Prime Minister Scott Morrison has flagged that he will attend all funerals for firefighters killed during the current bushfires, including former Wagga student Samuel McPaul, who died in a firetruck crash at Jingellic.
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"[My wife} Jenny and I attended the funeral and memorial service for Geoff Keaton. To be there with his partner and his parents and his broader family was important to be able to honour his sacrifice and his tremendous service," Mr Morrison said at a press conference in Sydney on Thursday afternoon.
"Sadly we will be attending two more service in the not-too-distant future."
Mr Morrison said "all of the nation" extends sympathy to the friends and family of firefighters who have died.
Mr McPaul, aged 28, was killed on Monday when his firetruck was flipped over by a 'fire tornado' while responding to the Green Valley bushfire.
Mr Morrison said the National Security Committee of Cabinet, which includes Riverina MP and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, on Monday to discuss "immediate" issues around the bushfires and the government's "longer term response".
View updates from The Daily Advertiser live blog here.
At the same press conference, federal Emergency Management Minister David Littleproud urged people in fire-affected areas to respect the firefighters who were risking their lives and listen to instructions from emergency services.
"Those men and women are putting their lives on the line. We have already had too many fatalities in these fires," Mr Littleproud said.
"Sadly, we have had three brave Australians who were serving their community and their country who have made the ultimate sacrifice, so out of respect to them it is your responsibility to listen to those emergency services personal, to do what they tell you, but to be prepared and act now.
"This is not a 'she'll be right' moment, this is a serious situation as we get into the weekend it is imperative that your look after yourselves, it is your responsibility to look after yourself and your family and you owe it ti the men and women fighting these fires to do exactly what they say."
Opposition leader Anthony Albanese told the ABC earlier on Thursday afternoon that Australia was facing a "national emergency" from the bushfires.
"Australia, as a dry continent and the nature of our climate means that we are particularly vulnerable to the impact of climate change," he said.
"We were told the bushfire season would be longer and more intense and that is what we are seeing.
"Coming immediately after the drought, it just means that parts of the tropical rainforest were burning for the first time just a couple of months ago and it has continued to take place."
Mr Albanese said the situation was "certainly not business as usual".
"I have been at the airport for four hours not going anywhere because I was due to fly to Albury to get a briefing about the aerial firefighting that has been based there, both for the NSW south coast and Victoria, particularly the Gippsland region."
Mr Albanese called on the federal government to take a lead on climate change and became "a strong global advocate, rather than a handbrake".
Speaking later in the afternoon, Mr Morrison said the government was making "achievements" in "responsibly" reducing carbon emissions ahead of international targets.
"My focus right now, to deal with the anxiety in the community, is to get support and supplies and getting people to safety and getting firefighters every support that they need," Mr Morrison said.
To stay up to date with the latest bushfire alerts, visit the NSW Rural Fire Service Fires Near Me website here.