PM says he won't be spending school holidays with family 'full-time'

Prime Minister Scott Morrison won't be taking school holidays off "full-time", denying that he'd disappear as he did during the early stages of the summer bushfire crisis.

"As you know, it is a school holidays and Jenny and the girls will be taking some time on the outskirts of Sydney but given the changing critical situation we have in Victoria, I will not be joining them for that full-time," he told reporters today.

"I will also not be standing aside from the tasks I have all day.

"We have technology where I can be with them and continue to take briefings, calls and meetings in dealing with the situation whether it be Victoria or the other situations in the country.

"As a dad, I will take some time but at the same time I can assure you we will remain absolutely focused on the things we need to focus on next week."

Mr Morrison faced intense backlash when it was revealed he travelled to Hawaii with his family for Christmas holidays, at a time when bushfires were ravaging the country.

His office initially denied he was out of the country, before it was later confirmed.

Mr Morrison defended his absence, but said he understood his absence had caused Australians "great anxiety".

In contrast to the government's handling of the bushfire crisis, Mr Morrison's work during the coronavirus pandemic has seen his personal approval ratings increase.