Adeshola Ore (now) and Nick Visser (earlier)
2026-01-27 05:39:00
Victoria heat record smashed as temperature hits 48.9C in state’s north-west
Lisa Cox
Victoria appears to have recorded its hottest day with preliminary weather observations showing temperatures have hit 48.9C in Walpeup and Hopetoun in the state’s north-west.
The temperature observations in the Mallee towns were recorded close to 4pm on Tuesday afternoon, exceeding the previous highest daily maximum temperature for the state of 48.8C in Hopetoun on Black Saturday in 2009.
The temperature will need to be validated by the Bureau of Meteorology overnight before it is confirmed as a state record. Other locations, including Ouyen Post Office, rely on manual observations, which will not be available until after 9am on Wednesday.
A Bureau of Meteorology spokesperson said:
Records will be confirmed when official numbers are available from 9am AEDT tomorrow.
Key events
Krishani Dhanji
Nations lash Australia on human rights record at UN
More than 120 countries lined up overnight at the United Nations to criticise Australia’s human rights record, making about 350 recommendations – raising concerns over the treatment of First Nations people and calling for the age of criminal responsibility to be raised.
Germany and France were among 40 countries who called on Australia to raise the age of criminal responsibility to at least 14 – from the current age of 10 in many states and territories – and highlighting that First Nations children are disproportionately affected. That was an increase from the 30 countries who called for Australia to take that action at the last review in 2021.
More than 10 countries also called for the government to legislate a Human Rights Act.
China – whose own human rights record has been deeply criticised – was scathing of Australia’s treatment of First Nations people and refugees and asylum seekers, calling for an end to offshore detention. The major UN human rights review takes place every five years.
Caitlin Reiger, chief executive at the Human Rights Law Centre, said Australia should adopt a Human Rights Act:
The review of Australia’s human rights record has laid bare the harsh reality and immense challenges that too many people live with … The Albanese Government must legislate an Australian Human Rights Act. It is the fundamental missing piece in Australia’s human laws and will ensure everyone is treated with dignity, equality and respect.
Body found during search for missing fisher on NSW south coast
NSW police say a man’s body has been found during a search for a missing fisher on the state’s south coast.
On Monday, a missing person report was made about two rock fishers who travelled from southern Sydney to the NSW south coast and failed to return. Officers from the Lake Illawarra police station commenced a search yesterday.
At about 2.45pm today, the body of a man was found north of the Black Head Reserve, police said.
The body is yet to be formally identified, but police said it was believed to be that of the missing fisher. A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Police are continuing to investigate if the body of a man found at about 4pm on Sunday belongs to the second fisher reported msising.
Stephanie Convery
What does 48C actually feel like?
I am a Melbourne resident, usually, which you ought to keep in mind as there is a lot to be said for being acclimatised to the heat, and physical experiences are always a bit subjective.
At the same time, it is immediately obvious when you walk outside here in Ouyen why health authorities warn about the health dangers of extreme temperatures like this, even for healthy, able-bodied people.
Heat like this feels like being smothered. Even in the shade, it pushes insistently on to you – on your chest, through your clothes, down your throat.
You can feel your body slowing everything down to cope. A few seconds in the sun is enough to break a sweat. Everything feels like it’s swelling. And it’s nauseating – even more so if you haven’t slept well.
Three homes believed to have been destroyed by fire in Otways, says chief fire officer
Returning to Victoria’s heatwave, Chris Hardman, the chief fire officer at Forest Fire Management Victoria, says three homes are believed to have been destroyed by Carlisle River fire in the Otways.
Emergency authorities have warned that a wind change within the hour is expected to exacerbate the fire.
Speaking to reporters a little earlier, Hardman said it was not clear whether the structures were primary homes.
He says this is based on preliminary information and impact assessments will be conducted when it is safe to do so.
Amanda Meade
‘Compromised staff account’ resulted in photos of adult performers being posted on ABC News Facebook, broadcaster says
Turning away from weather updates for a moment, the cover image for ABC News’ Facebook page for a brief period on Tuesday was a photograph of British porn star Bonnie Blue in a pink bikini.
Other random photographs including one of OnlyFans adult performer Lily Phillips and a shot of prime minister Anthony Albanese eating a hotdog were also posted.
The culprit appears to be a hacker who got hold of a staffer’s ABC Facebook account, and the images were quickly deleted.
An ABC News spokesperson told Guardian Australia:
Earlier today, a compromised staff account resulted in unauthorised access to the ABC News Facebook page, where several images were briefly posted.
Access was quickly secured, the content removed, and an investigation is underway to review and strengthen our security controls.
Victoria’s emergency services minister, Vicki Ward, has thanked locals who have followed emergency warnings and left early.
Confronting a fire behind your house, in front of your house, down the road, is one of the most terrifying experiences you will endure, and it will leave you with lasting trauma.
Hardman warns that between 4 and 5pm today a strong south-westerly wind change is expected to exacerbate the Carlisle River fire:
We will see erratic and extreme fire behaviour.
The key message for these fires is always follow the warning of emergency services.
Hardman says the Carlisle River fire in the Otways has challenged firefighters since it breached containment lines on Saturday. It has more than doubled in size and is now larger than 10,000 hectares in size.
He says the fire has spotted outside its original containment lines today.
Chris Hardman, the chief fire officer at Forest Fire Management Victoria, says the state’s heat conditions are making conditions “incredibly difficult” for firefighters.
At the Walwa-Mt Lawson fire, in the state’s north-east, winds are “not significant” but fire activity has increased.
Locals in Dargo, where the Dargo/Wonnangatta fire is burning, will see increased smoke. But Hardman says there is no immediate risk of threat to communities in this area.
Hardman stresses conditions can change and urges locals to stay across VicEmergency warnings.
Victoria’s chief health officer, Dr Caroline McElnay, has urged people to be aware of the early signs of heat-related illness and “take action if you see those”.
She says some of the signs include dry mouth, dehydration and an altered mental state. People experiencing these symptoms should move to a cool area and take fluids.
McElnay says the next stage can include muscle cramps and dizziness. She says at this point a person may want to seek medical advice and dial Nurse-on-Call.
She says those most at risk of from prolonged heat exposure are people aged 65 and over, those with underlying health conditions, pregnant women, babies and children.
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