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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Jordyn Beazley and Emily Wind (earlier)

Queensland forecast upgraded – as it happened

Penny Wong Middle East United States
Tropical Cyclone Jasper flooded several communities, including suburbs of Cairns, in late December.
Tropical Cyclone Jasper flooded several communities, including suburbs of Cairns, in late December. Photograph: Joshua Prieto/SOPA Images/Shutterstock

What we learned: Tuesday 16 January

And that’s where we’ll leave you this evening. Here’s our Tuesday wrap:

  • Australia will start making missiles in 2025, the federal government has announced. Pat Conroy, the acting defence minister, said the government had signed a $37m contract with US defence contractor Lockheed Martin to make an initial batch of missiles to “prove up our capability”.

  • Child abuse detectives have searched a Broome property which the ABC reported was the temporary home of disgraced bishop emeritus Christopher Saunders.

  • The Bureau of Meteorology has now upgraded the tropical low in the Coral Sea off the coast of Queensland as having a 55% chance of becoming a tropical cyclone from Sunday.

  • The Australian government says it was not taken by surprise by Nauru’s decision to scrap diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favour of China – but says it respects the Pacific island country’s right to make its own choices.

  • Queensland police have arrested and charged a man after the vandalism of a Woolworths store in Brisbane yesterday morning.

  • There were four major collisions on NSW roads in the past 24 hours, resulting in the death of five people and serious injuries to six others.

  • Wild weather and heavy rainfall across parts of the country continued today, with Victoria’s SES receiving 120 calls for help in the 24 hours to 7am, and NSW SES responding to more than 460 incidents across the state.

  • The NSW and federal government have announced a funding package to help reduce energy bills and improve heating and cooling for 30,000 low-income households and social housing tenants. The NSW peak social services body has welcomed the announcement, but said the government should go further and set legally enforceable efficiency standards for rentals.

  • The Jewish Australians for a Ceasefire group has reiterated its call that Australia should be pushing for a full ceasefire in Gaza as the foreign minister, Penny Wong, travels to the Middle East. Meanwhile, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry has said it is a “serious error of judgement” for Wong to not visit the site of the 7 October attack by Hamas on Israel during her visit to the Middle East.

  • Australian actor Sarah Snook has won the Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a drama series, for her performance as Shiv Roy in the final season of Succession.

  • Dallas Hayden, the wife of the former governor general and architect of universal healthcare Bill Hayden, has died three months after her husband.

  • A baby has become the third person in two days taken to hospital with a jellyfish sting suffered at popular Queensland tourist spot, K’gari.

  • An elderly man has died and a woman is in hospital after a fire tore through a retirement village in Adelaide.

Updated

Earlier this morning we brought you news of the NSW and federal government’s $206m funding package to reduce renters and social housing tenant’s energy bills, and help keep homes warm and cool. Here’s a breakdown from AAP of what that includes:

More than 30,000 renters will enjoy lower power bills under a deal to boost access to solar power and other energy upgrades.

Poorly insulated older homes and locations where households experience extreme heat and cold will be a priority in the energy upgrades announced by the federal and NSW governments on Tuesday.

Some 24,000 public housing and community dwellings will be eligible for heat pump hot water systems, ceiling fans, reverse-cycle air conditioners, solar energy systems, insulation and draught proofing.

More than 10,000 households - low-income households and apartment residents - will be able to save up to $600 a year through a solar banks program to keep their homes cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

Similar programs are being rolled out in Queensland and Victoria.

The scheme comes on top of an energy price relief plan that cuts $500 from the bills of 1.6 million NSW low-to-middle-income households.

An alliance of community groups, unions, religious organisations and schools called for the government to go further and introduce a mandatory minimum energy standards for existing rental properties.

Meanwhile NSW opposition welcomed the package, but called for energy bill relief for all households, including high-income earners.

Updated

Flood rescue resources sent to NSW Riverina, South West Slopes and north-east in anticipation of heavy rains

In more heavy rainfall news, the NSW State Emergency Service has pre-positioned flood rescue resources in the Riverina, South West Slopes and north-east regions, with rainfall expected to hit the communities overnight and tomorrow morning.

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast rainfall totals in excess of 100ml in the Riverina, South West Slopes and Broken Hill.

Since yesterday, the SES has responded to more than 460 incidents across the state.

The NSW SES assistant commissioner, Nicole Hogan, cautioned people to monitor the risks:

There is a chance of flash flooding, which can happen quickly and without warning, and we urge communities to not drive, walk or ride through flood water.

We know there are a lot of people travelling at this time of year, and I urge people to be mindful of any risks associated with camping in floodplains or near rivers.

Updated

Severe storms and heavy rain forecast across Queensland as parts of Victoria get storm warning

Many Queenslanders will not see reprieve in the deluge yet, with severe storms and heavy rain predicted for tomorrow across the state’s interior north and far north, and the far south and south-west.

Victoria has also issued a severe thunderstorm warning just now for people in parts of Mallee, South West, Wimmera and Central Forecast Districts.

Updated

Ncoss welcomes funding package to cut energy costs for low-income households and social housing tenants

In NSW news, the state’s peak social services body has welcomed the state and federal government’s funding package to help reduce energy bills for low-income households and social housing tenants, but said the government should go further and set legally enforceable efficiency standards for rentals.

The National Council of Social Service’s acting chief executive, Ben McAlpine, said of the announcement:

This funding boost will make a big difference to those living in social housing across NSW, but the funding needs to be distributed as quickly as possible.

We know that social housing properties are some of the least energy-efficient homes in our state which places immense pressure on those already doing it tough.

We encourage both the commonwealth and NSW governments to go one step further and set legally enforceable energy efficiency standards for rental housing to protect against heat, cold, mould and pollution.

Updated

If you’re just catching up on today’s news, my colleague Antoun Issa has the top stories here in our afternoon update:

Updated

Pill testing might have prevented festival deaths if used: study

Dozens of music festival drug-related deaths could have been prevented if harm reduction strategies such as pill testing had been in place, a study suggests, AAP reports.

The research has fuelled calls for Australia’s two most populous states to introduce the measure in a bid to reduce the growing number of fatal incidents at festivals.

A Monash University-led analysis of 64 drug-linked festival deaths across the country between 2000 and 2019 found the majority had consumed dangerously high levels of MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy.

Researchers said the results highlighted the scope for drug-checking services to inform people about the content of their drugs and “influence behaviour change, minimise harm and reduce mortality”.

The overwhelming majority of deaths were recorded in NSW and Victoria, both of which have resisted calls to introduce pill-testing services or trial the scheme at high-risk events.

The states have instead focused on other harm-minimisation tactics such as increasing first aid, ensuring access to water and improving messaging at festivals.

