What happened on Thursday 21 September 2023
With that, we’ll wrap up our live coverage of the day’s news.
Here’s a summary of the key developments:
Public health and legal experts have expressed disappointment at the narrow scope of the Covid-19 inquiry, with the Australian Medical Association president, Steve Robson, labelling it “half an inquiry” and warning the exclusion of states will “hobble” it.
The former Australian treasurer Josh Frydenberg has confirmed he will not attempt to return to politics at the next federal election.
The New South Wales government is considering following Victoria’s lead by imposing a tax on short-stay accommodation, including Airbnb, to help fund affordable housing.
A judge outside the Australian Capital Territory will be brought in to hear Shane Drumgold’s challenge to the findings of the Sofronoff inquiry to avoid any potential conflict.
The New South Wales Liberal leader, Mark Speakman, has warned Australians to get ready for the impact of a potential no vote at the voice referendum while refusing to back a separate state-based treaty process.
Have a pleasant evening, we’ll be back to do it all over again tomorrow.
Updated
Bushfire crews remain on alert as Queensland swelters in record temperatures
An “enormous number” of crews remain on bushfire alert waiting for a cool change to sweep Queensland after the mercury soared to record levels.
Temperatures nudged 40C in the north-west and other areas hit the mid-30s. Brisbane recorded more than 32C as the conditions that baked southern states and fanned fire conditions made its presence felt in the sunshine state.
Among the hottest places were Julia Creek in the north-west with 39.3C and Winton in the central west on 39.1C, while parts of central and southern Queensland went as high as the mid-30s on Thursday afternoon.
Near the NSW border, Coolangatta had its warmest September day on record after reaching 33.9C, according preliminary data from the Bureau of Meteorology.
Elsewhere in the south-east, Gatton reached a top of 35.9C, Ipswich hit 35.5C and it was 32.5C on the Gold Coast.
The above-average temperatures brought with it a high fire danger, with dozens of blazes across the state, including six that were out of control on Thursday afternoon.
Four of the blazes were in south-east Queensland, including in Dalby, Ebenezer, Rockside and Bahrs Scrub, with the others in Watalgan in Wide Bay and Oxford in central Queensland.
AAP
Updated
