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There will be a national memorial service and day of mourning to remember the victims of the Victorian bushfires.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made the announcement in federal parliament today after discussions with Victorian Premier John Brumby and federal Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull.
The Victorian government is consulting the Council of Churches on the details of the national service.
The federal government will provide support to the Victorian government to assist with organising both the national day of mourning and the remembrance service.
Further details will be announced soon, Mr Rudd said.
"It is important, it is very important that the nation grieves," Mr Rudd said.
Mr Rudd said the government was in regular contact with the Insurance Council of Australia to ensure all claims made by bushfire victims were processed quickly.
The council had told the government it was urgently putting in place a mechanism to allow it to play a coordinated role for the industry.
Industry representatives would be ready to assist fire victims in all affected areas.
Systems had been put in place for helping those who had complaints or problems with their claims, including a dedicated hotline.
At least 5,000 people were expected to make claims, Mr Rudd said.
So far, 3,124 emergency cash payments - totalling $3.7 million - had been made by Centrelink to more than 4,500 people.
More than 320 staff members were working in relief centres to process claims as quickly as possible.
Mr Turnbull welcomed plans for a national day of mourning and a remembrance service.
"The nation will grieve, is grieving, and a focus for that grief is of enormous importance," he said.
- AAP
