Source: South Australia County Fire Service
Issued on
31 Jan 2026 19:11
Warning area
Clare in the Clare Valley, Mid North.
Warning level
Advice – Stay Informed
Action
Monitor local conditions and stay informed if you are in this area. Decide what you will do if the situation changes.
At this time there is no threat to life or property and firefighters are attending this fire.
More information will be provided by the CFS when it is available.
Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority
Gusty winds across the North East tomorrow will elevate fire danger conditions with temperatures reaching the low 30s.
A Total Fire Ban means no fire can be lit in the open air or allowed to remain alight from 12.01am to 11.59pm on the day of the Total Fire Ban.
State Agency Commander, Scott Purdy, said the TFB has been declared due to the expected conditions across the North East tomorrow.
“Tomorrow’s conditions will make it difficult for firefighters to suppress a fire should one start,” he said.
“There have been fires in the landscape for many weeks now and we want to prevent any new fires from starting.
“We’re asking people to follow the strict conditions associated with the Total Fire Ban declaration.
“Understand the how the increased fire risk will impact you and ensure your fire plan covers all possible contingencies.”
Victorians can find out if it is a Total Fire Ban on the CFA website www.cfa.vic.gov.au, where it is usually published by 5pm the day before a Total Fire Ban.
For more information on what you can and can’t do visit the Can I or Can’t I page on the CFA website.
Victorians should also make sure they have access to more than one source of information.
They include:
The VicEmergency App
| Submitted by | CFA Media |
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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 36-year-old male in relation to drug offences in Katherine.
Around 12:30pm yesterday, members form Northern Investigations Section stopped a suspicious vehicle travelling from Queensland into the Northern Territory along the Stuart Highway.
During the search of the vehicle officers located and seized:
The 36-year-old male was arrested and charged with:
He was remanded to custody to face Katherine Local Court on 2 February 2026.
Detective Senior Sergeant Michael Ordelman said “ This arrest is the result proactive enforcement activities by detectives and Traffic Enforcement officers working in conjunction with the Dog Operations Unit.
“We continue to urge anyone with information to make contact with police on 131 444 or through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The NT Police Force has arrested and charged a 38-year-old female in relation to a domestic violence aggravated assault that occurred in Nightcliff earlier this week.
The 38-year-old was arrested yesterday at a residence in the northern suburbs and has since been charged with Unlawfully cause serious harm and Aggravated assault. She was remanded in custody to appear in Darwin Local Court on Monday 2 February 2026.
If you or someone you know are experiencing difficulties due to domestic violence, support services are available, including, but not limited to, 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or Lifeline 131 114.
Source: Tasmania Police
Further items located that police believe are likely linked to Celine Cremer
Friday, 30 January 2026 – 6:01 pm.
Police have today located further human remains near Waratah on Tasmania’s west coast, as well as items of clothing that investigators believe are likely to belong to missing Belgian woman Celine Cremer.
Commander Nathan Johnston said the discoveries were made during continued search efforts along a section of the Arthur River near Waratah, in the same area where human remains were located earlier this week.
“Our police search and rescue experts were winched into the area by helicopter this morning, about 2.5 kilometres from Philosopher Falls, to conduct a detailed line search of the river,” he said.
“Today’s search resulted in the discovery of more bones, as well as clothing items – including a polar fleece jacket – that we believe are likely to belong to Celine.”
“As we’ve previously advised, formal forensic confirmation of identity will take time. However, the location and nature of the items found today indicate they are likely to be Celine’s.”
“We recognise how significant these developments are for Celine’s family, and we are ensuring they receive updates as sensitively and promptly as possible.”
“Our search team has continued to work into the early evening today, and the plan is for police to continue to methodologically search the area tomorrow.”
“We understand the strong public interest in this case and will provide further information to the community when we are able to do so.”
Media please note an interview opportunity will be available at 6:30pm, at Launceston Police Station.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 31-year-old male in relation to a stolen motor vehicle and pursuit that occurred in Palmerston on Thursday morning.
