Paterson: Liberals should ‘keep the door open’ to reforming Coalition

While noting that shadow portfolios previously held by the Nationals still need to be filled before parliament returns next week, James Paterson also said he thought the Liberal party should “should keep the door open to reforming with the National party in due course”.

But if it is to occur, it would have to take place on an agreed and shared understanding of the important principles of the Westminster system, including shadow cabinet solidarity.

You can read more about how the solidarity issue recently blew up here:

He says if both Liberal and National party rooms can agree on basic principles, they “can and should reform, regardless of who is leading us”.

“We must work together to fight for all Australian people … at the next election, rather than each other.”

James Paterson. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPShare

Updated at 16.02 EST

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Continuing on from that last post about Chinese investigators to help search for the man who burnt a baby in a Brisbane park.

Speaking in Canberra on Wednesday, the Chinese ambassador said a “working group” would travel to Brisbane to investigate the incident. Xiao said:

I’m not sure if I should announce this at this moment, but there’s going to be a working group from China coming to Brisbane.

We’re now preparing for the working group to come, so we are serious in addressing this concern, and we’re serious in taking the necessary actions.

Xiao said the team will work with Australian police to “see what exactly happened, how it happened, and how both sides can work together as a follow-up”.

Australian federal police have been working with Chinese authorities since the alleged attacker left the country on 31 August 2024.

There is no extradition treaty between Australia and China.

Queensland police service and Australian federal police said they are supportive of the delegation visiting Brisbane.

– AAP

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Updated at 16.44 EST

Chinese investigators to search for man who burnt baby

A Chinese team will visit Australia to help search for a man who randomly attacked a baby with hot coffee before fleeing the country, AAP reports.

China’s ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, announced on Wednesday that investigators will travel to Queensland to work with police to investigate the 33-year-old accused attacker.

The stranger allegedly dumped a Thermos of coffee on nine-month-old boy Luka at a Brisbane park on 27 August 2024, before fleeing to his home country.

Luka suffered horrific burns to his chest, neck and face and endured eight surgeries, including grafts and laser treatments.

Minutes after police discovered the man’s identity and released CCTV images of him, they learned he had flown to China 12 hours earlier.

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Updated at 16.43 EST

Aly says Morrison’s remarks on Islam ‘absolutely abhorrent’

Anne Aly was also asked for her response to former prime minister Scott Morrison using a speech in Israel to call for intervention in Islamic preaching and education, including a national register, in the wake of the Bondi beach terror attack.

I think it’s incredibly irresponsible, and I also think it’s incredibly disappointing because it draws on historical stereotypes and a historical trope that continually puts the blame and responsibility and the burden on Muslim communities whenever there is any form of a terrorist attack … This consistent seeking to blame the entire community, an entire faith community for the actions of two radicalised individuals to take advantage of something like the Bondi attack to sow seeds of discourse is absolutely abhorrent and should be rejected.

You can read more about Morrison’s comments, which have also been condemned by leading Islamic groups as “ill-infomed and “dangerous”, here:

The Australian National Imams Council yesterday also condemned comments from current Liberal senator and shadow minister Andrew Bragg, who endorsed Morrison’s comments on ABC radio.

Federal minister for multicultural affairs, Anne Aly. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAPShare

Updated at 16.37 EST

Anne Aly says it is ‘huge relief’ there were no casualties at Perth Invasion Day rally

Anne Aly, the minister for multicultural affairs, as well as a counter-terrorism expert, says she is relieved no one was hurt in the potential terrorist act as an improvised explosive device was thrown into a crowd at an Invasion Day rally in Perth.

She told ABC Radio her initial reaction when she heard about it:

Well, first of all, I guess it was relief, really, that nobody was hurt. When you throw an IED, an improvised explosive device, into a crowd, and if it’s a successful, it could have been a mass casualty attack. So the huge relief that nobody was hurt.

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Updated at 16.18 EST

Hogan says Littleproud has Nationals party room’s ‘complete support’

The deputy Nationals leader, Kevin Hogan, follows on ABC Radio. He says:

The distinction we need to draw here when we say David Littleproud has done X, Y, Z … David Littleproud [has] only done that because the room has agreed to do that and he has requested what is the room’s view … David Littleproud has never run off and done anything unless he has had the complete support of the Nationals party room.

He said there was understanding from the party room that this chain of events (leading to the break up of the Coalition) would unfold.

