Australian prime minister’s approval rating singed by bushfires
4 years, 11 months ago

Australian prime minister’s approval rating singed by bushfires

Al Jazeera  

Scott Morrison has come under attack for being slow to respond to the crisis, even taking a holiday as Australia burned. A new poll shows the popularity of Australia‘s Prime Minister Scott Morrison has declined sharply amid deepening anger at his government’s handling of the bushfires that have killed 28 people, razed more than 11 million hectares of land and destroyed 2,000 homes in the country’s east. Newspoll showed Morrison’s approval rating dropped eight points to the lowest level since he took over the leadership of the Liberal Party in August 2018. “We have heard the message loud and clear from the Australian people,” Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said on Monday when asked about the poll result as he announced a 50 million Australian dollar wildlife protection fund. Royal inquiry The poll was taken after Morrison announced a 2 billion Australian dollar bushfire recovery fund and called out 3,000 army reservists to back up state emergency workers – responses that were viewed as too slow.

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History of this topic

Australia PM Morrison defends record despite election loss
2 years, 7 months ago

Australia PM Morrison defends record despite election loss

Associated Press  

SYDNEY — Scott Morrison said his conservative government had left Australia in a robust condition, even as voters on Saturday punished him for his handling of issues including climate change and the pandemic that helped return the center-left opposition to power for the first time in almost a decade. A former tourism marketer before switching to politics, Morrison was labeled …

As Australia's COVID crisis reaches boiling point, Morrison seems unable to articulate what's wrong with our lack of policy
3 years, 5 months ago

As Australia's COVID crisis reaches boiling point, Morrison seems unable to articulate what's wrong with our lack of policy

ABC  

Last Sunday, Australia's Deputy Prime Minister, Barnaby Joyce, was asked a very simple question: Would he support any sort of target to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050? In a week when the NSW Government unilaterally declared its COVID pandemic crisis a national emergency, and two other states were fighting to suppress outbreaks, and in a week where …

Bushfire recovery package to tackle Australian tourism's 'biggest challenge in living memory'
4 years, 11 months ago

Bushfire recovery package to tackle Australian tourism's 'biggest challenge in living memory'

ABC  

The Federal Government has announced a $76 million recovery package in response to this summer's bushfires, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison saying Australian tourism is facing "its biggest challenge in living memory". Key points: The recovery package includes funding to attract domestic and international visitors While money has also been allocated for grants for "new attractions" in bushfire affected regions …

Bushfire lessons available to act on ahead of royal commission, experts say
4 years, 11 months ago

Bushfire lessons available to act on ahead of royal commission, experts say

ABC  

The Government has flagged a national review around bushfires, but experts believe Australia can do better than another inquiry — and actually deliver outcomes before the next bushfire season. Key points: The head of the national fire council called for a "national commitment" to implement outstanding recommendations of previous inquiries He said any bushfire inquiry should focus on coordination, which …

Scott Morrison\'s popularity plunges after Australian bushfires
4 years, 11 months ago

Scott Morrison\'s popularity plunges after Australian bushfires

Deccan Chronicle  

Melbourne: A political poll showed Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s popularity declined sharply as his government grappled with a bushfires crisis that has killed 28 people and destroyed 2,000 homes. “We have heard the message loud and clear from the Australian people,” Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said on Monday, when asked about the poll result as he announced a A$50 million …

Australia bushfire crisis: Prime Minister admits mistakes amid mounting criticism
4 years, 11 months ago

Australia bushfire crisis: Prime Minister admits mistakes amid mounting criticism

CNN  

CNN — Australia’s beleaguered prime minister, Scott Morrison, has admitted there were things he “could have handled much better” in the bushfire crisis and will propose a royal commission into the disaster. Wolter Peeters/The Sydney Morning Herald via Getty Images “These are sensitive environments, they are very emotional environments,” said Morrison, adding that “prime ministers are flesh and blood too …

Scott Morrison says he shouldn't have gone to Hawaii, and other moments from the David Speers interview on the fires
4 years, 11 months ago

Scott Morrison says he shouldn't have gone to Hawaii, and other moments from the David Speers interview on the fires

ABC  

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has addressed Australia's ongoing bushfire crisis and the Government's response in an extended sit-down interview with ABC Insiders host David Speers. Mr Morrison told Speers the bushfire zones "are sensitive, emotional environments" and that there are things on the ground he could have handled differently. When asked why he decided to holiday overseas instead of in …

