Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

It was raised by the journalist about whether we would be considering—

An opposition member interjecting—

If he would cease interjecting, I'd be happy to answer his question, Mr Speaker. It was being raised with me as to whether the Commonwealth would be providing compensation for Rural Fire Service volunteers. Now that is not a matter that is normally dealt with by the federal government. I said it was not normally dealt with by the federal government. It is a matter that is traditionally done by the Rural Fire Service. On that occasion, I was reflecting comments made to me when I visited with Rural Fire Service members. They had put to me that, when they were out there, they wanted to be out there protecting their communities. That's what I was talking about. They know that they would prefer not to have fires. They know that they would prefer to be at home with their families and their communities. What I was saying was that, when duty calls, they want to answer that call to duty, because that's what our volunteers do.

The Leader of the Opposition has wilfully for months sought to misrepresent that comment to take political advantage of the bushfires, and it shows an appalling quality in his behaviour to politicise any event.

Mr Dreyfus interjecting—

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