THE Prime Minister has offered emergency financial help to bushfire victims and promised to make the Australian Defence Force available for recovery efforts after invoking the Commonwealth disaster response plan at the weekend.
Kevin Rudd visited some of the worst-hit areas north of Melbourne yesterday with the Victorian Premier, John Brumby.
"This loss of life, the numbers of injured, the horrific injuries - our thoughts and our prayers go out to each and every one of them as they now try and deal with this tragedy and recover from the damage which has occurred," Mr Rudd said.
He announced $10 million in federal and Victorian government funds to help victims and emergency workers.
The Government was also delivering 150 portable beds to relief centres in Baw Baw Shire, in west Gippsland, for use mainly by emergency workers, and the army had deployed 12 bulldozers and crews to build a fire containment line around the town of Yea in north-eastern Victoria.
Mr Rudd said immediate cash payments of $1000 for adults and $400 for children would be made to victims.
The payments would be made on top of the support the Government would provide under natural disaster relief arrangements, under which Canberra helps the states with assistance such as grants for food, clothing, accommodation and housing repairs.
Mr Rudd was briefed on the disaster in Canberra on Saturday night, when Victoria's emergency response co-ordinator asked him to activate the federal response plan, opening the way for federal emergency management officials to help Victorian officials.
While Mr Rudd was in Victoria the Treasurer, Wayne Swan, inspected flood damage in Ingham, North Queensland.
Mark Davis HOW TO HELP
Red Cross Call 1800811700
or go to redcross.org.au
Salvation Army Call 137258 or go to salvos.org.au
NAB's relief fund Call 136622
To donate through Myer , visit a store's service centre.
Donations of clothes and household goods to the Salvation Army, Brotherhood of St Laurence, St Vincent de Paul or the Red Cross.