A district court judge said her actions were ‘hostile’ and not socially acceptable.

Emotions ran high in both upper and lower houses of parliament as politicians, including prime minister Anthony Albanese and opposition leader Peter Dutton, condemned antisemitism and vowed to stand against the surge.

In the House of Representatives this afternoon, Independent MP Allegra Spender moved a motion to; deplore the rise of antisemitism, condemn antisemitism and resolve that all parliamentarians work together to combat antisemitism.

"We, in this house and across the different levels of government, have the responsibility to keep the community safe and that must be the work of this parliament in the laws, policing, education and justice systems," she said.

READ MORE: Sacked presenter challenged ABC's 'strange and unfair' social media ban

"The message from this parliament today must be unambiguous: We will not stand for hate, we will not stand for abuse, we will not abide intimidation, and we will not tolerate a terrorising of any part of our community. We are all united against antisemitism."

Spender is also seeking to strengthen the hate crime legislation.

Albanese emphasised that "this kind of hateful prejudice has no place in Australia", adding that his government has been working to protect the Jewish community.

"Our country is better than that and our country is a better place because of our Jewish community," he said.

"Our government is committed to keeping the community safe, Mr Deputy Speaker, we have not wavered. Antisemitism stands in vile opposition to all we are as a nation and all that we have built together over generations.

"It has no place in our nation, and we will combat it with the full force of our laws and with total commitment from every level of government."

READ MORE: Jo Haylen resigns as NSW transport minister over use of taxpayer-funded driver

Dutton said this was a time of "national crisis".

"Antisemitism has always been there, as the previous speakers have spoken of, that has previously been here for thousands of years but, in our country, the depth and the level of hatred and racism that we've seen has never been evidenced in our country's history," he said.

He claimed the government has failed to act in response to antisemitic attacks, adding that today's level of antisemitism has been building since the protest at Sydney's Opera House following the Hamas October 7 attack. 

"It is no wonder that people within the Jewish community, their friends, their supporters in every Australian of good endeavour and of big heart has been condemning of the inaction that we've seen over the course of the last 12 months," he said.

Labor MP Josh Burns and Liberal MP Julian Leeser, who are both Jewish, told of the impact the number of alleged antisemitic attacks against cars, homes, businesses and synagogues has had on the community.

"The truth is that the last six months have been like no other that I've experienced in this country," Burns said.

READ MORE: What Trump actually achieved during with his tariff announcement

"We have a domestic terrorism crisis in this country," Leeser said, before also criticising the government's response against antisemitism.

Meanwhile, Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie became visibly emotional when she introduced the same motion against antisemitism in the Senate.

"The people who are doing this … you people are at the bottle of the barrel. You seriously are Australia's scum and I will call you out for that today," she said.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong stood up, acknowledging that the "distressing" rise in antisemitism and "vile acts of hate" is not just an attack on the Jewish community but also an attack on Australia.

"People in this country should not only be safe but should feel safe," she said.

"It is important and appropriate that today across the chamber, we stand together to unequivocally condemn antisemitism in all its forms, just as we should condemn hatred in all its forms directed at any group in our community."

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Armed police have blocked off a road as they respond to the incident.

The Prime Minister has attacked the banks over retrenching from fossil fuels.

NZ Law Society president Frazer Barton will return to work tomorrow.

VJ Tutai was likely in a low mood from drug withdrawal at the time of his death.

Jo Haylen has stepped down as NSW transport minister over the use of her taxpayer-funder driver for private events, with the premier saying she's "paid a high price".

Haylen has been under fire over the revelations that she used a ministerial driver to attend a private lunch at Brokenwood Winery in the Hunter Valley on January 25.

She today apologised and said she would step down from the portfolio.

READ MORE: Race to get power back on as flood threat eases in devastated north Queensland

"As I said on Sunday, I've made some mistakes, people aren't perfect, I did not break the rules but I acknowledge that's not the only test here," she said.

"I've let the public down, and I'm very sorry for that.

