TRANSCRIPT: RURAL FIRE SERVICE HEADQUARTERS DOORSTOP, 19 December 2019

E&OE

Subjects: Fire emergency, Australia and China relations, Medevac.

SHANE FITZSIMMONS:

Afternoon, everybody. Well, as we speak, we've now got just over 100 fires in New South Wales and 55 of those are not contained. We've got two now at emergency warning alert level and another two at watch and act alert level, although I do expect while we're talking here that a third fire is likely to go to emergency warning alert level.

The two fires that we do have at emergency warning level are the Tianjara fire, which is a fairly new fire in the last 24 hours to the west of Sussex Inlet. We've issued alert and warning messages to the communities of Wandandian and Jerrawangala, to shelter in place as the fire approaches. We've also put on our major fire updates on the website to the communities of Sussex Inlet. We don't want them leaving. We want them staying in Sussex Inlet because we don't want them coming out along the road network and back onto the Princes Highway, given the speed and the ferocity at which that fire is burning.

The second fire that's an emergency warning alert level is the Green Wattle Creek fire to the south west of Sydney, and we've elevated that to emergency warning. The fire has broken out down near the Balmoral area on the south eastern corner of that fire. And we've issued emergency alert messages to the Balmoral community. But we've also had an update that the fire has now crossed further to the east of Balmoral, has crossed the railway line and is heading towards the communities of Bargo and Tahmoor. So emergency alert messages are also going out there. It's going to be a busy afternoon because already down the south coast at 10 o'clock we saw the fire weather conditions in the Nowra region, for example, already hitting extreme fire danger ratings with temperatures around 39/40 degrees. Very dry air and those very strong winds. We are expecting throughout the afternoon for that southerly change to come up through the south coast an impact across some of these higher ground areas, which will provide for very volatile conditions, very dynamic conditions, and of course they're very dangerous conditions for firefighters and all those affected by these fires.

It's going to be a long and difficult afternoon, as we indicated earlier this morning, and a number of additional firefighters have been deployed with strike teams in to support these areas, particularly in the south western area and down through the south coast where the fire danger has increased, and we've issued the emergency alerts this morning.

This morning, I’ve had the benefit and the privilege of having our Acting Prime Minister here for a briefing and a visit to the State Operations Centre to get an update firsthand on the current situation in New South Wales and what we're expecting today and over the coming days.

I'll hand over to our Acting Prime Minister.

MICHAEL MCCORMACK:

Thank you, Commissioner Fitzsimmons, and thank you for the opportunity today to visit this State Operations Centre with Fiona Martin, Member for Reid, in whose electorate this control centre is. And certainly it was great to get a briefing, not just from Commissioner Fitzsimmons, but from all of the dedicated, committed firefighters; but not just firefighting services but all the disaster relief management people, be it the police, be it ambulance. Certainly very, very pleased to discuss with the ADF personnel here, and we’ve got a number of ADF personnel working in conjunction. They have been for some weeks, some months now, planning and coordinating the efforts between state firefighting services and indeed what we can do at a Commonwealth level as far as the Australian Defence Force is concerned. We stand ready to provide that service.

I know that Premier Berejiklian has declared today a state of emergency and I appreciate very much the efforts that are continuing to occur right throughout New South Wales; indeed, right throughout Australia by our hardworking, full time firefighters and those volunteers as well. Those volunteers and those full time people who are, in many cases, risking their own houses because they're somewhere else fighting someone else's fire. But they're everybody's fire. It's a tragic situation. We have lost six lives. Sadly, we've lost 3 million hectares just in New South Wales alone, and of course, 790 homes. That'll be 790 people who will not be around their table this Christmas. And of course our thoughts go out to them.

We will continue to do everything that we can. I know Minister Littleproud, the Minister for Disaster Management at a federal level, is working in close proximity and in close cooperation of course with his state counterparts to do everything that we can at a federal level to help this fire effort. It's a very disastrous situation today obviously with the weather extremes that we are predicting. Thankfully, hopefully later today, as the Bureau of Meteorology tells us, there could be a cooler change sweeping through. We need those strong westerlies to blow the smoke away, to help respiratory problems and the like, but we also need that cooler weather to allow firefighters to do the best that they can do to put the fires out. And of course, this Saturday they're predicting temperatures of well into the 40s and that, again, will make the situation very tense.

