MELBOURNE, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister (PM) Anthony Albanese on Friday announced additional support for communities affected by widespread bushfires in the southeastern state of Victoria.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addresses supporters after winning Australia's federal election in Sydney, Australia, May 3, 2025. (Photo: Xinhua)

Albanese and Jacinta Allan, the Premier of Victoria, said at a press conference in Melbourne that the federal and state governments would provide a combined 160 million Australian dollars (about 111.94 million U.S. dollars) in additional support measures for individuals, families and businesses affected by the fires.

It brings the total support funding announced by the federal and Victorian governments in response to the bushfire crisis to 329 million Australian dollars.

Over 1,500 structures have been destroyed by bushfires in Victoria since the start of January.

Albanese said on Friday that specific extreme weather events cannot be attributed to climate change, but that scientists have warned that Australia will face more frequent and more intense events as a result of climate change.

"There is a real cost, a real economic cost," he said.

The new funding announced on Friday includes 112 million Australian dollars to expand an ongoing clean-up program and 16.1 million Australian dollars to support immediate repair works for public land and waterways.

As of Friday, there were four major bushfires continuing to burn across Victoria, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Tim Wiebusch, Victoria's Emergency Management Commissioner, said that two of those fires would not be safe until they are hit by decent rainfall.