What we learned today, Tuesday 27 January
And with that, we are going to put the blog to bed. But before we go, let’s recap the big headlines.
Jason Falinski, the former NSW Liberal party president, said he didn’t believe it “works” for the Liberals to be in Coalition with the Nationals any longer.
The city of Adelaide had its hottest night on record, with temperatures falling to just 34.1C before 7am local time. The South Australian premier, Peter Malinauskas, spoke to RN Breakfast, saying the state was responding relatively well to the record-breaking temperatures, although he said the overnight heat was “truly extraordinary”. Temperatures in Adelaide hit 40C by 9.30am on Tuesday.
Liberal frontbencher Tim Wilson said he’s had no phone calls from colleagues counting the numbers to replace the embattled opposition leader, Sussan Ley. The Victorian MP said his party should be focused on helping small business owners, tradies and everyday Australians trying to get ahead, and not on internal spats.
Sammy Yahood, the Jewish influencer who had his visa cancelled yesterday, just hours before he was due to depart for Australia, said he will not be deterred after getting stuck in the UAE. Home affairs minister, Tony Burke, confirmed Monday that Yahood’s visa had been cancelled, saying “spreading hatred is not a good reason to come” to Australia.
Western Australia police have charged a man, 31, after an alleged homemade improvised explosive device was thrown into a crowd gathered for Perth’s Invasion Day rally.
Chris Hardman, the chief fire officer at Forest Fire Management Victoria, said three homes are believed to have been destroyed by Carlisle River fire in the Otways.
Victoria appears to have recorded its hottest day with preliminary weather observations showing temperatures have hit 48.9C in Walpeup and Hopetoun in the state’s north-west. The temperature observations in the Mallee towns were recorded close to 4pm on Tuesday afternoon, exceeding the previous highest daily maximum temperature for the state of 48.8C in Hopetoun on Black Saturday in 2009.
Thank you for spending part of the day with us. We will be back tomorrow.
Updated
Paramedics responded to nine cases of children locked in vehicles in Victoria
A spokesperson for Ambulance Victoria says since yesterday, paramedics have responded to nine cases of children locked in vehicles as temperatures in some parts of the state pushed above 48 degrees by Tuesday afternoon.
A spike in workload for ambulance staff was recorded during the early morning of Tuesday, with demand increasing by 27% between 5am and 6am, largely driven by activity in metropolitan Melbourne.
Across Victoria, overall ambulance workload was up 4% since midnight, as at 4pm.
In the Hume region, workload was up an average of 27% over the same period.
The Loddon Mallee region experienced an increase in cases relating to breathing difficulty, up 65% compared with usual volumes, which a spokesperson said represents a small number of additional cases in real terms.
Updated
Government has paid up to $5bn in incorrect age pension
The federal government has paid out as much as $5bn in incorrect age pension entitlements, with key controls within the department of social services found to be ineffective in a new review.
The auditor general found the $62bn age pension system had slow response times for elderly Australians and was responsible for $1.3bn in underpayments and $3.67bn between July 2021 and June 2024.
Nearly 2.7 million elderly people receive the age pension, with the total price tag of more than $62bn representing about 8.4% of the total federal budget.
Services Australia administers the pension system. Delays have seen new applicants waiting an average of 48 days for processing. A series of internal systems were found to be only “partly effective” by the new review, released on Tuesday.
Once an elderly person starts receiving the pension, they stay on the system on average of 17 years.
Updated
Police release new photos of vehicle as search for alleged Lake Cargelligo shooter continues
From NSW police:
New images of a vehicle have been released as police continue to appeal for information into a large-scale search to locate a wanted man in the state’s west.
Julian Ingram, also known as Julian Pierpoint, aged 37, is wanted on an outstanding warrant for murder.
He was last seen driving a dual cab Ford Ranger utility, with NSW registration DM-07-GZ.
The vehicle may have a Lachlan Shire Council magnet in front of the driver’s door and may have the numbers 1947 above the magnet.
The ute also has an emergency orange light bar on the roof and the utility’s tray may contain work tools and a silver toolbox.
Anyone who sees Julian or the vehicle is urged not to approach and contact Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Updated
Otways region told to shelter in place
In the last hour, the emergency warning in the Otways, which includes the communities of Gellibrand, Barongarook, Barongarook West, Kawarren, Carlisle River and Gerangamete, has shifted to shelter in place.
The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately. It is too late to leave. Leaving now would be deadly, the CFA has said.
Updated
The PM has also said commercial arrangements are being made to get the port of Darwin back into Australia’s hands. He was also asked about Kevin Rudd leaving his position in the US.
Kevin is about to become the head of the Asia Society. That’s the job … he will commence in April.
Updated
PM asked about Invasion Day rally incident in WA
The PM has been asked about the incident at the Invasion Day rally in WA, where someone allegedly threw a “device” into the crowd.
My view is that … they should throw the book at him.
He said the AFP are working with WA police to investigate.
In a statement on Tuesday, WA police said a 31-year-old man from the northern Perth suburb of Warwick had been charged with one count of committing an unlawful act or omission with intent to harm (endangering life, health or safety of any person); and one count of making or possession of explosives under suspicious circumstances. The statement said the man was denied bail and scheduled to appear in court the same day.
Read more:
Updated
PM speaks at Charles Darwin University in NT
Anthony Albanese is speaking now from Charles Darwin University in the NT. He has met some of the 200 students who have enrolled in medical studies at the university.
