Australia suspended its parliament for a day to honour the victims of its summer of devastating wildfires, as protests against the government’s handling of the crisis continued.

On the first day back after the summer recess, prime minister Scott Morrison postponed ordinary business in the capital Canberra.

Instead, he and other MPs paid tribute to those killed by the raging bushfires, which include nine firefighters and three American Air Force personnel whose plane crashed while battling a blaze in New South Wales last month.

“This is the black summer of 2019-20 that has proven our national character and resolve,” Mr Morrison said.

“These fires are yet to end and danger is still before us in many, many places, but today we gather together to mourn, honour, reflect and begin to learn from the black summer that continues.”

Australia fires: What's next for towns devastated by wildfires? Show all 21 1 /21 Australia fires: What's next for towns devastated by wildfires? Australia fires: What's next for towns devastated by wildfires? AUSTRALIA-BUSHFIRES-COMMUNITY-15.JPG Philippe Ravenel poses for a photo in front of the remains of his house after it was burnt in a bushfire, in the town of Cobargo, New South Wales, Australia, January 13, 2020. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis SEARCH "COBARGO BUSHFIRE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. ALKIS KONSTANTINIDIS Photos Reuters Australia fires: What's next for towns devastated by wildfires? AUSTRALIA-BUSHFIRES-COMMUNITY-19.JPG Volunteers arrange donated clothes at a centre that has been turned into an unofficial donation point in the town of Cobargo, New South Wales, Australia. Reuters Australia fires: What's next for towns devastated by wildfires? AUSTRALIA-BUSHFIRES-COMMUNITY-10.JPG Children play inside an Australian Army forces vehicle that was expedited to help with the recovery of the town following the bushfires, during a gathering at the town's pub to commemorate the loss of three members of the community and honour the efforts of the local firefighters in Cobargo, New South Wales, Australia, January 12, 2020. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis SEARCH "COBARGO BUSHFIRE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY. ALKIS KONSTANTINIDIS Reuters Australia fires: What's next for towns devastated by wildfires? AUSTRALIA-BUSHFIRES-COMMUNITY-17.JPG A teapot salvaged from the house of Philippe Ravenel, whose home was burnt in a bushfire, stands amongst some of his other belongings in the town of Cobargo, New South Wales, Australia, January 13, 2020. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis SEARCH "COBARGO BUSHFIRE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. ALKIS KONSTANTINIDIS Reuters Australia fires: What's next for towns devastated by wildfires? AUSTRALIA-BUSHFIRES-COMMUNITY-16.JPG A man sits on a bench as caravans and tents of evacuees are parked at a showground that was turned into an unofficial evacuation centre, in the town of Cobargo, Australia, January 12, 2020. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis SEARCH "COBARGO BUSHFIRE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. ALKIS KONSTANTINIDIS Reuters Australia fires: What's next for towns devastated by wildfires? AUSTRALIA-BUSHFIRES-COMMUNITY-12.JPG Two women embrace during a gathering in the town's pub, to commemorate the loss of three members of the community and honour the efforts of the local firefighters, in Cobargo, New South Wales, Australia, January 12, 2020. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis SEARCH "COBARGO BUSHFIRE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. ALKIS KONSTANTINIDIS Reuters Australia fires: What's next for towns devastated by wildfires? AUSTRALIA-BUSHFIRES-COMMUNITY.JPG Tim Salway, a fifth-generation dairy farmer who lost both his father and brother in the bushfires, stands in his farm in Wandella, near the town of Cobargo. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis SEARCH "COBARGO BUSHFIRE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY. ALKIS KONSTANTINIDIS Reuters Australia fires: What's next for towns devastated by wildfires? AUSTRALIA-BUSHFIRES-COMMUNITY-6.JPG A firefighter's suit hangs on the fence of a property next to a sign that reads "Thanks guys" in the town of Cobargo, New South Wales, Australia, January 12, 2020. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis SEARCH "COBARGO BUSHFIRE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. ALKIS KONSTANTINIDIS Reuters Australia fires: What's next for towns devastated by wildfires? AUSTRALIA-BUSHFIRES-COMMUNITY-13.JPG Rod Dunn who is a builder, stands outside a borrowed caravan that he is now living in with his wife Kath Dunn, after they lost their home in a bushfire, at a showground that was turned into an unofficial evacuation centre in the town of Cobargo, New South Wales, Australia, January 12, 2020. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis SEARCH "COBARGO BUSHFIRE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. ALKIS KONSTANTINIDIS Reuters Australia fires: What's next for towns devastated by wildfires? AUSTRALIA-BUSHFIRES-COMMUNITY-18.JPG Donated clothes and blankets are piled outside an unofficial donation point in the town of Cobargo. Reuters Australia fires: What's next for towns devastated by wildfires? AUSTRALIA-BUSHFIRES-COMMUNITY-1.JPG The Cobargo town sign that was burnt in a bushfire, stands in Cobargo, New South Wales, Australia, January 12, 2020. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis SEARCH "COBARGO BUSHFIRE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES ALKIS KONSTANTINIDIS Reuters Australia fires: What's next for towns devastated by wildfires? AUSTRALIA-BUSHFIRES-COMMUNITY-11.JPG A note that reads "Post Apocalyptic Fiction is moved to Current Affairs" is posted on the window of a bookshop in the town of Cobargo, New South Wales, Australia, January 12, 2020. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis SEARCH "COBARGO BUSHFIRE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. ALKIS KONSTANTINIDIS Reuters Australia fires: What's next for towns devastated by wildfires? AUSTRALIA-BUSHFIRES-COMMUNITY-14.JPG People listen to a speech during a gathering in the town's pub, to commemorate the loss of three members of the community and honour the efforts of the local firefighters, in Cobargo, New South Wales, Australia, January 12, 2020. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis SEARCH "COBARGO BUSHFIRE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. ALKIS KONSTANTINIDIS Reuters Australia fires: What's next for towns devastated by wildfires? AUSTRALIA-BUSHFIRES-COMMUNITY-3.JPG Mark Ayliffe, captain of the Cobargo Rural Fire Service, holds his own portrait that was given to him by members of the community for his efforts in the recent bushfires, during a gathering in the town's pub, in Cobargo, New South Wales, Australia, January 12, 2020. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis SEARCH "COBARGO BUSHFIRE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. ALKIS KONSTANTINIDIS Reuters Australia fires: What's next for towns devastated by wildfires? AUSTRALIA-BUSHFIRES-COMMUNITY-9.JPG Donated children's shoes are displayed at a centre that has been turned into an unofficial donation point in the town of Cobargo, New South Wales, Australia, January 13, 2020. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis SEARCH "COBARGO BUSHFIRE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. ALKIS KONSTANTINIDIS Reuters Australia fires: What's next for towns devastated by wildfires? AUSTRALIA-BUSHFIRES-COMMUNITY-8.JPG People select donated goods at a showground that was turned into an unofficial evacuation centre, in the town of Cobargo, New South Wales, Australia, January 12, 2020. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis SEARCH "COBARGO BUSHFIRE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. ALKIS KONSTANTINIDIS Reuters Australia fires: What's next for towns devastated by wildfires? AUSTRALIA-BUSHFIRES-COMMUNITY-7.JPG The remains of a car, burnt by a bushfire, stands in front of a destroyed structure, in the town of Cobargo, New South Wales, Australia, January 12, 2020. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis SEARCH "COBARGO BUSHFIRE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. ALKIS KONSTANTINIDIS Reuters Australia fires: What's next for towns devastated by wildfires? AUSTRALIA-BUSHFIRES-COMMUNITY-5.JPG A woman carrying a child, holds a box of donated goods, at a showground that was turned into an unofficial evacuation centre, in the town of Cobargo, New South Wales, Australia, January 12, 2020. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis SEARCH "COBARGO BUSHFIRE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. ALKIS KONSTANTINIDIS Reuters Australia fires: What's next for towns devastated by wildfires? AUSTRALIA-BUSHFIRES-COMMUNITY-2.JPG A danger sign is hung in front of an area cordoned off by the Emergency State Services, that was destroyed by bushfires in the town of Cobargo, New South Wales, Australia, January 12, 2020. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis SEARCH "COBARGO BUSHFIRE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. ALKIS KONSTANTINIDIS Reuters Australia fires: What's next for towns devastated by wildfires? AUSTRALIA-BUSHFIRES-COMMUNITY-0.JPG David Moran, a community worker from Dalmeny, climbs down a ladder as he is helped by volunteers Daniel and Stephanie Galileos to clean the solar panels on Peter Hisco's (R) house in the town of Cobargo, New South Wales, Australia, January 12, 2020. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis SEARCH "COBARGO BUSHFIRE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. ALKIS KONSTANTINIDIS Reuters Australia fires: What's next for towns devastated by wildfires? AUSTRALIA-BUSHFIRES-COMMUNITY-4.JPG People attend a gathering in the town's pub to commemorate the loss of three members of the community and honour the efforts of the local firefighters, in Cobargo, New South Wales, Australia, January 12, 2020. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis SEARCH "COBARGO BUSHFIRE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. ALKIS KONSTANTINIDIS Reuters

