to have felt sick to my stomach seeing the Sydney fireworks...

[XXJingledNerves]

I wish so much they had cancelled.

Why?

Because of the fires?

Perhaps for some it was even more important.

I am of the opinion they should have cancelled too - I'd be interested to hear the views of Australian MNers.
Sending thoughts and good wishes to all Aussie Mners caught up in this terrifying emergency and hoping that you and yours are all safe.

I know what you mean OP.

Having been looking through photographs of the devastating fires this morning, I have to agree, it seems distasteful when parts of the country are burning.. like another PP said, I will be interested to hear the views of Australian Mumsnetters though.

I was shocked they went ahead with them too. It seems in very poor taste.

I believe they cancelled the Hong Kong ones.

I agree.

Sick to the stomach? Bit of an extreme reaction there

Agreed

With @BlackCatSleeping I mean. They should have been cancelled.

I'm Aust. I think they should have cancelled them. The argument used to keep them was that all the money had been spent already as it needs to be organised and planned a year in advance.

All the money had already been spent. Would it make people feel better knowing that all that money went to waste?

I fail to see what cancelling would have helped put out the fires...

Fireworks don't go bad, they could have been stored ready for next year. I do appreciate there's also the cost of setting up and taking down and the wages of staff. But it's all a bit distasteful to put it mildly!

Its sunk cost fallacy to try to argue the money has already been spent so they should go ahead.

This is the BBC earlier - the juxtaposition of the fireworks and the ticker tape along the bottom says it all.

Aussie here, live in melb but from east vic. I sort of feel like it shouldn't have gone ahead. People have died and people's homes have burnt down. Not really a time to be celebrating despite money spent already.

On the surface it seems insensitive. However cancelling at this stage would have little financial saving or impact on the emergency situation.

I know all the arguements for why it should have gone ahead. But I just feel like so many of us are just so distressed about the fires it felt like a kick in the teeth. There are literally people homeless, sleeping in their cars not that far away as embers rain down near them.

What have pyrotechnics got to do with bush fires? I don’t see the connection.

I understand your feelings but this is a decision for the Australians to make - they will have an understanding of public opinion and go from there - I am sure they will receive criticism and praise from Australians themselves for this decision.

even before the fires I have thought the fireworks displays at new year, not just in OZ are over the top - expense, people going hungry, and do they harm the environment? im sure they must some way or other

The Hong Kong fireworks were cancelled because of safety fears due to political and social unrest.

Some of us ARE Australian. And I know there are mixed opinions. I don’t think it is possible to quite capture how horrific today has been and somehow fireworks just seem such an awful mockery (never mind the total fire ban in the state so you are not even meant to use power tools outside!)

I agree op. But then I also think that all firework displays for nye should be scaled back. I’m certain that the money could be better spent.

Fiddling while Rome burns.

Horrifying.