What we learned: Monday, 18 December
With that, we will wrap the blog for the evening. Stay safe out there; we’ll be back first thing tomorrow with all the latest. Here were today’s major stories:
The worst of the rainfall has eased in Queensland, but the rescue effort is far from over, with an evacuation planned for Wujal Wujal tomorrow and major flooding in waterways continuing. The ADF is on the ground, with hopes Cairns airport will reopen tomorrow to ferry supplies.
Among the rescues was a crocodile, spotted in floodwaters in the centre of Ingham, a rural town about 110km north of Townsville in Queensland.
Amid the floods, Queensland’s new cabinet was sworn in today, unveiled days after Steven Miles officially took over as the state’s 40th premier. In what was considered the state government’s biggest frontbench shake-up in nine years, five new ministers were ushered in.
A man is under police guard in hospital after the alleged fatal stabbing of a 29-year-old woman at the National Zoo in Canberra. The body of the woman was found in a storeroom at a commercial kitchen at the venue. Police allege both worked at the zoo.
And New Zealand’s prime minister, Chris Luxon, is heading to Australia on Wednesday, meeting with Australia’s PM Anthony Albanese.
Updated
BoM releases Christmas Day forecast
Changing pace for a moment, and the Bureau of Meteorology has just published its initial forecasts for Christmas Day. It could be stormy for much of eastern Australia, including central and northern Queensland, while cloudy weather is expected for coastal New South Wales, including Sydney, and for Melbourne.
Here is a full breakdown.
Sydney: Cloudy, with a high chance of showers. A minimum temperature of 19 degrees celsius and maximum temperature of 26.
Canberra: Partly cloudy, with a medium chance of showers. A minimum temperature of 13 degrees celsius and a maximum temperature of 24.
Brisbane: Partly cloudy, with a high chance of showers and the chance of a thunderstorm. A minimum temperature of 22 degrees celsius and a maximum of 32.
Darwin: Partly cloudy, with a chance afternoon shower or thunderstorm. A minimum temperature of 28 degrees celsius and a maximum temperature of 36.
Perth: Partly cloudy, north-easterlies of 15 to 20 kilometers per hour. A minimum temperature of 21 degree celsius and a maximum temperature of 32.
Adelaide: Partly cloudy, southeasterlies of 20 to 30 kilometers per hour. A minimum temperature of 13 degrees celsius and maximum temperature of 24.
Melbourne: Partly cloudy, with the chance of a shower. A minimum temperature of 15 degrees celsius and a maximum temperature of 21.
Hobart: Cloudy, with the chance of a shower. A minimum temperature of 11 degrees Celsius and a maximum temperature of 18.
Updated
Recap of the Queensland floods press conference
The premier says damage assessments are yet to be made, however it could take a “long time” to get houses repaired.
No doubt this will be a very, very significant damage bill.
The hardship payments are already activated but we will be talking to the Australian government about further packages of assistance … we want to make sure those packages address the specific damage of the disaster.
And with that, the press conference wraps up.
To recap:
Evacuations are still occurring, with hundreds having taken place in the past 24 hours. One in Cooktown earlier today involved 15 people gathered on the roof of a hotel.
There have been no injuries and fatalities, however there has been significant damage to homes and power.
The evacuation for Wujal Wujal has been rescheduled to tomorrow.
The Daintree, Murray and Herbert rivers are still at a major flood level, while rainfall has eased in the state’s north.
Cairns airport will be inspected on Tuesday morning to see whether it is safe to reopen. Clean water has been restored to the area.
Updated
BoM confirms Port Douglas, Cairns and Cooktown have broken rainfall records for December
Port Douglas, Cairns and Cooktown have all broken previous rainfall records for December, the Bureau of Meteorology says.
The Daintree river peaked just below 15m, with the previous record at less than 13m.
At Cairns airport, while it wasn’t record breaking, flooding peaked above the 1977 level, peaking at 4.4m.
Rivers may start to rise again “very, very quickly” if rainfall continues.
Updated
Police confident Wujal Wujal residents will be safe overnight before evacuation
Police have been in contact with Wujal Wujal, and are confident residents will remain safe this evening. People directly in harm’s way, who were sheltering on roofs last night, have been evacuated.
Everyone remaining there is on higher ground and is safe, while some residents haven’t been impacted by floodwater.
We are working with the council there … to get them out. We’ve been advised some people will remain in town where they feel safe to do so.
There are no current reports of missing persons across the state.
Last night we performed 300 rescues in the northern beaches are and we know over 200 people self-evacuated … and today we’ve been performing significant rescues off roofs which will give you an indication of how terrible the weather has been.
We have isolated communities from Cooktown to Innisfail and we will be supporting those communities over a number of days.
Updated
Premier says Cairns airport may be open by Tuesday morning, but does not confirm
Now to questions. The premier says there are “some reports” Cairns airport will be open by Tuesday morning, which would allow resources to be transported from Townsville.
The airport currently remains closed, though water has receded and debris is being cleaned up. Any announcement on the airport opening will be made tomorrow.
Updated
Queenslanders warned of risk of infections during cleanup phase
Queensland’s health officer Dr John Gerrard is up. He has urged people to avoid walking through floodwaters and mud as much as possible.
Contaminated flood water and mud can carry a risk of infection.
If you’re involved in the cleanup that is to come, wear water resistant or enclosed footwear … wear protective gloves if handling soil, mud or surface water, wash thoroughly … wash your hands with soap and water or hand sanitiser … cover cuts, abrasions and wounds with a water resistant dressing.
In far north Queensland, Gerrard says there may be an increased risk of bacterial diseases, including leptospirosis, following exposure to floodwaters. As mentioned earlier, some areas have been told to boil their drinking water.
Updated
Deputy Queensland premier says 13,000 households remain without power after Cyclone Jasper
Around 90% of households that lost power due to Cyclone Jasper have been restored, deputy premier Cameron Dick says.
Yet as a result of the rain events, 45 communities across the state have lost power, impacting around 13,000 households.
The expectation to restore power by Tuesday can “no longer be met”, with “several additional days” expected.
A new restoration plan is being developed and we will update the public and the media as soon as we are able to do so.
There are hundreds of power crews ready and waiting for those waters to subside.
Updated
Emergency services warn risk remains real in Cyclone-hit north Queensland
Fire and emergency services are providing an update.
They acknowledge their gratitude for the communities’ “responsiveness and support” over the past few days.
This event is not over – the risk remains real.
The community needs to stay informed.
Damage and hazards remain despite receding waters, authorities say.
Updated
ADF to assist after first Wujal Wujal evacuation abandoned
A police spokesperson says they’ve been in contact with the Ceo of Wujal Wujal, with “considerable plans” for the morning to conduct an evacuation of residents with the ADF.
The residents will be transported to Cooktown, with conditions hoped to ease.
Some 15 people were rescued from a hotel roof in Cooktown this afternoon, police say. Another helicopter is located at the Daintree.
Cairns has had no rainfall since 9am.
We are actively planning to transport food and medical supplies to the isolated communities.
