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- New search launched for fugitive Dezi Freeman in Victoria
- Data released on the top political spenders at the last federal election
- And in sport, two staff working with Australia's Winter Olympic team test positive for COVID-19
Victoria Police say it is launching a new search to locate fugitive Dezi Freeman.
Mr Freeman has been on the run for 160 days since 26 August, with a million-dollar bounty on his head, after he allegedly shoot dead two police officers, as they served a warrant at his home in the town of Porepunkah.
More than 400 police were deployed at the time, but failed to uncover any trace of the 56-year-old.
Police say the new five-day search will focus on Mount Buffalo National Park, including remote sites in the region, located about 300 kilometres northeast of Melbourne.
People in the area have been advised to remain vigilant and not approach the fugitive who is considered armed and dangerous, and instead to call 000.
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Nationals MP Darren Chester says he plans to put a motion to this afternoon's party room meeting to urgently re-establish the Coalition arrangement.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Mr Chester says he won't challenge David Littleproud's leadership, but unity is needed to get on with advocating their policies and remove distractions.
Nationals MP Colin Boyce announced last week that he is challenging the leadership of Mr Littleproud today, saying Mr Littleproud's refusal to revive the Coalition is "political suicide".
Nationals MP Michael Cormack says it is important to resolve the leadership issue and get back on track.
"We're here talking about ourselves. It is simply not good enough, we need to be disciplined, diplomatic, get back together after the meeting this afternoon - the leader of the National party, whoever that might be. I am expecting it to be David. They need to go have a chat with the Liberal Party leader, that is Sussan Ley. It is going to be Sussan Ley later on this afternoon. And we need to get the parties back united together, so we then address the issues of importance to Australians."
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Major parties and special interest groups spent hundreds of millions of dollars on political parties and campaigning for last year's federal election.
Federal Labor spent more than $71 million in the financial year, including on the election, while the federal Liberal Party spent almost $53 million.
The biggest third-party spender was Clive Palmer's Mineralogy, which spent almost $53 million into May's election; and almost $200 million on all its political campaigning in the last financial year.
Mr Palmer failed to elect any candidates for his Trumpet of Patriots party.
The disclosures are contained in data released by the Australian Electoral Commission today.
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The 68th Annual Grammy Awards is getting underway in Los Angeles, with Australians in contention for some of the prizes.
Tame Impala has already secured a golden gramophone for Best Dance/Electronica Recording.
Melbourne punk group Amyl and the Sniffers and Rüfüs Du Sol are also nominated for awards.
Indian classical singer and composer Siddhant Bhatia says it is exciting to be attending this year's ceremony as a nominee.
"I'm feeling elated, excited, I'm very enthusiastic because at this point of time I am representing my country, the project is a goverment project, the project is a very meaningful, soulful creation that talks about a very grand festival that celebrates humanity. So, that's the project we are representing and I'm very happy."
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In sport,
Two support staff working with the Australian Winter Olympics team have tested positive for COVID-19.
Close contacts have returned negative results and have been given antivirals.
Australia's chef de mission, Alisa Camplin, says containment measures have been activated.
"We've isolated the two support staff members. We've segregated our bubbles. And we're following normal medical protocols."
Fifty-three men and women are competing for Australia at the Winter Games, the country's largest team in 12 years.
The opening ceremony begins on Saturday.
And that's the latest from the SBS Newsroom.
