Australia’s PM Scott Morrison returning from Hawaii holiday after death of two volunteer firefighters

CANBERRA, Dec 20, 2019, News.com.au. Prime Minister Scott Morrison is cutting his Hawaii holiday short and returning to Australia after the death of two volunteer firefighters overnight. He will arrive back in the country tomorrow, News.com.au reported.

“Over the course of the past week I have been taking leave with my family. Our leave was brought forward due to the need to cancel our scheduled leave in January because of our official government visit to India and Japan,” Mr Morrison said in a statement this morning.

“I deeply regret any offence caused to any of the many Australians affected by the terrible bushfires by my taking leave with family at this time.

“I have been receiving regular updates on the bushfires disaster as well as the status of the search and treatment of the victims of the White Island tragedy. The Commonwealth’s responsibilities have been well managed by the Acting Prime Minister, Minister Littleproud and Minister Payne.

“Given the most recent tragic events, I will be returning to Sydney as soon as can be arranged.”

Mr Morrison also expressed his “sincere condolences and sympathies” to the fallen firefighters’ families.

“They were bravely defending their communities with an unmatched spirit and a dedication that will forever set them apart amongst our most courageous Australians,” he said.

“Their sacrifice and their service saving lives and saving properties will be forever remembered. I wish those injured the best in their recovery.

“These fires and heat conditions are horrendous, and there are still difficult days ahead, with Saturday predicted to be the most severe day, with extreme temperatures and wind making conditions very difficult for fire crews. We wish all of those putting themselves in harm’s way for all of us all the best. Stay safe, stay together.”

The Prime Minister has been criticised for deciding to take leave while bushfires continued to burn across the country.

Mr Morrison called in to 2GB radio after releasing those statements this morning.

He confirmed he was in Hawaii — something his office has demurred on all week — and said he would return as soon as possible.

“These events are just horrendous. If it was possible not to be where I was this week, well, maybe, but this has been arranged some time ago, and that’s just how it was,” Mr Morrison said on radio.

“I’ll be coming back as soon as I can. It’s not easy to get back, but I will as soon as I can.

“I know Australians will understand this, and they’ll be pleased I’m coming back, I’m sure.

“But they know that, you know, I don’t hold a hose mate, and I don’t sit in a control room. The brave people who do that are doing that job.”

He said the trip was an attempt to surprise his daughters, given he has official trips scheduled in January and the family will not be able to take time off then.

“That (Hawaii) is sometimes where we go privately for our holidays. We spend a lot of time in Australia on our holidays as well,” Mr Morrison said.

“We had planned to spend it down the South Coast as we usually do, but we had to bring it forward because of those commitments we had in India and Japan. So we had to tell the girls we wouldn’t be spending as much time down there, so in return I tried to give them a bit of a nice surprise and take them here.

“I think that’s what dads try and do if they can, when they’ve been working hard all year. I know there are lots of dads and mums out there who’ve been working hard all year try to treat their kids at this time of year, and that’s what I was trying to do. It’s just unfortunate it’s come at such an awful time, particularly for those living in and around Sydney and NSW.

“And it’s just devastating to be here and seeing what’s happening there, so I’m pleased to be returning.”