Scott Morrison visits NSW Rural Fire Service headquarters after Hawaiian holiday
Scott Morrison has visited the families to two Rural Fire Service firefighters who died while battling a bushfire last week. This comes as the PM said he would have made “different decisions” about holidaying with his family in Hawaii during the bushfire crisis.
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Prime Minister Scott Morrison has met with the families of RFS firefighters Geoff Keaton and Andrew O’Dwyer who died battling a blaze last week.
Mr Morrison visited Horsley Park Rural Fire Brigade on Sunday to spend time with fire crews and their families, including the partners, parents and children of the two men who lost their lives.
The PM, who arrived back to Australia on Saturday night after being on a family holiday in Hawaii, offered his sincere condolences to both families during the visit.
The firefighters perished in a truck crash when a tree fell as they were driving to battle a bushfire in Buxton on Thursday.
Mr Morrison said he would have made “different decisions” about holidaying with his family during the bushfire crisis and apologised for the anxiety he caused.
He visited the NSW Rural Fire Service headquarters in Sydney on Sunday morning after cutting his family holiday to Hawaii short.
“I have returned from leave and I know that has caused some great anxiety in Australia and Jenny and I acknowledge that,” he said.
“If we had … time over again and the benefit of hindsight we would have made different decisions.
“I think it is important when you confronted with these things you front up and are honest with people and that is what I am seeking to do now.”
Mr Morrison said he had planned the trip about seven weeks ago and could not have foreseen the fires would become increasingly deadly by the end of last week.
“I am sure Australians are fair-minded and understand that when you make a promise to your children you try and keep it that as Prime Minister you have other responsibilities and I accept that and I accept the criticism and that is why Jenny and I agreed it was important that I returned, particularly after the tragedies we saw late this week,” he said.
“I get it that people would have been upset to know that I was holidaying with my family while their families were under great stress.
Mr Morrison said he was “comforted” by the fact Australians wanted him to be in the country during the “terrible time”.
“They know that I will not stand there and hold a hose,” he said.
“I am not a trained firefighter nor am I an expert like those in the next room doing an amazing job.”
Mr Morrison said the ADF was being used to help with the clean up effort across the state and would be available as needed.
“Our defence forces are deploying wherever they’re called upon and particularly now as you look at the burnt-out vast territories across particularly here in NSW, but in other states as well, there is wreckage to clear, there are trees to remove, there is access that needs to be provided to people’s properties and businesses and homes,” he said.
“That’s the work that our defences force can, are and will continue to play and they have been doing it since September — airlifting, ensuring they’re providing night flights for recognisance, and providing that heavy support that is needed, that is backing in and complementing the amazing work of our firefighters.”
Originally published as Scott Morrison visits NSW Rural Fire Service headquarters after Hawaiian holiday