This is something that has been spoken about for a long time, but delivered by the government.
He said a provider has been chosen for the new aged care facility in Palmerston, more Territorians have accessed the urgent care clinics, and there are now 89 fully bulk billing practices across the jurisdiction.
Updated
Winds reaching up to 70km in Victoria as two fires burn at emergency level, CFA chief says
CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan has just been on the ABC.
He said winds gusting up to 70km an hour are starting to affect Victoria, with two fires burning at emergency level in temperatures above 40 degrees.
On the Otways fire, he said:
So it is travelling in an easterly direction, but we do expect that it will produce ember showers and we know [that] can create more fires in front of the main fire. We’re reviewing the situation very carefully.
We will be updating the warnings to reflect the current situation on the Fireground and residents in and around the Otways need to really be watching that Vic emergency app.
Updated
The CFA is going to address the media soon about the fire situation in Victoria. We will bring you that when they are up.
Updated
WA police investigating after 40-year-old man dies following incident at Mettam’s Pool
WA police are investigating an incident that occurred at Mettam’s Pool on Monday, 26 January 2026.
In a statement, police said:
About 3.00 pm, police and other emergency services received reports of swimmers in distress.
A 40-year-old man and a 33-year-old man were recovered from the water and provided emergency first aid at the scene.
Both men were conveyed by St John WA to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital for medical treatment.
Sadly, the 40-year-old man died a short time later in hospital.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Updated
Temperatures hit preliminary state record of 48.9C in Victoria’s north-west
Victoria appears to have recorded its hottest day with preliminary weather observations showing temperatures have hit 48.9C in Walpeup and Hopetoun in the state’s north-west.
The temperature observations in the Mallee towns were recorded close to 4pm on Tuesday afternoon, exceeding the previous highest daily maximum temperature for the state of 48.8C in Hopetoun on Black Saturday in 2009.
The temperature will need to be validated by the Bureau of Meteorology overnight before it is confirmed as a state record. Other locations, including Ouyen Post Office, rely on manual observations, which will not be available until after 9am on Wednesday.
A Bureau of Meteorology spokesperson said:
Records will be confirmed when official numbers are available from 9am AEDT tomorrow.
Updated
Nations lash Australia on human rights record at UN
More than 120 countries lined up overnight at the United Nations to criticise Australia’s human rights record, making about 350 recommendations – raising concerns over the treatment of First Nations people and calling for the age of criminal responsibility to be raised.
Germany and France were among 40 countries who called on Australia to raise the age of criminal responsibility to at least 14 – from the current age of 10 in many states and territories – and highlighting that First Nations children are disproportionately affected. That was an increase from the 30 countries who called for Australia to take that action at the last review in 2021.
More than 10 countries also called for the government to legislate a Human Rights Act.
China – whose own human rights record has been deeply criticised – was scathing of Australia’s treatment of First Nations people and refugees and asylum seekers, calling for an end to offshore detention. The major UN human rights review takes place every five years.
Caitlin Reiger, chief executive at the Human Rights Law Centre, said Australia should adopt a Human Rights Act:
The review of Australia’s human rights record has laid bare the harsh reality and immense challenges that too many people live with ... The Albanese Government must legislate an Australian Human Rights Act. It is the fundamental missing piece in Australia’s human laws and will ensure everyone is treated with dignity, equality and respect.
Updated
Body found during search for missing fisher on NSW south coast
NSW police say a man’s body has been found during a search for a missing fisher on the state’s south coast.
On Monday, a missing person report was made about two rock fishers who travelled from southern Sydney to the NSW south coast and failed to return. Officers from the Lake Illawarra police station commenced a search yesterday.
At about 2.45pm today, the body of a man was found north of the Black Head Reserve, police said.
The body is yet to be formally identified, but police said it was believed to be that of the missing fisher. A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Police are continuing to investigate if the body of a man found at about 4pm on Sunday belongs to the second fisher reported msising.
Updated
What does 48C actually feel like?
I am a Melbourne resident, usually, which you ought to keep in mind as there is a lot to be said for being acclimatised to the heat, and physical experiences are always a bit subjective.
At the same time, it is immediately obvious when you walk outside here in Ouyen why health authorities warn about the health dangers of extreme temperatures like this, even for healthy, able-bodied people.
Heat like this feels like being smothered. Even in the shade, it pushes insistently on to you – on your chest, through your clothes, down your throat.
You can feel your body slowing everything down to cope. A few seconds in the sun is enough to break a sweat. Everything feels like it’s swelling. And it’s nauseating – even more so if you haven’t slept well.
Updated
Three homes believed to have been destroyed by fire in Otways, says chief fire officer
Returning to Victoria’s heatwave, Chris Hardman, the chief fire officer at Forest Fire Management Victoria, says three homes are believed to have been destroyed by Carlisle River fire in the Otways.
Emergency authorities have warned that a wind change within the hour is expected to exacerbate the fire.
Speaking to reporters a little earlier, Hardman said it was not clear whether the structures were primary homes.
He says this is based on preliminary information and impact assessments will be conducted when it is safe to do so.
Updated
‘Compromised staff account’ resulted in photos of adult performers being posted on ABC News Facebook, broadcaster says
Turning away from weather updates for a moment, the cover image for ABC News’ Facebook page for a brief period on Tuesday was a photograph of British porn star Bonnie Blue in a pink bikini.
