News Service from House Harris

Fed: Troops deploy through fire-ravaged state

CANBERRA, Feb 9 AAP - Hundreds of members of the Australian military are deploying throughout fire-ravaged Victoria to help the state cope with the nation's deadliest peacetime tragedy.

More than 200 troops, including 160 reservists, have begun delivering specialist and emergency support, with wide-ranging duties including clearing roads, searching houses and setting up tents.

Some 100 soldiers will have the grim task of "search and recovery" assistance, going through burnt-out homes and cars looking for the bodies of those who've perished in the fires.

They will make up a Victorian-based Australian Defence Force (ADF) joint task force under the command of Brigadier Michael Arnold, providing engineering support and a reserve response force.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd pledged the government would work closely with its Victorian counterpart to ensure those affected by the inferno would get all the help needed.

"We will use all our resources to help those people who have lost so much in the fires and will be constantly monitoring the situation to respond to and meet their needs," he said.

During an emotional tribute in parliament, Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the armed forces were on hand to help where they could.

"The armed forces are ... on standby to help with aerial imagery of fire-ravaged areas, chain-saw teams to help clear roads, assistance with search operations and transport and temporary site office buildings to house the recovery effort," she said.

Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon admitted the task ahead may stretch the ADF, which was also helping Queenslanders battling floods.

"Of course, it will stretch us," he told ABC radio.

But, he said, no task was more important at the moment.

"We will be there as long as people need us to be there," Mr Fitzgibbon said.

Many of the reservists being deployed in Victoria were due to head to the Solomon Islands.

The ADF has already delivered tents, beds and sleeping bags to various locations for people made homeless in the bushfires, as well as to allow firefighters some much needed rest.

Army heavy earth-moving equipment, including bulldozers and front-end loaders, were due to arrive in the town of Yea on Monday.

The engineering support also includes 15 plant operators, two chainsaw sections and logistics expertise.

Four armoured personnel carriers with special communication and emergency evaluation capabilities are also being sent to Yea to help military engineers.

The ADF is preparing to establish a series of tented "first-stop" shops to provide assistance to people who've lost their homes and belongings in the fires.

In addition, a reconnaissance team, including a liaison officer and signaller, has been sent to help the Country Fire Authority Regional Command Centre.