Although more than 100 fires continue to rage, the cooler weather means none currently posed an immediate threat, Australia’s meteorological authorities have said.

Families of some of those who had died were sat in the public gallery as the embattled leader, who was castigated for going on holiday to Hawaii at the height of the crisis in December, vowed Australia “is not and will never be overwhelmed”.

Since September, the wildfires have destroyed about 12 million hectares across the country, claimed the lives of 33 people and one billion animals, and razed 2,500 homes, according to Reuters.

Outside Parliament House as Mr Morrison spoke, hundreds of protestors gathered to attack his government’s record and demand tougher action on the climate emergency.

Members of the government have pushed back against suggestions, supported by most scientists, that the fires were exacerbated by climate change.

Australia remains one of the world’s largest exporters of coal and gas and has been ranked by international studies as among the least active among G20 nations in reducing emissions.

One environmental demonstrator in Canberra among the many gathered under a sky hazy with wildfire smoke wore a Morrison mask and carried a sign reading: “My Bushfire Plan? Hawaii!”

Rescuers use cherry picker to reach koala in tree in fire-ravaged area in Australia

Jane Baker, 65, and her friend Judith Thompson, 67, drove five hours from their hometown of Wangaratta in rural Victoria state to take part in the protest.

“We’re both frustrated at sitting on the couch and yelling at the politicians on the television, so we’ve come out to yell at them in person today – to have our voices heard,” she told the AP news agency.

On Monday, hundreds of scientists penned an open letter to the government urging it to step up efforts to cut greenhouse gases and accept the scientific consensus which connects the catastrophe with the climate emergency.