Last week the fires burning across Australia were labelled ‘catastrophic’.
State premier Gladys Berejiklian declared a state of emergency for NSW.
As the fires continue to burn this week, with the smoke even filling the lungs of those in Sydney’s CBD, prime minister Scott Morrison decided that victims needed something to hope for. The cricket.
[referenced url=”https://gizmodo.com.au/2019/11/how-to-donate-bush-fire/” thumb=”https://gizmodo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Koala-410×231.jpg” title=”How To Help Australian Bush Fire Victims (Including Wildlife)” excerpt=”Large parts of eastern Australia are now in catastrophic fire danger. With over 100 fires burning and 850,000 already hectares destroyed you may be wondering how you can help. We’ve rounded up some of the best charities and organisations.”]
While homes, wildlife and human lives are being lost, our prime minister figured a good old fashioned bit of sports ball would be an appropriate thing to tie to this multi-state devastation.
So the the PM took to Twitter to post a photo of himself at the Gabba during a training session.
“Going to be a great summer of cricket, and for our firefighters and fire-impacted communities, I’m sure our boys will give them something to cheer for,” tweeted the PM.
Going to be a great summer of cricket, and for our firefighters and fire-impacted communities, I’m sure our boys will give them something to cheer for.@GabbaBrisbane @CricketAus #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/iHF1mGPrAH
— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) November 20, 2019
If this didn’t seem tone deaf enough on its own, it was posted after the PM visited the Queensland Fire & Emergency Services.
I visited the @QldFES Centre today to get an update on the current and forecast bushfire conditions. Australia is facing some dangerous fire conditions all across the country in the coming days. Please keep updated on fires in your area. Stay alert. Stay informed. Stay safe. pic.twitter.com/41S8nHjY4t
— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) November 20, 2019
The response to the Morrison’s tweet were swift and savage. Some users pointed out the lack of empathy in the post, while others linked the tweet back to the coalition’s stance on climate change.
The country is on fire, ravaged by drought and #climatechange and he’s back to posing at the cricket.
Scott Morrison really is an empty vessel.
— Seano (@SeanBradbery) November 20, 2019
Our country’s best and most distinguished firefighters have been pleading for a meeting with you SINCE APRIL and you were “too busy” to meet them. But hey, enjoy the cricket.
— Andrew Stafford (@staffo_sez) November 20, 2019
Nearly 500 homes are burnt to the ground in NSW. That’s double the amount of the last most destructive fire. People are dead, animals incinerated.
To call your flippant, “you’ll have something to cheer for” tone deaf is insufficient. You appear to be incapable of empathy.
— Mel is enjoying the fascists imploding (@mel_giancarlo) November 20, 2019
So still not doing anything about the catastrophic fire other than offering thoughts & prayers? Too busy being a waterboy to develop federal fire fighting plans as well as a proper response to climate change #KOALAKILLER #liarfromtheshire #bullshitboy #auspol pic.twitter.com/Hzun0ORT9q
— ????????Libby Daly ???????????????? (@libby94949) November 20, 2019
But perhaps the PM’s blasé response to devastating bush fires shouldn’t be surprising. After all, just last week a report found that our country has one of the worst climate change response’s in the G20.
In addition to a reliance on fossil fuels and insufficient 2030 NDC targets, we don’t even have a climate change policy.
But according to Morrison, Australia is doing just fine.
“If anything Australia is an overachiever on our global commitments, and for 2030 we will meet those as well with the mechanisms we have put in place,” said the PM on ABC radio this week.
We’re sure this attitude will serve the country well as we head into another summer of record heat. A $1.5 billion drought relief fund has already had to be established, but everything is great. Bring on the Australia vs Pakistan Test, lads.
[referenced url=”https://gizmodo.com.au/2019/11/scott-morrison-coal-climate-change/” thumb=”https://gizmodo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/scomo-coal-410×231.jpg” title=”As Australia Burns Let’s Remember When ScoMo Brought A Lump Of Coal To Parliament” excerpt=”As chunks of our country burn today, we thought it might be a good time to remind everyone of the time that Scott Morrison brought a lump of coal to parliament for the lols.”]