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What we learned today, Monday 26 January
It’s time to wind down our live news coverage. Here’s what’s been keeping us busy today:
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, officiated at a large citizenship ceremony in Canberra this morning and took the opportunity to make a case for Australian “unity, not division”.
Ted O’Brien, the deputy leader of the opposition, said while it had been a “tough week” for the Liberal party, he did not believe there would be a leadership spill. Leader Sussan Ley, meanwhile, dismissed the speculation as a “media frenzy”.
Multiple beaches were closed after shark sightings in Sydney.
In Sydney, a man was arrested and was expected to be charged with hate speech after allegedly making antisemitic comments at the March for Australia protest in Moore Park. Despite the arrest, police said most protesters were peaceful.
About 10,000 people marched in Sydney’s Invasion Day rally, which began with a minute’s silence for Lake Cargelligo shooting victims Sophie Quinn, John Harris and Nerida Quinn.
In Melbourne, riot police moved in after anti-immigration protesters clashed with Invasion Day marchers.
Perth’s Invasion Day protest descended into chaos when police were forced to move the crowd after a “threat” was made in Forrest Place. One person was taken into custody over the incident.
Senator Pauline Hanson appeared at Brisbane’s March for Australia rally, where the One Nation leader and veteran politician was mobbed by fans.
More than 300 firefighters were engaged in a ground and air assault on Victoria’s Otways bushfire, with tomorrow’s heatwave conditions expected to heighten its danger. VicEmergency urged residents near the Otways fire to evacuate immediately.
Thank you, as ever, for joining us. We’ll be back bright and early tomorrow with more breaking news.
Updated at 02.19 EST
Sarah Collard
Estimated 1,000 people at Invasion Day rally where ‘threat’ was made
Some more accounts of the Perth Invasion Day rally incident, with Noongar photographer Cole Baxter saying he estimates there were about 1,000 people in attendance this afternoon.
Baxter told Guardian Australia that it made for a “tense environment” before things began to settle and the attenders continued after changing their route:
Those environments, they’re already prone to be stressful and triggering, whether or not something super crappy is happening, so it made it even more tense.
Eventually it just did its normal trajectory and did its normal thing and it ended up being a pretty good showing.
Updated at 02.13 EST
Penry Buckley
‘Vast majority’ of Sydney protesters peaceful, say police
Returning to the NSW police protest update, the assistant commissioner Brett McFadden said that the “vast … overwhelming majority” of crowds had gathered today without incident, but drew attention to two other arrests.
He said a 17-year-old boy was arrested in Bondi for allegedly assaulting police, and a 28-year-old man, who had previously been charged with domestic violence-related matters, was arrested at Victoria Park “and was currently assisting police with inquiries unrelated to the protest”.
Asked if anyone was removed from the March for Australia because they had been prohibited from attending, including former National Socialist Network members, McFadden said:
All I can say is another individual has been served with a public safety order today who was removed from the event and voluntarily with police was escorted outside the precinct.
McFadden said police estimated about 2,000 people had attended the March for Australia, while 10,000 had attended Invasion Day protests.
Updated at 01.47 EST
Sarah Collard
‘Chaos’ in Perth as police move on Invasion Day protesters
We’re hearing reports of some chaotic scenes at Perth’s Invasion Day rally after police moved on protesters who were gathered at Forrest Place in the CBD.
One attender, Jade Cameron, said there was “chaos” as police moved everyone out of the square but there were few details being released at the time.
“They tried to get the elders and everyone from going into Forrest Place but we didn’t know why, they refused to let us have our usual ceremony,” she told Guardian Australia.
She continued:
We are deciding to push on and do circles all through the street, we managed to get the elders away and safe and proceed through.
It’s pretty rowdy at the back but we are still pushing through at the main circle.
If there was a bomb threat, that’s why they wanted everyone out of there.
WA police have said in a statement they are responding to reports of a threat in Forrest Place with “significant police resources being deployed to the area”.
They are urging members of the public to stay away.
Updated at 01.43 EST
Man arrested over alleged antisemitic speech at Sydney March for Australia protestPenry Buckley
A 31-year-old man has been arrested and is expected to be charged with hate speech after allegedly antisemitic comments he made during an open mic at the March for Australia protest in Moore Park in Sydney.
In a statement this afternoon, police said they had stopped and arrested the man on Bourke Street about 2.50pm.
In a livestreamed video from the open mic, the man, who is wearing a black T-shirt with a “Celtic cross”, a known neo-Nazi symbol, and carrying an Australian flag, takes to the stage and makes a series of antisemitic comments, to cheers from the crowd.
He ends the speech: “Free Joel Davis, hail White Australia and hail Thomas Sewell.”
Speaking at a press conference just now, the NSW assistant commissioner Brett McFadden said the man was expected to be charged under 93ZAA of the NSW Crimes Act, the offence for publicly inciting hatred on the grounds of race.
