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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Elias Visontay and Emily Wind

Crisafulli urges residents to prepare as storm approaches – as it happened

Alfred David Crisafulli Australia Tropical Cyclone Alfred Brisbane (Geopolitical Entity) United States Anika Wells Economy Tapas Strickland Queensland

What happened Wednesday 5 March, 2025

With that, we’ll end our live coverage of the day’s news.

Here’s a summary of the main news developments:

Have a pleasant evening. We’ll be back with further coverage of Cyclone Alfred tomorrow.

Updated

Brisbane, SE Queensland public transport to stop late tonight because of stormy weather

Public transport in Brisbane and south-east Queensland will come to a halt at the end of tonight as the region braces for the impact of Cyclone Alfred.

The public transport hiatus, which includes rail and buses extended to Brisbane city council buses, which will be suspended from final service tonight. Ferry services have already been suspended.

It is not yet clear when services will resume.

Updated

Angus Taylor flags ‘whitelist’ for trusted overseas investors for fast approval

At an AFR business summit today, the shadow treasurer, Angus Taylor, appeared to walk back the Coalition’s proposal to crackdown on insurance companies. (As we reported here earlier, the PM chose not to weigh in on that.)

Also at the summit, AAP reported, Taylor promised to slash red tape for investors from friendly nations such as the US and Japan.

He said the Coalition would create a whitelist for trusted investors in Australia, putting them on an express lane to approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board and speeding up decision times, which take 41 days on average.

“This is about smarter screening, not weaker oversight,” Taylor said.

The Property Council welcomed the proposal, saying a whitelist would make Australia a more desirable destination for global investors.

“We should welcome other people’s money to build the housing and infrastructure we need,” chief executive Mike Zorbas said.

Taylor said he would focus on boosting productivity in the construction, finance and energy and resources sectors, setting up task forces to drive deregulation and reform. The Coalition would also order the productivity commission to conduct an annual stocktake of the costs regulation was having on the economy.

Labor announced its own changes to speed up foreign investment in 2024.

– with AAP

Updated

Trump tariffs push Australian share market to lowest close for 2025

The Australian share market has continued its slide to record its lowest close of 2025, as US president Donald Trump promises to slap tariffs on more countries.

The benchmark S&P/ASX200 fell 57 points, or 0.70%, to 8,141.1, while the broader All Ordinaries sank 57.8 points, or 0.69%, to 8,363.1.

Trump has promised to extend tariffs to more countries from 2 April, after hitting Canada and Mexico with 25% levies and doubling duties on Chinese goods to 20%.

Energy stocks posted a third day of losses, giving up 1.7 % over the session, as the trade war further tempered global demand expectations and pushed oil prices closer to $US70 a barrel.

Coles and Woolworths took a hit after paying dividends to shareholders, dropping 4.4% and 3.9%, respectively to $18.89 and $28.72. The supermarket slump helped drive consumer staples 3.6% lower – the worst performing sector of the day.

The utilities sector was the only one to finish in the green, grinding 0.11% higher, but still closing down more than 2% for the month.

Iron ore miners BHP and Rio Tinto edged slightly higher as China announced new stimulus measures to help achieve its 5% growth target, which it held steady in the face of US tariff pressures.

AAP

Updated

Swell at Currumbin ahead of Cyclone Alfred reaching the coast

This compilation of satellite images shows Tropical Cyclone Alfred tracking towards the coast

Updated

Chalmers: insurers with customers affected by Tropical Cyclone Alfred should ‘do the right thing’

Treasurer Jim Chalmers will warn insurance companies not to add to the stress of residents who will be affected by Tropical Cyclone Alfred and lodge claims for any damage caused.

Chalmers, speaking to ABC TV, said he “will be speaking with the insurance companies and that’s to remind them – not that they might need reminding – of the really stressful time that people are going through”.

Chalmers said:

It’s very rare to see a cyclone this far south and likely to hit a population centre this big as south-east Queensland and the northern part of New South Wales.

Obviously the insurance companies have got a big role to play here. We want to make sure that they’re doing the right thing by their customers recognising that it’s going to be a really stressful time for everyone

We want to make sure that the way that people deal with insurance companies doesn’t add unnecessarily to that stress.”

Updated

Residents prepare sandbags ahead of Cyclone Alfred

Updated

Crisafulli: Queenslanders who prepare now for Tropical Cyclone Alfred will be safe

Queensland premier David Crisafulli has urged residents in the path of Tropical Cyclone Alfred to immediately prepare their properties and draw up evacuation plans.

Crisafulli said that taking action today – before any deterioration in the weather on Thursday and Friday – was crucial, especially moving loose objects out of harm’s way and cutting overhanging trees to minimise the debris and damage the cyclone could cause.

There is the prospect that this cyclone could cross the coast in the middle of the night with a high tide, and that is not the time to be making your evacuation plan. Now is that time, and if you do so, I have every faith that Queenslanders will be kept safe.

By tomorrow afternoon, preparing your house will be very difficult. That window [of time] is now, so get in and do the little things.”

He said the state had entered the second phase of the weather event, with damaging winds to begin.

Crisafulli said it was rare for a cyclone to hit land so far south and warned residents to expect power outages. He said also people should look out for fallen live wires and other hazards if it floods.

Updated

Irwin family’s Australia Zoo preparing to treat any native animals injured by Tropical Cyclone Alfred

Australia Zoo’s wildlife hospital is gearing up to treat an influx of native wildlife injured by Tropical Cyclone Alfred in coming days.

The Steve Irwin-founded zoo, which is about an hour’s drive from Brisbane, has yet to decide if it will close its doors to visitors, but it has sought to reassure people that its hospital will remain open 24 hours a day.

In a statement, the zoo said:

Our team is working around the clock to ensure that our beautiful animals remain comfortable and safe, spoiling them with lots of love and comfort food.

We will make the decision whether to close Australia Zoo, if required, for the safety of our animals, staff and visitors.

The Australia Zoo Wildlife hospital continues to operate 24 hours a day, and will be prepared to treat native wildlife impacted by the cyclone in the coming days.”

Updated

SE Queensland, northern NSW airports close as Tropical Cyclone Alfred approaches

Airlines have had to cancel many flights as airports in south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales shut ahead of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Gold Coast airport will close from 4PM local time today.

Ballina airport flights have also been suspended.

Coffs Harbour airport flights will cease from midnight tonight.

It is unclear when the airports will reopen for flights.

Brisbane and Sunshine Coast airports remains open.

Updated

Acting Gold Coast mayor warns of ‘most significant’ storm event since 1954

The acting Gold Coast mayor has warned residents to take seriously the threat posed by Tropical Cyclone Alfred, declaring it could be the “most significant” wind and wet weather event for the city since 1954.

Donna Gates said residents should be safe in their homes and plan for power outages from 6pm on Wednesday.

She said that over the course of the next two or three days the area is expecting as much as 800mm of rain. While the cyclone is classified at the upper end of category two, wind gusts of a category three strength could occur.

We’ve tried to prepare everyone so that they do understand that this looks like the most significant event in our city in terms of destructive winds and heavy rain that we’ve seen since 1954.”

Updated

Club CEOs help families left at home as cyclone looms

Brisbane and Dolphins club bosses have made moves to ensure the safety of staff and players’ families left at home as Tropical Cyclone Alfred makes a beeline for the coast.

AAP reports that the Broncos flew to Sydney yesterday to prepare for Thursday night’s NRL clash with Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium and are scheduled to return on Friday.

Friday night’s match between the Dolphins and South Sydney has been moved out of Brisbane to Sydney’s CommBank Stadium. The Dolphins leave Brisbane this evening.

Loved ones of players and staff from both clubs face nervous days. Brisbane CEO Dave Donaghy has flown back to the Queensland capital from Sydney to oversee support.

Donaghy’s Dolphins counterpart Terry Reader said the NRL had helped the club with its contingencies.

Any of our players and travelling staff’s partners that are worried about not having their partners around, we are going to put them up in a hotel in the city so they have more security around being with each other.

Updated

Many thanks for joining me on the blog today. Elias Visontay will be here to bring you the rest of today’s news, including Tropical Cyclone Alfred updates. Take care.

Updated

Tropical Cyclone Alfred moving towards Queensland’s south-east coast

The Bureau of Meteorology has published the latest Tropical Cyclone Alfred tracking map, showing it moving towards the south-east Queensland coast.

It is highly likely Alfred will remain a category 2 system until it crosses the coast early on Friday, the BoM said, before it weakens below tropical cyclone strength and moves inland.

Southeast Queensland and northeast NSW will be affected with wind gales from today, followed by heavy rainfall from tomorrow and deteriorating coastal conditions.

