Australia news live: Doctors advise ‘stay hydrated and stay indoors’ as heatwave hits; Sussan Ley lists ‘critical areas’ for royal commission
Key eventsShow key events onlyPlease enable JavaScript to utilize this featurePauline Hanson requests PM to revoke parliament suspension after burqa incidentLeader of One Nation, Pauline Hanson, has urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to lift the temporary ban from the Senate to allow her to take part in discussions about new hate speech legislation and a national gun buy-back initiative should parliament reconvene ahead of schedule. The prime minister indicated he intends to do so after the Bondi terror attack, likely before the holiday on January 26. Hanson faced censure from the Senate and was suspended for seven sitting days in November following her repeated burqa incident, which prevents her from being present as the suspension is ongoing. In a letter to Albanese sent yesterday, she stated:
Despite my ongoing alerts regarding radical Islam’s infiltration of Australia, your administration opts to vilify me in every conceivable manner … I am soliciting your help to rescind the restriction enforced upon me by the Senate to discuss these urgent bills …
You can view the complete letter below:Allow Facebook content?This article contains content provided by Facebook. We require your consent prior to loading anything, as they may utilize cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click ‘Allow and continue’.ShareUpdated at 00.17 GMTSussan Ley clarifies statement about ‘far-left neo-Nazis’Josh ButlerReflecting on Sussan Ley’s earlier press briefing today: the opposition leader has sought to amend what might have been another significant misstatement, wherein she claimed a royal commission should examine “far-left neo-Nazi extremism”.Nazism and neo-Nazism are broadly recognized as extreme right ideologies, as affirmed by the United States Holocaust Museum, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and ASIO’s director general, Mike Burgess.Key individuals in Australia’s neo-Nazi circles have advocated for a reduction or complete halt to migrant intake, targeted Indigenous Australians, and protested against transgender Australians. Ley, during her press conference, insisted a royal commission following the Bondi attack “must encompass references to radical Islamic extremism along with far-left neo-Nazi extremism”.Sussan Ley. Photograph: Dean Lewins/AAPWhen later asked if she believed neo-Nazis were left-wing, Ley initially played down the inquiry by stating “these are political constructs about left and right, but the main focus is that radical Islamic extremism and Neo-Nazi ideology, however one may choose to articulate that along a left-right spectrum, ought to be included.”When pressed again for clarification, she maintained: “far-left and neo-Nazi extremism were the terms I used”, emphasizing “and” between the two ideas— a conjunction she omitted in her initial statement. It may have been an unintentional slip while relying on notes. In a preceding written declaration regarding a royal commission, Ley called for investigating “the role of radical Islamic extremism, in addition to far left and neo-Nazi extremism.” This follows her previous error where she referred to Russia as the Soviet Union last week, explaining “the government should always be ready to support the illegal occupation of Ukraine by the USSR.” Her office has since updated the official transcript of the press conference to replace references to the USSR and Soviet Union with “Russia”.ShareUpdated at 00.00 GMTBoM warns ‘sweltering’ heat leading to ‘really dangerous conditions’Petra StockAs a severe heatwave affects large portions of the nation today, extensive areas in South Australia and Victoria are facing temperatures soaring into the 40s.Miriam Bradbury, senior meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, indicated that both Adelaide and Melbourne are expecting “sweltering conditions” peaking at 42C on Wednesday, with temperatures reaching as high as 44C in Elizabeth, located in Adelaide’s north. The hottest period of the day is anticipated early afternoon – around 2 or 3pm – with temperatures remaining near their peak into the evening.Murray Bridge, within SA’s Murraylands region, is headed toward 46C on Wednesday. Port Augusta, roughly 300km north of Adelaide, could hit 45C, followed by 47C on Thursday.Severe heatwave conditions are extending from the northwest to the southeast of the country – originating in Western Australia, and progressing through South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, the ACT, and Tasmania – with vast regions facing temperatures in the low-to-mid 40s, as reported by the BoM.“This isn’t a typical brief surge of summer heat. These are genuinely hazardous conditions,” Bradbury remarked.ShareUpdated at 23.43 GMTIt’s currently 34C in Melbourne, 37C in AdelaideMelbourne and Adelaide are both predicted to exceed 42C today. By 10:30am in Victoria and 10am in South Australia, the mercury has already surged. Melbourne is at 34 right now and Adelaide is at 37, with temperatures expected to climb into the evening.ShareUpdated at 00.03 GMTLey states parliament should have been summoned back soonerLey stated she spoke with the prime minister earlier this week, but mentioned even if the federal parliament comes back early, it has still been too long since the Bondi attack. Albanese has asserted that parliament will be recalled as soon as possible once new legislation has been finalized.Ley expressed:
It is the prime minister’s call when parliament reconvenes. What I conveyed then, and affirm today, is that it isn’t returning early if it does so before its scheduled first sitting date. It remains too late, way too late to confront the crisis of antisemitism and the fallout from the Bondi terror attack. Parliament should have reconvened before the last year’s end, and every day that we are not coming back is just another day wasted to proceed with the essential tasks of what our proposed commonwealth royal commission should achieve.
