{"id":16635,"date":"2026-01-28T20:30:29","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T20:30:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=16635"},"modified":"2026-01-28T20:30:29","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T20:30:29","slug":"australia-news-live-authorities-warn-otways-bushfire-could-run-again-as-temperatures-in-victorias-north-set-to-soar-australia-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=16635","title":{"rendered":"Australia news live: authorities warn Otways bushfire could \u2018run again\u2019 as temperatures in Victoria\u2019s north set to soar | Australia news"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"liveblog-body\"><gu-island name=\"EnhancePinnedPost\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{}\"\/><\/p>\n<div id=\"pinned-post\" data-gu-marker=\"pinned-post\" data-component=\"pinned-post\" class=\"dcr-r5tmyr\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"pinned-post-checkbox\" name=\"pinned-post-checkbox\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"dcr-11n52fl\"\/><\/p>\n<div id=\"collapsible-body\" class=\"dcr-1axsptg\">\n<article class=\"block dcr-1xlsn8h\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Good morning<\/h2>\n<div class=\"dcr-dzkvsd\">\n<div class=\"dcr-uae6pk\"><img src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2024\/11\/22\/Natasha_May.png?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=9ce7ce60b255b34d4f6ea793665a9637\" alt=\"Natasha May\" class=\"dcr-lysqes\"\/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-sa35sa\">Natasha May<\/span><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Welcome to the Australia live news blog, it\u2019s <strong>Natasha May<\/strong> here to guide you through today\u2019s events.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Authorities are warning dry conditions could cause <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/2026\/jan\/26\/victoria-evacuate-otways-fire-spread-east-lorne-heatwave\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">a large bushfire<\/a> that ravaged communities in Victoria\u2019s Otways to \u201crun again\u201d over the coming weeks. Amid milder weather, the threat has been downgraded for now after the blaze destroyed three homes and 16 other structures when a wind change occurred during severe heatwave conditions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Around Walwa in the state\u2019s north, near where fires are <a href=\"https:\/\/emergency.vic.gov.au\/respond\/?address-search=walwa#!\/warning\/40885\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">still burning<\/a>, temperatures today are expected to climb into the 40s.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">And in Melbourne, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/2026\/jan\/28\/rybakina-swiatek-pegula-anisimova-australian-open-womens-quarter-finals-tennis\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">women\u2019s semi-final action<\/a> will get under way at the Australian Open.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Let\u2019s get into it.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;australia-news\/live\/2026\/jan\/29\/victoria-bushfires-weather-nsw-protest-laws-coalition-split-sussan-ley-david-littleproud-ntwnfb&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-697a67f78f08925ced967b9f&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-697a67f78f08925ced967b9f&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Australia news live: authorities warn Otways bushfire could \u2018run again\u2019 as temperatures in Victoria\u2019s north set to soar&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Australia news live: authorities warn Otways bushfire could \u2018run again\u2019 as temperatures in Victoria\u2019s north set to soar&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/jan\/29\/victoria-bushfires-weather-nsw-protest-laws-coalition-split-sussan-ley-david-littleproud-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-697a67f78f08925ced967b9f#block-697a67f78f08925ced967b9f\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-01-28T20:21:05.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Wednesday, 28 January 2026 at 20:21 Greenwich Mean Time\">20.21 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<p><label for=\"pinned-post-checkbox\" id=\"pinned-post-button\" class=\"dcr-zw7tgl\"><span id=\"svgminus\" class=\"dcr-yhdhkr\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M1 10.75v2.5h22v-2.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span id=\"svgplus\" class=\"dcr-yhdhkr\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"m10.8 13.2.425 9.8h1.525l.45-9.8 9.8-.45v-1.525l-9.8-.425-.45-9.8h-1.525l-.425 9.8-9.8.425v1.525z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/label><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-90inr0\"><gu-island name=\"KeyEventsCarousel\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;keyEvents&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;697a67f78f08925ced967b9f&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Welcome to the Australia live news blog, it\u2019s &lt;strong&gt;Natasha May&lt;\/strong&gt; here to guide you through today\u2019s events.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;f79c9850-4b47-4bd1-8163-78783603d2d7&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Authorities are warning dry conditions could cause &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/2026\/jan\/26\/victoria-evacuate-otways-fire-spread-east-lorne-heatwave\\&quot;&gt;a large bushfire&lt;\/a&gt; that ravaged communities in Victoria\u2019s Otways to \u201crun again\u201d over the coming weeks. Amid milder weather, the threat has been downgraded for now after the blaze destroyed three homes and 16 other structures when a wind change occurred during severe heatwave conditions.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;d60e9090-9178-4cd7-a7b4-40228abce8e5&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Around Walwa in the state\u2019s north, near where fires are &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/emergency.vic.gov.au\/respond\/?address-search=walwa#!\/warning\/40885\\&quot;&gt;still burning&lt;\/a&gt;, temperatures today are expected to climb into the 40s.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;8b1e8d8c-5a71-4496-85a6-e9a81a162a8e&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;And in Melbourne, the &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/2026\/jan\/28\/rybakina-swiatek-pegula-anisimova-australian-open-womens-quarter-finals-tennis\\&quot;&gt;women\u2019s semi-final action&lt;\/a&gt; will get under way at the Australian Open.