Widespread heavy rainfall occurred in parts of FNQ from 14-18th December 2023. Many areas from Tully to Cape Melville had 400-1000 mm with localised falls of 1200-1600 mm between Cairns & Cooktown. For maps of recent/past conditions: https://t.co/Iyz8GcsS2u pic.twitter.com/7YMPFPzV8y
— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) December 18, 2023
There are now 105 people at evacuation centres, a decrease from more than 300 earlier today.
Updated
Police commissioner confirms no flood-related deaths or serious injuries recorded
Katarina Carroll, commissioner of the Queensland Police Service, says an “extraordinary effort” by emergency services and members of the public have taken place in the past 24 hours.
Thankfully to date there has been no deaths or serious injuries recorded.
One man in his 70s has died of a medical episode at a beach, not related to flooding.
The situation is still significant … if you don’t have to be on the roads, do not be on the roads. We are concerned about people being caught in flash flooding.
Always remember if it’s flooded – forget it.
Updated
BoM says intense rainfall expected to ease but ‘significant risk’ remains
The Bureau of Meteorology is providing an update. They say the widespread, intense rainfall is no longer being seen in the north of Queensland, with the trend of easing rain expected to continue.
But a “significant risk” of shower and storm remains, while not at the level of the past 24 hours.
Thunderstorm warnings will be issued through the evening as required.
A number of flood warnings still remain current, with declining trends.
⚠️Major Flood Warning update for the Herbert River. Major flooding easing at Halifax. Minor flooding continuing at Gleneagle and Abergowrie Bridge. Details: https://t.co/VqoD7Wc1Zr pic.twitter.com/pcTUaqeesD
— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) December 18, 2023
Updated
Queensland floods update: Wujal Wujal evacuation planned for tomorrow, BoM cancels severe weather warning, clean water returns to Cairns
Miles says efforts to rescue Queenslanders have been hampered by ongoing road closures and rough conditions.
An attempt was made to aerially evacuate Wujal Wujal today but unfortunately the rain and cloud was still too strong.
Another attempt is planned for 8am tomorrow.
The Bureau of Meteorology has officially cancelled the severe weather warning in the north of Queensland.
Miles says it remains “critical” residents remain alert for future updates.
In better news, safe, clean water has returned in Cairns, meaning patients will not have to be evacuated from the local hospital.
I know there are still many residents without power and for many, that will continue to be the main inconvenience of this impact … I know it’s frustrating.
Updated
Official update on flooding in north Queensland begins
Emergency services and officials are providing an update on the flooding in north Queensland now.
Speaking from Brisbane, the premier, Steven Miles, says there have been “incredible acts of bravery” in the past days.
He thanks first responders and “those good samaritans, those Queenslanders lending a hand, mate to mate” to rescue strangers and friends.
Updated
Firefighters working to contain NSW blaze near Narrabri
Over in New South Wales, firefighters are working to contain the spread of a blaze at Duck Creek Pilliga forest in the state’s north-west.
Emergency Warning: Duck Creek Pilliga Forest, (Narrabri LGA)
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 18, 2023
Firefighters supported by aircraft continue to work to slow the spread of the fire and protect properties across a number of areas. For more information, visit: https://t.co/ceYIMDkWcw pic.twitter.com/TNbyZAq3tY
An evacuation centre has been set up in the nearby town of Narrabri.
The bushfire has burnt more than 64,700 hectares and is out of control.
People at Bohena Creek have been urged to shelter now – it is too late to leave.
Embers will be blown long distances ahead of the main fire front starting spot fires, these may impact your home earlier than the main fire front.
Firefighters and water bombing aircraft are working in the area to protect properties and slow the spread of the fire.
Residents in Baan Baa, Willala and Goolhi have been urged to be aware of possible ember attacks which may start spot fires, while Jacks Creek and Wynella have been advised to stay alert and monitor surroundings.
Updated
Albanese suggests floods will have impact on mental health as well and urges people to seek support
Anthony Albanese tells ABC radio that “my heart goes out to people” who have been impacted by the flooding in north Queensland, saying the natural disaster will have an impact on mental health and encouraging those affected to access government support.
“It’s a reminder of the power of nature,” the PM said, of the mass flooding and rains.
Many people will require support for some time. I’d encourage them to reach out for support, not just in terms of financial support, but this will have an impact on people’s mental health.
People will be traumatised by the experience they’ve had.”
Albanese went on to praise the Queensland emergency authorities and the federal National Emergency Management Agency, as well as defence and local government workers.
At the most difficult of times, we see the best of the Australian character. People digging deep, people taking some risk to themselves to help others.
Updated
Prime minister says footage of the flooding in North Queensland is ‘horrific’
Speaking to ABC’s far north Queensland radio station, the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said he and the Queensland premier, Steven Miles, had hoped to travel to the region to survey the damage firsthand and were planning a trip to the area today, but that they didn’t “want to be an impediment” and so are hoping to visit the area tomorrow, or when it would be “feasible and appropriate”.
Albanese said the federal government had scrambled Australian Defence Force personnel and resources, including helicopters and boats, and had extended hardship grants to affected citizens.
It’s been difficult to get people on the ground, there’s been issues with safety with some of the helicopters that would normally have been used being grounded, post the tragedy that occurred in the Whitsundays.
An ADF Taipan helicopter fleet was retired early after a crash off the Queensland coast in August. Albanese said the government was making “other helicopters available from Townsville”.
Albanese said the situation was “a reminder of the important role the ABC plays in times of crisis in keeping people informed”.
Updated
Readers, we are expecting to receive an update from authorities on the floods in north Queensland at around 4.30pm local time, or 5.30pm AEDT.
We will bring you the latest here.
Updated
Sussan Ley issues statement over alleged stabbing death in Canberra
The acting leader of the opposition and shadow minister for women, Sussan Ley, has issued a statement following the alleged fatal stabbing of a 29-year-old woman at the National Zoo in Canberra today.
Ley said as a woman, she was “angry” and “shattered”, calling violence against woman a “national crisis”.
A young woman has been stabbed to death in our nation’s capital.
This is yet another horrific tragedy which appears to have happened in a workplace.
As a woman I am angry, and I am shattered.
This is a national crisis. We must stop this violence.
No charges have been laid over the incident.
Updated
Murray Watt says communites in far north Queensland still risk flash flooding and supply issues
The minister for emergency management, Senator Murray Watt, is planning a trip to Cairns sometime this week – if weather permits.
Speaking on Sky News earlier today, he said a weather briefing he received this morning suggested communities in far north Queensland still faced the risk of some isolated thunderstorms and more flash flooding.
We are definitely not out of the woods at this point in time. And the more that we can be doing to get help to people right now, the better.
The reality is that there are many communities across far north Queensland, whether they’re small, remote communities or quite sizeable towns, are now cut off in terms of road access, rail access … how do we meet resupply needs of some of these communities in coming days?
I certainly haven’t been made aware of any community that is going to be running out of food today. But obviously, if we can’t get in and out of communities in coming days, that will become an issue.
