The relationship between Gladys Berejiklian and Scott Morrison has deteriorated since back-to-back election wins last year, when their friendship seemed warm to the point of tropical.

Gladys Berejiklian, Scott Morrison and Donald Trump. Illustration: John Shakespeare Credit:

The bushfire crisis roiling the state since November has been a significant contributor to tensions, particularly with some of the Premier's colleagues blaming the Prime Minister for attempting to shift criticism about a slow federal government response to the state.

Now the deaths of three American firefighters last Thursday, after their Coulson C-130 aircraft crashed north-east of Cooma, has caused even more tensions between the offices after Berejikilan’s staff requested assistance in contacting the White House.

Berejiklian wanted to express to Donald Trump (or another senior White House official) her gratitude for the service of the firefighters. Her office was told that an informal missive would instead be sent to one of Trump’s lieutenants.