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| NSW, Victoria fires live: Australia bushfires cause tens of thousands to flee in mass evacuation – latest updates | NSW, Victoria fires live: Australia bushfires cause tens of thousands to flee in mass evacuation – latest updates |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Victorian premier Daniel Andrews declares state of disaster for East Gippsland, urging people to flee bushfire zones, while Scott Morrison is abused by fire victims in Cobargo. Follow today’s live news and latest updates | Victorian premier Daniel Andrews declares state of disaster for East Gippsland, urging people to flee bushfire zones, while Scott Morrison is abused by fire victims in Cobargo. Follow today’s live news and latest updates |
| Morrison is “inclined not to proceed” on the visit to India. | |
| Morrison is getting grilled on the community anger directed at him, particularly in recent days, and about his leadership. | |
| His responses are recognising that people are “angry”, “raw”, and have “suffered great loss”, but not that the feelings are specifically towards him. | |
| “People are angry, and... if people want to direct that at me, that is up to them. It’s not something that will distract me. It is something that I will empathise with. It is something that I understand. It’s not something for me to take personally.” | |
| He’s asked about calls for more aerial firefighting equipment, and if we have sought more from overseas countries. He says that’s a matter for emergency chiefs, but there has been one request made very recently from one of the states. No details on that though. | |
| Asked about Greg Mullins comparing his response to the fires with Trump’s response to mass shootings, Morrison corrects the reporter to say Mullins is the “former” chief fire commissioner. | |
| “This is not about any one individual - not me or anyone else. We all have to a job to. “ | |
| Questions now, and the first one is about his reception in Cobargo. | |
| People are frustrated. People have suffered great loss. They’re feeling very raw, particularly whereI was yesterday. And that’s the case in many parts of the country. And soI understand how people are feeling. And however they wish to respond is a matter for them. All I seek to do is to provide the support of the Commonwealth government and to assure them of everything we are doing to support them in this time of need.” | |
| A follow-up question from the reporter who says it didn’t look like he was being that supportive, noting he walked away from the woman who didn’t want to shake his hand. | |
| Morrison says he talked to the woman about what she was asking for - greater support for the RFS. | |
| Asked about Andrew Constance, Liberal government minister in NSW saying he probably got the welcome he deserved. | |
| “I’ve known Andrew for a long time and I’ve reached out to him today.” | |
| Morrison says he thought they had contacted Constance to tell him they were coming to. the electorate, but realising they hadn’t, he has apologised. | |
| “I assumed that he was otherwise occupied on that day, which would be completely understandable. But Andrew’s been through a terrible, terrible experience and ordeal, and so I totally understand how he’d be feeling.” | |
| Morrison acknowledges that these fires are at an unprecedented scale. | |
| In some contrast to previous appearances, Morrison is much more focused and emphatic on the Commonwealth’s role in the disaster response. | |
| “This is a time to focus on the task in front of us and coming together and working closely together. I can assure you, that is happening absolutely between the Commonwealth and the state government. The Premier here in Victoria and I are in constant contact, and those in New South Wales should know that that is also the case there in New South Wales.” | |
| Darren Chester is addressing media about East Gippsland, with Morrison beside him. | |
| I’ll bring you the main points. | |
| “Having been out on the fireground today and met with people who lost everything, their spirit and determination is simply magnificent,” said Chester. | |
| “We’re in for some pretty tough times again over the next 36 hours. We just received briefings again about the risk, and the number one consideration for us all is the safety of our community.” | |
| Morrison says there are “some gruelling days ahead”. | |
| “What I have been pleased to see here has been the absolute integration of the local efforts together with the state efforts and the efforts of the Australian Defence Force.” | |
| He says 57 people have left Mallacoota on the MB Sycamore, and HMAS Choules will be leaving shortly, with about 900 on board. | |
| Mallacoota is receiving 12,000L of fuel every day, principally through air support. | |
| He said a lot of the missing people are from remote areas without communication. | |
| Morrison urges people to get to places of safety before the situation is “far more dangerous” tomorrow. | |
