Prime Minister Scott Morrison wants the power to declare a national state of emergency and call out the Defence force to deal with natural disasters as he says the cycle of dangerous fires "must be broken".

In his first major speech for the year, the Prime Minister will attempt to take control of the national agenda that has buffeted him since the deadly bushfires started and the Bridget McKenzie sports rorts scandal began.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison wants the power to call out the Defence force and declare national emergencies when natural disasters strike. Credit:AAP

Mr Morrison flagged a royal commission into the bushfires that will audit previous bushfire inquiries to see what recommended work has not been done.

The speech at the National Press Club on Wednesday will focus on practical measures to deal with the bushfire crisis, rather than setting out a policy agenda for 2020.