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| NSW and SA fires live: five million hectares burned in Australia's bushfires – latest updates | NSW and SA fires live: five million hectares burned in Australia's bushfires – latest updates |
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| Prime minister Scott Morrison announces that public servants taking leave to fight fires will have additional paid leave. Follow the latest news and updates | Prime minister Scott Morrison announces that public servants taking leave to fight fires will have additional paid leave. Follow the latest news and updates |
| Here’s an interesting story from Yahoo Finance, which reports that there has been a surge in interest from Australians wanting to become volunteer firefighters. | |
| A NSW RFS a spokesperson told Yahoo Finance: “We have seen a significant increase in the number of people enquiring about how to join the NSWRFS on our website. | |
| “We have received around 10,000 website enquiries since 1 July 2019. For the whole of FY18/19 we received 3,140.” | |
| Google searches asking ‘how to become a volunteer firefighter’ are at their highest level since 2004. Higher than during the 2009 Black Saturday figures, Yahoo reports. | |
| Hi everyone, this is Luke Henriques-Gomes, taking over from Helen Davidson. Thanks for all your work, Helen. I’ll be with you through to the evening. If you want to bring anything to my attention, you can email me at luke.henriques-gomes@theguardian.com or contact me on Twitter (@lukehgomes). | Hi everyone, this is Luke Henriques-Gomes, taking over from Helen Davidson. Thanks for all your work, Helen. I’ll be with you through to the evening. If you want to bring anything to my attention, you can email me at luke.henriques-gomes@theguardian.com or contact me on Twitter (@lukehgomes). |
| As Australia’s bushfire crisis continues, millions of hectares have been lost, with a tragic impact on wildlife and flora. | As Australia’s bushfire crisis continues, millions of hectares have been lost, with a tragic impact on wildlife and flora. |
| Among the destruction, the efforts of volunteer firefighters, residents and animal rescuers have stood out, with small acts of heroism that have saved many animal lives. A few have become emblematic images of this year’s terrible fire season. | Among the destruction, the efforts of volunteer firefighters, residents and animal rescuers have stood out, with small acts of heroism that have saved many animal lives. A few have become emblematic images of this year’s terrible fire season. |
| Naaman Zhou tells us about a few of them. There are pictures. | Naaman Zhou tells us about a few of them. There are pictures. |
| A dire water situation compounded by bushfires and drought has prompted Auckland-based NRL team the Warriors to help rebuild the northern NSW town of Tenterfield. | A dire water situation compounded by bushfires and drought has prompted Auckland-based NRL team the Warriors to help rebuild the northern NSW town of Tenterfield. |
| Warriors chief executive Cameron George, who grew up around two hours from the town, says he is heartbroken to hear stories from friends needing to boil water three times before they can drink it. | Warriors chief executive Cameron George, who grew up around two hours from the town, says he is heartbroken to hear stories from friends needing to boil water three times before they can drink it. |
| The boil-water alert from the Tenterfield Shire Council was removed on Monday after residents spent since October 4 taking the precaution as ash deposits made their way into the dam, which is at an alarming low level. | The boil-water alert from the Tenterfield Shire Council was removed on Monday after residents spent since October 4 taking the precaution as ash deposits made their way into the dam, which is at an alarming low level. |
| “It’s going from bad to worse,” George told AAP. | “It’s going from bad to worse,” George told AAP. |
| “The challenges they are facing are heartbreaking, especially at a time of year when everyone should be able to relax a little bit.” | “The challenges they are facing are heartbreaking, especially at a time of year when everyone should be able to relax a little bit.” |
| George has put in place a unique plan with the help of Tenterfield mayor Peter Petty, adopting the town for the year with the hopes of having a long-lasting impact on the community as it recovers. | George has put in place a unique plan with the help of Tenterfield mayor Peter Petty, adopting the town for the year with the hopes of having a long-lasting impact on the community as it recovers. |
| Next year the Warriors will work with the town’s business chamber to help get local businesses back on their feet with expert mentoring through their sponsorship database. | Next year the Warriors will work with the town’s business chamber to help get local businesses back on their feet with expert mentoring through their sponsorship database. |
| Players and club legends will visit schools, community events, host charity nights, as well as attending junior and senior games of the town’s rugby league club, the Tenterfield Tigers. | Players and club legends will visit schools, community events, host charity nights, as well as attending junior and senior games of the town’s rugby league club, the Tenterfield Tigers. |
| George is also hoping to coordinate a donation to the town. | George is also hoping to coordinate a donation to the town. |
| Mayor Petty will visit Auckland on January 20 to finalise the plans and speak to players about the impact they can have on local residents. | Mayor Petty will visit Auckland on January 20 to finalise the plans and speak to players about the impact they can have on local residents. |
| George expects players will be moved by the realisation of how lucky they are to live in New Zealand and will be quick to help. | George expects players will be moved by the realisation of how lucky they are to live in New Zealand and will be quick to help. |
| “People don’t appreciate the water situation, we don’t experience that stuff in New Zealand, we’re so lucky,” he said. | “People don’t appreciate the water situation, we don’t experience that stuff in New Zealand, we’re so lucky,” he said. |
