Authorities searching for answers to the carnage from Australia’s worst-ever wildfires said today they would rethink current policies of allowing residents to decide for themselves whether to evacuate their homes.

Two houses were destroyed by wildfires in drought-stricken south-east Australia today on the region's hottest December day in 53 years.

POLICE in Australia arrested 15 terror suspects in a string of raids early today and said they had foiled a major terror attack.

Police in Australia arrested 15 terror suspects in a string of raids in the early hours of Tuesday and said they had foiled a major terror attack.