Channel Four Live Cam

Thursday 8 August, 4.45pm

Good afternoon, Jean Acheson here, and following the shock abduction of Prime Minister Michael Lansdowne, Canberra is getting its first taste of life under a State of Emergency.

All parliamentary staffers and press gallery workers are being cleared from Parliament House, while Acting Prime Minister Redding meets his cabinet in a bunker below the building. The abduction is the only item on the agenda.

From my vantage point up here on Red Hill, I can see some of the hundreds of fully armed troops who will soon be on active patrol in the parliamentary triangle. All access to the Hill has been blocked, and an army command post is being set up on the sports field just below the Senate side door.

Meanwhile, we’re yet to hear whether Saturday’s election will proceed without the prime minister. We’ll let you know as soon as we’re told. This is Jean Acheson.