Australia news live: three states braces for extreme heat; remains of missing snorkeller wash ashore on WA beach | Australia news
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Inflation data will be announced at 11.30
According to the Australian Associated Press, the first economic outlook of the year may show a slowdown in inflation, but this may not be enough to prevent the Central Bank from increasing interest rates.
Hopes for further interest rate relief have been dashed by a resurgence of inflation in the second half of 2025; Analysts and bond traders predict the central bank’s next move will be bullish rather than bearish.
Economists’ expectations Australian Bureau of Statistics will announce today that the consumer price index fell from 3.8% to 3.6% in November.
More importantly, NAB senior economist Taylor Nugent It predicts the less volatile adjusted average figure will rise 0.3% for the month or 3.3% annually.
Wednesday’s update will have limited relevance to the RBA, given that it will be replaced by December quarter inflation data ahead of its February board meeting.
But a 0.3% increase in the trimmed average would put the quarterly figure on track for a 0.9% increase, which would be “too hot for comfort” for the RBA, Nugent said.
Given that this would be 15 basis points higher than the RBA’s last forecast, NAB predicts the board will be forced to raise rates in February, with another increase likely in May.
November CPI will rise due to the timing of the expiration of some energy rebates.
But the RBA will be less concerned with such temporary factors and will pay more attention to more permanent items such as new housing costs and market services.
Eelemarni Close Brown
As Eastern Australia prepares for a long spell of heat this week, here’s how to keep cool at home during the heatwave.
If you have blinds or curtains, especially on east and west facing windows, turning them off early in the day It will limit thermal radiation from heating your home.
Like trapping heat in the colder months, closing interior doors will ensure that cool air stays where you need it most, while the door snake will prevent cold air from escaping and warm air from entering.
Take your meals outside using a barbecue or camping stove, and try to limit using your oven and dishwasher during the day, as appliances can produce heat.
On Tuesday afternoon, Victoria’s deputy chief health officer, Dr. Evelyn Wong also suggested “wearing loose, lightweight clothing, keeping your skin wet with a spray bottle or damp sponge, or taking a cool shower.”
Temperature data sheet for the city of Sydney She recommends purchasing cold packs to store in the freezer, or filling a sandwich bag with water and freezing for an easy homemade alternative.
Here’s the full story:
Human remains found at WA Beach after snorkeler believed to be lost
Human remains washed ashore on a Western Australian beach are believed to be those of a missing 32-year-old snorkeler.
The man was reported missing from Ledge Point beach, north of Perth, on New Year’s Day afternoon. Despite intensive searches in the air and at sea, he could not be found.
WA police said just after 7am on Tuesday police were told the remains had washed ashore at Fence Reef Beach, north of Ledge Point.
While official identification has not yet been completed, police believe he is the missing man.
His death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
Penry Buckley
Worst heatwave since Black Summer bushfires predicted
Parts of southern and eastern Australia are bracing for extreme temperatures in the first few days of what is expected to be the worst heatwave since the Black Summer bushfires.
Victoria and South Australia are forecast to bear the brunt of the heat today, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Most parts of Victoria are expected to be in the mid-40s, while Melbourne is expected to reach 42C, the first 40C January day since 2020. Temperatures are expected to rise to 46C in northern Victoria.
The BoM said Adelaide would experience maximum temperatures of 42C on Wednesday, with temperatures remaining in the low 40s in the metropolitan area until Thursday.
Temperatures in South Australia’s coastal city of Port Augusta and Tarcoola in the far north are forecast to rise as high as 47C by Thursday.
Western NSW will share the high temperatures on Wednesday, with Broken Hill expected to reach 42°C, but Sydney is not expected to hit the high 30s and low 40s until the end of the week.
BoM’s Angus Hines told the Guardian Australia temperature records could be broken this week.
There will be many places to see temperature records. Most places with a really long data history will potentially be a notch or so below all-time records, but I would guess that some areas with slightly shorter data histories could break some records.
The BoM has warned of the risk of heat-induced fire danger later in the week, with dry thunderstorms and windier conditions expected to increase the risk. Widespread total fire bans are expected, with people warned to charge their devices in case of power outages and watch for signs of heatstroke.
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Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I Martin Farrer with the best night stories and then Nick Visser will take the reins.
Parts of southern and eastern Australia are bracing for extreme temperatures in the first few days of what is expected to be the worst heatwave since the Black Summer bushfires. More details in a moment.
The first economic outlook of the year comes at 11.30am today and is expected to show inflation slowing from 3.8% to 3.6%; But this is perhaps not enough to prevent the Central Bank from increasing interest rates. More is coming.
And human remains believed to be a snorkeler who went missing on New Year’s Day washed up on a Western Australian beach.
