What we learned today, Wednesday 28 January
That’s a wrap for today’s live news coverage. Here’s what’s been keeping us busy:
Sussan Ley said David Littleproud rejected the offer for last-minute peace talks ahead of parliament’s return as the Nationals leader prepared for a leadership contest.
The shadow minister for housing and homelessness, Andrew Bragg, accused Australia’s Muslim community of needing to “take some responsibility” for the Bondi terror attack. Those comments were refuted by the minister for defence industry, Pat Conroy.
Muslim leaders reacted with disappointment to Scott Morrison’s suggestion that imams in Australia should deliver their teachings in English and be subject to an accreditation system for imams with an “enforceable disciplinary authority”.
The Palestine Action Group announced plans to hold a “national day of protest” during the president of Israel’s visit to Australia in early February.
Emergency services authorities said 11,000 homes in Victoria were without power because of heat stress on power infrastructure, while six major bushfires continued to burn in the state. So far, 16 structures had been lost to the Otways blaze. The heatwave was expected to last until Saturday.
The NSW premier, Chris Minns, said the footbridge from which the alleged Bondi gunmen opened fire should be rebuilt as a memorial to the 15 victims.
The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, described today’s increase in inflation as “unwelcome but unsurprising”, while the Australian dollar jumped above US70 cents this morning for the first time in nearly two years.
In Tasmania, a bushwalker found possible human remains while searching for missing Belgian woman, Celine Cremer, who was last seen on 17 June 2023.
We’ll be back tomorrow morning. Thanks, as ever, for joining us.
Updated
Albanese signs new economic and security agreement with Timor-Leste
Australia and Timor-Leste have signed a new agreement, calling it a “new partnership for a new era”, to deepen economic, security and development cooperation as China works to increase its influence in the region.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, made the announcement alongside Timor-Leste’s prime minister, Xanana Gusmao, in the nation’s capital, Dili.
There are two “pillars” of the agreement called Paseria: “peace and regional integration” and “prosperity and resilience”. Funding from the Australian government to Timor-Leste for a technical assistance and capacity building package will increase by $8.2m to a total of $20m.
The pact will include police, border force and immigration agencies of the two nations working closely together. It will also expand the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme (PALM), bringing 10,000 Timorese workers to Australia by 2027-28.
Albanese said:
You don’t get to choose your neighbours, but you do get to choose your friends. And Timor-Leste is a friend and has a friend in Australia. As we go forward today, we’ve reflected the strength of that friendship and the relationship by signing the Paseria, a new partnership for a new era, elevating the friendship between Timor-Leste and Australia to a new level, the first of its kind between our two nations.
Updated
Ley says Littleproud rejected offer for Coalition peace talks
Sussan Ley says David Littleproud rejected the offer for last-minute peace talks ahead of parliament’s return as the Nationals leader prepares for a leadership contest.
In a message to Liberal MPs on Wednesday, Ley said she had written to Littleproud on Tuesday night proposing a meeting, “without any preconditions”, to discuss the two parties’ relationship in the wake of last week’s split.
In the message, obtained by Guardian Australia, Ley said:
I reminded him that as the leaders of the Liberal and National parties, we are the stewards of two great movements that exist to serve the Australian people and that maintaining a strong and functioning relationship between our two parties is in the national interest – whether in formal Coalition or not.
Ley said Littleproud rejected the offer as he prepares to face a motion to spill the leadership from disgruntled backbencher Colin Boyce at next Monday’s party room meeting.
The note to MPs continued:
David’s team have just advised mine that his focus is the spill motion he now faces and he is therefore unavailable to meet until after that spill is considered.
The leadership of The Nationals is a matter for their party room to determine. We will talk to whoever The Nationals elect as their leader, because whether we are in a Coalition or not, it is our responsibility to hold the Albanese Government to account.
Updated
Accused police killer enters guilty plea over shooting
A man accused of shooting dead an experienced police officer at a rural property has pleaded guilty to murder.
Constable Keith Smith, 57, was killed at North Motton in Tasmania on June 16 while he and another officer were delivering a court-ordered repossession notice, reports AAP.
Leigh Geoffrey Sushames, 46, was charged three days later with murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault.
Sushames appeared in Devonport magistrates court on Wednesday, when he entered a guilty plea to the murder of the veteran police officer.
He also pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated assault.
The court heard the 46-year-old pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of Sergeant Gavin John Rigby, who accompanied Const Smith to the property.
Magistrate Evan Hughes accepted the pleas and adjourned the matters to the supreme court in Burnie on 20 March.
Updated
Body of missing 23-year-old UK national found on NSW south coast
New South Wales police have confirmed the body found at a South Coast beach on Friday is that of a UK national who went missing at a nearby beach ten days ago.
Police said emergency services were called to Mystery Bay beach, about 12km south of Narooma, after reports a man had fallen into the ocean about 6.40pm on 18 January.
Officers were told a 23-year-old man had tripped and fallen several metres off a cliff into the ocean and had not resurfaced. Despite a search that included Marine Area Command, Marine Rescue NSW, SES and VRA, he could not be found, police said.
About 6:05am on Friday, police were called to Billies beach, Corunna, north of Mystery Bay, near Narooma, after reports a man’s body had washed up on a beach.
Police said the body had been formally identified and was that of the missing 23-year-old UK national.
A crime scene has been established and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
Updated
People who believe in democracy and human rights ‘must protest Herzog’s visit’, says APAN president
The Australian Palestinian Advocacy Network (APAN) says Israeli president Isaac Herzog’s visit to Australia next month represents a “fight about who we are as a country”.
Earlier today, a spokesperson for Herzog confirmed he would visit Australia’s Jewish communities and meet with political leaders between 8 February and 12 February after the Albanese government invited him in the wake of the Bondi terror attack.
Pro-Palestine activists have vowed to hold a “national day of protest” during the visit, which has been welcomed by Jewish community leaders.
Nasser Mashni, APAN president, said:
This is no longer just a fight about Palestine, this is a fight about who we are as a country, as a people and who we want to be. For every Australian who says they believe in democracy, in human rights, in a fair go, in free speech, then you simply must protest Herzog’s visit.
Updated
Possible human remains found in Tasmania in search for Belgian missing since 2023
A bushwalker has found what are believed to be human remains near the Philosopher Falls area in Waratah on Tasmania’s west coast.
Police inspector Andrew Hanson said the walker found the remains this morning as part of ongoing searches to find missing Belgian woman, Celine Cremer, who was last seen in the area on 17 June 2023.
