‘My absence was inexcusable’, NSW emergency services minister admits
An unfortunate sidebar to the horrific scenes we’ve seen in bushfire-ravaged communities across the south-east has been the political response to the crisis.
David Elliott, the NSW emergency services minister, was heavily criticised after he jetted off to Europe for a holiday last month as much of the state was on fire.
He returned last night and has addressed the controversy in a Facebook post.
“My absence over the last week was inexcusable,” Elliott said.
“I should have put my RFS family first and foremost given the current conditions (even my own family acknowledge that) and now it’s time to get back to work.”
I suspect this won’t be the last you’ll read about this.
Here’s an update from the NSW RFS overnight. That’s 60 fires burning out of control. And conditions are expected to deteriorate significant today.
We’ll be able to give you more information when the NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian and emergency services chiefs front the media in the next few minutes.
NSW RFS
(@NSWRFS)At midnight there are still 137 fires burning across NSW with over 60 yet to be contained.
Over 2000 firefighters are continuing to work hard throughout this evening in preparation for Severe and Extreme Fire Danger predicted for many parts of the State today.#NSWRFS #NSWFires pic.twitter.com/Bxv1ILtt6v
Good morning. I’m Luke Henriques-Gomes. Thanks for joining us on what is expected to be one of the worst days of the bushfire season so far.
Thousands of people have been ordered to evacuated communities throughout the east coast, from Batemans Bay in NSW to the Victorian region of East Gippsland.
As always we’ll be with you throughout the day to bring the latest news and developments.
