Australia PM Scott Morrison pledges $1.4 bn more in aid for bushfires

Over 20 people have lost their lives so far

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday announced an additional $1.38 billion over two years to a new agency to coordinate a national response to rebuild communities and livelihoods following the deadly bushfire crisis.

The National Bushfire Recovery Agency, headed by former federal police chief Andrew Colvin, will help bushfire affected communities recover. The agency would be funded with an initial $1.38 billion (around 2 billion Australian dollars) to ensure the families, farmers and business owners hit by the unprecedented bushfires would get the support they needed as they recover, the Prime Minister said.

“It’s a long road ahead and we will