Updated

Child abuse detectives reportedly search home of former Broome bishop Christopher Saunders

Child abuse detectives have searched a Broome property which the ABC reported was the temporary home of disgraced bishop emeritus Christopher Saunders.

Saunders has previously denied accusations he sexually assaulted and groomed young Aboriginal men in Western Australia over his 50-year career. He stood aside in 2020 and Pope Francis accepted his resignation in 2021.

Police investigated allegations against Saunders from 2018 to 2020 but did not find enough evidence to press charges. A Vatican inquiry was then launched, which alleged it was likely four sexual acts had taken place, and another 67 youths may have been subjected to sexual or grooming behaviours, Seven News reported.

More on this story here:

Updated

Tory Maguire appointed managing director of Nine publishing

In media news, Tory Maguire has been appointed managing director of publishing at Nine which will see her take on the responsibility for Nine’s publishing assets, including metro mastheads and The Australian Financial Review.

Maguire, who has worked as the executive editor of the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Brisbane Times and WAToday since July 2021, will replace James Chessell, who recently announced his resignation.

Mike Sneesby, the chief executive of Nine, said:

Tory is a great executive, who has overseen renewal in our metro mastheads and has made some tough and brave calls about public interest journalism. We welcome her to this role and look forward to her contribution to the success of our business.

Updated

Loggers found by court to have assaulted environmentalists in NSW forest

The Forestry Corporation is under pressure to blacklist a logging contractor after its workers were found by a magistrate to have committed common assault against two environmentalists in a NSW forest, AAP reports.

It’s been three-and-a-half years since Mark Graham and Andre Johnston were assaulted on a public road during a day trip to the Wild Cattle Creek State Forest, where logging was under way.

On Monday, the pair got their day in court with a Coffs Harbour magistrate finding two employees of Greensill Bros had committed common assault.

The environmentalists are now demanding Greensill Bros be banned from any further logging work for the NSW government-owned Forestry Corporation.

They also plan to pursue a corruption complaint against the Forestry Corporation, alleging that one of its direct employees who was overseeing the logging operation filmed the assault but failed to intervene.

The NSW Greens MP Sue Higginson, who has practised as a public interest environmental lawyer and provided legal advice to both environmentalists in the past, said serious questions must be answered about the conduct of the Forestry Corporation and police, alleging it amounts to a wilful miscarriage of justice.

She added:

Mark and Andre were on a public road, in a public forest, when the forestry workers approached, threatened and then assaulted them, all while being filmed by an employee of the NSW Forestry Corporation, who did nothing to stop the assaults.

Immediately following the assault in 2020 neither of the forestry workers were charged and one of the victims was instead targeted and charged by the Coffs Harbour police.

Higginson said the charges were laid after discussions between the police and Forestry Corporation.

The Forestry Corporation and Greensill Bros have declined to comment.

Updated

Fire ants form rafts to survive Queensland flood waters as experts warn of surge

Fire ants are forming rafts to survive and travel on flood waters in south-east Queensland, with experts warning the wild weather may accelerate the spread of one of the world’s most invasive species.

After storms ravaged the region over Christmas and new year, Reece Pianta of the Invasive Species Council urged the community to be extra vigilant since red imported fire ants (Rifa) were filmed rafting on flood waters.

He said:

Fire ants are more active before or after rainfall and can form large floating rafts which move with water currents to establish footholds in new areas.

We have recently seen evidence of this rafting behaviour on cane farms south of Brisbane.

More on this story here:

Fire ants rafting on the northern Gold Coast. They are washing down to the lower coastal areas from inland, which the council says is a big problem for farm and coastal wetland habitats. January 2023.
Fire ants rafting on the northern Gold Coast. They are washing down to the lower coastal areas from inland, which the council says is a big problem for farm and coastal wetland habitats. Photograph: Invasive Species Council

Updated

BoM upgrades chance of second tropical cyclone off Queensland to 55%

The Bureau of Meteorology has now upgraded the tropical low in the Coral Sea off the coast of Queensland as having a 55% chance of becoming a tropical cyclone from Sunday.

The bureau says the system is expected to remain offshore over the next 7 days, however its movements from early next week remain uncertain.

It comes after devastating Tropical Cyclone Jasper flooded several communities, including suburbs in Cairns, in late December.

As my colleague Andrew Messenger reported earlier today when the prediction stood at a 40% chance of another cyclone developing, December’s Cyclone Jasper hit the coast as a category 2 system, doing modest damage with its wind.

But it moved very slowly and dumped hundreds of millimetres of rain at river catchments.

It is estimated to have caused $1bn worth of damage by the Insurance Council of Australia.

Updated

St Vincent de Paul welcomes NSW funding boost to low-income and social housing energy upgrades

St Vincent de Paul has welcomed the news that more households in NSW may soon see energy bill relief after the NSW government matched funding provided by the federal government to help low-income households access renewables and to provide social housing with energy upgrades.

The energy upgrades to social housing will include heat pump hot water systems, ceiling fans, reverse-cycle air conditioners, and solar systems.

The organisation’s chief executive, Yolanda Saiz, said:

As the population faces more intense and frequent weather events, it is incumbent upon all governments to adopt measures that ensures housing is suitable and resilient to the current climate.

Energy bills are a common source of hardship for the people our members assist, so measures that will provide relief are greatly appreciated.

Updated

Two teenagers among five killed on deadly day on NSW roads

Earlier we brought you the tragic news that two teenage boys were killed and another seriously injured in a crash in Sydney’s north-west last night.

Here’s the full story if you missed it:

Updated

Thanks Emily, and hello blog readers! I’ll now be with you until this evening.

Many thanks for joining me on the blog today! The lovely Jordyn Beazley will guide you through the rest of our rolling coverage. Take care.

Sarah Snook scores outstanding lead actress Emmy for playing Shiv Roy

Popping over to Los Angeles for a moment, the Australian actor Sarah Snook has just won the Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a drama series, for her performance as Shiv Roy in the final season of Succession.

The Adelaide-born actor received a standing ovation as she took to the stage, where she thanked her fellow cast members and her parents “for having a dress-up box when I was a kid – this is where it gets you!”

Snook was pregnant while filming the latest season of Succession and used her speech to thank her newborn daughter.

“It is very easy to act when you are pregnant because you’ve got hormones raging,” she said, to laughter.

The proximity of her life growing inside me gave me the strength to do this and this performance. I love you so much. It is all for you! From here on out.

Fellow Australian actors Murray Bartlett, Anna Torv and Elizabeth Debicki were also nominated for Emmys this year, but did not win in their categories.