Other random photographs including one of OnlyFans adult performer Lily Phillips and a shot of prime minister Anthony Albanese eating a hotdog were also posted.
The culprit appears to be a hacker who got hold of a staffer’s ABC Facebook account, and the images were quickly deleted.
An ABC News spokesperson told Guardian Australia:
Earlier today, a compromised staff account resulted in unauthorised access to the ABC News Facebook page, where several images were briefly posted.
Access was quickly secured, the content removed, and an investigation is underway to review and strengthen our security controls.
Updated
Victoria’s emergency services minister, Vicki Ward, has thanked locals who have followed emergency warnings and left early.
Confronting a fire behind your house, in front of your house, down the road, is one of the most terrifying experiences you will endure, and it will leave you with lasting trauma.
Updated
Hardman warns that between 4 and 5pm today a strong south-westerly wind change is expected to exacerbate the Carlisle River fire:
We will see erratic and extreme fire behaviour.
The key message for these fires is always follow the warning of emergency services.
Updated
Hardman says the Carlisle River fire in the Otways has challenged firefighters since it breached containment lines on Saturday. It has more than doubled in size and is now larger than 10,000 hectares in size.
He says the fire has spotted outside its original containment lines today.
Updated
Chris Hardman, the chief fire officer at Forest Fire Management Victoria, says the state’s heat conditions are making conditions “incredibly difficult” for firefighters.
At the Walwa-Mt Lawson fire, in the state’s north-east, winds are “not significant” but fire activity has increased.
Locals in Dargo, where the Dargo/Wonnangatta fire is burning, will see increased smoke. But Hardman says there is no immediate risk of threat to communities in this area.
Hardman stresses conditions can change and urges locals to stay across VicEmergency warnings.
Updated
Victoria’s chief health officer, Dr Caroline McElnay, has urged people to be aware of the early signs of heat-related illness and “take action if you see those”.
She says some of the signs include dry mouth, dehydration and an altered mental state. People experiencing these symptoms should move to a cool area and take fluids.
McElnay says the next stage can include muscle cramps and dizziness. She says at this point a person may want to seek medical advice and dial Nurse-on-Call.
She says those most at risk of from prolonged heat exposure are people aged 65 and over, those with underlying health conditions, pregnant women, babies and children.
Updated
Wiebusch says authorities have reported spotting from the Carlisle River fire, which broke containment lines over the weekend.
He says that overnight more than 120 people have taken refuge in emergency relief centres in Colac.
Three centres remain active today at the Colac Showgrounds, the Bluewater Leisure Centre in Colac and the Grovedale Community Hub.
Updated
Victorian authorities declare total fire ban in Wimmera and north-east
Victoria’s emergency management commissioner, Tim Wiebusch, says a total fire ban has been declared in the Wimmera and north-east fire districts for Wednesday.
He says there are six major fires in the state, with three burning out of control.
Two emergency warnings and 13 watch and act warnings are in place.
Updated
Vets and volunteers deployed to flying fox colonies in Victoria amid heatwave
Wildlife Victoria has deployed volunteers, veterinarians and support staff to grey-headed flying fox camps in central Victoria amid the extreme heat.
The teams arrived at two nationally significant flying fox camps in Tatura and Numurkah on Saturday for a seven-day deployment. Both colonies are estimated to be home to approximately 10,000 grey-headed flying foxes.
Temperatures above 42C are deadly for flying foxes. Wildlife support crews will monitor the health of the colonies and provide assistance when needed.
Thousands of flying foxes perished in the heatwave earlier in January, the largest mass mortality event for the species since black summer.
Members of the public were advised never to try to rescue any sick, injured or orphaned bats themselves, and instead to contact their nearest wildlife organisation.
Lisa Palma, Wildlife Victoria CEO, said:
We’re pleased to report that both colonies have coped well so far, but we expect today to be the most challenging, with temperatures in Tatura and Numurkah forecast to reach 42 and 43 degrees respectively. Conditions are also expected to worsen later in the week as animals experience the cumulative impacts of consecutive days of extreme heat.
Read more:
Updated
Victoria heat record under threat as temperatures pass 48C in Ouyen
Ouyen, Victoria, is closing in on the state’s previous temperature record, 48.8C, which was set in Hopetoun on Black Saturday, 7 February 2009. The mercury is reading 48C at the moment.
The Bureau of Meteorology is still forecasting the town could hit 49C by 4pm, before a rapid cool change beginning later tonight.
The observations that BoM reports for Ouyen are taken at Walpeup, which is about 30km away.
Updated
MP Monique Ryan calls for heatwaves to be named after fossil fuel companies
Independent MP Monique Ryan says heatwaves putting Australian lives at risk should be named after fossil fuel companies contributing to climate change.
“Extreme weather events like Black Summer, Cyclone Yasi and the Lismore floods are seared into our memories,” the Kooyong MP said.
But heatwaves, the climate hazard responsible for more Australian deaths than floods, storms and bushfires combined, remain a silent killer.
Extreme heat strains every system in the body. It stresses the heart, destabilises diabetes, worsens respiratory conditions, and intensifies mental health crises. When temperatures rise, so do emergency department presentations.
Launched as Melbourne inches towards a top of 44C on Tuesday, Ryan has called her new campaign “Name Heatwaves. Save Lives”.