Updated
US ambassador joins bipartisan political tour of Australian Antarctic station
The US ambassador, Caroline Kennedy, and the governor general, David Hurley, have joined a bipartisan political tour of Australia’s remote Antarctic headquarters, designed to show support for expeditioners.
The brief visit to Casey station raised some eyebrows within the Australian Antarctic Division, given its budget pressures, but the government insists the guests boarded a pre-scheduled and essential cargo flight.
Onboard the flight was the environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, the shadow environment minister, Jonathan Duniam, and the Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young The bipartisan visit was designed to assure workers that the federal parliament supported their work after a series of controversies and an ongoing Senate inquiry. Here’s a statement from Plibersek:
Spending a day meeting some of our scientists and expeditioners on the ground in Antarctica gave me invaluable insights into the conditions our team works in and the challenges they face to undertake their vital research.
It also sent a clear message that there’s strong support for the work of Antarctic division staff at the highest levels of government and from across the parliament.
Several other environment ministers have visited Antarctica in recent years including Tony Burke, Josh Frydenberg and Greg Hunt, but this is understood to be the first bipartisan trip with Liberal and Greens counterparts.
The flight delivered critical cargo to Casey station and the nearby Wilkins airfield including medical supplies, science gear, aviation safety equipment and spare parts for vehicles. The flight also brought home some expedition members.
Updated
Police provide details on alleged stabbing death at National Zoo
ACT police have held a press conference providing further details on the alleged stabbing death of a 29-year-old woman at the National Zoo earlier today.
One suspect was taken into custody by police and is currently being treated at Canberra hospital for apparent self-inflicted injuries.
It’s believed the suspect and deceased woman are both residents of Canberra and were co-workers at the zoo, according to police.
They said witnesses described “loud screams” around the commercial kitchen area.
At this point in time we don’t believe there were any direct witnesses to the disturbance, there were witnesses in the area at the time and they have spoken to police.
The deceased woman was located in a storeroom at the back of the commercial kitchen and died as a result of stab wounds, police allege. The knife was located at the scene.
Investigations are ongoing.
Updated
Physiotherapist peak body request Bill Shorten show evidence practitioners are engaging in price gouging
The peak body for physiotherapists in Australia has called on the NDIS minister, Bill Shorten, to show evidence that its members have engaged in price gouging of NDIS participants.
Over the weekend, Shorten announced the federal government would be cracking down on “dodgy providers” who charge higher prices for supports, services and equipment to NDIS participants. In a press conference on Sunday, Shorten pointed out a few examples, naming physios in his opening remarks:
What I mean is that in Australia right now, if you say you’re on the NDIS, everything from aluminium shower chairs to wheelchairs to going to the physio costs more because some service providers think that if you’re on an NDIS package, they can rip you off and charge you more than if you weren’t on the NDIS package.
Today, the Australian Physiotherapy Association has responded, saying the group would welcome a meeting with the minister to “clarify any misinformation” he has received.
The APA’s president, Scott Willis, said while there was no denying that price gouging was occurring by some providers, it was “misleading the public by connecting physiotherapists as a whole to the price gouging conversation”:
We are deeply concerned that the minister would brand a whole profession as engaging in unethical conduct, particularly one that represents less than 1% of all payments in the NDIS. Physiotherapy is simply not responsible for the billions in added costs and is not where Mr Shorten will find the billions in savings he is looking for.
Willis also accused Shorten of making the NDIS reform conversation about “saving money”.
It’s becoming evident that the government is steering the NDIS conversation solely to ‘saving money’ when we must ensure that participant outcomes are front and centre.
Updated
Attempt to evacuate remote regional community of Wujal Wujal suspended
A first attempt to evacuate people from the flooded remote Indigenous community of Wujal Wujal has been abandoned due to the ongoing severe weather conditions.
The Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council sent a message to residents about 3pm on Monday asking them to “hang in there”.
“Unfortunately the helicopters couldn’t get through, as there was a big wall of water and it was too dangerous,” the council told residents.
They will try to get through as soon as they can.
Updated
More snaps of crocodiles in flood waters
We have more images of the crocodile that was wrangled from floodwaters in the northern Queensland town of Ingham today.
The catcher is a braver man than I, currently looking on with alarm from the comfort of my living room.
According to reports, the croc will be taken to a holding facility before being placed into a far more suitable, and safer, river.
Read more from Andrew Messenger here:
Updated
BoM thunderstorm warning expands in Queensland’s Southern Downs
Circling back to current forecasts from the Bureau of Meteorology, and the severe thunderstorm warning mentioned earlier has been expanded to cover Warwick, Stanthorpe, Inglewood, Allora and Clifton in the Southern Downs region of Queensland.
A moist and unstable atmosphere combined with a surface trough is producing thunderstorms this afternoon in the southeast.
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding, damaging winds and large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours.
⚠️A Severe Thunderstorm Warning area expanded to include Warwick, Stanthorpe, Inglewood, Allora & Clifton. Severe storms likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding, damaging winds & large hailstones over the next few hours. Details: https://t.co/1quqp7JQfn pic.twitter.com/pODOOBGw8l
— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) December 18, 2023
There are six flood warnings active across the state, including major flood warnings for the Daintree River, Herbert River and Murray River.
In better news, widespread heavy rainfall is easing across the hard-hit region in the far north.
Updated
Labor wants to make sure ADF is ‘always available’ for extreme situations, Watt says
Asked whether the New Zealand government has been in contact regarding an offer to help support Queensland, Murray Watt says he hasn’t had contact himself but it is “quite likely” emergency management officials have.
It wouldn’t surprise me at all if we do end up seeing support from New Zealand, and if there is a need for their assistance I’m sure we’ll be pleased to take it up.
On how realistic it was for the federal government to move away from relying heavily on the defence force during natural disasters, Watt says Labor wants to make sure that the ADF is “always available” for extreme situations.
I think anyone who’s watching what’s happening in far north Queensland right now can see that we are talking about an extreme situation.
What we do need to do is make sure that we’ve got a range of different options available for these situations, not only the ADF … we want to be able to keep working with state and territories to make sure they’ve got the capability they need to manage these things as much as possible because.
Updated
Watt says its too early to tell whether assistance from the ADF will need to be significantly ramped up.
I spoke with the prime minister and defence minister a couple of times and they made it very clear to me that we’re going to assist [with] ADF personnel and equipment as required.
We are in ongoing contact with the Queensland government about what might be needed.
Watt says he joined the Queensland government’s disaster management committee meeting this morning, with another to take place later this afternoon.
We’ll have a clear picture of what needs there might be for further ADF assistance, but absolutely, we want to assist in any way we can.
Updated
ADF to airlift more emergency crews into Cairns, Murray Watt says
Senator Murray Watt is on ABC News now and says the federal government has been working closely with their Queensland counterparts for “several days” in anticipation of the effects of Cyclone Jasper.