Australians protest PM Scott Morrison’s climate policies amid bushfire crisis
4 years, 11 months ago

Australians protest PM Scott Morrison’s climate policies amid bushfire crisis

CNN  

CNN — Thousands of activists marched in several major citiesacross Australia on Friday, calling on the government to act on the climate crisis and do more to stop the bushfires that continue to ravage large swathes of the country. “The Morrison government needs to act before it’s too late, before we reach a tipping point, before these impacts get worse …

Australian PM’s leadership criticized during wildfire crisis
5 years ago

Australian PM’s leadership criticized during wildfire crisis

Associated Press  

CANBERRA, Australia — As his country burned, Australia’s prime minister was cursed and jeered out of a town, called an “idiot,” a “moron” and worse, and skewered at home and abroad for his dismissive response toward climate change. The outpouring of frustration and rage from many Australians toward Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s lethargic wildfire response has been likened to the …

Scott Morrison meets bushfire victims on Kangaroo Island
5 years ago

Scott Morrison meets bushfire victims on Kangaroo Island

Daily Mail  

Scott Morrison has returned to the front line to meet with bushfire victims after he was snubbed by locals in one of Australia's worst hit areas last week. The Australian prime minister was on Kangaroo Island on Wednesday where he pledged to provide more support after an inferno ripped through the island, off the coast of South Australia, on Friday …

I'm doing what the Australian government won't – telling the truth about the climate crisis
5 years ago

I'm doing what the Australian government won't – telling the truth about the climate crisis

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. This must have come as a …

Australia’s leaders unmoved on climate action after devastating bushfires
5 years ago

Australia’s leaders unmoved on climate action after devastating bushfires

The Hindu  

Australia's government is sticking firmly to a position that there is no direct link between climate change and the country's devastating bushfires, despite public anger, the anguish of victims and warnings from scientists. Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his Emissions Reduction Minister, Angus Taylor, say Australia does not need to cut carbon emissions more aggressively to limit global warming, even …

Storms bring relief — and danger — to Australian wildfire regions
5 years ago

Storms bring relief — and danger — to Australian wildfire regions

LA Times  

Thunderstorms and showers brought some relief for firefighters battling deadly wildfires across Australia’s drought-parched east coast on Wednesday, but also raised concerns that lightning will spark more fires before dangerous hot and windy conditions return. Around 2,300 firefighters in New South Wales state were making the most of relatively benign conditions by frantically consolidating containment lines around more than 110 …

Australia bushfire crisis: PM Morrison announces $2 billion for relief support
5 years ago

Australia bushfire crisis: PM Morrison announces $2 billion for relief support

The Hindu  

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday announced an additional 2 billion dollars over two years to a new agency to coordinate a national response to rebuild communities and livelihoods following the deadly bushfire crisis. “It’s a long road ahead and we will be with these communities every step of the way as they rebuild,” Morrison, who is facing widespread …

In never-before act, Australia calls up military reserves to tackle bushfire crisis
5 years ago

In never-before act, Australia calls up military reserves to tackle bushfire crisis

Deccan Chronicle  

Sydney: Australia has called up 3,000 military reserves to tackle the country's ongoing bushfire crisis, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Saturday, the largest call-up in living memory. “Today's decision puts more boots on the ground, puts more planes in the sky, puts more ships at sea,” said Morrison, who has been pilloried for his response to the deadly months-long disaster. …

Are the bushfires Scott Morrison's Hurricane Katrina moment that he can't live down?
5 years ago

Are the bushfires Scott Morrison's Hurricane Katrina moment that he can't live down?