Sarah Snook at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Peacock Theater on 15 January 2024 in Los Angeles, California
Sarah Snook at the 75th Primetime Emmy awards. Photograph: Christopher Polk/Variety/Getty Images

Updated

Senior BoM meteorologist Angus Hines has provided this update on the storm outbreak across the south-east:

Updated

Politicians pay tribute to Dallas Hayden

More tributes are flowing this afternoon after the death of Dallas Hayden.

The environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, acknowledged Hayden as a “nurse, mother and partner who served in public life to help shape a better country”:

Labor MP for Blair, Shayne Neumann, sent his condolences to her family, wishing them “peace and comfort”:

Updated

Dutton extends condolences to Dallas Hayden’s family and friends after news of her death

The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, has extended his condolences to Bill and Dallas Hayden’s family and friends, following the news of Dallas’ death.

Dutton wrote in a statement:

A parliamentarian is blessed when they have a spouse at their side whose devotion, patience, levelheadedness and love strengthens them as an individual.

Dallas Hayden was such a wife to Bill Hayden and a woman who served her country with honour and grace alongside her husband when he was our 21st Governor-General.

With the sad news of Dallas’ passing – and on behalf of the Coalition – I extend my condolences to Bill and Dallas’ much-cherished children, Georgina, Ingrid and Kirk, and to her wider family and to her many friends.

Updated

Several severe thunderstorm warnings across Australia including SA

There are numerous severe thunderstorm warnings across Australia today, including one for parts of South Australia.

The bureau is warning of heavy rainfall, damaging winds and large hailstones for the Riverland, Mount Lofty Ranges, Murraylands, Flinders and Mid North and North East Pastoral districts:

Updated

NSW now boasts southern hemisphere’s longest escalators

NSW is known for many things, such as its beautiful beaches, fine dining and the harbour bridge. And apparently our latest flex is … having the longest escalators in the southern hemisphere?

Look, I’ll take what I can get, but I have so many questions. Is there an official list of the worlds longest escalators? Who did NSW beat to get the number one spot? Will someone build an even larger escalator just to bump NSW to second?!

Updated

Wet weather forecast for NT, WA and Qld

The Bureau of Meteorology has said more wet weather is on the way for the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland as the northern monsoon continues:

Updated

Dallas Hayden dies three months after former Labor leader

Dallas Hayden, the wife of the former governor general and architect of universal healthcare, has died three months after Bill Hayden.

The Haydens had been married for more than six decades and endured the entirety of the Labor leader’s political career as he grew from MP to Medibank creator to opposition leader and governor general.

The two eventually retired to a farm on the edge of Ipswich in Queensland, largely retreating from public life before Bill Hayden died aged 90 in October.

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said:

Like all in the Labor family, I am saddened to hear of the passing of Dallas Hayden.

Dallas was a person of wonderful warmth and great depth, kind and gracious to strangers and friends alike.

She spent many years playing supporting roles in public life and her optimism, her quiet courage and her strength of character were a powerful source of inspiration for her adoring husband, Bill.

The prime minister offered his condolences to Dallas Hayden’s family and friends on behalf of the Labor party and the government. She is survived by her children, Georgina, Ingrid and Kirk.

Anthony Albanese and Dallas Hayden during a condolence motion at Parliament House after the death of her husband, Bill Hayden.
Anthony Albanese and Dallas Hayden during a condolence motion at Parliament House after the death of her husband, Bill Hayden. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

- AAP

Updated

Small earthquake north of Adelaide

A magnitude 3.5 earthquake struck South Australia last night, just north of Adelaide.

According to Geoscience Australia, about 130 people have reported feeling tremors after the small earthquake hit near Jamestown around 10.30pm last night.

Updated

PM says government may give ACCC more powers

Albanese is asked by reporters whether he thinks the ACCC needs more powers around price gouging, considering Australians are battling the increasing cost of living?

He said the government is “up for giving [more powers] to them” but they have existing powers in this space:

I note the comment of the head of the ACCC today saying that she would be prepared to exercise those powers in addition to that. We had the review by Dr Emerson looking at whether the existing voluntary code of conduct is good enough and whether there is a need for some mandating there.

Albanese said his government is “concerned” about the price of what consumers are paying at Coles and Woolworths, and other supermarkets.

Updated

Albanese defends Penny Wong’s Israel visit

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is speaking to the media in Sydney.

Albanese is asked why the foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, isn’t visiting southern Israel during her visit to the Middle East.

He said that a range of foreign affairs ministers didn’t visit the kibbutz when they visited Israel:

Penny Wong is visiting Israel, speaking to family and friends of the hostages – both those people who have been released but also the families who quite rightly want people released.

Australia reiterates our call for every single hostage to be released unconditionally and immediately. That is our position. It’s a clear and unequivocal position that we have had from day one.

Earlier, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry said it is a “serious error of judgment” for Wong to not visit the site of the 7 October attack (you can read more on this here).

Updated

Risk of second cyclone hitting north Queensland upgraded

Authorities have upgraded the risk of a second cyclone hitting in north Queensland from 15% to 40%.

The devastating cyclone Jasper flooded several communities, including suburbs of Cairns, in late December. One person died.

The Gold Coast copped a battering in January with heavy rain and winds described as near tornado strength.

BoM meteorologist Patch Clapp told the Courier Mail this morning that a monsoonal system building up off the coast of Far North Queensland was most likely to hit the coast on Monday next week.

As of Monday evening we are predicting a 40% chance of it developing into a cyclone system.

It is certainly looking like it will head out offshore and potentially in its return track the conditions will become more conducive to becoming a cyclone.

Cyclone Jasper hit the coast as a category 2 system, doing modest damage with its wind. But it moved very slowly and dumped hundreds of millimetres of rain at river catchments. It is estimated to have caused $1bn worth of damage by the Insurance Council of Australia.

Updated

Woolies shares sink after calls for boycott but not as much as Coles’

There has been a fuss over the past week about Woolworths apparently not continuing to stock Australia Day “merch”, as you might have noticed.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton weighed in to encourage a boycott of Woolworths. As reported yesterday, the vandalism of a Brisbane outlet has prompted calls for Dutton to apologise for stoking a culture war.

In the five days since, Woolworths shares have slid, dropping about 4.3%. Notably, rival Coles - which is stocking a small offering in its stores - has fallen even more, or about 4.7%. (The overall market is down about 1.4%, so it’s more about retail stocks being on the nose.)

Anyway, as noted on X/Twitter, Woolies is continuing to stock whatever A-Day goods you might hunger for at its online My Deal site:

Among some 288 items listed for sale with an Aussie flag is an adult “happy Australian costume” (a mere $35.95) and a “Mickey Mouse loves Australia” figurine, a bargain at just $174.90.