We have been able to activate the ADF a number of ways to assist the Queensland government. Yesterday afternoon and evening we had many personnel who were based in Cairns assisting Queensland emergency services with rescues from homes in the northern beaches area of Cairns.
We have approved a request from the Queensland government to airlift using ADF personnel and aircraft about 150 more Queensland emergency services personnel into Cairns as soon as those weather conditions permit.
Watt says the federal government is also processing a request from Queensland to make helicopters available from Townsville to assist with some of the rescues.
As a Queenslander, I want to make sure my friends up north are getting the help that they need.
Updated
Still in Queensland, a severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for parts of the south-east, with heavy rain, damaging winds and large hail predicted.
The Bureau of Meteorology said the thunderstorm was near Pikedale, moving towards the northwest.
⚠️Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warnings just kicked in for SE Qld. A severe thunderstorm near Stanthorpe is likely to produce heavy rain, damaging winds & large hail. This thunderstorm is near Pikedale, moving towards the northwest. Latest warning: https://t.co/vYLHCna3or pic.twitter.com/VZAJZPm90H
— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) December 18, 2023
In far north Queensland, a severe weather warning has been cancelled.
Widespread heavy rainfall has eased across far north Queensland. The situation will continue to be monitored, and further warnings issued if necessary. There remains a risk of more transient and isolated heavy, locally intense rainfall today north of the Daintree.
Today show journalists stuck in far north Queensland because roads flooded
Two journalists from Nine’s Today program are trapped in a remote part of far north Queensland after roads became flooded.
A Nine spokesperson said the show’s Queensland correspondent Andrea Crothers and a cameraperson are in the Lakelands are covering Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
They have been trapped due to the roads being flooded, however are safe and have appropriate accommodation and food.
We are currently working on finding appropriate transportation to get them out.
Updated
Murray Watt: ‘We stand alongside Queenslanders at this difficult time’
The emergency management minister, Senator Murray Watt, has issued a statement on the support the federal government is providing far north Queensland amid the floods.
The situation is serious, due to continued rainfall over the past few days in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
We stand alongside Queenslanders at this difficult time.
Watt said personnel from HMAS Cairns provided local emergency small boat assistance on Sunday, in assistance with state services, to rescue residents in Cairns.
Today, up to 150 members of the ADF were authorised to transport essential personnel, luggage and equipment into the region to aid with the response effort. An emergency rotary wing support will also assist isolated residents, and a crisis coordination team has been established.
Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) were activated last Thursday, with jointly funded assistance available to impacted residents and councils.
Updated
Australia and NZ looking to deepen ties further, Albanese says
And now we have Anthony Albanese’s take on the visit from New Zealand’s prime minister Chris Luxon.
Albanese says the trip, Luxon’s first official visit as New Zealand PM, “demonstrates the closeness of the Australia-New Zealand partnership” and that their meeting agenda will include “deepening ties between the two countries and our shared vision for a peaceful, stable and prosperous region”.
Australia and New Zealand are not just friends, we are family. Our close relationship is underpinned by our rich history and generations of community, business and government links.
I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Luxon and working together to advance the unique Australia-New Zealand relationship.
Updated
A man has died in a crash in the regional Victorian city of Mildura this afternoon.
Police say the crash occurred at about 12.45pm when a Toyota Tarago collided with a truck at an intersection.
A male passenger from the Tarago, who was yet to be formally identified, died at the scene. The male driver was taken to hospital with life threatening injuries.
Two other passengers were also taken to hospital, police say.
The male truck driver was not injured and stopped at the scene.
The death brings the state’s road toll to 283 people this year, compared with 232 deaths at the same time in 2022.
Updated
A big thanks to Emily Wind. I’ll be keeping you company for the rest of the day.
Many thanks for joining me on the blog today. I’ll leave you with Caitlin Cassidy to take you through the rest of our rolling flood coverage. To those impacted, please stay safe.
New Zealand PM to meet Albanese in Australia this week with security in focus
New Zealand’s prime minister, Chris Luxon, is heading to Australia on Wednesday, meeting with Australia’s PM Anthony Albanese.
Luxon said in a statement:
Prime Minister Albanese was one of the first international leaders I spoke with after the election, and I’m looking forward to ongoing discussions throughout my term as Prime Minister.
The NZ leader said Australia was “New Zealand’s most important partner and only ally”.
We are deeply connected on every level and on every issue and have strong people-to-people ties. New Zealand is committed to working together with Australia to support a stable and secure Indo-Pacific region. I look forward to discussing our close security and defence relationship.
I’m sure many New Zealanders will be feeling for friends and family in Cairns and elsewhere in Queensland, as the far north grapples with flooding.
— Christopher Luxon (@chrisluxonmp) December 18, 2023
Just as Australia came to our aid in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle, our emergency services stand ready to help in Queensland, if…
Luxon also commented on the Queensland flooding on a post on X today, saying his country’s “emergency services stand ready to help in Queensland, if needed. We’ve made that offer because that is what friends do.”
Updated
Bushfire warning in NSW’s north-west
Moving down to New South Wales, where the Rural Fire Service has issued an emergency warning for a bushfire at Narrabri in the Duck Creek Pilliga Forest:
Emergency Warning: Duck Creek Pilliga Forest, (Narrabri)
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 18, 2023
There is a bush fire within the Pilliga Forest burning towards Bohena Creek. If you are in the area of Bohena Creek you are in danger. Seek shelter as the fire approaches. It is too late to leave. https://t.co/ceYIMDkWcw pic.twitter.com/ZvbQGVFT50
Updated
Flooding likely to continue across parts of Cape York Peninsula
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned that flooding is likely to continue across parts of the Cape York Peninsula into tomorrow.
A severe weather warning for rainfall remains in place. Elevated river and creek levels, and flooding, is causing disruption to transport routes and isolating communities.
Flood warnings, including several major flood warnings, are current for the following catchments: Daintree and Mossman Rivers; Barron River; Mulgrave and Russell Rivers; Tully and Murray Rivers; and Herbert River.
⚠️Flood Watch update for parts of Cape York Peninsula. Elevated river and creek levels, and areas of flooding, have been reported in several Cape York Peninsula catchments from Coen to Undara. This has caused disruption to transport routes and isolation of some communities. pic.twitter.com/hY0UkBa159
— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) December 18, 2023
Updated
Flooding easing at Cairns airport and surrounding areas
The Bureau of Meteorology said that moderate flooding is easing at Cairns airport and across the wider Barron River catchment.
Rainfall totals up to 2,200mm have been recorded across the Barron river catchment during the last week. Further rainfall today is not expected to exacerbate the current flooding.
The river level is expected to be above the moderate flood level of 3 metres at Cairns Airport and falling, but it might stay above 3metres this afternoon, the BoM said.
Updated
Man arrested after woman found dead in Canberra zoo kitchen
A woman has been found dead at the National Zoo and Aquarium in Canberra.
Emergency services were called to the zoo at 12.50pm today where a woman was found dead in a commercial kitchen area, police said.
Police said a person of interest – a 29-year-old man – was taken into custody and has been transported to hospital under police guard.
