Australia wildfires: Scott Morrison offers extra paid leave to volunteer firefighters amid backlash over crisis response

Prime minister battles criticism over family vacation during devastating crisis

Australia’s prime minister has said some volunteer firefighters will receive paid leave entitlements for their work amid backlash over his response to the country’s devastating wildfire crisis.

Volunteers will have to work over Christmas to contain fires that have burned about five million hectares of land nationwide over the past few months, killing five people and destroying more than 950 homes.

Scott Morrison has pledged to support public sector workers who volunteer to battle the blazes with 20 days of paid leave on top of their regular permitted leave.

The PM has been criticised for taking a family vacation to Hawaii during the crisis and faced calls from the opposition Labour party to consider compensation for volunteer firefighters.

“With bushfire seasons starting earlier, one of the things I've heard on the ground is that some people are dipping into their other leave entitlements to stay out there battling blazes,” the prime minister told reporters in South Australia.

“Today's announcement is about ensuring our volunteer firefighters can keep focused on the job at hand."

Authorities have warned that the fires in New South Wales, Australia’s most populous state, could rage for months.

“We know this does not address the situation for self-employed and small businesses directly, but it does mean those working for larger organisations can step in and take some of the load from those volunteers who work for themselves or small businesses,” added Mr Morrison, who urged the private sector to implement similar measures.

An emotional interview on Australian TV on Tuesday drew attention to the sacrifices made by firefighters tackling the blazes.

Andrew Johnston, a volunteer for the Balmoral Rural Fire Service, broke down in tears as he told a reporter he had not been able to buy his young daughter Christmas presents because he was busy fighting the fires.

“It's just overwhelming, the support,” Mr Johnston said, referring to gifts which had been donated to his town.

“You can see all the presents and stuff for the kids and I think that's just what they need at the moment.

“I haven't even gone Christmas shopping or anything for my daughter. She's about to turn one on 11 January."

New South Wales was given some temporary relief with cooler temperatures on Tuesday but authorities have warned conditions could deteriorate over the weekend due to warmer and windier weather.

Mr Morrison toured an area in South Australia where up to 200 volunteer firefighters have been battling a 25,000-hectare blaze.

“Today may be Christmas Eve, but for so many firefighters, it is going to be another day out there protecting their communities. And I thank them for their service," the prime minister said.

Meanwhile, South Australia state police have said wildfire victims have been targeted by possible scammers in an attempt to access personal financial accounts.

In the suspected fraud, victims received phone calls from people claiming to be from their bank and offering to provide disaster relief funds before asking for account details.

Additional reporting by AP