This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2020/jan/08/nsw-fires-live-updates-victoria-bushfires-south-australia-fire-sa-australian-bushfire-near-me-rfs-cfa-latest-news-wednesday

The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Australia fires live: NSW and Victoria bushfire communities assess damage as PM visits Kangaroo Island – latest updates Australia fires live: NSW and Victoria bushfire communities assess damage as PM visits Kangaroo Island – latest updates
(32 minutes later)
Scott Morrison to tour island where there are grave fears for unique wildlife. NSW and Victorian communities clean up during a brief period of cooler weather. Follow the latest news and live updatesScott Morrison to tour island where there are grave fears for unique wildlife. NSW and Victorian communities clean up during a brief period of cooler weather. Follow the latest news and live updates
To give you a better idea of what Kangaroo Island has faced, here is the latest photo gallery.
Just a reminder, that these fires have affected one-third of the island – there is still much that has not been impacted. If you have a holiday planned for the area, just check before you head off.
From the Kangaroo Island pool copy (given the limited space, one journalist is usually nominated to send out information for all media outlets to use. The same thing happens with the visuals):
Prime Minister Scott Morrison learnt about Iran’s attack on US forces stationed in Iraq while flying to South Australia today to visit bushfire-ravaged Kangaroo Island.
Mr Morrison spoke to the Chief of the Defence Force Angus Campbell, Defence Minister Linda Reynolds and Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne regarding the situation while on the flight.
He also phoned Opposition leader Anthony Albanese.
It’s understood the Prime Minister will continue to receive briefings about the attack throughout the day.
SA Premier Steven Marshall met Mr Morrison on Kangaroo Island this morning, where the two leaders will meet South Australians impacted by the fires today and announce $11 million in joint funding for recovery grants for farmers and small businesses.
Scott Morrison’s press conference should be held just after midday.
And for those who missed Shane Fitzsimmons on the issue of hazard reduction burns this morning:And for those who missed Shane Fitzsimmons on the issue of hazard reduction burns this morning:
A Greens member has emailed me to remind you that the Greens are in a coalition agreement with Labor in the ACT A Greens member has emailed me to remind you that the Greens are in a coalition agreement with Labor in the ACT:
(Just in relation to an earlier post) (Just in relation to an earlier post.)
Scott Morrison is touring Kangaroo Island with the South Australian premier, Steven Marshall as we speak. Scott Morrison is touring Kangaroo Island with the South Australian premier, Steven Marshall, as we speak.
One of the key messages the KI community have been trying to send, is to tourists -asking them not to cancel any planned holidays this season. One of the key messages the KI community has been trying to send is to tourists, asking them not to cancel any planned holidays this season.
While 1/3rd of the island has been impacted by fires, a lot has not. Kangaroo Island is Australia’s third largest island - after Tasmania and Melville, if memory serves me, so there is still vast areas which have not been impacted and the community needs the support. While a third of the island has been impacted by fires, a lot has not. Kangaroo Island is Australia’s third largest island – after Tasmania and Melville, if memory serves me – so there are still vast areas which have not been impacted and the community needs the support.
Breaking news outside the bushfire crisis: rockets fired at US airbase in IraqBreaking news outside the bushfire crisis: rockets fired at US airbase in Iraq
US security forces have confirmed multiple rockets have been fired at an airbase housing US and coalition troops in Iraq. Some have hit the base – there is no news of any casualties or injuries at this stage.US security forces have confirmed multiple rockets have been fired at an airbase housing US and coalition troops in Iraq. Some have hit the base – there is no news of any casualties or injuries at this stage.
That follows the US airstrike that killed Qassem Suleimani, the Iranian commander killed at the Baghdad airport on Friday.That follows the US airstrike that killed Qassem Suleimani, the Iranian commander killed at the Baghdad airport on Friday.
And the Commonwealth Bank has also announced its donation details:And the Commonwealth Bank has also announced its donation details:
The Red Cross has also released more information on the “All In” Australian retailer fundraiser.The Red Cross has also released more information on the “All In” Australian retailer fundraiser.
Ellen DeGeneres is the latest celebrity to launch a bushfire appeal. She is aiming to raise US$5m.
The minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt, has released this statement from the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation:
The ILSC has established an emergency response grant for any Indigenous corporation whose property has been directly affected by the recent bushfires. A grant of up to $20,000 will be available to assist Indigenous corporations to immediately secure and clean up damaged properties.
The ILSC will also make available a grant to assist Indigenous land management groups and contractors assisting the vital recovery efforts with much needed equipment.
All at the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) are deeply saddened by the bushfires that are currently devastating communities around the country, resulting in the tragic loss of human life, homes, businesses, wildlife and bushland.
In response, the ILSC has established the 2020 Bushfire Emergency Response Grant for Indigenous corporations whose property has been directly affected by the recent bushfires.
Eddie Fry, Chair of ILSC and Indigenous Business Australia (IBA), said a grant of up to $20,000 would provide immediate support for Indigenous corporations who have experienced the loss of or damage to property through the current bushfires.
The RFS have released the latest impact figures:
1,687 homes destroyed
692 homes damaged
More than 11,000 homes saved
More than 4,000 outbuildings or facilities damaged or destroyed
And 771 homes have been destroyed in only the past week (from 1 January).
Delta Goodrem has released a charity song, called Let It Rain, and it’s already shot straight to the top of the Australian iTunes charts.
Mark Butler says Labor is hoping to reach a bipartisan position on climate change policies with the government.
From AAP:
Labor is promising more ambitious policies than the Coalition at the next election to tackle climate change after Australia’s bushfire crisis.
Opposition climate spokesman Mark Butler also wants the government to allow a debate on climate change in parliament when it returns in February.
“Hopefully we could fashion a bipartisan position,” he told ABC radio on Wednesday.
Mr Butler said the bushfire crisis had raised the tempo of the debate around climate change in Australia and overseas.
He said Labor’s focus now was on the current emergency.
“There will be a need for a very thorough inquiry into these events and also a full national debate about how we protect future generations around climate change impacts,” Mr Butler said.
“What people can be assured of is that we will have a more ambitious climate change policy at the next election than the coalition.”
Labor leader Anthony Albanese recently toured Queensland coal country, throwing his support behind the industry.
But Mr Butler said if the world was going to meet international carbon reductions targets, fossil fuel use would have to decline sharply.
A group of volunteer and profession firefighting organisations will come together today to call for a royal commission into the bushfires:
Leighton Drury, state secretary, Fire Brigade Employees’ Union (NSW)
John Oliver, state secretary, United Firefighters’ Union of Queensland
Lea Anderson, state secretary, United Firefighters’ Union of Western Australia
Max Adlam, state secretary, United Firefighters’ Union of South Australia
Stewart Little, general secretary, Public Service Association of NSW
Mick Holton, president, NSW Volunteer Fire Fighters Association
The Greens have also made noise about wanting a royal commission.
Since 1939 there have been almost 20 major inquiries into bushfires in Australia.
If there is misinformation to be spread, chances are a Trump will jump at it.
Twenty-four people have been charged with deliberately lighting fires in NSW. The rest of the arrests are for defying the total fire ban – angle grinding, fireworks, etc. So far, none of the Victorian fires have been deliberately lit.
No one is saying arson doesn’t happen. But spreading false claims like this does nothing to fix any problems.
Anthony Albanese was asked about hazard reduction burns this morning on Adelaide ABC radio.
Here is what he had to say: