Liberals and Nationals ‘do better when in coalition’, Leeser says
Liberal MP Julian Leeser has just been interviewed on the ABC. Asked about what comes next, he said:
The door is always open to putting the Coalition back together and what Sussan Ley has said today, I agree with her.
I have been a member of the Liberal party since I was 16, I follow political history very closely. We do better together as a political unit when we’re in coalition with the National party, that has been the history of our party.
I’m very sad they have this position because I disagree with the position, and clearly I disagree with it because I voted for the legislation alongside my party colleagues.
Key events
Aussie shares creep higher as gold resets record
Australian shares look set to end the week lower despite an easing of tensions between the United States and Europe, as the Aussie dollar hits 15-month highs, AAP reports.
The S&P/ASX200 was up 0.1% as the broader All Ordinaries gained 0.15%.
“Gold extended its rally for a fourth straight session … supported by ongoing policy uncertainty and growing expectations that (US) monetary conditions will ease,” Moomoo dealing manager Jimmy Tran said.
The ASX is on-track to shed roughly 0.5% for the week, after dipping as low as 1.5% earlier in the week as investors weighed a return of fresh US tariffs and harsh words between the US and its Nato allies.
Spot gold hit a new peak of $US4,963 ($A7,252) an ounce.
Investor concerns about lofty valuations on the ASX continue, particularly in its heavily weighted banks, with Morningstar analysts estimating the market is trading at a 9% premium to fair value.
Donna Lu
Australia’s worst heatwave since black summer made five times more likely by global heating, analysis finds
Human-caused global heating made the intense heatwave that affected much of Australia in early January five times more likely, a new analysis suggests.
The heatwave earlier this month was the most severe since the 2019-20 black summer, with temperatures over 40C in Melbourne and Sydney, even hotter conditions in regional Victoria and New South Wales and extreme heat also affecting Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania.
In Victoria, the heat preceded bushfires that burned through 400,000 hectares and destroyed almost 900 buildings.
A report by World Weather Attribution (WWA) suggests that the effect of greenhouse gas emissions outweighed the effects of a weak La Niña, which usually means milder temperatures across most of mainland Australia.
The report’s authors suggest that the climate crisis made the extreme heat about 1.6C hotter, while the La Niña likely lowered maximum temperatures by between 0.3 and 0.5C.
Read more here:
Thinktank calls for Hottest 100 to be ‘re-Aussified’ with increased arts funding
The Australia Institute says if latest trends hold true, the Triple J Hottest 100 holds a “bleak outlook for Australian music”.
The thinktank conducted a review of the annual poll, including last year’s results which featured just 27 Australian songs, the lowest number since 1994. The body called for more policy support meant to increase funding for the music industry, as well as better regulation of streaming services.
Rod Campbell, research director at the Australia Institute, said in a statement:
The decline of Australian songs in the Triple J Hottest 100 is caused by lack of funding and governments’ failure to regulate streaming services. It’s not that Australians don’t want to listen to Australian music, the problem is the world has changed and Australian governments aren’t changing with it to give Australian artists a fair go …
Arts funding in Australia is low by international standards. If you consider the basic economic theory of subsidising things we want and taxing things we don’t, our governments are choosing to allow the slow death of Australian music.
Liberals and Nationals ‘do better when in coalition’, Leeser says
Liberal MP Julian Leeser has just been interviewed on the ABC. Asked about what comes next, he said:
The door is always open to putting the Coalition back together and what Sussan Ley has said today, I agree with her.
I have been a member of the Liberal party since I was 16, I follow political history very closely. We do better together as a political unit when we’re in coalition with the National party, that has been the history of our party.
I’m very sad they have this position because I disagree with the position, and clearly I disagree with it because I voted for the legislation alongside my party colleagues.
Cait Kelly
Federal government urged to plug social housing shortfall
National housing campaign Everybody’s Home is urging the federal government to make 2026 the year it significantly stumps up funding to plug the social housing shortfall, as an affordable housing scheme comes to an end.
More than 4,500 affordable homes will exit the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS), this year – the final lot of the more than 36,000 affordable homes that have phased out of the scheme over the past decade.
The NRAS rentals will take years to be replaced by the 40,000 social and affordable homes set to be built under the federal government’s Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF).
Everybody’s Home spokesperson Maiy Azize said:
The number of social and affordable homes the federal government plans to build in the next few years is barely replacing what’s already been lost.
Affordable rentals are vanishing faster than social housing is being built, leaving tens of thousands of households worse off.
Australia already has a social housing shortfall of 640,000 homes and demand is only growing. Losing thousands more affordable rentals only further deepens the crisis.
