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BFF-11
AUSTRALIA-FIRE-ENVIRONMENT-CLIMATE-POLITICS
Firefighters hit out at Aussie PM over bushfire response
BATEMANS BAY, Australia, Jan 5, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Australian firefighters –
– from top brass to weary volunteers — hit out Prime Minister Scott
Morrison’s handling of the bushfire crisis Sunday, as strains from the
months-long fight began to show.
Firefighter Paul Parker, 57, whose sweary television tirade against
Morrison has gone viral Down Under, told AFP he was “absolutely appalled” by
the government in Canberra and “particularly Scott Morrison”.
Parker slammed Morrison’s assertion that thousands of exhausted volunteer
firefighters wanted to be there, in language showing how raw emotions have
become.
“You’re a dick mate — if you were ever in the field to see what we go
through, you’ve got no idea, man. Government’s got no idea.”
He said firefighters were “putting their lives at risk” to tackle the
blazes. At least three firefighters have died in the field since the crisis
began in September.
“That’s how much we enjoy it mate — putting our lives at risk. I do it
for my local community, I do it for the township of Nelligen, and the people
of Australia.
“That’s what I do it for. I don’t do it for you Scott Morrison, I don’t do
it for any of you pricks in government.”
The head of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service also lashed out Sunday,
saying it was “very disappointing” he heard through the media about
Morrison’s decision to call up 3,000 military reservists to help his forces.
Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons told 2GB radio that Morrison had shown a
lack of “fundamental professional courtesy” during a “very busy day” saying
the episode was “not good enough”.
Earlier this week a firefighter in the field had refused to shake
Morrison’s hand when approached.
Despite the snubs and vocal criticism of Morrison, there are a range of
political views among the corps of firefighters that is tens-of-thousands
strong.
The Prime Minister brushed off that and other criticism Sunday.
“There has been plenty of criticism, I’ve had the benefit of a lot of
analysis on a lot of issues. But I can’t be distracted by that. The public, I
know are not distracted by that,” he claimed.
“There has been a lot of blame being thrown around. Now is a time to focus
on the response that is being made.
“Plenty of people have blamed me, people have blamed the Greens, people
have blamed… who knows?… it doesn’t help anybody at this time.”
BSS/AFP/MSY/0918 hrs