Australia bushfires: Scott Morrison urges Donald Trump to downgrade US travel advice

Reprising his former role as Australia’s tourism boss, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has used his close relationship with Donald Trump to force a downgrade of US travel advice warning tourists to avoid Australia due to the bushfire crisis.

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Reprising his former role as Australia’s tourism boss, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has used his close relationship with Donald Trump to force a downgrade of US travel advice warning tourists to avoid Australia due to the bushfire crisis.

Following the intervention from the PM and former Tourism Australia managing director, the red flag for American tourists was revised, removing advice to postpone trips because of one of the worst fire seasons in Australia’s history.

It is understood that Mr Morrison personally made representations to “people very close to Trump” on the travel advice, with his request discussed at “senior levels” within the White House.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison during a press conference with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg at Parliament House last week. Picture: Getty

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Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said it was a good first step, but he would continue to work to have the warnings dropped back to the original levels.

“We want to make it clear that Australia is still very much open for business. Most Australian regions remain unaffected and continue to offer tourists the incredible tourism experiences that our country is known for,” he said.

The tourism win came as senior government figures on Monday defended the PM after his preferred prime minister rating crashed in Newspoll and the Coalition slipped behind Labor 49-51 on a two-party preferred basis.

Minister for Trade Senator Simon Birmingham at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture Kym Smith

Mr Morrison did not make any public appearances on Monday, instead sharing a photo on Instagram with his wife Jenny to mark the couple’s 30th wedding anniversary along with a brief bush fire update.

“There is a lot going on, and I remain totally focused on the challenges we are facing delivering the government’s response to these devastating fires,” he said.

“Tomorrow cabinet ministers will be agreeing to further programs that we have been putting the final touches on on Tuesday.

“But just for a moment, let me take a second to say thank you Jen, as we mark our 30th wedding anniversary … love you Jen.”

Emergency Management Minister David Littleproud said Mr Morrison had been “forward leading” in his response to the disaster.

“The prime minister has done everything he possibly, humanly could with these fires,” he said. “Obviously community expectation changed about where federal government involvement interplays with these disasters.”

Mr Morrison has also faced internal pressure from backbenchers pushing back against increasing emissions reductions targets after the prime minister said the government’s climate change policy needed to “evolve”.

L-R: National bushfire recovery chief Andrew Colvin, Emergency Management Minister David Littleproud and Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne in Bilpin on Monday. Picture: AAP

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the government was seeking balance in its climate change policy.

“We are going through a period of climate change … our environment is becoming hotter and dryer, that is impacting on the bushfire season,” he said.

Mr Frydenberg on Monday announced a $50 million rescue package for wildlife, including koalas which could become endangered.

Originally published as Australia bushfires: Scott Morrison urges Donald Trump to downgrade US travel advice