Climate change led here, Australian PM Scott Morrison says amid bushfire crisis
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has denied his Government has been been complacent about climate change amid the bushfire crisis. "There is no dispute in this country about the issue of climate change, globally, and its effect on global weather patterns, and that includes how that impacts in Australia," Morrison said on Sunday. His comments came as he announced a new national bushfire recovery agency. "I have to correct the record here, I have seen a number of people suggest that somehow the government does not make this connection. The government has always made this connection and that has never been in dispute. READ MORE: * Australia has to radically step up its burning programmes to curb bushfires, experts warn * Australian government rejected firefighters' air tanker proposal * Australia bushfires: PM Scott Morrison defiant after heckling from angry locals "What we are focused on is what our response is and we set that out very clearly ... That response, as it always has, will continue to be upgraded to make sure we have met the commitments we have made." He said that "climate change has impacted on the world's weather patterns [and] has led to where we are here today to some extent, combined with many other factors, the drought being the most significant". Morrison said he had demonstrated leadership through his actions and cannot be distracted by criticism as he focuses on the needs of communities. "There has been a lot of blame being thrown around. And now is a time to focus on the response that is being made. Plenty of people have blamed me, people have blamed the Greens... Blame doesn't help anybody at this time, and over-analysis of those things is not a productive exercise. The appropriate exercise at the moment is coming together," he said. "Every summer we handle it better. Every summer ... the improved response that is provided undoubtedly ensures that we save more lives and save more homes and properties and we save more livelihoods. There's no doubt about that. After every event like this, we will all work together to do it everyone better next time." Morrison flagged he would consider a royal commission into the bushfire crisis "in concert with states and territories", but that the emergency response remains the priority now. Former federal police chief Andrew Colvin will lead the large-scale national bushfire recovery effort. Morrison announced the immediate commencement of the agency which will work in conjunction with state authorities and defence efforts. "It will be modelling its operations closely on the successful response provided to the North Queensland floods," Morrison told reporters in Canberra. "That agency will be drawing on a series of support measures." That included mental health "It's important we are addressing the mental health needs as well as the many other health needs that will need to be addressed. "This organisation will be stood up for at least two years." Weather conditions had improved in New South Wales and Victoria on Sunday but there were still many fires raging and a significant firefighting effort continuing, Morrison said. "The better conditions today will obviously assist, but it's important to stress, as I've been advised, that the nature of those fires is still very strong and it will take some time and that will require a considerable amount of effort." - Stuff and AAP