Cyclones have been given names in Australia since the 1960s, part of efforts to improve awareness and emergency communications. Ryan said:
Fossil fuels are the leading cause of climate change. They contribute to longer, hotter, and more frequent heatwaves.
To tackle our most deadly climate hazard – heat – we should start by calling it what it is, and by asking those who profit from it to own their share of that harm.
Updated
Man charged after alleged improvised explosive device thrown into Invasion Day crowd in Perth
Western Australia police have charged a man, 31, after an alleged homemade improvised explosive device was thrown into a crowd gathered for Perth’s Invasion Day rally yesterday.
Officials said the device, which contained a mixture of volatile and potentially explosive chemicals, also had nails and metal ball bearings affixed to the exterior. The object was thrown into the crowd of about 2,500 people just after 12pm on Monday.
Police will alleged the man removed the improvised explosive from his bag, threw it into the group and then fled the scene. He was arrested shortly afterwards by police.
Officials later searched his home, where they allegedly found a combination of chemicals and materials “consistent with the manufacture of homemade explosives”.
He has since been charged with one count of an unlawful act or omission with intent to harm and one count of possession of explosives under suspicious circumstances. His bail was refused and he will appear before court today.
Updated
Qld says refusal to participate in gun buybacks ‘not about the money’
Queensland’s police minister, Dan Purdie, has told media the government’s decision not to participate in the federal gun buyback scheme is “not about the money”.
“It’s not about the money. It’s about asking those questions and doing what’s right for Queensland, and making sure that the police have got all the laws and resources they need to do that, that’s what I’m focused on,” he said.
Purdie refused to elaborate on the reason they wouldn’t participate, but the premier, David Crisafulli, last week said that a buyback scheme “doesn’t focus on keeping guns out of the hands of terrorists and criminals”.
Crisafulli was asked earlier today if a cap on gun ownership – akin to the legislation passed in NSW last year – would keep firearms out of the wrong hands.
I’ve got a cap. My cap is zero. If you’re a terrorist or a crook, zero. Not one, two or three – zero. And if we focus on that, you are going to have a much safer state.
Purdie also hinted that the government would respond to recommendations of a coronial inquest last year into the Wieambilla killings, which recommended mental health checks for gun licence holders.
“We’re working through that at the moment [in cabinet],” he said.
Updated
Extreme heat protocol enacted at the Australian Open
Australian Open officials have enacted their extreme heat protocols after the heat stress scale at Melbourne Park moved above 5.0.
This means all tennis on outside courts has been suspended, and the roofs on Rod Laver and Margaret Court Arenas have been closed.
Women’s singles world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka has just defeated Iva Jovic to secure her spot in the semi-finals, with the RLA roof closing above her during the post-match press conference.
Officials are advising fans to seek shade and drink water, with MCA – and its air-conditioning – accessible for all ground-pass holders.
Alexander Zverev (3) and Learner Tien (25) have just taken to RLA for their men’s quarter-final. Follow our blog for live updates:
Updated
Queensland Labor backs decision to kill K’gari dingos
Queensland Labor leader, Steven Miles, has thrown his support behind a decision to kill 10 protected dingos on K’gari island.
The state government announced the decision on Sunday after the death of Canadian tourist Piper James last week.
“I know, as a former environment minister myself, that there are times when our park rangers identify that animals need to be removed to keep those parks safe, and I’ve always taken the view that our park rangers, the experts in the field, are best placed to make those decisions,” Miles said.
I supported them in making those decisions when it came to crocodiles and kangaroos and all sorts of all sorts of species, brumbies as well.
Miles criticise the government for not consulting with the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation, the traditional owners group which holds native title over and co-manages the world heritage listed island.
They failed to take that important step. But if the rangers believed it was necessary to remove those animals to keep the park safe, then I support them.
Updated
Update from Ouyen: it’s hot
It’s just hit 46C in Ouyen and the heat is radiant and nauseating. The streets are almost empty of people, but that doesn’t mean they’re not here: almost every shaded car space in the town centre is occupied.
Serious heat is usual for the Mallee and Ouyen residents are accustomed to it – though they do acknowledge that it’s extra hot today. A carload of kids were dipping their toes into the Ouyen Lake this morning at about 11am, but they were the exception rather than the rule. The only way to escape this heat is to be inside an air-conditioned building.
That’s what most locals do. Deane Munro, a fourth-generation family farmer and Ouyen local, says most people try to get a bit of work done early in the morning and then head inside:
Not many people are out working unless you have to be … Most places just bunker down – do a bit in the mornings and bunker down in the afternoons.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the heat is expected to peak here around 4pm-5pm.
Updated
A reminder: total fire ban declared for large parts of South Australia
Just a reminder that there are total fire bans in place for large stretches of southern South Australia today.
The Country Fire Service has a full list below, which bars many activities that could spark a fire, including burn-offs, the use of solid fuel barbecues and most uses of angle grinders, welders or metal cutting tools.
REMINDER: TOTAL FIRE BANS have been declared for today, Tuesday 27 January 2026 for the following Fire Ban Districts, all EXTREME:
— Country Fire Service (@CFSAlerts) January 26, 2026
•Eastern Eyre Pen.
•Mid Nth
•Mt Lofty Ranges
•Yorke Pen.
•Kangaroo Is
•Riverland
•Murraylands
•Upper South East
•Lower South East pic.twitter.com/5UpDpEPhvk
Updated
Temperatures pass 46C in north-west Victoria
Parts of Victoria are scorching at the moment. Walpeup, in the Mallee region in the state’s north-west, hit 46.2C just after 12.30pm. Melbourne and Geelong are still predicted to get to 45C in the coming hours, but Melbourne is just under 37C at the moment.
