Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a national recovery fund to support bushfire recovery efforts and to help the towns destroyed by the raging fires.
An additional AU$2 billion will be made available over two years to aid bushfire recovery efforts. The fund will also rebuild communities ravaged by the bushfires, help with disaster relief payments and mental health support.
"If further funds are required, further funds will be provided," he announced on Monday, according to 7 News.
Morrison was joined by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack shortly after 4pm (NZ time) when he announced the nationwide recovery fund.
Morrison also acknowledged New Zealand's support, thanking the Government and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for her "regular contact".
New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) aid will be arriving in south Australia. Twenty firefighter personnel from Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) will arrive on Wednesday.
Some rain has provided a welcome reprieve for firefighters on Monday, but it's not enough to make any significant difference. There are still concerns that three fires burning near the border of Victoria and New South Wales (NSW) could merge into a "mega-blaze".
Although the milder weather conditions are expected to hold until Friday, a further bout of high temperatures are forecasted to hit this weekend.
At least 22 people have been killed by the fires. More than 1700 homes have been decimated and more than six million hectares of land have been burned. As of Monday, 175 separate fires continue to rage across the country.
Overnight, a further two people in NSW have been reported as unaccounted for, according to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