With such glories on offer online, it’s little wonder perhaps that Coles is devoting very limited space to Australia-theme goods. Here’s what is available in Bellingen in northern NSW, as sent in by a keen observer:

From a Guardian reader of Australia Day items for sale in Coles Bellingen in northern NSW.
From a Guardian reader of Australia Day items for sale in Coles Bellingen in northern NSW. Photograph: Supplied

Let us know if we’re missing out on something special.

Updated

Mobility scooter battery may have caused Adelaide retirement village fire

Earlier, we brought you news that an elderly man had died and a woman is in hospital after a fire tore through a retirement village in Adelaide.

Tony Randello, the chief executive of Crestview operator Aveo, says early reports from first responders indicated the fire was caused by a mobility scooter battery that was charging overnight.

The fire tore through a unit at Crestview Retirement Village about 10pm last night. An 81-year-old woman escaped the inferno but an 83-year-old man died at the scene. The woman was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with minor injuries.

Randello:

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all emergency services personnel for their swift response.

Aveo’s community team are providing counselling and support to residents, and the families of those impacted by this incident.

– AAP

Updated

Two women airlifted to hospital after alleged arson attack

A 20-year-old woman was airlifted to hospital on Monday with serious injuries. Police allege she may have been set alight by another person.

Police are investigating the alleged incident which took place in Shepparton on Middlesex Crescent at about 6.30pm last night.

A 33-year-old woman was located nearby the incident after allegedly fleeing the scene, and was airlifted to hospital where she remains under police guard.

Police have said they believe the women were known to each other.

Labor says Australia respects Nauru decision to sever ties with Taiwan

The Australian government says it was not taken by surprise by Nauru’s decision to scrap diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favour of China – but says it respects the Pacific island country’s right to make its own choices.

The Australian minister for the Pacific, Pat Conroy, said the government was notified in advance of Nauru’s decision to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China (PRC), a move that led to the severing of such ties with Taiwan.

Speaking at a media conference in Canberra today, Conroy played down the impact:

This was a decision by the sovereign government of Nauru and we respect their decision. I would make the point that three Pacific Islands Forum members recognise Taiwan [whereas] 13 members recognise the People’s Republic of China, including Australia, and we’ve got excellent relations with every single Pacific island nation, including those ones who recognise the PRC. So we respect Nauru’s decision. What you’ve seen under the Albanese Labor government is a very significant improvement in our relationship with the Pacific. We’re turning up, we’re listening, we’re acting on their priorities.

Asked whether the Australian government was taken by surprise by Nauru’s announcement yesterday, Conroy said:

No ... I can be very clear that we were aware in advance of the announcement that was being made.

But he declined to go into details of exactly when Australia was notified of the diplomatic switch.

Asked whether Nauru had asked Australia for any financial support to avoid its decision, Conroy said:

They had no conversations with us about that particular matter – switching diplomatic recognition – other than giving a heads-up that the decision had been made.

Updated

Gippsland town to be backdrop for Liam Neeson film

Hollywood action star Liam Neeson is returning to Victoria to film his latest project, Ice Road 2: Road to the Sky.

The state’s acting minister for creative industries, Natalie Hutchins, has announced the Gippsland town of Walhalla is set to be the backdrop for some of the movie’s action scenes, while production will also shoot across Melbourne, NantStudios and Docklands Studios.

Hutchins says about 600 local jobs will be created through the production for screen industry workers and extras, and the project will inject more than $30m into the state economy.

Neeson was last in Melbourne in 2020 to film thriller Blacklight. Hutchins says that project generated more than $23m in economic value for the state.

She said:

Victoria is a sought-after destination for international productions because of our phenomenal locations, state-of-the-art screen infrastructure and renowned local talent and crew.

Ice Road 2 is part of a strong pipeline of local and international productions that will power our screen industry this year, creating jobs, boosting local businesses and showcasing Victoria to the world.

Updated

Banana farmers seek retail support after flooding and rain

A month of devastating weather is set to impact banana quality and supply from far north Queensland, a veteran farmer has warned, AAP reports.

But Diane Sciacca, who has grown bananas for almost 40 years, hopes consumers will understand and support the industry in their time of need.

Record rainfall and flooding caused by Tropical Cyclone Jasper last month is still impacting supply chains in Australia’s largest banana growing region.

Bananas are farmed commercially in NSW, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland. But the far north’s Tully, Innisfail, Lakeland and Atherton Tablelands account for 94% of banana growing areas.

Sciacca says trucks are taking twice as long to navigate rural roads that have been severely damaged or closed in the recent storms which may increase the cost of supply.

She said the quality of bananas may also be impacted by constant rainfall and strong winds:

We will see some light quality issues with the fruit in the coming weeks so hopefully we’ll get some support from the retailer to help us with variations on quality that doesn’t affect eating quality, especially with back to school.

Our biggest call-out at the moment is to understand the value of bananas for children going back to school.

Updated

Severe storms are also possible across far north and north Queensland today, and in south-east Queensland near the NSW border, including the Gold Coast:

Updated

Large parts of western New South Wales are likely to experience severe storms today, continuing into tomorrow morning.

Severe storms are also possible across north-east NSW, the Bureau of Meteorology says.

Updated

‘Extreme’ consumer pessimism extends into January, survey finds

The monthly survey of consumer sentiment by Westpac and Melbourne Institute was also relatively static in January (see earlier post) but carries a gloomier analysis.

Their index eased 1.3% to 81, with the cost of living and high interest rates blamed for the “deeply pessimistic” level of confidence to kick off 2024. It was the weakest reading for a January (a month when we are supposedly a bit more upbeat) outside the early 1990s recession, Westpac said.

Matthew Hassan, a senior Westpac economist, said:

Many consumers may be facing a bigger than usual post-Christmas financial ‘hangover’ as the full impact of the higher cost of living on festive-season spending becomes apparent.

Another reason for the sagging sentiment, it seems, is that 52% of those surveyed still think the RBA has another interest rate rise up its sleeve.

While down from 60%, that proportion is at odds with financial markets, which don’t expect another rate rise and are fully pricing a 25 basis point cut by August as the central bank’s next move, according to the ASX.

Perhaps when consumers become less shellshocked, sentiment will rebound a bit (as might the standing of the federal government in the polls).

Updated

Police outline deadly road crashes

Jason Hogan, manager of the crash investigation unit, is detailing the four serious collisions that occurred on NSW roads over the past 24 hours. Here is what he outlined:

On Monday afternoon in Cowra, a Nissan Pathfinder crossed to the incorrect side of the road and collided with a Holden Commodore. The 77-year-old driver of the Commodore died at the scene, and the 56-year-old driver of the Pathfinder was airlifted to Westmead hospital.

