Scott Morrison promises aid package for areas ravaged by Australia bushfires

Prime minister says communications breakdown left NSW fire authorities unaware army reservists called up

The prime minister, Scott Morrison, has promised an aid package for areas ravaged by Australia's continuing bushfire crisis and says he will consider a royal commission into the deadly blazes, which have burned vast areas on the east coast.

Speaking during a press conference the prime minister also said there had been a breakdown in communications with New South Wales authorities that left the Rural Fire Service and their Australian Defence Force liaison unaware army reservists had been called up to help with the fire effort.