Australia news live: Liberal party room backs Ley’s leadership and should ‘keep the door open’ to reforming Coalition with Nationals, Paterson says | Australia news
Good morning
Natasha May
Welcome to the Australian live news blog. Natasha May I’m here to guide you through today’s events.
Authorities are warning that dry conditions could cause a major bushfire ravaging communities in the Victorian Otways to “escape again” in the coming weeks. The threat has been downgraded for now after the fire destroyed three homes and 16 other structures in milder weather when a wind shift occurred during severe heatwave conditions.
Around Walwa in the north of the state, near where the fires are occurring still burningTemperatures are expected to climb into the 40s today.
The women’s semi-finals of the Australian Open will begin in Melbourne.
Let’s get into it.
important events
National title hopeful Colin Boyce says he’s not fooling his colleagues
ABC Radio’s next program Colin Boyce, Member for the Queensland regional seat of Flynn who has announced he will challenge David a little proud for leadership.
Surprisingly, Boyce says he didn’t convince his colleagues. When asked how he plans to gain their support for leadership, he said:
They will think long and hard about our situation.
He said he wasn’t aware of anyone else planning to run for leadership, but said it was still a “distinct possibility.”
paterson He also says he wants to leave the door open to the re-establishment of the coalition. If both the Liberals and the National party room can agree on basic principles, he says, “they can and should reform regardless of who is leading us”.
Paterson backs Ley as Liberal leader and says he has ‘majority’ partyroom support
Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, James PatersonSays he continues to support Liberal leader Susan Ley amid rumors of a leadership challenge this week. During an appearance on Radio National he was asked whether Ley was still leading the party:
“Yes, it is,” he replied.
I understand my responsibilities under the Westminster Convention. If you do not support any leader, your first responsibility is to tell him/her, and your second responsibility is to resign. Neither did I, so you can assume I continued to support Sussan.
Paterson was then asked if he thought Ley would face a challenge “in the next week or so”.
I can’t predict what all my colleagues may or may not do, but I can say that in my assessment, Sussan continues to have the support of the majority of the party room.
Otways communities under conditions to monitor and take action
Communities in Gellibrand, Barongarook, Barongarook West, Carlisle River, Charleys Creek, Kawarren, Lovat and Wimba have been told they are under watch and take action conditions after the emergency alert for areas in Victoria’s Otways was downgraded on Wednesday afternoon.
Residents were warned it was unsafe to return as trees and debris were blocking roads and creating danger.
Tim Holland, The deputy incident control officer at Colac Incident Control Center said the priority in the coming days is to get the community back to their homes as soon as it is safe to do so:
It’s been a tough few weeks for community members and we’re really working to make roads safe so dangerous trees can move back in.
Holland said teams are continuing to work in the area to identify areas where control lines can be placed under suitable weather conditions.
-AAP
Otways flare-up risk remains despite conditions easing
But first, from AAP on the fires in the Otways:
While mild weather helps firefighters gain the upper hand, Chris Hardmanfire chief Bushfire Management Victoria says there remains a risk of flare-ups in fire areas:
Due to the nature of the season, there is still a chance that this fire will start again in the next two or three weeks.
It’s very dry, you know. If we get really good rainfall, that will be incredibly beneficial and will boost our confidence.
But the risk will be present … I will argue at least for a few weeks.
National leadership contender Colin Boyce to speak on ABC Radio soon
Speaking of this leak move, stay tuned as we expect to hear about it soon Colin BoyceNational Member of Parliament who announced that he would challenge David a little proud on ABC Radio for leadership. Boyce launched the challenge yesterday after declaring that the party had “committed political suicide” by ending the Coalition:
You may have missed last night, opposition leader Susan Ley in question David Littleproud He rejected an offer to meet this week following the collapse of the coalition. The National Party leader said a meeting will be held after the party’s motion is determined. You can access the report of our political reporters here:
Good morning
Natasha May
Welcome to the Australian live news blog. Natasha May I’m here to guide you through today’s events.
Authorities are warning that dry conditions could cause a major bushfire ravaging communities in the Victorian Otways to “escape again” in the coming weeks. The threat has been downgraded for now after the fire destroyed three homes and 16 other structures in milder weather when a wind shift occurred during severe heatwave conditions.
Around Walwa in the north of the state, near where the fires are occurring still burningTemperatures are expected to climb into the 40s today.
The women’s semi-finals of the Australian Open will begin in Melbourne.
Let’s get into it.
