(CNN) Australia's beleaguered prime minister, Scott Morrison, has admitted there were things he "could have handled much better" in the bushfire crisis and will propose a royal commission into the disaster.

The prime minister has been heavily criticized for his tone-deaf interactions with fire-ravaged communities and inaction over climate change.

In a lengthy interview with the ABC's Insiders host, David Speers, Morrison said the fires had made his government "think a little harder" on how to provide comfort and consolation to the victims.

A projection on the Sydney Opera House honors firefighters on January 11.

"These are sensitive environments, they are very emotional environments," said Morrison, adding that "prime ministers are flesh and blood too in how they engage with these people."

Morrison said he will now put a proposal for a royal commission into the fire crisis to Cabinet. The inquiry would look at how the government should respond and offer support to those affected.

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