“While forensic testing is yet to be completed, a pathologist has reviewed images and confirmed the remains are human,” Hanson said in a statement. He continued:
The volunteer contacted police immediately after the discovery, and officers from the Western District, along with specialist forensic personnel, are attending the scene.
Hanson said Cremer’s family in Belgium was notified this afternoon and acknowledged how distressing the development may be for her loved ones.
Updated
State funeral plans for Dame Marie Bashir announced
Chris Minns’ office has confirmed details for the state funeral of the former New South Wales governor, Dame Marie Bashir.
The funeral will take place at 10:30 on Wednesday morning at St James’ Church in Sydney.
In a statement, the premier’s office said:
Dame Marie Bashir served our state with distinction as the 37th Governor of New South Wales from March 2001 to October 2014 and was the first woman to be appointed to the role.
She bought immense dignity and compassion to the role.
She passed away in Sydney on 20 January 2026, aged 95, surrounded by family.
The people of New South Wales held Dame Marie in great respect and affection, reflecting the trust and goodwill she earned over a lifetime of service.
A large screen will show the service in Martin Place, while the service will also be streamed online.
The service will also be available to watch online on the NSW Government website.
Updated
Analysis finds 19% of Australia Day honours recipients are of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
Analysis of the Australia Day Order of Australia Honours List has found 19% of its civilian recipients were from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds and 9% were people of colour (POC).
The research, by Per Capita, showed that, when factoring both gender and CALD backgrounds, just 22% of CALD recipients and 20% of POC recipients were women.
Per Capita cited 2021 census statistics that show 45.5% of the Australian population is from non-Anglo-Celtic backgrounds.
Dr Wesa Chau, executive director of Per Capita and the paper’s author, urged people to vote for diverse honours recipients, which are open to any Australian.
When there is an imbalance in who gets recognised, it says that the contributions of people of diverse backgrounds are not valued.
Good news is that we can all help fix it, think about the heroes in your lives, nominate them now!
Updated
Opposition criticises ‘Jimflation crisis’
The leader of the opposition, Sussan Ley, has responded to today’s inflation figures, saying cost-of-living pressures are “getting worse, not better” for Australians.
“Families are doing everything they can, but under Labor the cost of living is getting worse, not better,” she said in a statement. She continued:
This is not abstract economics, it is the weekly shop, the power bill and the mortgage, and families are paying more because this government refuses to get its spending under control.
Every extra dollar families are paying at the checkout or on their power bill is a reminder that Labor has lost control of the economy.
Hardworking Australians expect their government to ease pressure, not add to it, but under Labor the cost of living crisis is deepening.
The deputy Liberal leader and shadow treasurer, Ted O’Brien, added:
While the Treasurer is desperate to shift the blame, there is no doubt this Jimflation crisis is homegrown.
With inflation in services and non-tradables both accelerating, the blame lies squarely with the government.
Read more:
Updated
Otways fire at risk of ‘running’ again in hot, dry conditions
The ongoing bushfire in the Otways will remain a risk for at least a couple of weeks, say authorities.
Forest Fire Management Victoria chief fire officer, Chris Hardman, said spikes in the temperature created challenging work for firefighters and could cause the fire to “run” again.
He told reporters:
In the days ahead, probably through to the 7th or 8th of February, we’ve got relatively benign conditions and that will give firefighters a fantastic opportunity to build those containment lines around the edges of that fire, burn out any of the unburned fuel that’s there.
If we don’t get another hot, dry, windy day, then we will be able to call that fire contained and eventually get it to under control and then safe.
But I would say that there is still a chance that this fire could run again within the next two or three weeks because of the nature of the season. And it’s so dry.
You know, if we get some really good rainfall that will be incredibly helpful and that will build our confidence. But the risk will be present … I would argue at least for a couple of weeks.
Updated
Victoria heatwave: 11,000 homes without power as six bushfires still burning
Over to Victoria, where authorities are providing an update on the ongoing heatwave and bushfire situation.
Victoria’s emergency management commissioner, Tim Wiebusch, said the state’s north was set to see eight consecutive days with temperatures above 40C and night-time temperatures in the mid to high 20s. Today is day five of the heatwave.
He said 11,000 homes were without power because of heat stress on power infrastructure.
Six major fires are now burning in the state, with bushfire warnings in place alongside an ongoing severe heatwave warning.
He said:
A state of disaster still remains in place at this time, and we can’t emphasise enough that if you don’t need to be in the areas where warnings are current, then you should not be in those areas.
Bushfires destroyed two structures in the Larralea area and 16 in Gellibrand, he said.
Updated
School organises paddle-out in tribute to Sydney shark bite victim Nico Antic
Surfers and swimmers have been urged to return to the water to commemorate a schoolboy who died after being mauled by a shark.
Nico Antic sustained critical injuries after he was bitten near a popular swimming spot at Vaucluse in Sydney’s east, and died on Saturday, reports AAP.
In memory of the 12-year-old, his school, Rose Bay Secondary College, has organised a community paddle-out on Sunday morning at North Bondi.
“Nico was a happy, vibrant and social young person – widely known and deeply loved by a large network of friends,” the school said in a statement posted to social media:
He brought warmth, energy and kindness to those around him and will be remembered for the joy he shared so freely.
Nico will be deeply missed.
The school highlighted his sporting achievements, noting he held its 12 years 800-metre athletics record.
Updated
The family of a young lawyer fatally mowed down on a weekend morning will not get justice over the tragedy after the driver allegedly behind the wheel died.
Zisi Kokotatsios had been accused of illegally using his phone when going to collect a passenger about 4am on 17 March, 2024.
He allegedly ran over 28-year-old lawyer Mitch East while driving through Tamarama in Sydney’s east and failed to stop to help.
Emergency services were called and they attempted to revive East, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Kokotatsios was expected to go to trial after pleading not guilty to dangerous driving occasioning death, and failing to stop and assist after a vehicle impact causing death. On Friday, Downing Centre district court was told the 65-year-old had passed away.
The criminal charges against him – which included two backup charges of negligent driving occasioning death and illegally using a mobile phone while driving – have been withdrawn and the case dismissed.
He died on 11 November with a funeral held at Rookwood Cemetery later that month, according to an online death notice.
Kokotatsios’s criminal matter experienced numerous delays after his arrest in March 2024. He eventually pleaded not guilty at the Downing Centre local court about 16 months later.
A trial set for August was set but then postponed. A new trial date was yet to be locked in.
