Australia news live: Qantas seeks answers on data breach, storm prompts asthma warning, property values fall further

Nationals leader Matt Canavan will look to move to the lower house, announcing he will contest the central Queensland seat of Capricornia at the next federal election.

The Queensland senator told the Courier-Mail he will contest the seat following the recent announcement current MP Michelle Landry would retire.

“The issue is we need to keep this seat to change the government, and I want us to continue to deliver for central Queensland,” he said.

“I don’t think you’ll be surprised by this announcement but I’m not going to die wondering. I may very well die politically, but I’m not going to die wondering,” Canavan said.

Qantas said it’s trying to learn if any customer bookings have been affected by a cyber breach involving global reservation provider Amadeus, after a number of airlines said their customer data had been exposed.

While Qantas itself has not been hacked, the airline is trying to learn whether its customers’ records have been affected.

“We have been advised by global travel technology provider Amadeus that there has been unauthorised access to one of their systems,” said a spokesperson for Qantas.

“Amadeus advised the issue was contained in September and we’re working with them to understand the impact to any Qantas bookings.”

Victorians have been warned about epidemic thunderstorm asthma conditions in parts of the state today.

Victoria’s Acting Chief Health Officer Dr Evelyn Wong sent out an alert due to the combination of forecast high grass pollen levels and strong thunderstorm wind gusts that could see a large number of people develop asthma symptoms for a short period of time.

“People in Mallee, North Central, North East and Wimmera districts who have asthma or spring hay fever need to be alert and prepared while this high-risk forecast is in place,” Dr Wong warned yesterday.

“The safest place to be during the strong wind gusts before and during a thunderstorm is indoors, with windows and doors closed.”