Customers barricaded themselves inside stores while others ran from the mall in panic.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called an urgent national cabinet meeting on Wednesday in response to the call for action against domestic violence.

Tens of thousands of men and women took to the streets of Brisbane, Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Canberra for a third consecutive day of protests today.

Albanese arrived at Canberra's march this afternoon where he told the crowd of demonstrators that violence against women will be the sole item on the agenda for Wednesday's cabinet meeting.

GALLERY: Thousands march in national rally against gender-based violence

The Prime Minister drew a mixed response from the crowd as advocates had been pushing for a national emergency to be declared.

"We need to change the approach by all governments, because it's not enough to support victims," Albanese said.

"We need to focus on the perpetrators and focus on prevention.

"On Wednesday morning, I will convene a national cabinet that has been agreed with every Premier and Chief Minister."

Albanese said it is important to make sure the solution "isn't just up to women".

"It's up to men to change men's behaviour as well, to stand up," he said.

"And yes, people do need to be made accountable and I'll be accountable for what my government does."

Marches in Sydney and Adelaide yesterday followed a demonstration in Newcastle on Friday.

At least 26 women have died from alleged gender-based violence in Australia this year, according to data compiled by anti-violence advocates.

Nationals leader David Littleproud told Weekend Today this morning that gender-based violence was a "scourge" on society.

He said more government resources were needed to provide safe shelters for victims.

"I understand there's not even safe places for women to flee to in some of our communities, but it's also about that education piece," he said.

"We've got to stop the next generation from slipping in this. Young men understanding their role in society and their responsibility in society."

According to advocacy group Our Watch, 39 per cent of women nationally have experienced violence since the age of 15.

About 27 per cent have experienced violence, emotional abuse, or economic abuse by a cohabitating partner since the age of 15.

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

If you are in immediate danger call Triple Zero (000).

Another boatie was rescued by a passing jet ski.

She lost her job after the accident because she could no longer drive.

Police have confirmed they are investigating footage that has emerged of NRL journalist Paul Kent appearing to brawl with a group of men outside a venue in Sydney's inner west.

The vision, which was widely circulated on social media this morning, captures Kent appearing to trade blows with another man outside of Totti's in Rozelle.

In a statement, NSW Police said it was investigating the incident, which took place on Evans Street about 11.20pm yesterday.

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"As part of this investigation, officers attached to Leichhardt Police Area Command have spoken with a number of people and have secured CCTV," it said.

In the vision, the men can be heard calling each other a "dog" during a heated argument while security and other patrons attempt to intervene.

The video ends with the NRL journalist charging at another man before he is flung upside down into the base of a tree.

Earlier, Fox Sports and News Corp Australia issued a joint statement confirming they have stood down the 54-year-old. 

"Fox Sports presenter and News Corp Australia columnist Paul Kent has been stood down pending an immediate investigation," the statement reads.

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The incident comes just six months after Kent was found not guilty of assaulting and choking a woman he was in an off-and-on relationship with.

The charges stemmed from an incident at a home in Sydney's inner west in May last year when he was accused of grabbing a woman by the throat during a fight over his mobile phone.

It’s the Year of the Dragon.

The powerful image ran on the front of Hawke’s Bay Today and the Herald after the flood.

Firefighters have been kept busy following a huge blaze in a rural area west of Napier.

Police believe an innocent family was the victim of a "targeted shooting" on a home in western Sydney overnight.

Two children and two adults who were inside the home escaped unharmed during the shooting at Virginia Street in Blacktown about 9pm yesterday.

New South Wales Police gave an update this afternoon about the hunt for the gunman and their investigation into the shooting.

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Inspector Kylie Evans said the gun attack was "targeted", but a case of "mistaken identity".

"Police are investigating this serious and dangerous incident … and are chasing all lines of inquiries," she said.

Inspector Evans said the family were innocent and detectives are examining whether the intended targets were previous occupants of the western Sydney home.

Detectives are also investigating a shooting at the same location that occurred shortly before 6pm on Sunday, April 13.

She said that after receiving information from the public, officers seized an abandoned Ford Ranger SUV at Seppelt Street, Eastern Creek, about 5km from the scene of the shooting.

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Detectives are carrying out a forensic examination of the vehicle and working to establish whether the vehicle was used in the attack.

Crime scenes have been set up at both locations and inquiries involving specialist police are underway into the shooting.

Anyone with information should call Blacktown police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A 35-year-old man has been charged with the alleged murder of Erica Hay, a mother-of-four who was found dead after a house fire in Perth's south.

Police were called to Currie Street in Warnbro early on Friday morning to find a home engulfed in flames.

A man was seen on CCTV walking towards neighbours, emerging from the backyard cradling a three-year-old girl.

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Hay was found dead inside by police in the back bedroom.

Police confirmed today a 35-year-old Warnbro man has been charged with murder and one count of criminal damage by fire.

"It will be alleged; sometime between 7.30am and 1am, the accused physically assaulted the victim at their shared home," police said.

"It will be further alleged, the accused set the property alight while the victim was still inside.

"The accused fled the property with the victim's three-year-old child who was subsequently conveyed to Rockingham Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation."

Tributes flowed for the much-loved mother-of-four in the days following her death.

Hay's lifelong friend, Amanda Broad, remembered her as the girl she's known since primary school in Kalgoorlie.

"I'll never get over her smile and her laugh, she was the goofiest person you'd ever meet," Broad told 9News.

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Hay's friends say they feared something was wrong in the week before her death.

Broad told 9News Hay had reached out to her, texting her for help but the expectant mum forgot to text back.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.