| “That evacuation effort today is extremely important and has a very big focus from the Commonwealth.” | |
| The ADF is working with state emergency services to get key roads open, Morrison says, and with state governments to set up evacuation centres and providing accomodation. He stresses it won’t be a “tent city”. | |
| “There will be a big rebuilding effort here in East Gippsland, as there has been, and there will need to be, in many other parts of the country, as disasters have befallen them. The Commonwealth will play a key role in working together with state and local authorities in building those businesses back up, in building the infrastructure again and ensuring that we can see a recovery of the area. Not just physically, but also economically, to provide those ongoing services that are necessary.” | |
| A community briefing in Jindabyne painted a grim picture of the deteriorating fire conditions across the Snowy-Monaro shire area. | |
| Rocky Plains fire captain, David Fletcher, told a crowd of approximately 1,500 that spilled out of the memorial hall that all the fires in the area were not contained. They expected 40 km/h winds gusting up to 70 km/h which would make the fires intense and erratic, and they expected spot fires well ahead of the front on Saturday. | |
| Fletcher predicted the fires to the south in Victoria were expected to cross the border and impact their area sometime on Saturday. He said 87 heavy plant were currently working on existing fires and building containment lines. He could not guarantee a fire fighting appliance at every property and urged residents to stay ONLY if they had the resources, skills, and capacity to defend their properties. | |
| Brad Hughes from Jindabyne police asked that people who intended to evacuate to move on from the area if they could, as accommodation in Cooma and other towns was already stretched with displaced persons from the south coast fires. | |
| Evacuation centres have been set up at the Bombala community centre and the Multi Function Centre at Cooma showgrounds. There is no evacuation centre in Jindabyne because of the risk of fire impacting the town. | |
| The saleyards at Cooma and Bombala are open for large animals who have been evacuated, feeding them is the sole responsibility of the owners. | |
| Horses can be stabled at the Cooma Showground, smaller animals, birds in cages and chickens are also being catered for at the Multi Function Centre in Cooma. These facilities are managed by the Department of Communities and Justice.The mayor of the Snowy-Monaro shire, Peter Beer, reiterated that emergency services will not be able to support everyone and that they really did not know exactly what would happen Saturday. | |
| Community recovery assistance has been extended for bushfire-hit communities in the Bega Valley, Eurobodalla, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Shoalhaven, Snowy Monaro, Snowy Valleys and Mid-Western council areas, the emergency management minister David Littleproud has announced. | |
| This brings the total support to more than $80m and includes: | |
| Recovery grants of up to $15,000 for farmers and small businesses | |
| $4.5m in funding for additional mental health support and local led economic and community resilience initiatives | |
| “The Federal Government will stand by these communities until they’re back on their feet and will make further assistance available as it is needed,” Littleproud said. | |
| Most people appear to have seen this footage by now, but here are the two now infamous handshake attempts by Scott Morrison. | Most people appear to have seen this footage by now, but here are the two now infamous handshake attempts by Scott Morrison. |
| Here’s the follow up to one of the interactions, from ABC reporters on the ground. | Here’s the follow up to one of the interactions, from ABC reporters on the ground. |
| He reportedly received a warmer welcome in Lucknow, Victoria, in that no one yelled at him. Here’s one account of the stopover. | He reportedly received a warmer welcome in Lucknow, Victoria, in that no one yelled at him. Here’s one account of the stopover. |
| An extraordinary amount of land is under threat tomorrow. This is the New South Wales RFS’s prediction for fire spread tomorrow in those catastrophic conditions. | An extraordinary amount of land is under threat tomorrow. This is the New South Wales RFS’s prediction for fire spread tomorrow in those catastrophic conditions. |
| Victorian emergency services have just issued a strong recommendation to evacuate from Bessiebelle, Broadwater, Codrington, Homerton, Lake Condah, Macarthur, Tyrendarra, Condah South, and Condah Mission. | Victorian emergency services have just issued a strong recommendation to evacuate from Bessiebelle, Broadwater, Codrington, Homerton, Lake Condah, Macarthur, Tyrendarra, Condah South, and Condah Mission. |
| “If you are located in the area south of the fire in Budj Bim National Park it is strongly recommended that you evacuate now and move to a safer location away from the fire.” | “If you are located in the area south of the fire in Budj Bim National Park it is strongly recommended that you evacuate now and move to a safer location away from the fire.” |
