Authorities in Perth say a fire in the Perth hills could still pose a threat to lives and homes despite downgrading the alert. Water-bombing aircraft fought the fire overnight. It's burnt through 32 hectares, but no properties have so far been affected. 

 

Northeast Victoria is on flood alert this morning with major warnings for parts of the Goulburn River. Emergency services expect the lower Goulburn to peak at 10 metres this morning between Shepparton and Echuca. In Queensland, Rockhampton and Charleville are also on alert with some coastal towns already cut off. Wee Waa in New South Wales is still cut off by the flooding in Namoi River with the Lachlan River also rising.

 

Authorities in Jakarta have charged radical Islamist cleric Abu Bakar Bashir with inciting others to commit terrorist acts. The crime carries the death penalty, and his trial could begin within two months. The 71-year-old is denying the allegations.

 

And Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has stepped down to face allegations of misconduct in office. A leadership tribunal will now hear allegations he failed to lodge several annual financial statements in the 1990s.