From AAP:
A massive weather system brewing off the Western Australian coast remains on track to make landfall but authorities say it’s unlikely to become a severe tropical cyclone.
Ex-tropical cyclone Lincoln is expected to re-form late on Friday, with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting it will slam into the coast near Carnarvon as a category 1 or 2 system the following day.
Meteorologist James Ashley said dangerous winds and heavy rainfall were likely in the northwest coastal area as Lincoln gathered strength and moved south:
The system is currently well to the north of the Onslow-Exmouth area and tracking west to southwest before turning on a more southerly trajectory later today.
The most likely path of the cyclone will take is to the west of Exmouth on Saturday morning, and then southwards towards the Gascoyne Coast later on Saturday, with a coastal crossing possible in the area around Coral Bay and Carnarvon in the late evening.
Summary
And with that, we are going to put the blog to bed. Before we go, let’s re-cap the big headlines.
Legionnaires’ disease warning for parts of Sydney University
NSW police search Balmain home in connection with investigation into Jesse Baird and Luke Davies
Targeted search launched into disappearance of Samantha Murphy
Severe thunderstorm forecast for Taylor Swift’s Sydney concer
Man in custody after handing himself in over disappearance of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Lincoln expected to reintensify and hit Pilbara and Gascoyne
You can follow any updates to Taylor’s show here:
Thank you for spending part of your day with us. Stay safe, and dry.
Updated
Fierce Swiftie storm passes
The nearby lightning strike that led to the lower bowl and floor area of the stadium appears not to be affecting the operation to get 80,000 fans inside for the show.
The fierce storm that hit earlier seems to have passed for now.
Updated
New case of measles reported at Melbourne airport
A new case of measles has been reported in a returned overseas traveller who transited through Melbourne airport while infectious. This is in addition to the case that transited through Melbourne airport last week.
The case arrived on flight SQ217 from Singapore to Melbourne on 19 February at 9.40pm and transited through Melbourne airport’s T2 international terminal between 9.40pm and 11.10pm.
People who were on this flight or at Melbourne airport during these times should monitor for symptoms of measles.
Victoria’s chief health officer, Dr Clare Looker, said:
If you have been to one of the exposure sites, you must monitor for symptoms for 18 days. Symptoms usually start to appear after a week. If any symptoms develop, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Please call ahead before arriving at a medical facility, so that they can see you in isolation from other patients.
Updated
Hello everyone this is Cait Kelly - I am taking over because Raf’s suburb has had a lightning strike and her connection is off. Sydney, please calm down!
Updated
‘Proud Swiftie Dad’
The Swiftie dads are out in force tonight! While many are sporting their standard shorts and T-shirts, some have come dressed for the occasion.
Warrick Grieve is one of those stealing the show, bejewelled all over his head and wearing a duct-taped polo made by his daughter (and stylist) Ruby, reading “Proud Swiftie Dad”.
The family’s dedication goes beyond fashion, driving in from Tamworth at 4am on Thursday for tonight’s show.
- Luca Ittimani
Updated
Taylor Swift fans evacuated from main floor of stadium after nearby lightning strikes
Taylor Swift fans are scrambling undercover after lightning struck near the Accor stadium. “Please stay safe and seek shelter for now,” an Eras Tour update-page on Twitter said.
🚨| The floor and lower bowl are currently being evacuated due to lightning strikes nearby the stadium at today's show of Taylor Swift's 'The Eras Tour' in Sydney, Australia. Please stay safe and seek shelter for now #SydneyTSTheErasTour
— The Eras Tour (@tswifterastour) February 23, 2024
pic.twitter.com/trs8heeziR
lightning strike was nearby so everyone has to clear floor #SydneyTSTheErasTour pic.twitter.com/zpAiTO5nQ0
— zoe ! eras melb & sydney (@holygroundly) February 23, 2024
there was a lightening strike within 10km of the stadium so we've all been evacuated into cover omg#SydneyTSTheErasTour pic.twitter.com/14QgNCSlIy
— louise 💜 eras Syd 23/2 🤍 (@louiseberyllium) February 23, 2024
It’s a rain show #SydneyTSTheErasTour pic.twitter.com/bw9fRKjCna
— courts 🪩 eras tour sydney (@bristowvaughn) February 23, 2024
MEET ME IN THE POURING RAIN #TSTheErasTour #SydneyTSTheErasTour @taylorswift13 @taylornation13 pic.twitter.com/fWjWFqx7VS
— ✨kristy 🫶🏻 sydney night 1 & 4 ✨ (@goddamn_blaze) February 23, 2024
Updated
Swifties adrift!
The Swifties are scrambling to get inside the stadium now as the heat breaks and the rain comes down.
The sparkles, sequins, and tassels are now being hidden away under ponchos.
Updated
Storm hits the Swifties
The Bureau of Meteorology currently have warnings out for severe thunderstorms bringing damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rain, in parts of metropolitan Sydney, Illawarra and Central Tablelands districts.
And in Homebush, outside the Accor stadium, Guardian Australia’s Jordyn Beazley says it looks like it is about to pour. More to come from her soon.
Updated
Swiftie secures last-minute ticket
Never say never, according to one Taylor Swift fan, who managed to secure a last-minute ticket an hour and a half before Taylor hits the stage.
After Aisling and Tara waited for an hour, Aisling managed to get a ticket from a generous bystander (who, we’re told, didn’t mark up the price), while Tara was unsuccessful. The pair were originally planning to come every night, and are now planning to come every night until Tara gets a ticket.
Thirteen-year-old Josie is also currently roaming Sydney’s Accor stadium in search of a last minute ticket, says that Taylor Swift “changed her life”.
“She helped me move on, she’s helped me become a better person … she’s my number one best friend,” she said.
On the flip side, some fans have described their experience waiting to get into the venue as “underwhelming”.
“It feels like the Easter show times two,” Alissa said, adding that she felt the media exaggerated how “chaotic” the event is.
“It’s organised too well … getting merch was easy,” she said.
- Sharlotte Thou
Updated
Sequins, cowboy hat and tissues: Swiftie essentials
Like all stops along Taylor Swift’s Eras tour, everywhere you look there are sequins, cowboy hats, wrists covered in friendship bracelets, and sparkles. But take a closer look and it’s the little details that show the lengths fans have gone to curate their outfits, and also surviving the marathon that is a Taylor Swift concert.
Sisters Josie, Sammi, and Dani, have come prepared with what they say are the essentials: tissues for the tears, throat lozenges for all the screaming that will be done, and ballet flats for when the heels are no longer practical.
They’ve also packed party bags with tissues, lolly pops, and stickers to hand out to fellow Swifties:
Here’s some of my other favourites outfit details spotted in the crowd:
Updated
New and seasoned Swifties unite
Many of us know that even getting tickets for tonight’s highly sought after concert was a herculean effort. But some in attendance tonight have only started listening to her music in the last few months.
Eleven-year-old Olivia told Guardian Australia that at the time her mum bought her highly sought after Taylor Swift tickets, she “didn’t really know or like her”.
Olivia’s mum says Taylor Swift’s music has an empowering influence on young girls, giving them the idea “they can do whatever they want”.
If they want something they can go get it, rather than relying on something else.
On the other side of the spectrum, 19-year-old Nicole said she was “almost crying” out of excitement and that she didn’t think she and her three friends would get tickets, originally trying to get tickets on three different devices before they were successful. She attributes part of Taylor Swift’s phenomenal success to her ability to connect with others through her “poetic” lyrics and the way her albums are interconnected.
For lucky sisters Olivia and Daniella, whose family friend secured them box seat tickets, Taylor Swift is an inspiration and role model.
“Her starting to write music at my age has given me the boost of confidence that I can do it,” Olivia, an aspiring songwriter and performer said.
Olivia, who donned a white cowboy hat with “fearless” spelled out in beads, said that the word fearless embodied her personality, and her willingness to “just go for it”.
- Sharlotte Thou
Updated
Swifties swelter in the Sydney sun
A number of Swifties queueing for merchandise have passed out as Sydney Olympic Park heats up. Fans have waited up to an hour in the outdoor heat to secure prized hoodies and T-shirts.
Luckily, Accor stadium’s medical team are standing by and ready to get overheating fans back on their feet. Head doctor Adrian Cohen says the Eras Tour is by far the biggest event they’ve covered, but is confident his team is well prepared to help Swifties make the best time.
While the heat is sending some fans to the medical tent, the Swifty demographic is proving a blessing to the team.
“The good thing about a gig like this is there’s not a lot of alcohol or other drugs, given the audience,” Cohen says.
Instead, the crowd is turning to chilled bottled water or $12 raspberry slushies to quench their thirst.
- Luca Ittimani with Sharlotte Thou
Updated
Lamarre appears in court
The 28-year-old serving police officer charged with murdering his ex-boyfriend and his new partner will remain behind bars on remand while police prepare a brief of evidence.
Const Beau Lamarre, a former celebrity blogger, appeared in person at Sydney’s Waverley local court on Friday afternoon after handing himself in at Bondi police station about 10.30am that morning.
He has been charged with two counts of murder in relation to the disappearance of former Channel Ten presenter Jesse Baird and Baird’s Qantas flight attendant partner, Luke Davies.
Lamarre, who appeared in court dressed in a black T-shirt and escorted by two police officers, did not apply for bail. He will remain in custody until his next court appearance.