The zoo has been closed and police do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the public, as investigations continue.
No charges have been laid.
Updated
Queensland rescue crews getting 40 requests for help each hour
The Queensland State Emergency Service is responding to about 40 requests for help each hour amid the Far North Queensland flooding.
In a post to X, QFES said that crews are working “around the clock”:
Our SES and FRS crews are working around the clock as ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper continues to dump huge amounts of rain over the far north.
— Qld Fire & Emergency (@QldFES) December 18, 2023
The SES has responded to an average of more than 40 requests for assistance per hour over the past 24 hours.
This vision is just a sample… pic.twitter.com/ULXgs5dzcF
Updated
Euramo Hotel welcomes boats for drinks amid deluge
As we flagged earlier in the blog, the Euramo Hotel in far north Queensland temporarily “rebranded” as the Euramo Yacht Club, welcoming 18 boats up to its doors as flood waters rose.
We now have some photos:
Updated
Queensland premier wants ministers to focus on ‘listening first’ and then action
Q: What message do you have for your ministers?
Steven Miles:
I want them to listen to Queenslanders and deliver. What we are focused on is governing in the interests of Queenslanders, listening first to them, and then once we’ve listened, acted. That’s what I think you have seen from me, I hope you have seen from me, and I hope by that example our ministers can follow.
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‘Fresh faces, new ideas’: Steven Miles says new cabinet offers mix of youth and experience
Queensland premier Steven Miles is speaking to the media after his cabinet was officially sworn in.
He is outlining the new ministry, which we detailed in full here or you can read more below:
Miles said:
What you have in our government is fresh faces, new ideas, the right mix of youth and experience. I’m very proud of them. And now everyone, it’s time to get to work.
Updated
Here’s some footage of the damage to homes across Far North Queensland amid the flooding:
Machans Beach family’s close call with falling electricity pole amid evacuation
Machans Beach local Trinidad Jacial has described the moment a tree and an electricity pole fell on to the road as she was preparing to evacuate her home.
Jacial told ABC News that she was preparing to evacuate to higher ground with her young family when a tree and an electricity pole fell and blocked the road.
She and her husband grabbed their girls, aged one and three, and left. She said 10 minutes after they left the water reached peaked level:
When we left the house we were smiling and singing songs and telling them that we were going on an adventure.
When we got to my brother-in-law’s place … they knew that there was something going on.
We tried to keep our best smiley faces on all day … there’s not much that we can do but stay positive and [get] past all of that anxiety.
Jacial said she hasn’t seen anything like this in the seven years she has lived in the area.
It was pretty scary… it’s unbelievable how quickly it all happened.
Updated
The Bureau of Meteorology said that subject to verification, some sites in Far North Queensland recorded around 800mm of rain in just the 24 hours to 9am this morning:
🌧️ A trough associated with ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper produced more than 500 mm of rainfall at sites in the North Tropical Coast over the past 24 hours to 9am, in the Daintree, Mossman and Barron catchments. Subject to verification, some sites have recorded up to around 800 mm. pic.twitter.com/EWg4vtVmfO
— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) December 18, 2023
Crocodile captured after it was spotted in flood waters in Ingham
AAP has more details on the crocodile spotted in Queensland flood waters:
A saltwater crocodile has been captured after it was spotted swimming in swollen flood waters in Palm Creek in the small town of Ingham.
Wildlife officers captured the 2.8-metre saltie this morning before it was placed inside a holding cage.
It is expected the animal will be taken to a holding facility until the deluge subsides.
Updated
ADF helping with flood rescue efforts in far north Queensland
The defence minister, Richard Marles, has provided an update on the support the Australian defence force is providing to flood-affected communities in FNQ.
In a post on X, Marles said personnel from HMAS Cairns have worked alongside local authorities to rescue Cairns residents.
He added that 150 support personnel along with equipment will be sent to assist the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service.
ADF helicopters will provide assistance to isolated residents in the region as soon as possible to support Queensland emergency authorities.
Updated
This video from a drone deployed near Cairns shows the extent of the flooding in Smithfield:
‘Never seen anything like it’: Mossman publican describes deluge as river broke
Mossman Hotel publican Paul McMahon described the moment the river broke in town, bringing a deluge of water to already drenched areas.
Speaking to the ABC, McMahon said two feet of water came on top of what was already there, “straight down the drive and through into town and everyone’s houses and the pub”.
One of his staff couldn’t get home. McMahon said the town seems much calmer now, but the clean-up efforts are proving challenging:
It’s just the mud and the fact that the water is turned off makes cleaning just that much harder.
Some of the older blokes I was chatting to yesterday and today, in 45 years they’ve lived here, never seen anything like it. So it’s certainly pretty dramatic and it’s caught everyone by surprise.
Updated
Cooktown to offer shelter to those fleeing floods but water and food scarce, mayor says
Cook Shire mayor Peter Scott said his community of Cooktown is preparing to accommodate those evacuating from Wujal Wujal amid the disastrous flooding.
Speaking to the ABC, Scott said Cooktown was relatively well positioned above the river and although it had received a lot of rain there was no real damage. But there are issues with water, food and bedding supplies.
We can cater for them in Cooktown if they come in, we’ll open up our cyclone shelter. It can take up to 1,000 people. But having said that, we do not have bedding. We are on water restrictions and there are probably only about two or three days of food left in Cooktown.
Scott said that Cooktown has rivers on both sides and people cannot get out.
All the roads are cut … There still could be a lot of damage underneath the roads or on the roads themselves, so if we do have to resupply, it will have to be by air supply or by [sea].
Updated
Victorian school cleaners: union threatens to take government to court in messy dispute
The union representing Victorian cleaners has threatened to take the state government to court over a messy dispute over cleaning contracts for more than 200 schools.
About 700 school cleaners at public schools in Melbourne’s west and north-east are affected by a major contract changeover as the Victorian government switches from ISS Facility Services to incoming contractors Tradeflex and Serco.
Cleaning staff have been forced to reapply for their jobs and face the Christmas and New Year period without income due to a gap between contracts, while some re-hired staff face the cumulative loss of more than $11,000 per annum and huge cuts to their working hours.
In a letter to the education minister Ben Carroll on 12 December, seen by Guardian Australia, the United Workers Union outlined concerns about a number of possible breaches to the Fair Work Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and the Cleaning Services Award that it believes appear to be imminent, given the cuts to hours, increases to workloads and the fact that many staff have not been made formal offers of employment by the incoming contractors, and thus may be entitled to redundancy pay.
The UWU alleges that given the contractors are “all acting in accordance with contractual directions from the State Government of Victoria and the Victorian Department of Education”, the state government and the department would also be complicit in any contravention of those laws.
UWU property services director Lyndal Ryan said in a statement:
These workers are barely above the minimum wage and the Victorian Government is just throwing them on to the scrapheap in the hope that friends and family can lend a hand over the Christmas break.
And even when they return, their future is bleak. The hard-hearted treatment of these workers is exactly why we have been calling for an end to this race-to-the-bottom privatisation of Victorian school cleaning, so cleaners can have the jobs they deserve to best serve their school communities.
