This weekend, the community rallied and our firefighters and volunteers were extraordinary. But the onslaught is far from over.



No meaningful rain is forecast until February, making it nearly impossible to extinguish blazes or defeat drought. Next month water is set to run out in many of our towns, and a new level of water restrictons will come in to force.

Today I joined with Jodi McKay MP, NSW Labor Leader in condemning the Berejiklian Government's failure to prioritise bush fires and drought, and calling on the Government to abandon the wasteful Powerhouse Museum re-location, which is set to cost $1.5 billion.

You can read more here.



This is the statement from Jodi McKay:

This is a time when the actions of leaders are judged. So, as rural and regional NSW pleads for extra help and investment, I have been gobsmacked by the Berejiklian governments recent priorities in NSW.



The Premiers Sydney CBD Light Rail has finally opened at a cost of $3 billion, nearly double what was promised. George Street looks nicer but travel times have increased, making the service unviable for many. Incredibly, it is quicker to catch the train in from Penrith than the tram from Randwick.



Last week, the Premier also used the cover of bushfires to reveal a $100 million blowout in the Sydney Football Stadium rebuild, breaking an election promise. The blowout sum could have funded four firefighting aircraft or five new schools. But it will now be wasted on a stadium that should still be standing and was only ever demolished to appease Liberal mates.



And then we come to the perplexing move of the Powerhouse Museum. Labor has described the design as a "monstrosity on stilts". But the real monstrosity is spending an estimated $1.5 billion to pack up a collection and lug it across Sydney. Parramatta deserves a cultural facility, but this could be delivered at a fraction of the price while respecting local heritage.



Collectively, these decisions represent an obscene abuse of taxpayer funds and lets not forget the $14 billion Northern Beaches toll road still to come.



Today, high city rollers like developers, stadium moguls and tollway operators make merry while towns run out of water; budget cuts are inflicted on Fire and Rescue NSW; our Rural Fire Service volunteers fund their own respirators; and Environment Minister Matt Kean slashes one-third of National Parks and Wildlife Service rangers conducting hazard-reduction burns.



When the stakes are high, we must speak the truth. So today, I join with Jodi mcKay in calling on the government to abandon its indulgent Powerhouse relocation and instead put the funds towards the emergency response and long-term fire and drought resilience.



If the Prime Minister wont work with our nations experts to hold a fire summit, then NSW should. I have spoken to former Fire and Rescue Commissioner Greg Mullins, now head of the Emergency Leaders for Climate Action, and committed to support such an event in NSW in a bipartisan way.



Given we are patching holes with overseas and interstate crews, our firefighters and volunteers need more support. Deputy Rural Fire Service Commissioner Rob Rogers has warned people not to expect a fire truck on their street, an admission the organisation is overstretched. Labor members are being inundated with similar reports.



Fixing this starts with providing volunteers with the most basic of equipment: respirators instead of dust masks. I am also perplexed the Premier and Prime Minister have refused my demand for two weeks to specify exactly how many defence personnel NSW has requested and been sent.



In too many fire-ravaged communities, people are asking, where are the troops?



Next, NSW should activate a hazardous air quality plan. It is appropriate the Premier and Health Minister personally provide daily pollution warnings. An extensive public health information campaign is needed that answers basic questions: should people wear face masks? Is it fine to sleep with the windows open on a hot night?



Hospitals and ambulances must receive extra resources to care for the influx of people with respiratory conditions. Keeping our schools and other government buildings open over summer would also provide respite to people struggling to breathe who cant afford air-conditioning.



Finally, we need water to fight fires, and to sustain life. I believe the Premier should follow my lead and visit drought-stricken towns like Broken Hill, Menindee, Dubbo and Armidale.



After nearly a decade of inaction, the government is scrambling to construct bores, dams and pipelines. It should also borrow from Labors example and consider building a second desalination plant.



Changed circumstances during this most dangerous of summers no longer afford the government the luxury of hauling a locomotive exhibit across town. The Premier should admit that in a tight budgetary environment, resources must be redirected across NSW to where they are most needed.



To paraphrase her, when it comes to the Powerhouse, now is not the time.