Psychologist pans shock tactic plan for arsonists After seeing the devastation caused by bushfires in the past week, it is hard to imagine why anybody would deliberately light one.

The destruction and heartache prompted New South Wales Premier Barry O'Farrell to this week throw his support behind a call for tougher penalties for arsonists, including forcing them to help euthanise farm animals that are injured in fires.

But a Queensland psychologist who has ventured into the minds of firebugs is sceptical about how effective that would be as a deterrent. (read on)

NSW firefighters shift focus to north Firefighters are moving resources to northern New South Wales after cooler conditions helped crews establish containment lines around major blazes in the south.

Crews are now fighting more than 130 fires across the state, of which 30 are uncontained.

Firefighters are also working to control blazes in Victoria and Tasmania, while the threat from fires in Central Australia has eased. (read on)

Tasmanians, tourists return to fire-ravaged towns The main highway through Tasmania's bushfire-stricken south-east will re-open today, allowing more residents return to their devastated communities.

The bushfire which started near Forcett 10 days ago left thousands stranded on the Tasman Peninsula after police blocked the Arthur Highway.

The damaging blaze, which has burnt about 24,000 hectares, is still burning out of control.

The Arthur Highway will re-open to all traffic at 6:00pm (AEDT) tonight.

This morning, a bus-load of tourists will be allowed through.

Andrew Ross, a spokesman for the Port Arthur Historic site, says that signals the start of the return to normality.

"Many of these people have been booked in for many months," he said.

"We're absolutely delighted to be able to open up. We're gradually getting back to normal - remains to be seen whether we can actually make up for the lost numbers.

"We're certainly looking forward to getting back to full capacity as soon as possible." (read on)