A Department of Education spokesperson said:
We’re actively working with current and incoming school cleaning service providers to ensure a smooth transition process for schools and cleaning staff, with incoming arrangements to be in place until late December 2024.
We require all contracted cleaning service providers to fully comply with their obligations under the Fair Work Act.
A Tradeflex spokesperson told Guardian Australia earlier this month that recruitment was in progress, and they hoped to complete the process by the end of December.
A spokesperson for Serco directed all Guardian Australia’s inquiries to the education department.
Updated
Map of rainfall in northern Queensland in past week
This map shows the total rainfall for the past seven days, with amounts more than 1,300mm recorded in the area north of Port Douglas.
Updated
Parts of Cairns urged to boil drinking water as supply reaches 'critical' level
Parts of Cairns are being urged to boil drinking water as water supply across the region reaches “critical” levels.
Cairns Regional Council posted on Facebook that there was “very limited supply” of water which may run out in coming hours if water couldn’t be restored to the treatment plant later today.
Council advises residents that water supply across the region is at critical levels.
Some suburbs in Cairns may already be without water due to damaged infrastructure.
Once services are restored, there will be limited water supply until the reservoirs can be replenished. Residents should continue to only use water for critical purposes until further notice.
Residents in Orchid Valley, Bartle Frere and Woopen Creek have been instructed to boil drinking water until further notice. Unboiled water can still be used for showering and washing clothes.
Updated
Disaster funding offered to residents in far north Queensland
Nine councils in far north Queensland have been offered the state and federal government’s disaster recovery funding, Miles says.
Residents can access grants of $180 for individuals and up to $900 for a family of five or more to cover essentials like food, clothing and medicine.
Anyone requiring personal hardship payments or other immediate assistance can contact the Queensland Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.
— Steven Miles (@StevenJMiles) December 18, 2023
9/10
Updated
Queensland premier: 300 rescues performed around Cairns overnight
Queensland’s premier, Steven Miles, has confirmed on X that the entire regional Aboriginal community of Wujal Wujal will need to be evacuated.
People at Wujal hospital are safe and we are seeking to evacuate them as soon as it is safe to do so.
We have pulled together every single appropriate boat we can to safely conduct almost 300 rescues overnight on the Cairns northern beaches, including [deploying] the HMAS Cairns.
Miles says while everything is being done to rescue the community of Wujal Wujal, “the rain has been too heavy to get aerial support to them at this stage”.
Conditions in and around Cairns have been unsafe for aerial support – as soon as conditions ease we will move that support in.
Updated
Qld floods: federal government to provide extra ADF support
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Queensland Senator Murray Watt has confirmed on X that the federal government will provide additional ADF support on the ground in far north Queensland in response to the floods.
It comes at the request of the Queensland government.
Watt says up to 150 emergency service personnel will be transported to Cairns, alongside emergency helicopter support to evacuate residents.
At request of Qld Govt, we are providing additional ADF support for FNQ floods:
— Senator Murray Watt (@MurrayWatt) December 18, 2023
✈️ transporting up to 150 emergency service personnel plus equipment to Cairns.
🚁 emergency helicopter support & personnel to evacuate isolated residents as directed by Qld emergency authorities.
Updated
Qld floods: Ground ‘shaking’ from the power of flood waters
Here is footage showing the extent of the rainfall in far-north Queensland, which received hundreds of millimetres of rain last night thanks to tropical cyclone Jasper.
Evacuations are still taking place.
Hard to capture the volume of water on video but walking in I could feel the ground shaking amidst a deafening roar. An unprecedented 6ft of rain fell on the catchment over the past few days. #cairnsflood pic.twitter.com/xrR56HaAwm
— Paul Webster (@Cassowary_Man) December 17, 2023
As noted by Weatherzone meteorologist Ben Domensino, a gauge in Myola received more rain in a five-day period than Cairns or Darwin usually receive in a year.
A rain gauge at Myola has received 2,025 mm of rain during 5 days ending at 9am today. This is more rainfall than Cairns or Darwin usually receive in a whole year. pic.twitter.com/ubWNXNyDgP
— Ben Domensino (@Ben_Domensino) December 18, 2023
Updated
Queensland floods: conditions improve in Cairns
Cairns local Matthew Richardson says “things much improved overnight” at Caravonica, after heavy rains and floods hit the region on Sunday afternoon.
Yesterday, bush was submerged by brown muddy waters that lapped at the railings of the Barron River bridge - which usually towers 13.7m above the river, Richardson says.
Things much improved overnight ... will be heading out after my current meeting. Rain seems to have abated.
Richardson took a photo from St Andrew’s school at Redlynch yesterday, showing the road, fence and grass submerged by brown water.
He took a photo from the same location today. Waters have receded, leaving behind dirt and debris:
Updated
Here is a list of the new Queensland government ministry, being sworn in today:
• Steven Miles – premier
• Cameron Dick – deputy premier, treasurer and minister for trade and investment
• Grace Grace – minister for state development and infrastructure, minister for industrial relations and minister for racing
• Shannon Fentiman – minister for health, mental health and ambulance services and minister for women
• Yvette D’Ath – attorney-general and minister for justice and minister for the prevention of domestic and family violence
• Michael De Brenni – minister for clean economy and jobs
• Meaghan Scanlon – minister for housing, local government and planning and minister for public works
• Mark Ryan – minister for police and community safety
• Leeanne Enoch – minister for treaty, minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partnerships, minister for communities and minister for the arts
• Dianne Farmer – minister for education and minister for youth justice
• Mark Furner – minister for agricultural industry development and fisheries and minister for rural communities
• Glenn Butcher – minister for regional development and manufacturing and minister for water
• Scott Stewart – minister for resources and critical minerals
• Leanne Linard – minister for the environment and the Great Barrier Reef and minister for science and innovation
• Nikki Boyd – minister for fire and disaster recovery and minister for corrective services
• Bart Mellish – minister for transport and main roads and minister for digital services
• Lance McCallum – minister for employment and small business and minister for training and skills development
• Charis Mullen – minister for child safety, minister for seniors and disability services and minister for multicultural affairs
• Michael Healy – minister for tourism and sport
Updated
Queensland floods: tropical low not expected to redevelop into cyclone
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper remains a weak tropical low over the Cape York Peninsula. The Bureau of Meteorology says it has a less than 5% chance of redeveloping into a tropical cyclone over the next week.
Ex-Tropical #CycloneJasper remains a weak tropical low over Cape York Peninsula & has a VERY LOW (less than 5%) chance of redeveloping into a Tropical Cyclone over the next week. Stay up to date with any tropical cyclone activity for the next 7 days here: https://t.co/39Wx4ZZg2y pic.twitter.com/fs6dcERVzL
— Bureau of Meteorology, Northern Territory (@BOM_NT) December 18, 2023
Updated
NT students get Atar results, Darwin High School a top performer
Moving away from the floods for a moment …
… the wait is over for Northern Territory graduates who have woken to receive their Atars today - the final cohort across Australia to get their final year highschool exam results.