The matter has been adjourned to give police time to prepare a brief of evidence. It will return to court at Sydney’s Downing Centre on 23 April.
Updated
Guardian Australia’s Jordyn Beazley, Luca Ittimani with Sharlotte Thou are at Accor stadium, speaking to fans who are heading inside for Taylor Swift’s first Sydney Era’s Tour concert. Keep an eye out for more posts to come from them on the blog this afternoon.
Deloitte asked former partner to destroy leaked Defence documents
Deloitte executives have told a Senate inquiry they requested former partner David Milo sign a statutory declaration stating he deleted documents he took from the firm before joining a lobbying firm.
The consultancy firm’s chief risk officer, Sneza Pelusi, outlined the firm’s handling of the matter:
We were incredibly disappointed when that matter surfaced and myself and the general counsel did have conversations with Mr Milo on that matter.
He did acknowledge that he did transfer a small number of documents from his Deloitte email to his personal email.
We asked him for a statutory declaration in relation to the fact that he had destroyed the documents.
Pelusi told the Senate inquiry it notified the defence department of the breach.
Updated
And pictures are starting to drop as fans head inside Accor stadium ahead of Taylor Swift’s first Sydney show – both sun hats and umbrellas are present.
Updated
‘I’m a little bit emotional’: Swifties descend on Sydney’s Accor stadium
The 36C heat hasn’t stopped hundreds of eager Swifties descending on Accor stadium early in eager anticipation of the first Sydney show of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.
Mel Pilon has driven her three daughters – aged 9, 11, and 13 – who are diehard Taylor Swift fans from Wollongong for the show. She bought her daughter’s tickets for Christmas so they could share the experience of attending their first concert – and their favourite act – together.
Mel said:
I’m a little bit emotional, I’m so excited they get to experience this dream.
They got their love for Taylor Swift from me, but they’ve now surpassed me in how much they love her music.
The charity, Red Frogs, have been patrolling the area with sunscreen, water bottle top up offers, and a spray bottle to cool people down. Two of the charity’s volunteers said there have already been dozens of fans present to them with heatstroke.
The hot weather will break at around 8pm, just as Taylor Swift is expected to take the stage, but thunderstorms are expected in Sydney tonight.
Lilliana said she’d stuffed a poncho in her bag in preparation for a storm coming, but she hopes she doesn’t have to use it. Mostly because she doesn’t want to hide her carefully planned outfit – a pink sequin dress to match her favourite Swift album, Lover.
Even if it rains I don’t think it could ruin how excited I am to finally see her in real life.
- Additional reporting Luca Ittimani
Updated
Labor cops friendly fire over homelessness funding
Housing ministers have come under pressure from unions to increase funding for homelessness services, ahead of a national meeting, AAP reports.
State, territory and federal housing ministers in the portfolio will meet virtually today, where progress on key policy areas will be discussed.
In a joint letter to ministers, the Australian Services Union, Homelessness Australia, the Australian Council of Social Service and others called for more funding to meet surging demand for homelessness services. The open letter says:
Overwhelmed homelessness services across Australia are turning away 295 people per day because they don’t have the resources to respond.
Ministers are set to discuss a new five-year national housing and homelessness agreement at the meeting.
The open letter called for an extra $450m annually towards homelessness support to help meet growing demand fuelled by the housing crisis.
Signatories wanted a guarantee from ministers that $73m for the sector would not be cut once funding arrangements under the national housing and homelessness agreement expired in June. The letter continues:
When Australian families are at risk of losing their home, or are faced with a night on the streets, they expect homelessness services to be able to help.
The current reality is that resources are so stretched, families and children are ending up on the streets or sleeping in cars.
Updated
Taylor urged to fight for the swifties of the sky
Senator David Pocock wants megastar Taylor Swift to use her vast influence to help pluck the world’s fastest parrot from the jaws of extinction, AAP reports.
Australia’s critically endangered swift parrots are the original swifties – the nickname for Tay Tay’s enormous legion of fans.
Scientists believe there could be as few as 750 mature birds left, with projections that could shrink to under 100 within the next six years.
Yet logging continues in the native forests they depend on for survival, including their only breeding grounds in the mature forests of Tasmania.
Pocock has designed T-shirts that meld photos of the bird with a poster from Swift’s Eras Tour, which hits Sydney on Friday night.
Sale proceeds are going to a bird research group but the senator hopes the star and her fans will highlight the parrot’s precarious situation while she’s in Australia.
“We’ve seen the plight of the incredible swift parrot get the attention of Leonardo DiCaprio recently,” he says.
“Given the ridiculously slow and completely inadequate response from Australian governments to save this iconic species, a Taylor Swift intervention might be their best hope of not going extinct.”
Updated
Greens say campus safety plan ‘must have teeth’
The Greens have welcomed the education ministers’ backing today of a national ombudsman to address student safety on campuses while adding it must have teeth to implement change.
Deputy Greens leader spokesperson for education, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, said it was a “big day” for activists and victim-survivors who had spent years lobbying for reform.
For too long, universities and the regulator have failed to support and protect students and staff … it’s about time they are held to account. The national student ombudsman must have real teeth, be properly resourced and must be able to hold universities to account, so the failures of TEQSA and universities are not repeated.
Greens spokesperson on women, Senator Larissa Waters, said an ombudsman had long been called for among activists including End Rape on Campus, Fair Agenda and the STOP campaign.
The conduct of universities in covering up the sexual assaults and harassment that happen on campus rather than seriously addressing student concerns and keeping students safe has been reprehensible.
Updated
Many thanks for joining me on the blog today. You’ll have Rafqa Touma here to guide you through the rest of our rolling coverage.
Have a great weekend, and take care.
Greens welcome plan to address gender-based violence at universities
Greens leader in the senate, Larissa Waters, has welcomed today’s endorsement of an Action Plan to address gender-based violence in higher education.
She said this is a win for End Rape On Campus Australia, Fair Agenda and The STOP Campaign “who have been calling for an independent body to hold universities accountable for many years.”
Today’s endorsement of an Action Plan to address gender-based violence in higher education is a massive win for activists like @EROCAustralia, @FairAgenda and @StopCampaignAus who have been calling for an independent body to hold universities accountable for many years.
— Larissa Waters (@larissawaters) February 23, 2024
She wrote in a series of tweets:
The National Student Ombudsman has been long called-for; now it must be made concrete urgently and have the powers to hold universities accountable for failing to address sexual violence on campus.
The conduct of universities in covering up the sexual assaults and harassment that happen on campus rather than seriously addressing student concerns and keeping students safe has been reprehensible.
Universities have failed to make real changes to protect students, so the Ombudsman must be equipped to do so quickly. Unis must be safe places for students to learn and thrive.
Updated
Charged officer ‘hasn’t assisted’ investigators; victims’ bodies not yet located, police say
Speaking to the media, det supt Daniel Doherty said police would allege they “located a projectile … which was discharged” at a home in Paddington yesterday, and found one cartridge case at the home.
This has now been ballistically matched to a New South Wales Police firearm.
A white van sought by police has been located, and Doherty said it will be alleged in court that the van was used “to transport the bodies and dispose of the bodies”.
Doherty said the 28-year-old officer “hasn’t assisted us to date” as investigators seek information.
The bodies of the two men have not been located.
Updated
Deaths likely occurred on Monday, cause of death still to be determined, police say
Det supt Daniel Doherty said police will allege the fate of Luke Davies and Jesse Baird was met at the house in Paddington with Beau Lamarre firing his gun, and at “some stage” the white van was used to transport their bodies to another location.
There has been a firearm discharged … we’ve found a projectile and a firearm cartridge case which matches a police firearm, and that firearm belongs to the 28-year-old man we have charged today.
That’s established, but the cause of death we still have to establish…
In terms of the timeline, Doherty said police believe the last time the two men were seen was Sunday night:
We have established so far that sometime on Monday during the day that the likely murders happened, and then Monday night, this white van was hired from Mascot at 9.30pm and then from there, we are trying to establish the timeline.
Updated
Missing men’s families informed of murder charge
Det supt Danny Doherty said police are hoping to confirm the movements of a white van – white Toyota HiAce with NSW registration CW82PM – which forms part of the investigation.
It’s important that we get the movements in relation to that van as hopefully we can find the bodies and this is important for the family.
He expressed his thoughts and condolences to the families of the two men:
They have received the news of the charging and what the charges are, which is murder, so they [are] obviously devastated by the news.
We believe there is sufficient evidence to proceed with those charges due to the evidence we have up-to-date and we continue to support and [stay in contact] the family. However, the news was obviously met with mixed emotion and it’s a very tough day for them.
Updated
Firearm found at Paddington crime scene, police say
Speaking to the media, det supt Danny Doherty said at the crime scene in Paddington, a projectile was located.
That had been discharged, police said, and a fired cartridge case was also found.
Police will allege the firearm was matched to a NSW police firearm. It has been seized.
Updated
Man charged with two counts of murder over disappearance of Luke Davies and Jesse Baird
NSW police are providing an update on the man who has been arrested as part of an investigation into the suspicious disappearance of Luke Davies and Jesse Baird.
Serving police officer Const Beau Lamarre was arrested today, after handing himself in at Bondi police station about 10.30am on Friday.
Speaking to the media, detective superintendent Danny Doherty said charges have been submitted for two counts of murder.
