Tony has been spotted out there again fighting the current fires.  People may have loved or hated him as a Prime Minister but there is no doubt that Tony Abbott has the Australian spirit of getting in there and helping out when needed, for this he will always have my respect.

Scomo is obviously a Sunday only Christian, he doesn't have an ounce of compassion ot integrity in him.  These latest statements prove that he has no heart at all!

- “And we all know … that climate change, along with many other factors, contribute to what is occurring today.”

This is so true ! Keep forests away from homes or keep homes away from forests but, where is the NSW State Premier on this?

Why doesn't the NSW State buy its own aerial support water bombers? Saving money for New Year Eve fireworks? - Footy stadiums more important?

"A nation grappling with a crippling drought and a sky darkened by fires we are told are without determinable end"

This is each State's own problem foremost, not the PM's. That's why the States have their own governments, own separate Constitutions, own Treasury Departments separate to the Federal government.

Drought and bush fires are the responsibility of the State governments.

Freedom of religion is the federal government's responsibility.

Finally - a couple of sensible comments, as well as from Horace Cope below! Guardian and such lefty / Green commentators DO NOT help to put out fires, they simply want to use the topic to start talking about their favourite topc about climate change by humans (which does nothing to stop fires) - just to attack Australia, but with no guts to attack China the biggest and increasing emitter of polluting gases.

With 85% of fires resulting from human ignition activity (noting the climate does not ignite fires), it is the State Govts responsibility to focus more resources on Prevention - Get Police to patrol all risk areas, use cameras (they have lots to catch so-called speeding), drones, helicopters, etc, to catch arsonists (punish the harder, including parents of nasty kids), and put out fires asap when they start instead of finding out after they are too big. Yes, put in more paid resources, don't leave it to volunteers. More water-bombing aircraft as well.

How does the State support fire fighter volunteers?

Does the state pay them $547.94 each day for volunteering , risking their life, like the MPs pay themselves and do bugger all?

Hypocrites !

Don't even open that can of worms! We are left with this abominable, inhumane mob because of Palmer and the misinformation re coal and all the othe lies that were told. They want to get rid of the unions, control the media, and save money on the wrong things as per usual. 
A lighter version of Trump who can act and distort reality is our illustrious leader! 

Well Arvo, the state gives volunteers a fire engine, the necessary equipment to fight a fire and protective clothing. Their pay is all that can be expected for a volunteer who gives their time to help the community because they care.

To Paddington, read my first sentence. Shorten lost, Morrison won, get over it. The misinformation about coal was mainly because Shorten told those in Victoria that the Adani mine project would be stopped by labor when he was elected but Shorten told those in North Queensland that he supported the Adani mine. His hypocrisy brought him undone. Do you really support those union thugs who bash people who won't join a union? I don't.

What the hell has Shorten got to do with anything, last I checked he was no longer the leader of the opposition.

You can't hide the miserable performance of a leader by trying to redirect the conversation to another target especially one who is no longerc elevant.

Time to face facts, we were fooled into voting a dud into a leadership role, we must cut out the cancer at the first opportunity. 

SLOMO is all clever PR and no substance.  I would suspect he claims to be Christian to get the vote of a certain section of our community.  He certainly does not seem to exhibit their values.

“Time to face facts, we were fooled into voting a dud into a leadership role, we must cut out the cancer at the first opportunity.”

Got to say nobody fooled me, why? Because I’ve got a brain in my head. I do my research, I investigate both sides and the perimeters as well. My nana used to say, to wash a donkey’s tail is a waste of time and soap. Take a bow Horace.

The State government and the RFS have plenty of 'obligations' to the volunteer firefighters; the Workplace Health & Safety requirements are very comprehensive!