Aussie PM defends climate policies amid bushfire crisis

CANBERRA -- Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has rejected "panicked" calls for his government to pursue more ambitious climate policies.

Addressing a press conference as bushfires continued to burn in New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria on Sunday morning, Morrison conceded that his family holiday in Hawaii caused "great anxiety in Australia".

After visiting the New South Wales Rural Fire Service headquarters in Sydney on Sunday he said that climate change was "one of many factors" responsible for the fires but defended his government's climate policies.

"I have always acknowledged the connection between these weather events and these broader fire events and the impacts globally of climate change. It's one of many factors as I have said," he said, adding, "We will take a responsible approach to taking action on climate change. We are taking action and we will continue to take action."

"What we will not do is act in a knee-jerk ... or panicked mode. A panic approach and response to anything does not help."

Morrison on Friday announced that he would cut his holiday short and returned to Sydney on Saturday night.

It came after two volunteer firefighters in New South Wales died after their truck rolled over last week.