| “When players are able to have a shower after training and a couple of bottles of water, in Tenterfield they would have had to boil that water three times because it’s so contaminated, and they wouldn’t be able to drink as much.” | “When players are able to have a shower after training and a couple of bottles of water, in Tenterfield they would have had to boil that water three times because it’s so contaminated, and they wouldn’t be able to drink as much.” |
| He now suggests that concerns over longer fire seasons, fatigued fire fighters, and calls for systemic change, are coming from Twitter and that government policy will not be set by social media. | He now suggests that concerns over longer fire seasons, fatigued fire fighters, and calls for systemic change, are coming from Twitter and that government policy will not be set by social media. |
| “There are always lots of experts when any of these things happen, but I can tell you as the prime minister and as the premier was telling you, the experts are the ones who have command responsibilities,” Morrison says. | “There are always lots of experts when any of these things happen, but I can tell you as the prime minister and as the premier was telling you, the experts are the ones who have command responsibilities,” Morrison says. |
| “You just don’t run out of a press conference and make something up because you think that it is going to give you a headline. What you do is you do the careful work to actually deliver the response and deliver the support that is absolutely necessary.” | “You just don’t run out of a press conference and make something up because you think that it is going to give you a headline. What you do is you do the careful work to actually deliver the response and deliver the support that is absolutely necessary.” |
| Just to be clear, when Morrison says he is listening to the experts, it’s not these ones: | Just to be clear, when Morrison says he is listening to the experts, it’s not these ones: |
| Morrison is asked about volunteer firefighters who have taken out loans to stay financially afloat. | Morrison is asked about volunteer firefighters who have taken out loans to stay financially afloat. |
| He says it’s a matter for the state governments, that he doesn’t want to do kneejerk responses, and it hasn’t been raised with him. | He says it’s a matter for the state governments, that he doesn’t want to do kneejerk responses, and it hasn’t been raised with him. |
| “If there are any urgent issues in relation to [that issue], then that, I am confident, if it were considered to be a priority of those agencies in relation to the firefighting effort, it would be elevated. And it would be recommended. That is not what is taking place. | “If there are any urgent issues in relation to [that issue], then that, I am confident, if it were considered to be a priority of those agencies in relation to the firefighting effort, it would be elevated. And it would be recommended. That is not what is taking place. |
| So I’m going to continue to follow the lead of the priorities that are being set by those who are tasked and have the responsibility of fighting the fires. That’s who I’m listening to.” | So I’m going to continue to follow the lead of the priorities that are being set by those who are tasked and have the responsibility of fighting the fires. That’s who I’m listening to.” |
| “And as much as I empathise with those who are going through economic hardship as they fight these fires, at the same time, I’m going to listen to the experts that we’ve entrusted with responsibility of fighting and commanding those forces.” | “And as much as I empathise with those who are going through economic hardship as they fight these fires, at the same time, I’m going to listen to the experts that we’ve entrusted with responsibility of fighting and commanding those forces.” |
| He’s asked about reports of looting and scammers: “I think they’re scum. It makes me sick,” says Morrison. | He’s asked about reports of looting and scammers: “I think they’re scum. It makes me sick,” says Morrison. |
| “And you know, in these fires, we have seen the best of Australia. The overwhelming story of these fires is the best of Australians in their response. But in some cases, we’ve seen some ugly stuff, and they should be ashamed of themselves.” | “And you know, in these fires, we have seen the best of Australia. The overwhelming story of these fires is the best of Australians in their response. But in some cases, we’ve seen some ugly stuff, and they should be ashamed of themselves.” |
| Morrison says the cost of the public service leave will be absorbed by the agencies, and there will be no additional net cost. | Morrison says the cost of the public service leave will be absorbed by the agencies, and there will be no additional net cost. |
| Morrison: “The other thing which we’ve done in the last 24 hours after consulting commissioners and state premiers, where I’ve had that direct interaction, is to ensure that our ADF is taking a more forward-leaning and proactive approach with response centres like we have here, like in Mount Barker and anywhere else in the country.” | Morrison: “The other thing which we’ve done in the last 24 hours after consulting commissioners and state premiers, where I’ve had that direct interaction, is to ensure that our ADF is taking a more forward-leaning and proactive approach with response centres like we have here, like in Mount Barker and anywhere else in the country.” |
| “They have been there already, from up in Caloundra where I was, all the way through since September. | “They have been there already, from up in Caloundra where I was, all the way through since September. |
| “Just this week, we saw amazing support provided by the ADF rescuing people there down there in the south coast of New South Wales in Nerriga. | “Just this week, we saw amazing support provided by the ADF rescuing people there down there in the south coast of New South Wales in Nerriga. |
