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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 updates
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 updates
In response to the radio host saying “whoever was advising the Prime Minister should be out of a job” over the ad, and the original link to the Liberal party donations button (which was very, very quickly taken down) Anthony Albanese responds:
You can find more information on some of the drinking water issues in this Twitter thread
Anthony Albanese has kept up his regular slot with Adelaide radio 5AA.
And yes, the water supply is being affected by the fires in some areas
He was asked why he has been “muted” in his criticism of Scott Morrison and his handling of the fire crisis:
Greg Mullins is also asked about hazard reduction burns. He says:
A few more watch and acts from VicEmergency.
Asked about Scott Morrison’s comments yesterday, claiming there has never been any dispute about the impact of climate change on natural disasters:
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.
Greg Mullins says:
You can find quite a bit of information here - and add to it, if you know where people can find help.
Greg Mullins is also very critical of the government’s response to requests for more resources, before the fire season began:
It is raining in Melbourne and the smoke is still choking the city.
The former fire chief Greg Mullins, who has been speaking out about Australia’s fire preparedness since April, along with former fire and emergency commissioners from across the nation, says this is why they are concerned about what is coming:
Health authorities are warning vulnerable people to “minimise” their exposure to smoke - but they’re telling everyone to stay inside if you can.
Given this image is doing the rounds on social media, it is important to provide some context to it. It shows the areas which have been hit by bushfires from 5 December to 5 January - and has been compiled using data. It doesn’t show all the fires burning now.
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.
Linda Reynolds denied she was on leave when asked about this yesterday.
VicEmergency has issued a couple more watch and act alerts.
Which obviously was news to the executive, which appointed Christian Porter as acting defence minister, according to the New Daily.
The air quality in Canberra has been so bad, the emergency management department is temporarily relocating.
A watch and act alert has been issued for the Bemm River and Cann River in Victoria.
From AAP:
NORTHERN TERRITORY
This week is going to be spent preparing for what could come by Friday, when the heat and fire conditions return.
* No current bushfires
The loss of animal life in these fires has been absolutely staggering.
* Five homes confirmed destroyed
Researchers estimate wildlife deaths will reach 500m. The images of farmers having to shoot their livestock in places like Batlow should haunt us all.
ACT
David Littleproud said a lot of today’s efforts will be focused on what to do with the animals caught in the fire crisis.
* No bushfires burning
“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.
* Significant smoke haze from interstate blazes
“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.
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.
