NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro has broken ranks with the state government,backing calls to cancel Sydney's New Year's Eve fireworks display amid the ongoing bushfire crisis.
Tweeting from London where he is on holiday,the NSW Nationals leader said cancelling the fireworks would be"a very easy decision",citing the fire risk along with fairness for regional areas where fireworks have been banned.
"The risk is too high and we must respect our exhausted RFS volunteers. If regional areas have had fireworks banned,then let's not have two classes of citizens. We're all in this crisis together,"Mr Barilaro said.
However,City of Sydney spokeswoman Tanya Goldberg said the council was of the"firm view"the event should proceed.
The city's famous celebrations are expected to attract 1 million people to the harbour foreshore and generate $130 million for the NSW economy.
Mr Barilaro's tweet comes after Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Sunday thatany decision would be made on advice from the Rural Fire Service – and"if it is safe to do so,we should continue to do it as we have done every other year".
"If the RFS,if the experts,say it's safe to have the fireworks continue,well,we should do that. Sydney is one of the first cities in the world welcoming in the new year,"Ms Berejiklian said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison echoed the view of Ms Berejiklian,saying:"I think it is important to send a message to the world ... We will keep doing what we do normally."