- Australian Associated Press
Updated
Thank you, as ever, Caitlin Cassidy. Let’s get on with the remainder of the day’s live news coverage.
With that, I will pass you into the safe hands of Daisy Dumas. Thanks for reading.
Updated
Total fire ban issued for NSW Northern Slopes region for tomorrow
The New South Wales Rural Fire Service (RFS) has issued a total fire ban for the Northern Slopes region tomorrow amid a forecast for hot, dry and windy conditions.
The fire ban, beginning at midnight, covers Gunnedah, Gwydir, Inverell, Liverpool Plains and Tamworth.
The NSW RFS said under extreme fire conditions, residents should check their bush fire plan and reconsider travel.
The NSW RFS may issue a Harvest Safety Alert for areas of heightened risk. Harvest operators should monitor conditions and regularly check that they are operating within guidelines.
No fires may be lit in the open and all fire permits are suspended during a Total Fire Ban. Gas and electric barbecues may be used provided certain conditions are met.
Updated
Australian wine exports weakened by 8% last year, comprising $2.34bn
Australian wine exports dropped by 8% in value to $2.34bn last year, a report released today by Wine Australia has found.
The export report also found the average value of exports fell by 3% to $3.81 per litre. The report attributed the overall reduction to declines in the value of exports to mainland China and the United States, and in volume to the United Kingdom.
It was offset by value growth for Australian wine in Canada, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia, indicating areas of opportunity for market diversification.
Wine Australia manager of market insights, Peter Bailey, said the overall weakened export performance was consistent with the long-term trend of declining wine consumption in major markets around the world.
Consumers are reducing overall alcohol consumption in line with wellness trends and in order to save money as the cost-of-living increases.
For wine exporters around the world, trade barriers and regional conflicts are also making it more difficult and costly to get product into markets.
Exports to mainland China saw a particularly dramatic drop, with shipments down by 17% year-on-year to $755m, following the initial restocking period after the removal of import tariffs on Australian wine.
Updated
Recruitment drive by ABS to hire census field manager
It’s census year – and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) needs, maybe, you.
The ABS is now hiring more than 2,700 field managers to help run this year’s census.
Census national spokesperson, Emily Walter, said field managers would be hired locally, where possible, to provide valuable local knowledge and support to Census staff on the ground in communities.
To run a successful census, we need to reach everyone across Australia, from our capital cities to our most remote towns. While we expect most people will choose to complete the census online, there are many people who will require extra support. Field Managers will play a key role in providing this support.
Field managers also help places like local hotels, hospitals and caravan parks to prepare for the census, because not everyone will be in a house on census night.
The census will take place on Tuesday, 11 August, and is the first since the pandemic.
Updated
Inflation figures ‘unwelcome but unsurprising’, treasurer says
The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, has described today’s increase in inflation as “unwelcome but unsurprising”.
In a statement, he said inflation, which was sitting at 3.8% through the year to December, had increased but remained “much lower” than its peak.
Today’s data shows our inflation challenge reflects a mix of temporary factors and some more persistent pressures. Temporary factors, like the end of energy rebates and a rise in travel prices, contributed to the result, and there are some more persistent pressures in areas like housing.
The data also reflects the recovery we’ve seen in the private sector. We’ve seen around the world that inflation doesn’t always moderate in a straight line – having increased recently in some advanced economies.
Chalmers said the federal government had “made a lot of progress” on the economy but the job’s “not done” as people were still under pressure.
That’s why we continue to roll out responsible cost-of-living relief at the same time as we modernise Australia’s economy. The three big economic priorities for the Albanese government this year are addressing inflation, productivity and global uncertainty, and these figures show why that’s the right approach.
Updated
Labor Friends of Palestine has penned a letter to the home affairs minister, Tony Burke, urging his department to refuse to grant the Israeli president a visa ahead of his visit to Australia next month.
The letter, signed by Peter Moss, Wendy Turner and Oliver van Ingen on behalf of rank-and-file Labor members, noted the invitation of Isaac Herzog to visit Australia and questioned whether Burke had, or would, apply the character test to his visa application.
They pointed to two clauses, including that a person didn’t pass the character test if they had been involved in “the crime of genocide, a crime against humanity, a war crime, a crime involving torture or slavery or a crime that is otherwise of serious international concern; whether or not the person, or another person, has been convicted of an offence constituted by the conduct” and that there would be a a “risk that the person would ...incite discord in the Australian community or in a segment of that community”.
The letter read:
We urge you to find that Herzog does not pass the character test, and therefore that you should refuse to grant him a visa.
Co-convenor for Labor Friends of Palestine, Peter Moss, said the president’s visit “makes a mockery of all the fine words about hate speech, social cohesion, unity and healing”.
Isaac Herzog is a divisive inflammatory figure whose statements have been cited by the UN Independent Commission of Inquiry as allegedly inciting genocide.
Herzog is a substitute for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who would be arrested if he entered Australia under warrants issued by the International Criminal Court.
The presence of this Israeli leader will distress and anger millions of Australians, including Labor members and Labor voters.
Updated
Palestine Action Group plans 'national day of protest' during Israel president’s visit to Australia
The Palestine Action Group plans to hold a “national day of protest” during the president of Israel’s visit to Australia in early February.
In a post to social media, the group said it would meet with representatives of the Palestinian movement around the country tonight to plan “details of a massive national day of protest”.
Earlier today, a spokesperson for Isaac Herzog confirmed he would visit Australia’s Jewish communities and meet with political leaders between 8 February and 12 February after the Albanese government invited him in the wake of the Bondi terror attack.
No specifics of his visits have been announced, with his office saying “further details of the visit schedule will be announced in due course”.
The Palestine Action Group, in its post to social media, urged Herzog be arrested if he “lands here” for “inciting genocide”.
The group has put in a form one with police to carry out a protest this Sunday in Hyde Park, and which will call for the government to cancel its invitation to Herzog.
Jasmine Duff, from the Students for Palestine group, said they would also stage “mass protests” during his visit across the country, including in Sydney and Melbourne this coming Sunday.
Updated
Islamic Council of Victoria urges politicians to ‘avoid sowing division’ after Morrison comments
The Islamic Council of Victoria has joined The Australian National Imams Council in expressing disappointment over Scott Morrison’s suggestion that imams in Australia should deliver their teachings in English and be subject to an accreditation system for imams with an “enforceable disciplinary authority”.
Chief executive officer of the Islamic Council of Victoria, Zakaria Wahid, said the body “unequivocally condemns” the former PM’s proposal to combat extremism by targeting Muslim communities and schools.