ABC  

Hurricane Katrina was one of the worst natural disasters in US history. As people yell at the Prime Minister when he visits their devastated communities, or howl for his blood on social media, the story of Bush's failure to immediately recognise a catastrophe and the urgent need for leadership it represented tells us what problems are created by Scott Morrison's …

Scott Morrison bushfire crisis handling seen as a disaster from Hawaii holiday to hose comment
5 years ago

Scott Morrison bushfire crisis handling seen as a disaster from Hawaii holiday to hose comment

Daily Mail  

Scott Morrison's handling of Australia's bushfire crisis has been widely condemned - from his holiday in Hawaii to his cricket commentary as the death toll worsened. Scroll down for video Scott Morrison's handling of Australia's bushfire crisis has been a public relations disaster - from secretly holidaying in Hawaii to obsessing over the cricket amid tragedy Even Lara Bingle, the …

Prime Minister Scott Morrison confronted by angry locals in Cobargo as bushfires continue
5 years ago

Prime Minister Scott Morrison confronted by angry locals in Cobargo as bushfires continue

ABC  

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been confronted by angry residents in the bushfire-hit town of Cobargo in New South Wales. Key points: Scott Morrison said Australians should have confidence in state emergency services and show "patience" and "calm" Anthony Albanese is arguing that Australia needs to have more ambitious emissions-reduction targets One person told Mr Morrison he should be "ashamed …

Morrison rejects Thunberg’s comments linking Australian bushfires with climate change
5 years ago

Morrison rejects Thunberg’s comments linking Australian bushfires with climate change

Deccan Chronicle  

Sydney: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday dismissed calls from Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg to take more action on climate change amid a devastating bushfire crisis in his country. “Australia and the Australian government will set our policies based on Australia’s national interests, on what Australia needs to do,” Morrison told reporters while visiting evacuees in the state …

Australia fires: PM Scott Morrison says he will ‘accept the criticism’ for vacationing in Hawaii as fires raged back home
5 years ago

Australia fires: PM Scott Morrison says he will ‘accept the criticism’ for vacationing in Hawaii as fires raged back home

CNN  

CNN — Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he regrets being away on vacation with his family as fires raged across South Australia, resulting in the deaths of three people earlier this week. “I accept the criticism.” More than 105 bush and grass fires continued to burn across New South Wales – a southeastern state of Australia — early Sunday, …

Scott Morrison says he accepts criticism for Hawaii holiday during bushfires, apologises for any upset caused
5 years ago

Scott Morrison says he accepts criticism for Hawaii holiday during bushfires, apologises for any upset caused

ABC  

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has conceded he caused "great anxiety in Australia" by taking a family holiday in Hawaii as bushfires burned across Australia, saying with the benefit of hindsight he would have made a different decision. Key points: The Prime Minister spoke at a press conference in Sydney after cutting short his family holiday Mr Morrison landed in Sydney …

As Australia fires rage, heat wave sees hottest day nationwide
5 years ago

As Australia fires rage, heat wave sees hottest day nationwide

CNN  

CNN — Australia experienced its hottest average day across the countryTuesday, with the national temperature soaring as devastating wildfires continued to burn across New South Wales state. That’s just the average nationwide figure – the heat has spiked even higher in some places, like the town of Ceduna in South Australia, which hit 45.5 degrees Celsius. SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty …

Will devastating bushfires and division among Liberals force Scott Morrison to rethink climate policy?
5 years ago

Will devastating bushfires and division among Liberals force Scott Morrison to rethink climate policy?

ABC  

Scott Morrison is picking up that Australia's devastating, prolonged fires are producing a soured, anti-government mood among many in the community. He's placing the most positive spin he can on what Australia is doing on climate change, but all the time emphasising Australian emissions are only a tiny portion of the global total "so any suggestion that the actions of …

Australian PM Scott Morrison refuses to take blame for environmental policies causing unprecedented bushfires, insists govt was 'doing enough' to tackle climate change
5 years, 1 month ago

Australian PM Scott Morrison refuses to take blame for environmental policies causing unprecedented bushfires, insists govt was 'doing enough' to tackle climate change

Firstpost  

Australia’s Prime Minister on Thursday denied his climate policies had caused unprecedented bushfires ravaging the country and insisted his government was doing enough to tackle global warming Sydney: Australia’s Prime Minister on Thursday denied his climate policies had caused unprecedented bushfires ravaging the country and insisted his government was doing enough to tackle global warming. As blazes that have scorched …

Australia election upset: How did the conservatives win?
55 years ago

Australia election upset: How did the conservatives win?

Slate  

The polls were wrong. This happened despite the fact that most analysts expected it to lose a large number of seats; despite being out of step with the nation’s emerging consensus on climate change, marriage equality, religion, and race; despite a chaotic tenure in office that has seen three leaders since 2016; despite a threadbare policy agenda; despite many of …

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