Around 11:30am, police received reports that a male had allegedly threatened a person known to him with an edged weapon before stealing the victim’s Toyota RAV4 and fleeing the scene.
Members from the Dog Operations Unit and Darwin Traffic Operations responded and located the vehicle travelling along Roystonea Avenue, where a pursuit was initiated through Gunn.
The pursuit was subsequently terminated for safety reasons as the offending vehicle was travelling 120km in an 80km zone along Roystonea Avenue towards Temple Terrace.
A short time later, the vehicle was located abandoned on Hannibal Circuit, Gray. The alleged offender fled into a nearby residence, where police attended and apprehended him without further incident.
He has since been charged with Aggravated robbery, Theft, Drive, use, ride motor vehicle without consent and was remanded to appear in Darwin Local Court today.
Police urge anyone with information about the incident to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference number P26029524.
Source: Tasmania Police
Vehicle seized after alleged hooning incident in Blackmans Bay
Friday, 30 January 2026 – 3:12 pm.
Kingston Police have seized a white Ford Falcon station wagon following reports of a vehicle hooning in Blackmans Bay last night.
The car was allegedly used in a hooning incident in Woodlands Drive at 11.30pm on Thursday, 29 January 2026.
The vehicle has been seized for a period of 28 days.
Police continue to target hooning drivers and warn offenders that when you are caught, you will be fined and separated from your car for a significant period of time. The minimum fine for an offence of aggravated evade police is in excess of $3000.
Police would like to speak with anyone who may have witnessed the driving behaviour or has dash-cam footage. Information can be provided by calling Kingston Police on 131 444, or report anonymously via Crime Stoppers Tasmania on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au. Please quote ESCAD: 053-30012026.
Thank you to the community for their assistance and information so far.
Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority
More than 435,000 hectares of land have been burned in what has been the longest duration heatwave event Victoria has experienced since 2009.
On 9 January CFA attended almost 200 grass and scrub fires, including in support of Fire Rescue Victoria, with more than 80 strike teams dispatched to support these incidents.
Between 7 January and 27 January:
Last night, CFA hosted a special Volunteer Forum at Harcourt Station focusing on the January fires. You can view the recording here.
The forum heard from members of the Harcourt brigade including Captain Andrew Wilson and former captain Tyrone Rice, who lost his own home while he, his wife and son were defending their town.
Other guests included Ivan Gilbert from Harcourt Progress Association, local resident Michael Pilcher, one of the 2,200+ Victorians who have expressed interest in joining CFA since 1 January, as well as District Mechanical Officers Michael Zimmer and Henry Vale who helped keep CFA’s vehicles running during the extreme conditions, and ICT Program Director Shane Peacock who spoke about initiatives which are improving communications on the fireground.
Chief Officer Jason Heffernan and CEO Greg Leach AFSM also discussed some of the topical issues which have been raised in the media over recent weeks relating to CFA’s funding, the age of vehicles and volunteer numbers.
“We are experiencing one of the most intense fire seasons we have seen in years and there are still many more weeks ahead of us yet,” Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said.
“We are proud of the incredible efforts of our volunteers and staff who have worked tirelessly throughout these past weeks to keep Victorians safe.
“The commitment of these people who have given up their time away from family, friends and workplaces to serve and protect others in their community or another community – often for days at a time – cannot be underestimated.
“We also acknowledge and thank Victorians for their gratitude to our members and our organisation expressed through our various channels, including on social media, and also the many ways in which they have generously supported our brigades directly in their local communities.”
A message of appreciation to all volunteers from the CFA Chair Jo Plummer, on behalf of the Board, closed out the Forum.
CFA is prioritising the safety and wellbeing of our members and encourages anyone who needs support to contact our free, 24/7 services on 1800 959 232. The Victorian Government’s Bushfire Recovery Hotline is available on 1800 560 760.
| Submitted by | News and Media |
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Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority
More than 435,000 hectares of land have been burned in what has been the longest duration heatwave event Victoria has experienced since 2009.
