‘Deeply sorry’ PM comes home amid bushfire emergency

A ‘deeply sorry’ Scott Morrison has cut short his family holiday in Hawaii and will return to Sydney tomorrow after the deaths of two firefighters. The PM has copped heavy criticism after taking leave during the bushfire crisis, which has triggered a state of emergency in NSW.

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Scott Morrison has offered his respects to the families of fireys killed while battling a blaze near Sydney and decided to cut short his overseas holiday.

In his first comments since leaving Australia unannounced recently for a family vacation in an undisclosed country, the Prime Minister this morning expressed his “sincere condolences and sympathies” to the firefighters’ families.

Morrison also called in to 2GB this morning, when he confirmed he is holidaying in Hawaii and said he acknowledges he “caused a lot of anxiety” to the Australian people.

Mr Morrison said the fireys “were bravely defending their communities with an unmatched spirit and a dedication that will forever set them apart among our most courageous Australians.”

Scott Morrison has offered his respects to the families of fireys killed while battling a blaze near Sydney.

The 2 firefighters killed in a vehicle accident last night are Deputy Captain Geoffrey Keaton 32yrs & Firefighter Andrew O’Dwyer 36yrs, both from Horsley Park Brigade. Our thoughts are with their family, friends & fellow brigade members. #nswrfs pic.twitter.com/p3Y8zX3hBj

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 19, 2019

Two NSW volunteer firefighters died in the line of duty late last night at Buxton, about 40km southwest of Campbelltown, after their NSW Rural Fire Service truck was believed to have hit a tree before rolling off the road.

“Their sacrifice and service saving lives and saving properties will be forever remembered. I wish those injured all the best in their recovery,” the PM said.

“Our hearts go out to their families, friends and colleagues who have been working tirelessly beside them, particularly during this Christmas period.”

A home lost to a bushfire in Buxton. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

Three other firefighters were treated by paramedics at the scene for injuries.

The Buxton tragedy punctuated a horror day for crews battling more than 100 blazes across NSW.

Mr Morrison said “these fires and heat conditions are horrendous, and there are still difficult days ahead, with Saturday predicted to be the most severe day, with extreme temperatures and wind making conditions very difficult for fire crews.

“We wish all of those putting themselves in harm’s way for all of us, all the best. Stay safe, stay together.”

Two firefighters lost their lives in a tragic crash. Picture: NineNews

These comments came in the second of two written statements by the PM this morning.

The first focused on his holiday. He said the leave was brought forward from January due to a clash with an official government visit to India and Japan at the invitation of their leaders.

“I deeply regret any offence caused to any of the many Australians affected by the terrible bushfires by my taking leave with family at this time,” Mr Morrison said.

“I have been receiving regular updates on the bushfires disaster as well as the status of the search for and treatment of the victims of the White Island tragedy.

“As noted, given the most recent tragic events, I will be returning to Sydney as soon as can be arranged.”

About 45 minutes after issuing the second of the two statements, the PM rang in to Sydney radio station 2GB.

“I think it’s appropriate for me to return now,” Mr Morrison said.

Asked when he would be back, he said “we are still trying to arrange that. We are working on that right now. We’ve been working on it since early this morning.”

It has since been confirmed that he will return tomorrow.

His family will not be home early.

Yesterday Acting PM Michael McCormack had said the PM was going to be back in Australia on Monday night.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese visited firefighters battling the Gospers Mountain blaze on Friday and said he wants volunteer fireys to get tax breaks or one-off payments in recognition of their contribution.

Ditto for the businesses that give them leave.

These Australians are risking everything for us.

We can never thank them enough. pic.twitter.com/dx04zr0p2Q

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) December 19, 2019

The Opposition Leader also called on the Prime Minister to take back comments suggesting fireys want to be out battling blazes.

Mr Albanese, visiting people confronting the Gospers Mountain inferno at Bilpin yesterday, said consideration should be given to providing volunteers with tax assistance or leave payments.

“Many of them aren’t being compensated at all,” Mr Albanese said. “They still have to pay their mortgage. And so there is a range of measures that could be looked at, whether it is tax breaks, one-off payments, or some form of leave payment, support for businesses that are allowing people to leave.”

Mr Albanese urged Prime Minister Scott Morrison to retract earlier comments about fireys, after he twice this month said they “want to be” out defending their communities.

“These people don’t want to be out fighting fires — they are doing it because of their commitment to their fellow Australians,” he said.