“Astounded”: The Government Slammed By Veteran Firefighter Over Climate Change
"I’ve watched our politicians sit on their hands, from both major parties. I don’t think either of them really have answers or are doing enough."
As bushfires rage around the country, a veteran firefighter with 50 years of experience has unleashed on politicians from both major parties over their lack of action on climate change.
In a brutal interview with Nine, former NSW Fire and Rescue Commissioner Greg Mullins said he was “astounded” to hear Prime Minister Scott Morrison speak in Tasmania about the fires currently tearing through the state without mentioning a plan to address climate change.
“He seems like an intelligent person, he can read,” said Mullins. “It’s a very easy correlation and people in the [fire fighting] business know the links.”
“I feel quite passionately that the word needs to get out about how much the bushfire threat has worsened. I’ve watched it change, and I’ve watched our politicians sit on their hands, from both major parties. I don’t think either of them really have answers or are doing enough.”
Mullins’ remarks coincide with the launch of a new group, Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action.
“We have come together because we have lost our homes and our communities to bushfires and we want action,” reads a message on the group’s website. “We are sick of waiting and we won’t put up with half-measures anymore. The Government can no longer ignore the way their climate change denial is hurting our communities and putting lives at risk. They must take Australia beyond fossil fuel projects like Adani and move to 100% renewable energy for all.”
The group will travel to Canberra when Parliament returns for the year, and is calling on both Morrison and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten to meet with them.
“[Fire seasons] are longer, more severe, and we are getting fires that are much harder to put out,” said Mullins. “There is simply not enough firefighters and fire trucks to do the job, to protect every structure and protect people’s lives.”
“It’s extremely inconvenient for any government that does not have a cogent answer for what they’ll do about climate change, to see the effects of climate change putting more and more people and homes at risk.”
Feature image via Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action.