David Littleproud (right) and deputy leader of the Nationals, Kevin Hogan (left). Photograph: Darren England/AAPShare

Updated at 16.07 EST

Colin Boyce says he is not canvassing Nationals colleagues for support on leadership challenge

Straight up next on ABC Radio is Colin Boyce, the member for the regional Queensland seat of Flynn, who has announced he will challenge David Littleproud for the Nationals leadership.

Boyce says he is not canvassing colleagues for support. Asked how he plans to gain their backing for the leadership, he said:

They will think long and hard about our position.

He says he is not aware of anyone else intending to run for leadership but that it is still a “distinct possibility”.

Colin Boyce in 2023. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPShare

Updated at 15.59 EST

Paterson: Liberals should ‘keep the door open’ to reforming Coalition

While noting that shadow portfolios previously held by the Nationals still need to be filled before parliament returns next week, James Paterson also said he thought the Liberal party should “should keep the door open to reforming with the National party in due course”.

But if it is to occur, it would have to take place on an agreed and shared understanding of the important principles of the Westminster system, including shadow cabinet solidarity.

You can read more about how the solidarity issue recently blew up here:

He says if both Liberal and National party rooms can agree on basic principles, they “can and should reform, regardless of who is leading us”.

“We must work together to fight for all Australian people … at the next election, rather than each other.”

James Paterson. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPShare

Updated at 16.02 EST

Paterson backs Ley as Liberal leader, says she has ‘majority’ party room backing

The shadow finance minister, James Paterson, says he continues to support Liberal leader Sussan Ley amid this weeek’s rumours of a leadership challenge. Appearing on Radio National, he was sked if Ley still had his back to remain leader of the party:

“Yes, she does,” he replied.

I understand my responsibilities under the Westminster convention. The first responsibility, if you don’t support any leader, is to tell them, and the second responsibility is to resign. I haven’t done either, so you can assume I continue to support Sussan.

Paterson was then asked if he thought Ley would face a challenge “in the next weeek or so”.

I can’t predict what all of my colleagues may or may not do, but I can say that in my assessment, Sussan continues to enjoy the support of the majority of the party room.

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Updated at 15.47 EST

Otways communities under watch and act conditions

Communities in Gellibrand, Barongarook, Barongarook West, Carlisle River, Charleys Creek, Kawarren, Lovat and Wimba have been told they are under watch and act conditions, after an emergency-level warning was downgraded on Wednesday afternoon for areas in Victoria’s Otways region.

Residents are warned that it is not safe to return, with trees and debris blocking roads and creating hazards.

Tim Holland, the deputy incident controller at the Colac Incident Control Centre, said the priority over coming days is to get the community back into their homes as soon as it is safe to do so:

It has been a tough few weeks for community members and we’re really working to make roads safe from hazardous trees to get them back in.

Holland says crews continue to work around the region identifying areas where control lines can be put in during favourable weather conditions.

– AAP

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Updated at 15.57 EST

Risk of flare-up in Otways remains despite easing conditions

But first more, on those fires in the Otways from AAP:

While milder weather is helping firefighters gain the upper hand, Chris Hardman, the chief fire officer at Forest Fire Management Victoria, says the risk of a flare-up on fire grounds remains:

There is still a chance that this fire could run again within the next two or three weeks because of the nature of the season.

It’s so dry, you know. If we get some really good rainfall, that will be incredibly helpful, and that will build our confidence.

But the risk will be present … I would argue, at least for a couple of weeks.

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Updated at 15.42 EST

Nationals leadership challenger Colin Boyce will soon speak on ABC Radio

Speaking of that spill motion, stay tuned as we are expecting to soon hear from Colin Boyce, the Nationals MP who announced he will challenge David Littleproud for the leadership, on ABC Radio. Boyce yesterday launched the challenge after declaring the party was “committing political suicide” by ending the Coalition:

Colin Boyce. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPShare

Updated at 15.55 EST

In case you missed it last night, opposition leader Sussan Ley said David Littleproud rejected the offer of talks this week after Coalition breakup. The Nationals leader said a meeting will be scheduled once party’s spill motion is determined. You can catch up with the report from our political reporters:

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Good morning

Natasha May

Welcome to the Australia live news blog, it’s Natasha May here to guide you through today’s events.

Authorities are warning dry conditions could cause a large bushfire that ravaged communities in Victoria’s Otways to “run again” over the coming weeks. Amid milder weather, the threat has been downgraded for now after the blaze destroyed three homes and 16 other structures when a wind change occurred during severe heatwave conditions.

Around Walwa in the state’s north, near where fires are still burning, temperatures today are expected to climb into the 40s.

And in Melbourne, the women’s semi-final action will get under way at the Australian Open.

Let’s get into it.

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Updated at 15.21 EST