The Australian government does not hold entire communities accountable for acts of violence committed by individuals, and the same standard must apply to Muslims.
When the dreadful Christchurch massacre was committed by an Australian, who was radicalised here, it would have been insulting and outrageous to say that Australians had to accept some level of blame. In the same way, it’s absurd to hold the Muslim community collectively responsible for the horrific Bondi attack.
Muslims are subject to the same laws as all Australians that prohibit racism, hate speech and promoting violence. Within those laws, we must be afforded the same freedom to practice our faith, not be treated exceptionally or subject to more suspicion, scrutiny and regulation because of our religion.
We urge former and current politicians to exercise more responsibility in their public statements and avoid sowing division and hostility between Australia’s diverse communities.
Updated
Continued from previous post:
Putland said while it can be difficult for clinicians to attribute cases as being directly related to extreme heat in the moment, the broader impact becomes clear when data is reviewed over time, with spikes in hospital presentations and deaths during heatwave periods.
He said the growing health burden of extreme heat reflects a broader failure to act on climate change.
We have to acknowledge we’ve globally dropped the ball on climate completely. We’re seeing the consequences now in hospitals, and it’s playing out most in people who have the least voice in society, which is the really heartbreaking part of it.
He warned that prolonged heatwaves place strain not only on patients but on health systems themselves, particularly in regional and smaller hospitals with fewer resources and ageing infrastructure.
Melbourne doctor concerned for vulnerable Victorians amid extreme heat
As record-breaking heat continues across regional Victoria, Dr Mark Putland, the director of emergency medicine at Royal Melbourne hospital, says he is worried the most vulnerable people are bearing the brunt.
Putland said while Melbourne had so far experienced single extreme heat days, he is “quite worried about what colleagues in regional Victoria are going to be facing in the coming days”.
I think north of the ranges they’re looking at five or six days in a row well over 40C. That becomes really hard to bear, because people’s reserves just get worn down. People’s houses just heat up. It gets difficult when it doesn’t cool down at night and people don’t get any relief.
Putland said emergency departments see a spectrum of heat-related illness during extreme weather, ranging from severe heatstroke, where patients can become unconscious and face multi-organ failure, to dehydration, exhaustion and milder organ injury in people who have been working, exercising, or living in poorly ventilated housing.
But he said a large and less visible impact was on people with chronic illness and older patients, where heat exacerbates existing conditions.
A very common presentation is an elderly person who manages OK most of the time, but during heat they become confused, they faint, or they fall. We see a lot more of that when it’s hot.
Putland said extreme heat disproportionately harms people living in poor-quality housing without insulation or air conditioning, including those in small flats or caravans, as well as people who are socially isolated or managing mental illness, substance use, or medications that interfere with heat regulation.
There are huge inequities in who suffers from extreme heat. The people we see coming in are often the people with the least reserves and the least support.
Continued in next post.
Updated
Littleproud says he respects ‘the right to voice different opinions’ as Nationals colleague launches leadership challenge
The Nationals leader, David Littleproud, has released a statement after his colleague, Colin Boyce, confirmed he would launch a challenge to overthrow his leadership in the fallout to the Coalition’s split.
He says as leader of the party, he has “always respected the Party Room’s decisions and direction, that includes the right to voice different opinions”.
We celebrate that freedom within The Nationals.
I stand by my record as Leader of The Nationals and what our Party Room has achieved, through important policy work and standing up for regional, rural and remote Australia.
The Nationals held all of its House of Representatives seats at the last election.
The Nationals also fought to keep important policies, including the Regional Australia Future Fund, tougher action on supermarkets with divestiture powers, Universal Service Obligation reform to ensure better mobile phone coverage in regional areas, and dumping net zero while keeping all energy options on the table, including nuclear.
More recently, The Nationals opposed Labor’s hate speech laws, due to the unknown slippery slope of stopping freedom of speech.
Updated
Imams castigate Scott Morrison for 'reckless, irresponsible and deeply ill-informed' comments on Islamic faith
Muslim leaders have reacted with disappointment to Scott Morrison’s suggestion that imams in Australia should deliver their teachings in English and be subject to an accreditation system for imams with an “enforceable disciplinary authority”.
The Australian National Imams Council, representing 350 imams across the country, said the comments were “reckless, irresponsible, and deeply ill-informed”.
In a statement, the council continued:
It is profoundly disappointing to hear such divisive language from a former Prime Minister who understands, better than most, the importance of unity, social cohesion, and responsible leadership. To suggest that an entire faith community should be held accountable for the actions of two criminal offenders, both of whom law enforcement agencies have confirmed acted alone, is unacceptable and categorically rejected.
This is not the first time Scott Morrison has made such reckless remarks … it was during Mr Morrison’s prime ministership that an Australian national murdered 51 innocent people in Christchurch after being radicalised on Australian soil. On that occasion, no collective blame was placed on a race, religion, or community, nor should it have been. That same standard must apply consistently.
We call on former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Senator Bragg, and all political parties and leaders to act with responsibility, restraint, and integrity in their public commentary, and to refrain from using divisive and misleading terms such as “radical Islam”, “extremist Islam” or other divisive language.
Updated
Scott Morrison says Islamic religious teaching should be 'positive’ and ‘in English’
Scott Morrison says imams in Australia need to be accountable, positive and should deliver their teachings in English. He has made the proposal, in a speech and a newspaper column, as a suggested response to the Bondi terror attack.
“What I’m proposing is that religious leaders in all faiths have got to take responsibility what’s happening in those faiths now. Their teaching has to be right, it has to be positive, and it has to be in English, so people can see what’s being said, so it’s transparent,” the former prime minister told 2GB this morning.
I believe that good religion is good for society. I believe it helps build community. I think it helps build positive contributions … but in the Islamic faith, you know, we haven’t dealt with this because every time someone talks about it, including those from within Islam the Islamic faith in Australia, they get shouted down.
I expect religious leaders in an open and free society where there’s freedom of religion – freedom comes with responsibility, and you just can’t sort of put out a shingle and say I’m an Imam, or you can’t put out a shingle and say I’m a Catholic priest or a Baptist minister. There are requirements that you need to follow, and you need to be accountable to leaders in your own faith community.
Updated
Ambulance Victoria donates out-of-date medical supplies to support animals in Otways fire
Ambulance Victoria has donated medical supplies that are no longer viable for patient care to support the state’s bushfire-affected wildlife as a massive blaze affects the Otways.
