Australian bushfires: State of Emergency declared for NSW, as 17 remain missing in Victoria
Federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg has defended Prime Minister Scott Morrison's response to the nation's ongoing fire emergency, as New South Wales declared its third state of emergency in as many months.
The Prime Minister has come under fire for being slow to visit fire-affected communities, after earlier facing criticism for holidaying with his family in Hawaii during the New South Wales' bushfire emergency.
"I understand he will be in Victoria shortly and he's been in other affected areas," Mr Frydenberg said in a press conference this afternoon.
"He's in constant contact with his colleagues, with state premiers, getting briefings from Emergency Management Australia."
Questioned over the role climate change has played in worsening bushfire conditions, Mr Frydenberg said there was "no doubt" climate change was real.
"Climate change is real and it's impacting upon the global environment – that's why we are part of a global solution to take action," he said.
"Our climate policies are going to be delivering on our 2030 targets.
"When we came to government, we were scheduled to miss the 2020 emissions reduction target – now we're scheduled to be ahead of that target." 9 news.
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