| “In the chopper that I was in yesterday as I flew across the scorched earth of the BlueMountains, they were showing me where they were airlifting and dropping people into those places to fight those fires over the last week or so. So the ADF is very much involved and they’re leaning in.” | “In the chopper that I was in yesterday as I flew across the scorched earth of the BlueMountains, they were showing me where they were airlifting and dropping people into those places to fight those fires over the last week or so. So the ADF is very much involved and they’re leaning in.” |
| Scott Morrison has announced that public servants taking leave to fight fires will have additional paid leave. He is setting a “minimum standard of four weeks”, beginning from today. | Scott Morrison has announced that public servants taking leave to fight fires will have additional paid leave. He is setting a “minimum standard of four weeks”, beginning from today. |
| He says he’s directed all commonwealth public service leaders to permanently offer at least 20 working days of paid leave, with more as needed, for people volunteering to fight fires. | He says he’s directed all commonwealth public service leaders to permanently offer at least 20 working days of paid leave, with more as needed, for people volunteering to fight fires. |
| Some public sector workers who are fighting the fires already have paid leave, but this will bring it all into line with defence force reservists. | Some public sector workers who are fighting the fires already have paid leave, but this will bring it all into line with defence force reservists. |
| “We’re helping get more boots on the ground and giving people who’ve been out there for weeks some relief,” Morrison said in a press release. | “We’re helping get more boots on the ground and giving people who’ve been out there for weeks some relief,” Morrison said in a press release. |
| “With bushfire seasons starting earlier, one of the things I’ve heard on the ground is that some people are dipping into their other leave entitlements to stay out there battling blazes.” | “With bushfire seasons starting earlier, one of the things I’ve heard on the ground is that some people are dipping into their other leave entitlements to stay out there battling blazes.” |
| Which is what people have been saying for weeks now. | Which is what people have been saying for weeks now. |
| He’s talking about this announcement at the press conference in South Australia. | He’s talking about this announcement at the press conference in South Australia. |
| “This will enable them to be able to commit more time in their brigades, and relieve, particularly those in small and regional towns, that draw the volunteers from their own self-employed arrangements or small businesses for whom the continued support to have their volunteers out fighting fires and not working in their businesses is becoming very strained. And I would be calling on, as we’ve been in contact today with some of the large companies, for them to also work with us on this.” | “This will enable them to be able to commit more time in their brigades, and relieve, particularly those in small and regional towns, that draw the volunteers from their own self-employed arrangements or small businesses for whom the continued support to have their volunteers out fighting fires and not working in their businesses is becoming very strained. And I would be calling on, as we’ve been in contact today with some of the large companies, for them to also work with us on this.” |
| Morrison is giving thanks to the 1,500 South Australian firefighters who have come to NSW to help with the bushfire crisis there. | Morrison is giving thanks to the 1,500 South Australian firefighters who have come to NSW to help with the bushfire crisis there. |
| “Particularly even now, when you’re facing your own challenges here.” | “Particularly even now, when you’re facing your own challenges here.” |
| He says the NSW fires have been “obviously terrible, but it’s not the only place that has had fires”. | He says the NSW fires have been “obviously terrible, but it’s not the only place that has had fires”. |
| “There are fires here in South Australia. There are fires in Victoria. There are fires in Queensland. And I want to also commend the premiers of all of those states, as well as in New South Wales, for the tremendous job that they’re doing in leading the operational response.” | “There are fires here in South Australia. There are fires in Victoria. There are fires in Queensland. And I want to also commend the premiers of all of those states, as well as in New South Wales, for the tremendous job that they’re doing in leading the operational response.” |
| “Out in the Lobethal village tonight, there will be the usual Christmas lights spectacular despite all of this, as a sign of both defiance to the disaster that they’ve lived through, but also, I think, as a way of bringing the community together in a very special way. It is Christmas Eve after all, and kids - Santa will find you, whether there’s been a bushfire or not.” | “Out in the Lobethal village tonight, there will be the usual Christmas lights spectacular despite all of this, as a sign of both defiance to the disaster that they’ve lived through, but also, I think, as a way of bringing the community together in a very special way. It is Christmas Eve after all, and kids - Santa will find you, whether there’s been a bushfire or not.” |
| South Australian premier, Steve Marshall, and Morrison are holding a press conference now. | South Australian premier, Steve Marshall, and Morrison are holding a press conference now. |
| Marshall says there has been “overwhelming generosity” from the community to the Cudlee Creek bushfire appeal. | Marshall says there has been “overwhelming generosity” from the community to the Cudlee Creek bushfire appeal. |
| They’ve been visiting communities affected and “at every single opportunity [Morrison] has been able to ask questions about exactly what is going on here”, says Marshall. | They’ve been visiting communities affected and “at every single opportunity [Morrison] has been able to ask questions about exactly what is going on here”, says Marshall. |
| He says the support from the federal government has come “in record time”. | He says the support from the federal government has come “in record time”. |
| “This is a team effort, a community effort to support people in these tough times.” | “This is a team effort, a community effort to support people in these tough times.” |