The weather system is now 355km east of Brisbane and 310km northeast of the Gold Coast.

Updated

Watch: Crisafulli warns public to ‘make yourself aware of storm tide zones’ as Tropical Cyclone Alfred nears

The Queensland premier, David Crisafulli, addressed the media earlier today with an update on Tropical Cyclone Alfred. You can watch some of his address here:

Updated

New vehicle sales stuck in slow lane, even popular SUVs

New vehicle sales have hit the skids in Australia, AAP reports, with motorists buying 10,000 fewer new cars in one month and purchases slowing in every state and territory.

Even the most popular style of vehicles, SUVs, was hit by the downturn during February, which represents the seventh consecutive month of slower car sales.

The trend is revealed in figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries today, which also shows electric vehicle sales remaining lower than in 2024 and passenger cars falling further out of favour.

Hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are among the few vehicle styles to withstand the downturn, with BYD’s newly released plug-in hybrid ute scoring a place among Australia’s top 10 vehicles.

Australians bought almost 95,000 new vehicles in February, according to the figures, or 10,030 fewer vehicles than in February last year, representing a drop of 9.6%.

Motorists also bought slightly fewer SUVs (0.6%), fewer light commercial vehicles such as utes (10.2%), and fewer passenger cars (34.8%).

Electric cars made up 5.9% of all new vehicle sales compared with 9.6% in February 2024, which the chamber’s chief executive Toby Weber called a concerning result given consumers’ access to them.

Sales of Tesla electric vehicles experienced a particularly steep fall in February, down by 71.9% compared with that month in 2024, with sales of its entry-level Model 3 down by 81%. But hybrid vehicle sales continued to climb in February, up 34% compared with last year.

Updated

Preparation for Tropical Cyclone Alfred well underway

As the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Alfred begin being felt, and communities work to prepare their homes against the weather, here are some photos that have been rolling in throughout the day:

Updated

‘Stay indoors’: watch and act issued for northern rivers region in NSW

A watch and act alert has been issued for the Northern Rivers region of NSW amid Tropical Cyclone Alfred, with residents urged to stay indoors.

The State Emergency Service said the following communities are advised to stay indoors, unless they have been told to evacuate amid forecast flooding:

  • Tweed Heads

  • Murwillumbah

  • Mullumbimby

  • Byron Bay

  • Kyogle

  • Nimbin

  • Lismore

  • Lennox Head

  • Ballina

  • Casino

  • Woodburn

  • Maclean

  • Yamba

  • Kingscliff

  • Coraki

  • Wardell

  • Broadwater

  • Evans Head

Damaging wind gusts of up to 120km/h are expected to develop around south-east Queensland and northern NSW amid the tropical cyclone, as well as gusts of up to 155km/h. Heavy rainfall may also cause dangerous and life-threatening flash-flooding.

Updated

First Nations suicide rate triple other Australians

The suicide rate of First Nations Australians is three times higher than the rest of the population and deaths are far more prevalent among young people, AAP reports.

A report from the Victorian coroner revealed 27 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people died by suicide in 2024. The figures are a 42% jump since 2022, with the average age of death for men being 37 and 29.6 for women.

56.6% of Indigenous people who died by suicide from 2020-2024 were aged under 35. This was compared with 30.2% of non-Indigenous people who took their own lives.

In the four years until 2024, one-third of First Nations suicides were in men aged 25-34, while the most common age for women was between 18 and 24.

The analysis also revealed a geographical divide, with 54.9% of suicides in First Nations peoples in regional areas and 45.1% in metropolitan areas.

This contrasts with the rest of the population, where two-thirds of suicides occurred in metropolitan areas.

Stressors included diagnosed or suspected mental health conditions, interpersonal concerns, substance use, exposure to family violence and contact with the justice system, court data revealed.

  • 13YARN 13 92 76. Lifeline 13 11 14.

Updated

Two separate watch and act bushfire warnings in Victoria

A watch and act alert has been issued for Buninyong and Scotsburn near Ballarat, because of a bushfire that is out of control.

The fire is travelling south towards Scotsburn, and locals are being urged to leave now.

Firefighters are responding, and the fire has not yet crossed the Midland Highway.

In a separate warning, locals at Mount Clear and Mount Helen are being told to prepare to leave because of another out-of-control fire.

A bushfire at Mount Clear is moving from Olympic Avenue in a southerly direction towards Timbertop Drive. The warning reads:

A wind change is expected around 3.00pm. This will cause the fire to change directions towards Woowookarung Regional Park. Conditions can become very dangerous and unpredictable.

Updated

Tyrrell backs Greens move, with one exception

Independent Tasmanian senator Tammy Tyrrell has backed the Greens policy for a prices commission – but believes this should sit within the existing ACCC rather than a new organisation.

She wrote in a statement earlier today:

There’s a fascination with setting up new government bodies that costs hundreds of millions of dollars to establish and maintain. We have enough of those already. I want a prices commission that’ll save taxpayers more money than it’ll cost them to run.

Tyrrell has been advocating for supermarket chain Aldi to come to Tasmania, arguing that “when Aldi comes to town, prices at other supermarkets go down”.

Updated

Greens unveil plan to make price gouging illegal

The Greens have unveiled a plan to make price gouging illegal by the middle of this year.

As part of a plan unveiled today, the Greens would introduce a new corporate watchdog to monitor for price gouging in supermarkets, also creating a Prices Commission, with powers to subject supermarkets to fines or being broken up.

The commission would begin 1 July this year, it said, with the ability to make referrals to the existing ACCC, “which would also be strengthened with additional resourcing.”

The Greens leader, Adam Bandt, said that in a “wealthy country” like Australia, “everyone should be able to afford the basics, but people are getting smashed at the checkout.”

People are worried about rising grocery prices and the soaring cost of living, but governments aren’t acting … Experts predict a minority government this election. The Greens will keep Peter Dutton out and get Labor to make price gouging illegal.

Number of fatal farm accidents doubled in 2024

The number of fatal accidents on Australian farms doubled in 2024, according to data released by Agrifutures today.

The research by AgHealth Australia found that 72-on farm deaths were reported in 2024, up from 32 in 2023 and higher than the five-year average of 53 on-farm deaths per year.

Fourteen of the fatal accidents involved side-by-side farm vehicles, 10 involved quad motorbikes and eight involved tractors. Three deaths involved livestock, two involving cattle and one involving horses. Five of those killed were less than 15 years old, and 87% were male.

A further 133 non-fatal injuries were reported, most of which were in Queensland. Quad bikes were the leading cause of non-fatal injury, followed by horses, cattle, side-by-sides, motorbikes, and tractors.

AgHealth Australia farm safety research manager, Kerri-Lynn Peachy, said the increase was above expected annual fluctuations.

It’s clear from the data we must urgently improve our actions and attitudes, working in collaboration across the agriculture sector, to drive improvements in farm safety, which in turn will increase productivity.

Even one death on-farm is too many and we all have a role to play in bolstering farm safety as the sector aims for zero on-farm fatalities.

Some Queensland courthouses to close amid tropical cyclone

A number of Queensland courts will close tomorrow and Friday amid Tropical Cyclone Alfred, including:

  • Brisbane (QEII courts of law)

  • Ipswich district court

  • Beenleigh district court

  • Southport district court

  • Land court

Updated

Chalmers welcomes GDP growth figures

The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, has welcomed those GDP growth figures announced earlier today, declaring “the Australian economy has turned a corner”.

Australia’s gross domestic product, which measures economic activity, rose by 0.6% compared with 0.3% in the previous three-month period, the Australian Bureau of Statistics announced earlier today. The annual growth rate is at 1.3%.

At a press conference, Chalmers said:

Growth is picking up in the Australian economy and the Australian economy has turned a corner. That’s the overwhelming evidence from today’s national accounts.

These numbers reflect the very substantial and very encouraging progress that Australians are making together in our economy. Inflation is down, incomes are strengthening, unemployment is very low, interest rates are coming down and now growth is picking up as well.

Updated

Australian economy ‘heading’ towards recovery as GDP rises

The Australian economy expanded faster than expected in the December quarter, signalling an improvement in the financial health of the nation.

Australia’s gross domestic product, which measures economic activity, rose by 0.6% compared to 0.3% in the previous three-month period, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The annual growth rate is at 1.3%.

Cameron McCormack, a senior portfolio manager at investment firm VanEck, said:

While GDP is still well below Australia’s historical average of 3.34% annual growth, the modest GDP growth in an environment of tighter monetary policy indicates the economy is heading towards recovery.

Crucially, per capita GDP increased by 0.1% during the quarter after years of going backwards. The per capita figures are a gauge of living standards, and have suffered a prolonged period of weakness.