People who have travel plans are urged to have a look at the various firefighting websites, et cetera, to see whether they need to re-evaluate and reassess their travel plans. We've had the Kings Highway down on the South Coast closed yesterday and we're not sure when that may well be opened. It could be days; it could be longer than that. But of course, it is a very tense situation. We will work through it. We will get through it, thanks to their resilience and the marvellous dedication – and the professionalism – of those firefighters on the ground and the coordination efforts that are taking place at this centre. This is a magnificent centre. It's an amazing facility and it's got the very best in predictive firefighting tools, got the very best in personnel. We've got the resources. We've got the people. We just need the weather to be kind to us and we'll get through this.

JOURNALIST:

Given the- the fact that the state of emergency has been declared, does this warrant the Prime Minister to return from holidays to be across this issue?

MICHAEL MCCORMACK:

Well the Prime Minister's very across this issue. He’s getting daily briefings and he's very across it. Look, the Prime Minister and I, we're very much getting daily briefings, if not hourly briefings on the situation. Of course I'm here right now as Acting Prime Minister and I know that David Littleproud is on the ground getting those important assessments and updates as well. But the important thing is we've got the right resources, we've got the right people on the ground doing their very best.

And I say again, if people are asked, to follow a command by somebody in authority, a firefighting person, a person in uniform, may be indeed an ADF person, to tell them to get out of their homes because there's a fire about to sweep through, then please follow those instructions. Please make sure that you follow the instructions because we can rebuild homes, we can rebuild property, we can't rebuild lost lives.

JOURNALIST:

But given the fact that he's getting daily briefings, as you say, on this, wouldn't it make more sense for him to be here and a more efficient way of communication?

MICHAEL MCCORMACK:

Well we're in constant contact, we're in constant contact. I’m the Acting Prime Minister. I'm here at the State Control Centre, I’m with Commissioner Fitzsimmons, got Rob Cameron from the Commonwealth level, the Director General of our disaster management services here with me as well. As I say again, the minister responsible for these sorts of things at the federal level, David Littleproud, is doing everything that he can in conjunction with our state authorities. And rest assured, we've got the right people, we’re doing the right thing and we're making sure that, you know, the important thing is we get these fires out.

JOURNALIST:

If you are having daily briefings with him, what has he said to you about these fires?

MICHAEL MCCORMACK:

Well of course he’s concerned, of course he’s making sure that at the federal level everything is being done. Our ADF personnel stands ready when and where needed to provide even additional resourcing. We of course, work in conjunction very closely with state firefighting services and agencies and we indeed, even down to bushfire brigades. We make sure that we're providing everything that we can from a Commonwealth level. Bearing in mind, that these fires are generally coordinated and fought at a state level.

JOURNALIST:

So just in terms of what you are providing, what is the Federal Government giving, whether it be to the RFS or other agencies? What are you actually doing?

MICHAEL MCCORMACK:

Well there was an $11 million increase in funding for an aerial bombing, fire-bombing service provided last week. And of course, the ADF are providing logistic support, they're providing, indeed, night time surveillance. They're doing things such as tree clearing and all those things that they've been asked, they're providing transport facilities. They are when needed and when asked, getting in there and doing marvellous logistic support. They've got people here at the state coordination centre and we're not just working here in New South Wales, we're doing that right across the country.

JOURNALIST:

When the PM goes to India in January, will he be having talks about advancing the Adani coal mine or other kinds of export coal projects?

MICHAEL MCCORMACK:

Well, we'll wait and see because I mean the Adani has been ticked off by the Queensland Government, so Adani is going ahead. And the fact is, that is the Adani Carmichael coal mine has ticked all the necessary state boxes that it’s needed to do. The people, the proponents of that particular project have met all their requirements. The fact is this is going to lead to more coal exports. We need more coal exports. They provide $62 billion already in exports and that provides for a lot of hospitals and schools and other important resourcing for this nation. The Prime Minister is going to have a number of talks with his Indian counterpart Modi. He's going to be having talks with business leaders of course. We need to continue and to enhance our trade negotiations with India and he'll be doing that and much more.

