Anthony Albanese has asked the Prime Minister to consider suspending the standard political brawling on the first sitting day of Federal Parliament for 2020, to devote the day to marking the unprecedented bushfire crisis around the country.
Politicians are due to return to Capital Hill for the first time on Tuesday February 4, but the Opposition Leader wrote to Scott Morrison on Friday suggesting an alternative.
"As a sign of respect and remembrance, on the first sitting day of the year … I am requesting that you move a Motion of Condolence, seconded by me, for the bushfire victims and their families," Mr Albanese wrote.
"This motion should also pay tribute to the bravery and extraordinary dedication of our volunteer firefighters, ADF personnel and emergency workers."
More than 20 people have died during the fires, and more than 2,000 homes have been destroyed across the country.
Under the proposal, MPs would be given the opportunity to add their thoughts on the matter, before Parliament adjourned for the rest of the day.
Mr Albanese also asked the Prime Minister to update him on whether any legislation needed to be rushed through Parliament, to ensure assistance to people and communities hit hard by the bushfires was delivered as soon as possible.
"The Opposition stands ready to expedite appropriate legislation through both the House of Representatives and the Senate during the first sitting week," Mr Albanese wrote.
More international help for firefighting efforts
Firefighting experts from the United Kingdom and France have joined the bushfire response, travelling to Australia to lend their expertise.
Three have travelled from the UK — a senior member of the country's Fire and Rescue Service, a medical specialist in trauma and mental health, and a military officer specialising in crisis response — to assess what further support the UK can offer in coming weeks and months.
"Australia is one of our strongest and oldest friends and we are utterly distraught about the devastation caused by these catastrophic bushfires — including the tragic loss of life and of precious biodiversity," UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement.
"Despite being on opposite sides of the world, our bond is a close one, and we will do all that is possible to help [Australia] respond to and recover from this tragic situation."
A team of five arrived from France on Thursday, and will spend time in Canberra, New South Wales and Victoria to plan how French authorities can also offer extra help.
Engineers and helicopters have been offered by New Zealand, Singapore and Papua New Guinean militaries in recent days, along with extra firefighters from across the Tasman, the United States and Canada.