Also on Monday afternoon, a male driving a Holden Commodore on the Sturt Highway at Hay in the Riverina has reportedly conducted a U-turn in front of a semitrailer carrying a fully laden trailer. The vehicles collided after the truck driver tried to evade but couldn’t. The driver of the Commodore and his front-seat passenger died, while two passengers in the rear are in hospital with injuries.

On Monday night, a double fatality took place in Baulkham Hills. Police believe speed may have been a factor when a Nissan lost control and crashed into the rear of a Ford Falcon. The Nissan lost control and hit a telegraph pole. Both 17-year-old passengers were killed, and the 17-year-old driver was taken to hospital. The three occupants of the Falcon were not injured.

This morning at Berkshire Park, a stolen tip truck was involved in a crash with another truck. Police said this scene was still live with the investigation ongoing, but both drivers were seriously injured.

Updated

Five people killed on NSW roads in past day

Senior police officers are speaking to the media from western Sydney about the death of five people on NSW roads in the past 24 hours.

Supt Anthony Boyd said there had been four major collisions, resulting in the death of five people and serious injuries to six others.

He is urging people to take responsibility for their driving behaviour over the busy holiday period:

The accidents in the last 24 hours are all related to driver behaviour, not related to any factor other than people making poor decisions on the roads and causing serious-injury collisions.

… Your behaviour whilst you are driving a motor vehicle is your responsibility. You will be held accountable when you drive in a manner which is dangerous, outside of the road rules.

Updated

Here are some more details on the $37m deal Labor has signed for Australia to begin making missiles:

The contract will enable an initial batch of guided multiple launch rocket system (GMLRS) missiles to be manufactured in Australia from 2025.

It will facilitate the transfer of technical data from the US, establish processes for engineering certification, and “begin to build the technical skills of an Australian workforce”, the statement from acting defence minister Pat Conroy says.

The federal government will also acquire ​precision strike missiles (PrSM). Both PrSM, which can engage targets out to 500km, and GMLRS can be fired from Himars launchers.

US Himars launchers fire salvoes during a military exercise
US Himars launchers fire salvoes during a military exercise. Photograph: Fadel Senna/AFP/Getty Images

Conroy:

This important first step towards the establishment of domestic guided weapons manufacturing in Australia will complement the acquisition of long-range precision strike capabilities and strengthen the ADF’s ability to protect Australia and its interests.

This work is a clear demonstration of the ongoing collaboration between Australia and the United States on Australia’s guided weapons and explosive ordnance enterprise, a key outcome of the Australia-United States ministerial consultations in July 2023.

Updated

Baby airlifted from Queensland holiday island after jellyfish sting

A baby has become the third person in two days taken to hospital with a jellyfish sting suffered at a popular Queensland tourist spot, AAP reports.

The girl is believed to have been stung by an Irukandji jellyfish at K’gari, formerly known as Fraser Island.

A RACQ LifeFlight rescue helicopter landed on a beach on the western side of the island after being called out at about 3.30pm on Monday.

The crew helped paramedics treat the girl before she was flown to Hervey Bay hospital in a stable condition, accompanied by a parent.

An Irukandji jellyfish
The Irukandji is one of the world’s most venomous jellyfish. Photograph: Lisa Ann Gershwin/SA museum/AAP

Just two hours earlier the helicopter had landed at the same location to treat a man who had suffered a jellyfish sting.

The man in his 20s, also with a suspected Irukandji sting, was flown to hospital.

And on Sunday a girl who had been camping with her family on K’gari was stung by a jellyfish and airlifted to Hervey Bay hospital.

The small Irukandji jellyfish is one of the world’s most venomous.

Updated

Man, 83, dies after fire torches Adelaide retirement home

An elderly man has died and a woman is in hospital after a fire tore through a retirement village in Adelaide, AAP reports.

Police and fire crews rushed to Crestview Retirement Village at Hillcrest in the city’s north after a unit was engulfed in flames about 10pm last night.

An 81-year-old woman escaped the inferno but an 83-year-old man died at the scene.

The woman was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with minor injuries.

Residents of an adjoining unit damaged by the blaze were not home at the time.

Twenty-four firefighters and five vehicles extinguished the fire after an hour and prevented it spreading to adjoining properties.

The Metropolitan Fire Service estimates $250,000 damage was caused to the property.

Fire cause investigators are looking into the blaze, which has been deemed non-suspicious.

Updated

Labor signs $37m deal for Australia to begin making missiles

Australia will start making missiles in 2025, the federal government has announced.

Pat Conroy, the acting defence minister, said the government had signed a $37m contract with US defence contractor Lockheed Martin to make an initial batch of missiles to “prove up our capability”.

He said this would be done in Orchard Hills in western Sydney and be undertaken by Lockheed Martin employees.

It would begin with the assembly of components provided by the US.

Conroy said the long-term aspiration for domestic manufacturing of missiles would require a purpose-built facility down the track.

We live in the missile age.

Updated

Two of the four endangered Maugean Skates taken from Tasmania’s west coast for a captive breeding program have died within weeks of each other, according to local media.

Pulse Hobart has reported that the skates and 50 eggs were taken from Macquarie Harbour in Tasmania to establish an insurance population, aimed at boosting their numbers.

The Maugean skate is a species of ray that has evolved to live only in Macquarie Harbour. It is believed there are fewer than 1000 left.

An endangered Maugean Skate in Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania's west coast.
An endangered Maugean Skate in Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania's west coast. Photograph: Jane Ruckert/AAP

Greens senator for Tasmania Peter Whish-Wilson commended the efforts of the recovery team, and said more needs to be done to protect the skate in its natural home of Macquarie Harbour.

The federal government’s own updated scientific advice clearly states the key threat to the skate’s survival is poor water quality in the Harbour, and that the primary cause of this is Atlantic salmon farming.

The fastest and simplest way to give the Maugean skate a fighting chance of survival is to remove toxic industrial salmon farming from the skate’s natural environment – it’s that simple.

We can’t seriously continue to remove the ancient skate from its only known home to allow the farming of an introduced species; Atlantic salmon. The skate belongs in Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania’s west coast, and Atlantic salmon belong in the Atlantic.

Measles alert for western Sydney

NSW Health has advised people in western Sydney to stay alert for symptoms of measles after being notified of one case.

The case, a nine-month-old infant, was infectious while visiting some locations in Sydney’s inner west and south-west.

NSW Health said the infant recently returned from Asia, where there has been an outbreak of measles in several countries, including Pakistan and India.

The health department also said it had identified and contacted close contacts to arrange preventative treatment if needed.

It has listed Five Star Coffee and Nuts on Yerrick Road, Lakemba, as an exposure site on Friday 12 January between 3-5pm.

Sydney Local Health District’s clinical director of public health, Dr Leena Gupta, said while this location posed no ongoing risk, if you, or someone you know, visited this shop during this time it was important to be on the lookout for symptoms.

