Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he will take a proposal to establish a royal commission into the bushfire disaster to Cabinet, while foreshadowing for the first time a potential change to the Coalition's climate policy.

Key points: Scott Morrison will take a proposal for a royal commission into the bushfire emergency to Cabinet

Scott Morrison will take a proposal for a royal commission into the bushfire emergency to Cabinet The Prime Minister has for the first suggested the Coalition could shift its climate policy

The Prime Minister has for the first suggested the Coalition could shift its climate policy He conceded there were some moments during the crisis where he could have handled the situation better on the ground

More than 20 people have died and more than 2,000 homes have been destroyed by fires across much of the country.

Concerns have been raised about the preparedness of states and territories to deal with the threat of bushfires, and whether the Commonwealth was too slow to act in ways such as offering the support of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

"I think that is what would be necessary, and I will be taking a proposal through Cabinet to that end," the Prime Minister told Insiders host David Speers.

"But it must be done in consultation with the states and territories."

Mr Morrison said there would also need to be discussion about greater flexibility for the Federal Government to step in and assist states during times of disaster, as highlighted by the call out of ADF reservists.

"This has created, I think, an environment where the people for the first time, I think arguably, have wanted to see a more direct involvement of the Federal Government in responding to these national disasters," he said.

The Prime Minister noted the current crisis had "pushed the constitutional authorities" for the Commonwealth to act "to its very edge".

"This should be one of the important steps going forward," Mr Morrison said.

"This is the first time where I think the Federal Government has ever been in a position where we had to take this action.

"And to ensure that in the future it can be done in a way that is more pre-emptive posturing, that we can do that, I think, more seamlessly."

The Federal Opposition welcomed the discussion of an inquiry, but warned it should not it absolve the Coalition from responsibility for its actions now.

"What we don't want is to hear, in coming weeks and months, is, 'I can't answer that, because it's being dealt with by the royal commission,'" Labor leader Anthony Albanese said.

"So, we want scrutiny of the Government's performance, and the inadequacies, and the need to act now."

Potential shift in climate policy after bushfire emergency

Mr Morrison was pressed on whether the bushfire crisis would prompt a rethink of the Coalition's climate policies, and specifically whether the Government would increase its 2030 emissions reduction target.

The current policy involves Australia cutting carbon emissions by 26 to 28 per cent below 2005 levels by the year 2030.

"The Cabinet and the Government will continue to evolve our policies to meet our targets and to beat them," he answered.

"We want to reduce emissions and do the best job we possibly can and get better and better and better at it.

"I want to do that with a balanced policy which recognises Australia's broader national economic interests and social interest."

Australia has faced criticism from other countries for using so-called "carry-over credits", or counting emission reduction that went beyond the previous Kyoto climate deal, in meeting the targets under the Paris climate pact.

"It's not a matter of tweaking [climate policy], there's a need for them to get one," Mr Albanese said of Mr Morrison's comments.

"At the moment what they have is an accounting policy of having accounting tricks, rather than actually reducing emissions."

The Prime Minister also noted there were some moments during his response to the fires which could have been handled better, including visits alongside his wife to fire-ravaged communities, where he was heckled by locals.

"Prime ministers are flesh and blood too, in how they engage with people," Mr Morrison said.

"When I went into these places, I went there in good faith, and with Jenny on occasions, to provide what comfort and consolation I could.

"They're very strained environments and I think we need to think a little harder about how we do those."