Australia news as it happened: Chalmers doesn’t rule out changes to negative gearing; Sussan Ley resigns, triggering Farrer byelection

Thanks for reading the national news blog. This is where we’ll end today’s coverage. We will be back next week with the latest news.

To conclude, here’s a look back at some of the day’s major stories:

• Treasurer Jim Chalmers would not rule out changes to negative gearing following reports Treasury was modelling new negative gearing limits ahead of the May budget. Chalmers did not say during a press conference today whether the government planned to impose new limits on negative gearing.

• Human remains found in a remote wilderness area in Tasmania have been provisionally identified as those of a Belgian backpacker, who disappeared more than two years ago. Tasmania Police Commander Nathan Johnston confirmed that expert reports have provided compelling evidence that the remains most likely belong to Celine Cremer.

• Police are investigating after a white supremacist and serial protester gatecrashed a community event hosted by Goldstein MP Tim Wilson, claiming that immigration is an existential threat to Australia. It is the third time the shadow treasurer has been confronted by the far-right activist in eight months and comes amid a rise in reported threats to politicians.

• One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has confirmed three people in her party will contest the candidacy for the Farrer byelection, triggered by the resignation of former Liberal leader Sussan Ley. Hanson said there had been “a tremendous effort” by One Nation in reviewing more than 80 applications for the candidacy, which came down to the final three: David Farley, Leigh Wolki and Guy Cooper. The party will decide next month.

• Magda Szubanski, one of Australia’s most beloved comedians who was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer in May, has announced she is in remission. “Seems I’m not dead. Though I better check with social media because they know more about me than I do,” she quipped in a video posted to Instagram on Friday. “I’ve completed chemo and I am now in remission. So, phew, big relief. It’s not a cure, but because I got a good remission, that hopefully means that I’ll keep the cancer at bay for a good long time.”

• And overseas, Pakistan’s defence minister said his country ran out of “patience” and considers that there is now an “open war” with Afghanistan, after both countries launched strikes following an Afghan cross-border attack.

Thanks again for joining us. This is Isabel McMillan signing off.

Persistent lightning forced an early end to Friday night’s AFL practice match in Ballarat, with Melbourne 35 points ahead late in the third quarter.

Players were forced from the ground just minutes into the clash at Mars Stadium because of nearby lightning, but returned to the field only to be sent off again after the Demons had asserted their dominance.

A storm within 10 kilometres of a game is considered a threat under AFL guidelines. When the time between lightning and thunder is 30 seconds or less, all individuals in exposed areas should seek shelter.

Thanks for reading the national news blog. This is where we’ll end today’s coverage. We will be back next week with the latest news.

To conclude, here’s a look back at some of the day’s major stories:

• Treasurer Jim Chalmers would not rule out changes to negative gearing following reports Treasury was modelling new negative gearing limits ahead of the May budget. Chalmers did not say during a press conference today whether the government planned to impose new limits on negative gearing.

• Human remains found in a remote wilderness area in Tasmania have been provisionally identified as those of a Belgian backpacker, who disappeared more than two years ago. Tasmania Police Commander Nathan Johnston confirmed that expert reports have provided compelling evidence that the remains most likely belong to Celine Cremer.

• Police are investigating after a white supremacist and serial protester gatecrashed a community event hosted by Goldstein MP Tim Wilson, claiming that immigration is an existential threat to Australia. It is the third time the shadow treasurer has been confronted by the far-right activist in eight months and comes amid a rise in reported threats to politicians.

• One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has confirmed three people in her party will contest the candidacy for the Farrer byelection, triggered by the resignation of former Liberal leader Sussan Ley. Hanson said there had been “a tremendous effort” by One Nation in reviewing more than 80 applications for the candidacy, which came down to the final three: David Farley, Leigh Wolki and Guy Cooper. The party will decide next month.

• Magda Szubanski, one of Australia’s most beloved comedians who was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer in May, has announced she is in remission. “Seems I’m not dead. Though I better check with social media because they know more about me than I do,” she quipped in a video posted to Instagram on Friday. “I’ve completed chemo and I am now in remission. So, phew, big relief. It’s not a cure, but because I got a good remission, that hopefully means that I’ll keep the cancer at bay for a good long time.”

• And overseas, Pakistan’s defence minister said his country ran out of “patience” and considers that there is now an “open war” with Afghanistan, after both countries launched strikes following an Afghan cross-border attack.

Thanks again for joining us. This is Isabel McMillan signing off.

Speaking of wild weather, residents between two of Victoria’s largest cities – Melbourne and Ballarat – are being urged to take shelter from a coming storm.

The State Emergency Service warns that intense rainfall could cause flash flooding over the next few hours in towns including Bacchus Marsh, Bannockburn and Meredith.

It follows wild weather on Tuesday when parts of the state received 20 millimetres of rain in as many minutes, with 164 buildings damaged or flooded. One person was lucky to escape injury when a branch fell on their car in Bendigo.

Summer is peak season for storms in Melbourne and Victoria.