Screenshot of Morrison`s interview (Australia Broadcasting Corporation)
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said he will present a proposal to the cabinet to set up the Royal Forest Fire Council.
The fire has already caused more than 20 people across the country, with more than 2,000 houses burned.
Concerns have been raised about states and territories responding to bushfires, and questions have been raised about federal government delays in providing Australian Defence Force (ADF) support.
The Prime Minister said:" I think it is necessary and I will make this proposal through the Cabinet. "
Mr. Morrison said there is also a need to increase the flexibility of federal government to intervene and assist states during the disaster, as stressed by calls from ADF reservists.
"I think it creates an environment where for the first time people want to see federal government more directly involved and respond to these national disasters," he said. "
The Prime Minister noted that the current crisis had prompted federal government to take "extraordinary action ".
"This is one of the important steps forward," Morrison said. "
"This is the first time I believe that federal government must act, and we must do so in order to ensure that we can act in a more pre-emptive manner in the future. "
The federal opposition also supports it, but warns it should not absolve alliance of its responsibility for the current action.
Labour leader Anthony Albanese said:" We don`t want to hear in the coming weeks and months that ' I can`t answer that because it`s handled by the Royal Council. '"
"We want to examine the performance of government, its shortcomings and the need for immediate action. "
Possible change in climate policy after forest fires
Morrison felt stressed, wondering whether the forest fire crisis would prompt a rethink of alliance`s climate policy and whether especially governance would raise its 2030 targets.
Current policies include: Australia`s carbon emissions will be 26% to 28% lower in 2030 than in 2005.
He replied:" Cabinet and government will continue to stick to the policy to achieve our goals. "
"We want to reduce emissions and do what we can to get better at it," he said.
"I would like to adopt a balanced policy to achieve this in recognition of Australia`s broader national economic and social interests. "
Australia has been criticised by other countries for using so-called "carry-over credits" to calculate emissions reductions in excess of previous Kyoto climate agreements in meeting the goals set out in the Paris climate pact.
"It`s not about adjusting [climate policy], it needs to be reformulated," Abenley said of Morrison`s comments.
"What they are now pursuing is opportunistic policies that do not really reduce emissions. "
The Prime Minister also pointed out that there were things that could have been better handled in his response to the fire. He was questioned by the locals when he went to the fire zone with his wife.
Mr Morrison said:" The Prime Minister is also flesh and blood in reaching out to the public. "
"When I walked into these places, I was sincere, and sometimes I went with Jennie to help and comfort as much as I could.
"We need to think harder about how to do better. "
