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CANBERRA, Australia — Australia’s government staunchly rejected arguments that climate change is causing the wildfires ravaging eastern parts of the country following a record hot start to the spring season.

“That is complete hogwash,” Prime Minister Tony Abbott told News Corp. Australian newspapers in an interview published on Friday.

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Environment Minister Greg Hunt backed his prime minister, saying no individual event can be linked to climate change.

But a climate science organization abolished by Abbott’s government released a report on Friday declaring a clear link between climate change and the wildfires. The severity and scale of the fires was unprecedented for this time of year, it said. Last month had been the hottest September on record in New South Wales state. The 12 months preceding it had been the hottest year on record across Australia.

The government abolished the state-funded Climate Commission after being elected last month. But the organization survives through public donations as the Climate Council to continue its independent work of communicating reliable information about global warming.