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Canberra fires live updates: Australian capital faces renewed bushfire threat – latest news Canberra fires live updates: Australian capital faces renewed bushfire threat – latest news
(32 minutes later)
Huge fires to the south smother the city with smoke as Scott Morrison prepares to address the National Press Club. Follow all the latest updatesHuge fires to the south smother the city with smoke as Scott Morrison prepares to address the National Press Club. Follow all the latest updates
Scott Morrison will address the National Press Club today - and excerpts of his speech indicate a key theme will be expanding the powers of the commonwealth to respond to national emergencies.
First, Morrison describes the problem as he sees it:
“To date, the role of the Commonwealth in responding to natural disasters has been limited to responding to requests for assistance from state governments. They judge the time and form of support needed.
The scale of the bushfires this season – not least their simultaneous reach across state borders – has unequivocally demonstrated the limits of those arrangements.”
And then, the solution: “I believe, however, there is now a clear community expectation that the Commonwealth should have the ability to respond in times of national emergencies and disasters, particularly through deployment of our defence forces in circumstances where the life and property of Australians have been assessed to be under threat.
... I therefore flag the following as issues to be considered in the wake of recent events, namely:
The constitutional and legal framework that would allow the Commonwealth to declare a national state of emergency - with clear authorities and appropriate safeguards for Commonwealth action on its own initiative, including the deployment of our defence force;
The legal interface with the states and territories on responsibilities when it comes to preparation for, and response to, natural disasters and emergencies of national scale;
An enhanced national accountability for natural disaster risk management, resilience and preparedness. This should include the setting of targets and transparent reporting on key actions, with enhanced national standards where necessary.”
Morrison will also give a bit more detail on his proposal for a royal commission into the bushfires, explaining its first take will be to “audit the implementation of previous [inquiries’] recommendations, drawing on work that has already been done in this area”.
This is some incredible footage from Martin Ollman, a photographer in Canberra.
The weather over the coming days is expected to be very dry and hot in Canberra, the Bureau of Meteorology says.The weather over the coming days is expected to be very dry and hot in Canberra, the Bureau of Meteorology says.
Wednesday is tipped to reach 36C, with the city shrouded in a smoke haze. Thursday will hit 39C, with more smoky conditions, while Friday the mercury will increase to at top 42C.Wednesday is tipped to reach 36C, with the city shrouded in a smoke haze. Thursday will hit 39C, with more smoky conditions, while Friday the mercury will increase to at top 42C.
It will be 42C again on Saturday, before showers and possible storm pass through on Sunday, with a top temperature of 35C.It will be 42C again on Saturday, before showers and possible storm pass through on Sunday, with a top temperature of 35C.
The current Watch and Act alert for the Orroral Valley Fire warns residents in Tharwa Village, Boboyan Road, Apollo Road, and Top Naas Road to remain vigilant.The current Watch and Act alert for the Orroral Valley Fire warns residents in Tharwa Village, Boboyan Road, Apollo Road, and Top Naas Road to remain vigilant.
“Monitor conditions and know what you will do if the fire threatens,” the ACT Emergency Services Agency says. “If you do not need to be in this area, it is still best for your safety to not enter or return.”“Monitor conditions and know what you will do if the fire threatens,” the ACT Emergency Services Agency says. “If you do not need to be in this area, it is still best for your safety to not enter or return.”
The agency says residents in Banks, Gordon, Condor, Calwell and Theodore should continue to monitor conditions.The agency says residents in Banks, Gordon, Condor, Calwell and Theodore should continue to monitor conditions.
But it notes that no properties are under threat at this time.But it notes that no properties are under threat at this time.
Yesterday, a fire started by a defence helicopter which landed in the Namadgi National Park, south of Canberra, sparked what authorities called the city’s “most serious” bushfire threat since the city’s devastating 2003 fires.Yesterday, a fire started by a defence helicopter which landed in the Namadgi National Park, south of Canberra, sparked what authorities called the city’s “most serious” bushfire threat since the city’s devastating 2003 fires.
The Orroral Valley Fire has burnt through 9500ha and is expected to grow, although it is now at a Watch and Act level. Moderate conditions overnight allowed firefighters at the scene to strengthen containment lines.The Orroral Valley Fire has burnt through 9500ha and is expected to grow, although it is now at a Watch and Act level. Moderate conditions overnight allowed firefighters at the scene to strengthen containment lines.
Good morning and welcome to our coverage of the bushfires threatening Canberra today. I’m Luke Henriques-Gomes.Good morning and welcome to our coverage of the bushfires threatening Canberra today. I’m Luke Henriques-Gomes.