Get Defence involved unde the DACC system by tasking a pair of Hercs to Perth to ferry WA firies to the east coast, order some FARP support from Army Aviation to assist refuelling or having their tankers doing round-robins to the fuel farm, hell even just becoming a central point on the news every morning and evening for Australian's to focus on is better than standing on a beach in America, smirking and with a schooner in hand while people are dying at home.
All of which can be done by a PM from anywhere in the world, even on holiday in Hawaii. He is the PM he just picks up the phone and sorts it with those that do these things.
The media were making sport.