What we learned today, Wednesday 7 January
That’s where we’ll leave the blog for today. I hope you stay safe out there in the heat, especially if you’re somewhere at risk of fire. Until tomorrow, here are today’s top stories:
A severe heatwave of the kind not seen since the deadly black summer bushfires descended on parts of the country, with Melbourne recording a top of 41C and Adelaide 43C.
Victorians were warned to expect fire conditions across the entire state on Friday as officials warned any bushfires that break out would be “uncontrollable”. Extreme fire danger warnings were issued for parts of Victoria and South Australia on Thursday.
The government’s official measure of inflation data was released, with the consumer price index slipping to 3.4% in the year to November. This was still above the Reserve Bank of Australia’s preferred range of 2% to 3% but slightly lower than expected. This means the chance of an interest rate hike in February is less likely.
The opposition leader, Sussan Ley, set out her demands for a commonwealth royal commission into the Bondi terror attack, and tried to clean up what may have been an important error in a recent press conference when she said a royal commission should investigate “far-left neo-Nazi extremism”.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, was in Sydney to attend the funeral of the former NSW police detective sergeant Peter Meagher, who was killed in the Bondi mass shooting.
The New South Wales Labor MP Anthony D’Adam asked the federal home affairs minister to investigate whether Israel had breached Australia’s foreign influence laws by authoring a dossier naming him and other politicians as promoting antisemitic and anti-Zionist content.
And the NSW premier, Chris Minns, announced a two-year extension of Margaret Beazley’s term as governor.
Updated
Current bushfire warnings around Australia
Here are the current fire warnings in place around Australia, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
For today, the weather bureau warned of extreme fire danger for the central, south-west and Wimmera regions of Victoria.
The bureau said there were very hot and dry conditions in these areas with moderate to fresh north to north-westerly winds.
A milder south-west to southerly change was expected to develop in the south-west in the early afternoon then extend across the western and central districts in the late afternoon and evening.
People in the Ashburton coast and Exmouth Gulf coast districts of Western Australia were also warned of extreme fire danger today.
The weather bureau said in these areas, hot conditions combined with fresh and gusty south to south-westerly winds during the afternoon and early evening periods had led to extreme fire danger over parts of the western Pilbara on Tuesday and today.
In South Australia, extreme fire danger was forecast for the following districts: west coast, eastern Eyre Peninsula, lower Eyre Peninsula, Flinders, mid-north, Mount Lofty Ranges, Yorke Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, Riverland, Murraylands, upper south-east and lower south-east.
The weather bureau expected very hot and dry conditions with north to north-westerly winds followed by a fresh south-westerly change about the west and south to result in extreme fire danger over much of the state today.
As for tomorrow, an extreme fire danger warning was in place for the Mallee, north-east and northern country districts of Victoria.
In these regions, the weather bureau has forecast hot and dry conditions with moderate to fresh north to north-westerly winds expected to develop over northern Victoria on Thursday which should persist through the afternoon and ease during the evening.
Isolated thunderstorms were possible during the afternoon and evening, but very little rain was expected and the storms carry the risk of dry lightning and damaging wind gusts, the bureau said.
Extreme fire danger was also expected in the mid-north district of South Australia, where hot and dry conditions combined with fresh north to north-west winds shifting south-west in the afternoon were expected to increase the risk of fire.
Fire authorities advised people in regions at extreme risk of fire to action their bushfire survival plans now and monitor the fire and weather situation through local radio, the Bureau of Meteorology website and their state emergency websites.
Updated
Animals given ice blocks at zoos as one closes due to heat
With Murray Bridge, in South Australia’s Murraylands region, forecast to reach 46C on Wednesday, nearby Monarto Safari Park made the decision to close.
The animals were coping well, staff said, with most having access to shade, water holes and indoor areas.
Adelaide zoo remained open, as temperatures in the city hit 43C.
During periods of extreme heat, keepers at both zoos adjust daily routines and provide cooling options such as ice blocks, cooling mats, fans and misters, while closely monitoring animal behaviour to ensure their comfort and welfare.
Adelaide zoo has shared some photos with us of some of their animals with their ice blocks.
Updated
St John Ambulance offers advice on how to stay safe in the heat
Marian Casey from St John Ambulance was on the ABC a short time ago talking about the signs of heat exhaustion or fatigue that you should look out for.
Casey said anyone doing any physical activity today should make sure they stay cool.
If you’ve got air conditioning, turn it on, she said, and make sure that you stay hydrated.
She added that, if someone starts feeling unwell, if they feel dizzy or even start vomiting, make sure that you look after them.
Give them some cool water to drink, she said. Use a wet towel or a cloth to cool them down and if they start vomiting or become unconscious, make sure that you call triple zero.