We will allege that the language he used, his presence, was clearly, unequivocally assigned with neo-Nazi ideology, and his presence and language cited a response from the crowd, generating hate towards a particular group in our community.
McFadden would not comment on whether the man was known to be a member of the former National Socialist Network.
Updated at 02.20 EST
One person in custody after ‘threat’ in Perth
Over to Western Australia, where a police incident is unfolding in the centre of Perth.
Police said officers were responding to reports of a threat in Forrest Place, which is the site of today’s Invasion Day rally.
Significant police resources have been deployed to the area, and an exclusion zone has been established.
Members of the public are asked to stay away from the area and await further advice.
One person is in custody and assisting police with inquiries, police said.
Updated at 01.01 EST
Tony Abbott says 26 January ‘always was, always will be’ Australia Day
Tony Abbott has chosen to mark 26 January with a cold beer, an Australian flag and an Aboriginal rallying cry.
The former prime minister posted a photo to Instagram of himself holding a XXXX beer accompanied by the caption:
Happy Australia Day! Always was, always will be.
The slogan “always was, always will be” has long been associated with the Aboriginal land rights movement and Indigenous sovereignty and featured heavily in the day’s Invasion Day rallies across the country.
Updated at 00.44 EST
Petra Stock
Victoria’s chief health officer warns of dangers of extreme heat
Victoria’s chief health officer, Dr Caroline McElnay, says prolonged heat, together with high overnight temperatures, pose an increased risk of heat-related illness.
“Extreme heat can affect anyone, and we’re urging Victorians to take simple steps to stay safe. Keep cool, stay hydrated, plan your day around the heat, and check in on family, friends and neighbours, particularly those aged 65 or older, young children, pregnant women and anyone with chronic health issues,” she says.
She continues:
We’re asking everyone to take the heat seriously. Know the risks, look out for one another, and never leave children, adults or pets in parked cars.
Heat‑related illness can come on quickly, so it’s important to know the warning signs. The telltale symptoms include heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, headache, pale or clammy skin, or feeling unusually weak or confused. If someone shows signs of heatstroke, such as very high body temperature, red hot skin, confusion or loss of consciousness, call triple zero (000) immediately.
Updated at 00.16 EST
Otways fire at risk of breaking its containment lines tomorrow
Staying with the Otways bushfire in Victoria, where we have an update from fire authorities.
“We have about 300 firefighters currently in the park at the moment trying to contain this fire,” the deputy incident controller, Alistair Drayton, told reporters a short time ago.
Drayton said firefighters were engaged in a ground and air assault on the 9,000-plus-hectare fire and tomorrow’s heatwave conditions would deliver added dangers.
He said:
The real risk tomorrow is the weather coming in. We are going to be seeing hot conditions tomorrow with a gusty wind change coming through late tomorrow afternoon.
There is a real risk that this fire will tomorrow break its lines. That is the risk that we’re concerned with at the moment and we’re asking people to enact their fire safety plans to ensure that they are made safe.
A group of Canadian firefighters are on their way to support Australian firefighters in the Otways, he said.
Updated at 00.33 EST
Otways residents advised to evacuate immediately
The earlier watch and act “prepare to act” warning for residents near the Otways bushfire in Victoria has been upgraded to a “leave now” notice.
VicEmergency said the “evacuate immediately” warning had been issued for Barramunga, Barwon Downs, Mount Sabine, Olangolah East, Tanybryn and Upper Gellibrand.
There is a bushfire at Carlisle River that is not under control. For your safety and to help emergency services, you need to evacuate before sunset today.
Updated at 23.39 EST
Andrew Messenger
Pauline Hanson speaks at Brisbane rally
Senator Pauline Hanson has just stepped on to the stage at Brisbane’s March for Australia rally.
Hanson was welcomed on stage by the Hoodoo Gurus song What’s My Scene, played by a live band, as a substantial crowd waved the red ensign, One Nation flags and the Australian flag. The crowd chanted her name as she stepped up to the mic.
The One Nation leader and veteran politician was mobbed at the event, allowing several people to take a selfie with her.
Victorian senator Ralph Babet also spoke.
Pauline Hanson at the March for Australia rally in Brisbane. Photograph: Darren England/AAPMarch for Australia attenders greet the One Nation leader. Photograph: Darren England/AAPShare
Updated at 01.22 EST
Daisy Dumas
Good afternoon and thanks, as ever, Nick Visser. I’ll be bringing you the rest of the day’s breaking news.
Share
Nick Visser
That’s all from me. Daisy Dumas will take things from here. Enjoy the rest of your day.
ShareGold’s historic milestone amid Trump chaos
Patrick Commins
Gold has jumped above $US5,000 an ounce for the first time, as investors continue to pile into the precious metal amid fears Donald Trump’s chaotic policies will trigger a financial market meltdown.
