Scott Morrison has been criticized after claiming there is "no better place to raise kids" than Australia – at the same time children are forced to flee their homes to escape bush fires that continue to engulf the east coast of the country.
The prime minister, who has faced stern rebukes from the public over his handling of the most widespread wildfire season in the nation's history, made a plea for optimism as the nation heads into 2020 – while acknowledging the country had gone through "a tough 12 months" exacerbated by the "terrible bushfires".
In a New Year's message delivered alongside his wife Jenny Morrison, he added: "There's also been the drought that continues and of course, the floods earlier last year.
"But one thing we can always celebrate in Australia is that we live in the most amazing country on earth and the wonderful Aussie spirit that means that we will always overcome whatever challenges we face. That we will always look optimistically into our future.
His address came as photos of fires gripping the nation depicted children forced to flee their homes and stand in the sea to keep safe. Others were seen playing while wearing gas masks.
"There's no better place to raise kids anywhere on the planet, and we're all so grateful that we can live in this amazing country, and that's something we can always give thanks for as we enter into their new year."
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