She said anyone outside, especially doing any sort of physical activity, should be really careful because heat exhaustion can “come on quite quickly”.
If you start feeling warm or overheated, stop physical activity and find some cool shade, she said.
In terms of the physical signs to look out for, she said:
The first symptom is obviously that they’re going to start feeling warm, start feeling thirsty and then they’ll start feeling dizzy.
And the more extreme symptoms can be, as said, vomiting or loss of consciousness.
Updated
For Anchor Community Care, a homelessness service that works in the north-east of Melbourne, the issue is complex – many of the rough sleepers it has as clients live in bushland, making fire danger a main concern.
Leanne Nicholson, Anchor’s acting CEO, said:
We work closely with the local CFA and police to advise on the locations and needs of our local rough sleeper population.
Heat like this is a very serious threat to the lives of people sleeping rough.
AIHW data shows that the median age of death for rough sleepers in Australia is just 46. This is 36 years less than the rest of the population – almost half of their life lost as a result of experiencing homelessness.
This is due to the health impacts that come with an experience of homelessness. The threat is very real for our rough sleepers during extreme weather and their lives are at risk unless we do all we can to support them.
It’s crucial that a priority is placed on the health and safety of our most vulnerable people. Their experience of homelessness doesn’t make them less deserving of the dignity, safety and health afforded to the rest of Australia.
Updated
Homelessness services in Victoria go into overdrive in heatwave
Launch Housing says it is moving rough sleepers into emergency accommodation to keep them out of the heat in Victoria.
Janita Suter, the head of marketing and communications, said:
Our outreach workers are out keeping people hydrated, making sure they’re staying in shade, giving out drinks and cooling supplies. We are offering more emergency accommodation to keep people out of the heat.
The people most at risk are those with chronic medical conditions, socially isolated, and older Australians over 65. We are monitoring for the signs of heat exhaustion.
She said heatwaves were often the organisation’s busiest time, keeping not just clients but staff safe, while getting people off the streets.
Launch has existing relationships with hotels, which we know are suitable for different cohorts. And we are drawing upon existing funds for this because there are no additional funds.
Updated
Government urged to switch off mutual obligations in heatwaves
The Antipoverty Centre has written to key ministers requesting mutual obligations (MOs) are switched off in heatwaves.
Jobseekers are required to meet mutual obligation requirements – such as attending meetings with an employment provider – to receive their payments. But when a natural disaster occurs, the government turns the system off for those in the impacted area.
In the letter, sent to the federal minister for employment and workplace relations, Amanda Rishworth, the centre’s research and policy adviser, Jay Coonan, called for MOs to be turned off. He wrote:
I understand that changes were requested of providers to change servicing arrangements to limit people attending activities in person, however from past experience we know that these requests from the department rarely trickle down to the street-level.
The only effective way to protect a person in these conditions is to give them the confidence to refuse any demands of their providers and to seek safety at home or in a third space that provides relief and any support a person may need.
Updated
Hi, I hope you’ve had a nice day so far. I’ll be with you on the blog until this evening.
That’s all from me. Catie McLeod will be your guide. Take care.
Victoria to see extreme fire conditions on Friday as officials warn any bushfires that break out will be ‘uncontrollable’
The entirety of Victoria will likely see extreme fire behaviour conditions on Friday amid an ongoing heatwave, officials said, warning that any fires that do break out will likely be uncontrollable amid hot, dry, windy conditions.
Jason Heffernan, the chief officer of the Country Fire Authority, said total fire bans would continue for some areas across the state on Thursday, saying officials are preparing for the impacts of the heatwave in the coming days.
We are expecting the upper end of extreme across the entire state of Victoria for Friday. We will see yet again the continuation of those mid 40 degrees temperatures, and an even greater increasing of those very hot northerly winds
Fires under these conditions are uncontrollable. If a fire starts and takes hold, it will spread very quickly
Vicki Ward, the Victorian minister for emergency services, said conditions will be “incredibly challenging” over the next few days. Officials warned all Victorians to be prepared with an evacuation plan and for any unexpected power outages.
Updated
British man charged with displaying Nazi symbols asks to be voluntarily removed from country after visa cancelled
A British national facing deportation for alleged offences has caused a potential federal standoff after requesting removal from Australia, AAP reports.
Kayn Adam Charles Wells, 43, was arrested at Caboolture, north of Brisbane, in November following an Australian Federal Police national security investigation.
Wells was charged with displaying Nazi symbols and posting harmful content on the social media site X and granted bail. Federal police also allegedly found several weapons “including swords bearing swastika symbology, axes and knives” in Wells’ possession.