On 9 January CFA attended almost 200 grass and scrub fires, including in support of Fire Rescue Victoria, with more than 80 strike teams dispatched to support these incidents.
Between 7 January and 27 January:
Last night, CFA hosted a special Volunteer Forum at Harcourt Station focusing on the January fires. You can view the recording here.
The forum heard from members of the Harcourt brigade including Captain Andrew Wilson and former captain Tyrone Rice, who lost his own home while he, his wife and son were defending their town.
Other guests included Ivan Gilbert from Harcourt Progress Association, local resident Michael Pilcher, one of the 2,200+ Victorians who have expressed interest in joining CFA since 1 January, as well as District Mechanical Officers Michael Zimmer and Henry Vale who helped keep CFA’s vehicles running during the extreme conditions, and ICT Program Director Shane Peacock who spoke about initiatives which are improving communications on the fireground.
Chief Officer Jason Heffernan and CEO Greg Leach AFSM also discussed some of the topical issues which have been raised in the media over recent weeks relating to CFA’s funding, the age of vehicles and volunteer numbers.
“We are experiencing one of the most intense fire seasons we have seen in years and there are still many more weeks ahead of us yet,” Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said.
“We are proud of the incredible efforts of our volunteers and staff who have worked tirelessly throughout these past weeks to keep Victorians safe.
“The commitment of these people who have given up their time away from family, friends and workplaces to serve and protect others in their community or another community – often for days at a time – cannot be underestimated.
“We also acknowledge and thank Victorians for their gratitude to our members and our organisation expressed through our various channels, including on social media, and also the many ways in which they have generously supported our brigades directly in their local communities.”
A message of appreciation to all volunteers from the CFA Chair Jo Plummer, on behalf of the Board, closed out the Forum.
CFA is prioritising the safety and wellbeing of our members and encourages anyone who needs support to contact our free, 24/7 services on 1800 959 232. The Victorian Government’s Bushfire Recovery Hotline is available on 1800 560 760.
| Submitted by | News and Media |
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Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry
A very big thanks to Mark for the introduction and the opportunity to say a few words tonight.
To Jane for making the trip to Sydney for the celebrations and for making the time to meet with me this afternoon.
To all the familiar faces gathered here at the Opera House, on Gadigal land.
And everyone from Citi in particular: happy birthday.
One hundred years is an extraordinary milestone by any measure.
But what you may not know is tonight could easily have been your 110th anniversary.
The history of that lost decade sits in our National Archives.
In 1916, the Commonwealth Bank Governor Sir Denison Miller wrote to the Treasury Secretary about a request from the National City Bank of New York to open in Australia.
Sir Denison opposed the request, partly on grounds of international reciprocity.
‘I do not think there is anything to stop them opening a branch if they care to,’ he wrote in his advice.
‘Although the Commonwealth Bank of Australia could not open a branch in New York if it desired to.’
Sir Denison’s letter was signed ‘your obedient servant’ – not how subsequent CEOs of the CBA have described themselves, at least not to me.
But Treasurer William Higgs agreed with the advice, and the request was declined.
History shows the rebuff didn’t stop Citi.
Ten years later the bank opened in Australia.
Since then, Citi’s Australian century tracks the evolution of our 3 economies following Federation.
In the early 1900s, still agricultural and colonial.
Forty years later, a new industrial economy, but highly protected for international banks, following the 1937 Royal Commission and wartime controls of the 1940s.
Then a third economy in the 1980s when Paul and Bob opened us up to the world.
By then Citi was already well known to government, after its big role in the mid‑70s buying Industrial Acceptance Corporation.
When Citi received its Australian banking licence in 1985, it was the only foreign bank to get one without a domestic partner here.
This was a unique marker of trust – but also a sign of where Australia’s more open economy was heading.
Forty years on, Citi is playing a defining role helping to build a fourth Australian economy, powered by cleaner energy and transformed by technology, and helping to ensure Australia is an island of stability and opportunity in a sea of volatility and risk.
