Fire emergency a time for unity, not blame seeking

Common sense suggests that we don’t do our best thinking when facing a crisis such as these bushfires. Rather than looking for solutions, blaming someone can too often be the preferred option.

In some communities he visits, Scott Morrison is going to be despised. So what would have happened if he did not visit these communities? I suspect he would be accused of not caring. With the exception of bringing on heavy rains, it would not matter what Morrison did at this time when people are fearful and have suffered loss, because they will blame him.

In this time of need we should try to be there for each other and let governments get on with meeting this huge challenge.

Anthony Dillon, Australian Catholic University, North Sydney, NSW

The hostile reception received by Scott Morrison in Cobargo, NSW, was understandably emotional. The Opposition Leader has damned the PM with faint praise and used the opportunity to advance his agenda.

This is in stark contrast to the most left-wing leader in Australia, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, who has been full of praise for the PM’s co-operation and leadership in these fraught times.

Nicholas Mazzarol, Fernvale, Qld

If ever there was a time for bipartisanship it is now during a national emergency. Yet rather than getting behind the PM, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese pulled out the climate-change card which will divide rather than unify the country.

Albanese brought up the esoteric subject of a market-based mechanism to help combat climate change. There could not have been a more useless contribution.

Ron Hobba, Camberwell, Vic

The feral anger directed at the Prime Minister about the bushfires is beyond the pale. Anger should be directed at those who are responsible for the mismanagement of our forests and national parks. Those in authority who have surrendered to the green-left ideology that has allowed the build up of unmanageable fuel loads, and placed more value on trees than human lives.

What will be the response from the relevant local, state and federal authorities after this season is over? Hopefully not yet another review. The remedies are already obvious.

Owen Reid, Dunlop, ACT

The behaviour of those who insult Scott Morrison is an indication of the decline in the nature of the true Australian. In years gone by, even those who disagree with a politician’s views would at least respect the highest office in the country and be civil to the leader of our country regardless of party allegiance.

We are losing the characteristics that made us a much admired nation.

Ross Dillon, Maleny, Qld

As was established at Victoria’s royal commission after Black Saturday, fuel reduction in forests is the only effective human response to Australia’s ever-present bushfire threat, and the PM rightly calls out state and local government failings on this issue. His government’s alleged inaction on climate change is a red herring when we look at the destruction wrought by failure to manage our forests and council restrictions on tree-changers clearing around their homes. Scott Morrison understands the problem, but whether the commonwealth has the clout and will to tackle the intransigence of the states and local councils remains to be seen.

John Morrissey, Hawthorn, Vic

Scott Morrison takes a brief Christmas holiday with his family, and is criticised for not being there to support firefighters and people affected by fires. He returns and does exactly that, and is accused of a publicity stunt, and told to go away. Who would want to be PM for this irrational mob?

Peter Davidson, Ashgrove, Qld

No doubt it gives satisfaction to those yelling insults at the PM about his short break and his supposed inaction over the bushfires, but they would be better off directing their vitriol at the intransigence of the green-left ideology that refuses to admit that thinning of the undergrowth in the bush is needed because the resultant build-up of debris is the single biggest cause of this horror fire season.

P. Edwards, Safety Bay, WA