PM to visit Adelaide Hills fireground
AAP
Prime Minister Tony Abbott is expected to announce further federal support for South Australian bushfire victims when he visits affected communities.
Mr Abbott will fly to Adelaide on Thursday straight from the Middle East, where he has been visiting troops and holding talks with the Iraqi government.
He will tour the fireground in Adelaide Hills accompanied by Premier Jay Weatherill.
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The prime minister has faced criticism for not responding sooner to the disaster while overseas.
Some locals have taken to social media to vent their frustration about his apparent absence.
However, Mr Abbott spoke about support for bushfire victims at a brief interview in the United Arab Emirates on Monday, where he hinted at further federal assistance.
The government would have more to say on Centrelink payments often made in such circumstances, he said.
While federal Labor has written to the prime minister seeking more support for victims, there has been no criticism from the SA premier.
Mr Weatherill said he was satisfied with the federal support so far.
“Everything we’ve asked of the Commonwealth government has been responded to appropriately,” he told reporters.