Eight children have been found dead at a house in Cairns, Northern Queensland.
According to reports this morning, the bodies of the children were discovered by their adult brother at their home.
A woman in her thirties, believed to be the mother of seven of the children, is being treated for stab wounds to the chest.
Police say she is helping with enquiries but it is not yet known if she is a suspect in the case. They have not yet confirmed how the children died.
Detective Inspector Bruno Asnicar said that formal identification of the bodies has not yet taken place.
“We believe the other child is a family member but that is being followed up,” he said.
Prime Minister Tony Abbot said that ““The news out of Cairns is heartbreaking.
“All parents would feel a gut-wrenching sadness at what has happened. This is an unspeakable crime. These are trying days for our country.”
The tragic deaths come days after 18 people were taken hostage by a lone gunman in a Sydney café.
The gunman and two other people were killed when police stormed the building in a bid to free the people inside.