Ouyen, which could see heat records smashed this evening, is now 45.4C.
The lowest temperature recorded in Victoria today was at the town of Omeo, near Mount Hotham, which recorded just 7.7C early this morning at about 6.45am. It’s 34.4C there now.
Updated
Pools and libraries to stay open later to offer locals relief from the heat
Local councils and facilities across Victoria are offering relief from the heat, with pools, libraries and neighbourhood centres extending their opening hours.
The City of Melbourne’s cool places map shows the location of community spaces and public drinking fountains. Discounted pool entry at Carlton Baths and North Melbourne is available to residents on weekdays, with the city’s $2 Splash program running until 28 February. The Couch in Bourke St, Melbourne will extend its opening hours until 9pm for international students.
Brunswick Baths in the inner north will stay open until 11pm on Tuesday to give the local community more time to swim and cool down. The YMCA advised people to check ahead for pool opening times, with some centres extending their hours.
The City of Melton has extended its library opening hours at Melton and Caroline Springs, from 8:30am to 8pm, to provide refuge from the heat.
Alpine shire will keep its cool, air-conditioned libraries in Bright, Mount Beauty and Myrtleford open until 7pm.
Updated
Australian Open insulates tennis from extreme heat but still faces million-dollar hit
Tens of thousands of tennis fans are expected to stay away from the Australian Open on Tuesday as temperatures climb above 40C, but the Melbourne Park grand slam has largely been able to insulate itself – physically and commercially – from the effects of extreme heat.
The daytime attendance for the heat-affected Saturday was 51,048, down more than 10,000 compared with the previous and following days, and an even greater decline is expected on Tuesday given widespread publicity of the Victorian heatwave. Sales of $35 ground passes have been slow and queues at security appeared shorter than usual shortly after gates opened at 9am.
Those who do attend are also less likely to spend as long at the precinct. On Saturday, Melbourne Park was largely empty when play resumed shortly after 7pm, leaving food and beverage vendors twiddling their thumbs at dinnertime when they would usually be run off their feet.
Read more here:
All new renewables projects will need community benefit sharing arrangements, Victoria energy minister says
Lily D’Ambrosio was also asked about Victoria’s announcement that it will kick off Australia’s first offshore wind auction this year.
The Victorian government this morning announced it would invite tenders for 2 gigawatts of capacity in August.
Australia’s first offshore windfarm will almost certainly be built in Victoria, the only state with legislated targets – for at least 2GW by 2032 and 9GW by 2040.
Asked about if further community consultation will be conducted before licenses are awarded under the auction process, D’Ambrosio said:
We have been really clear to all proponents, everyone who wishes to invest … that they need to engage with local communities to explain the benefits, but also to hear from the local community about how these offshore wind energy projects can actually present greater benefits to them locally.
That’s why we’re requiring of all new renewable energy projects that will be built, including offshore wind and onshore wind and other technologies, that there are community benefit sharing arrangements that are put in place.
Updated
Victorian government confident the state’s electricity will meet heatwave demand, minister says
Victoria’s energy minister Lily D’Ambrosio says the government is confident the state has enough electricity supply to meet demand as it swelters through an extreme heatwave.
Speaking to reporters this morning, D’Ambrosio said the Australian Energy Market Operator had advised that Victoria has “more than sufficient reserves” to meet demand today:
This is really important. There are no concerns that the market operator has.
Victoria has quite healthy electricity supplies, and yesterday was the same.
Updated
Ice blocks and slushies among cool treats for zoo animals across Victoria
Mud wallows, ice blocks, slushies and water misters were some of the cool treats on offer for animals at Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary, Werribee Open Range Zoo and Kyabram Fauna Park as keepers prepared for the state’s record-breaking temperatures.
In most cases, animals also have access to back-of-house areas where they can choose to spend their time out of the sun and away from the heat, according to Zoos Victoria.
Zoos remain open for visitors, with misting and water play facilities available for “young human animals” to cool off, a spokesperson said. This includes a 580 sq m splash park at Kyabram and creek play areas at Healesville.
Updated
Emergency warning near Carlisle River fire, residents told to evacuate immediately
VicEmergency has released an urgent warning for residents near the Carlisle River fire in the state’s south to evacuate immediately.
The warning encompasses areas in the Barongarook, Gellibrand, Kawarren and Lovat areas, full details of which are here.
Officials said:
If you choose to stay, emergency services may not be able to help you.
If you are located in these areas it is recommended you evacuate immediately and move to a safer location away from the fire.
EMERGENCY WARNING - BUSHFIRE - Evacuate Immediately - Barongarook, Gellibrand, Kawarren, Lovat
— VicEmergency (@vicemergency) January 27, 2026
More details at https://t.co/NwkJLto8vB
If you choose to stay, emergency services may not be able to help you. pic.twitter.com/QREf0Mg0lZ
Updated
Queensland premier sceptical of reports K’gari kill will drive dingos extinct
The Queensland premier, David Crisafulli, says he’s sceptical of reports the killing of 10 K’gari dingoes could help drive them extinct.
The state government decided to kill an entire pack on the weekend, after it was discovered near the body of Canadian tourist Piper James last Monday. There are only about 200 protected animals on the island, which is world heritage listed.
