Australia news live: Victorian firefighters warn of ‘catastrophic’ fire risk as south-east heatwave continues

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 1 min read 100% complete by Nick VisserJanuary 7, 2026 at 11:55 PM

AI Summary

short article 1 min

Southeastern Australia is experiencing a heatwave, with Victorian firefighters warning of a "catastrophic" fire risk. Several cities are recording high temperatures, including Adelaide, Canberra, and Sydney. In business news, steel maker BlueScope has rejected a $13.2 billion takeover bid by Seven Group Holdings, led by Kerry Stokes. The New South Wales government announced it is ending short-term contracts for community service organizations that provide domestic violence, sexual assault, homelessness, and family support, aiming to provide more funding security. The change intends to allow these organizations to focus on supporting children, families, and communities in need.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Perth 60% Hobart 60% Adelaide 60% Canberra 60% Sydney 60% Darwin 60% Melbourne 60% Brisbane 60% Victoria 70% New South Wales Government 70% BlueScope 80% Kerry Stokes 80%

Keywords

fire risk 90% heatwave 80% firefighters 70% community services 60% homelessness services 50% domestic violence 50% short-term contracts 40% funding uncertainty 40%