The data, released today, could indicate that households are feeling better about their financial position shortly ahead of an election fought on cost-of-living pressures.

However, stronger-than-expected GDP typically makes a rate cut less likely.

Updated

Dave Emerson promoted to CEO of Virgin Australia

Virgin Australia has promoted its chief commercial officer, Dave Emerson, to be the airline’s new chief executive officer.

The airline announced the appointment today, after a more than 12-month search for a replacement for current CEO Jayne Hrdlicka, who said she would be stepping down in February 2024 in an abrupt announcement that fuelled speculation she had been pushed out by the company’s private equity owners Bain Capital.

Emerson has served as Virgin Australia’s chief commercial officer since 2021 and has had a 25-year career in aviation and tourism that has included a stint at America West Airlines. He will formally assume the role on 14 March.

Hrdlicka said Emerson was “an excellent choice” to succeed her and that now is the “perfect time to transition leadership” ahead of a four-year growth plan for the airline.

In recent weeks, the government and competition watchdog have greenlit Virgin’s plans to return to international long-haul flying through a partnership with Qatar Airways, which has also moved to take a 25% stake in the Australian carrier.

Virgin Australia has repeatedly delayed its much-anticipated return to the stock exchange, seen as a key step in returning to its former scale of operations when it was a publicly traded company before its pandemic-induced restructure.

Updated

Meteorologists predict Cyclone Alfred will move directly over Brisbane

Meteorologists mapping the trajectory of Tropical Cyclone Alfred are now predicting it will move directly over Brisbane, with the city roughly aligning with the centre of the storm.

The Bureau of Meteorology, in its latest update of its Alfred tracker map issued a short time ago, shows the cyclone moving directly over Brisbane late on Thursday and into Friday.

The updated prediction also suggests the strongest winds are expected to be experienced on the Gold Coast.

This is because, on the current prediction, the area is just to the south of the eye of the storm, which can experience the strongest winds because cyclones rotate clockwise, meaning the strongest onshore winds are underneath the eye of the storm.

Updated

Albanese says he will stay on east coast despite WA travel plans

Anthony Albanese was asked about reports the Coalition has backed down on its threat to break up big insurance companies to improve competition, instead focusing just on supermarkets.

But the PM said the focus today was solely on the cyclone response:

I haven’t seen what Angus Taylor has said … I have been focused on the needs of Queenslanders and people who live in northern New South Wales.

The PM said he was due to travel to Western Australia on Friday and Saturday but will now likely stay on the east coast. And with that, the presser wrapped up.

Updated

Chelepy says communities won’t be forcibly evacuated

Asked if people who are most at-risk would be forcibly evacuated from their homes, acting commissioner Shane Chelepy said this would not happen:

We don’t go around and forcibly dragged people out of their homes, that is not what we do. We support Queenslanders and we give them all the advice they need to make the decision on whether or not to leave or stay …

If those people don’t leave their home we take the details, we understand that they are there, and, as always, we prepare our resources to respond.

Chelepy stressed the danger of the situation and said in the past, crews have conducted more than 250 rescues from rooftops in one evening.

That’s really dangerous for us operating and is really dangerous for you.

Vast majority of Queenslanders are safest by staying home, premier says

David Crisafulli said that for the vast majority of Queenslanders the best thing to do right now is to stay home.

We’ve outlined the storm surge areas, we spoken about those riverine flooding areas, but the vast majority of Queenslanders will not be in one of those and the safest place for you and your family is in your home … for the duration of the event. And particularly if the eye of the cyclone was to pass over you, that is temporary reprieve. So my strong advice is to stay in your home.

Updated

Crisafulli says evacuation centres will have capacity

Asked about the capacity of evacuation centres in Queensland, David Crisafulli said there “will be capacity there”.

But the overwhelming advice is to stay with friends and family if possible, he added.

Our overwhelming advice to people is if it is possible to go and stay with a mate or a family member – or even if you do have the means and the capacity to go to a hotel – it is a far better option than an evacuation centre.

But they are there for people who are vulnerable and who might be new to the area and don’t have another option. They will be there for you and every council right now has put that in place, every council.

Updated

Albanese seeking to visit northern NSW

Taking questions, the prime minister said he is working with the Queensland premier “in lockstep”.

There are no political parties here. There are no borders between NSW and Queensland, just Australians working together. We are working out whether I can go to northern NSW after this, but I arrived yesterday afternoon, I am due to go back to NSW later today.

Updated

Cyclone most likely to cross as category 2 system – BoM

The Bureau of Meteorology representative said Alfred is likely to cross the coast as a category 2 system.

It is expected to remain as a category 2 as it approaches, and at the higher end of that category. There is a small percentage of our modelling that does say it goes stronger, but the most likely outcome is a category 2 system across the coast.

Updated

Chelepy confirms ADF now formally engaged in response

Shane Chelepy said he made a formal request to the commonwealth for assistance from the ADF, as the prime minister confirmed earlier. Chelepy:

[This was] with respect to high clearance vehicles as well as personnel and aviation capability, and we are continuing that conversation as to when they should be available and where they will be positioned.

Updated

Pre-emptive disaster declarations from Noosa to the Gold Coast

The deputy police commissioner, Shane Chelepy, has also been providing an update on the cyclone response. He said the priority for today are the areas within the storm surge.

Chelepy has placed pre-emptive disaster declarations for districts between Noosa and the Gold Coast and said he would “consider putting further declarations in as required as this event evolves”.

These declarations were put in place to ensure our emergency services personnel at the appropriate powers to keep our communities safe, should they be carrying out evacuations or responding to emergency situations.

The declarations also allow our emergency services personnel to control the movement of people in and out of these disaster declared areas.

Updated

‘Very rare and hazardous event for south-east Queensland’ – BoM

A representative from the Bureau of Meteorology has been giving a condition update on Tropical Cyclone Alfred. He outlined the situation as follows:

  • It is a category 2 system, sitting 400km east of Brisbane and moving west at about 11km/h towards south-east Queensland

  • Forecast to cross south-east Queensland between Brisbane and the Gold Coast overnight Thursday into Friday morning

  • Winds near the centre are up to 95km/h, with gusts up to 130km/h, concentrated on the southern side of the system

  • A tropical cyclone warning is in place for Double Island Point right through to the Queensland-NSW border

  • Coastal warnings are in place for large waves and high tides, as well as heavy and intense rainfall

  • Daily rainfall totals of up to 400mm over south-east Queensland are forecast for Thursday through to Saturday – there could be totals of over 800mm

  • This rainfall could produce life-threatening flash flooding

The spokesperson summarised the risk to communities:

The coastal crossing of Tropical Cyclone Alfred presents a very rare and hazardous event for south-east Queensland. The wave, wind, rainfall and particularly the storm surge present significant risks. This situation is still evolving and the bureau will update our warnings for all of these hazards as the system approaches the coast.

Updated

Stay off roads, mayor urges

The Brisbane lord mayor said those who are not directly affected by flooding should not go for a drive to “see the damage” or support neighbours.

This will not be possible and this is not recommended over the next two days and even the next three days.

Adrian Schrinner said while driving during gale force winds, “anything can happen – it can be an incredibly dangerous situation”.

There can be items that have become projectiles that can crash into you, there can be fallen power lines as a result of fallen trees that can electrocute you. So people should not be out tomorrow and the next day, at the very least.

Updated

Nearly 20,000 properties at risk – Brisbane mayor

Adrian Schrinner said the following Brisbane suburbs are currently most at risk:

  • Nudgee Beach

  • Brighton

  • Windsor

  • Ashgrove

  • Morningside

  • Rocklea

He said that nearly 20,000 properties have “the potential to be impacted by some form of inundation or flooding”.

We are advising people to make a plan in those areas. As the premier said, the first option will be to stay with family and friends. You will be safe and more comfortable by staying with family and friends. However, we do have options for people who don’t have that available to them [at evacuation centres].

Updated

Brisbane city council provides property flood risk modelling

The Brisbane lord mayor, Adrian Schrinner, says flood modelling can be accessed on its website for people to assess their properties’ risk level.

Obviously this is a changing situation. It has changed in the last 48 hours [and] no doubt it will change going forward. We use the latest information we get from the Bureau [of Meteorology] to update our modelling. The process will be ongoing. If we receive new information … we will update the modelling.

Updated

National Coordination Mechanism convened

Anthony Albanese said the National Coordination Mechanism has been convened to assist with the coordination of the commonwealth’s response.

What that means is that very quickly, Services Australia can be on the ground making sure that people get that assistance when they need it. This has been effective, I’ve got to say. Unfortunately, there is a lot of experience dealing with the recent events in Townsville and Ingham in northern Queensland, and last January dealing with the events around Cairns and Cape York.

