Bushfire response to be boosted by deployment of 3,000 ADF reservists, Prime Minister announces

Three thousand Australian Defence Force reservists will be deployed to help with the bushfire recovery, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced. Key points: The Navy's largest amphibious ship, HMAS Adelaide, will sail from Sydney this afternoon to the south coast Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said the compulsory call-out of the 3,000 defence reservists is a first in the nation's history Mr Morrison also confirmed his scheduled visits to India and Japan later this month have been postponed Mr Morrison said the Federal Government would also invest a further $20 million to lease four additional firefighting aircraft. Reservist callout a 'first' Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said the compulsory call-out of the 3,000 defence reservists was a first in the nation's history. "That includes reservists who are already providing service in volunteer fire services, state fire and rescue, state and federal police, ambulance, and emergency repair of power and communication," she said. Ms Reynolds said the reservists would have four key responsibilities: Provide isolated communities with life-saving supplies for immediate relief Provide evacuation assistance to vulnerable people in isolated communities Assist with assessment and reopening of vital roads Assist fire services with preparation of fire breaks away from the fire fronts Labor leader Anthony Albanese welcomed the Federal Government's expanded emergency bushfire response and said he asked the Prime Minister to consider the extra measures months ago.