way for more than 300 people who have been stuck at roadhouses along the Eyre Highway in south-east Western Australia since Christmas Day. |
| Fires had blocked the highway leaving people stranded in a 710km stretch. | Fires had blocked the highway leaving people stranded in a 710km stretch. |
| Helicopters and planes had been dropping vital supplies – including toilet paper and fresh food – to roadhouses in Caiguna, Cocklebiddy and Madura. | Helicopters and planes had been dropping vital supplies – including toilet paper and fresh food – to roadhouses in Caiguna, Cocklebiddy and Madura. |
| The ABC is reporting a break in the dangerous fire conditions has given authorities a chance to get people out, with a “large-scale evacuation” now under way. | The ABC is reporting a break in the dangerous fire conditions has given authorities a chance to get people out, with a “large-scale evacuation” now under way. |
| The Department of Fire and Emergency Services superintendent Mark Bowen has told the ABC that firefighters had “made good progress” on fire fronts, but conditions were predicted to worsen. | The Department of Fire and Emergency Services superintendent Mark Bowen has told the ABC that firefighters had “made good progress” on fire fronts, but conditions were predicted to worsen. |
| “We’ve had a window of opportunity come up with the weather that’s allowed us to start moving some of those trapped people that have been stuck on the Eyre Highway.” | “We’ve had a window of opportunity come up with the weather that’s allowed us to start moving some of those trapped people that have been stuck on the Eyre Highway.” |
| Bowen said the highway was still closed, but police would scan the highway using planes and helicopters to make sure there were no other people camping away from the roadhouses. | Bowen said the highway was still closed, but police would scan the highway using planes and helicopters to make sure there were no other people camping away from the roadhouses. |
| NSW police confirmed an eighth person has died from the bushfires on the state’s south coast, bringing the total number of deaths in the state from the fires to 20. | NSW police confirmed an eighth person has died from the bushfires on the state’s south coast, bringing the total number of deaths in the state from the fires to 20. |
| Police say a body was found at 4pm during a search of a property in Nerrigundah in the Eurobodalla shire. | Police say a body was found at 4pm during a search of a property in Nerrigundah in the Eurobodalla shire. |
| In a statement, police said they were looking for a 71-year-old man who had been reported missing, last seen moving equipment on his property on 31 December 2019. | In a statement, police said they were looking for a 71-year-old man who had been reported missing, last seen moving equipment on his property on 31 December 2019. |
| Rescue units had been unable to access the property until today due to the risk of the fire at Badja Forest Road. | Rescue units had been unable to access the property until today due to the risk of the fire at Badja Forest Road. |
| Police said: “About 4pm the body of a man was located between the property and a car, which had both been destroyed by fire. | Police said: “About 4pm the body of a man was located between the property and a car, which had both been destroyed by fire. |
| “The body, which is yet to be formally identified, is believed to be that of the missing 71-year-old man.” | “The body, which is yet to be formally identified, is believed to be that of the missing 71-year-old man.” |
| Detectives from the south coast police district are on the scene with police rescue and the Volunteer Rescue Association. | Detectives from the south coast police district are on the scene with police rescue and the Volunteer Rescue Association. |
| Inquiries are continuing, and a report will be prepared for the information of the coroner, the statement said. | Inquiries are continuing, and a report will be prepared for the information of the coroner, the statement said. |
| Police said 20 deaths had now been confirmed in the state in the current bushfire season. | Police said 20 deaths had now been confirmed in the state in the current bushfire season. |
| Australia’s tax office is giving people in fire-impacted areas an automatic two months extra to complete their tax returns or pay their tax bills. | Australia’s tax office is giving people in fire-impacted areas an automatic two months extra to complete their tax returns or pay their tax bills. |
| The treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, says “the last thing that you should be concerned about is your tax affairs” if you’re struggling in the fires. | The treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, says “the last thing that you should be concerned about is your tax affairs” if you’re struggling in the fires. |
| The ATO says: | The ATO says: |
| There’s more information on the ATO’s website. | There’s more information on the ATO’s website. |
| Evening folks, Graham Readfearn here. | Evening folks, Graham Readfearn here. |
| Can we have a virtual round of thanks to Naaman Zhou for blogging through this afternoon, and for Amy Remeikis earlier today. If I’m less busy than they were, then we’ll all be happy. | Can we have a virtual round of thanks to Naaman Zhou for blogging through this afternoon, and for Amy Remeikis earlier today. If I’m less busy than they were, then we’ll all be happy. |
| It’s been a confusing day, weather-wise, for Melbourne. The heavy cloud cover and the smoke – and some light rain – has actually brought temperatures down a bit. The bureau has also issued a “road weather alert” in the past hour. | It’s been a confusing day, weather-wise, for Melbourne. The heavy cloud cover and the smoke – and some light rain – has actually brought temperatures down a bit. The bureau has also issued a “road weather alert” in the past hour. |
| The drizzle, plus the smoke, has created slippery road surfaces and poor visibility. So be careful if you’re still travelling. | The drizzle, plus the smoke, has created slippery road surfaces and poor visibility. So be careful if you’re still travelling. |
| I’ll be handing over to my colleague Graham Readfearn now. Thanks for reading. | I’ll be handing over to my colleague Graham Readfearn now. Thanks for reading. |