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;a54ac567-9623-40c5-8d78-4ed216fc2ac8&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Let\u2019s get into it.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;8e09195e-b176-4e5e-84c7-c4231fdad44b&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:true,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1769631396000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;20.16\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1769631665000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;20.21\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1769631396000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;20.16\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;20.16&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Good morning&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[{&quot;name&quot;:&quot;Natasha May&quot;,&quot;imageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2021\/09\/07\/Natasha_May.jpg?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=bef00e6cc039979168d26adb030c4d51&quot;,&quot;largeImageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2024\/11\/22\/Natasha_May.png?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=9ce7ce60b255b34d4f6ea793665a9637&quot;}],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Wed 28 Jan 2026 20.29 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Wed 28 Jan 2026 20.16 GMT&quot;}],&quot;filterKeyEvents&quot;:false,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;key-events-carousel-mobile&quot;,&quot;renderingTarget&quot;:&quot;Web&quot;,&quot;serverTime&quot;:1769632215655}\"><span id=\"key-events-carousel-mobile\"\/><span class=\"dcr-90inr0\"><\/p>\n<p>Key events<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/gu-island><gu-island name=\"FilterKeyEventsToggle\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;filterKeyEvents&quot;:false,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;filter-toggle-mobile&quot;}\"><span id=\"filter-toggle-mobile\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-alru3r\"><label id=\"filter-toggle-mobile-switch_description\" data-component=\"filter-key-events\" data-link-name=\"filter-key-events-on\" class=\"dcr-rrspei\"><button id=\"filter-toggle-mobile-switch\" role=\"switch\" aria-checked=\"false\" aria-labelledby=\"filter-toggle-mobile-switch_description\" class=\"dcr-dh5oqp\"\/>Show key events only<\/p>\n<p><span>Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/label><\/div>\n<p><\/gu-island><\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"block-697a70dc8f087bf3607f0bc8\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">But first more, on those fires in the Otways from AAP:<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">While milder weather is helping firefighters gain the upper hand, Forest Fire Management <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/victoria\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Victoria<\/a> chief fire officer <strong>Chris Hardman<\/strong> says the risk of a flare-up on fire grounds remains:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>There is still a chance that this fire could run again within the next two or three weeks because of the nature of the season.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s so dry, you know. If we get some really good rainfall, that will be incredibly helpful, and that will build our confidence.<\/p>\n<p>But the risk will be present &#8230; I would argue, at least for a couple of weeks.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;australia-news\/live\/2026\/jan\/29\/victoria-bushfires-weather-nsw-protest-laws-coalition-split-sussan-ley-david-littleproud-ntwnfb&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-697a70dc8f087bf3607f0bc8&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-697a70dc8f087bf3607f0bc8&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Australia news live: authorities warn Otways bushfire could \u2018run again\u2019 as temperatures in Victoria\u2019s north set to soar&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Australia news live: authorities warn Otways bushfire could \u2018run again\u2019 as temperatures in Victoria\u2019s north set to soar&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/jan\/29\/victoria-bushfires-weather-nsw-protest-laws-coalition-split-sussan-ley-david-littleproud-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-697a70dc8f087bf3607f0bc8#block-697a70dc8f087bf3607f0bc8\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-697a6fe28f08925ced967be0\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Nationals leadership challenger Colin Boyce will soon speak on ABC Radio<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Speaking of that spill motion, stay tuned as we are expecting to soon hear from <strong>Colin Boyce<\/strong>, the Nationals MP who announced he will challenge <strong>David<\/strong> <strong>Littleproud<\/strong> for the leadership, on ABC Radio. Boyce yesterday launched the challenge after declaring the party was \u201ccommitting political suicide\u201d by ending the Coalition:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"33b20c96-9171-4cff-9c0e-203b121d951b\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:2,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Nationals MP\u2019s challenge to Littleproud\u2019s leadership \u2018out of the blue\u2019 and doomed to fail, colleagues say&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;33b20c96-9171-4cff-9c0e-203b121d951b&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/2026\/jan\/28\/colin-boyce-nationals-leadership-challenge-littleproud&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;isInStarRatingVariant&quot;:false}\"\/><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;australia-news\/live\/2026\/jan\/29\/victoria-bushfires-weather-nsw-protest-laws-coalition-split-sussan-ley-david-littleproud-ntwnfb&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-697a6fe28f08925ced967be0&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-697a6fe28f08925ced967be0&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Australia news live: authorities warn Otways bushfire could \u2018run again\u2019 as temperatures in Victoria\u2019s north set to soar&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Australia news live: authorities warn Otways bushfire could \u2018run again\u2019 as temperatures in Victoria\u2019s north set to soar&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/jan\/29\/victoria-bushfires-weather-nsw-protest-laws-coalition-split-sussan-ley-david-littleproud-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-697a6fe28f08925ced967be0#block-697a6fe28f08925ced967be0\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-01-28T20:28:14.