Anthony Albanese meets Bill Gates; Sydney beaches closed after shark mauls dolphin – as it happened

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What we learned today, Saturday 21 January

That’s it for today, thanks for reading. Here are the main stories of the day:

We will see you here for more news tomorrow!

Updated at 01.58 EST

Mosquito-borne diseases detected in northern Victoria

Two mosquito-borne diseases have been detected in multiple locations in northern Victoria, with particularly high numbers in Mildura in the state’s north-west, AAP is reporting.

The prevalence of the Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) virus and West Nile/Kunjin virus in mosquito populations means the risk of human cases in coming weeks is high, authorities say.

“These results mean that the MVE virus is increasing in the mosquito population and indicate a significant risk to people in these areas, particularly Mildura,” the acting chief health officer, Clare Looker, said.

MVE is a rare but potentially serious disease that can cause permanent neurological disease or death, but is generally mild or not severe enough to cause symptoms. Symptoms for the mild form of the disease include headaches, nausea and vomiting.

Mosquitoes spread the virus to humans from infected animals such as waterbirds including herons and egrets.

“Residents and people visiting Mildura are strongly advised to take measures to reduce their risk of mosquito bites,” Looker said.

The acting chief health officer said residents and visitors should cover up, use repellent and limit time spent outdoors.

Victoria’s health department said it would provide updated health advice next week.

Updated at 02.00 EST

Alex de Minaur through to round of 16 in Australian Open

Australian Alex de Minaur will advance to the fourth round of the Australian Open after defeating Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi in straight sets.

De Minaur will reach the final 16 for the second consecutive year after beating Bonzi 7-6 (7-0), 6-2, 6-1 at Rod Laver Arena.

The Australian will now face either nine-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic or world No 3 Grigor Dimitrov.

It makes de Minaur the first Australian to reach back-to-back Australian Open men’s singles fourth rounds since Bernard Tomic in 2016.

Australia’s 22nd seed broke Bonzi seven times throughout the two-hour and eight-minute match.

He hammered 33 winners, fashioned a total of 22 break points and closed out his final service game to love with his seventh and eighth aces in a clinical display.

“I’m very happy, I can’t lie,” de Minaur told the centre-court crowd. “Look, honestly, as a kid this is what you train for, to be playing on this court in front of you guys on one of the biggest stages of the world. Every time I get out here I have to pinch myself.”

Alex de Minaur of Australia celebrates after winning his match against Benjamin Bonzi of France at the Australian Open. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

Updated at 01.31 EST

Opposition Indigenous affairs spokesman says support for voice referendum is waning

The federal opposition’s Indigenous affairs spokesman says his support for the voice referendum is waning as he seeks more details on the proposal.

It comes as campaigners say younger Australians who “own up” to the dispossession of Indigenous people will be crucial for the referendum to succeed, AAP reports.

The country will vote later this year on enshrining an Indigenous voice in the constitution to advise the government on policies affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The opposition Indigenous Australians spokesman, Julian Leeser, a long-term supporter of the voice and constitutional recognition for Indigenous people, used a speech to Young Liberals on Saturday to call for more detail on how the voice will work.

Read more here:

Updated at 01.34 EST

NSW Labor would consult with Aboriginal communities on a treaty

NSW Labor says it will consult on a treaty with the state’s Aboriginal communities if it wins the state election in March, AAP reports.

The party would spend $5m on a year-long consultation process as part of a move towards a more formal treaty process.

The opposition leader, Chris Minns, says it would not be for his government to decide what the treaty would look like:

For too long government has passed edicts down from the top to the bottom, and we know that hasn’t worked.

If we want to realise improved justice, education, health and cultural outcomes for First Nations people, we must place First Nations communities at the centre of decision-making.

Chris Minns says Labor would conduct a year-long consultation process as part of a move towards a treaty process in NSW. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

Updated at 00.47 EST

Boy injured in Gold Coast helicopter crash may need to have foot amputated

A boy who was seriously injured in a Gold Coast helicopter crash might need to have one of his feet amputated as he recovers from the deadly collision, AAP report.

Nicholas Tadros, 10, was on board one of two helicopters involved in the crash at Sea World on 2 January.

His mother, Vanessa Tadros, British couple Ron and Diane Hughes, and pilot Ashley Jenkinson died after the two aircraft collided mid-air and one crashed into a sand bar.

Family friend Charlie Bakhos said the grade 5 student had suffered a “significant setback” and might need to have his right foot amputated after a surgical operation could not be completed.