The National Emergency Management Agency will convene today … What that does is it brings together industry and business, including supermarkets, banking, freight companies, telcos, insurance companies altogether … to ensure that there is a seamless response.

Updated

Heavy lift helicopters being readied

The PM said the federal government is deploying heavy lift helicopters from the national fleet to assist with the cyclone response.

A Sikorsky S-61L has been deployed to Coffs Harbour. The UH-60 Black Hawk will be prepositioned in Bundaberg in coming days. We have activated the Australian government disaster response plan, a crisis coordination team and deployed liaison officers.

Updated

Extra 250,000 sandbags being delivered, PM says

Anthony Albanese said families accessing the childcare subsidy would not be out of pocked due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

On sandbags, he said an additional 250,000 would be delivered to the Queensland government.

We put in place a national supply; 125,000 of those have already been delivered. That’s on top of the 80,000 that were delivered by the ADF already.

Updated

‘ADF is now engaged’ – Albanese

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is now up to provide an update on the cyclone and the federal government’s response.

He said the Australian Defence Force is now formally engaged in the response:

I said yesterday that we would put the ADF on standby, and we have now received a formal request … The ADF is now engaged as of right now.

Updated

No elective surgeries tomorrow or Friday, Crisafulli says

Continuing to provide updates, David Crisafulli said elective surgeries would continue today – but not Thursday or Friday.

But I want Queenslanders to know our health system is geared up and ready to support those who need emergency care, generators are in place, staff have been rostered …

Red alert for vessels between Double Island to Coolangatta

The premier said Queenslanders should be prepared for major roads and bridges to be closed once winds reach 90km/h.

David Crisafulli added that from midday today, there is a red alert for vessels, meaning “no vessel will be allowed on the water without permission from the Brisbane harbourmaster”.

All boats must not leave position between Double Island to Coolangatta from midday today.

Updated

No public transport on Thursday and Friday – Queensland premier

David Crisafulli said schools in the affected areas will be closed tomorrow and Friday, but are open today.

On public transport, the premier said last services will finish today and “there will not be public transport on Thursday and Friday as a minimum”.

Public transport is slated to go all through today, but it will not be operational on Thursday and Friday.

Updated

Ergon Energy crews ready to respond once cyclone passes through – premier

In terms of electricity outages, David Crisafulli said 1,000 Ergon Energy crews were ready to respond once the cyclone moves through.

With that, we have some private contractors who will work with them to clear the debris so they can reconnect power lines, because restoring electricity in these events is such a huge, huge thing that needs to occur to enable [the] recovery to move on.

Updated

Evacuations planned for low-lying nursing homes today

The Queensland government has had a particular focus on aged care and health services, as well as those sleeping rough, David Crisafulli said.

We are doing all we can to make sure that we get those people out of harms way as quickly as we can. There are evacuations of some of those low-lying nursing homes that have been planned, it will be done during the course of the day.

In the case of those homeless, we [are continuing to] offer accommodation to anyone who is there and [will] continue to make that offer to those in the hours ahead.

68 evacuated from South Stradbroke Island overnight and more occurring

David Crisafulli said there were 68 evacuations from South Stradbroke Island overnight – and more were happening “today, right now”.

The windows for this to occur is closing and closing fast, but we’re working with those vulnerable people in those communities to be able to make sure people are safe, again, whatever decision people take.

Updated

Evacuation centres should be last resort, Queensland premier says

David Crisafulli said those in storm tide zones, or areas with riverine flooding, should “consider and think about [their] evacuation plan now”.

We recommend that you stay with family and friends, if that is possible – that is the best place for you to go, if you evacuate from one of those zones.

He said if this isn’t an option, evacuation centres were available – but “should be a last resort”.

If somebody is knocking at your door, they are there because they care about you … and we wanted to listen to those warnings … If you’re not in storm tide zones, or one of the riverine flooding areas, the safest place for you is in your home and that’s the vast majority of Queenslanders.

Updated

Crisafulli: cyclone warning zone will narrow as storm approaches

The Queensland premier, David Crisafulli, is addressing reporters in Brisbane, alongside the prime minister, to provide an update on Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

He said the cyclone warning zone – currently from Double Point Island all the way to the NSW border – would narrow as the cyclone approaches.

It’s critical that people make themselves aware of the storm tide zones and impacts on their property. You can reach this information on the disaster.qld.gov.au website.

The premier said flood warnings remain in place from the Mary River “all the way to the border and beyond”, with minor to major flooding is expected in the coming days.

Updated

Watch: Tropical Cyclone Alfred update

Here is the latest update on Tropical Cyclone Alfred, from the Bureau of Meteorology:

As flagged earlier, the Queensland premier, David Crisafulli, is due to front the media anytime now. He will be joined by the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and Brisbane lord mayor, Adrian Schrinner.

Updated

Man charged for allegedly trying to steal SES boat near Lismore

A man will face court after being charged for allegedly trying to steal an SES boat near Lismore overnight.

At a car park at Goonellabah about 9.20pm last night, a man allegedly tried to detach the hitch and safety chains between a boat trailer and a NSW SES vehicle, before members of the public intervened and the man left in his vehicle.

Police were later called to Dibbs Street in Lismore, where the man’s vehicle was found. Officers spoke with the 43-year-old man when they found a camper trailer nearby, which police will allege the man also attempted to steal.

The man also allegedly refused to undergo a roadside breath test, and was arrested and taken to Lismore police station. A breath analysis at the station returned an alleged reading of 0.152. Inquiries also revealed that the man’s licence had been suspended, police said.

He was charged with two counts of attempting to steal a vessel, driving with high-range PCA and driving a motor vehicle while having a suspended licence. He was refused bail to appear before Lismore local court today.

Updated

Sydney Metro conversion delayed

Commuters living along Sydney’s Sydenham-to-Bankstown rail corridor will have to wait until 2026 for services to resume after the NSW government announced a timeline blowout in the project to convert the line to Metro service.

The acting transport minister, John Graham, confirmed rumours about the delay to the conversion – which was due to be finished before the end of the year – meaning travellers will have to rely on special pink bus replacement services into the future.

Graham blamed the industrial action that has wreaked havoc across Sydney’s larger heavy rail network over the past year.

While Sydney’s Metro network is privately operated and was not subject to work stoppages, the conversion efforts relied on accessing Sydney Trains assets – because the section of line being converted to extend the north-west and city Metro to the south-west had previously been part of the heavy rail network.

In a statement, the government said:

The complexity of this project has been compounded by more than 130 days of work on the project that have been impacted by industrial action and its subsequent effects, placing increasing pressure on the construction and testing programs.

Industrial action limited access to work sites and restricted the provision of crucial work permits, which are required for contractors to safely complete work in a live electrical network environment. This has required significant reprogramming of vital construction activities, including overhead wiring upgrades, electrification changes, disconnection from adjoining rail networks, track improvements and platform extensions at Bankstown station.

Updated

Waves surpass 10 metres in Tweed region

Waves are reaching 10 metres in the Tweed region, according to data from the Queensland government.

A wave of 10.27 metres was recorded at 8am local time, according to observations at Tweed offshore.

A wave of 9.69 metres was recorded at Brisbane at 7.30am local time. Other observations include:

  • Palm Beach (8.43 metres, 7.30am)

  • Gold Coast (8.21 metres, 8.30am)

  • Tweed Heads (6.88 metres, 7.30am)

  • Bilinga (5.71 metres, 8am)

Updated

Thousands hit by power outages in Queensland

As in Byron Bay in NSW, thousands of customers in Queensland are without power due to the effects of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

According to Energex, 1,917 customers in Chambers Flat, Logan Reserve and Park Ridge are without power due to powerlines being down.

In Highgate Hill, 182 are affected for an unknown reason.

In Tamborine, 27 are without power for an unknown reason. In Camp Mountain and Samford Valley, 26 are affected and emergency repair works are under way.

At the Currumbin Valley and Springbrook, 34 are without power due to trees on powerlines. Nearby, 56 are without power at Darlington and O’Reilly.

Updated

Crisafulli to address media later this morning

The Queensland premier, David Crisafulli, is scheduled to give a press conference at 10.30am local time – in about 45 minutes.

We’ll aim to bring you all the key updates once he starts speaking.

Updated

Male nurse in viral video allegedly threatening Israeli patients charged

The male nurse in a viral video showing two Bankstown hospital nurses allegedly talking about threatening Israeli patients has been charged.

This follows three charges being laid one week ago against the female nurse who also featured in the viral video.

Strike Force Pearl detectives said a 27-year-old man was arrested at Sutherland police station about 7.30pm yesterday.