This morning’s historic milestone comes as Trump threatened Canada with 100% tariffs if America’s northern neighbour “makes a deal with China”, and after Democrats warned of another government shutdown.
The price of gold, which last traded at $US5,074 an ounce, according to Bloomberg, has doubled over the past two years.
It jumped by an extraordinary 72% last year – the biggest rise since 1979 – and is already up 17% in 2026 as investors seek out the traditional safe haven in an increasingly volatile environment.
Last week, silver topped $100 an ounce for the first time, and for similar reasons.
Driving demand for gold is the so-called “debasement trade”: fears that the world’s number one currency, the US dollar, will eventually collapse under the weight of America’s huge debt and deficits.
Evidence of this “sell America” trade came last week when Danish pension fund AkademikerPension announced it would sell its holding of US bonds, blaming weak US government finances.
Updated at 23.03 EST
Anne Davies
Sydney March for Australia draws thousands
About 2,000 people waving and wearing Australian flags marched from Central station through the heart of Surry Hills to Moore Park as part of the anti-immigration March for Australia.
The route was chosen to keep demonstrators well separated from the Invasion Day rallies but surprised locals in inner-city Surry Hills.
At Moore Park participants listened to grievance-filled speeches where speakers warned of the replacement of white people due to Australia’s immigration policies and failure to protect Australia’s white heritage.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, was singled out by some in the crowd who chanted “Albo is a traitor”.
The main speaker, John Ruddick, a NSW MLC for the Libertarian party, warned that the NSW government was prioritising multiculturalism over free speech and said that people needed to take a stand for free speech and against tougher gun laws.
Jesse Stewart, one of the organisers, noted that several prominent members of the March for Australia movement were not in attendance because they had been visited by police and told not to attend. This appeared to be a reference to members of the National Socialist Network, a neo-Nazi group that has been declared a hate speech group under new federal laws.
There were a few minor scuffles but mostly the rally was uneventful.
Updated at 22.54 EST
Ley dismisses leadership speculation as ‘media frenzy’
Tom McIlroy
The embattled opposition leader, Sussan Ley, says she is not facing an imminent challenge to her position at the top of the Liberal party, blaming a “media frenzy” for growing speculation.
Frontbenchers Angus Taylor and Andrew Hastie are discussing a possible leadership spill with colleagues, after the damaging split with the National party over Labor’s hate speech legislation last week. It’s all downside for Ley, who might struggle to hold off a challenge when MPs come back to parliament next week.
Speaking after Australia Day celebrations in Corowa, NSW on Monday, Ley said she was focused on working for the country. She did not say when she would fill gaps in her frontbench lineup, insisting the door was open to reunification with the minor party.
Asked if she accepted her leadership was over as Taylor and Hastie count numbers, Ley said: “Absolutely not.”
I know there’s some frenzy of speculation in the media. I’ve been elected by my party room to lead. I’m doing that, I have the confidence of my team.
My team and I, and I’m very proud of every single one of them, delivered an affordable energy policy towards the end of last year, and we are united around the things that Australians expect of us to be a strong, credible opposition. That’s what I’m busy doing.
Today is about Australia Day and celebrating what it means on this amazing day. Tomorrow we’re getting back to work for the Australian people.
Sussan Ley. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPShare
Updated at 22.36 EST
Andrew Messenger
Pauline Hanson speaks before Australia Day march in Brisbane
Pauline Hanson finished speaking earlier this afternoon, and the Brisbane Australia Day march has begun.
The Queensland senator and One Nation leader spoke about a broad range of subjects such as climate change, the Albanese government’s anti-hate legislation and her daughter’s political ambitions in Tasmania.
But her main subject was migration.
“We’ve had mass migration,” she said.
Albanese at the moment is talking about mass migration, that we are cutting back the numbers. Well, it’s a little bit too late, mate. You’re the one that created this mess. You’re the one that brought all these people in the country, 1,560 a day …
He is the worst prime minister I have ever known.
In an interview before the rally, Hanson told Guardian Australia she was not concerned about the number of red ensigns at the rally. When asked whether sovereign citizens had attended the rally she said: “I’m not going to get into that.”
One attender the Guardian spoke with said sunscreen causes cancer, and another said she attended a sovereign citizen “treason trial” at Old Parliament House last February.
Updated at 22.32 EST
All of Victoria under total fire ban tomorrow
Once again, the entire state of Victoria will be under a total fire ban tomorrow amid dangerous fire conditions and scorching heat.
Jason Heffernan, the chief officer of the state’s Country Fire Authority (CFA), said earlier temperatures would reach into the mid-40s, urging communities to stay on top of updates from the VicEmergency app as conditions could change quickly.
The main fire of concern right now is the Carlisle River fire, with multiple communities urged to prepare to evacuate as conditions change.
Heffernan said the fire danger would be intense, but also said the extreme heat could put some communities at risk, including the elderly, the very young and the sick, who were more susceptible to high temperatures.
Updated at 22.20 EST