In a statement, AV said the supplies were still safe and appropriate for animal treatment and had been given to Nigel’s Animal Rescue to assist in the care of animals affected by recent and ongoing fires.
“After hearing about wildlife shelters and organisations who were overrun with animals in need, I thought it would be a great way to keep the products we can no longer use out of landfill”, AV regional improvement lead, Jo Algie, said.
Unfortunately, some of our medical supplies have a short shelf life for patients, despite being unopened and in perfect condition.
I made a call out to other AV staff and volunteers and was overwhelmed with everyone’s generosity; the camaraderie has been unbelievable.
Similar donations have been made by the ambulance force’s regional branches, with supplies going to local wildlife organisations in those areas, AV said.
Updated
Multiple shark reports in NSW and Western Australia
Meanwhile, a shark sighting has shut Mollymook beach on the New South Wales south coast and two bull sharks have been spotted heading upstream in Perth.
An alert issued by SharkSmart advised a bull shark had been spotted by lifeguards around 11.15am, leading to the beach’s closure.
In Western Australia, Surf Lifesaving issued an alert that members of the public had reported two bull sharks at around 8am local time in Perth, heading upstream at Shelley Bridge.
The sharks were 14km from the coast.
Updated
Colin Boyce to challenge Nationals leader David Littleproud
The Nationals MP, Colin Boyce, will launch a challenge to overthrow David Littleproud in the fallout to the Coalition’s split.
The Flynn MP said he would move a motion to spill the Nationals leadership at a meeting on Monday, claiming Littleproud was leading the party “over the political cliff” after presiding over a second breakup with the Liberals in eight months.
Boyce said the Nationals were “committing political suicide” by blowing up the Coalition, arguing it would leave the party exposed to a “right-flank onslaught” from One Nation.
I will be moving a spill motion on Monday afternoon in the National party room to give my colleagues an option, because the reality is, if they follow the course they’re on now we are going over the political cliff.
More details to come.
Updated
Inflation climbs to 3.8%
Inflation climbed to 3.8% in the year to December, from 3.4% in the month before, as strong underlying price growth added to the chance of a Reserve Bank rate hike on Tuesday.
While the latest headline inflation figures are well above the RBA’s 2-3% target range, they have been temporarily boosted by the rolling expiry of government power bill subsidies.
Removing the more extreme price moves, and the central bank’s preferred quarterly trimmed mean measure lifted to 3.4% through the year, from 3% in the September quarter.
Before the release of this morning’s figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, financial markets were predicting a 60% chance of a rate hike next week.
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Climate change having ‘significant impact’ across Australia, McBain says
McBain is finally asked whether climate change is playing a factor in the record temperatures that have hit multiple parts of the country.
She says “I think everyone’s aware that climate change is having a significant impact across our country”.
We are seeing more intense, more frequent natural disasters. Now, not every natural disaster we can put down to climate change, but we are seeing prolonged heatwaves impact a huge part of our country … So no one should be under any illusion that climate change plays no role in this.
I think we all understand and our job is to make sure that we are supporting communities that have been directly impacted, but more broadly, our job is going to be around how we can make our communities more resilient, how we can make our infrastructure more resilient and how we can mitigate against the worst of natural disasters … Local communities are taking this stand because they know climate change is impacting them each and every day now.
Updated
Three homes lost overnight in Otways
McBain confirms reports that at least three homes were lost in the Otways overnight in Victoria, in addition to 13,000 structures that have been lost, as well as around 400 homes.
The coordinator general of the National Emergency Management Agency, Brendan Moon, says Australia is in the middle of its high-risk weather season.
We have been in an operational posture now for three weeks, dealing not only with the flooding in north Queensland but also those Victorian fires and the cyclones in Western Australia … We still have two months to go. Our highest fire risk usually occurs during February and March.
Can I please ask people to listen to your emergency management organisations for all those warnings. Prepare yourself for whatever may come.
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BoM says Australia grappling with floods and fires at once
Jessica Lingard from the Bureau of Meteorology is providing an update.
She says Australia is grappling with a “number of concurrent weather events”, including flooding in north Queensland and fires in Victoria, as well as smoky conditions.
We have seen record-breaking heatwave and elevated fire danger conditions at many locations over the past few days. The highest temperature record for Victoria was set yesterday, where we saw 48.9C recorded at Walpeup and Hopetoun airport. Cooler conditions have started to return to coastal areas in Victoria.
However, we are seeing the heat remaining inland where a number of locations are still remaining at 40 degrees or above, and this will continue for a number of days into the weekend. In terms of the fire danger, we are seeing a continuation of extreme fire danger rating on the grounds in a number of districts in South Australia and Victoria today and also in New South Wales over the coming days, with the prolonged heatwave in those locations.
This risk will start to ease on the weekend, as we see the temperatures start to decrease and the heatwave contract to the north.
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Firefighters flown in from New Zealand and Canada to assist with bushfires
Firefighters have been flown in from overseas to assist with the firefighting response, McBain says, including more than 70 from Canada and 22 from New Zealand.
In addition, the commonwealth has deployed multiple aerial assets to help Victoria, including the Blackhawk and food ration packs from the ADF.
More than 400 firefighters have been deployed to Victoria from around the nation, McBain says:
The Albanese and Allan governments have so far committed $171m through our disaster recovery funding arrangements to assist communities that have been directly impacted. This includes the establishment of recovery hubs, financial assistance for prolonged power outages, a range of supports for our primary producers, and individuals, businesses and, in particular, councils.
Additionally, Services Australia have now paid out more than $1.3m in our Australian Government disaster assistance payment and our Disaster Recovery Allowance to support individuals who have been directly impacted by those bushfires.
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Continuing extreme weather means another ‘dangerous day’, minister warns
The minister for emergency management, Kristy McBain, is providing an update on extreme weather from Australia’s national control centre in Canberra.
She says a number of “very dangerous bushfires” continue to burn in Victoria, particularly in the Otways region, amid “very challenging conditions”. Around 22,000 homes are without power today due to the extreme weather and fires.
Today is another dangerous day … We know severe to extreme conditions continue to affect parts of Australia. We know some areas continue to exceed 48 degrees.
These conditions pose significant health risks and they pose, obviously, significant risk for our bushfire impacted communities. It is really important to stay hydrated and avoid excessive heat exposure and check on vulnerable members of your community. As we said, heatwave conditions, combined with the dry and gusty winds, continue to create a significant risk across multiple states.