The viral video attracted widespread political condemnation after it was published by the Israeli content creator Max Veifer.

The 27-year-old man from Bankstown has been charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass and/or offence, and possessing a prohibited drug.

He has been granted conditional bail to appear at the Downing Centre local court on 19 March.

The NSW police commissioner, Karen Webb, said Strike Force Pearl detectives have now arrested 15 people and laid a total of 78 charges.

Updated

Thousands without power near Byron Bay

Thousands of people in the Byron Bay region are currently without power.

According to Essential Energy, an unplanned outage is currently affecting 1,537 customers at Bangalow, with the cause unknown and under investigation.

Near Ballina, there are seven outages due to “vegetation impact on powerlines” and three near Myocum due to “multiple faults”.

Further north there are 27 outages near Tweed Heads for an unknown reason and 11 more customers also affected nearby.

Updated

Northern NSW supermarket aisle stripped bare amid panic-buying

A supermarket in Murwillumbah, near the Queensland border in NSW, was seemingly stripped bare shortly after opening as residents rushed to prepare for Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

A resident shared a photo on Facebook of the empty produce aisles at 8am, taken one hour after Coles Murwillumbah opened. They wrote:

A busy start as soon as the doors opened. The lovely staff are working hard to fill stock as it arrives. Please be patient and kind.

Earlier this morning, the NSW premier, Chris Minns, warned against panic buying and said “good logistical lines with major supermarkets” were in place.

Updated

PM promises quarter of a million sandbags for Queensland

Anthony Albanese has promised to urgently deliver a quarter of a million sandbags to Queensland, AAP reports, while the ADF has been placed on standby.

Heavy-lifting helicopters from the country’s firefighting fleet are also at the ready. The prime minister told ABC radio in Brisbane:

I know Queenslanders are tough but these are certainly tough times ahead in the next few days.

The prime minister touched down early today in Brisbane, with the federal disaster response plan activated and a crisis coordination team being deployed.

Updated

Intense waves captured at Rainbow Bay beach on Gold Coast

Here are some photos from Snapper Rocks at the southern end of Rainbow Bay on the Gold Coast, where large waves were battering the coast early this morning:

Updated

All flights in and out of Ballina cancelled today

The state MP for Lismore, Janelle Saffin, says airlines have cancelled all flights to and from Ballina today due to winds caused by the cyclone.

In a post on Facebook, she said customers had been notified and could change their flight for free “up to 7 days before and up to 14 days after their original travel date”.

According to the Ballina-Byron airport website, the following flights have been cancelled:

  • QF2063 to Sydney

  • JQ459 to Sydney

  • VA1140 to Sydney

  • JQ461 to Sydney

  • JQ465 to Melbourne

  • QF2062 from Sydney

  • JQ458 from Sydney

  • VA1139 from Sydney

  • JQ460 from Sydney

Updated

Gale force winds over 100km/h start hitting Byron coast

The latest Tropical Cyclone Alfred track map shows gale force winds are hitting the coast at Byron Bay.

The last weather observations at Cape Byron show that wind gusts of more than 100km/h are already being felt in the region, with a gust of 106km/h recorded at 9am.

A livestream on Swellnet shows that winds are occurring at an intense speed.

The cyclone is currently located 425km east of Brisbane and 390km east of the Gold Coast, according to the latest Bureau of Meteorology update.

The system is moving 11km/h as a category 2 system.

Damaging wind gusts up to 120km/h are forecast to develop along the south-east Queensland and north-eastern NSW coast – between Double Island Point and Grafton – from later today and persist into tomorrow.

Updated

Alfred rainfall made heavier ‘thanks to climate pollution’ – expert

Scientists have warned that a warmer world means fewer, but more destructive, cyclones.

In the 2024 State of the Climate report, the Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO warn:

Fewer tropical cyclones, but with higher intensity on average, and greater impacts when they occur through higher rain rates and higher sea level.

In a statement from the Climate Council, Prof David Karoly said the extreme rainfall associated with Tropical Cyclone Alfred is “made heavier by the higher moisture content in the atmosphere, due to higher atmospheric and sea surface temperatures, thanks to climate pollution”.

The coastal storm surges, erosion and coastal flooding will be much worse due to the sea level rise in the region, which is more than 20cm since 1900 due to climate pollution.

He said Alfred developed in the wake of record-breaking hot annual sea surface temperatures for the Australian region last year, about 0.89C above the 1961–1990 average.

Updated

NSW evacuation centres to open this afternoon

Chris Minns has read out the names of the evacuation centres that will be open from 4pm this afternoon. Here is the full list, as per the SES:

  • Tyalgum Hall

  • Terranorra Public School

  • Mullumbimby RSL

  • Kingscliff Tafe

  • Murwillumbah Tafe

  • Ocean Shores Country Club

  • Coraki Pubic School

  • Kyogle Memorial Hall

  • Southern Cross University

  • Evans Head RSL

  • Burringar Sports Club

  • Uki Hall

Updated

Agencies ‘planning for the worst’ in terms of damage to homes – Minns

Asked how many homes are expected to be affected, Chris Minns said it “fluctuates” and agencies “plan for the worst”.

As far as the actual number of houses, well, many more than we would hope to see, obviously. Our planning is for something a kin to the 2022 natural disaster in Lismore, but I hope it is less than that.

As I said, right through the entire operation since Alfred emerged in the Coral Sea, we have been planning for the worst and hoping for the best.

Updated

Minns cautions against panic buying

The NSW premier, Chris Minns, is now taking questions. On the potential for panic buying, he said “good logistical lines with major supermarkets” were in place.

I assure the community that we have good contingency plans in place and, regrettably, this is not the first natural disaster event that the Northern Rivers has had. As a result, both the supermarket chains, the retailers and the NSW government have got good logistical lines into those communities.

I hope people show common sense particularly for things that everybody needs and, remember, if you take more than you need in the next few days, it may be the case that you take it from a neighbour or someone else on the street.

Updated

‘Speedy recovery essential for communities’ – Reconstruction Authority

Mal Lanyon, the CEO of the NSW Reconstruction Authority, said the agency has learned from the 2022 floods in Lismore that “speedy recovery is essential for communities”.

To that end, we are preplanning for recovery … even before we go in to the response phase.

He said the agency would work with local councils to “ensure that where essential public assets such as roads need to be fixed quickly, we will work with them to get that done”.

Updated

By Thursday night, it will be too late to leave, SES commissioner warns

The SES commissioner, Mike Wassing, said the state was dealing with “three natural disaster events in one”, not seen since Tropical Cyclone Nancy in 1990.

If you live directly on the coast and you know where your high tide is, you will see water potentially half a metre above that high tide mark. Additionally, you will potentially and very likely have wind impacting your location in excess of 100km/h. If you do not feel safe in that location now is the time to relocate.

Wassing said wind of this strength would “likely bring down power lines, trees, [cause] damage and [restrict] access”.

He said it was difficult to predict rainfall but the SES is planning for “significant rainfall that will see significant inundation, isolation and potential need for evacuation.”

I want people to act now, relocate now before those circumstances are occurring. This is not just a rain event, this is a wind event, multiple wind events and then potential flash flood and flooding event.

Now is the time to act – by Thursday afternoon and into Thursday evening it is too late. By that stage we need people to bunker down and ride out the significant wind as the cyclone crosses and then we will deal with what comes on Friday.

Updated

Emergency minister urges people to take cyclone danger seriously

The NSW emergency services minister, Jihad Dib, is urging communities to take the danger of this weather system seriously.

As a government, we are doing as much in terms of preparation as we possibly can. This is the moment before the storm and we are not trying to create a sense of panic, [but] we want to cover all bases as much as we possibly can.

He urged people to download the Hazards Near Me app if they haven’t already done so.

As flagged earlier, he said a number of evacuation centres would be open from 4pm today.

What we want to do is ensure the people of NSW, particularly of the Northern Rivers who we know were still suffering the trauma of the major incident from three years ago, that we are doing everything possible … across all of our government agencies and across our non-government partners and across every possible area we can to try to make sure we are as best prepared as possible to be able to deal with this. We hope for the best, plan for the worst.

Updated

Alfred landfall expected early on Friday morning

Jane Golding from the Bureau of Meteorology has been providing an update on Tropical Cyclone Alfred. She said:

  • It is currently located 430km east of the Gold Coast as a category 2 system

  • It is moving west towards NSW and the southern Queensland coast

  • Landfall is expected early on Friday morning as a category 2 system between the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast

  • Conditions in NSW will deteriorate over the next two or three days

  • Winds will increase along the Northern Rivers and mid north coast today

  • Large waves will also be associated with the weather system, enough to cause coastal erosion

  • Heavy rainfall is also forecast, with the “potential to cause extensive flooding”

  • The bureau expects moderate to major flooding from the Queensland border down to the Manning river, not including the Manning

  • The rain and wind is forecast to peak on Thursday night and Friday morning

Updated

NSW and Queensland to cooperate over next 48 hours

Chris Minns said he spoke with Queensland counterparts this morning, and the state was on “high alert”.

