Protesters rally for action on climate change outside Parliament House in Canberra, earlier this month. Photo / AP
Protesters rally for action on climate change outside Parliament House in Canberra, earlier this month. Photo / AP
After days of battling a raging blaze in Nelligen on the south coast of NSW, firefighter Paul Parker had some very choice words for Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
And his viral rant has reaped the most quintessential Aussie reward: a never-ending tab at the local pub.
"Pretty much every day someone comes in and puts their money down, telling us to buy a few beers for that bloke who got stuck into the Prime Minister," the licensee of Nelligen's Steampacket Hotel, Joel Alvey told the Sydney Morning Herald.
A GoFundMe page has already raised $120 specifically for the cause.
"I suppose about $500 has turned up, and it keeps coming," says Alvey, who isn't shocked by the nation's reaction to Parker's heated words.
"He only said what the rest of us were thinking," he said. Another GoFundMe has been set up by Parker's neighbours, calling for donations to help him rebuild his own home which suffered extensive damage during the fires.
"Paul hasn't been able to work, and therefore has not generated an income, due to his volunteering with the Rural Fire Service," the page reads.
— Sue Barrett Better Business for Sustainable Future (@SueBarrett) January 6, 2020
Emotionally spent after fighting the never-ending fires peppered across town, Parker drove his fire truck directly over to a 7 News camera crew and told them exactly what he thought of his Prime Minister (no filter).
"Are you from the media? Tell the Prime Minister to go and get f---ed from Nelligen. We really enjoy doing this shit, f---head," he said.
His words struck a chord with the public, making him an overnight hero. The moment made international news, with some even memorialising his rant in street art.
A grateful Parker – who is a regular at the Steampacket – said his bar tab becomes a shout for all his mates.
Parker's explosive rant came after days on end of fighting fires as they raced down Clyde Mountain and straight towards Nelligen, population 300.
Paul Parker had some very choice words for Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Photo / AP
Climbing temps and dangerous fire weather have made conditions have seen long-burning fires right along the NSW south coast. Among them was he massive Currowan Fire, which has finally been extinguished after burning for 74 days.
The flames licked through 499,621 hectares, spanning right across the region and spreading to neighbouring councils including Eurobodalla, Wingecarribee and Queanbeyan Palerang.
A total of 312 homes were destroyed and 173 were damaged.