Across the NT, 1,361 students earned their certificate of education, four more than the previous year, and 212 of them were First Nations students.
Darwin High School produced seven of the top 10 students across the Territory, with Al-Hussain Mahmood Al-Ibrahim earning a perfect Atar of 99.95.
In total, 111 students earned an Atar of 90.00 or above - placing in the top 10% of the nation, a slight increase on 2022.
Maddison Lea McCormick from Palmerston College was the NT’s top performing First Nations student for 2023.
Public school attainment rates also increased overall, by 2.1 percentage points compared with last year.
Minister for Education Eva Lawler congratulated students for reaching an “important milestone”.
Young people across the NT, are our greatest influence in shaping the future of education, employment, health and wellbeing going forward. You are our future territory leaders.
Updated
Queensland floods: some rescues will have to be via sea or air, says Douglas mayor
Mayor of Douglas Shire Michael Kerr says the ADF is needed on-the-ground because it is “virtually impossible” to get to stranded people by land.
We have so much road damage as well on top of the flooding. Trying to get through to these areas is virtually impossible by land. It will either have to be by air or sea. We need to get into these people, to get them evacuated safely.
Kerr said that a deluge of rain in 2019 came as “one serious dump”, but this rain has “just been continuous”.
Never seen anything as bad as this.
Updated
Queensland floods: much of Douglas shire ‘completely isolated’, mayor says
Douglas shire mayor Michael Kerr has told ABC News of the dire situation in his community, where multiple areas are “completely isolated”.
He said communities from Cape Tribulation to Daintree Village are cut off, with no-one able to access them because of flooding and damage to roads.
Most of the communities have had no power, they don’t have running water, they have no telecommunications.
This has been an absolute nightmare for us and we have communities that we can’t get to … We have flooded houses there and we are trying to evacuate them but we don’t have the resources, unfortunately.
Updated
PwC and Dylan Alcott’s disability inclusion consultancy end partnership
PwC Australia and Dylan Alcott’s disability inclusion consultancy firm, Get Skilled Access (GSA), have ended a formal partnership signed earlier this year.
In a statement to staff, PwC’s chief executive Kevin Burrowes says the decision was necessary given the firm was no longer focusing on work with state and federal governments.
Earlier this year, PwC Australia divested its government consulting business for just $1 following a scandal related to the misuse of confidential Treasury information.
Burrowes has told staff that ending the formal partnership will allow GSA to partner and work with government agencies. After the confidentiality scandal, some departments refused to work with PwC Australia.
You’ll remember that back in April, PwC and GSA came together through the creation of a formalised alliance, with the aim of increasing access and inclusion across both the public and private sectors.
However, as our strategic direction has since changed, and we are now a pure private and corporate sector service provider, we have had conversations with GSA about how we ensure GSA is best placed to continue to evolve and grow their business into the future.
We have reached the mutual decision to unwind the strategic alliance, allowing GSA to continue working unencumbered with government organisations, and to partner with a variety of firms or businesses – including ours.
Under the agreement, many GSA staff were based in PwC Australia offices.
Updated
Qld floods: Tiny Daintree town records 829mm of rain in 24 hours
The town of Diwan, in the centre of the Daintree coast, recorded 829mm of rain during the past 24 hours, according to one local resident.
In a post to X/Twitter, the resident predicted about 500mm would have fallen in a period of just five hours:
I'm in Diwan, in the middle of the Daintree. 829mm of rain in the last 24 hours.
— Bored Kangaroo Yacht Club (@BoredKangarooYC) December 17, 2023
We probably got 500mm just in the space of 5 hours last night...!
Melbourne has an ANNUAL rainfall of 649mm, just to give you an idea.
Updated
Rainfall records being broken as floods continue in northern Queensland
Q: Some experts are saying this is a one in 100 year flood. Is that correct?
Laura Boekel:
The previous record in the Daintree – that is the most significant record that we have seen – it previously peaked at 12.6 metres [in 2019] and we broke that record … with the peak of 15 metres.
In terms of putting it into context and comparing it to one-in-100 years, it is more useful to see what we have seen in the previous years and just how we have exceeded that during this event.
She adds that Cairns reached 4.4 metres this morning, beating the 1977 peak of 3.8 metres.
Updated
Queensland floods: Highest rainfall so far seen at Yandill in Daintree region
The Bureau of Meteorology said the highest rainfall total in the 20 hours to 5am was 654mm at Yandill in the Daintree region.
Five gauges reached over the 600mm mark.
Laura Boekel said meteorologists are still looking at the data to determine whether this flooding is record-breaking.
There is a lot of rainfall data at the moment that we are working through to try and place this, in terms of, have we broken any records and what are they in those areas.
Updated
Thousands still without power in north Qld because of fresh flooding
As of 6am today (local time) about 14,000 Far North Queenslanders were without electricity.
A spokesperson told the media that 90% of customers affected by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper had their power restored by Saturday night, but a further 10,000 customers lost power due to renewed rainfall and flooding.
Our original restoration plan for the cyclone had targeted all customers to be reconnected by tomorrow night, 19 December, however, this can no longer be achieved due to the ongoing rain and flooding emergency.
At this stage, there is no timeframe for when power will be restored.
Updated
Qld floods: residents stranded on roofs in Degarra, Bloomfield
Queensland Police has confirmed there are seven people stranded on five houses in Degarra, and two people on a roof at Bloomfield.
We are doing everything we can to get our emergency services in to support these people. We have been in contact via phone and we know they are safe, and being on the roof at the moment is the safest location for these people.
The water through those areas is moving very rapidly and for us to undertake rescues at this point in time would be highly unsafe.
We are in contact with those people and we will get our emergency services into there as quickly as we can.
Updated
Qld floods: police hope to move Wujal Wujal residents to Cooktown
The police commissioner says the nine people who were stranded on the roof of a Wujal Wujal hospital “self-evacuated when the waters slightly receded”.
However we are looking to evacuate that small town into Cooktown as soon as we can have access into the area.
She says the greatest challenge everyone has, has been access into some of these areas, and that will continue to be a challenge:
We have pre-deployed staff into Townsville to move staff into Cairns and the smaller communities around Cairns as soon as possible to not only assist with the current response, but also assist with the recovery over the next few days.
Updated
Qld floods: no deaths or serious injuries reported, police commissioner says
A “far northerner”, Queensland police commissioner Katarina Carroll remembers the floods of 1977. She says what has been seen over the past couple of days has been “absolutely devastating”.
We have not seen this much … water since at least that time, so [there are] incredibly difficult times in that part of the world.
Last night, 300 people were rescued in what was an “extraordinarily challenging evening”, Carroll says. The rescues were done with the help of the SES, police, civilian assistance, QFES and naval support, mostly in the areas of Machans Beach, Yorkeys Knob and Holloways Beach.
Also, more than 300 triple-zero calls were made to police.
Carroll confirmed there have been no deaths or serious injuries as a result of the floods.