“People said the same thing to the Beattie government a quarter of a century ago, when they removed over 30. The same thing was said at that time,” he said.
The then Labor government ordered a kill after an animal fatally attacked 9-year-old Clinton Gage in 2001.
Crisafulli also defended the decision not to inform the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation, which co-manages the island, which is held under native title. He said the department had made the decision to kill the animals:
They took a decision and they acted on it, and they acted swiftly on it, and I don’t think they can be criticised for that. I certainly won’t be criticising them for that. They’ve taken an independent decision, and I think they took the right decision.
Updated
Two dead after light plane crash near Gold Coast
Two people have died in the light plane crash near the Gold Coast this morning, police said.
Queensland police are holding a press conference after a light plane crash near the Gold Coast this morning, just before 6am. Gold Coast district superintendent Brett Jackson said the plane was a single-engine light aircraft, which took off from Heck field.
The plane crashed just after takeoff. The plane took off from the private airport in a planned flight.
The pilot was a 73-year-old man from Beenleigh, Queensland. The passenger was a man from Sydney.
Jackson said it was too early to discern the cause of the accident.
Updated
Heatwave warnings extend across the country
Much of the focus today will be on temperatures in Victoria and South Australia, but other states and territories are in for a scorcher as well.
There is an extreme heatwave warning in New South Wales in the Snowy Mountains, the South West slopes and the upper western regions, and a severe heatwave warning for most of the state’s west, inland from the coastline.
There are severe heatwave warnings for: the Northern Territory, in the Simpson and Lasseter regions; the ACT; and in Queensland across a large band of the state’s south.
There is no heatwave warning currently in effect for Tasmania, but Hobart will be hot today, with a high forecast at 34C.
Here's today's forecast for capital cities around Australia.
— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) January 26, 2026
For the latest forecasts and warnings, visit our website https://t.co/4W35o8i7wJ or the BOM Weather app. pic.twitter.com/sC5OFJD5NP
Updated
Victorian schools preparing for extreme heat as students due to return tomorrow
Victoria’s temperatures are soaring right as students are due to begin returning for the start of the school year from tomorrow.
Government schools are open today, a student-free day, and schools will contact parents directly if any changes to arrangements are required due to weather conditions. Parts of the state are expecting extreme temperatures into the 40s to continue tomorrow and through the rest of the week.
A Victorian education department spokesperson said:
During extreme heat events, principals follow the department’s emergency management directions, informed by fire danger ratings, to ensure the safety of staff and students.
Schools also implement a range of measures to support student and staff wellbeing in warmer conditions, including changing break arrangements, physical activity modifications and ensuring adequate hydration.
More information on the state’s policy for managing extreme heat in schools is available here.
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Victorian energy company urges customers to prepare for high temperatures and fire conditions
Powercor, which supplies energy to around 1.2m homes and businesses in Victoria, is urging customers to prepare for the extreme heat and fire conditions today.
The company said bushfires can impact powerlines and cause outages that last longer than usual, while high temperature and wind can affect electricity infrastructure and cause localised power outages.
Ben Hallett, the company’s emergency manager, said it is essential Victorians include power outages in their emergency planning, saying in a statement:
If bushfires damage or destroy parts of the power network, this will affect power supply to properties and impact equipment that relies on electricity such as electric water pumps,” Ben said. “It may take days or longer for our crews to be able to safely access these sites and repair damaged electrical infrastructure.
We’re asking everyone to act now – charge devices, prepare backup plans and make sure you’re ready.
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More details on the light plane crash near the Gold Coast
There are grave fears for two people critically injured in a light plane crash that sparked a bushfire at a regional airport, AAP reports.
Two people were on board the aircraft, which went down just before 6am in bushland at the Jacobs Well airfield, also known as Heck Field, north of the Gold Coast.
The wreckage caught alight on impact, sparking a fire in bushland about 500 metres from the airstrip.
A large plume of smoke was visible for kilometres from the crash site, firefighters said. At least 11 fire crews remain on scene with paramedics and police.
Queensland Ambulance Service said a pilot and a passenger were involved in the crash.
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Jewish influencer barred from Australia responds after visa cancelled
Sammy Yahood, the Jewish influencer who had his visa cancelled yesterday, just hours before he was due to depart for Australia, said he will not be deterred after getting stuck in the UAE.
The home affairs minister, Tony Burke, confirmed Monday that Yahood’s visa had been cancelled, saying “spreading hatred is not a good reason to come” to Australia. Yahood has made multiple posts on X calling Islam a “murderous ideology”, a “disgusting ideology” and claiming Islam “cannot be trusted to simply ‘co-exist’”.
The influencer took to social media to say his spirits were not “knocked, even slightly” after the episode. He said:
They blocked me. The Australian government went to so much effort to stop me … that they called up the UAE and made sure that didn’t happen.
This is a story about a government overreaching. This is a story about tyranny, censorship and control. We cannot allow it.
I am not turned away, as it may literally seem. I have been spurred on. The gasoline has been added to the fire, and I’m telling you now, the Australian government, a tyranny that seems very similar to one that I know from the UK, does not know what they have started.
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Adelaide passes 40C before 9.30am
It’s just before 9.30am in Adelaide, but temperatures have already hit 40C in the city, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
In Ouyen, Victoria, where our reporter Stephanie Convery is stationed, it is currently 35.5C, but the forecast is still predicting the mercury to rise to 49C by 4pm.