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Wednesday, 28 January 2026 at 20:28 Greenwich Mean Time\">20.28 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-697a6f028f08925ced967bd6\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In case you missed it last night, opposition leader <strong>Sussan Ley <\/strong>said<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/david-littleproud\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">David Littleproud<\/a> <\/strong>rejected the offer of talks this week after Coalition breakup. The Nationals leader said a meeting will be scheduled once party\u2019s spill motion is determined. You can catch up with the report from our political reporters:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"2e787121-f720-42f4-9bcd-6afdbddcee39\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:1,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Sussan Ley says David Littleproud rejected offer of talks this week after Coalition breakup&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;2e787121-f720-42f4-9bcd-6afdbddcee39&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/2026\/jan\/28\/sussan-ley-says-david-littleproud-rejected-offer-of-talks-this-week-after-coalition-break-up&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;isInStarRatingVariant&quot;:false}\"\/><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;australia-news\/live\/2026\/jan\/29\/victoria-bushfires-weather-nsw-protest-laws-coalition-split-sussan-ley-david-littleproud-ntwnfb&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-697a6f028f08925ced967bd6&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-697a6f028f08925ced967bd6&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Australia news live: authorities warn Otways bushfire could \u2018run again\u2019 as temperatures in Victoria\u2019s north set to soar&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Australia news live: authorities warn Otways bushfire could \u2018run again\u2019 as temperatures in Victoria\u2019s north set to soar&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/jan\/29\/victoria-bushfires-weather-nsw-protest-laws-coalition-split-sussan-ley-david-littleproud-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-697a6f028f08925ced967bd6#block-697a6f028f08925ced967bd6\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-697a67f78f08925ced967b9f\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Good morning<\/h2>\n<div class=\"dcr-dzkvsd\">\n<div class=\"dcr-uae6pk\"><img src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2024\/11\/22\/Natasha_May.png?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=9ce7ce60b255b34d4f6ea793665a9637\" alt=\"Natasha May\" class=\"dcr-lysqes\"\/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-sa35sa\">Natasha May<\/span><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Welcome to the Australia live news blog, it\u2019s <strong>Natasha May<\/strong> here to guide you through today\u2019s events.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Authorities are warning dry conditions could cause <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/2026\/jan\/26\/victoria-evacuate-otways-fire-spread-east-lorne-heatwave\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">a large bushfire<\/a> that ravaged communities in Victoria\u2019s Otways to \u201crun again\u201d over the coming weeks. Amid milder weather, the threat has been downgraded for now after the blaze destroyed three homes and 16 other structures when a wind change occurred during severe heatwave conditions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Around Walwa in the state\u2019s north, near where fires are <a href=\"https:\/\/emergency.vic.gov.au\/respond\/?address-search=walwa#!\/warning\/40885\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">still burning<\/a>, temperatures today are expected to climb into the 40s.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">And in Melbourne, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/2026\/jan\/28\/rybakina-swiatek-pegula-anisimova-australian-open-womens-quarter-finals-tennis\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">women\u2019s semi-final action<\/a> will get under way at the Australian Open.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Let\u2019s get into it.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;australia-news\/live\/2026\/jan\/29\/victoria-bushfires-weather-nsw-protest-laws-coalition-split-sussan-ley-david-littleproud-ntwnfb&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-697a67f78f08925ced967b9f&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-697a67f78f08925ced967b9f&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Australia news live: authorities warn Otways bushfire could \u2018run again\u2019 as temperatures in Victoria\u2019s north set to soar&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Australia news live: authorities warn Otways bushfire could \u2018run again\u2019 as temperatures in Victoria\u2019s north set to soar&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/jan\/29\/victoria-bushfires-weather-nsw-protest-laws-coalition-split-sussan-ley-david-littleproud-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-697a67f78f08925ced967b9f#block-697a67f78f08925ced967b9f\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-01-28T20:21:05.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Wednesday, 28 January 2026 at 20:21 Greenwich Mean Time\">20.21 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<p>#Australia #news #live #authorities #warn #Otways #bushfire #run #temperatures #Victorias #north #set #soar #Australia #news<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Good morning Natasha May Welco&hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16636,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16635"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=16635"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16635\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/16636"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=16635"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=16635"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=16635"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}