Home affairs minister, Tony Burke, cancelled Wells’ visa on 23 December and the Briton was taken into immigration detention, facing deportation. Wells signed a Department of Home Affairs form requesting voluntary removal on Tuesday, a day before he faced Caboolture magistrates court.
He cannot be prosecuted if he is removed from the country.
Updated
NSW health system preparing for ‘searing temperatures’ over coming days
NSW health minister, Ryan Park, said today is about the state’s health system and emergency services getting prepared ahead of a forecast heatwave in Sydney and other parts of the state.
“We know that over the next few days we are going to see searing temperatures here in Sydney, western Sydney and other parts of New South Wales,” Park said.
Park also urged individuals to take steps to “try to reduce the burden on our services across New South Wales”.
He urged people to exercise in the cooler parts of the day, and not during the middle of the day or after lunch, as parts of Sydney will reach temperatures close to 44C.
Other advice included consuming water throughout the day to avoid dehydration, looking after vulnerable family members particularly older people and young children and not leaving young children in a car for any length of time. Park said:
It is absolutely critical that people understand over the next few days that car temperatures that are left stationary will soar in a matter of minutes and that can have catastrophic outcomes for young children.
Updated
Cool kits and $100 vouchers for drinks and food available to Melburnians in need amid heatwave
Chief heat officer at the City of Melbourne, Krista Milne, said the council had activated its cool hubs, which included the libraries, pools and community neighbourhood centres, to keep people safe.
She said:
We are making sure everyone has a cool place to go. So if they’re out on the streets, and they’re feeling hot, they can visit one of those places.
Community safety officers have also been going around the CBD, checking on those experiencing homelessness and handing out cool kits. The kits include water, Hydralite, towels people can wet and put over their necks and maps of cool places in the city.
They are also offering those who need it, $100 7-Eleven vouchers so they can buy cool drinks and feed themselves.
With the heatwave building through the next three days, that will be the community safety officers’ focus. They’re out there with those vouchers, engaging with people, making sure they have options and are safe. At this point, there haven’t been any issues reported.
She said the council also had a cool route map up online, so people could plan the coolest way to get form A to B, when they were out in the city. Residents in the City of Melbourne can also swim at the outdoor pools for $2 in January.
Lord Mayor, Nick Reece, also called for people to stay safe in the heat:
We want every Melburnian to take the heatwave seriously. If you need to cool down, head to one of our libraries, cool places or swimming pools – and our community safety officers have bottled water on hand for those who need it.
Updated
Melbourne libraries become designated cooling spots
Libraries across Melbourne have become designated cooling spots, extending their hours, making sure there is water and staff checking in on people sheltering from the heat. Cool spots with extended hours include those in Yarra, Port Philip and Maribyrnong.
Despite running air-con and free drinking water, both the St Kilda library and North Fitzroy were quiet leading up to lunch.
A regular at St Kilda said a few of the locals who are homeless had come in to take shelter from the heat, but it was not any busier than a normal Wednesday.
The streets in the inner suburbs are quiet, with hardly anyone out. Most businesses are keeping their doors closed to keep in the cool air.
Anthony Albanese attends funeral of Bondi victim Peter Meagher
The prime minister was in Sydney today to attend the funeral of former NSW police detective sergeant Peter Meagher, who was killed in the Bondi terror attack.
Albanese placed holy water on the coffin at St Mary’s Cathedral in the CBD. Meagher was working as a freelance photographer at the event on 14 December when he was killed.
His funeral is the last to take place after the mass shooting.
Updated
Extreme heat can increase risk of power outages, but here’s how to prepare
Electricity network company Powercor said networks were designed to cope in the heat, however extreme conditions could increase the risk of outages.
It was closely monitoring the situation and ready to respond, asking customers to prepare in case of localised outages. A spokesperson said:
Victorians can act too by preparing for power outages as part of their emergency plan. They should charge phones and other devices, have a battery-powered radio available for real time news updates, and sign up for SMS notifications about power supplies at www.powercor.com.au/notify.
People that rely on life support equipment or need electrical items to care for others should have a back-up plan ready.
Updated
Another emergency warning in place in central Victoria over grassfire
There’s another emergency warning in place in central Victoria around the Moyreisk, Natte Yallock, Redbank and Stuart Mill areas due to a grassfire, with residents in the area urged to leave immediately. Details on that incident are below.
Grassfire - Emergency Warning for Sunraysia Hwy. You should Leave Immediately.
— VicEmergency (@vicemergency) January 7, 2026
More details at https://t.co/Rfloiy5yCo pic.twitter.com/cj0gIXMJ1t
Leave immediately warning issued for towns in north-east Victoria
VicEmergency just issued an emergency warning for an area west of the town of Walwa in the state’s northeast, comprising the Bungil, Thologolong and Granya areas due to a bushfire.