JOURNALIST:

So on that topic, in November, you said that the link between the fires and climate change was capital city green ravings. Do you-

MICHAEL MCCORMACK:

No, no, no. That’s not right. No and I'll put you straight. So, you know, I've dealt with this for a number of days now so let's get this right. We had Adam Bandt and Richard Di Natale from the Greens accusing Prime Minister Scott Morrison of being somehow, someway responsible for the deaths, the first few tragedies in this fire season. Rest assured, this fire season has now been going for 105 days. But early in the piece when those lives were lost, the two Greens came out and accused the Prime Minister of being somehow responsible for allowing this to happen. And I called them out for it and they needed to be called out for it because it was a nonsense. It was way beyond the pale and way beyond the remit of any politician to accuse another politician of somehow being some way responsible for those deaths. So I was accusing them of being raving city lunatics. But rest assured there's been a number of things said about this fire season. But climate change, of course, is a factor. So are lightning strikes from dry thunderstorms. So are, in a case in South Australia, horse manure self-combusting. And we've had, all too tragically, a number of arson attacks too - dozens of people arrested for deliberately lighting fires. Now I say again, I reiterate, if people see somebody, somebody lighting a fire deliberately, ring 1800-333-000. That's Crime Stoppers. They need to be dobbed in. And if a fire is out of control and there doesn't seem to be somebody there trying to put it out, triple 0, that’s the best number you can remember.

JOURNALIST:

Has the New South Wales Government asked the Federal Government for any more help, especially given that there’s been a state of emergency declared?

MICHAEL MCCORMACK:

Well the New South Wales Government has the right resourcing and we see this with their State Control Centre today that all the resourcing is on the ground. The coordinating efforts are happening. There’s been plenty going on for months for this fire season. And I know that Gladys Berejiklian is only ever a phone call away. I know that the various ministers at a state and federal level are talking with each other, if not on a daily basis, then almost on an hourly basis. We stand ready to provide whatever assistance is required and is asked and we've done that thus far.

JOURNALIST:

We’ve just started the holiday season, I notice that you've asked people to reassess their travel plans. What do you mean by that?

MICHAEL MCCORMACK:

Well if they’re making a trip to a particular destination they always go on the same road perhaps have a look to see whether that road has in fact been fire affected in the way- in the example I gave of Kings Highway, well it's actually closed at the moment. So obviously anybody trying to traverse that road, well they might be- they will be turned back and there are other ways and means of getting to their holiday or their Christmas destination. So I'd just say to people make sure you actually have a look to see if you are going into an area affected by fire or there's a fire in an area which separates you from where you need to be, then make sure you have a look. Have a look at the proper RMS and other websites to see if that road is in fact still open and do not go down any dangerous roads or any areas where you've been told not to. Follow what the authorities say please. Your lives are worth much more than just getting to where you need to be for that Christmas dinner, if in fact there is a road closed or if in fact there are trees across a road or something that- some obstacle that is in the way.

JOURNALIST:

China's Ambassador to Australia is denying that the Communist Party is holding millions of Uighur Muslims in detention camps, calling it fake news despite the evidence. What more can Australia do to show its disapproval?

MICHAEL MCCORMACK:

Well we've signed the agreement with other countries, more than 20 other countries to express our concern at what's happening with the Uighurs and of course Dr Yang. We've made very strong representations to China in that regard. It is a concern. The Government is very much worried about the situation and those representations have been made at a very forceful way by our Foreign Minister, Marise Payne, and others.

JOURNALIST:

Does the Government have any idea about the details of what Dr Yang is accused of?

MICHAEL MCCORMACK:

No we don't. And of course there are- he is in detention. We would ask that he be released. He is an Australian citizen and we want him to be released and we will continue to pursue that.

JOURNALIST:

At the Madrid Climate Summit, a former French Environment Minister said Australia's use of carryover credits was cheating. What's your response to that?

