Darren Chester plea: focus on families, not politics

Darren Chester has urged his colleagues not to raise political arguments while the bushfire emergency unfolds in NSW and Queensland.

Nationals frontbencher Darren Chester. Picture: Kym Smith

Nationals frontbencher Darren Chester has urged his parliamentary colleagues not to raise political arguments about climate change or the need for hazard-­reduction burns while the bushfire emergency unfolds in NSW and Queensland.

Mr Chester, the Minister for Veterans, said the national debate needed to be focused on the families of those affected by the disaster, arguing there was always time later to “worry about the lessons which need to be learned”.

The comments came a day after former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce hypothesised that two NSW fire victims — Vivian Chaplain and George Nole — were Greens supporters.

Greens senator Jordon Steele-John also attacked the government in the Senate over climate change management, likening government and Labor MPs to “borderline arsonists”. His comments came after Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack on Monday railed against the “disgraceful, disgusting” behaviour of “raving inner-city lunatics”.

Mr Chester told The Australian on Wednesday: “There will be plenty of time to argue about prescribed burns, climate change and natural resource management after the fires are controlled.

“The focus right now must be on the families impacted by the fires and the emergency service crews who are working their guts out with the support of volunteers in communities across NSW and Queensland.

“From my experience when Black Saturday devastated parts of Gippsland, the recovery from a fire like this will take several years and we need to unite as a parliament to support everyone involved. Let’s get the fires out then worry about the lessons which need to be learned.”

Mr Joyce, who has railed against regulations making it more difficult for land owners to engage in land clearing and hazard-reduction burns, has said he was trying to ensure his comments were not seen in any way as an attack on Ms Chaplain and Mr Nole.

Former Labor minister Craig Emerson also came to the defence of Mr Joyce on Twitter.

“Yes, I defended a statement Barnaby Joyce made,” he said.

“After reading his statement, I believe he didn’t intend any ­disrespect.”