Key Points

• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announces $200 million housing package for regional Western Australia.
• The Australian prime minister says that U-S has yet to request assistance from Australia as the nation struggles with some of the worst fires in its history.
• The World Organisation for Animal Health confirms an outbreak of a highly pathogenic bird flu, H5N2, is happening in the Philippines.
• The Filipino community in Wagga Wagga NSW will hold the 'Sinulog sa Riverina: A Philippine Barrio Fiesta' for the first time on January 18.