He will be formally refused bail by police and expected to face court at some stage, whether it is today or tomorrow.
Updated
Severe thunderstorm warning for Nowra
The severe thunderstorm warning for the Southern Tablelands and Illawarra in New South Wales has been upgraded to include Nowra.
Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the South West Slopes and this warning has been cancelled, the Bureau said.
Meanwhile, Goulburn continues to be hit with heavy winds, with 111km/h gusts recorded.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WARNING has been updated to include #Nowra. DAMAGING WINDS (> 90 km/h), Large Hail, and Heavy falls all concerns. Latest warning https://t.co/tYiUXby2yr pic.twitter.com/Nc0vMuSNqP
— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) February 23, 2024
Updated
Looks like the clouds are starting to roll over Accor stadium at Sydney’s Olympic Park, ahead of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concert tonight:
potential rain show tonight sydney!!!!!!#SydneyTSTheErasTour pic.twitter.com/jlL90T7Jq2
— jake (eras tour TODAY) (@taylorsrep13) February 23, 2024
Accor stadium has already confirmed the concert will go ahead “rain or shine” – unless the expected severe weather threatens people’s safety.
Albanese attends Qtopia museum opening
As we flagged earlier in the blog, the heritage-listed Darlinghurst Police Station has been transformed into Australia’s first queer history museum – Qtopia.
Anthony Albanese attended the launch event today and has shared some images on social media. He said of the museum:
In 1978, dozens of LGBTQI people were arrested at Sydney’s first Mardi Gras. Today we’re opening the QTopia Museum to honour their legacy. It tells the stories of people who have dedicated their lives to the campaign for equality.
To be recognised as equal and celebrated for who they are and who they love. Their stories and this museum will inspire generations to come. Happy Mardi Gras, Australia.
In 1978, dozens of LGBTQI people were arrested at Sydney’s first Mardi Gras.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) February 23, 2024
Today we’re opening the QTopia Museum to honour their legacy.
It tells the stories of people who have dedicated their lives to the campaign for equality. pic.twitter.com/T0s4v1pZXs
Updated
Moves to tackle university sexual violence ‘groundbreaking’, advocates say
Student safety advocates have applauded education ministers for adopting reforms to tackle university sexual violence.
(See this previous post for all the details on this).
End Rape On Campus Australia and Fair Agenda - leading national advocates on sexual violence in university communities - have been campaigning for the recommendations in the action plan for seven years.
Sharna Bremner, founder and director of End Rape on Campus, said the measures were groundbreaking and would transform the sector.
Until now, the quality of responses and support victim-survivors have received from their university when they’ve reported their rape has been determined by which staff member they encounter. This plan changes all that.
Renee Carr, executive director of Fair Agenda, said universities and residencies had “failed their students” for years, with some neglecting to deliver quality prevention efforts and others causing additional harm in their reporting processes.
This plan delivers reforms that will require higher ed providers to do better; and put in place oversight and accountability mechanisms to mean there’s actual monitoring and consequences if they don’t.
The significance of this reform cannot be overstated. The collective efforts of numerous individuals spanning many years have brought us to this moment.
Updated
National student ombudsman to tackle safety concerns on campus
A national student ombudsman will be established for the first time to tackle growing safety concerns on university campuses.
The independent watchdog, tasked with investigating student complaints and university disputes, is part of an action plan to address gender-based violence in higher education agreed to by education ministers this afternoon.
If legislation is passed, students will be able to escalate complaints about sexual harassment, assault and violence, while the ombudsman will determine whether actions taken by providers are reasonable or what additional steps are needed, including sharing information with relevant regulators.
Urgently addressing sexual assault in universities was one of five priority actions from the Australian Universities Accord interim report, with the final report to be handed down on Sunday.
The minister for education, Jason Clare, said universities weren’t just places people worked and studied - they were often where students lived.
We need to ensure they are safe. According to a recent survey, 1 in 20 students experienced sexual assault since they started university and 1 in 6 have been sexually harassed.
Not enough has been done to tackle sexual violence in our universities and for too long students haven’t been heard. That now changes.
Updated
Severe thunderstorm warning issued for NSW Southern Tablelands and Illawarra
A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for parts of the Southern Tablelands and the Illawarra in New South Wales.
The Bureau of Meteorology said a cold front will cross the south of the state today, causing fast-moving severe thunderstorms to develop in the “warm and unstable airmass ahead of it.”
Severe thunderstorms likely to produce damaging winds (above 90km/h), large hailstones (over 2cm) and heavy rainfall – that could lead to flash flooding – are likely over the next several hours across the warning area.
Goulburn already recorded wind gusts of 110km/h at 1.05pm, local time.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WARNING has been issued for parts of #SouthernTablelands #Illawarra for DAMAGING WINDS (> 90 km/h), LARGE Hail (> 2cm) and HEAVY FALLS. Goulburn AP recorded 110 km/h at 1:05 pm. Warning https://t.co/tYiUXby2yr pic.twitter.com/StBMpuUObt
— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) February 23, 2024
Updated
Crowds building in Sydney ahead of Swift concert
It may be around 34C at Sydney’s Olympic Park right now, but that hasn’t stopped dedicated Swifties from lining up for merchandise ahead of tonight’s concert.
One social media user snapped this photo of the long queues about half an hour ago, and said they could hear the soundcheck for Taylor Swift’s songs Fearless and Karma.
Not long to wait now, Sydney!
Queue for merch at Olympic park in 36 degree heat. Can hear this sound check for Fearless and Karma pic.twitter.com/Vxqfh0ASUU
— Amber (@missrobinson) February 23, 2024
Updated
Arson squad to investigate fatal fire in Sunshine North
Arson and explosives squad detectives are investigating a fatal fire in Victoria’s Sunshine North this morning, which left two people dead.
As we reported earlier, emergency services were called to a panel shop on fire at Bunnett Street just after 4am.
Victorian police said the fire spread to a building behind the shop in Marshall Street, where two people were sleeping inside at the time. They died at the scene and are yet to be formally identified.
Detectives believe the fire is a targeted attack and the deceased are not associated with the panel shop business.
Police said at this stage the fire is not believed to be linked to any other recent fires.
Updated
Remote Tasmanian bushfires may have been deliberately lit
Two bushfires that flared in Tasmania’s remote highlands on a day of severe heat may have been deliberately lit, AAP reports.
Emergency crews were battling a blaze at Brady’s Lake in the Central Highlands in cooler weather today, after fires in the area sparked an emergency evacuation order a day earlier.
Temperatures peaked in the mid-30s in Tasmania yesterday, prompting a fire ban across the state’s south.
The Brady’s Lake fire, near the community of Dee, as well as one at Snake Tier have been referred to police for criminal investigation. The cause of three other nearby fires is being probed by the Tasmania Fire Service.
Tasmania police commander Jason Elmer said:
This is being taken extremely seriously and we’re urging anyone with information to come forward.
Fire service deputy chief officer Matt Lowe said although temperatures had dropped, high fire danger ratings remained in place across much of the state.
Updated
Man arrested following disappearance of Luke Davies and Jesse Baird
A man has been arrested by detectives who are investigating the suspicious disappearance of Luke Davies and Jesse Baird.
As we reported earlier, a 28-year-old man presented to Bondi police station shortly after 10.30am.
The man was placed under arrest and has since been transferred to Waverley police station where he is assisting with inquiries. No charges have been laid.
The investigation is ongoing, and detectives are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
Updated
Prime minister among Swifties prepping for first Sydney concert
Superstar Taylor Swift is dividing Sydney into the “haves” and “have nots” as she embarks on the second leg of her Australian tour.
For those who – like the prime minister – are in possession of a coveted concert ticket, the coming days will be spent listening to the set list and trading friendship bracelets.
Sydneysiders who were not blessed by the ticket-selling gods, however, may find themselves in the grips of the green-eyed monster.
Swift’s Eras extravaganza will take off at Accor Stadium in Olympic Park with four shows from Friday to Monday.
Thunderstorms have been forecast for the Friday show, but organisers have assured fans the event will go ahead rain, hail or shine.
And while Anthony Albanese will attend, he has conceded he might only be the third most famous person there.
“I’m way down the list … Sydney, just like Melbourne last week, has just gone cray cray for Tay Tay,” he told FoxFM on Friday.
Albanese has remained tight-lipped on whether he will make bracelets, but he has already received some from avid Swifties.
People keep giving me these bracelets, which is fantastic.
– Australian Associated Press
Updated
North Queensland coast inundated overnight with several areas receiving more than 200mm
Meanwhile in Queensland, the north tropical coast was inundated with rain overnight – with more wet weather on the way today.
The Bureau of Meteorology said the upper low driving this rainfall will begin to weaken through the second half of tomorrow, with rain easing from Sunday.
Some notable 24-hour rainfall totals up to 9am (local time) today include:
250mm – Mt Sophia
241mm – Aloomba
222mm – Garradunga
209mm – McAvoy Bridge
209mm – Tung Oil
🌧️Rain continues on the northern Qld coast today, after heavy falls were recorded overnight on the North Tropical Coast. The upper low driving this rainfall will begin to weaken through the second half of Saturday, with rain easing as a result from Sunday. https://t.co/oYcgOL8aFt pic.twitter.com/9CH22qA1ks
— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) February 23, 2024
Updated
Bayindeen-Rock Road bushfire burning out of control as residents warned to leave immediately
Here is the latest on the Bayindeen-Rock Road bushfire near Beaufort, west of Ballarat.
