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Here is a list of reasons why this is absolutely the Coalition Government's fault; #AustraliaBurning
The Morrison Government ignored expert advice, that's been rolling in since April 2019, saying they would need specialist equipment, including water-bombers, to fight off unprecedented bushfires this season. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-14/former-fire-chief-calls-out-pm-over-refusal-of-meeting/11705330
As part of their '$3.5 billion shake up' to the public sector, the Liberal State Government CUT $12.9 million from Fire & Rescue NSW, plus $26.7 million from the volunteers (Office of NSW Rural Fire Services). https://www.crikey.com.au/2019/11/11/nsw-bushfires-budget-cut/
The Morrison Government's response to the 2018 bushfires in Queensland was to attempt an inquiry into state land-clearing laws designed to protect much needed vegetation - blaming the trees for the fires. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/dec/07/queensland-bushfires-palaszczuk-blasts-morrison-government-over-land-clearing-inquiry
During the 2018-2019 bushfire season, the premiere of Tasmania had to beg the Federal Government for extra assistance because federal funding (the NDRRA) doesn't support protection or relief for World Heritage Listed areas, or non-populated sites. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-09/plea-for-federal-help-fund-wilderness-fires-clean-up/10796466
The Morrison Government's strategy to tackle climate change natural disasters has been solely focussed on injecting money into relief efforts after the event, with no new money allocated to prevention and protection. https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/preventing-disaster-from-striking-australias-economy/
It isn't only the Government's spurious claims and ineptitude around Climate Change that are hurting us, it's their reluctance to even support the most basic of preventative measures. Including making enormous budget cuts to research and public services. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-07840-w
That relief funding Tasmania begged for? It never came. Morrison has a long history of promising relief funding for disaster efforts, and then deferring that funding to a later date - Delaying recovery efforts and making communities even more vulnerable. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-14/no-sign-of-wilderness-fire-damage-funding/11001418
Just last month, Morrison announced even more cuts to the public sector (the Government has cut billions). These services have a direct impact on fire prevention, rescue and relief, including health, environment, research, communications, and community services like the ABC.
Disengagement with Environmental issues has been consistent. Former Environmental Minister Melissa Price did the exact same disappearing act in the 2018-2019 bushfire season as many of our ministers have done this season. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/feb/16/the-invisible-minister-melissa-price-accused-of-going-missing-on-the-environment
While experts warned federal governments about the impacts of climate change denial, deforestation, and the impending bushfires, Environment Minister Susan Ley invested her energy into getting Adani across the line and feral cats. I'm not joking. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jun/14/sussan-ley-ill-be-an-environmentalist-as-minister
And though she has been very performative about protecting wildlife and links to climate change, it's clear Sussan Ley is ignoring experts and has nfi what she's doing. https://independentaustralia.net/environment/environment-display/sussan-ley-workshop-reveals-ignorance-towards-bushfire-koala-crisis,13353
Maybe the most insidious and dangerous member of Morrison's cabinet, Energy Minister Angus Taylor has been standing in the way of Climate related progress and policy for years. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/dec/31/fact-checking-angus-taylor-does-australia-have-a-climate-change-record-to-be-proud-of
Most bushfire disaster relief payments are made through Centrelink, as well as some RFS volunteer funds. The same Centrelink the Coalition has made a sport of stripping funding from for years. The Centrelink that Morrison targets again and again. https://www.smh.com.au/opinion/federal-budget-2017-more-public-service-cuts-will-harm-australian-and-the-government-itself-20170502-gvx5ln.html
In fact, I would argue the Morrison Government has, more than any Government before it, campaigned to make 'public services' the enemy, those same public services who are on the ground right now, saving our country against all odds.
We're all aware of the Government's blistering incompetence when the fires started, but here is a great refresher from November, including Morrison refusing overseas assistance. https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/morrison-and-berejiklian-cant-see-the-forest-for-the-burning-trees,13305
But this didn't start with Morrison. It didn't even start with Tony "volunteer firefighter" Abbott and his cuts to services and systematic undermining of relief and recovery efforts. https://www.solidarity.net.au/climate-change/liberals-slash-while-australia-burns/
And yes there are failings from the other parties, ludicrous ones that beggar belief, but there is no party that has consistently harmed our environment, succesfully undermined anti-climate change campaigns, and hurt firefighting efforts more than the Coalition. This is on them.
Apparently this tweet in the thread has been blocked for some reason?
Attaching this tweet to the end here, so you have access to the link above. I implore everyone to read this report from 2003. It's heartbreaking, but so important. #AustraliaOnFire https://twitter.com/karaschlegl/status/1213218316304535554
Oh and if this thread is the shot - here's your chaser. https://twitter.com/karaschlegl/status/1213234599230242816
ICYMI This thread is now a Video, thanks to you guys and your support.