Symptoms to watch out for include fever, sore eyes and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head to the rest of the body.

Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease that is spread through the air when someone who is infectious coughs or sneezes. It can take 18 days for symptoms to appear.

Updated

Electric car charging stations tipped to double again

Electric vehicle charging sites will double in Australia again over the coming year, according to a new report, on top of record-breaking growth over the past 12 months.

The analysis, released by consulting firm Next System today, found car-charging sites surged by 90% in Australia during 2023.

It also found that even though Tesla dominated electric vehicle sales, it was Chargefox that provided the greatest share of charging sites.

The findings come after record sales of electric vehicles, despite concerns from some potential buyers that Australia’s charging network was not large enough to support the technology.

A charging station at Bondi beach
A charging station at Bondi beach. Photograph: Carly Earl/The Guardian

The Public Fast Charger Network Report found Australia had seen another 397 car-charging sites and 755 new charging points built during 2023, but predicted that number would rise significantly higher in 2024.

Next System founder Daniel Bleakley said the analysis showed charging stations were already planned for another 470 locations throughout Australia and that a total of 900 new charging sites could be expected during the year.

– from AAP

Updated

Community warned to be vigilant as fire ants take advantage of wild weather

The Invasive Species Council is warning communities in south-east Queensland and northern NSW to be on alert for fire ants.

It says the recent heavy rain and wild weather across the region could accelerate the spread of the deadly pest.

Advocacy manager Reece Pianta said:

Fire ants are more active before or after rainfall and can form large floating rafts which move with water currents to establish footholds in new areas.

We have recently seen evidence of this rafting behaviour on cane farms south of Brisbane.

Fire ants on a Queensland cane farm
Fire ants on a Queensland cane farm. Photograph: Jono Searle/AAP

Pianta said fire ants were easier to spot during this time, calling on people to keep an eye out in their backyards and communities and report anything they find.

Ongoing containment and suppression mean it is still possible to eradicate fire ants from Australia if we all do our part.

Updated

Consumer confidence flat, inflation fears ebbing, ANZ survey finds

There are a couple of surveys of consumer confidence out today, with a weekly update from ANZ and Roy Morgan, and a monthly one from Westpac and the Melbourne Institute.

From the former, we see consumer sentiment falling 0.4 percentage points but, as ANZ’s senior economist, Adelaide Timbrell, notes, confidence remains higher than any period between February and December last year:

Outright and indebted homeowner confidence is still trending up sharply while renter confidence trends sideways. Rising housing prices may be behind this; we expect capital city housing prices to rise 6% through 2024.

The so-called wealth effect seems to be at play. As about two-thirds of the populace has paid off their mortgage or are in the process of doing so, they feel wealthier when home values are on the rise. Renters not so much.

The Reserve Bank, though, would be a bit wary if it thinks consumers are not paying enough heed to higher interest rates. It’s also watching what punters think about the direction of inflation, though, and on that score, the trend is more friendly.

Timbrell:

We also expect inflation to reduce to just 3.2% year-on-year by the end of the year, which will help confidence across all cohorts.

The RBA’s confidence that it has its interest rate settings right will also be key, you’d have to think.

Stay tuned for Westpac’s monthly readings, which should land soon.

Updated

Rising rivers prompt flood rescues and calls for help in Sydney

Heavy rain and widespread storms over NSW have prompted hundreds of calls for help across Sydney and some regional areas as rivers rise to flood levels, AAP reports.

The NSW State Emergency Service responded to 460 incidents in the 24 hours to this morning, the majority in the metropolitan area.

But 75 occurred in the state’s northeast, where flood warnings were in place after major downpours.

SES personnel helped rescue people from three vehicles trapped in flood waters, with all of those involved now safe.

Deluges were widespread across the state, including at Dorrigo, west of Coffs Harbour, which received 238mm over 24 hours.

Residents on the Bellinger River at Darkwood were told to prepare to become isolated by the rising water.

Updated

Albanese says Dutton's 'bizarre' push for Woolworths boycott would cost jobs

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has spoken to 2HD mornings, taking aim at Peter Dutton over his call to boycott Woolworths for not stocking Australia Day merchandise.

He said “of course” people can make those choices, but he finds it “bizarre” that “the so-called party of the free market is calling for a boycott of a company that employs 200,000 Australians”.

Now think about the implications of this. If everyone boycotted Woolworths, that’s 200,000 people who would lose their jobs. It’s an extraordinary overreach by a guy in order to make a point on a radio interview. It’s just extraordinary, and an example of how Peter Dutton will say anything without thinking through the implications of it.

Albanese noted that Kmart made a similar decision more than a year ago.

[Dutton is] always looking for a culture war. What I’m engaged in is a war on inflation.

Prime minister Anthony Albanese gesturing as he speaks
Anthony Albanese finds the opposition leader’s Woolworths boycott push ‘bizarre’. Photograph: Diego Fedele/AAP

Updated

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for parts of Mallee in Victoria’s north.

The Bureau of Meteorology said a warm and moist environment, combined with some middle level instability, has triggered slow moving thunderstorms this morning.

Severe thunderstorms, heavy rainfall and potential flash flooding are likely in the area over the next several hours, affecting locations including Robinvale.

Worker dies at central Queensland coalmine

A worker has died at a coalmine in central Queensland.

The worker was fatally injured in a vehicle-related incident at BHP Mitsubishi Alliance’s Saraji coalmine, at Dysart, the ABC reported.

The Mining and Energy Union said the whole mining community was shocked and saddened by the incident. Union district president Mitch Hughes said:

This is the worst news we can ever receive.

We are devastated that a coal miner is not returning home at the end of their shift.

Hughes said union safety inspectors were investigating.

We will ensure no stone is left unturned in understanding what has occurred and preventing future fatalities and injuries.

Operations at the mine are suspended.

– via AAP

Updated

Victoria eyes stronger regulation for tobacco stores after arson attacks

Back to Victorian premier Jacinta Allan’s interview on ABC Radio Melbourne:

Allan says Victoria will be looking at stronger regulation for tobacco stores after a series of arson attacks.

She spoke with the chief commission of Victoria police about the issue as recently as yesterday:

I’ve had a number of conversations with him about the work that Operation Luna is undertaking in this area. They’re taking this very seriously. There’s a lot of resources being put to that taskforce work, and we’ve already seen a number of arrests.

The announcement on Sunday by the federal government [of] additional resources and effort going into Border Force is important. This is important … The illegal tobacco is coming into the country, so doing everything that can be done to stop it at the border is going to support the work that Victoria Police is doing on the ground here in Victoria.

Asked why Victoria is the only jurisdiction that doesn’t license tobacco shops, Allan replied:

This is an area we’re looking at over the course of this year. It’s work that needs to be done with the Health Department, Victoria police, local councils.

