Stories from Australia

Polling has opened for voters on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula to elect a new member of a state parliament in the Napian by-election. The Liberal Party is attempting to retain the seat. The by-election was triggered by the resignation of former tennis player and deputy leader Sam Groth. Jess Wilson stated the party needs to listen to voters and learn lessons ahead of the statewide election in November. The results for One Nation candidate Darren Hurst were also noted in the Napian by-election. The seat is located south of Melbourne.

A childcare centre in Maroubra, located in Sydney's south east, is reopening nearly 18 months after an anti-semitic arson attack. The building was set alight and spray-painted with anti-semitic graffiti in January last year.

Southeast Australia is experiencing out-of-season fire dangers due to hot and dry weather conditions. Authorities advise caution with all outdoor activities as these conditions have the potential to start blazes.

The Bureau of Meteorology reported dozens of maximum temperature records were set across southeastern Australia for the month of May. Temperatures in Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, and New South Wales reached 10 to 12 degrees higher than typical seasonal averages.

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) inappropriately distributed approximately $3.7 billion during the last financial year. Senior official John Dardo made the statement during a parliamentary inquiry.

Amber Jade Sanderson stated that emergency powers activated last month to compel companies to report stock and distribution levels have been invaluable. The specialist officers from detective Zend's unit raided Dr Rezra Dibbs' Burley Heads unit.

Australian statistical agency data for June 2025 shows the country has 27.6 million residents. Approximately 8.8 million people, or 32% of the population, were born outside of Australia.

Two children and three adults were taken to hospital following a motel fire in Strathfield South, Sydney. Fire crews attended the scene around 10:00 PM overnight. The fire is believed to have started in a mattress on the second floor of the motel. Approximately 100 people were evacuated from the premises. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. It is believed a mattress caught light, causing the blaze. No specific location within Sydney or cause of ignition was confirmed.

Clashes have broken out in Alice Springs, located in central Australia, between the Aboriginal community and security forces. The source reported that the area is experiencing violence and confrontations.

A 16-kilometre flood levee system constructed by the government has reportedly funneled floodwaters onto north-western properties. Phil Frisop, president of the Kanaavan Growers Association, stated that the majority of his ground crops have been wiped out.