Australia news live: fresh Dezi Freeman search focused on finding body or evidence, police say; Canavan hopes Joyce will ‘see the light’ and return to Nationals

Meanwhile Tasmania’s Dolphin Sands and surrounding areas remain a bushfire watch and act area. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Victorian government’s controversial “adult time for violent crime” bill has passed parliament without amendment.The bill, which will move serious crimes committed by children as young as 14 from the children’s court to adult courts, passed at about 6pm on Thursday with the support of the Coalition.I’m pleased these laws can now be put in place as soon as possible to protect Victorians. There are no easy solutions to youth crime, and the best approach is always to stop crime before it starts. But we absolutely need serious consequences for violent youth crime to protect the community now. Continue reading...