Australia news live: Australia sends firefighters to France as blazes rage; leaders gather for Garma festival

A Chinook helicopter equipped with a 11,300-litre water tank and a support aircraft would be deployed, alongside 24 skilled aerial and ground crew from the New South Wales Rural Fire Service. Follow liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGovernor general warns of ‘growing catastrophe’ that threatens to undermine democracy in AustraliaAustralia faces a “growing catastrophe” from poor understanding of the country’s constitutional foundation, the governor general, Sam Mostyn, has warned as attacks on institutions and threats against elected officials undermine democratic participation. Continue reading...