The blaze is not yet under control and is traveling south from the Mt Lawson state park area towards Bungil, with officials warning properties in the area could be affected.
Leaving immediately is the safest option before conditions become too dangerous, the agency said.
An area further south of Bungil and Granya currently has a watch and act – leave now warning due to the blaze, and the region around Burrowye and Guys Forest is under a watch and act warning as conditions change.
Bushfire - Emergency Warning for 25Km West Of Walwa. You should Leave Now. More info: https://t.co/q8aghiHsk4 pic.twitter.com/rwqCLUcXJj
— VicEmergency (@vicemergency) January 7, 2026
Updated
Governor of NSW extended for two years until May 2028
Margaret Beazley will continue to serve as the governor of New South Wales for an additional two-year term, the premier, Chris Minns, has announced.
The extension of Beazley’s term comes after Minns’ recommendation to King Charles III was approved, the premier said in a statement this afternoon.
Beazley will serve in the role until 1 May 2028, meaning she will have nine years in the job in total, Minns said.
Minns said the extension of Beazley’s term reflected the “government’s confidence in her continued stewardship and the value placed on her experience”.
In the statement, Minns said:
I’m pleased that Her Excellency has agreed to continue in her role as Governor for another two years.
She has served the people of NSW with commitment and care, and I’m grateful she will continue in this important position.
Updated
‘Bubble wrap, sheets, and doonas over the windows’: the lengths some go to to stay cool in their homes
Advocacy group Sweltering Cities have put a small team together to call people across Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia who may be struggling in the heat today.
Executive director, Emma Bacon, said they were going to be calling around 100 people who had previously flagged that they may need assistance.
She said people were increasingly concerned about putting on air conditioning because of the bills, or from people living in poorly insulated homes that heated up quickly:
What we hear is that most people really want to stay home as much as possible. So, people are putting out aluminium foil, bubble wrap, sheets, and doonas over the windows to try and block out more heat.
She said they have heard from people who lie on the tiles in the bathroom or kitchen, with an ice pack on their chest to stay cool. For many people, leaving the house, catching public transport or walking was dangerous.
But people are going to do it because they don’t feel safe at home.
Updated
Housing and energy prices still high despite inflation slip
Housing and electricity costs kept rising while clothing and furniture prices slipped in November, as consumers strain under a “mixed bag” of price pressures.
Housing overall jumped 1.1% in the month of November alone, at 5.2% over the year, in part due to a 4% rise in rents, the data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows.
Electricity costs have surged as rebates lapsed, though they are only up 19.7% annually compared to the 37.1% spike in October.
Devika Shivadekar, economist with RSM Australia, said inflation in those important categories meant rate hikes remained a possibility. She expected the RBA would leave rates on hold when the board meets in February:
“[The data] presents a mixed bag for the RBA because inflation is easing, which supports holding rates steady, but housing and energy costs remain stubbornly high, signalling underlying price pressures.”
Food costs also picked up 3.3% in the year to November, with meals out and takeaway up 3.5% on higher wage and ingredient costs, and meat and seafood up 3.9% due to high overseas demand for Australian produce.
Clothing and footwear prices slipped 3.1% in the month of November and furniture prices fell 4.6% amid Black Friday sales, though those categories rose in price over the year. Health costs slipped 0.5% in the month after bulk billing incentives were expanded on 1 November 2025, boosting bulk billing rates and cutting households’ out of pocket doctor costs.
Updated
Disability support worker charged over client’s death in Sydney house fire almost five years ago
A 27-year-old disability support worker has been charged with manslaughter after a man in his care died in a house fire while allegedly under his supervision, New South Wales police say.
This morning, police said homicide squad detectives had charged the disability support worker, a man from Carramar in Sydney’s west, in relation to his client’s death almost five years ago.
Police have said they will allege in court that the man was negligent in his role as a disability support worker, leaving the residents unsupervised at the time of the fire on 13 April 2021.
About 7.15am on that day, emergency services were called to River Avenue, Carramar, following reports of a house fire, police said.
Police said a male resident was pulled from the single-level home and treated for smoke inhalation.
Another male resident, aged 38, was pulled from the building by staff members but was unable to be revived by firefighters or paramedics.
Police said they set up Strike Force Andretta at the time to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire.
They said they arrested the disability support worker about 8.50am yesterday after he attended Granville Police Station, where he was then charged with manslaughter.
He was refused bail to appear at Bail Division Court 6 today, police said.