The bushfire, between Mount Cole and Raglan, is out of control and travelling in a north-easterly direction towards Elmhurst, Amphitheatre and surrounding areas.
There is also fire activity in the vicinity of Beaufort, where the urgent care centre on Havelock Street is closed.
The Western Highway is open, but the Pyrenees Highway is closed from Skipton to Lexton.
The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, earlier said that about 5,000 customers were without power, most related to the heat and strong winds yesterday.
This Emergency Warning is being issued for Amphitheatre, Chute, Elmhurst, Eversley, Glenlofty, Glenlogie, Glenpatrick, Glenshee, Green Hill Creek, Landsborough, Mount Cole, Mount Lonarch, Nowhere Creek.
— VicEmergency (@vicemergency) February 23, 2024
Leaving immediately is the safest option.https://t.co/2o3KS0R1Ov pic.twitter.com/TlygjJyBAM
Updated
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Lincoln expected to reintensify and hit Pilbara and Gascoyne
Here is the latest forecasting from the Bureau of Meteorology on ex-Tropical Cyclone Lincoln, which is expected to redevelop into tropical cyclone intensity later today:
Ex-Tropical #CycloneLincoln is forecast to re-develop into tropical #cyclone intensity later today. The system is developing off #WA's coast. It is likely to impact the west Pilbara and Gascoyne coast today and Saturday. More: https://t.co/VRWX6YDrNx pic.twitter.com/Hi4nu4rUyX
— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) February 23, 2024
From tonight Lincoln will turn south-west towards the far west Pilbara and northern Gascoyne coast, the bureau says, and cross the Gascoyne coast on Saturday.
Strong winds and heavy rainfall impacts are expected on the coast on Saturday. On Sunday, ex-Lincoln is likely to quickly weaken as it moves inland.
Updated
Ballarat MP Catherine King thanks firefighters
Catherine King, the MP for Ballarat, has sent a heartfelt thanks to the firefighters who worked overnight to battle the blaze near Beaufort.
At a press conference just earlier, emergency services said about 1,000 personnel were on the ground overnight working to contain the blaze.
In a post to X, King said:
A heartfelt thank you to the many crews who have been working overnight to keep people, livestock and properties safe. Our entire community is indebted to you.
A heartfelt thank you to the many crews who have been working overnight to keep people, livestock and properties safe.
— Catherine King MP (@CatherineKingMP) February 23, 2024
Our entire community is indebted to you.@CFA_Updates
Updated
Former cop shop transformed into queer history museum
A former police station where gay men were once “locked up, beaten and bashed” has been transformed into Australia’s first queer history museum, AAP reports.
The heritage-listed old Darlinghurst Police Station will become the new home for LGBTQ+ history and culture, opening to the public for the first time this weekend.
The site, at the heart of Sydney’s Oxford Street precinct, was once associated with the jailing of LGBTQ+ community members. A $6.7m upgrade has transformed the space to host exhibitions, educational programs and performances that “explore, celebrate, and educate people on LGBTQIA+ history and culture”, the NSW government said.
NSW independent MP Alex Greenwich, whose Sydney electorate hosts the annual Mardi Gras parade, welcomed the launch.
Today, the place where LGBTQ people were locked up, after been beaten and bashed by police, is finally liberated as Australia’s first Queer museum Qtopia.
Greenwich said the community needed “more than spaces” but also laws to ensure LGBTQ+ people throughout NSW were protected. He called for support for his upcoming equality bill set to be heard in parliament in the coming months.
The NSW premier, Chris Minns, said the space “turns the page on the history” and “writes a new chapter” for the former police site.
Updated
Man in custody after handing himself in over disappearance of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies
A man is in custody after handing himself into police following the disappearance of Sydney couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies earlier this week.
New South Wales police have issued a statement saying that as part of their investigation, a 28-year-old man presented to Bondi police station shortly after 10.30am today.
The man will be transferred to Waverley police station where investigations will continue, police said.
Police disclosed last night they were “looking at a line of inquiry that a third person may be able to assist with the investigation” after detectives searched a home in Balmain on Thursday night and seized “a number of items”.
Baird, 26, a former Network 10 presenter, and his Qantas flight attendant partner, Davies, 29, vanished from Sydney’s east on Monday and have not been seen or heard from since.
• This post was amended on 23 February 2024 at 12.50pm to correct the age of the man in custody, upon updated advice from NSW police.
Updated
‘Absolutely extraordinary’: CPA Australia ‘disgusted’ by conduct at PwC Australia
The professional association for certified practising accountants, CPA Australia, has told a senate inquiry it was “disgusted” and “staggered” by the conduct of some partners at PwC Australia.
The consultancy firm triggered intense scrutiny on the broader industry after a former partner passed confidential Treasury information about multinational tax laws to colleagues, who then monetised the information and used it to win clients in the United States.
CPA Australia’s chief executive, Andrew Hunter, has not held back in his assessment of that conduct. Here’s what he told a Senate inquiry a few moments ago:
I’ve been working for 35 years; I was absolutely staggered that someone could sign a confidentiality agreement and then use that information for other purposes. I find that absolutely extraordinary. And I suspect my colleagues would feel the same way. It’s staggering, you know, our members were disgusted.
Hunter was also asked to comment on the findings of an internal review into PwC Australia’s conduct, led by the former Telstra boss Ziggy Switkowski. His report found partners who made the firm money were known as “untouchables” and “rainmakers” to whom “the rules don’t always apply”.
Here’s Hunter’s assessment of the Switkowski report’s key findings:
The cultural practices were deeply concerning. I think one of the things that stuck out in that report for me was an inability to challenge the chief executive. There was a bit of a boys club, a poor culture.
Updated
Victoria’s department of transport says the Western Highway has now reopened in both directions between Ballarat and Horsham.
This follows a full road closure due to the bushfire nearby. Reduced speeds are still in place near Dadswells Bridge.
The Western Highway has been reopened in both directions between Ballarat and Horsham, following a full road closure due to a significant bushfire.
— Department of Transport and Planning (@VicGovDTP) February 22, 2024
Reduced speeds are still in place near Dadswells Bridge.
Live traffic conditions are available at https://t.co/MBYHWEl9l7. pic.twitter.com/UXl6U7g6Bf
Updated
Murray Watt to visit Victorian state control centre for bushfire briefing
The emergency management minister, Murray Watt, says he will visit the Victorian state control centre this afternoon for a briefing on the bushfires near Beaufort.
He wrote on X just now:
This afternoon I will visit the VIC State Control Centre to be briefed on fires near Beaufort.
Thank you to our firefighters and emergency service personnel working tirelessly across this forefront. Please monitor warnings and stay safe. This fire is unpredictable and dangerous.
This afternoon I will visit the VIC State Control Centre to be briefed on fires near Beaufort. Thank you to our firefighters and emergency service personnel working tirelessly across this forefront.
— Senator Murray Watt (@MurrayWatt) February 22, 2024
Please monitor warnings and stay safe. This fire is unpredictable and dangerous.
Updated
Smart TV makers demanding up to 30% cut from free-to-air channels for homepage spot
Smart TV manufacturers have demanded that public broadcasters pay a fee to be included on the homepage of the TV in a “global commercial rent seeking activity”, a parliamentary committee has heard.
SBS managing director James Taylor has detailed several demands made by major international TV manufacturers for a share of advertising revenue of as high as 30% to be included on their home screen.
SBS and ABC, which was also asked to pay a fee, told a committee examining the draft prominence legislation they refused to pay on principle.
Labor’s draft legislation is designed to guarantee local, free-to-air TV services Seven, Nine, Ten, SBS and the ABC are easy for Australian audiences to find and will force manufacturers to include them on the home screen.
Taylor said:
In June 2018, the manufacturer of the bestselling connected TV in Australia wrote to SBS and advised that unless we agreed to a 15% revenue share arrangement and a placement fee, SBS would be removed from the ‘app launcher’ on the TV homepage for that brand.
When SBS refused to pay, the manufacturer carried through on their threat making it much harder for audiences to find the SBS On Demand app.
In August 2023 we received notification from another platform operator that unless SBS agreed to pay them 30% of the revenue we derived from being on their platform, they would exclude us entirely.
Updated
Asked if police are concerned about community members going out alone given Murphy’s disappearance is being treated as suspicious, Hatt says “not at all”.
We have no intelligence or evidence to suggest that there’s any risk to anyone else.
Updated
‘We’re looking for a body’: police say search will focus on details of what happened to Murphy
Back to the Victorian police press conference on missing woman Samantha Murphy:
Det Supt Mark Hatt says the renewed ground search will focus on finding “smaller items” that could indicate what happened to Murphy.
We were looking for Samantha and her mobile phone and her watch at the time. So what we’re looking for today is more intricate details of what may have happened on the day.
We’re absolutely looking for a phone, we haven’t yet found that. We’re looking for a body.
He says bushland areas surrounding Murphy’s house were scoured “extensively” by police during the initial search.
Hatt says the Murphy family are helping the investigation and detectives are in contact with them every day to provide updates.
Hatt says police are urging anyone who has seen vehicles or anyone acting suspiciously in the Mount Clear area on 4 February to contact Crimestoppers.
