Morrison with Australia, New Zealand cricketers at Sydney`s official residence. (Photo by the Daily Mail)
According to the Daily Mail, Scott Morrison was repeatedly accused of making "low-profile" comments about the Australian and New Zealand cricketers who came to the prime minister`s Sydney residence, Kirribilli House, during the Australian forest fire crisis.
Morrison hosted Australia and New Zealand`s cricket team at the Chilli Billy House on Wednesday on New Year`s Day, with the match between them set to start in Sydney on Friday.
The prime minister took a number of photos with the athletes and the children played cricket on the garden grass. It`s an annual tradition.
Meanwhile, deadly bushfires have caused the evacuation of eight new and victoria states since monday, with thousands preparing to evacuate today. Morrison also spoke briefly to jornalist yesterday. He claims the fire crisis "will take place against the backdrop of this match-up" and the Aussie will be "inspired by the outstanding performances of our cricketers "...
"Both at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) and in front of the TV, the Aussies will rally together," he said. They will be inspired by the remarkable record of cricketers on both sides of our Tasman. "
"I think they will be inspired by the spirit these Australians have shown. People will be reminded of some of the terrible things that Australians are dealing with and will be inspired by what they think. "
The prime minister`s comments have angered many. They felt that Morrison had put cricket before the bushfire. Voter Victoria Caffey wrote on Twitter:" Has anyone told you? Most people in Australia are much more concerned about forest fire than about cricket. We also care about the quality of our leaders. "
Peter Clarke, a former Australian broadcaster, left a message saying:" Morrison huddled in his official residence, the Chilli Billy House, making unthinkable, unhappily and inappropriate remarks about "staying upbeat" and "cricket."
Another Twitter user shared a photo of Virginia Gov. Daniel Andrews visiting the fire station and a photo of Morrison with Australia`s cricket team with the caption "than the two."
"Imagine walking into a funeral place and shouting,`How good is cricket? Do you really have that low EQ? "
The way he responded to the bushfire has sparked criticism since mr morrison flew to hawaii for a holiday last month as it raged.
On New Year`s Eve, Morrison was re-incried for inviting relatives and friends to dinner and watching fireworks at the Chilli Billy House. Amid calls to cancel, the 6.5 million-million fireworks show at Sydney Harbour is scheduled to take place on the same day, but will donate money to firefighters to raise money.
Some angry netizens said:" I remain neutral on fireworks, but will not forget Morrison partying at home, I wish the fireworks went to his house! "But some have argued for Morrison:" For God`s sake, you ruined his Hawaiian vacation and you don`t have a party. I mean, he`s Christian, but he`s not the savior, and he won`t miraculously let the fire go away. "
Today, a naval ship carrying emergency supplies to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, leaf Sydney, headed to the waters near the fire-hit town of Malacoota in Virginia.
The forest fire left the town of Marakuta devastated, with 4,000 people still trapped in the town. They will be helped by the amphibious landing ship HMS Choules.
Andrew Crisp, the state`s emergency management director, said evacuating people to the ship was "one of the options we are seriously considering "... The ship is known to carry up to 1,000 people.
Meanwhile, there will be more bushfires when the west Sydney gas rises to 45C on Saturday.