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ABC to replace Q&A with new forum program
The ABC has announced a replacement of sorts for its now-axed Q&A program, as signalled by its managing director, Hugh Marks, last year.
The new program is an occasional series called the ABC National Forum, “bringing together ordinary citizens, community leaders, experts and policymakers to discuss topical issues of national significance”.
The first forum, in March, is about Jewish Australians and will include a live studio audience. It will be hosted by David Speers.
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Apple advises users to update old iPhone software for emergencies
Apple has put out an alert to Australians using iPhones between iPhone SE and 6 and iPhone 12 to update their software to ensure they can still call triple zero in an emergency.
Following last year’s Optus triple-zero outage and the inquiry that followed, there were a number of older phones that were identified as having issues. This was largely focused on Samsung devices that were unable to dial triple zero on another network when their mobile network was unavailable, but the issue was found to also affect some Apple devices after the 3G network shutdown.
Apple has advised people with the following devices to ensure their software is up to date.
iPhone SE (1st generation)
iPhone SE (2nd generation)
iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus
iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus
iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus
iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus
iPhone X
iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max
iPhone XR
iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max
iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max
Apple Watch SE 2
Apple Watch Series 6
Apple Watch Series 7
Apple Watch Series 8
Apple Watch Series 9
Apple Watch Series 10
Apple Watch Ultra
Apple Watch Ultra 2
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Aussie dollar jumps above US70 cents
The Australian dollar has jumped above US70 cents this morning for the first time in nearly two years.
The currency has surged by nearly US10 cents since almost dropping below US60 cents in April last year.
That low was after Donald Trump’s “liberation day” tariff announcement sent global financial markets into a tailspin.
As we’ve written, the Aussie has been the best performing major currency in 2026, but a lot of this is a story of a weakening greenback.
This morning’s milestone for the Aussie was achieved after a reporter asked Trump if he thought the value of the dollar had “declined too much”.
“No, I think it’s great. I think the value of the dollar – look at the business we’re doing. The dollar’s doing great,” he said.
Win Thin, the chief economist at the Bahamas-based Bank of Nassau, told Bloomberg that the president’s comment “invited another round of selling” and paved the way for more weakness in the world’s most important currency.
Many in the Trump cabinet want a weaker dollar in order to make exports more competitive. They’re taking a calculated risk. A weaker currency can be nice until things get disorderly.
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Hoodoo Gurus ‘disgusted’ by use of their hit song at March for Australia rally
Australian rock band, Hoodoo Gurus, have told One Nation “don’t play our music” after their hit What’s My Scene was reportedly played as Pauline Hanson took to the stage at an anti-immigration March for Australia rally in Brisbane on Monday.
In a post on their Instagram, the band said they were “disgusted” to hear that one of their songs was played by the political party.
Like most Australians, we have always been appalled by Pauline Hanson and the toxic nonsense she spouts. This is our message to her and her followers: don’t play our music, don’t listen to our band, do not pass go! We want nothing to do with you.
Last week, former Men at Work frontman, Colin Hay, disavowed the use of the band’s 80s anthem Down Under by Australian anti-immigration protesters, saying the song “does not belong to those who attempt to sow xenophobia”.
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Carlisle River fire in Victoria grows to the same size as entire city of Paris
Circling back to the out-of-control fire continuing to burn at Carlisle River, and according to VicEmergency, it is now over 11,000 hectares (110 sq/km).
Thats about the same size as the city of Paris.
The fire at Carlisle River is not yet under control. It spread past containment lines on Tuesday evening during the south-westerly wind change. The fire activity has since slowed overnight.
The Insurance Council of Australia said the costs of the bushfires that had burnt through parts of Victoria since earlier this month were estimated to have climbed above $200m, with 3,123 claims made.
Of those, 30% were related to property.
Israeli president to visit Australia early next month alongside delegation
Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, will visit Australia in early February, his spokesperson has said, including meeting victims of the Bondi terror attack and observing efforts to “strengthen Jewish communities”.
Herzog was invited by the Albanese government to visit in the wake of the December antisemitic shooting.
Herzog’s spokesperson said in a statement that he would visit between 8 February and 12 February to visit Jewish communities, and be accompanied by “a solidarity delegation from Israel’s National Institutions, including the chair of the World Zionist Organization, Yaakov Hagoel, and the chair of the Jewish Agency, Maj Gen (res) Doron Almog”.
President Herzog will also be briefed on the activities of the Jewish Agency and the World Zionist Organization to strengthen Jewish communities in the country, particularly in light of the recent rise in antisemitism, and will meet with the senior leadership of the Australian Jewish community. The president will meet with bereaved families of the victims of the terror attack, as well as with those injured and their families.
A central part of the visit will be dedicated to official meetings with senior Australian leaders, including the governor general and the prime minister of Australia, as well as with leaders from across the political spectrum. President Herzog will also conduct interviews with the media during the visit.
No specifics of his visits have been announced, with his office saying “further details of the visit schedule will be announced in due course”.
The federal government has been contacted for comment.
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Record temperatures forecast to hit western and southern New South Wales and southern Queensland on Wednesday
Still on Hines, the senior meteorologist said a cool change reached Adelaide and Melbourne yesterday evening but didn’t reach northern parts of Victoria and South Australia, that stayed “very hot” into the night.
The change did create erratic fire behaviour and difficult containment conditions across active bushfire areas. In particular, the ongoing fire complex around the Otway Ranges on the southern coast of Victoria was affected. This pushed the fire in a new direction and started blowing smoke towards the Melbourne area. As of 7am on Wednesday morning, there is still an emergency warning in place at this fire ground.
Hines said inland areas of New South Wales and Queensland were expected to continue to have very hot conditions on Wednesday, with possible record temperatures.
There’s a particular focus of the heat on western and southern New South Wales and southern Queensland, where temperatures will be between 8 and 15 degrees above January averages for large parts of these states.
More records may tumble today, with the most likely area for this to occur being the Riverina, Central Tablelands and far west of New South Wales, as well as the far southwest of Queensland.
Some notable temperature forecasts for Wednesday include in New South Wales, 45C in Wagga Wagga, 42C in Canberra, 46C in Griffiths and 48C once again around Ivanhoe, Wilcannia and Tibbuburra in the far west and northwest of the state.
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‘Too many records to list’ on Tuesday as temperatures soared in Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales
Senior meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, Angus Hines, says record temperatures were reached throughout “many different locations” in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales during Tuesday’s heatwave.
Renmark in South Australia reached 49.6C, a record temperature for the region and the fourth hottest temperature ever recorded in South Australia.