"We were elected to be better than the last government.

"This morning I've told the premier that I will resign my position as minister for transport."

Details emerged earlier this week that Haylen had used her ministerial driver to travel 446km from Sydney to her holiday house at Caves Beach.

The driver also took her and Housing Minister Rose Jackson, along with their husbands and two friends, to the private lunch at Brokenwood Winery in the Hunter Valley the day before Australia Day.

The driver waited three hours for them to finish eating before dropping them back to Caves Beach and returning to Sydney over 13 hours later. 

The transport minister said she would foot the $750 bill for the trip.

Since the first revelations about the winery trip, further claims have been made about Haylen's use of the driver, including to take her children to Saturday sport.

READ MORE: Residents urged to be 'ready to act' as fires burn across Victoria

She admitted today that she had also used her driver for a second trip to the Hunter Valley but under different circumstances. 

"I did take a trip last year with my husband to the Hunter Valley, it was not the same circumstances as the 25th of January, I was working that day," Haylen said. 

"I do want to acknowledge the use of my personal driver was an error in judgement by me.

"My mistakes are now causing my government damage."

Haylen will still retain her role as the Member for Summer Hill.

Earlier today, Premier Chris Minns called Haylen's actions "indefensible", but said he wouldn't fire her from the transport portfolio.

He later released a statement addressing the resignation and policy changes around ministerial drivers.

"This morning, Minister Haylen advised me that she intends to resign as the Minister for Transport, and I have accepted her resignation," he said.

"While this was clearly an error of judgement, there are also too many grey areas where private and public uses blur.

"Jo has paid a high price for that.

"I want to thank Jo for her service to the people of New South Wales.

"The best way to fix this is to change the rules, and that is what I have done today… All Ministers must comply with the policy which will take effect immediately."

READ MORE: Police target Hells Angels bikies as gang descends on Canberra for national run

The changes mean ministerial drivers can now only be able to be used for official business or private purposes "if the use is incidental to the discharge of the Minister's official duties".

Haylen was appointed transport minister after Labor's win in the March 2023 election.

The recent controversy is not the first time Haylen has come under fire.

It emerged in August 2023 that Haylen had picked former Labor staffer Josh Murray for transport secretary after her office intervened to add him to the list of candidates.

Documents uncovered last year showed Haylen had passed over senior transport executive Benedicte Colin, who was found to be "highly suitable" for the position, in favour of Murray.

The tight-knit community of Ballarat is still grappling with the loss of missing mum Samantha Murphy as family and friends mark the grim milestone of one year since her disappearance.

Murphy, 52, went missing while on a run in the Canadian Forest on February 4, 2024, and while a murder charge has been laid, her body has never been found.

Ballarat mayor Tracey Hargreaves said locals have felt the impact of Murphy's shock disappearance and alleged murder far and wide.

READ MORE: Residents in flood-hit Far North Queensland warned more homes at risk

"On behalf of the City of Ballarat and its residents, we want to express our deepest sympathy and support to the family of Samantha Murphy during this incredibly difficult time," Hargreaves said in a statement to 9news.com.au.

"The disappearance of Samantha has profoundly affected our close-knit community, and we continue to stand together in solidarity with Samantha's friends and family."

Hargreaves said she has been buoyed by the community support offered to Murphy's loved ones as police investigate the whereabouts of the missing woman's remains.

The tragic loss has seen the Ballarat community rally against violence.

"In the past 12 months we have seen Ballarat come together and in the face of challenging circumstances," Hargreaves added.

"I am extremely proud to see the community's response as we all work together to take a stand against gender-based violence."

READ MORE: Teenage lifesaver killed by shark north of Brisbane swam at beach every day

Murphy left her home on Eureka Street in Ballarat East at around 7am to go for a run on February 4 last year.

When she failed to return home, where she was expected to attend a brunch, an investigation into her disappearance was launched.

On March 6, 2024, a now 23-year-old man was arrested and charged with one count of murder.

