Child’s hands allegedly catch fire touching Questacon plasma globe

Federal department faces $1.5m fine after spark from exhibit allegedly ignites alcohol-based hand sanitiser provided by science museum and used by nine-year-old

• Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates
• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

The federal department that runs Questacon could be fined up to $1.5m after a child's hands were allegedly set on fire during a visit to the Canberra museum.

The nine-year-old was seriously burned after they allegedly touched a hands-on plasma globe exhibit at the National Science and Technology Centre in July 2022.

Sign up for Guardian Australia's free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup