Victorian authorities defend flash flood alerts | Midday News Bulletin 17 January 2026

The EU signs a massive trade deal with the Mercosur group of South American countries; Labor works to secure support after splitting hate speech and gun reform into separate bills; Play begins at Melbourne Park for the 2026 Australian Open.

The PM says the hate speech and gun reform bill is to be split before it's introduced to the Parliament on Tuesday, Greenland's Indigenous population says it does not want to be colonised a second time, The Special Ks set to take the court together for the mens doubles at the Australian Open.

Authorities defend weather warnings after flash flooding on Victoria's Great Ocean Road; Donald Trump threatens more tariffs in his quest for Greenland; A Matildas veteran suffers a potentially career-ending injury.

An inquiry underway into the fatal shooting of a man by New South Wales Police; Kurdish separatists based in Iraq launch an attack on Iran; World-number-one Aryna Sabalenka to push for a third Australian Open title.

Faith leaders warn that hate speech laws may infringe on religious freedoms; Foreign Minister Penny Wong urges Australians to leave Iran immediately if possible; And in tennis, defending champion Jannik Sinner confident about his Australian Open chances.

Venezuela's opposition leader meets Donald Trump in the White House; The government confident new figures show social media ban reforms are working; And in sport, Australian para skiier Josh Hanlon claims a podium finish.

The Coalition accused of hypocrisy over its opposition to the government's planned hate law changes; A violent crackdown in Uganda as voting begins in the presidential election; A nightmare Australian Open draw for Alex de Minaur.

Hate speech laws in jeopardy as Greens and Coalition signal their opposition; The PM announces $26 million in additional support for flood-affected Queenslanders; And in football, Moroccans celebrate making it to the grand final of the African Cup of Nations.

Faith groups call for hate speech reforms to be pushed back; The US to suspend immigration visa applications from 75 countries; And in sport, Australia's Willie Peters tipped to become England's new national rugby league coach.

Debate continues ahead of the government bringing its draft hate speech bill into parliament; The foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland prepare for a meeting at the White House; Bernard Tomic's hopes of an Australian Open resurrection dashed.