Furious locals in fire-ravaged town tell ScoMo he “should be ashamed of himself”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison was met with angry residents as he visited the fire-ravaged town of Cobargo in southern New South Wales.

The town was one of the most impacted towns from the infernos that tore across NSW’s east on New Year’s Eve.

Morrison has been criticised for his lack of meaningful action to help those impacted by the bushfires, and this was made clear when he visited locals.

One local asked “why we only had four trucks to defend our town”.

Another pointed out that despite the town not being rich, the people who lived there had “hearts of gold”.

“What about the money for our forgotten corner of NSW Mr Prime Minister,” the woman said. “How come we only had four trucks to defend our town, cause our town doesn’t have a lot of money but we have hearts of gold Mr Prime Minister.”

Later the same woman said: “What about the people who are dead now, Mr Prime Minister? What about the people who have nowhere to live?”

Another man said: “Nah you’re an idiot mate. You really are.”

Another said: “What about people around here. Nobody. No Liberal votes. You’re out son. You are out. Goodnight Vienna. Bye. Go on p*** off.”

Morrison said that the “strong feelings that people have” are expected in a “raw” event like this. He told the ABC:

“I’m not surprised people are feeling very raw at the moment.

“And, that’s why I came today, to be here, to see it for myself; offer what comfort I could.

“But you can’t always in every circumstance, I think everyone understands that.

“I appreciate the welcome we’ve received, Jenny and I, but at the same time, I understand the very strong feelings that people have,” he explained.

“They’ve lost everything and there are still some very dangerous days ahead. We’re going to do everything we can to ensure they have every support they need.”

Morrison has come under sustained criticism of his handling of the bushfire crisis, as he had to return home early from a trip to Hawaii while NSW had a range of bushfires uncontained. He’s also downplayed the need for urgent climate action after the fires that have impacted NSW and Victoria have turned deadly.

"My simple request is to be patient, to have confidence in the state agencies," Mr Morrison told media in Sydney on Thursday.

"I understand the anxiety and I understand the fear that is there for many and I understand the frustration.

"But this is a natural disaster.

"Natural disasters are best dealt with through the methodical, well-coordinated response that we are seeing today."