MICHAEL MCCORMACK:

We're meeting our international obligations, we're more than meeting. We're beating what we said we would, what we agreed to. And well we went to the election on 18 May with our climate policies very much fully costed, very much transparent, very much on the table and the Australian people elected us to do the job for and on their behalf. And we're going to more than meet those Paris agreements and we're going to make sure that yes, we do tick off on all our obligations as far as our international protocols are concerned without making sure that we close down power generation sources, without making sure that power is unaffordable for our households, for our factories and for our farms. We want to make sure there's a sensible, practical way to ensure that we yes, meet our international obligations while at the same time not hurting Australian households and Australian industry.

JOURNALIST:

So it's okay to use the carryover credits then?

MICHAEL MCCORMACK:

Well, like I say, we’re doing what we said we would. We're doing what we went to the election with a very transparent climate policy and we're more than meeting and beating our climate target emissions reductions.

JOURNALIST:

Mr McCormack, the Chinese Ambassador said to reporters this morning that it had been a mixed year in terms of this country's relations with Australia. Would you agree or has it been a very rocky year?

MICHAEL MCCORMACK:

Well sometimes these negotiations and these relations between countries can be robust. But China remains very good friends with Australia. They’re our biggest trading partner and I know, I come from the Riverina in south west New South Wales where I know a lot of farmers whether they're producing wine, whether they're producing grain, beef or whatever the case might be, they rely on Chinese markets for their future. They rely on Chinese markets for our trade and China's middle class is growing and we want to make sure that it continues to grow. We want to make sure that we continue those strong trade relations. And I've mentioned just some of the agricultural output, never mind the resourcing that the resources sector that relies on China for trade and we will continue to make sure that that chapter that China Australia Free Trade Agreement is strong and relations are cordial.

JOURNALIST:

Do you have any idea when you'll be handing over the top job back to Scott Morrison?

MICHAEL MCCORMACK:

Next Monday night I believe.

JOURNALIST:

Sorry, on medevac is it appropriate that 45 men from Manus Island who have been transferred to Australia under those laws are being detained in a Melbourne hotel?

MICHAEL MCCORMACK:

Well what they will be getting is the treatment that they sought and we'll be doing that as a Government, as a responsible Government. But the medevac laws that were put in place are being repealed because they were unnecessary. They were wrong and they weakened our border security.

JOURNALIST:

Why are they being detained in a hotel rather than a detention centre or facility for instance?

MICHAEL MCCORMACK:

Well that's the accommodation that has been afforded them. We want to make sure that they get well, that is what you would expect from a compassionate Government.

JOURNALIST:

So today people are camped out outside Kirribilli House angry that the Prime Minister isn't here. Do you think Scott Morrison has shown enough leadership on the bushfire crisis?

MICHAEL MCCORMACK:

Yes I do.

JOURNALIST:

You just said he’s not going back until Monday. Is there anything else- do you understand why people are…

MICHAEL MCCORMACK:

Well he’s entitled to a holiday. I'm sure- you're a journalist you probably get six and a half weeks holiday a year. I was a journalist once and that's how many holidays we were afforded. The Prime Minister rakes a week off, he’s entitled to that.

JOURNALIST:

But you understand why people- what's your response then, to people who are angry camped out outside Kirribilli House?

MICHAEL MCCORMACK:

Well you're wasting your time. Go and do something productive, go and donate your time to meals on wheels or something like that. And if you, you know, the fact is the Prime Minister is not there. So he's having a well-deserved holiday. So those people, who are shouting and screaming, if they’re anything like the people of the south coast yesterday, go and do something productive. Go and help someone out in need, do a good turn for somebody else rather than just shouting and screaming and holding up placards that you know, not always the words are spelt correctly on.

JOURNALIST:

You feel that leadership has been shown on this issue but what's the example that you can provide that Scott Morrison has provided leadership, given that he is away at the time and we haven't heard him speak directly on these fires?

MICHAEL MCCORMACK:

Well he has been out with the fires I’ve been with him. I've been with him in many electorates. He's been out and about the country talking about the fires, whether it was the Wilberforce, whether it was in David Gillespie's electorate, I’ve been with him on some of those occasions talking to the people on the ground. We've provided the assistance that’s been asked by state firefighting authorities, we’ve provided the assistance, he has provided that assistance that’s been asked by state governments. He has led from the front as you'd expect a Prime Minister to do so and he'll continue to do that in the future.