Rudd

A new police task force has been created to investigate the deadly wildfire arsonists in south-east Australia.

Nearly 200 people have died so far in the fires.  Authorities fear that figure could yet exceed 300.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said the worst bushfires in Australian history amounted to ''mass murder''.

Victoria's Operation Phoenix is a 100 strong division set up to catch the arsonists, commonly referred to as "firebugs".