Australian state of Victoria

The continent is prone to deadly blazes thanks to its combination of remote terrain, high summer temperatures and flammable eucalyptus bush.

A severe four-day heatwave has brought fire weather across the southern parts of Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania over the weekend.

The south-eastern state of Victoria was the worst hit, with more than 2,000 firefighters, water-bombing aircraft and volunteers battling blazes on Sunday.

A cool change was forecast for late on Sunday but an associated wind change would bring danger for firefighters.

The landmark legislation was approved after more than 100 hours of gruelling debate - including two all-night sittings.

The law means terminally ill patients in Australia's second-most populous state will have the right to request a lethal drug from mid-2019.

They must be aged at least 18 and have less than six months to live.

"I'm proud today that we have put compassion right at the centre of our parliamentary and our political process," said state Premier Daniel Andrews.