Updated

NSW and federal governments tip in $206m to boost home energy efficiency and solar

When it comes to energy, most attention is about supply – whether shiny new solar panels or gas drilling somewhere – rather than reducing the demand for it.

So it’s interesting to see the bulk of $206m in new energy support from the Albanese and Minns governments is being devoted to improving energy efficiency. About 24,000 homes in New South Wales will be eligible for upgrades including heat pump hot water systems, ceiling fans, reverse-cycle air conditioners, insulation, draught proofing and, yes, solar systems.

The upgrades will go to social housing properties that are a mix of NSW government-owned and managed homes, along with those overseen by community housing providers, the governments said. Priority will go to older homes built prior to minimum construction standards, especially those in regions that are particularly hot or cold.

There’s also $30m from the commonwealth to help low-income households and those living in apartments access solar panels, either directly or via “solar gardens” located within solar farms.

More than $200m is being provided by the federal and NSW governments for new energy support.
More than $200m is being provided by the federal and NSW governments for new energy support. Photograph: Carly Earl/The Guardian

Renters have long known the issue of “split incentives”, where the cost of adding panels go to the owner but the benefits of lower electricity use go to the tenants. The subsidies will help landlords make the leap.

It’s a little unclear but it looks like the solar panel support will benefit about 10,000 households.

While welcomed, the support is over four years, and NSW probably has more than 3m households so it may only capture about 1% of homes. And, as we saw in mid-December, NSW’s energy supply doesn’t need a big heatwave to be strained.

Still, perhaps if the take-up is rapid, and the supporting industries get a boost, we might see the project expanded in NSW. And presumably, similar programs are in train in other states and territories too.

Updated

Victorian premier pressed on second Melbourne safe injecting room

Jacinta Allan was asked whether Victoria will open a second safe injecting room, as promised in 2020.

A report by the former police commissioner Ken Lay, who was tasked with investigating the possible location for a facility, has been handed to the government but not released.

The premier replied:

We have received the report, we are considering the report. There has been a change of premier, change of ministers since that report has been received.

I appreciate that there is a keenness for the government to provide an additional response but again, it’s important that we take time to consider the advice and that’s exactly what I’m doing.

Updated

Victorian premier ‘seeking advice’ on pill testing at festivals

The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, says although she has no plans to introduce pill testing, she is “seeking advice” from the health department on the issue.

Speaking with Raf Epstein on ABC Radio Melbourne this morning, she said:

There are no current plans to change the policy setting on drug checking. However, I am seeking some further advice … and information from the health department both on what’s happened over this summer [and] reports circulating today about newer forms of drugs that are coming into circulation. So I’m keen to … get additional advice from the health experts.

Q: If that advice recommends pill testing, would she be open to it?

Allan says she’d have to speak to her colleagues:

I want to get the advice … I also need to have further conversations with ministerial colleagues who have the policy responsibility for this area.

It is a concern, I’m sure, for any parent. You want to make sure your kids are as safe as possible while they’re enjoying themselves. I think it’s also important to note that not everyone who goes to these festivals consumes substances.

Victorian premier Jacinta Allan.
Victorian premier Jacinta Allan. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Updated

Former immigration detainee arrested after alleged visa breach

A former immigration detainee has been arrested and charged after allegedly breaching the conditions of his visa, AAP reports.

The Sudanese-born man, 37, was one of more than 140 people released into the community in late 2023 after the high court ruled indefinite detention was unlawful.

He’s accused of failing to comply with a residential curfew on 12 January.

The man was charged on Monday and was expected to appear in Melbourne magistrates court the same day.

He is facing a maximum of five years behind bars and a $93,000 fine.

The landmark high court ruling in early December overturned 20 years of legal precedent to rule indefinite detention unlawful when there was no prospect of resettlement.

It sparked fierce political debate, led to the government to quickly introduce legislation to monitor the individuals and to establish a new preventive detention regime in a bid to return some to custody.

Multiple other former detainees have been arrested for failing to meet visa conditions.

Updated

Penny Wong criticised for not visiting site of Hamas attack

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry says it is a “serious error of judgement” for foreign minister Penny Wong to not visit the site of the 7 October attack by Hamas on Israel during her visit to the Middle East.

In a statement, co-CEOs Peter Wertheim and Alex Ryvchin said the minister’s decision was “insulting and deeply concerning”:

We frequently hear about the depth of the alliance between the two countries and the long history of solidarity between Australian Labor and the people of Israel. This is the time to show that this is more than mere words.

Intentionally bypassing such a visit is a serious error of judgement and we hope the Foreign Minister reconsiders this decision.

Updated

Man charged after vandalism of Brisbane Woolworths store

Queensland police have arrested and charged a man after the vandalism of a Woolworths store in Brisbane yesterday morning.

Police will allege that around 5am, the man set off a flare at the Teneriffe business, causing the fire alarm to be activated. Police also observed graffiti at the store upon arrival.

A 40-year-old Ormiston man was arrested in Fortitude Valley about 7.45pm last night, and has been charged with one count each of wilful damage and wilful damage by graffiti.

He is expected to appear at Brisbane magistrates court on 21 February.

Yesterday, police said they were investigating after the Teneriffe Woolworths was vandalised.

The store was allegedly painted with the words “Boycott Woolies” on the doors and “5 days 26 Jan Aussie Oi Oi Woolies fuck u” on the exterior.

It comes after Woolworths decided to stop stocking Australia Day merchandise, citing a lack of demand from customers.

The Woolworths store that was allegedly vandalised in Teneriffe.
The Woolworths store that was allegedly vandalised in Teneriffe. Photograph: The Guardian

Updated

Western Australian police have confirmed that child abuse detectives are currently in Broome as part of an ongoing investigation into historic child sex offences.

The ABC reported that they were searching a property owned by the Catholic Church, where Broome’s former Catholic bishop Christopher Saunders lived up until late last year.

Saunders has been accused of sexually assaulting and grooming young Aboriginal men. He denies the accusations.

On Saturday, Guardian Australia revealed he has been removed as the person responsible for nine Broome diocese charities.

Saunders stood aside as the bishop of Broome in 2020 and his resignation was accepted in 2021 by Pope Francis.

The ABC reported that his former home in Broome was searched yesterday, with two police cars and five unmarked police vehicles at the property.

Red Sea conflict: UK ‘always welcomes’ Australia’s support, high commissioner says

The British high commissioner to Australia, Vicki Treadell, spoke to ABC RN just earlier about the ongoing conflict in the Red Sea.

This comes after Australia supported the US and UK militaries as they launched more than a dozen airstrikes against sites used by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen:

Treadell was asked whether Australia should be playing a larger role in the conflict along with its Aukus partners, the US and the UK.