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Killing of K’gari dingoes in wake of backpacker’s death could create ‘extinction vortex’, expert says
Dingo experts have said a decision to kill a 10-strong pack of the animals linked with the death of Canadian tourist Piper James on K’gari could push the island’s population towards extinction while doing little to protect humans.
The Queensland government revealed on Sunday it had already killed six of the pack seen around the body of the 19-year-old in a move that has angered the island’s traditional owners who have said they were not consulted.
On Saturday, James’s mother, Angela, told the ABC that killing the dingoes “is the last thing Piper would want”.
“She wouldn’t want anything done to [the dingoes]; they were there first. She knew that,” she said.
Malinauskas says he doesn’t regret position on Adelaide writers’ week
South Australia premier Peter Malinauskas was asked earlier this morning about the drama surrounding Adelaide writers’ week and Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah.
He told RN Breakfast that he doesn’t regret his position on the matter, and said he would stand by it if he had to make it again:
From my perspective, you know, there was a range of complex questions here, but ultimately, you know, as the leader of the state, when I was asked to form a view about this, I was happy to do so and express it. And I don’t regret the position I take.
The premier said he believes events such as writers’ week need to be “about bringing people together rather than driving the sort of antagonism that I think serves no one any good”.
When asked if he would maintain the same position again, Malinauskas said:
Yeah, I would. But that’s not to say I don’t think it’s exceptionally unfortunate that writers’ week is not going ahead.
I just hope that in future everyone might sort of take stock, assess themselves of the facts before jumping to conclusions about all of this. I think that’s what’s important in the world.
Light plane crashes at Gold Coast airfield
A small aircraft crashed at Heck Field, also known as Jacobs Well airfield, near the Gold Coast this morning.
Queensland police said the incident happened just before 6am. Officials said injuries are unknown, but the ABC reports two people have suffered life-threatening wounds.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau said it had been notified of the accident at Heck airfield, but was currently gathering more information about the incident.
Tim Wilson says colleagues not plotting leadership spill against Ley
Liberal frontbencher Tim Wilson says he’s had no phone calls from colleagues counting the numbers to replace embattled opposition leader, Sussan Ley.
The Victorian MP said his party should be focused on helping small business owners, tradies and everyday Australians trying to get ahead, and not on internal spats.
“Sussan’s the leader, and I always support the leader,” he told Sky.
We’ve got to make sure that whatever it is, we’re united behind the team. We need to make sure we’re holding the Albanese government to account.
Wilson, who has been speculated as a possible candidate for the deputy leadership, said it is not something he has entertained. He cited small business insolvencies and rising requests for mental health support as more important issues.
I’m quite sure that some of my colleagues are making phone calls. They do that, whether there’s these moments or not. The question is, what are they making [them] for?
If they’re making them to build out a bold policy vision for the future of the country, which we need in their portfolios and my portfolio and all my shadow colleagues’ portfolios, that’s the basis in which we build the confidence of the Australian people.
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Victoria to open nation’s first offshore wind auction this year
Australia’s first offshore wind auction is set to kick off this year, with the Victorian Government announcing it would invite tenders for 2 gigawatts of capacity in August.
Minister for energy and resources Lily D’Ambrosio said:
We want to give industry the certainty it needs to invest and help us keep building the renewable energy Victoria needs to push down energy bills.
The state government’s announcement followed a recent decision by Australia’s energy ministers to include offshore wind as part of the Electricity Services Entry Mechanism, an initiative designed to support investment in new generation and storage after 2030.
Australia’s first offshore wind farm will almost certainly be built in Victoria, the only state with legislated targets – for at least 2GW by 2032 and 9GW by 2040.
In December, Star of the South, the country’s most advanced offshore wind project located off the Gippsland coast, lodged its environmental impact assessment for assessment under federal environment laws after seven years of technical studies.
Aside from potentially record-breaking heat, what else is Ouyen known for? Vanilla slice
Travellers Marg and Graham have stopped at Ouyen Mallee Bakery on their drive home from Mildura to Geelong this morning.
Besides possibly breaking heat records, this town is famous for this bakery’s vanilla slices, which, in 1998, were proclaimed by Victoria’s then-premier Jeff Kennett to be the best he’d ever tasted. This kicked off the illustrious annual Great Australian Vanilla Slice Triumph, held here in Ouyen (pronounced “Oh-yen”) until 2012, when it moved north to Merbein, just outside Mildura.
Marg and Graham are hightailing it home after a flying visit to the Murray to get back to Marg’s dogs, as it’s forecast to be 45C in Geelong today.
They made tracks early, but they say it will be the afternoon before they are home – it’s a 448km drive just from here.
Marg says:
We always stop here on our way back.
Graham chimes in:
The vanilla slices – they’re very good.
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Adelaide sees hottest night on record
The city of Adelaide had its hottest night on record, with temperatures falling to just 34.1C before 7am local time.
South Australia premier Peter Malinauskas spoke to RN Breakfast, saying the state was responding relatively well to the record-breaking temperatures, although he said the overnight heat was “truly extraordinary”. He said:
These are extraordinary conditions, but by and large, the state is responding well. We’ve been very fortunate to have our emergency services, particularly in the voluntary CFS out there dealing with fires as they have arisen, so as to prevent a catastrophe occurring.
But there’s still a lot that we’ve got to keep an eye on.