We have pledged to make sure that cooperation between the states takes place over the next 48 hours and we wish everyone in Queensland the best during a difficult period … We need to bunker down over the next 48 hours and get through what may be a very difficult time.

Updated

Minns says 122 schools closed in Northern Rivers

Chris Minns said the SES would speak to vulnerable communities about whether they need to be evacuated tomorrow.

By Thursday evening it may be too late. We ask people to think about relocating on Thursday if they believe they are in a vulnerable situation.

He said the NSW government was setting up multiple evacuation centres, available from 4pm this afternoon.

Minns said 122 schools in the Northern Rivers have been closed for today and tomorrow, “from the Clarence Valley up to the Queensland border and west out to Cuyahoga”.

That decision has been made to ensure that if there are parents or individuals involved with emergency service preparation that they are able to focus on that situation.

Updated

NSW Northern Rivers 'must prepare for the worst' – Minns

The NSW premier, Chris Minns, is speaking to reporters in Sydney about Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

He said agencies have been “working hard to preposition … emergency service workers on the ground ready to go”.

For the Northern Rivers in particular, Minns said “we hope for the best but we must prepare for the worst”.

The concern from the SES and emergency services is that high tide is expected to be at 1am, an hour before … the weather event is due to make landfall. If high tide occurs at the same moment, then people who live on the coast or on beaches or close to rivers or riverine areas can expect the high tide to be up to half a metre higher than the high tide they would ordinarily expect.

Updated

Dozens of school closed in NSW and Queensland due to cyclone

Dozens of schools have been closed today in NSW today ahead of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

As of half an hour ago, seven public schools were non-operational, including:

  • Casino

  • Chatsworth Island

  • Drake

  • Evans River

  • Gulmarrad

  • Gwabegar

  • Leeville

Dozens of other schools have been closed in NSW today. You can read the full list of NSW school closures due to cyclone Alfred here.

Meanwhile in Queensland, two state schools have been closed and two independent schools:

  • Paluma Environmental Education Centre

  • Toobanna State School

  • Compass Independent School (Kelvin Grove)

  • Mungalla Silver Lining School (Mutarnee)

You can read the full list of Queensland school closures due to cyclone Alfred here.

Updated

Alfred’s effects already being felt in northern NSW, SES says

The NSW SES says it is preparing for the first cyclone warning issued in the state since 1990.

In a post to X, it said there were currently 33 advice warnings and the service had received more than 2,500 calls for assistance, with the effects of the storm already being felt across northern NSW.

Here are the latest track maps and satellite imagery from the Bureau of Meteorology:

Updated

RBA does not expect ‘sequence’ of rate cuts

The Reserve Bank’s deputy governor, Andrew Hauser, has told a business forum the central bank does not share the market’s confidence that there will be a “sequence” of further interest rate cuts.

The comments follow the release of the minutes of the RBA’s February board meeting, where it reduced the cash rate for the first time since early in the pandemic.

Hauser told the AFR summit in Sydney this morning that the RBA sets policy to return inflation to the midpoint of the target inflation range.

The target range is 2% to 3%, with the midpoint at 2.5%. Hauser told the forum:

The rate cut in February reduces the risks of inflation undershooting that midpoint, but the board does not currently share the market’s confidence that a sequence of further cuts will be required.

Interest rates will go where they need to go to maximise the chances of keeping inflation sustainably in the target band while helping to sustain full employment.

Economists at some of the major banks are forecasting up to another three-quarter-point rate cuts this year.

While the headline inflation rate is at the midpoint, the RBA’s preferred gauge that strips out government subsidies and volatile prices is at 3.2%.

Updated

‘I wouldn’t use that language’: Marles condemns WA premier calling JD Vance a ‘knob’

Richard Marles was also asked to weigh in after the WA premier, Roger Cook, called the US vice-president, JD Vance, a “knob”.

Marles said he “wouldn’t use that language” and this “wasn’t a moment of the greatest discipline” from Cook.

The deputy PM said Australia was “working very closely in building our relationship with the new administration in Washington”.

That’s obviously not language I would use in terms of describing the American vice-president and to be frank, the relationship between our government and the new administration in America is going well and they have treated us with enormous respect … There is a real courtesy and respect which is being afforded to us by the Trump administration and we’re grateful for that.

Updated

Marles reiterates ADF’s readiness to respond to cyclone

The defence minister, Richard Marles, has been making the rounds this morning and also spoke on ABC News Breakfast about the cyclone response.

Like earlier, he said the ADF stands ready to be deployed if a request is made.

I would expect that in terms of knocking on doors, providing airlifts in the event of flooding, that all of these may come into play, and we are ready to do everything that is required.

He also reiterated earlier comments that Australia is “open to whatever requests come in” from Ukraine regarding peacekeeping, and that “we want to provide what assistance we can”.

Our fundamental position is that we remain open to considering whatever is being asked of us and that’s what we’ve been doing from the outset.

Updated

Lifesavers urge people to stay out of surf and off beaches

Brenden Scoffell from Surf Lifesaving Queensland says beaches across the Gold Coast are seeing waves of between 20 and 50 metres tall.

Speaking on Sunrise, he said that “even [for] people walking along the beach, that’s extremely dangerous”.

You can be in no water, next minute you’re up to your knees in water … if not your waist.

He said lifeguards are trying to stop people from entering the water and have erected signs, but “it’s hard to stop people when they’re out there to catch the wave of the year kinda thing”.

Even though beaches have been closed since Monday, lifeguards are still in the towers to “make sure if anyone does go in the water and gets themselves in trouble, they’re there to try to save them”.

As I said, we’re telling people to please stay out of the water, stay off the beach because we don’t want to put our lifesavers’ lives at risk to come and save you …

Please don’t go out there and risk your life. It’s not worth it. And the danger you put our personnel in to go and try and rescue you is, it’s insane.

Updated

Passengers affected by Alfred can move flights for free – Virgin

The Qantas operations manager, Ben Holland, says the airline has activated its crisis management team to deal with Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Speaking on Sunrise, he said multiple plans are in place to “consider all the contingencies”.

We’re also talking, not only just with our internal processes but with air traffic control, with all the airports corporations. We’re working on the critical paths to determine when we can safely operate. We’ll adjust as required as those dictate.

Virgin has also said in a statement it is closely monitoring the cyclone, urging guests who are booked to fly to or from south-east Queensland and northern NSW to monitor their flight information.

It said guests travelling to or from Ballina, Brisbane, Bundaberg, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast airports from now until Saturday can choose to move their flight to a new date within 14 days (from the original departure date) free of charge, or cancel and request a travel credit.

Updated

Defence minister says Australia stands ‘ready to assist’ Ukraine

Richard Marles was asked if the prospect of Australian troops in Ukraine was raised with the defence force chief during their discussions.

He said Australia would “look at whatever requests come through”.

We do have a history of engaging in peacekeeping around the world, and there are Australians, servicemen and women, right now who are engaged in peacekeeping in places such as the Middle East.

So we’ll look at the requests that comes through. You know, obviously contingencies are being worked up, but I think the important point to make is we will stand ready to assist …

Russia is the aggressor here and we will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes for Ukraine to resolve this conflict on its terms.

Updated

Marles: ADF planning for contingencies so request for support can be ‘immediate’

The deputy prime minister and defence minister, Richard Marles, has provided an update on the ADF response to Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Speaking on the Today Show, he said Defence has provided more than 300,000 sandbags to help communities prepare.

And last night I spoke with the chief of the defence force to make sure that the defence force was ready to work as closely as possible with National Emergency Management Australia so that we are able to respond as quickly as possible.

But even before any requests are made … we will make sure that Defence is doing all its own planning for all these contingencies, so that the response is immediate.

Updated

Australia could play role in rebuilding Ukraine – ambassador

Vasyl Myroshnychenko welcomed indications from both Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton they would visit Ukraine after the upcoming federal election.

In terms of what Ukraine would like Australia to commit to, he pointed to reconstruction efforts:

That’s where the steel and natural resources comes into play. Many Australian mining companies and geological companies could really help us fund those resources in Ukraine, helping to develop them, and actually help us rebuild the country eventually.

Updated

Ambassador urges Australia to send more Bushmasters to Ukraine

The Ukrainian ambassador was also asked about the potential for Australian peacekeepers on the ground in Ukraine, and said he welcomed the statement from Anthony Albanese that he wouldn’t rule this out.