| If you missed it earlier today, we updated our ongoing interactive map showing the scale of the bushfires. We’re now at 8.4m hectares burnt, across NSW, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, SA and WA. | If you missed it earlier today, we updated our ongoing interactive map showing the scale of the bushfires. We’re now at 8.4m hectares burnt, across NSW, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, SA and WA. |
| We are still waiting on figures from the NT. | We are still waiting on figures from the NT. |
| In pictures, here’s 8.4m hectares, laid over Sydney, Melbourne, London and Paris to show the scale. | In pictures, here’s 8.4m hectares, laid over Sydney, Melbourne, London and Paris to show the scale. |
| One of the Sydney festival’s biggest events has been cancelled due to ongoing poor air quality from smoke haze. | One of the Sydney festival’s biggest events has been cancelled due to ongoing poor air quality from smoke haze. |
| Opening Night, a play starring the Oscar-nominated French actor Isabelle Adjani, was set for a week-long run from 21 to 26 January at the Opera House. | Opening Night, a play starring the Oscar-nominated French actor Isabelle Adjani, was set for a week-long run from 21 to 26 January at the Opera House. |
| But it’s just been announced that the entire run is cancelled “due to health concerns related to fire-affected air quality in Sydney”. | But it’s just been announced that the entire run is cancelled “due to health concerns related to fire-affected air quality in Sydney”. |
| “Naturally, on behalf of the people of Sydney, we are extremely disappointed,” the festival director, Wesley Enoch, said. | “Naturally, on behalf of the people of Sydney, we are extremely disappointed,” the festival director, Wesley Enoch, said. |
| Meanwhile, the Sydney festival has announced a bushfire charity concert, with Regurgitator, Custard, Dan Sultan and more. It’s on 11 January at the Metro Theatre. | Meanwhile, the Sydney festival has announced a bushfire charity concert, with Regurgitator, Custard, Dan Sultan and more. It’s on 11 January at the Metro Theatre. |
| The army will deliver an emergency water purification system to Kangaroo Island in South Australia, AAP reports. | The army will deliver an emergency water purification system to Kangaroo Island in South Australia, AAP reports. |
| Fires are still burning on the island today, and up to 100 army reservists arrived on the island to provide the community with immediate help. | Fires are still burning on the island today, and up to 100 army reservists arrived on the island to provide the community with immediate help. |
| The ADF chief of joint operations, Lieutenant General Greg Bilton, said the army had also provided 64,000 litres of bottled water. | The ADF chief of joint operations, Lieutenant General Greg Bilton, said the army had also provided 64,000 litres of bottled water. |
| In response to a freedom of information request from my colleague Josh Taylor, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has said providing information would “divert resources” during the bushfire crisis. | In response to a freedom of information request from my colleague Josh Taylor, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has said providing information would “divert resources” during the bushfire crisis. |
| The request was about messages to Scott Morrison about the bushfires while he was on holiday in Hawaii. | The request was about messages to Scott Morrison about the bushfires while he was on holiday in Hawaii. |
| Visibility in Melbourne is down to less than 1km, due to smoke haze. | Visibility in Melbourne is down to less than 1km, due to smoke haze. |
| Meanwhile, residents are trying to find the P2 masks that can help, but not completely protect you from inhaling PM2.5 particles. | Meanwhile, residents are trying to find the P2 masks that can help, but not completely protect you from inhaling PM2.5 particles. |
| Meanwhile the Victorian CFA has just tweeted out that the Victorian government has its own direct donation site that goes to families. | Meanwhile the Victorian CFA has just tweeted out that the Victorian government has its own direct donation site that goes to families. |
| Hillsong founder Brian Houston, a friend and religious mentor of Scott Morrison, says that the church has raised half a million dollars for firefighters and those affected. | Hillsong founder Brian Houston, a friend and religious mentor of Scott Morrison, says that the church has raised half a million dollars for firefighters and those affected. |
| Two news stories you may have missed from earlier today. | Two news stories you may have missed from earlier today. |
| An ad Scott Morrison made about his government’s bushfire response has been labelled “misleading and deceptive” by an integrity expert, reports Christopher Knaus. | An ad Scott Morrison made about his government’s bushfire response has been labelled “misleading and deceptive” by an integrity expert, reports Christopher Knaus. |
| The ad was authorised by the Liberal party and Scott Morrison, rather than by the Australian government. | The ad was authorised by the Liberal party and Scott Morrison, rather than by the Australian government. |
| Senior NSW Liberals have also lashed out at Morrison over comments his office made that the state “refused” the offer of assistance. | Senior NSW Liberals have also lashed out at Morrison over comments his office made that the state “refused” the offer of assistance. |
| The Daily Telegraph’s Sharri Markson reported the refusal, after a briefing by the prime minister’s office. | The Daily Telegraph’s Sharri Markson reported the refusal, after a briefing by the prime minister’s office. |
| But the Rural Fire Service commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons, today said: “The answer is simply ‘no’. | But the Rural Fire Service commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons, today said: “The answer is simply ‘no’. |
| “There has been no offer of assistance that I am aware of that hasn’t been accepted.” | “There has been no offer of assistance that I am aware of that hasn’t been accepted.” |
| And in more sport news, the bidding for Shane Warne’s baggy green – also auctioned off for bushfire relief – has already hit $100,500, in just 90 minutes. | And in more sport news, the bidding for Shane Warne’s baggy green – also auctioned off for bushfire relief – has already hit $100,500, in just 90 minutes. |
| The former England captain Michael Vaughan earlier bid $25,000, but was soon overtaken. | The former England captain Michael Vaughan earlier bid $25,000, but was soon overtaken. |