Updated
Big four consultants can resign from industry group to dodge disciplinary investigations
There’s another busy day of oversight hearings into the ethics of the consultancy industry in Canberra today. This morning, senators are focusing on what they believe are serious regulatory limitations.
Earlier this week, the financial watchdog, ASIC, admitted the big four consultancy firms are very difficult to regulate because they now perform an enormous amount of work for clients beyond audit.
This morning, the Senate inquiry has been told partners at firms who know they may be referred to an industry body for disciplinary investigation can simply resign to avoid scrutiny. Under current rules, the investigation cannot continue.
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ), which can investigate the conduct of current members, has told the government it would like the power to prosecute former members accused of wrongdoing.
Here’s what CAANZ’s general counsel, Vanessa Chapman, told the inquiry:
So that power effectively means that regardless of whether the member resigns or not, there will be a capacity to investigate and potentially to determine that conduct that occurred whilst they were in membership is in breach of our bylaws or of the code of ethics.
But there’s a catch: the proposed change wouldn’t be retrospective. That has not satisfied Labor senator, Deborah O’Neill, who believes there is a need to investigate the conduct of consultants stretching back over many years.
Updated
Unlikely Samantha Murphy is alive, Victoria police say
Victoria police say they are “doubtful” that missing Ballarat woman Samantha Murphy is alive.
Det Supt Mark Hatt is providing an update to reporters:
We do have severe concerns and are very doubtful that she’s still alive.
Updated
Police say medical episode ruled out in disappearance of Samantha Murphy
Mark Hatt says no family members have been identified as a suspect but says police are speaking to “a number of people”.
Hatt says police have ruled out that Murphy suffered a medical episode or the possibility she left the area “out of her own accord”.
Hatt says police estimate Murphy reached the Mount Clear area about an hour after she left her home around 7am.
He says police will not be participating in a planned community-led ground search on Saturday:
If they do find anything, I urge them to contact the police immediately.
Updated
Police believe ‘one or more parties’ involved in Samantha Murphy’s disappearance
Victoria Police have given an update on missing Ballarat woman Samantha Murphy who vanished almost three weeks ago.
Police this morning said they believed “one or more parties” were involved in Murphy’s disappearance and ruled out a medical incident, as they launched a renewed ground search in the Mount Clear area.
Speaking to reporters, Det Supt Mark Hatt said police believe Murphy ran from her house to nearby Woowookarung regional park, known by locals as the Canadian forest, and then made her way to Mount Clear.
The intelligence we’ve received from our phone data has led police to this area.
The intelligence received from the phone data would indicate that she was on foot at that time.
Hatt says about 20-40 police officers will be involved in the ground search.
Updated
‘We have to get through today’, says CFA chief officer as milder conditions expected to follow
Jason Heffernan, the CFA’s chief officer, is now speaking.
As mentioned earlier, he said the main priority today is on protecting the town of Elmhurst, where the bushfire is heading towards.
We have to get through today and we will see a return to milder conditions and milder temperatures …
February is traditionally a hot month for Victoria and is when Victoria has its most traditional worst bushfires in the state. We are in traditional Victorian summer pattern which means a bad day and then a five-day period of milder conditions and then into another bad day.
He said next Wednesday is predicted to bring Victoria’s next spike in fire activity.
Updated
‘Extraordinary’ efforts saved up to 50 properties overnight, commissioner says
Rick Nugent said that aerial firefighters potentially saved up to 50 properties in the fire ground overnight.
Those efforts are extraordinary, in support of the efforts on the ground by firefighters.
He noted that at least one home has been destroyed, and said “many other structures are likely to have been destroyed”.
We will understand further what the impact of the fire has been when these Rapid Impact Assessment teams start having a look at the area.
A relief centre at Wendouree had 200 people register, with 18 staying overnight and 50 sleeping outside in caravans or other accommodation.
Updated
Firefighters have had a busy 10 days, emergency management commissioner says
The emergency management commissioner, Rick Nugent, is now speaking to the media. He said it has not only been a busy 24 hours for firefighters, but a busy 10 days.
Last Tuesday, a bushfire was followed by a severe storm event, leaving half a million in the state without power.
Nugent said the bushfire on Bayindeen-Rocky Road, west of Ballarat, has burned more than 11,000 hectares so far.
It is a significant fire and all available efforts are being made to suppress and contain that fire. There was a significant amount of fire activity overnight as the wind changed and moved through the fire ground area, pushing it to the north. The fire has moved in the direction of Elmhurst and there are a number of warnings in place at the moment.
Just received another briefing from the State Control Centre.
— Jacinta Allan (@JacintaAllanMP) February 22, 2024
The wind change we expected has happened - putting communities to the north and east of Beaufort on high-alert. If you're in these areas, the safest thing you can do is leave. pic.twitter.com/NsDmEGbIEO
Updated
Victoria premier notes school closures as a result of fires
Jacinta Allan also noted there are a number of school closures amid the bushfires. According to the department of education, these schools are now closed:
Ampitheatre primary school, Ampitheatre – closed
Buangor primary school, Buangor – closed
Beaufort primary school, Beaufort – site closed. School temporarily relocating to Mt Rowan secondary college
Beaufort secondary school, Beaufort – site closed. School temporarily relocating to Mt Rowan secondary college
Trawalla primary school, Trawalla – site closed. School temporarily relocating to Mt Rowan secondary college
Pomonal primary school, Pomonal – site closed. School temporarily relocating to Stawell West primary school, Stawell
Updated
Back over to Jacinta Allan’s press conference on the bushfires:
She said about 5,000 properties were without power across the state, many of which were a consequence of yesterday’s strong heat and wind.
Today, as we know, is a much cooler day but there continues to remain wind throughout the day which is a particular concern for firefighters on the fire front in western Victoria.
Updated
Police give update on search for missing Victoria woman Samantha Murphy
Victorian police have also been speaking to the media in Ballarat about the ongoing search for missing woman Samantha Murphy.
Police said:
I can confirm that we have identified that Samantha did leave home on the morning of the 4 February, 2024. Just after 7am, we believe. She then travelled on foot into the Canadian state forest, where she embarked on a run for a period of time and made her way to the Mount Clear area.
Today, that search is being undertaken in the Mount Clear area. It will involve staff from the missing persons squad, other investigators and other specialist searching resources within Victoria police.
We will be looking for anything that may give us evidence as to what happened in that area on the day.
Updated
Jacinta Allan gives update on bushfires west of Ballarat
The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, is now speaking to the media about the ongoing bushfire west of Ballarat, where thousands have evacuated.
Allan noted the fire is moving towards Avoca, and said more than 1,000 firefighters were on the ground overnight.
We are sadly hearing reports of property loss that are starting to come through.
Given the active nature of the fire and the difficult terrain in the area, it is going to take some time to assess the full extent of the damage. Also, it needs to be able to go into areas that have been made safe.
There are crews on the ground from this morning commencing that impact assessment work and again, [it] will take some time both to make sure it can be done safely and given the terrain and the active fire in the area.
Updated
We’re standing by for the Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, who is due to provide an update on the state’s bushfires shortly. We’ll bring you that here on the blog once it gets going.
Updated
Fire Rescue Victoria renew calls for new trucks after breakdowns en route to Beaufort blaze
Victorian firefighters have ramped up their calls for the state government to address Fire Rescue Victoria’s ageing fleet, after two vehicles broke down en route to the Beaufort fires yesterday.
A statement from the United Firefighters Union says a 15-year-old Mk pumper tanker broke down on the Western Highway in Ballan and, as of 10pm last night, had not been repaired.
A second pumper tanker sent to replace that vehicle overheated and was unable to leave the Beaufort Fire Station, the union said.
That truck was also 15 years old – the age which fire trucks are meant to be retired and replaced under current policy.
Victorian branch secretary Peter Marshall described the situation as unacceptable, potentially catastrophic, and entirely preventable.
In a letter to the emergency services minister, Jaclyn Symes, last night, he demanded an urgent response, and said it was the second time he had been forced to write to the government this month. He wrote in the letter:
[The fleet] is in such a state of disrepair that we have a situation [where] frontline appliances are so unreliable that they are breaking down on their way to a critical deployment or not being able to properly respond due to mechanical failures.
The union has previously identified almost 60 fire trucks in metropolitan Melbourne that are more than 15 years old and have cracked doors, old engines, and rusted roofs.
Updated
Two dead in Melbourne factory fire
Two people have died in a factory fire in Melbourne’s west, AAP reports. Emergency crews were called to the blaze at a property on Bunnett Street at Sunshine North about 4am this morning.
Two people were inside the factory at the time and died, Victoria police said. They are yet to be formally identified.
Officers are investigating the circumstances of the fire and are yet to determine how it started. Police have urged anyone with information about the blaze to come forward.
Crews also responded to a factory fire at Malcolm Place at Campbellfield in Melbourne’s north this morning.
Updated
Current emergency warnings for bushfire west of Ballarat
The bushfire west of Ballarat, between Mount Cole and Raglan, is continuing to burn out of control.
A wind change has caused the fire to start moving towards Avoca. Firefighters have indicated their focus today will be on the nearby town of Elmhurst.