READ MORE: 'Stupid and white': Sam Kerr's expletive-laden comments after arrest

Ballarat man Patrick Orren Stephenson has pleaded not guilty to murder over the disappearance of Murphy, electing to fast-track his trial.

Police this week reaffirmed their vow to locate Murphy's body one year on.

The search for her remains has spanned Enfield State Park, Canadian Forest and Buninyong Bushland Reserve and has involved Missing Person Squad officers, the dog squad, the mounted branch, search and rescue, air wing, SES, the AFP, local police and detectives.

TIMELINE: How the investigation into disappearance of Samantha Murphy unfolded

"Since Samantha's disappearance, police have worked tirelessly to locate her. While nothing can erase their grief and loss, being able to return Samantha to her family has always been incredibly important to us," Detective Inspector Dave Dunstan said on Sunday.

"We also know that Samantha's death has had an enormous impact on the Ballarat community, as well as the wider Victorian community.

"I want to reaffirm to the community that the Missing Persons Squad remains committed to doing everything we can to locate Samantha – while a year has passed, we still believe we can locate her."

Dunstan said the search this year will now widen to the Ballarat area, including new areas tipped off from sources.

In May, her phone and wallet were discovered on the edge of a dam, roughly five kilometres south of where her phone last pinged a tower.

"I think people need answers," Councillor Samantha McIntosh told 9News.

"The family need answers. Sam's friends need answers."

Anyone with information is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers.

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

People in several towns in Victoria's south-west have been advised to "monitor conditions" as firefighters continue to battle an out-of-control bushfire in the Grampians.

Authorities initially urged residents of Mirranatwa to "leave immediately" overnight, but the emergency warning has since been downgraded to a watch and act.

Fire crews have spent the past three days battling tough weather conditions, with the state recording 500,000 lightning strikes during a severe thunderstorm on Sunday night.

READ MORE: Leaders vow action after more antisemitic attacks in Sydney and Perth

Deputy Incident Controller Ben Matthews expected the watch and act warnings to remain in place for towns within and near the Grampians for some time.

The warning applies to Cavendish, Mona Park, Mooralla, Big Cord, Mirranatwa, Strachans, Victoria Point and Victoria Valley.

"The threat is reduced, but the situation can change at any time. You must monitor conditions and be ready to act," the warning said.

Those who were able to leave and have no other place to stay, are urged to travel to the Hamilton Emergency Relief Centre at 113 Brown Street, Hamilton, which is open from 9am to 7pm but has a phone number for out-of-hours service.

READ MORE: Brisbane grandmother escapes burning home with seconds to spare

It comes as a fire burning in the Little Desert National Park intensified following strong winds.

"The fire was initially contained, but the fire had some significant wind gusts, caused by thunderstorms.," Matthews said.

"This came very close to the township of Goroke."

A watch and act alert remains current for Goroke, Kaniva, Lawloit, Miram South and Peronne.

The fire has grown to 83,000 hectares.

Three firefighters battling the blaze yesterday were forced to flee after their firefighting ute became engulfed in flames.

Emergency management commissioner Rick Nugent confirmed yesterday that the crew managed to escape the vehicle before it was totally engulfed.

READ MORE: Homes, fire truck scorched as crews battle fires in tough conditions

Another hot day is expected to trouble firefighters battling blazes around the state, with tops of up to 35 degrees after a warm night.

But a cool change is anticipated to sweep through mid-afternoon.

More thunderstorms are also expected around the state after hundreds of homes were battered and damaged yesterday.

One, in Taylors Lakes, Melbourne, caught alight after a lightning strike yesterday morning.

But it was Geelong which bore the brunt of the damage, at the epicentre of a major storm.

The SES received about 950 calls for assistance during the storms yesterday, with about half of those coming from Geelong.

Images showed houses with trees fallen on them and others with their roofs ripped off, after 80km/hr winds were recorded.

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

The Princess of Wales has shared a new photo of herself taken by her youngest son to mark World Cancer Day.