Arriving in 1975 we were accustomed to the regular cool weather fuel reduction burns carried out in the forests of the wider area.

With an asthmatic child this was always a concern, but we realised the necessity of these burn-offs and took appropriate precautions to protect her health while the smoke was at its worst over a period ofseveral days.

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Today, I tried to remember the last time I can recall witnessing the evidence of any burn-offs being carried out in recent years.

So while those affected by this terrible situation have every right to be angry, those of us who aren't directly impacted by it should be prepared to demand that the states directly concerned should finance and implement immediately the regular steps necessary for prevention, wherever possible, of it ever happening on such a scale again.

Australia needs a prime minister from a regional location who can connect with all Australians, not just the Sydney end of Australia.

It has been too long since we had a prime minister from a regional area.

There is a feeling of neglect and being easily overlooked by many in regional Australia with the city powers.

There is importance and features out of Sydney in Australia and it is time to take advantage of regions far more.

It is time regional MPs were far more demanding for their seats in regions.

Scott Morrison can play the media for all he's worth delivering his last minute bounty.

He and his pious buddies aren't sweating under heavy protective clothing, braving walls of fire, being stripped of home and livelihood.

No, he like his peers, was holidaying overseas or playing cricket safely at home in Kirribilli.

Twenty-six million mainly quiet Australians are now held hostage to this irresponsible, self-serving, manipulative government whose life-goal is power at the altar of their god "Profit and Progress".

This government is clearly prepared to sell off and destroy all that sustains life.

Our cultures and religions give us many words for this: turning a blind eye, washing your hands of it, even the sin of omission.

They are standing by while this beautiful land, land that is not really ours, turns into a gas oven and we are all suffocated.

This is a crime.

Coming generations, should we survive, will judge it as such.

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