Scott Morrison has paid a visit to a bushfire relief centre where he was seen donating one bag of groceries to victims who have lost their homes.
The embattled prime minister has been visiting fire-ravaged towns across the country following fierce criticism over his handling of Australia’s worst bushfire crisis.
Mr Morrison was accompanied by MP Darren Chester on Friday as he arrived at Lucknow Memorial Hall in East Gippsland.
He was seen clutching a plastic Woolworths bag as entered the venue which has been providing food, toiletries, and other goods to those affected.
Scott Morrison was seen clutching a plastic Woolworths bag of groceries as he arrived at a relief centre at Lucknow Memorial Hall in East Gippsland on Friday
Mr Morrison was accompanied by MP Darren Chester as he visited volunteers and those who lost their homes in the bushfires
The prime minister greeted volunteers outside the hall before heading inside to listen to victims speak on their ordeal.
‘Last time I was down here it was the drought and today it is the fires,’ Mr Morrison said.
‘It is a great hardship on this community, but look at the response.
‘It’s going to be a tough road ahead.’
Mr Morrison posed for photos before telling the crowd it was ‘good to see your chins are up.’
‘There is always something to look forward to,’ he added.
The PM reportedly spent just eight minutes talking to victims and volunteers before leaving, according to 10NewsFirst.
Locals and volunteers extended a friendly welcome to Mr Morrison, who had been slammed by residents during his visit to another affected town.
Mr Morrison was not well-received during his visit to Corbago, NSW on Thursday. One local refused to shake his hand until the PM offered more support to volunteer firefighters
Mr Morrison can be seen trying to shake the fireman’s hand, however, the man only looks at Mr Morrison’s hand before shaking his head. ‘I don’t really want to shake your hand,’ the fireman says
On Thursday, he was forced to flee a NSW town destroyed by bushfires after furious residents hurled abuse at him during a visit.
The PM had visited the rural town of Cobargo, in New South Wales, where a father and son died during devastating fires on New Year’s Eve.
One woman refused to shake his hand until the PM offered more support to volunteer firefighters and another yelled: ‘You’re an idiot.’
A video of Mr Morrison’s embarrassing visit to Cobargo was widely circulated on social media.
The PM had been trying to improve his public image after criticism of his handling of the crisis including taking a secret holiday in Hawaii as bushfires raged.
Cobargo in New South Wales (pictured) has been ravaged by bushfires, turning the once quiet country town into a wasteland
Australia on fire: Bushfires continue to ravage NSW and Victoria. Pictured: Fires burn between the townships of Bemm River and Cann River in eastern Gippsland on January 2
A stunning aerial photo captured massive clouds of smoke rising from wildfires burning in East Gippsland, Victoria on Thursday
He was told he ‘should be ashamed of himself’ while others called him ‘Scum-mo’ for ‘leaving the country to burn’.
One local refused to shake his hand until the PM offered more support to volunteer firefighters.
Mr Morrison responded on Friday by saying he understood the emotional response and did not take it personally.
‘Whether they’re angry at me or they’re angry at their situation, I know that people are hurting I know that they’re raw – I don’t take these things personally.” Mr Morrison said in an interview with Melbourne radio station 3AW.
‘I understand that, I understand the emotion, the hurt, the frustration and anger.’
Cobargo was one of the worst-affected areas on New Year’s Eve, losing several buildings on its main street, while a local father and son were killed trying to defend their home, and dozens of homes burnt down.