Greens launch firefighting policy

The Greens have announced a $200 million policy to set-up a specialist firefighting unit within the Australian Defence Force.

The plan includes the purchase of three $50 million amphibious water bombers and training of military personnel who can be called on to help fight bushfires that break out in Australia's remote wilderness.

"The science is clear - global warming means hotter, drier summers, with more dry lightning strikes, and therefore more bushfires," Senator Nick McKim said in Hobart on Tuesday.

He was launching the policy, which comes on top of the Greens' previous commitment to double the number of civilian firefighters by 2030.