Teenage daughter of brave firefighter slams Scott Morrison for taking a holiday to Hawaii as bushfires burn – while the Prime Minister’s Christmas message divides opinion
- Aish Cowgill took aim at Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s bushfire response
- Mr Morrison was in Hawaii last week while bushfires raged around Australia
- The comments come as he issued his annual Christmas message on Tuesday
- In the video he urged Australians to keep their chin up amid fires and drought
- Social media users slammed Mr Morrison and said he was unfit to govern
The 19-year-old daughter of a NSW Rural Fire Service firefighter issued an open letter to Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Aish Cowgill took to Facebook on Friday to criticise Mr Morrison’s actions after he flew to Hawaii for a holiday with his wife Jenny and their children.
Mr Morrison has faced heavy criticism for his response to the bushfires burning across Australia.
The prime minister’s video came as 19-year-old Aish Cowgill, who is the daughter of a NSW Rural Fire Service firefighter, issued an open letter to the Prime Minister urging him to take action
Ms Cowgill explained she has hardly seen her father at Christmas for the last 15 years due to the fires that rage during summer.
However she said this year there is no end in sight.
‘Each year it gets worse, each year regular people suffer because of the government’s inaction on climate change,’ she said.
‘Mr Morrison, my clothes smell of smoke, my hair smells of smoke and the air tastes of smoke.
‘There is no escaping this hopeless reality, unless of course we were in your position.’
Ms Cowgill said it is expected her father will work 18-hour days for the next month.
‘You can lie to yourself for business purposes, but you can no longer lie to a nation. Your empty words will no longer be tolerated; proof of oncoming disaster has burnt our bushlands and rendered our national animal to near extinction,’ she said.
‘You are accountable to the people of Australia, not to yourself. It’s time to act.’
The teenager’s comments come as Mr Morrison was slammed for his message to firefighters in his annual Christmas video.
‘This spirit is what makes Australians the amazing country it is, and in this Christmas time we give thanks despite these terrible challenges for the wonderful country that we’ve been blessed to live in,’ he said.
‘We’re an amazing country, we’re an amazing people and 2020 is another year in which we demonstrate why this is the best country in the world.’
Fire and Rescue personal watch a bushfire as it burns near homes on the outskirts of the town of Bilpin on December 19
During his speech the prime minister sent a heartfelt message to the families of Geoffrey Keaton, 32, and Andrew O’Dwyer, 36, the two firefighters who lost their lives battling the flames in New South Wales.
‘To Andrew and Geoffrey’s parents, we know this is going to be a tough Christmas for you, first one without both those two amazing men,’ the prime minister said.
Mr Morrison gave his thanks to all volunteers fighting the blazes, as well as the defence forces who are on duty overseas.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison paid tribute to slain fire-fighters Andrew O’Dwyer and Geoffrey Keaton (pictured left to right) in his annual Christmas message for 2019
‘They are a reminder of why this country is amazing and they are a reminder of what we’ve got to give thanks for,’ he said.
‘Despite great challenges, Australians have stood up, showed tremendous spirit and have responded.’
The message delivered by the prime minister was met with criticism from social media users.
‘You’re not the Prime Minister Australia needs,’ one person wrote.
‘You are our headache and the laughing stock of the world.’
Another person said: ‘Happy no climate change 2020. Keep selling off our country.’
One social media user said Mr Morrison was not fit to hold the office of the Prime Minister.
Others praised Mr Morrison for his efforts since he took over the office in August 2018 and sent well wishes to him and his family.