Published 11:42 IST, December 23rd 2019
Scott Morrison justifies holiday break amid bushfires: Had promised kids
As PM of Australia Scott Morrison returned to work, he justified his absence as the country was battling bushfires and said he had 'made a promise to children'.
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Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison justified his absence as country was battling bushfires and said he h 'me a promise to children'. After returning to work on December 22 from a controversial trip with his family in Hawaii, Morrison apologised for leaving country during an unprecedented fire emergency and a record-breaking heatwave. Australian PM h left deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack in charge, but Morrison said it caused him 'great anxiety'. Morrison also said that if he h a chance to do it all again, 'he would make different decisions'.
"If you h your time over again and you h benefit of hindsight, we would have me different decisions," Morrison said. I am sure Australians are fair-minded and understand that when you make a promise to your kids you try and keep it.
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During press conference after a visit to New South Wales Rural Fire Service hequarters in Sydney, Australian PM also asked citizens of his country to be 'fair-minded' and t fall into division. Morrison reportedly put a positive spin on widespre community backlash after his absence by mentioning that he h promised a trip to his kids. Australian PM also said that re was ' argument' about links between broer issues of global climate emergency and wear change around he world. rise of global temperature is leing to longer, hotter, drier summers which according to experts are increasing bushfires' frequency and severity.
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Morrison ded, "But as prime minister, you have or responsibilities and I accept that and I accept criticism."
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Climate change policies criticised
Morrison also accepted criticism on behalf of his government's climate change policies. It was because of dry conditions that bought about an early start to fires. Australia has also been criticised at United Nations summit in Mrid because of its climate change measures as it uses old carbon credits to count future emission targets. After two fire responders lost ir lives while trying to douse fires, Morrison said that he was aware of fact and people were bound to get upset.
As firefighters battle against raging wildfires in Australia, massive bushfires were fanned across state of New South Wales with two bushfires around Sydney in what was termed as an emergency level. According to reports, a lot of major ros going towards south and west direction around city of Sydney were shut down. Also, concerned officials asked all residents to slightly delay ir holiday plans, with warnings about raging wildfires due to soaring temperatures above 40 degrees.
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(With AP inputs)
11:25 IST, December 23rd 2019