Australia's Prime Minister has finally admitted he “could have done better” as another firefighter died in the country’s raging blazes.
Scott Morrison has faced widespread criticism over his government’s response to the bushfires and its climate policy.
Yesterday, Bill Slade, 60, was killed by a falling tree while working on a blaze in Victoria.
Since September, bushfires have killed at least 28 people and destroyed thousands of homes.
Mr Morrison conceded there were, “things I could have handled on the ground much better”.
In recent weeks, he has been heckled by locals when visiting fire-hit communities in New South Wales and Victoria.
People have called Mr Morrison an “idiot” and told him “you won’t be getting any votes down here”.
He said: “These are sensitive environments, they are very emotional environments.
Prime ministers are flesh and blood, too, in how they engage with these people.”
He added: “We’re living in longer, hotter, drier summers. This is obviously affected by the broader changes in climate.”
He has faced fierce criticism over his lack of urgency in tackling climate change.
Experts say global warming is a key factor behind a rise in forest fires across the world.
But Mr Morrison has said it is not “credible” to make a “direct connection”.
Chris Hardman, Victoria’s chief fire officer, said the death of Mr Slade was “a significant loss”.
He is survived by wife Carol, daughter Steph and son Ethan.
