澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2010-01-06（在线收听）

The Federal Opposition has condemned the use of Australian airports for Japanese whalers' spy flights. A company linked to Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research reportedly chartered Australian planes to track the Sea Shepherd ship, the Steve Irwin. The opposition has criticised the government for allowing the flights to leave the country and Greens leader Bob Brown also says the government must take action.

A campaign has been launched to ban the long-distance transport of dangerous goods on the road. The Rail, Tram and Bus Union wants each state and territory to introduce a uniform change to their Dangerous Goods Act. It would require materials like petrol to be transported via rail.

Western Australia was bracing for a day of catastrophic fire conditions. Authorities say it will be the worst conditions they've seen this summer, especially about the southwest land division and coastal communities north of Perth. Residents in areas with catastrophic danger ratings have been advised to leave their homes while the warnings are in place.

And the New South Wales State Emergency Service says more than 300 rural properties remain cut off by flooding in the state's northwest. The town of Wee Waa has escaped isolation after floodwaters hit late last night. About 60 rural properties remain isolated downstream of Coonamble and about 300 in the Bourke area.

We’ll have more news later.