The Bethany Catholic Primary School student remains in a critical but stable condition in Queensland Children’s hospital after waking from a coma last week.

The news came days after hundreds of mourners paid tribute to his mother at a funeral service at Saint John the Beloved at Mount Druitt, in Sydney’s west.

An online fundraiser for the family had raised more than $63,000 as of Saturday afternoon.

The results of a probe into the collision by the Air Transport Safety Bureau are not expected until at least September 2024.

The wreckage of two helicopters after a collision near Seaworld on the Gold Coast. Photograph: Dave Hunt/AAP

Updated at 23.53 EST

Power prices should rise by less than forecast

AAP reports:

Wholesale electricity costs should rise by less than half of earlier price spike predictions following government intervention in the market.

Updated treasury forecasts have prices in Queensland coming in at 44% lower than previously expected, while they are predicted to be 38% lower in NSW, 32% lower in South Australia and 29% lower in Victoria.

The government imposed a temporary 12-month price cap on gas at the end of last year to curb runaway prices.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said it would take time for the cap to flow through to some parts of the market:

Our intervention will help take some of the sting out of power prices for families and businesses.

This isn’t an overnight fix, it’s going to take some time, but it’s heartening to see the plan is already starting to work.

Updated at 23.24 EST

Queensland’s summer tourism booms post-Covid

It’s been a boom summer for tourism in Queensland, AAP report.

Summer holidaymakers are on track to pump more than $6bn into Queensland’s tourism economy, which is back on track after two seasons marred by Covid-19 restrictions.

Queensland and interstate tourists had generated 15m visitor nights in the month to January 10, up almost 2.5% on 2021, the state’s tourism minister Stirling Hinchliffe said.

“It’s not the full story yet … [but] we do see that there is a absolutely bumper outcome for Queensland’s tourism economy,” Hinchliffe told reporters at Shorncliffe, northeast of Brisbane.

“That’s going to be $3bn of output for the Queensland visitor economy.”

Updated at 23.13 EST

Tory Shepherd

New chair of Murdoch royal commission to be announced after Kevin Rudd steps down

A new chair for the Murdoch royal commission movement is set to be announced, and will be as high profile as the one who’s about to stand down – former prime minister Kevin Rudd.

Rudd will step down from Australians for a Murdoch Royal Commission because it clashes with his new role as Australia’s ambassador to the US.

A spokesperson for Rudd told Sky News it would be “incompatible” with his new role and that he was “confident that Australians for a Murdoch Royal Commission will thrive under a new chair as it continues the campaign against concentration of media ownership”.

The organisation’s national director, Kirsti Gorringe, said the next chair would “bring as much passion and expertise to the role” as Rudd, and was as widely recognised.

“I hope to be able to announce it soon,” she said.

Another former prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, has been a strong advocate of the proposed royal commission into Rupert Murdoch’s News Corps dominance of and behaviour in the Australian media.

Gorringe said the movement, based on a petition signed by more than 500,000 Australians, had many other passionate champions.

2023 will see it continuing to push for investigations, monitoring government policies, and having national and state conferences.

“This beast requires coming at it from all angles,” Gorringe said.

Updated at 22.56 EST

Who is “Chippy”? A profile of New Zealand’s incoming prime minister:

Updated at 22.44 EST

Sydney beaches closed after shark attacks dolphin

A dolphin has been attacked by a shark on Sydney’s northern beaches, forcing lifeguards to clear swimmers from the water.

All beaches between Shelley and Queenscliff were closed as a precaution, the Northern Beaches council said, after the attack. A council statement said:

Lifeguards will continue to monitor the situation and will only reopen the beaches when it is safe to do so.

Council urges any beach goers at Manly to adhere to beach safety warnings and stay out of the water at this time.

All relevant authorities have been notified.

The shark was reportedly a three-metre bull shark, and the dolphin had to be euthanised.

Updated at 22.41 EST

This seal had a ripping time in the Victorian town of Point Lonsdale on Friday afternoon

Australia and Serbia sign new social security agreement

Australia and Serbia have signed a new social security agreement that is set to improve access to retirement benefits for eligible people who have moved between the two countries.

The minister for social services, Amanda Rishworth, and the minister for foreign affairs, Penny Wong, released a statement heralding the agreement, which will come into effect in 2024.

The agreement was signed on Friday night in Belgrade by Daniel Emery, the Australian ambassador to Serbia, and Nikola Selakovic, the Serbian minister of labour, employment, veteran and social affairs.

Updated at 22.26 EST