Twelve-year-old Sydney shark attack victim remains in critical condition
Ima Caldwell
Critical condition of 12-year-old shark attack victim remains unchanged
There have been no changes to the condition of the 12-year-old attacked by a shark in Sydney Harbour on Sunday, Sydney Children’s hospital and NSW police confirmed on Friday morning.
The victim, named as Nico Antic in an online fundraiser, was in a critical condition after he was bitten on both legs by a shark after jumping off high rocks located on the Hermitage foreshore walk between Milk beach and Shark beach at Nielsen Park in Vaucluse.
The incident was the first of four shark bites on the New South Wales coast in 48 hours. Experts have linked the spike in attacks to intense rainfall causing murky water on the coast and beaches.
David “Sharky” Baxter, founder of Marine Life Rangers, said bull sharks are attracted to these conditions: “The water is dark from rain, run-off from drains and creeks, with plenty of dead eels and animals to eat.
“From a scientific point of view, conditions are perfect for another shark encounter.”
Police urge public not to approach suspect after shooting in NSW town
Police have urged the public to report any information about a suspect after three people were shot dead in the New South Wales town of Lake Cargelligo on Thursday afternoon.
Officials said more than 100 police are in the area, including tactical units, air resources and traffic and highway patrol.
Andrew Holland, of NSW police’s western regional command, said the public should consider the suspect, Julian Ingram, armed and dangerous. Holland told ABC News earlier:
The biggest thing is that their safety is of paramount concern. Please do not approach as he is considered armed and dangerous.
Holland said the public should pass on any information about Ingram’s whereabouts, or sightings of his vehicle, to crime stoppers, triple zero or police in the area.
Lifesavers warn of increased drowning risk over long weekend
Surf lifesavers are warning beachgoers to take care in the ocean this weekend, warning drowning risk increases on Australia Day weekend.
Surf Life Saving New South Wales said lifesavers are anticipating more than 1 million people could head to the coast over the next three days, with temperatures forecast to reach into the high 20s and early 30s. The body said:
All of this is a dangerous mix of ingredients which sees the coastal drowning risk climb by more than three times on public holidays, while that risk is even higher again on Australia Day specifically.
SLSNSW has expanded drone patrols across the state, particularly after the four shark attacks in 48 hours.
Since 1 December, there have been 12 coastal drowning across NSW.
Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steven Pearce said in a statement:
Enjoy the weekend but make sure that if you’re heading to the beach, visit a patrolled location and only swim between the red and yellow flags.
More Aussies get Oscars nods, for best original song and production design
Continuing on from our post on Oscar nominations…
Actors Rose Byrne and Jacob Elordi are leading an Aussie onslaught in Hollywood, with both receiving their first Oscar nominations.
AAP reports the pair are joined by a third Australian in line for a major gong with Nick Cave getting a surprise shot at best original song. Cave was nominated for the title song to Clint Bentley’s film Train Dreams, which stars Australian actor Joel Edgerton.
Australian costume and production designer Fiona Crombie has also been nominated for an Oscar this year, in the best production design category, for her work on Hamnet.
Federal public service commissioner Gordon de Brouwer resigns
Tom McIlroy
In a surprise move, the federal public service commissioner, Gordon de Brouwer, said he had written to the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and the presiding officers of parliament to resign, effective as of 13 February.
“After almost 4 years of intense work on further strengthening the public service, I have made the decision with my family to move on and contribute in a different way,” he said.
Our public service is a national institution – indeed, a national treasure – that plays a vital role in our democracy. Over the past few years, I have had the extraordinary opportunity and privilege to work alongside colleagues across the service on significant institutional change to support capability and integrity in the public service.
De Brouwer said departmental capability reviews, doubling the participation of Indigenous Australians in the bureaucracy and lifting performance standards have been highlights of his tenure.
Public servants are great people, dedicated to improving and protecting the lives of Australians and our natural world. In my commissioner roles, I have seen firsthand the character, professionalism and people-centred approach of public servants in their everyday service.
He said he would continue to contribute to public policy and governance and be active in other areas.
Amanda Meade
Four Corners to air special on Bondi attack
The ABC has announced a two-part special on the Bondi massacre will air on Four Corners on Monday 2 and 9 February.
Reporter Mark Willacy has spoken to survivors and families of victims to bring the “definitive account” of the antisemitic attack on Jewish Australians.
Using firsthand accounts and verified documentary evidence, the program will examine Australia’s deadliest terrorist attack which left 15 people dead. “Light Over Darkness” will also examine how the tragedy has shattered the nation’s sense of security and ask what must now be done to prevent it happening again.
You can watch the YouTube promo here:
Victoria in for extended period of heat from Saturday to Tuesday
Victoria is in for a long period of heat between Saturday and Tuesday, leading to elevated fire danger and heatwave warnings.