Vasyl Myroshnychenko said Ukraine “certainly value[s] the contributions that have been made by Australia so far, and Australian Bushmasters have saved many lives in Ukraine”.

And we certainly will be grateful if Australia could send more of those Bushmasters, M113s, which we’ve been using for evacuating our soldiers from frontlines, or any other decommissioned equipment.

The ambassador said it was “in the strategic national interest for Australia to continue supporting us”.

It’s not really a charity, it’s an investment into your own security.

Updated

Myroshnychenko ‘optimistic’ Trump and Zelenskyy can mend relationship

Vasyl Myroshnychenko said he is “optimistic” Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy can mend their relationship, telling ABC News Breakfast:

President Zelenskyy mentioned it was regrettable the meeting went that way. He stressed that Ukraine is ready to sign a deal on natural resources. We’re interested in having peace.

Myroshnychenko said the presence of a military is a “must” when it comes to security guarantees.

[This] could be boots on the ground, some conventional weapons located in Ukraine. We need to deter any future Russian aggression … We need to have rock solid guarantees to have a sustainable, just and comprehensive peace.

Updated

Ukrainian ambassador ‘grateful’ for Australia’s ‘willingness’ to ‘step up for democracy’

Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, says Ukraine is “grateful” for Australia’s increased willingness to step up support.

Speaking on ABC News Breakfast earlier, he said:

Whether one likes it or not, … America is changing its role in the world, [and] it’s up to the world to step up for democracy. Ukraine is doing that. We’re grateful for Australia’s increased willingness to do so.

Myroshnychenko said US commitment to security in Europe is “vital” and “we believe and we want peace more than anybody else.”

We believe that we are ready for negotiations. We believe at those negotiations, Europe, America and Ukraine have to be present. We need to force Russia into peace.

The contribution from the US in terms of military equipment has been the biggest one in the world … so this is the only way how we can intercept Russian ballistic missiles coming. We need the supplies for those in order to have any defence from Russian missiles coming.

Updated

Hume says public deserves to have budget

Clare O’Neil and Jane Hume were also asked about the timing of calling an election, amid Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

O’Neil said “politics is the furthest thing from the PM’s mind today”, while Hume said:

The consideration for the prime minister will also be whether he has to deliver a budget. If he doesn’t call it this weekend, he does have to do that. That would be something we would encourage him to do. We think the Australian public deserves the level of transparency as to what is actually in the books … That’s what we like to see and we call on him to do that.

Updated

Troops in Ukraine is Nato’s responsibility, opposition frontbencher says

The shadow finance minister, Jane Hume, was also on Sunrise and said it was Nato’s responsibility to provide boots on the ground in Ukraine if that’s what is requested.

The most important thing is Australia stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine against this aggressive and immoral invasion by Russia.

Would Peter Dutton support Australian peacekeepers in Ukraine? She responded:

I’m not sure exactly what it is the prime minister has committed us to, but Peter Dutton has been clear we think this is Nato’s responsibility to put troops on the ground, our responsibility is to support Ukraine anyway we can. We would urge the government to fast-track those tanks that have been committed to but not yet delivered to Ukraine.

Here is some more detail’s on the government’s position:

Updated

Ukraine not a ‘remote and meaningless war to Australia’ – O’Neil

The housing minister, Clare O’Neil, has also been asked about comments by the PM that he is “open to consideration” on sending Australian troops to Ukraine as part of peacekeeping efforts.

You can read more about this earlier in the blog, here, for the full context.

Speaking on Sunrise, O’Neil said Australia had been “steadfast in its support for Ukraine” because it’s in “Australia’s national interest to prevent incidents like what we’ve seen happen there”.

Just to remind viewers, it’s an absolutely brutal, almost totalitarian regime that has violently invaded a peaceful, democratic country and Australia doesn’t want to live in that world …

What the prime minister has said is that if a request is incoming [for] peacekeepers, he will consider that request, but I would say to your viewers at home – this is not a remote and meaningless war to our country, it’s actually very important to the way the world operates.

O’Neil said any discussion of how Australia would be involved in peacekeeping is “jumping the gun” because there has not been any formal request from Ukraine or Europe.

[Anthony Albanese] will consider a request if it comes to [it] and that’s where we are right now.

Updated

Government expects insurers to ‘step up’ in aftermath of Alfred

Jenny McAllister was asked to give a message to the insurance industry ahead of Tropical Cyclone Alfred. She said:

We always expect the insurance sector to step up and work with their customers in the aftermath of any kind of natural disaster, and in the aftermath of the recent significant flooding in north Queensland, we’ve seen insurers move into those areas so that their customers have good information and can work with them to make those claims. We’d expect the same sort of focus on customer outcomes from the insurers in the aftermath of any impact.

She said that right now, however, “our focus is on keeping people safe, and that is where every effort is being directed”.

From a government perspective, there will be a big task to move through in recovery. I’m certain the Australian government will work with both NSW and Queensland and local people on that but for the moment, our real focus is just keeping people safe as we prepare ourselves for Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Updated

McAllister engaged with supermarket CEOs to ensure supplies remain on shelves

On the bare supermarket shelves that are being seen in some supermarkets, Jenny McAllister said she had spoken with the CEOs of both Coles and Woolworths to ensure “they can have the supplies that are necessary”.

This is a little bit different to the situation that we faced recently in north Queensland, where the road closures were making it difficult to resupply. In this case, we’re really just dealing with increased volumes of demand in supermarkets.

Local people are heeding the warnings and starting to prepare their homes in the event that they might have to stay home and manage for themselves for a few days. That’s creating additional volume, and the supermarkets are working really closely with authorities to make sure that they can restock.

She noted the Queensland government had exempted supermarkets from normal constraints that would prevent them from operating on a 24-hour basis for the restocking process.

Updated

ADF ready to step in if states ask for storm help

Jenny McAllister said the states would lead the cyclone response, but when it exceeds their capacity, the commonwealth can step in and assist – “sometimes that assistance is in the form of materials”.

We’ve been asked by Queensland to provide additional sandbags. They’re on their way and should arrive in Queensland today.

We’ve also obviously supported the Queensland government and the NSW government with their planning processes. We’re convening national meetings today of some of the big infrastructure and logistics firms who’ve got a private sector role to play in the response, and of course, the ADF are engaged in the national situation room.

McAllister said the Australian Defence Force was “aware of the kinds of supports” it might be asked to provide, but this is dependent on Queensland and NSW needing support beyond their capabilities and “making that request to us”.

Updated

Watch out for neighbours, emergency minister urges

The federal emergency management minister, Jenny McAllister, is speaking on ABC RN with the latest on Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

She acknowledged this would be a “stressful situation for communities who are uncertain about what to expect”, urging people to keep up to date with their local authorities.

A lot of work is going on, and what we’d like communities to do is just to stay connected to the information that’s been provided by their local authorities, do what they can to prepare their own home, and connect with the neighbours and people around them who might need a little bit of extra help in this period, where we do have a window to prepare.

Updated

Trade minister making ‘good progress’ with US on tariffs – Wells

Anika Wells also weighed in on international reports from Canada, where the prime minister, Justin Trudeau, directly addressed Donald Trump in a speech and said his decision to impose tariffs was “a very dumb thing to do”.

Wells said Australia’s trade minister, Don Farrell, had been “making good progress with his US counterparts” in relation to tariffs here.

This is obviously a high priority for us. As the Australian government, [we are] trying to do best by Australians and what’s in our best national interests, and will continue to do that.

Updated

Australia will consider 'any offers' from Ukraine – Wells

Let’s return to Anika Wells on the Today Show just earlier. The sports minister was asked about suggestions for Australia to have boots on the ground in Ukraine, and whether this was a serious pledge from the PM.

For context, here is what Anthony Albanese said yesterday:

There’s discussion at the moment about potential peacekeeping, and from my government’s perspective, we’re open to consideration of any proposals going forward …

Wells said today that “we will consider any offers that we are asked by the Ukrainian people”.

Any step that advances the cause of peace and eases the suffering of the Ukrainian people in this illegal and immoral invasion by Russia, we will consider.

Updated

‘If someone tells you to leave, leave’ – Crisafulli

The Queensland premier said if you are told to evacuate, “you should leave and I can’t be more blunt than that”. David Crisafulli:

Someone will be knocking at your door. They’re not there as an afterthought. They’re there because they care about you and they want to keep you safe.

Crisafulli said he has seen a lot of damage in disaster events but “in the end it runs a distant second to the heartache of losing people”.

So the idea about replacing property, well, that’s another story for another day. Your priority is you. So if somebody tells you to leave, you should heed that advice.

