Scott Morrison flags bushfires royal commission and says Coalition could bolster emissions targets

Prime minister acknowledges he could have handled things better in the 'strained' emotional environment on the ground

Scott Morrison has indicated the government could bolster its carbon emission reduction targets as he flagged a royal commission into Australia's horror bushfire season and warns of a "new normal" that will require a greater role for the commonwealth.

Speaking at length about the government's response to the bushfires, which have s claimed 28 lives and more than 2,000 homes, Scott Morrison also acknowledged for the first time that he could have done better in the "strained" emotional environment on the ground, despite visiting affected communities "in good faith".

"There are things I could have handled on the ground much better," Morrison told ABC Insiders' host David Speers on Sunday.