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Total fire ban across Victoria today
Just a reminder, there is a total fire ban across Victoria today amid potentially record-breaking temperatures.
Extreme fire danger conditions are forecast for parts of the central, north central, south west, Wimmera and Mallee fire districts.
The ban means no fire can be lit in open air or allowed to remain alight until 11.59pm.
You can check what you can and can’t do here.
Former NSW Liberal party president says Coalition with Nationals doesn’t ‘work for us’ any more
Jason Falinski, the former NSW Liberal party president, said he doesn’t believe it “works” for the Liberals to be in Coalition with the Nationals any longer.
Falinski spoke to RN Breakfast this morning amid the ongoing turmoil following a split between the two parties over the federal hate speech bill, saying the best solution moving forward for the Liberals would be focusing on voters’ problems, not appealing to the Nationals.
He said:
The best option overall is for the Liberal party to come up with solutions that speak to the problems that people are facing at the moment, to come up with policies that address their concerns and to create a community in which everyone can live the best life that they want to or would like to. That’s the best solution.
And if the National party wants to be part of that, we would be very happy to have them back.
But at the moment where they’re triangulating because they’re so freaked out by what’s happening with One Nation – which they’ve created themselves, I’ve got to say – then I don’t think it works for us to continue to be in a Coalition with them.
Falinski went on to say he would prefer the Nationals stop chasing One Nation, saying the strategy had not worked out for them, or the Coalition:
My very strong preference is for the National party to work out that what they’ve been doing for nearly two decades now. [It] has not been working for them, much less for the Liberal party.
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Today a day ‘not to be complacent’, fire chief says
Heffernan said even though fire resources are focused on two major fires currently burning, any blaze that breaks out today or in the coming week will be difficult to contain amid hot, dry conditions.
He said:
Today is a day not to be complacent. Whilst we are focus on the Walwa and the Carlisle River fire, to be frank, the state is very, very dry. Any fire that takes hold will be a challenge for community.
Heffernan added communities should take care to look after the elderly, young and infirm amid the heatwave:
Today is one of those days where we have concern for the elderly, the sick and the very young. They are extremely susceptible to heatwaves and the sort of heat that we are talking about this morning, so we are anticipating a greater demand for medical services.
We are asking the community to look after yourself, look after each other and keep cool and try to avoid the hot places.
Still not too late to leave areas near dangerous Victoria fire, but conditions will change later today
Jason Heffernan, the chief officer of Victoria’s Country Fire Authority, is speaking about the fire threat to the state today. He told ABC News:
It is going to be a challenging day for not only firefighters, but for Victorians generally. It will be potentially record-breaking heat across the state.
Four zones around the Carlisle River fire have been asked to evacuate immediately, and it is still not too late to do so.
We do expect that fire will run today under the conditions, those hot northerly winds, but it’s the change that’s going to come through about 5pm with some really punchy winds that is likely to do most of the damage and drive that fire further into the Otways in a north-easterly direction, affecting nearly all the communities which we have highlighted today.
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Heat is Australia’s ‘silent killer’. Here are the symptoms to watch out for
What are the symptoms of heat-related illness? How do you stay cool and prevent heat stress? What does prolong heat do to your body?
Extreme heat is the most common cause of weather-related hospitalisations and deaths in Australia – here’s what you need to know.
A dispatch from Ouyen, Victoria, which could hit 49C today
It was 26.1C as the sun rose over the small Victorian town of Ouyen this morning. The barest of night breezes rippled the surface of the lake as the sky turned red – the smallest of reprieves before the heat builds again.
Tuesday has loomed large in the minds of many. Today is when this prolonged heatwave is expected to hit its peak. Melbourne is facing a rare 45C, but this Mallee town of 1,170 people is staring down 49C – a figure that would break the state’s temperature record of 48.8C, set in Hopetoun on Black Saturday in 2009.
From where we sit in Ouyen, it seems extremely likely that it will get there. It got pretty close just two weeks ago, peaking at 47.5C on Thursday 8 January. And Tuesday is not the first but the fifth day in a row that temperatures here will exceed 40C – and there’s more to come.
Ouyen hit a top of 44.3C yesterday at 5.52pm. It got to at least 42.5C on Sunday and 43.3C on Saturday, and hit 45.1 on Friday. It has barely dropped below 20C at night. And another four days over 40C are expected to follow, totalling a possible nine full days of extreme 40C+ temperatures.
The heat is heavy and insistent, pressing sharply through clothes, sunglasses, windows and walls. There’s no hiding from it, except in heavily air-conditioned buildings.
The area hasn’t recorded a drop of rainfall all January, and only 13.6mm in December. The fire danger rating today is extreme.
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Good morning
Good morning to you all. There are only a few more days left of January, yeesh. Here’s what’s on deck today.
An out-of-control bushfire near Carlisle River in southern Victoria prompted warnings last night for communities to evacuate immediately ahead of a hot, dry and dangerous day of weather. There is a total fire ban across all of Victoria today.
Temperatures are expected to soar in parts of Victoria and South Australia today, with the Bureau of Meteorology warning an extreme heatwave could smash temperature records. Melbourne is in for its hottest day since 2009’s Black Saturday bushfires, with forecast temperatures of 45C.
Parts of north-east Victoria and south-west NSW face an extreme heatwave warning, with officials warning of impacts to residents’ health. Heat is Australia’s “silent killer”; here’s what to watch out for.
Stick with us.