| There is a bushfire at Foote Tk - 2km south east of Lake Condah that is not yet under control | There is a bushfire at Foote Tk - 2km south east of Lake Condah that is not yet under control |
| This fire is travelling from Budj Bim National Park in a south-westerly direction towards Old Mill Road. | This fire is travelling from Budj Bim National Park in a south-westerly direction towards Old Mill Road. |
| Firefighters are uncertain if they can hold the fire at its current location. | Firefighters are uncertain if they can hold the fire at its current location. |
| A wind change is expected around 2pm, which will cause the fire to change directions towards Bessiebelle. Conditions can become very dangerous and unpredictable. | A wind change is expected around 2pm, which will cause the fire to change directions towards Bessiebelle. Conditions can become very dangerous and unpredictable. |
| Hello, this is Helen Davidson taking over the blog from Luke now. | Hello, this is Helen Davidson taking over the blog from Luke now. |
| New South Wales police have arrested a 19-year-old for allegedly stealing from a vacant home in Batlow, and stealing a car which he later crashed. The occupants had evacuated ahead of the bushfires. | New South Wales police have arrested a 19-year-old for allegedly stealing from a vacant home in Batlow, and stealing a car which he later crashed. The occupants had evacuated ahead of the bushfires. |
| The man allegedly searched through the house and then stole a Ford Falcon sedan which was later seen being driven erratically in Batlow. | The man allegedly searched through the house and then stole a Ford Falcon sedan which was later seen being driven erratically in Batlow. |
| “Police initiated a pursuit, but it was terminated shortly after due to safety concerns. Soon after, officers located the sedan after it crashed into a tree. | “Police initiated a pursuit, but it was terminated shortly after due to safety concerns. Soon after, officers located the sedan after it crashed into a tree. |
| The driver, a 19-year-old man, was taken to Wagga Wagga Base Hospital in a stable condition, where he remains under police guard.” | The driver, a 19-year-old man, was taken to Wagga Wagga Base Hospital in a stable condition, where he remains under police guard.” |
| Officers searched the vehicle, finding a backpack with several items believed to be stolen, including jewellery, documentation and ammunition. | Officers searched the vehicle, finding a backpack with several items believed to be stolen, including jewellery, documentation and ammunition. |
| “This sort of behaviour will not be tolerated by police or the wider community, and we will take immediate action to bring these people before the courts,” deputy commissioner Gary Worboys said. | “This sort of behaviour will not be tolerated by police or the wider community, and we will take immediate action to bring these people before the courts,” deputy commissioner Gary Worboys said. |
| “I also ask members of the community to be vigilant – if you see a crime being committed, call triple zero immediately.” | “I also ask members of the community to be vigilant – if you see a crime being committed, call triple zero immediately.” |
| Former New South Wales fire chief, Greg Mullins, has likened Scott Morrison’s response to the bushfires to Donald Trump’s reluctance to discuss guns after a mass shooting. | Former New South Wales fire chief, Greg Mullins, has likened Scott Morrison’s response to the bushfires to Donald Trump’s reluctance to discuss guns after a mass shooting. |
| “I’ve gotta watch what I say because I’m very tired, I’ve been at multiple fires,” Mullins said. | “I’ve gotta watch what I say because I’m very tired, I’ve been at multiple fires,” Mullins said. |
| You can listen to the whole interview here. It starts at 2:20 and is well worth a listen. | You can listen to the whole interview here. It starts at 2:20 and is well worth a listen. |
| Greg Mullins says he has never seen a bushfire situation this serious. He was in Batemans Bay on New Year’s Eve in charge of an RFS crew and, “I’m still shocked.” | Greg Mullins says he has never seen a bushfire situation this serious. He was in Batemans Bay on New Year’s Eve in charge of an RFS crew and, “I’m still shocked.” |
| What could Scott Morrison have done? | What could Scott Morrison have done? |
| “We made a number of suggestions to use the military in a more organised and less ad-hoc fashion. The answer was that’s a stupid idea,” he said. | “We made a number of suggestions to use the military in a more organised and less ad-hoc fashion. The answer was that’s a stupid idea,” he said. |
| “Eventually they were forced into using the ADF.” | “Eventually they were forced into using the ADF.” |
| The former NSW fire chief, Greg Mullins, gave an interview on ABC Radio Sydney this morning. | The former NSW fire chief, Greg Mullins, gave an interview on ABC Radio Sydney this morning. |