Updated
The Elvis Express left Sydney this morning, bound for Parkes
Elvis fever has taken over Australia’s largest railway station, as Elvis impersonators, die-hard fans and curious first-timers joined the annual pilgrimage to pay homage to the King, AAP reports.
A bumper crowd is expected in the NSW central west town of Parkes for the award-winning Elvis Festival, with the 2026 edition taking inspiration from his debut film.
Organisers say Love Me Tender, released in 1956, captures America’s south after the Civil War, with the festival to reflect the film’s resilience and romance.
Before boarding the Elvis Express – a themed train from Sydney to Parkes – amped-up revellers gathered at Central Station on Wednesday morning, comparing outfits and singing songs before boarding for their seven-hour journey.
The scores of Elvis and Priscilla Presley fans and impersonators ranged from veterans to rookies.
February interest rate rise now less likely, markets bet
Markets are betting an interest rate rise previously expected as soon as February will be delayed after inflation came in lower than expected for November.
The 3.4% annual rate of the increase in consumer prices was lower than the 3.6% economists had predicted, after prices held steady in the month of November instead of ticking up a predicted 0.1%.
The ASX200 has jumped from 8,700 to 8,725 index points and the Australian dollar has slipped from nearly 67.4 US cents to 67.3, suggesting traders have more confidence rates will stay lower for longer.
Updated
Inflation slips to 3.4%
Inflation slipped to 3.4% in the year to November, still above the RBA’s preferred range of 2% to 3% but slightly lower than expected.
October had seen consumer price increases of 3.8%. The less volatile trimmed mean measure also fell from 3.3% to 3.2%.
Updated
Pauline Hanson asks PM to overturn parliament suspension after burqa stunt
One Nation’s leader, Pauline Hanson, has asked the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, to overturn a temporary ban from the Senate so she can participate in debate surrounding new legislation on hate speech and a national gun buy-back scheme if parliament is recalled early.
The prime minister has said he plans to do so after the Bondi terror attack, possibly before the 26 January holiday.
Hanson was censured by the Senate and suspended from the chamber for seven sitting days in November after repeating her burqa stunt, meaning she would be unable to appear as the suspension is still in effect.
She wrote in a letter to Albanese yesterday:
Despite my constant warnings about radical Islam infiltrating Australia, your government chooses to vilify me in every possible way … I am seeking your support to overturn the ban imposed upon me by the Senate to debate these urgent bills …
You can read the full letter below:
Updated
Sussan Ley clarifies claim about ‘far-left neo-Nazis’
Going back to Sussan Ley’s press conference earlier this morning: the opposition leader has attempted to clean up what might have been another important error, where she said a royal commission should investigate “far-left neo-Nazi extremism”.
Nazism and neo-Nazism is generally accepted as being an extreme right ideology, including by the United States Holocaust Museum, the Southern Poverty Law Centre and Asio’s director general, Mike Burgess.
Key figures in Australia’s neo-Nazi movements have called for the intake of migrants to be slashed or halted altogether, targeted Indigenous Australians and rallied against transgender Australians.
Ley, in her press conference, demanded a royal commission after the Bondi attack “must include reference to radical Islamic extremism as well as far-left Neo-Nazi extremism”.
Questioned later whether she thought neo-Nazis were left-wing, Ley initially downplayed the question by saying “these are political concepts about left and right, but what is most important is that radical Islamic extremism and Neo-Nazi ideology, however people may choose to frame that in a left-right continuum, that they are included”.
Asked again to clarify, she claimed: “far-left and neo-Nazi extremism were the words I used”, stressing “and” between the two concepts - a word she did not use in her initial comment.
It was potentially a misspeak while reading off notes. In an earlier written statement on a royal commission, Ley called for investigating “the role of radical Islamic extremism, as well as far left and neo Nazi extremism”.
It comes after Ley mistakenly referred to Russia as the Soviet Union last week, saying “the government should always stand ready to support the illegal occupation of Ukraine by the USSR”. Her office updated the official press conference transcript to replace the USSR and Soviet Union mentions with “Russia”.
Updated
BoM warns ‘sweltering’ heat prompting ‘really dangerous conditions’
As a severe heatwave impacts much of the country today, widespread areas across South Australia and Victoria are facing temperatures in the 40s.
Miriam Bradbury, senior meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology said both Adelaide and Melbourne are anticipating “sweltering conditions” peaking at 42C on Wednesday, with temperatures reaching as high as 44C in Elizabeth, in Adelaide’s north.
The hottest part of the day was expected early afternoon – around 2 or 3pm – with temperatures remaining close to their maximum into the evening.
Murray Bridge, in SA’s Murraylands region, is headed for 46C on Wednesday. Port Augusta, about 300km north of Adelaide, could reach 45C, followed by 47C on Thursday.
