While Greens MP Adam Bandt was clearly one of Mr McCormack's targets, also in the crosshairs was anyone else who dared linked the current bushfires to climate change.

Mr McCormack said now was not the time for such a discussion while thousands of firefighters remain in the field and homes and lives remain under threat.

And he was not alone.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro also weighed in, saying on radio that it was an "absolute disgrace" to be talking about climate change at this stage.

"For any bloody greenie or lefty out there who wants to talk about climate change ... when communities in the next 48 hours might lose more lives (then) they are a bloody disgrace," he told the ABC.

It was angry, aggressive, divisive language from both men and many believed it was hardly becoming for political leaders in this country.

On the other hand, though, many also believed it was exactly what needed to be said to put the "raving inner-city lunatics" in their place.

But beyond the rhetoric and the Nationals' anger is the question of, if not now, then when?

Experienced firefighters say that the fires they are confronting have changed over the past decade or so while the bushfire season is starting earlier and lasting longer.

At the same time, climate scientists tell us the climate is changing and will continue to change, and the majority say human input has had an impact.

So are the two phenomena linked? And does government have the power to enact policy that could ease the conditions?

Maybe, maybe not, but we'll never have a definitive answer until all politicians - and, in particular, the Nationals - are genuinely ready to have that conversation.

This week might not be the right time but the problem for the Nationals is that they have shown no great determination to have that conversation at any time.

Mr Barilaro and Mr McCormack have been talking tough this week while urging others to be quiet.

But let's hope they're happy to get a real conversation going when the current threat has passed.