PM on the front foot for recovery and rebuilding

Scott Morrison acknowledges he should have better handled some aspects of the bushfire emergency. He regrets his poorly timed Hawaiian family holiday. And having met survivors in sensitive, emotional environments after the blazes, he admits there were “things I could have handled on the ground much better’’. Prime ministers were “flesh and blood too in how they engage with these people’’, Mr Morrison told David Speers on ABC television on Sunday. What matters now, however, will be his leadership during the recovery and rebuilding process. And Mr Morrison was out on the front foot on Sunday, addressing key issues arising from the fires that have burnt out more than 6 million hectares and claimed 26 lives.

After investing $2bn in the National Bushfire Recovery Agency headed by Andrew Colvin, the government switched its attention yesterday to alleviating the effect of the disaster on the mental health of those affected. The allocation of $76m for that work was well targeted. Experience with the Black Saturday tragedy, National Mental Health Commission chief Christine Morgan said, could be felt for up to five years with those on the frontlines suffering anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. “Because of this, it is important that the mental health and wellbeing of Australians is supported immediately, as well as providing ongoing long-term interventions.” The government’s plan will fund short- and long-term support for individuals (especially young people), families, first responders and communities.

On Saturday, amid shrill demands for radical climate change policies, we urged Mr Morrison to counter misinformation by “reminding people that Australia’s record on climate change is good, and a firm basis for doing better’’. He tackled the topic directly on Sunday, pledging that his government would “meet and beat’’ its 2030 Paris target of reducing emissions by 26 to 28 per cent below 2005 levels. Australia, in which one in five households now accessed solar power through rooftop units, was ahead of comparable countries in meeting its targets. In a shift from his earlier rhetoric, Mr Morrison left open the possibility of scrapping the use of Kyoto carry-over credits to meet Australia’s targets. Embracing new technologies, as he said, would be important to that process. Mr Morrison promised to work within the balanced policy framework the public supported at the last election. That included not increasing power prices, imposing a new tax, or writing off $70bn industries (such as coal), which regional Australians depended on for their livelihoods. Climate change policies, as he said, needed to “evolve” without putting people’s jobs at risk. Rational and reasonable as that approach is, it will not pacify green groups. But advocates of extreme climate change abatement measures will continue to relegate themselves to the fringes of the debate if they continue to push policies that would bankrupt households, communities, businesses, industries and government revenue, and destroy export revenue.

Acknowledging that climate change was driving longer, hotter and drier summers, Mr Morrison emphasised the need for resilience and adaptation in meeting its effects. A similar approach has been argued by climate economist Bjorn Lomborg for years in this newspaper. Dams, water policy, land clearing, natural vegetation management and building regulations are important to meet the ravages of floods, drought and cyclones as well as those of bushfires.

In line with public expectations that the federal government should play a greater role in responding to bushfires — a responsibility that has traditionally rested with the states — Mr Morrison flagged new emergency powers to allow the federal government to respond more proactively when disasters strike, including calling in the Australian Defence Force. The perceived slowness of the navy moving vessels into position to evacuate stranded holiday-makers from Victorian beaches was one of the criticisms levelled during the first week of this year. The call-up of 3000 reservists to help with rescue efforts, which required the authorisation of the Governor-General, was, Mr Morrison said, an unprecedented response to unprecedented circumstances. The royal commission he foreshadowed, in consultation with the states and territories, would look at the operational responses of the different tiers of government. The terms of reference, or those of any inquiry, are shaping as a political hot potato.

Judging by the Newspoll published on Monday, the public expects him and his government to lift their game. The poll showed the government trailing the opposition for the first time since the May election, 51 to 49 per cent. The poll also recorded the worst numbers for Mr Morrison since he assumed the Coalition leadership in August 2017.

Despite conditions easing across the southeast, a Victorian firefighter, Bill Slade, died on Saturday battling a blaze in the state’s alpine region. Mr Slade, 60, who received a commendation recently for 40 years of service, was killed by a falling tree near Omeo, east of Mt Hotham. As firefighting continues, the daunting task of assessing then replacing homes, farms, livestock, businesses, tourist facilities and wildlife begins. It will be a long, hard road and will be a significant part of our national life for several years. Mr Morrison must stay on the front foot.