Australia news live: Albanese says Dutton’s ‘bizarre’ push for Woolworths boycott would cost jobs

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 at  19.43 EST

Key events

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 server 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 at  20.36 EST

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 at  20.31 EST

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 at  20.17 EST

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 at  19.46 EST

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 at  19.59 EST

‘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 at  19.43 EST

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 at  19.26 EST

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 at  19.43 EST

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. 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 at  19.17 EST

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.

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 at  19.08 EST

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 at  19.04 EST

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 at  19.03 EST

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. 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 at  18.38 EST

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. 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 at  18.32 EST

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. 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 at  18.16 EST

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 at  18.04 EST

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 at  17.56 EST