Severe intensity heatwave conditions stretched from the north-west to the south-east of the country – developing in Western Australia, and moving through South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, the ACT and Tasmania – with widespread areas facing temperatures in the low-to-mid 40s, according to the BoM.
“It’s not just a normal burst of summer heat. These are really dangerous conditions,” Bradbury said.
Updated
It’s already 34C in Melbourne, 37C in Adelaide
Melbourne and Adelaide are both forecast to hit upwards of 42C today. At 10.30am in Victoria and 10am in South Australia, the mercury has already shot up.
Melbourne is 34 right now and Adelaide 37, with temperatures expected to rise into the evening.
Updated
Ley says parliament should have been called back earlier
Ley said she spoke with the prime minister earlier this week, but said even if federal parliament comes back early, it’s still been too long since the Bondi attack. Albanese has said parliament will be recalled as soon as possible once new legislation has been finalised.
Ley said:
It’s the prime minister’s decision when parliament comes back. I said then what I say today is that it isn’t coming back early if it comes back before its scheduled first sitting date. It’s still coming back too late, too late to address the crisis of antisemitism and the crisis of the Bondi terror attack.
Parliament should have come back before the end of last year and any day that we are not coming back is a day where it is a day wasted to get on with the really important work of addressing what our proposed commonwealth royal commission would do.
Ley sets out key demands for any royal commission into Bondi attack
The opposition leader, Sussan Ley, is speaking in Sydney, saying the federal government needs to do more after the Bondi terror attack, including convening a commonwealth royal commission.
Ley said any eventual royal commission should include three prongs: full accountability for executive and ministerial decisions; a “reckoning with antisemitism and extremist ideology”; and for the commission to have “real powers and real voices”.
Ley said:
It is time for the prime minister to start listening and come out of hiding. … [There] are real threats to our social cohesion and they threaten us with violent extremism if we don’t address the causes and the consequences with clear eyes and moral clarity. …
Today is the day for the prime minister to step up, step out and announce this commonwealth royal commission but it must, as a starting point, have those three critical areas within its terms of reference. Australians are watching. Victims’ families are waiting.
Updated
Heat-related ailments affect not only older people, doctors warn
Wright added that while almost one third of hospitalisations relating to extreme heat occurred in people aged 65 and over, heat-related severe health issues affected not only older people:
If someone cannot seek reprieve from soaring temperatures this can place an enormous strain on their body.
So, please spread the word to people in your life – stay cool, stay hydrated, and stay indoors if you can.
At the same time, please make sure to check in on people in your life to ensure they’re okay. This includes not only older patients, but also infants, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, as well as people with chronic disease and those with conditions that may impair sweating.
‘Stay hydrated, and stay indoors if you can’: GPs’ advice for managing in the heatwave
With temperatures expected to soar above 40C in many areas today, the Royal Australian College of GPs is advising people to stay hydrated, indoors and to check on others who may be more susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Dr Michael Wright, president of the RACGP, warned against complacency in high temperatures. He said:
My advice for all Australians is to drink plenty of water, try to stay indoors if possible during those peak UV hours of 11am to 3pm … check in on friends and family members who are more vulnerable to the impact of heat waves, including older people.
… Heatwaves have caused the most hospitalisations related to extreme weather over the last decade, and the risk of hospitalisation increases with age.
Continuing on from the last post…
Wilson said the changes brought the size of the shadow cabinet back in line with the government’s, following the resignation of Labor MP Natalie Hutchins, meaning MPs won’t have to divide the additional salary and expense allowance.
The next party room meeting is scheduled for the first parliamentary sitting week of the year on 3 February. Liberal MPs are also scheduled to have a party room conference at the end of the month, where a ballot may also be held.
Southwick, who unsuccessfully ran against Groth for the deputy role when Wilson was elevated to the leadership, is considered a frontrunner to take the role this time. But the shadow attorney general, James Newbury, and Battin are also being sounded out to run, according to two Liberal sources.
Updated
Sam Groth to step down as deputy Liberal leader at next party room meeting
The Victoria deputy Liberal leader, Sam Groth, will step down from the position at the next party room meeting and his portfolios will be immediately handed over to other shadow ministers.
We had flagged this would occur when Groth announced his plans to quit politics due to infighting within the Liberal party on Monday.
The opposition leader, Jess Wilson, wrote to MPs on Tuesday to confirm the arrangements. She said:
Sam has advised me that he believes it is in the best interests of the party, as well for his family, for him to vacate the deputy leadership at the first party room meeting of the year. Further advice on timing of this meeting will be provided in due course. In the meantime, I have resolved to reallocate Sam’s shadow ministerial portfolios among existing members of the shadow cabinet.