ShareLey outlines essential demands for a royal commission regarding the Bondi attackSussan Ley, the opposition leader, is addressing the situation in Sydney, stating that the federal government must enhance its response following the Bondi terror attack, including the establishment of a commonwealth royal commission. Ley specified that any forthcoming royal commission must address three components: full accountability for decision-making by executives and ministers; a “reckoning with antisemitism and extremist ideology”; and the necessity for the commission to have “real powers and real voices”.Ley declared:
It is high time for the prime minister to start listening and emerge from the shadows. … [There] are genuine threats to our societal cohesion, and they have the potential to lead to violent extremism if we neglect addressing the underlying causes and consequences with discernment and moral clarity. …
Today is the moment for the prime minister to take action, step forward, and announce this commonwealth royal commission, which must, at the outset, include those three crucial areas within its terms of reference. Australians are observing. Families of victims are awaiting.
Sussan Ley. Photograph: Dominic Giannini/AAPShareUpdated at 23.09 GMTDonna LuHeat-related illnesses impact not just older individuals, doctors cautionWright emphasized that while nearly a third of hospitalizations connected to extreme heat occur among those aged 65 and older, heat-related severe health concerns impact a wider demographic:
If individuals cannot find relief from rising temperatures, it can impose significant stress on their bodies.
Therefore, please disseminate the message to those around you – stay cool, stay hydrated, and remain indoors if feasible.
Simultaneously, ensure you check on individuals in your life to make certain they’re doing alright. This includes not just the elderly but also infants, pregnant or nursing individuals, along with those dealing with chronic illnesses and conditions that may hinder sweating.
ShareDonna Lu‘Stay hydrated, and remain indoors if possible’: GPs’ guidance for coping with the heatwaveWith forecasts indicating temperatures surpassing 40C in several regions today, the Royal Australian College of GPs advises people to stay hydrated, stay indoors, and check on others who might be more vulnerable to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Dr. Michael Wright, president of the RACGP, cautioned against underestimating the impact of high temperatures. He said:
My advice to all Australians is to consume ample water, try to remain indoors if feasible during peak UV hours between 11am and 3pm … check on friends and family who may be more susceptible to the effects of heatwaves, particularly older people.
… Heatwaves have led to the highest number of hospitalizations due to extreme weather over the past decade, and the likelihood of hospitalization increases with age.
Visitors strolling along Campbells Cove Beach in Melbourne during sunset. Photograph: Ye Myo Khant/SOPA Images/ShutterstockShareBenita KolovosContinuing on from the previous update… Wilson indicated the changes have brought the size of the shadow cabinet back into alignment with the government’s, following the resignation of Labor MP Natalie Hutchins, meaning MPs will not have to share the additional salary and expense allowance. The next scheduled party room meeting will be during the first parliamentary sitting week of the year on February 3. Liberal MPs are also set to convene a party room conference at the end of the month, where a ballot may also be conducted. Southwick, who previously ran unsuccessfully against Groth for the deputy position when Wilson ascended to leadership, is considered a strong candidate for the role this round. However, the shadow attorney general, James Newbury, and Battin are also being considered for candidacy, according to two sources within the Liberal party. ShareUpdated at 22.27 GMTBenita KolovosSam Groth to resign as deputy Liberal leader at the next party room meetingVictoria’s deputy Liberal leader, Sam Groth, is set to relinquish his position during the next party room meeting, and his responsibilities will be promptly assigned to other shadow ministers. This was anticipated after Groth declared his intention to exit politics due to internal conflicts within the Liberal party earlier this week. The opposition leader, Jess Wilson, communicated with MPs on Tuesday to confirm these arrangements. She stated:
Sam has informed me that he believes it is in the best interests of the party, as well as for his family, for him to step down from the deputy leadership at the first party room meeting of the year. Further details regarding the timing of this meeting will be communicated in due time. For now, I have decided to redistribute Sam’s shadow ministerial responsibilities among current members of the shadow cabinet. David Southwick will oversee tourism and major events, former leader Brad Battin will manage sport, and Bridget Vallence will handle trade and investment.Victorian deputy leader of the opposition Sam Groth. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAPShareUpdated at 22.23 GMTPetra StockAre crabs animals and should we conduct experiments on monkeys?The issue of animal sentience, classifying crustaceans as animals, and rehoming laboratory animals are all being examined as the Australian code for animal research undergoes its first scrutiny in a decade. Photograph: Eraldo Peres/APAnnually, over 845,000 animals—including mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, and primates—are utilized in research laboratories throughout Australia, as indicated by data from Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania. Globally, it is estimated that 192 million animals are utilized. In Australia, the National Health and Medical Research Council code outlines the regulations for their utilization, mandating researchers to minimize animal suffering and for ethics committees to assess risks versus benefits before allowing research to proceed.ShareAllegra Spender expresses hope that Albanese reconsiders stance on royal commissionIndependent MP Allegra Spender articulated her hope that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would reassess the decision on a federal royal commission regarding the Bondi terror attack. Spender participated in RN Breakfast this morning, where she was questioned about whether Albanese should change his position:
I hope so, and I believe he ought to. … I think Australians are genuinely appalled by the events of December 14. Our society values safety and social cohesion: that individuals, irrespective of faith, origin, or sexuality, deserve to feel safe and accepted in Australia. That safety was compromised on December 14.
Further, we must gain a thorough understanding of how this transpired and how we can avert future occurrences.
Spender elaborated that Albanese should not face backlash if he alters his view regarding the royal commission, adding:
I believe if he shifts his perspective based on community input, and this is thoughtful feedback, alongside insights from grassroots contributors, judges, and various stakeholders who have seriously contemplated these matters. If he adjusts his stance based on that feedback, I think that is a constructive step.
Independent member for Wentworth Allegra Spender. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAPShareUpdated at 21.24 GMT
Published: 2026-01-07 00:14:00
source: www.theguardian.com