Updated

Small number of people already evacuated – premier

David Crisafulli said it was a “very small number” of people who had been evacuated so far.

As modelling is released on the cyclone’s path, councils would begin doorknocking in affected areas, he said.

During the course of the day, the councils will stand up evacuation centres that give people the option and it is really important that if that happens, that you listen to the advice.

Updated

Crisafulli says now is the time to prepare for cyclone

The Queensland premier, David Crisafulli, says Tropical Cyclone Alfred has intensified and “all of the models” show it tracking to the coast.

Speaking to ABC News Breakfast, he said:

We’re telling Queenslanders that this is a serious event and it will cross the coast. That’s what all of the models show.

Crisafulli said the message had been that people have days to prepare; now, “we’re moving into that phase where it’s now about hours”.

So do all the little things now … We’ll continue to communicate what the system looks like, when it could cross, where, intensity. As that becomes clearer, we will share that with people in real time.

Updated

Sandbag queues ‘about an hour’ in Brisbane – Wells

The federal sports minister, Anika Wells, also spoke on the Today Show this morning from Brisbane and said it was the “calm before the storm”.

The minister said she passed a sandbag depot on her way to the studio and the queues were “about an hour”.

At the moment that’s the shortest it’s been in 24 hours. It’s a big couple of days ahead for south-east Queensland. We’re more than up to the task, but everybody’s doing their bit.

Wells said she met a high school groundsman yesterday who is in the second week of his job and is “trying to tether down an entire high school”.

So everyone’s doing their bit and we thank them for it.

Updated

Alfred ‘very unpredictable’, NSW rescue official warns

The NSW SES deputy commissioner, Deb Platts, was on the Today Show just earlier to provide a tropical cyclone update.

She said although the eye of the cyclone is predicted to cross between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, this is “a very big system” and is going to be “very unpredictable”.

We know that there’s going to be damaging winds, there is going to be powerful surf, coastal erosion, and it will be followed by significant rain that can last a couple of days. So we’re really urging people to be alert, to be prepared, just like the SES is.

Platts said the last tropical cyclone NSW experienced was Nancy in 1990.

Updated

Good morning

Emily Wind here, signing on for blogging duties. Thanks to Martin for kicking things off. I’ll be here with you for most of today, and as always, you can get in touch with any tips or questions via email: emily.wind@theguardian.com.

Let’s go.

Updated

Bid to tackle food insecurity in remote Australia

A new national strategy will aim to tackle food insecurity in remote Australia, where half of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander households cannot access or afford healthy food.

Groceries can be up to 56% more expensive in remote areas, often leading Indigenous residents to buy cheaper, unhealthy alternatives that contribute to disproportionate rates of malnutrition, anaemia, diabetes and kidney failure.

Indigenous communities consulted during the development of the strategy said the lack of affordable healthy food was “a life and death situation” and “starvation” was occurring in parts of the Northern Territory.

A governing body comprising federal, state and territory officials along with Indigenous community-controlled organisations will be set up to implement the plan, aimed at improving supply chains, ensuring access to traditional foods and boosting local knowledge of health and nutrition.

The minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, will unveil the strategy in the Northern Territory community of Maningrida today, pledging to back community-led solutions to address the “critical issue”.

It follows Labor’s announcement last month that it would ensure the cost of 30 essential items in remote stores would be locked to city prices.

Updated

IV fluids manufacturing to be boosted

The government will invest in quadrupling Australia’s onshore manufacturing capability for IV fluids after a shortage last year threatened to bring the nation’s healthcare system to a grinding halt.

IV fluids are saline solutions made under highly specialised manufacturing conditions, which are used across healthcare settings to administer medications directly into the bloodstream, including chemotherapy and anaesthesia, and can also be vital medicines in themselves to support patients experiencing blood loss and dehydration.

In response to the shortage of the crucial fluids coming from overseas, the federal government was forced to step in coordinating supplies that are normally procured by state and territory governments for their hospitals.

The shortage exposed Australia’s lack of sovereign manufacturing capability, with US multinational Baxter Healthcare’s plant in western Sydney the only manufacturer of IV fluids in the country.

The government has announced it is investing $20m in the plant, which Baxter Healthcare will match, to expand the local production from 20m units to 80m units each year from 2027.

The health minister, Mark Butler, said the government was ensuring that critical medicines and medical supplies are manufactured in Australia, by Australians:

It will ensure we have a future made in Australia with onshore production to shield the country from global supply shocks that we have seen recently and through Covid.

Baxter Healthcare’s facility has been an important part of manufacturing in western Sydney for 50 years, and this investment will help it expand to produce another 20m IV fluid bags every year.

It means more jobs, more bags of IV fluid, and less dependence on overseas production.

Updated

Fears of flow-on effect from China-US trade war

In its February statement on monetary policy, the Reserve Bank predicted year-end growth to come in at just 1.1%. Tapas Strickland said:

While growth looks to have surprised in Q4, the more important aspect is the trajectory and the implications for inflation.

In its February meeting minutes, released yesterday, the Reserve Bank board noted activity in the Chinese economy was expected to slow and uncertainty around US tariff policy threatened global GDP forecasts.

Later on Tuesday, China announced it would slap retaliatory 15% tariffs on a range of US agricultural imports. An all-out trade war heightens the risk of a slowdown in China’s economy and the flow-on reduction to Australia’s economic output.

Much will depend on how much stimulus China’s legislature, the National People’s Congress, announces at its opening session beginning on Wednesday,

The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, said there were good reasons to believe the Australian economy was turning a corner.

Interest rates coming down means something like an extra $5bn pumped into our economy over 12 months. It will have a positive impact on growth and living standards, combined with what we’ve been able to do to get real wages growing again to make sure that people are earning more and keeping more of what they earn in an economy where unemployment is remarkably low.

All of these things augur well for our economy in 2025.

Updated

Slight GDP growth expected

A string of surprisingly strong economic figures have prompted forecasters to increase their expectations for growth in Australia’s gross domestic product, AAP reports.

Australia is still expected to record one of the weakest calendar years for economic growth in decades when the national accounts are released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics today.

But a better-than-expected trade balance for the December quarter, alongside stronger business inventories and increased government spending, spurred economists at NAB and Westpac to lift their GDP growth predictions for the last three months of 2024 to 0.7%.

If realised, that would translate to a 1.4% expansion in the economy over the year, NAB’s head of market economics, Tapas Strickland, said.

Updated

Take Tropical Cyclone Alfred seriously – Crisafulli

The Queensland premier, David Crisafulli, has issued a reminder to Queenslanders that they must take seriously the threat posed by Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

He said at a media conference yesterday that there was “still an element of the population that hasn’t yet fully understood the magnitude of this system”, while the emergency management minister, Jenny McAllister, echoed the seriousness of the approaching storm, saying:

We are in for some difficult days.

Watch our video there:

Updated

Alfred expected to cross coast on Friday morning

Tropical Cyclone Alfred continues to arc back towards the populated south-east Queensland coastline, as predicted by forecasters.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s updated tracking and advice on Wednesday morning shows Alfred is expected to maintain its category 2 intensity for the next two days, before crossing the coast about 1am on Friday.

Coastal high tides are expected in the hours following the predicted crossing – most parts of the coastline will experience a high tide between 1.30am and 3.30am on Friday. That sort of timing will worry authorities, who have said repeatedly that a crossing coinciding with a high tide would be particularly damaging for coastal areas.

The bureau’s latest track map shows Alfred crossing the coast a little further south than earlier predictions, at the southern end of Brisbane. The likely crossing point remains somewhere between the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast. Warnings are in place from Double Island Point in Queensland to Grafton in New South Wales.

Updated

Welcome

Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the best overnight stories before Emily Wind is along to take the helm.

Anthony Albanese arrived in Brisbane last night as Tropical Cyclone Alfred bore down on south-east Queensland with 4 million people in its path. Memories of disastrous floods in 2011 and 2022 are being revived as the storm threatens to dump at least 400mm of rain on the region when it hits. Residents of low-lying suburbs in Brisbane are sandbagging their homes and hoping for the best as the cyclone threatens another flood in the city. We will have regular updates throughout the day, beginning with the latest on the forecast storm track from the Bureau of Meteorology in a few minutes.

One of our top stories this morning is a new report showing that Australians are losing more money to gambling each year than the federal government spends on aged care. The sum is almost as much as it spends on the national disability insurance scheme.

It’s been a turbulent night on international financial markets after the US went ahead with tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, they all retaliated, and stocks fell in the US to below their pre-November election level. But here in Australia economists think things are heading in the right direction as the national accounts come out later this morning. More coming up.

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