That’s why I’m really grateful to the entire crew at Citi – and personally grateful to Mark, who I’ve come to know pretty well.
We thank you for conferring with us and working with us.
One part of our partnership is the A50 forum here in Sydney.
The A50 has become an annual highlight, bolstered last year with the NSW government coming on board, and I acknowledge Daniel Mookhey, who’s here tonight.
There’s a deeper reason why partnerships like A50 are more important than ever in this new world of uncertainty.
A reason that Sir Denison didn’t predict in the letter he wrote 110 years ago.
One of his other arguments for recommending against Citi’s entrance was that it would not help the business of the Commonwealth ‘in any way’, to use his words.
Maybe that view made sense at the time.
But it also illustrates the most consequential change in international finance over the past hundred years.
For much of the 20th century, governments spent a lot of their time filing the sharp edges off markets.
Few would have imagined a hundred years ago the role markets would play in filing the sharp edges off governments.
Finance was seen as a source of volatility and risk that needed to be managed and restrained – and for good reason.
In Australia, we did this by building a robust regulatory system, establishing the rules of the game for capital requirements and risk tolerance.
Fast forward a century and we are living in a near‑permanent state of global economic upheaval.
Four shocks in just 20 years have come from trade tensions, a pandemic, busted supply chains, and financial crises, at the same time as structural changes in AI, energy, demography and geopolitics reshape the bigger backdrop.
In this environment, no government can insure itself against every upheaval.
Public balance sheets alone cannot and should not absorb every risk.
Capital flows and markets can do for governments what governments once did for markets.
Imposing discipline and absorbing shocks.
In an unpredictable world, well‑functioning and well‑regulated capital markets can be a source of stability, not just speculation.
Capital can smooth volatility rather than amplify it, and direct investment toward the technologies, industries and regions that offer the greatest economic potential over time.
We saw this clearly in Australia last year.
The private sector recovery was the primary story in our economy in 2025.
As public demand eased, private demand took its place and more.
Private demand has contributed more to growth than public demand for the last 4 quarters.
In the year to September, annual private demand growth lifted more than five‑fold and was responsible for all our economic growth.
At the same time, annual public demand growth was less than a third of what it was in the prior year.
This private sector‑led recovery was also broader than many economists expected.
It was across consumption, dwelling and business investment, especially in areas like renewable energy and digital infrastructure.
These investments are driving growth now and expanding our capacity for growth in the future.
And in the decade ahead, the way capital is allocated will play a decisive role in determining which countries seize the opportunities of AI, clean energy and the digital economy, and which fall behind.
Your capital will make the most of our advantages in wind and solar, digital innovation and data centres, and critical minerals.
Pricing risk, directing decisions, and allocating resources at a scale no government can match.
We know and embrace our responsibilities as governments to help create the conditions for you to succeed.
That’s why our agenda spans competition policy, better regulation and faster approvals, the net zero transformation, trade and international partnerships, and attracting investment.
It’s why the Budget in May will be all about addressing the more persistent inflation we saw in yesterday’s data, boosting productivity, and making our economy even more resilient in the face of all this global volatility.
Australia’s proposition to the world’s investors is not that we are immune from uncertainty, but that we are well placed to manage it and grasp the opportunities that flow from it: with a stable, well‑regulated financial system; deep capital markets; a world‑leading super system, and a long track record of being a reliable home for global capital, in the fastest growing region in the world.
Citi has been an important part of that story for a century, becoming an integral part of Australia’s financial system, and now playing a key role in this defining and sometimes dangerous decade.
And as we navigate all this uncertainty together, there will be an even bigger premium on relationships, trust and experience.
So, tonight is about celebrating a century of Citi in Australia.
But it’s also about recognising the role you continue to play, in investing in Australia, in getting more capital flowing around the country, and in helping us engage with a global economy characterised by churn and change.
Thank you and once again – happy birthday.