David Southwick will take on tourism and major events, former leader Brad Battin gets sport and Bridget Vallence trade and investment.
Updated
Are crabs animals and should we experiment on monkeys?
Animal sentience, categorising crustaceans as animals and rehoming lab animals are all on the table as the Australian code for animal research is scrutinised for the first time in a decade.
More than 845,000 animals – including mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits and primates – are used in laboratories in Australia each year, based on data from Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania. An estimated 192 million animals are used globally.
In Australia, the National Health and Medical Research Council code sets the rules for their use, requiring researchers to minimise animal suffering and ethics committees to weigh harms against benefits before approving research.
Read more here:
Allegra Spender says she hopes Albanese reverses stance on royal commission
Independent MP Allegra Spender says she hopes the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, reconsiders a federal royal commission into the Bondi terror attack.
Spender spoke to RN Breakfast this morning, where she was asked if Albanese should about face:
I hope so, and I think he should. … I think Australians are absolutely shocked by what happened on the 14th of December. And we value as a country our safety and our social cohesion: that everyone, regardless of faith, regardless of background, regardless of sexuality, is safe and welcome in Australia. And that was violated on the 14th of December.
And I think that we need to make sure we understand exactly how this happened and how we can prevent this in the future.
Spender went on to say Albanese shouldn’t be criticised if he changes his stance on the royal commission, noting:
I think if he changes his mind based on feedback from the community, and this is informed feedback, and this is also community feedback, this is grassroots feedback, but this is feedback from judges and all sorts of people who really have thought about these issues. If he changes his mind on the basis of that feedback, I think that is a positive thing.
Updated
Minister says many in flood-hit areas in Queensland ‘in shock’ after losses
Kristy McBain, the federal minister for emergency management, said it would take some time to determinate the full impact of widespread flooding in parts of Queensland, noting for many primary producers, it will be the second time they’ve suffered losses after similar flooding in 2019.
McBain spoke to RN Breakfast this morning, saying the situation remained “precarious” for the state’s north and west:
You know, there are some significant losses, and I think the big concern is that we still don’t know the total number of losses because, at this stage, we’ve still got water flowing. And with the forecast looking like there’ll be further rain, those numbers could increase.
So it’s quite precarious here. And obviously, speaking to a number of those producers, they’re quite in shock, I think. And they thought 2019 was kind of a once-in-a-lifetime event where there were a number of losses. And unfortunately, for a number of them, it looks like there’ll be similar losses or more. So that’s quite concerning.
Widespread prolonged #flooding continues for much of north and west #Queensland.
— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) January 6, 2026
As of 10am AEST Tues, Major, Moderate, Minor and generalised Flood Warnings and Watches remain across parts of the north and west.
Latest forecasts and warnings: https://t.co/jlOoTZL1iF pic.twitter.com/kIAWTpJN1G
Widespread parts of South Australia also under total fire ban
South Australia also has widespread fire bans across 15 districts, stretching from the state’s western border to the east with Victoria.
The bans include Adelaide, most of the Flinders Range and Kangaroo Island.
Three areas in Victoria under total fire bans
Three areas are currently under a total fire ban in Victoria amid the extreme heat wave.
Those include the central district, which includes Melbourne and Geelong, the south west district and the Wimmera district.
Total fire bans come with a host of restrictions, including widespread prohibitions on all fires and open flames, as well as welding work and the use of solid fuel barbecues. The use of equipment like chainsaws and lawn mowers should also be avoided where possible, because the risk of starting fires is extremely high.
Today Wednesday 7 January 2026, a Total Fire Ban has been declared for the Central, Wimmera and South West Fire Districts.
— cfa_updates (@CFA_Updates) January 6, 2026
No fires can be lit or be allowed to remain alight in the open air from 12:01 AM until 11:59 PM. Find out what you can and can’t do: https://t.co/qTT4P4ne58 pic.twitter.com/bpjnMDw2dW
Teenager in critical condition after being stabbed during brawl in Sydney’s west
A teenager is in hospital in critical condition after he was stabbed during a brawl in Sydney’s west overnight.
NSW police said officers were called to an address about 10.40pm in the suburb of Shalvey after reports of the fight, which took place in a driveway outside a party of about 40 people. On arrival, they found a boy, 17, with multiple stab wounds.
He was treated at the scene by paramedics and taken to the hospital.
Officers from the public order and riot squad and the dog unit assisted with the crowd that remained at the event, and police have since established a crime scene and opened an investigation. No charges have been laid.
Police are appealing for any information or dashcam footage.
Updated
Good morning, and happy (hot) Wednesday. Nick Visser here to pick up the blog. Let’s get to it.