Here are the active warnings in place for the bushfire, which has led to thousands of evacuations and the loss of at least one home:
An emergency warning is in place for the following locations, with residents told to leave immediately:
Bayindeen, Beaufort, Ben Nevis, Buangor, Chute, Ercildoune, Eversley, Glenbrae, Glenlogie, Langi Kal Kal, Lexton, Main Lead, Middle Creek, Mount Cole, Mount Cole Creek, Mount Lonarch, Raglan, Trawalla, Warrak, Waterloo, Eurambeen, Buangor East and Brewster.
A separate emergency warning is in place for the following places, with residents also told to leave immediately:
Amphitheatre, Elmhurst, Eversley, Glenlofty, Glenlogie, Glenpatrick, Glenshee, Green Hill Creek, Landsborough, Mount Cole, Mount Lonarch, Nowhere Creek, Percydale and Warrenmang.
A watch and act is in place for Amphitheatre and Lexton, with residents urged to leave now. VicEmergency says residents should not wait, with “leaving now” the safest option. Conditions may change and get worse very quickly, it warned.
Updated
PM should give concert ticket to a ‘real Swiftie’, opposition says
Taylor Swift-mania continues to take over Canberra politics, with the deputy Liberal leader, Sussan Ley, saying Anthony Albanese should have given up his ticket to tonight’s concert in Sydney to a more dedicated fan – a “real Swiftie”, she told Channel 7’s Sunrise this morning.
This goes to a radio interview Albanese did yesterday, where he was asked whether he’d give up his ticket to a Swift mega-fan who called in. Albanese has said he’s going to the Sydney concert, and appeared to hint he would be in a corporate box (politicians often get gifted free tickets to concerts and big events, with the PM often given some nice hospitality).
Albanese diplomatically said he wouldn’t be able to give up the ticket. But Ley said he should have, telling Sunrise:
What the prime minister does on his nights off, it’s up to him, of course, and if he wants to see Taylor Swift, that’s cool. But listening to the emotion from so many parents, and so many children and hundreds of thousands of Australians who couldn’t get tickets, I just want to say to the PM: come on PM, hand over your Taylor Swift ticket to a real Swiftie.
You could change a life, you will change a life, and it will be a really good look for you.
Appearing opposite Ley on the panel, the education minister, Jason Clare, said he was more interested in tickets to Pearl Jam going on sale today. He joked:
If everyone in Australia can do me a favour at 12.30 today, get off the internet as I try and get some presale tickets. If anyone asked me to, you know, hand over a Pearl Jam ticket, I don’t know what I’d do.
You’re going to have I think 300,000 Aussies converge on a stadium on the next four nights to watch Taylor perform. It’s going to be awesome. There’s probably a million people who tried to get in who couldn’t. Let’s celebrate a bit of good news and have a bit of fun.
Ley went on to say many mega-fans are “so emotional and so disappointed” about missing Swift tickets: “Let’s think of them for a moment and let’s think of the PM being able to change someone’s life by just handing over that ticket.”
If any Swifties going along to the concerts this weekend see politicians in the crowd, let us know.
Updated
‘Our hearts are with everyone facing the fires,’ Albanese says
Anthony Albanese says his heart is with everyone impacted by the Victorian bushfire, west of Ballarat.
He published this message to X just earlier:
Bushfire alerts remain in place for several Victorian communities and authorities are warning of another hard day ahead.
In this dangerous and difficult time, all Australians are thinking of those working bravely to save lives and homes.
Our hearts are with everyone facing the fires.
Stay up to date with alerts at the [VicEmergency] website or download the Vic Emergency app, and please follow the directions of local authorities.
Updated
New wind farm to power 700,000 homes, federal government says
The federal government has approved “one of the largest” clean energy projects in the country.
The 1,500-megawatt Yanco Delta windfarm will generate enough energy to power 700,000 homes in New South Wales, a statement from environment minister Tanya Plibersek says.
The project is located 10km north-west of Jerilderie on a 33,000-hectare site in the Murrumbidgee and Edward River local government areas, and includes the construction of 208 wind turbines, an 800 megawatt battery and grid connection infrastructure.
This project is set to support up to 300 jobs in construction and 30 ongoing jobs.
The government also says the project will save up to nearly 5m tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year, which is equivalent to taking 1.5m cars off the road.
Updated
Temperatures are set to dramatically drop by 10-15C across Tasmania today.
This comes as the state was lashed with hot temperatures above 30C yesterday. Cape Bruny recorded the hottest temperature at 37C.
Firefighters were battling bushfires across the state yesterday, with a watch and act warning issued for the Dee community.
It was super hot in #Tasmania yesterday, with temperatures soaring above 30 °C at many locations! The hottest temperatures were in the SE, topped by Cape Bruny with 37 °C. The atmosphere has turned on the A/C today, and maximum temperatures will be 10-15 °C cooler. pic.twitter.com/C0tkHYOBbN
— Bureau of Meteorology, Tasmania (@BOM_Tas) February 22, 2024
Severe thunderstorm forecast for Taylor Swift's Sydney concert
A cruel summer?
The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting severe thunderstorms throughout Sydney this evening – including at Olympic Park.
This is where the Sydney leg of Taylor Swift’s Eras tour will kick off, at the open-air Accor Stadium.
The bureau says a thunderstorm is likely during this afternoon and evening, possibly severe with damaging winds, heavy falls and large hail.
With what could be cruel summer weather, the @BOM_au is forecasting severe thunderstorms for parts of the east coast, including the Greater Sydney area. It's important to remember sparks fly, whenever lightning is around, so report all unattended fires to Triple Zero (000). pic.twitter.com/Bmk0oJf16u
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) February 22, 2024
But what will happen in the event of a severe storm over the venue? We had that in the blog a bit earlier here.
Updated
‘At least one home’ lost to bushfire
Victorian CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan provided another update on the bushfire west of Ballarat to ABC News Breakfast just earlier.
He said the southerly winds were getting stronger than anticipated, driving the bushfire closer to Elmhurst. When Heffernan appeared on the program about 7am the fire front was 4km from Elmhurst and was is less than this now, he said:
Which is why the emergency warning is still in place for Elmhurst to leave now. We have fire crews in the local area seeking to protect properties and contain the fire, but it’s a developing situation as those southerly winds seem to increase into the morning.
Heffernan expects a number of homes have been lost, as well as sheds, outbuildings, fences and stock. He couldn’t put a number on it, as assessment impact teams will need to conduct their work throughout the day, but said he is aware of “at least one” home that has been lost.
Updated
PM looks forward to seeing Taylor Swift tonight
And finally, Anthony Albanese is asked about – of course – Taylor Swift, with the Sydney leg of her Eras tour kicking off tonight.
Albanese will be in the crowd and he attempted to prove he is a real Swiftie to radio listeners, name-dropping some of her albums and noting she is a “great lyricist”:
I’m old enough to be a fan of Joni Mitchell, and other great women writers, and I think [there’s a] maturing of her work over a period of time that people will get to listen to tonight from 1989 through to now, like Folklore and Evermore …
I’m really looking forward to it and I think that it’s a phenomenon that is very empowering. If you listen to the lyrics of Shake it Off they’re about female empowerment, and I think it’s a very good message for young women.
Updated
Julian Assange should be allowed to come home to Australia, Albanese says
Turning to Julian Assange, the prime minister said “enough is enough” and he should come back to Australia.
Anthony Albanese told ABC News Radio that while people have differing views, Assange is an Australian citizen and there was nothing to be served from his further incarceration:
There is nothing to be served by the further incarceration of Julian Assange, and my view is that he should be allowed to come home to Australia to spend time with his family.
Updated
PM pushes ‘commonsense approach’ on supermarkets
Q: Will the government rule out divesting the supermarket giants to drive competition?
Anthony Albanese said we need to have a “commonsense approach”, and suggested that any divestment direction would be “overreach”.
The idea that we have a command-and-control economy is not what we have in Australia, what we have is a market-based economy with appropriate regulation. And so the idea that you would determine action like that would, I believe, be overreach.
Updated
‘I always want to see more competition’
Q: Would you like to see other international supermarket chains open in Australia to drive competition?
Anthony Albanese:
I always want to see more competition, and whatever sector you’re looking at, the more entrants the better the outcome when it comes to competition.
What you can’t do of course … we can’t mandate foreign entrants to come here. What we can do though is look at the economic environment, the regulatory environment, and give encouragement for more competition.
Updated
Supermarkets ‘have excessive market power’, PM says
Anthony Albanese is speaking to Tom Oriti on ABC News Radio.
They are discussing supermarket concentration, and the prime minister is asked whether the supermarkets are price gouging:
Well, quite clearly, they have excessive market power.
We have effectively a duopoly in large parts of Australia – some places [like IGA] or Aldi or other supermarkets will play a role – but overwhelmingly there is a concentration of power, which is why we have three inquiries …
When you have that disconnect between the prices being paid for by supermarkets, and then the price being paid by consumers, then something’s going wrong.
Yesterday Nationals leader David Littleproud accused the government of taking too long to act on this issue. Albanese is asked whether the Australian public is willing to wait for the outcomes of these three inquiries to see change on-the-ground.
Albanese said “interim advice” would be provided before the final outcome:
David Littleproud was the minister for agriculture … He needs to accept some responsibility for the fact that they sat back [while] this market power occurred largely over the decade in which they were in government, there was a further concentration there.
