Is Tony fighting fires to make up for

[donnashuggy]

expense rorts?

Or hasn't he got anything better to do in his job as PM

[lakeland27 · Accepted solution]

chris will be out there for sure.. have you noticed how heat makes hair crinkle up poodle style ?

[spotweldersfriend]

Hmmm.I don't see any comments here denigrating the RFS.

[lakeland27]

thats because there are none.

[i-need-a-martini]

I think your 'disgust' is a little over the top sarah308.

Whilst I support him volunteering in his electorate during a crisis like this, it is a valid question to be asked of any prime minister - at what level should they become involved in situations like this?

If it stops other people doing their job or puts others at risk then perhaps it isn't such a good idea. 

I think the Daily Telegraph/The Australian has done Abbott a great diservice in making such a big fuss about this. And then made it worse by using photographs of Abbott in his gear during back burning operations from a few years back. It makes it look like a gigantic publicity stunt unfortunately.

[***super_nova***]

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@sarah308 wrote:

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@donnashuggy wrote:

expense rorts?

Or hasn't he got anything better to do in his job as PM

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 NO, PM should not be physically fighting fires, he should be making sure that the firefighters have all they need and everything is coordinated correctly.

[**meep**]

From sarah's link, in case the post is removed:

Trent Dowling, who is the captain of the Davidson NSW rural fire brigade, yesterday slammed critics of Mr Abbott, saying he often pulled more than his own weight when on patrol and had been a loyal volunteer for more than ten years.

"I think it's all just complete rubbish and it is 100 per cent disrespectful to any volunteer out there helping to battle the fire," Mr Dowling told News Corp from the fire front yesterday.

"He is just a normal guy doing what he always does with us. People should just leave it alone as it's wearing pretty thin."

Mr Abbott has faced criticism since he joined his local fire service for a 14-hour night shift on Saturday to help with back burning near Bilpin in the NSW Blue Mountains.

His service was not publicised by his media office and they did not issue a statement until several blurry photos appeared on social media.

Mr Dowling said the Prime Minister had earned the respect of his local fire crew and had been a loyal volunteer since he first joined in October 2000.

He said Mr Abbott had even been appointed deputy captain two years in a row but had to step down from the duties when he became opposition leader in 2009.

"That wasn't because he didn't want that position, it was simply because with his extra workload he would be away from home more often," Mr Dowling said.

"Tony is an extremely fit guy and pulls his weight out there; in fact he often pulls more than his own weight.

"He has the total respect of the members and wasn't there for a photo opportunity."

Mr Dowling said many of the Davidson crew were "really p----- off" that Mr Abbott was facing criticism and his service was of such interest to the media.

"He is just one normal person doing what he always does. We've got people here in the canteen who are working from 4am till after 5pm just to feed our people," he said.

"We should be praising and talking about our back of house heroes, not unnecessarily dumping a whole lot of criticism on one guy who is just helping out."

[lakeland27]

he's a poser. its all to generate positive publicity. i bet he was in a safe area already burnt.

[luna-2304]

This thread has been locked due to the sensitive nature of the current bushfire situation happening within NSW and Australia. This thread goes against the Community Values and is being used to make hostile and interpersonal comments.