What we learned: Thursday 29 January
It’s time to wind down our live news coverage for the day. Here’s what’s been keeping us busy:
The senior rightwing Liberal senator Jonno Duniam said questions surrounding Sussan Ley’s future must be urgently resolved so the party can move on following the damaging Coalition split.
The Nationals are also in turmoil. Colin Boyce said he is not canvassing Nationals colleagues for support on leadership challenge, while Kevin Hogan said David Littleproud had the Nationals party room’s “complete support”.
WA police, Australian federal police and Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (Asio) confirmed authorities were investigating the Perth Invasion Day rally incident as a potential terrorist act.
Independent MP Sophie Scamps was the latest to voice concern over the impending visit of the Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, claiming it “risks igniting further division at the very time when Australian leaders should be working to rebuild social cohesion and bring our nation together.” Anthony Albanese, meanwhile, said he welcomed Herzog’s visit next month.
Herzog’s visit will be met with nationwide protests after the Palestine Action Group announced marches across capital cities would be held on 9 February.
Ben Saul, a leading expert on international law, has applied to join a legal challenge against protest restrictions passed by the Minns government in the wake of the Bondi terror attack, arguing they are inconsistent with Australia’s international legal obligations.
Police believe the suspected triple murderer Julian Ingram is alive and in the Lake Cargelligo area, while riot squad police have been brought in to assist with the manhunt. Police made a direct appeal to anyone who may be harbouring or helping the suspect.
Up to eight homes and part of a water treatment plant have been lost in Victoria’s Otways fire, leaving no potable water for residents of Gellibrand. Watch and act warnings are still affecting some areas, with residents unable to determine the extent of damage to their properties.
The NSW premier, Chris Minns, has flagged his government is in talks to create a new public holiday to account for Anzac Day, which falls on a Saturday.
Greg Hunt, the former minister for health, has remembered former Liberal MP Prof Katie Allen as a principled leader who “became a lion” when others were at risk. Hunt spoke on behalf of the parliament and the Liberal party at a thanksgiving service former member for Higgins after her death on 23 December.
Thank you, as ever, for joining us. We’ll be back tomorrow.
Updated
NSW beach closed after shark knocks surfer off board
A beach in northern New South Wales was this morning closed after a shark reportedly knocked a surfer from their board.
The incident took place at Angels beach near Flat Rock in East Ballina.
A post on Dorsal Watch advised:
“SLS advise Flat Rock Beach, BALLINA, closed until further notice after reported shark incident earlier today, 29 Jan 2026. Please be #SharkSmart”.
According to SharkSmart, Angels beach has SMART drumlines and shark drone surveillance.
It is about 23km south of Byron Bay. The region has a history of shark bite incidents, including some that were fatal.
Updated