Records were also reached nearby at Lameroo, 48.3C, Loxton 48.2C and Yunta, 47.1C, and southeast at Keith, 47.3C, Narakot, 46C, and Kunawara 45.2C, which reached record January temperatures.
In Victoria, Hopetown and Walpeup in the state’s northwest both recorded 48.9C on Tuesday, the all time highest temperatures in Victoria.
Mildura reached a high of 48.6C, also a record.
Hines said “monthly and annual temperature records were extensive across western Victoria throughout the day on Tuesday”.
There were far too many records to list here, but a few other notable temperatures reached were 47.8C in Horsham, 47.7C in Swan Hill, and 45C in Warrnambool.
In New South Wales, the hottest conditions were in the far west of the state, with Fowler’s Gap reaching 49.1C, Wilcannia reaching 48.7C, Ivanhoe 48.4C and Broken Hill 47.8C, all records.
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Smoke from Victorian fires drifts to Sydney
If you’re smelling smoke in Sydney this morning, you’re not imagining things.
According to the New South Wales RFS, smoke from several fires burning in Victoria has been pushed back onshore by easterly winds and is currently impacting coastal areas around Sydney.
The good news is that the smoke is expected to clear by mid to late morning.
A total fire ban is in place for the central ranges today, with hot, dry and windy conditions forecast across parts of the state.
Meanwhile in Victoria, an out-of-control bushfire continues to burn at Carlisle River, with a number of communities in the Otway region under evacuation warnings and extreme fire weather forecast for parts of the state on Wednesday.
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Defence industry minister says Muslim community are ‘incredibly valued Australians’, refuting Bragg claims
The minister for defence industry, Pat Conroy, has refuted claims made by shadow frontbencher Andrew Bragg about the Muslim community.
Earlier Bragg accused Australia’s Muslim community of needing to “take some responsibility” for the Bondi terror attack and for the federal government to make sure funding doesn’t go to “hate preachers”.
Conroy told ABC RN he found the “entire approach really problematic and troubling”.
We’ve been very clear these acts were committed by people who believed an extreme perversion of Islam and to try and hold the entire Islamic community responsible for these acts, I think, is anti to social cohesion. It’s incredibly unfair, and it’s not a recipe for taking this country forward.
He said the Muslim community were “incredibly valued Australians”.
Some of the earliest people condemning the vile attacks in Bondi were leaders of our Muslim Australian community, and we’ll continue to support their right to practise in peace.
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Today’s consumer price figures will factor into potential future rate hike
Consumer price figures released later this morning will deliver the Reserve Bank the final piece of information it needs to decide whether we get a rate hike on Tuesday.
Inflation is expected to have climbed to 3.6% in the year to December, from 3.4% the month before, according to the consensus forecast among economists. That’s well above the 2% to 3% range targeted by the RBA.
That said, the rolling expiry of government power bill subsidies is providing a temporary boost to overall consumer price growth (just as it provided a short-term dampener last year).
The RBA’s monetary policy board will be focusing on a quarterly underlying measure of inflation as the key input for their rate decision.
Economists predict this trimmed mean inflation rose by 0.9% in the three months to December, which would lift the annual pace from 3% to 3.3% and probably be enough to trigger a rate hike next week.
Ahead of the 11:30 data release, financial markets this morning are pricing in a 60% chance of an RBA rate rise next week.
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NSW premier says Bondi footbridge could be rebuilt as memorial
Returning to the NSW premier, Chris Minns has told the ABC he thinks the footbridge from which the alleged Bondi gunmen opened fire should be rebuilt as a memorial to the 15 victims.
Minns had previously called for the footbridge to be demolished, saying it was a “ghoulish reminder” of the attack. The bridge’s future has been placed on hold by Waverley council, after a meeting heard it was “really upsetting” that the matter had ignited such fierce public debate.
The parents of the youngest victim, 10-year-old Matilda, have called for the bridge to be painted yellow in tribute to their daughter, and left as a memorial to the victims. Asked about their comments, Minns says:
I think there’s probably different views. I can’t speak for all of them. I mean, the real tragedy of 14 December is that so many families have been affected. And in many respects, I’d defer to the parents of Matilda and their views, but I was asked directly about it. I mean, it’s at the end of its working life. So it seems to be a strange phenomena that we put an enormous amount of money, or the council put in an enormous amount of money to repair a bridge in its current state that has such a terrible impact on that local community, and a shocking reminder.
That said, it’s clearly the case that we need a memorial on the site, a significant one, one where families can gather. It may be the case, as has been suggested to me by some in the Chabad [of Bondi] community that we rebuild a new bridge as a memorial and a permanent memorial, one that’s hopeful and recognises the lives that are lost, and not just the crime that was committed.
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Minns says further protest changes will reduce ‘unnecessary burden’ of CBD protests
The NSW premier, Chris Minns, says further anti-protest legislation will reduce the “unnecessary burden” on policing for CBD protests, in addition to controversial laws restricting protests following terrorist attacks rushed through parliament following the Bondi massacre.
On Monday, Minns flagged he was considering further laws to curtail regular protests in Sydney’s CBD, saying the state had to “confront this idea that the centre of Sydney can be dominated weekend after weekend after weekend by the same protests”. An inquiry into banning specific phrases, including “globalise the intifada”, is expected to hand its report to the government this week.
Asked on ABC Sydney this morning if the government is looking at legislating around the cost of protests, as well as their content, Minns said:
We’re looking to change aspects of the law that we think are just putting an unnecessary burden on safety and security in a big city like Sydney, and I understand and I accept and I think it’s important to have public demonstrations in a big city like Sydney.
I’ve never said the opposite, but there’s also got to be an understanding that the highest and most important obligation of a government is to protect its citizens, and when you’ve got literally thousands of NSW police that need to be deployed to marshal or protect public assemblies at the expense of investigating domestic violence offences or keeping the rest of the community safe.
The NSW opposition has unsuccessfully sought to require organisers of repeat protests to pay for the cost of policing, which the premier previously said would be unconstitutional. Guardian Australia understands the Minns government is not looking at a similar scheme.
Liberal senator claims there has been a ‘mutation of Islam’ in Australia
The shadow minister for housing and homelessness, Andrew Bragg, has accused Australia’s Muslim community of needing to “take some responsibility” for the Bondi terror attack and for the federal government to make sure funding doesn’t go to “hate preachers”.
It follows a speech made in Israel by the former prime minister, Scott Morrison, reported by The Australian, in which he proposed an accreditation system for imams with an “enforceable disciplinary authority”.