Inflation figures due at 11.30am
The first economic snapshot of the year could show a slowdown in inflation but perhaps not enough to prevent the Reserve Bank increasing interest rates, Australian Associated Press reports.
Hopes of further rate relief were dashed by a resurgence in inflation in the second half of 2025, with analysts and bond traders predicting the central bank’s next move to be up rather than down.
Economists expect the Australian Bureau of Statistics will today reveal the consumer price index fell from 3.8% to 3.6% in November.
Importantly, NAB senior economist Taylor Nugent forecasts the less-volatile trimmed mean figure will rise 0.3% over the month, or 3.3% year-on-year.
Wednesday’s update will have limited relevance for the RBA, given it will be superseded by December quarter inflation data before its board meeting in February.
But a 0.3% rise in the trimmed mean would put the quarterly figure on track for a 0.9% increase, which would be “too hot for comfort” for the RBA, Nugent said.
Given that would be 15 basis points higher than the RBA’s latest forecasts, NAB expects the board will be forced to increase rates in February, with another rise likely to come in May.
The November CPI will be pushed up by the timing of some energy rebates rolling off.
But the RBA will be less concerned by such temporary factors and will pay closer attention to stickier items such as new dwelling costs and market services.
Updated
As eastern Australia prepares for a prolonged period of heat this week, here’s how you can keep yourself cool at home cool in a heatwave.
If you have blinds or curtains – particularly on east and west-facing windows – shutting them early in the day will limit thermal radiation from heating up your home.
Just like trapping the heat during cooler months, closing internal doors will keep the cool air where you need it the most, while a door snake will prevent cool air from escaping and warm air from entering.
Take your cooking outside using a barbecue or camping stove, and try to limit using your oven and dishwasher during the day as home appliances can generate heat.
On Tuesday afternoon, Victoria’s deputy chief health officer, Dr Evelyn Wong, also suggested “wearing loose and light clothing, keeping your skin wet with a spray bottle or a damp sponge, or having a cool shower”.
The City of Sydney’s heat fact sheet advises buying cool packs to keep in the freezer, or filing a sandwich bag with water and freezing it for an easy homemade alternative.
Here’s the full story:
Updated
Human remains on WA beach believed to be missing snorkeller
Human remains that washed ashore on a Western Australian beach are believed to be a missing 32-year-old snorkeller.
The man was reported missing off Ledge Point beach, north of Perth, on the afternoon of New Year’s Day. Despite a big air and sea search, he was not found.
Just after 7am on Tuesday, police were told the remains had washed ashore on Fence Reef Beach, north of Ledge Point, WA police said.
While formal identification is yet to be completed, police believe it is the missing man.
His death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
Updated
Worst heatwave since Black Summer bushfires forecast
Swathes of southern and eastern Australia are bracing for extreme temperatures in the first of several days in what is expected to be the worst heatwave since the Black Summer bushfires.
Victoria and South Australia are forecast to bear the brunt of the heat today, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Most parts of Victoria are forecast to be in the low to mid-40s, with Melbourne predicted to hit 42C, its first 40C January day since 2020. Temperatures as high as 46C are expected in northern Victoria.
The BoM said Adelaide would experience a maximum temperature of 42C on Wednesday, with the heat remaining in the low-40s across the metropolitan region into Thursday.
In the South Australian coastal city of Port Augusta and in Tarcoola in the far north, temperatures are forecast to reach as high as 47C by Thursday.
Western NSW will share in the high temperatures on Wednesday, with Broken Hill forecast to hit 42C, but Sydney is not forecast to climb into the high 30s and low 40s until later in the week.
The BoM’s Angus Hines told Guardian Australia temperature records could be broken this week.
There’s going to be lots of places that are within sight of their temperature records. Most places that have a really long data history, potentially will be a degree or a couple of degrees below their all-time records, but I anticipate that there could be some areas maybe with slightly shorter data history that could set some records.
The BoM has advised of the risk of heat-driven fire danger, with dry thunderstorms and windier conditions later in the week expected to add to the risk. Widespread total fire bans are expected, with people warned to charge their devices in case of power outages and watch out for the signs of heatstroke.
Read more here:
Updated
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the best overnight stories and then Nick Visser will pick up the reins.
Swathes of southern and eastern Australia are bracing for extreme temperatures in the first of several days in what is expected to be the worst heatwave since the Black Summer bushfires. More details in a moment.
The first economic snapshot of the year comes at 11.30am today, which is expected to show a slowdown in inflation from 3.8% to 3.6% – but perhaps not enough to prevent the Reserve Bank increasing interest rates. More coming up.
And human remains have washed up on a Western Australian beach, believed to be a snorkeller who went missing on New Year’s Day.