VicEmergency notes temperatures are forecast to hit 43C in Mildura and 40C in Melbourne tomorrow before a cool change moves through. Hot weather will likely return on Tuesday, with temperatures forecast to hit 48C in Ouyen and 44C in Melbourne’s outer suburbs.
People are being urged to stay hydrated and cool, and think about traveling to public pools or air conditioned places if they can’t do so at home.
Victoria still has seven major fires burning across the state, three of which are not yet under control.
Tim Wiebusch, the emergency management commissioner, said in a statement:
Plan your days around the heat. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water and are staying cool. If you are at our various lakes and rivers or by the beaches, please swim between the yellow and red flags.
Don’t be one of those people who unfortunately becomes a tragic loss over our long weekends as we’ve seen in the past.
Littleproud says Ley ‘broke the Coalition’ by accepting Nationals resignations
Nationals leader David Littleproud spoke to the Today Show earlier this morning, where he maintained the Coalition split was something the party tried to avoid.
He said:
This was something that we tried to avert. … Sussan Ley broke the Coalition when she accepted those three resignations. We didn’t have to get to this juncture. We can’t go to parliament and not expect to go and vote and vote against legislation we don’t support and just be appeasing. …
Our party room debated and in totality our room got to a position we couldn’t support the bill. So, we had every right to oppose the bill despite the Liberals supporting it. That was their right, and I respected that.
Littleproud added he is “disappointed” the Coalition is at this point, but laid blame at Ley’s feet.
Deputy opposition leader expects Ley to be leader this time next week
Ted O’Brien, the deputy leader of the opposition, said Sussan Ley has his full support and he expects her to be leader this time next week.
O’Brien was asked if Ley would remain leader, and if she had the support of the Liberal party room. He told ABC’s AM:
I know there’s a lot of commentary on this… yes, she will. I think the real focus here is Australia’s going in the wrong direction right now. I think the everyday Australian knows that. …
I support the Coalition coming back together, because it is in the national interest. It is the only way that we can get the nation going back in the right direction. …
But you don’t just form a Coalition without any commitments. There has to be a rock solid commitment to work together as one team.
He said it could take “some time” for the Coalition to sort through its differences and reunite.
Jordyn Beazley
Three people dead and alleged gunman still at large after shooting in NSW town
A manhunt is still underway after a four people were shot, three fatally, in New South Wales’s central western region.
NSW police were called to Bokhara Street in Lake Cargelligo, about 240km south-west of Dubbo, at 4.20pm on Thursday and found two people suffering gun wounds.
The woman, 25, and the man, 19, were treated at the scene but died.
Police said they were also called to Walker Street after reports of another shooting – where they found an injured woman, 50, and a man, 19.
The woman died at the scene, while the man was taken to the hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Police said overnight a number of specialist police personal had been flown in by PolAir and the defence force, including tactical operations unit, negotiators and homicide investigators.
The alleged perpetrator, Julian Ingram, 37, remained missing and was believed to be “on the move” in a vehicle.
Read more:
‘I don’t feel like things have improved’ since last schism, Nampijinpa Price said
Insiders from both parties believe this split will last much longer than the previous week-long rupture following Labor’s landslide election victory in May, AAP reports.
Firebrand conservative senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who moved from the Nationals party room to the Liberals after the election, has previously said she does not have confidence in Ley’s leadership.
“I made it very clear that obviously the leader had lost trust in me, lost faith in me, and I suppose I felt the same at the time,” she told Sky News on Thursday night.
I don’t feel like things have improved.
Webster added the Coalition could “absolutely” come back together, despite a “shambolic” and “stressful” week.
Nationals MP says feedback from supporters is mostly ‘thank you’
When asked about the timing of the Coalition dissolution yesterday and whether it was respectful as Australia marked a day of mourning for the Bondi attack victims, Nationals MP Anne Webster told ABC RN it was “unfortunate” timing, but that “the feedback I have received is thank you”.
I have certainly been asked by a lot of people for some time now to separate from the Liberal party. So, the feedback that I receive, and it’s my electorate that I speak to, then they are okay with what happened.
And you know, most people went to work yesterday. Politics is our work. We have a job to do.
Shadow communications minister acknowledges Australians ‘pretty unhappy’ with Coalition
When asked how long Sussan Ley will last as leader, the shadow communication minister, Melissa McIntosh, said she backed her leader but acknowledged Australians were “pretty unhappy” with the Coalition. Speaking on Sky News this morning, she said:
We ended the week talking about ourselves again, which is very disappointing.
When asked if Ley will be challenged, McIntosh said it was ultimately up to the party room but she “wasn’t making any phone calls”. Speaking broadly to the Coalition’s split, she said:
It doesn’t look good… our marriage has broken up twice in a year. I’m a Coalitionist and I really value the relationship.
I know we’re bleeding votes … the reason why we’re doing that is what’s happening right now.