She said that Australia provided support through personnel at the operation centre at Bahrain, and added:

The Australian government will consider the request from the coalition and will contribute as it is able to do so. Those are decisions for the Australian government to make, balanced against the other priorities and demands for security in this region.

We always welcome Australians’ support and we continue to look forward to working with Australia on these critical international issues.

Updated

More than 100 calls for help as overnight thunderstorm hits Melbourne’s east

The Victorian SES received 120 calls for help in the 24 hours to 7am, with thunderstorms hitting the eastern suburbs of Melbourne in the early hours of the morning.

The Bureau of Meteorology alerted to a severe thunderstorm late last night across the Melbourne area, with intense rainfall moving across the eastern suburbs.

Here was the warning issued at 1am, showing the thunderstorm path:

Updated

Jewish group urges Penny Wong to call for Gaza ceasefire

The Jewish Australians for a Ceasefire group has reiterated its call that Australia should be pushing for a full ceasefire in Gaza as foreign minister Penny Wong travels to the Middle East.

A spokesperson for the group said Wong’s visit is an “opportunity for our government to do everything it can to call for an end to this horror”.

More than 900 Australian Jews have now signed an open letter urging the government to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. The spokesperson said:

It is increasingly clear that the Australian Jewish community does not unanimously support the actions of the Israeli government.

Updated

Good morning! And happy Tuesday – many thanks to Martin for kicking things off. I’m Emily Wind and I’ll be taking you through our rolling coverage today.

See something that needs attention on the blog? You can get in touch on X, @emilywindwrites, or via email: emily.wind@theguardian.com.

With that, let’s get started.

Updated

Politicians ‘polarising’ opinion on Australia Day, expert says

Politicians are trying to polarise opinion on the celebration or otherwise of Australia Day, a leading academic says, despite growing evidence that the culture war over the issue doesn’t reflect public sentiment, Australian Associated Press reports.

Australian Catholic University sociology lecturer Rachel Busbridge says there has been a general shift towards support for changing the date, with only half of Australians celebrating, which is very different to the dynamic presented by politicians.

“We see a lot of polarisation from that top level of politics [and] it tends to come from the right side,” Busbridge said in the wake of Peter Dutton’s attack on Woolworths for not selling Australia Day-themed merchandise.

But when we look at people’s attitudes on the ground, it’s a lot less polarised.

We can see a slow but steady drift towards recognising that the day is a bit problematic for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and if we want to all celebrate together, then that may mean that we have to find another day.

Opposition leader Peter Duttonn took to the airwaves last week to call for a boycott of Woolworths, criticising its decision not to sell Australia Day merchandise as an ‘outrage’.
Opposition leader Peter Duttonn took to the airwaves last week to call for a boycott of Woolworths, criticising its decision not to sell Australia Day merchandise as an ‘outrage’. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP

Updated

Two teenagers killed in Sydney car crash last night

Two teenage boys were killed and another seriously injured in a crash in Sydney’s north-west last night, Australian Associated Press reports.

Emergency services were called to Windsor Road at McGraths Hill about 9.40pm on Monday on reports a car had struck a power pole.

Two teenage boys, who were passengers in the car, were critically injured and died at the scene, police said.

The 17-year-old male driver was treated by paramedics for chest and internal injuries before being taken to Westmead hospital where he was reported to be in a stable condition.

Police were told the car had struck another car before leaving the road and striking a power pole.

The driver of the other car stopped and rendered assistance, calling triple zero, and was taken for mandatory blood and urine testing.

Updated

Aid groups urge Wong to push for ceasefire

Aid organisations want foreign minister Penny Wong to push for a ceasefire to the war between Israel and Hamas during her visit to the Middle East, Australian Associated Press reports.

Wong will meet regional counterparts during her visit to Israel and the Palestinian Territories, along with Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.

Aid group Amnesty International said Wong’s visit to the region should be focused on ways for a ceasefire to be undertaken.

The organisation’s Palestinian Territories and Israel spokesperson, Mohamed Duar, said the 100 days since the start of the war had seen a “chilling disregard of human rights”.

Amnesty has repeatedly documented war crimes being committed by all parties to the conflict.

The scale of death and destruction we witness in Gaza today is unparalleled.

For these reasons, Penny Wong must reiterate Australia’s support for a ceasefire, and for Israel to allow unhindered and immediate humanitarian aid to enter Gaza during her trip.

Wong will be the most senior representative from Australia to visit the region since the current conflict broke out on 7 October and the first from an Australian foreign minister since 2016.

Penny Wong will meet with regional counterparts during her Middle Eat visit.
Penny Wong will meet with regional counterparts during her Middle Eat visit. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Updated

Heavy rain likely to cause flooding in northern Australia as rivers rise

More forecast rain and strong winds will likely mean ongoing flooded homes, submerged streets, and belongings damaged by fallen trees in multiple states and territories, AAP reports.

Parts of the Northern Territory and Queensland are due to experience dangerous winds and flash flooding today.

A monsoon trough extending from the northern Kimberley of Western Australia to the Cape York Peninsula, as well as a tropical low over the NT is making for a big wet in Australia’s north. The Bureau of Meteorology expects the tropical low to move southeast today, with continued rain.

Flood warnings have been issued for the Cape York Peninsula and Gulf of Carpentaria, and for the NT’s north-west.

“We’re already starting to see river rises in some of these areas and further river rises are anticipated over the coming days,” meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said.

There’s also more rain forecast at centres including Darwin, Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra on Tuesday. Winds in some metropolitan areas could reach up to 50km/h.

Updated

Welcome

Good morning and welcome to our rolling news coverage. I’m Martin Farrer and I’ll be bringing you the best of the overnight news before my colleague Emily Wind takes the reins.

The Middle East crisis deepened overnight when a US cargo ship was hit by Houthi missiles, making Penny Wong’s visit to the region beginning today even more sensitive. It follows remarks by Anthony Albanese last night declaring that the Australian government won’t participate in the international court of justice (ICJ) proceedings initiated by South Africa against Israel, and that his government is seeking a “political solution”.

Our top domestic story is an exclusive report that a senior psychologist treating children in the Cairns police watch house sent a “cry for help” letter detailing “horrendous” conditions and alleged human rights abuses in the lockup. The letter, seen by Guardian Australia, includes claims young people are not being provided adequate food, medical attention or legal support.

More than half of people trying to access emergency financial support for domestic and family violence are having their claims rejected, new data has revealed. Between July and September last year, 57,041 applications were made for the escaping violence payment (EVP) but only 29,437 were found eligible.

And we will be keeping a close eye on northern Australian, with parts of the Northern Territory and Queensland forecast to experience dangerous winds and flash flooding – more on that soon.

Updated

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