| You might remember he was among the former fire chiefs calling for a national bushfire summit. | You might remember he was among the former fire chiefs calling for a national bushfire summit. |
| I’m going to transcribe some of his quotes for you, but here’s a flavour below. | I’m going to transcribe some of his quotes for you, but here’s a flavour below. |
| A reminder that bushfires – and the climate emergency – will have added impacts on low-income people and those with disabilities. | A reminder that bushfires – and the climate emergency – will have added impacts on low-income people and those with disabilities. |
| Just a further update on the number of homes lost in New South Wales. The RFS now puts the figure at 1,365 since the start of the fire season. | Just a further update on the number of homes lost in New South Wales. The RFS now puts the figure at 1,365 since the start of the fire season. |
| And there is also one from Woolworths. | And there is also one from Woolworths. |
| Woolworths Narooma and Bermagui remain closed and will not reopen until Sunday. | Woolworths Narooma and Bermagui remain closed and will not reopen until Sunday. |
| Woolworths Batemans Bay and Moruya will trade until 8pm this evening (3 January) and will close tomorrow and not reopen until Sunday. | Woolworths Batemans Bay and Moruya will trade until 8pm this evening (3 January) and will close tomorrow and not reopen until Sunday. |
| BWS stores in Batemans Bay and Narooma are closed today with all BWS stores south of Nowra to Tura Beach to be closed tomorrow. | BWS stores in Batemans Bay and Narooma are closed today with all BWS stores south of Nowra to Tura Beach to be closed tomorrow. |
| Stock was replenished across Woolworths stores overnight on the south coast, with the exception of Moruya, with delivery trucks escorted by police through the Princes Highway closure yesterday evening. | Stock was replenished across Woolworths stores overnight on the south coast, with the exception of Moruya, with delivery trucks escorted by police through the Princes Highway closure yesterday evening. |
| Additional stock is currently en route to Woolworths supermarkets in the region for further replenishment today. There will be no deliveries tomorrow as a safety precaution due to conditions in the region. | Additional stock is currently en route to Woolworths supermarkets in the region for further replenishment today. There will be no deliveries tomorrow as a safety precaution due to conditions in the region. |
| Woolworths continues to support the supply needs of the Salvation Army by meeting their ongoing requirements at evacuation centres in the region. This includes a number of Woolworths trucks heading to the region with essential supplies which will arrive today. Our Bega online delivery trucks are also being used to ship further supplies from the store to the local evacuation centres. | Woolworths continues to support the supply needs of the Salvation Army by meeting their ongoing requirements at evacuation centres in the region. This includes a number of Woolworths trucks heading to the region with essential supplies which will arrive today. Our Bega online delivery trucks are also being used to ship further supplies from the store to the local evacuation centres. |
| Plans are in place to support stores that might be impacted over the weekend from the fires currently burning in the Kosciuszko national park. This includes power generators being sent to our Jindabyne, Cooma and Tumut stores. Team members from nearby areas are also helping support the stores to accommodate teams needing to remain with their homes. | Plans are in place to support stores that might be impacted over the weekend from the fires currently burning in the Kosciuszko national park. This includes power generators being sent to our Jindabyne, Cooma and Tumut stores. Team members from nearby areas are also helping support the stores to accommodate teams needing to remain with their homes. |
| A Woolworths power generator has also been provided to the Bega Shire Council to support the power and water needs for the community. | A Woolworths power generator has also been provided to the Bega Shire Council to support the power and water needs for the community. |
| Currently all stores in affected areas of Victoria remain open, although we will continue to monitor the situation over the course of the day. | Currently all stores in affected areas of Victoria remain open, although we will continue to monitor the situation over the course of the day. |
| Woolworths has supplied 45 pallets of water to the Salvation Army to distribute to the CFA for use across the far east of Gippsland and stores continue to support the needs of the CFA across the region. | Woolworths has supplied 45 pallets of water to the Salvation Army to distribute to the CFA for use across the far east of Gippsland and stores continue to support the needs of the CFA across the region. |