Australia news live: volcano erupts in Java; Sussan Ley to outline defence priorities

Indonesia’s Mount Semeru is the highest peak on Java island and its eruption has prompted evacuations. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLiberal leader Sussan Ley will set out her priorities on defence preparedness and energy security in a speech to the Menzies Institute tonight.Following a media blitz spruiking the Coalition’s settled energy policy, which will dump net zero, and while her party sets its policy priorities on immigration, Ley will outline several defence capability gaps Australia should invest in.We cannot shape our region and the wider world in our interests, if we do not strengthen our defence force, hone our intelligence capabilities and have the tough conversations. Continue reading…