Updated
Snowy Hydro 2.0 project gets a blessing – at last
Snow Hydro’s giant Snowy 2.0 pumped hydro project in the Snowy Mountains has got a lot of bad publicity over the years, not least because the costs have blown out to $12bn (from an initial “back of the envelope” $2bn) and delays (first power in 2021 is now looking like the end of 2028).
Having one of the three tunnel boring machines, this one dubbed Florence, stuck for a year didn’t help.
Having a priest make a blessing to Saint Barbara – the patron saint of tunnellers – last December obviously didn’t hurt ... and two days later, Florence was back boring again. Coincidence? You decide:
Snowy offered four journalists a day down in the tunnels this week. Safety was taken seriously, as you might imagine.
Still, we couldn’t help catching these safety cartoons tacked to the back of toilet doors at the Tantangara reservoir. (Florence was drilling about 0.5km underground, not far away.)
Snowy 2.0 workers at Tantangara also get to study safety matters during down time… pic.twitter.com/AT4Y9hbovq
— @phannam@mastodon.green (@p_hannam) February 22, 2024
Media got down to see Florence in action but to get there, we had to pile into a so-called multi-services vehicle that crawls along at a maximum speed of 5km/h.
It’s going to be a long and tedious journey when/if the machine gets 15km or more into the tunnel.
And there will be a lot of that downtime when the main headrace tunnel gets to be 15km or longer… this multi-services vehicle has a top speed of 5km/hour. Imagine three hours each way in this: pic.twitter.com/HxNt2MylXx
— @phannam@mastodon.green (@p_hannam) February 22, 2024
Might need more of those “count the hazard” cartoons to pass the time.
Updated
Cancer diagnoses increase ‘rapidly’ among Australian prisoners
Australian prisoners with cancer are increasing in number and struggling to get treatment, according to a study published today in the Royal Australasian College of Physicians Internal Medicine Journal.
The largest study to date of cancer in Australian prisoners tracked 191 patients in Victoria over a 15-year period, evaluating their access to healthcare against the national guidelines for best management for common cancer types.
In the study’s first period between 2002 and 2006, there were 31 cancer diagnoses with a median age of 45, whereas in the final time period between 2012 and 2016, there were 101 cancer diagnoses and a median age of 55.
Access to healthcare equivalent to that of the general population is a fundamental right of all prisoners, lead researcher Dr Genni Newnham says. But the ageing prison population is experiencing worse health outcomes:
Our study showed that over time, cancer diagnoses in the prison population has increased rapidly. And wait times for prisoners to see a specialist were up to 30 weeks. It’s a problem that’s only getting worse.
Newnham said missed appointments was a “huge issue” but that the lack of transport available played a role alongside personal choice:
There must be a concerted effort made by health and justice systems to improve the way cancer care is delivered to incarcerated patients.
Updated
North-west WA battens down as Lincoln approaches
Moving over to the west coast now, where communities in Western Australia’s north-west are bracing for the arrival of a massive weather system that is expected to slam into the coast as a tropical cyclone, AAP reports.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Lincoln is expected to gather strength and re-form as it tracks south-west along the Pilbara coast, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
The bureau predicts it will cross the coast as a category-two system near Coral Bay on Saturday. Meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said:
As it makes landfall that’s when we will see the most intense impacts. Destructive wind gusts up to 140km/h are possible and very heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding.
Bradbury said wind gusts up to 100km/h that were strong enough to bring down trees and power lines were possible today.
Ex-Tropical #CycloneLincoln is forecast to re-develop this week, likely reaching tropical #cyclone intensity on Friday. The system is developing slowly off #WA's coast. It's likely to cross the far west Pilbara or upper Gascoyne coast on Saturday.
— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) February 21, 2024
More: https://t.co/OkjBYf3KOL pic.twitter.com/JjIZPxc30P
A cyclone blue alert has been issued for the area from Mardie south to Wooramel, with residents urged to prepare for severe weather, destructive winds and potential flooding.
Lincoln crossed the Northern Territory coast late last week as a category-one tropical cyclone from the Gulf of Carpentaria before moving inland across the Top End and into WA as a storm.
It dumped heavy rain across a wide area, triggering flood watches and warnings in north-west Queensland, the NT and northern WA, before moving offshore again on Wednesday.
Updated
Fire update
Victorian CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan spoke to Sunrise this morning to provide an update on the fire situation. Here were the key takeaways:
The bushfire west of Ballarat didn’t abate as much as firefighters were hoping overnight. It is progressing to the north, and a renewed emergency alert to leave immediately has been issued for Elmhurst.
Milder conditions are expected today but wind will be challenging: up to 30 and 45km/h.
About 5,000 test message alerts have been issued to affected communities to leave immediately.
Relief centres have been established inArarat, Maryborough and Wendouree.
“All attention is on Elmhurst” for the next couple of hours.
Updated
‘People just have to be prepared to wait until the danger passes’
Pyrenees mayor Robert Vance spoke to ABC News Breakfast just earlier from the relief centre in Wendouree, where residents from Beaufort, Raglan and surrounds have evacuated to.
He said those at the centre were waiting for more information as to when they would be allowed back:
The fire is still a very major, ongoing concern. People just have to be prepared to wait until the danger passes before they return.
Vance said people were doing “reasonably well” given the circumstances, but were anxious to find out what had happened to their homes and properties.
Updated
Child protection data
About 33% of all reports to NSW’s Child Protection Helpline express concerns about a child experiencing domestic and family violence, either alone or in conjunction with parental mental health and or substance use issues, research has revealed.
A new report released by ANROWS, in partnership with researchers from the University of Sydney, shows more than 40% of the 127,884 children reported to the Child Protection Helpline and experiencing domestic and family violence had a parent (primarily their mother) previously identified in police reports as a domestic and family violence victim.
But only 26% of children identified with parental mental health concerns in their safety reports had a parent with a record of accessing mental health services before the initial report.
Tessa Boyd-Caine, the chief executive at ANROWS, said:
Families can experience intense pressure where this complex constellation of mental illness, drug and alcohol issues and family and domestic violence exists. We need to make sure families are getting the help they need when they need it in a way that is supportive and fit for purpose.
These findings show us where it is possible to intervene early and ensure the level of service provision is proportionate to need.
Updated
Homelessness funding push
Leading homelessness advocates and unions have united in a joint push for state and federal housing ministers to plug a $73m funding black hole they say threatens to worsen the homelessness crisis by jeopardising the future of 700 critical support jobs.
Each day homelessness services are forced to turn away 295 people due to a lack of resources. New analysis of the latest Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data reveals the number of children sleeping rough, even after seeking homelessness assistance, has surged 20%.
An additional $450m is needed to meet demand for homelessness support, the letter, signed by Homelessness Australia, the Australian Services Union, Community Housing Industry Association, and Acoss says.
A $73m funding black hole exists because funding previously provided to meet the costs of the equal remuneration order expires in June 2024.
Kate Colvin, the chief executive of Homelessness Australia, said:
The reality on the ground is heartbreaking. Every day, families and children are left without a roof over their heads, sleeping in cars or worse. This is not just a funding issue. It’s a human crisis that demands compassion and commitment.
Workers in this sector are confronted by extremely difficult choices already, like picking between a mother and child fleeing violence or a teenager without a home. The last thing they need is uncertainty about their job or that of their colleague.
Updated
Fire threat to increase as hours pass
Chris Hardman, the chief fire officer with Forest Fire Management Victoria, just provided a fire update on Sky News.
He said the fire behaviour had abated overnight but the threat would increase around midday:
When we get to around midday today, we’ll see those fire dangers start to increase again and the winds pick up a little bit, and that fire will continue to move through through that grassland … We’ve got fantastic firefighter resources that are in position and making sure that they can do everything to protect community.
Hardman also said there appeared to be home losses but more information would not be available until impact assessment teams could make their way through:
It is likely that there will be some losses but we do not have any impact assessments at the moment. We have impact assessment teams in place and we will assess losses over the day.
Updated
Evacuation urged as bushfire rages
A renewed leave immediately warning has been issued for communities west of Ballarat amid a disastrous bushfire, with thousands already evacuated and homes feared lost.
The emergency warning encompasses Amphitheatre, Elmhurst, Eversley, Glenlofty, Glenlogie, Glenpatrick, Glenshee, Green Hill Creek, Landsborough, Mount Cole, Mount Lonarch, Nowhere Creek, Percydale and Warrenmang.
The bushfire is between Mount Cole and Raglan, and a wind change is leading it towards Avoca. The warning says:
Leaving immediately is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous.
Bushfire - Emergency Warning for Bayindeen-Rock Road. You should Leave Now. For more info: https://t.co/hWBZP1BpkA pic.twitter.com/2TvZIMC0m1
— cfa_updates (@CFA_Updates) February 22, 2024
Updated
Targeted search launched into disappearance of Samantha Murphy
A targeted search for Ballarat East woman Samantha Murphy will begin today, led by detectives from the missing persons squad, after her suspicious disappearance.
Victorian police said the extensive search would involve a significant number of detectives from across crime command and other specialist commands, as well as local police.
They will focus on an area highlighted by intelligence derived from phone data.
Extensive searches have been conducted throughout the Canadian forest area since Murphy’s disappearance almost three weeks ago, but no trace of her has been found.
The 51-year-old was last seen leaving her property on Eureka Street to go for a run, about 7am on 4 February.