Morrison also said Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE were doing a better job than the Western world in curtailing radical political Islam in mosques and schools.
Muslim leaders and organisations have condemned the Bondi terror attack, with representatives attending vigils to mourn those killed.
Appearing on ABC’s RN program, Bragg agreed the West had been “too nice for its own good”.
You can’t deport citizens, so you need to find ways to fix it. You can try to cut off their money or you can try to improve their humanity … remove some of these teachings and preaching that seeks to murder fellow Australians …
Unfortunately, there has been a mutation of Islam in Australia and other Western countries where they have sought to kill other citizens … And I think that’s something that needs to be completely removed from our society.
Threats and hate speech against Muslim Australians have surged in the wake of the Bondi beach attack, with one mosque receiving dozens of offensive phone calls and reports of people being targeted in the street.
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Troubled hospital becomes surgery hub to cut backlog
An embattled hospital with a chequered track record will host a specialised surgery centre to reduce wait times.
Sydney’s Northern Beaches hospital, which had come under fire for the death of toddler Joe Massa in 2024, will become the site for the first high volume planned surgery centre.
It will cater for up to an extra 5,000 surgeries each year with a focus on high-demand specialties such as ophthalmology, orthopaedics, ear, nose and throat, general surgery and gynaecology.
The government’s aim is to slash surgical wait-lists while easing demand on hospitals across NSW, especially in population-heavy western Sydney.
The health minister, Ryan Park, said the hub builds on the government’s decision to reverse the former coalition government’s “failed privatisation agenda”.
With the establishment of the surgery centre, we will be able to offer thousands more patients each year the choice to have their surgery quicker, while providing some much needed relief to hospitals around the state.
The initial agreement to buy back the Northern Beaches hospital - the jewel in the crown of Australia’s largest private hospital operator - for $190m was reached in October with the transition expected to occur in mid-2026.
Two-year-old Joe died after spending three hours in the emergency department waiting for care.
His death sparked a campaign prompting the passing of a law banning future private-public hospital partnerships.
-Australian Associated Press.
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Australian Human Rights Commission president cans Australia for ‘glacial progress’ on raising the criminal age of responsibility
The president of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Hugh de Crester, says Australia has made “glacial progress” on raising the criminal age of responsibility after being canned by members of the United Nations.
On Monday evening, more than 120 countries lined up at the UN to criticise Australia’s human rights record, making about 350 recommendations – including raising concerns over the treatment of First Nations people and asylum seekers.
Speaking to ABC RN from Geneva, de Crester, said while the five-year-review had recognised some improvements, more needed to be done around violence against women and girls, as well as the age of criminal responsibility and rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The Australian government over the last five years is doing better on climate change, but it’s not enough … And if we want to protect people’s rights properly, we need to legislate the right to a healthy environment and take stronger action on climate change.
Raising the age was one of those issues that was strong in 2021 when we were last reviewed, and disappointingly, we’ve sort of seen glacial progress on that … It’s disappointing to see that lack of progress. And this was an issue that was highlighted by a number of countries.
Ouyen drops to low of 25C before sun comes up on Wednesday
As the sun began rising over the little Victorian town of Ouyen this morning, so, again, did the heat. Yesterday’s possibly record-breaking temperatures are an augury of an overheating planet, but are also just one day in a long string of 40C+ days in this very hot part of the world.
Ouyen’s local pub, the very well air-conditioned Victoria Hotel, was getting rowdy around 4pm yesterday as the heat was peaking.
Then as the sun started to sink towards the horizon and clouds began sweeping in on the gusty hot wind, small gaggles of locals and visitors began to venture out to the lake.
Ouyen Lake is a reclaimed, rehabilitated reservoir right in town, a community-built recreational water body with sandy edges, grassy banks and, back a bit further, scrubby bush.
There’s no shade at the water, so it’s no refuge from the heat until the bite has gone out of the sun. The scrub, though, is a haven for animals and birds, and locals tell me birdlife (and birdwatching) has flourished hearteningly in the area since the lake was reopened in 2018.
As the evening came on yesterday, rainbow bee eaters and welcome swallows swooped to the water for a much-needed drink and a mob of kangaroos gathered on the grass while children waterbombed off the pontoon. A kite floated overhead, looking for dinner.
It was still 43C at 7pm. It didn’t drop below 40C until 8.30pm, just as the sun set. It was 30C at 11.30pm. The recorded low was 25C at 5.33am – and then then the sun came up.
Anthony Albanese to address parliament of Timor-Leste
The prime minister will seek to improve a complicated relationship between Australia and Timor-Leste when he addresses the small island nation’s parliament.
During his first visit to one of our closest neighbours, Anthony Albanese will on Wednesday highlight Australia’s contributions to the country, including the government’s support for Timorese independence in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
“In dark times, it is our friendship and our innate respect for each other, for democracy and for sovereignty that will prevail,” Albanese will say in his speech to the country’s parliament, according to extracts provided to AAP.
As the prime minister of Australia, I say to you today and to the courageous Timorese people you represent: your Australian friends will never forget you.
Albanese is not expected to make any announcements about an ongoing dispute over access to gas fields in the Timor Sea.
Timor-Leste has long demanded that gas extracted from the sea, which sits between the country and Australia, should be piped to its south coast for processing. Until recently, Woodside, which operates the fields, has insisted it would be cheaper to send the gas to Darwin.
In late 2025, the energy giant signed an agreement to investigate building a gas plant in Timor-Leste, but the project still needs to clear a number of major hurdles.
-Australian Associated Press
Good morning
The prime minister is in Timor-Leste today where he will seek to improve a complicated relationship with the small island nation in an address to parliament. During his first visit to one of our closest neighbours, Anthony Albanese will highlight Australia’s contributions to the country, including the government’s support for Timorese independence in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Along with his address, he’s expected to meet with the prime minister, Xanana Gusmão, and the president, José Ramos-Horta.
Meanwhile, the heatwave will move north as parts of Victoria welcome a cool change. Melbourne is expecting a top of 24C on Wednesday with morning smoke, while towards the South Australian border, which reached record breaking temperatures on Tuesday, Mildura is set for a top of 43C.
Parts of western New South Wales including Wagga Wagga are expected to scorch, with temperatures in excess of 45C, while Canberra is forecast to hit 42C. An “extreme heatwave warning” is in place for the Snowy Mountains, South West Slopes and Upper Western regions.
It’s Caitlin Cassidy here to guide you through today’s news. Let’s get into it.
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