Samantha was known to regularly run through the Canadian forest area. Police are treating her disappearance as suspicious due to the length of time she has been missing and given that no trace of her has been found.
Investigators are in the process of reviewing about 12,000 hours of CCTV footage and following up more than 500 separate pieces of information.
Updated
What will happen if there’s a storm during today’s Taylor Swift concert?
With a thunderstorm forecast at Sydney Olympic Park this evening, many are asking what this means for the Eras tour?
Taylor Swift will kick off her Sydney shows tonight, performing tomorrow, Sunday and Monday night before concluding the Australian leg of her sold-out tour.
A venue spokesperson said the show would go ahead “rain or shine”:
The show will play, rain or shine. The only exception would be severe weather, which could impact the safety of artists and patrons. Such a decision would be made by NSW Police, the event promoters and Venues NSW staff.
Frontier Touring also said the show would go ahead “rain or shine”, unless “extreme weather makes it unsafe for those in attendance”:
Please follow venue screens and staff instructions in these circumstances.
NSW police confirmed that in the event of extreme weather, it would liaise with stakeholders and a decision would be made based on any potential risk to public safety.
The Bureau of Meteorology said there was a high chance of showers in the afternoon and evening, and a chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening. There is an 80% chance of rain, with totals up to 7mm predicted.
Venues NSW has also been contacted.
Maybe we’ll see some bejewelled rain coats added to the Eras tour fashion highlights?
Updated
More on the hot weather and fire conditions
Firefighters have also been battling bushfires in parts of Tasmania, with a watch and act warning issued for the Dee community and surrounds over a fire in the remote central highlands, with residents told to prepare to leave.
A high fire danger alert has been issued for parts of central and south western NSW, in addition to the Greater Hunter region.
Hot conditions today are likely to be focused on northern and eastern NSW, according to Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Dean Narramore.
He said the mercury was set to reach mid to high 30s in Sydney before widespread thunderstorm activity and a cool change in the evening.
A heatwave warning is current for Western Australia’s Pilbara, north interior and south interior districts and Gascoyne regions.
– AAP
Updated
Homes feared lost in large bushfire in Victoria’s west
Victoria’s Country Fire Authority says it is hearing of property losses near Ballarat after a large bushfire threatened lives and properties overnight.
It is not clear how many properties have been impacted, but this may include farm sheds, a CFA spokesperson said.
Here is the latest on the bushfire situation, via AAP:
Thousands of residents from almost 30 communities near Ballarat have been told to “leave now”, with emergency warnings and watch-and-act alerts issued.
About 1,000 firefighters have been battling the blaze including those operating 15 water bombing aircraft.
CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said it was hoped fire conditions would abate overnight but they hadn’t, with the fire progressing north towards Elmhurst. He told ABC TV early today:
We are getting early reports, unfortunately, of some home losses, as well as multiple sheds.
Livestock losses are also expected.
More firefighters will arrive to battle the blaze today and at the weekend, Heffernan said:
We are throwing everything we can at it to try and contain the fire in the lead-up to next Wednesday’s predicted high fire weather day.
Updated
Ministers to rule on national watchdog to oversee sexual assault complaints at universities
A national watchdog to oversee sexual assault complaints at universities after a scathing report into the sector will go before education ministers for final approval, AAP reports.
The nation’s education ministers are meeting today in Melbourne, where they will review a proposed action plan to tackle gender-based violence at universities, which includes a student ombudsman, and decide whether to endorse it.
The draft plan – released in November – recommended more accountability, enhanced oversight of student accommodation and a reduced need for victim-survivors to retell their traumatic stories multiple times.
It was put together by the Our Watch chief executive, Patty Kinnersly.
About half of students at almost 40 universities nationwide knew nothing or very little about where to make a sexual harassment complaint or seek support or assistance, according to new research by the Australian Human Rights Institute. This dropped to just more than one in three at some universities.
Between one-third and half of students at the same universities knew nothing or very little about where to go to make a complaint about sexual assault or seek support or assistance.
A parliamentary inquiry found the way the university sector handled sexual assault complaints was woefully inadequate and it could not be trusted with reform without independent oversight.
The ministers will also briefed on the university accord, which contains recommendations and targets to assess the tertiary education sector’s quality, accessibility and affordability.
The accord, which has been received by the federal minister, is set to be released imminently.
1800Respect (1800 737 732)
Updated
ASX200 set to rise on the back of worldwide stock boom
The ASX200 share index is poised to rise this morning after Japan’s main stock index, European shares and Wall Street’s S&P 500 all hit all-time highs. Strong results from the chipmaker Nvidia have stoked investor exuberance about an artificial intelligence investment boom.
The Nikkei rose 2.19% to end the day at 39,098.68. On the final trading day of 1989, it had closed at 38,915.87. The 34 years it has taken to regain its footing is a decade longer than it took Wall Street to recoup losses from the 1929 crash and Great Depression.
In futures trade, the ASX200 is expected to rise by about one-third of a percentage point as it too remains close to all-time high levels.
Greens leader Adam Bandt joins call for more school funding
Adam Bandt will use his address at today’s Australian Education Union federal conference in Melbourne to back growing demands for the federal government to increase its share of school funding.
The Greens leader is speaking the same day education ministers meet to continue negotiations to reach full funding of the public system, with five states demanding the commonwealth lift its share from 20 to 25%.
He will pledge the Greens will move amendments for Labor to lift its share by 5% if legislation is introduced, while also demanding loopholes allowing states and territories to claim non-school expenditures as part of funding be removed:
We know that it is likely that funding legislation will be brought before the parliament this year and if it is, we are prepared to use our numbers … to ensure that all public schools are funded on the basis of their need. We know pressure works, and we’re willing to use it.
Bandt will tell the conference “the era of using education policy to entrench inequality has to end”, adding that the Greens are gearing up for a fight to redirect money away from private schools:
Private schools are overfunded to the tune of $3bn while public schools are underfunded by $6.5bn a year. The Greens will push Labor to redirect excessive wealthy private school funding to public schools. They don’t need it and we can’t afford it.
Hello
Good morning, and happy Friday! Welcome back to our Australia news live blog, and thanks to Martin for kicking things off. I’m Emily Wind and I’ll bring you our rolling coverage today.
As always, you can get in touch if you see something that needs attention on the blog: through X, @emilywindwrites, or via email: emily.wind@theguardian.com.
Let’s get started.
Updated
NSW police search Balmain home in connection with investigation into Jesse Baird and Luke Davies
NSW police have searched a home in Balmain overnight as part of an investigation into the disappearance of Luke Davies and Jesse Baird.
Police said the search warrant on a home in Waite Avenue, Balmain, had been executed at 11.30pm yesterday.
Officers seized a number of items. No further information regarding items taken from the property is available at this time.
Investigations into the matter are ongoing.
Detectives are looking at a line of inquiry that a third person may be able to assist with the investigation.
Updated
Legionnaires’ disease warning for parts of Sydney University
A legionnaires’ disease warning has been issued for parts of the University of Sydney’s Camperdown campus after three people were admitted to hospital, Australian Associated Press reports.
Two men in their 60s and one woman in her 70s were diagnosed with legionnaires’ disease after separately visiting locations in the area surrounding Victoria Park in the City of Sydney.
NSW Health said all three have been discharged but are warning people who spent time in areas near Victoria Park in Camperdown, including parts of the University of Sydney campus, in the past 10 days to be on alert for symptoms.
Testing found low levels of Legionella bacteria at one cooling tower at the university’s Camperdown campus. The tower has been decontaminated and NSW Health has directed others in the area to be disinfected.
Sydney local heath district’s Dr Isabel Hess said people can be exposed to Legionella bacteria by contaminated water particles from a cooling system:
Legionnaires’ disease is not spread from person to person.
Symptoms include fever, chills, a cough and shortness of breath and may lead to severe chest infections such as pneumonia.
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our rolling news coverage. I’m Martin Farrer and I’ll be bringing you our top overnight stories before my colleague Emily Wind comes along.
The success of the rightwing activist group Advance in helping defeat the Indigenous voice to parliament referendum has galvanised its “unprecedented” campaign against Labor in the upcoming Dunkley byelection. In a special report today, Josh Butler looks at how the group is outspending the Liberal party in its attempts to ensure that Labor does not retain the Victorian federal seat, using attack ads blaming Anthony Albanese for the cost-of-living crisis and playing on fears about immigration. The prime minister said the group wanted to “frighten” people and “spread a whole lot of misinformation”.
Police are seeking a third person as they investigate the suspicious disappearance of the former Network Ten presenter Jesse Baird and his partner, Luke Davies, from Sydney’s eastern suburbs after bloody items were found in a skip bin. Detectives have “grave concerns” for the pair after what they said was “some sort of incident that has more than likely occurred” at Baird’s home in Paddington. The pair were both were last seen in the Sydney suburb on Monday. More coming up soon.
Five elite private schools spent about the same amount of money on new facilities in 2021 as governments gave to more than half of Australia’s public schools for building works. A report released today by the Australian Education Union found the average annual capital spending per student in private schools in the decade to 2021 was more than double what was spent on public schools, equating to a $31.8bn divide. The Greens leader, Adam Bandt, will use his speech to the AEU conference in Melbourne today to call for the federal government to increase its share of school funding.