Updated
Flood warnings remain in place for Port Douglas, Cooktown, Wujal Wujal, Daintree but not Cairns
Laura Boekel from the Bureau of Meteorology has provided this update:
A severe weather warning for heavy and locally intense rainfall remains in place for Port Douglas, Daintree Village, Wujal Wujal, Cooktown and Hope Vale, but no longer for includes Cairns
Totals of up to 300mm could be expected
Showers and storms are forecast to continue throughout the day
Major flooding continues for Daintree, and a peak could be seen again later today. The peak of 15m beats the previous record of 12.6m
A major flood warning remains in place also for the Barron river, with a peak of 4.4m observed at Cairns Airport last night. It is not record breaking but it is “the largest amount of flooding we have seen for quite some time”.
Updated
Qld premier: more heavy rain expected, access to clean water a concern
Steven Miles says intense rainfall is expected to continue. It has eased in some locations, but there is an ongoing risk of showers and storms during the day which may affect river levels and flooding, he says.
Photograph: Darren England/AAP
He says the disaster management committee has just met with mayors in heavily flooded areas, and they will meet again this afternoon.
Miles also says access to clean water is a concern in “many” flood-affected communities, particularly in Cairns:
There will be a number of key milestones throughout the morning where we will be able to determine how long Cairns has clean water for, and it remains critically important that those reliant on the Cairns water supply conserve water as much as they possibly can.
Updated
Queensland premier Steven Miles said the entire town of Wujal Wujal would need to be evacuated.
He confirmed the nine people trapped on a roof – including one seven-year-old boy – have been moved to another location:
That group of people who are trapped on the roof of the hospital in Wujal Wujal have been able to safely move to another location, but it now appears likely that we will need to evacuate the entire town of Wujal Wujal.
Agencies are working across government and across levels of government to work out how to do that, to safely get the community of Wujal Wujal to Cooktown, to the PCYC there.
Emergency personnel are giving an update on the Far North Queensland floods, from the QFES headquarters.
They acknowledged it has been a “tough night” for those impacted:
We have heroes on the ground who have been out all night. We deployed literally every boat we could get our hands on in Cairns to evacuate those who couldn’t safely evacuate themselves. And more help is on the way.
Queensland publican finds some cheer amid flood gloom, rebranding hotel a ‘yacht club’
The Euramo Hotel in Far North Queensland has “rebranded” as the Euramo Yacht Club, welcoming 18 boats up to its doors, which were yesterday consumed with flood waters.
Publican Ollie Muzic and manager Tish Ottone told ABC News earlier this morning the water levels at the hotel, which is about two and a half hours drive south of Cairns, had dropped by 300mm overnight. They said they hadn’t seen anything like this in the two years since buying the pub:
It’s been something that they do every time we have a flood. It’s tradition [to go to] the Euramo Hotel in a boat or a tractor. We had no tractors turn up yesterday, but the water level was higher than it’s ever been before.
We had heard that there are a few people locally that have lost their homes, and their home is covered in water and mud now … we are absolutely gutted for them.
Updated
Qld floods: emergency services racing to rescue people trapped on clinic roof
State Disaster Coordinator Shane Chelepy has told reporters that teams are providing support to those trapped on a roof in the Aboriginal town of Wujal Wujal.
As we mentioned earlier, nine people – including a seven-year-old boy – are trapped on the roof of the Wujal Wujal clinic. Emergency crews have been unable to get to them because of low-lying cloud, intense rainfall and flooding.
Chelepy says:
We are providing support to those people now.
The safest place for those people right now is on the roof of that hospital until we can get emergency services in there.
- with AAP
Updated
Queensland floods: special swift-water rescuers respond to more than 370 calls for help
The Queensland SES has responded to more than 1,000 calls for assistance in the past 24 hours.
Meanwhile, Fire and Rescue swift-water rescuers have responded to more than 370 callouts during that time.
In a post to X/Twitter, QFES says crews remain “strategically positioned to ensure they are able to continue to respond”.
The deluge has continued in Far North Queensland and QFES crews have had their work cut out. The SES received more than 1,000 requests for assistance in the past 24 hours, while Fire and Rescue Service swiftwater firefighters responding to more than 370 callouts.
— Qld Fire & Emergency (@QldFES) December 17, 2023
Our crews remain… pic.twitter.com/B6GKp4REwQ
Updated
Bruce Lehrmann defamation case enters final week
Lisa Wilkinson’s colleagues at Ten, including veteran media executive Peter Meakin, will give evidence today as the final week of the Bruce Lehrmann defamation trial begins.
You can follow the trial on our separate live blog with Amanda Meade:
Updated
Queensland floods: Cairns airport will not reopen today, all flights cancelled
A notice on the Cairns Airport website confirms operations will not recommence today.
Earlier, Cairns Airport CEO Richard Barker confirmed they could now access the runway, but he says a lot of debris has to be removed and the runway will have to be cleaned.
The notice reads:
The flooding on the aerodrome has subsided. However, given our proximity to the Barron River, there is significant debris that needs to be removed and cleaned. We will then be in a position to assess our runway infrastructure, to determine its serviceability. This will take some time. As such, we can confirm that operations will not recommence at Cairns Airport today. Please do not travel to the airport today.
All flights scheduled for today have been cancelled or delayed. Please contact your airline directly for information about specific flights.
We also wish to reiterate that our domestic and international terminals, including the car parks, have not been adversely impacted.
Updated
ABC’s Patricia Karvelas ‘excited’ to host Q+A in 2024
ABC News has announced Patricia Karvelas will host Q+A in 2024.
She will continue to present RN Breakfast three or five days a week, a statement says, depending on the Q+A schedule.
Karvelas says:
Q+A is the town hall. It’s the only program bringing together a range of guests to debate the big issues where ordinary people – not journalists or insiders – can come along and ask questions of powerful people.
I thrive on big and difficult conversations and I’m excited and privileged to take on the role of host of this iconic ABC program in 2024.
A show like Q+A should constantly be evolving to meet the needs of Australians and that’s what I’m committed to doing.
Q+A returns on Monday, 19 February.
Updated
Crocodiles spotted in Queensland floodwaters
A crocodile has been spotted in floodwaters in the centre of Ingham, a rural town about 110km north of Townsville in Queensland:
Peak Aussie content here 🐊 A big crocodile has been spotted in a swollen drain in the centre of Ingham, a North Queensland town currently cut off by floodwaters. Filmed by @abcnews reporter @ChloeChomicki, who is isolated like everyone else in town. pic.twitter.com/LSg5ODkpIF
— Siobhan Heanue (@siobhanheanue) December 17, 2023
Chief executive of the Wujal Wujal Aboriginal shire council, Kylie Hanslow, also told the ABC earlier that crocodiles had been spotted in floodwaters:
There’s also crocodiles swimming around in the water now, because the crocs want to find the nice calm water rather than the rushing river water.
Updated
Queensland floods: Even homes on higher ground in Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire hard hit
Desmond Tayley, deputy mayor of the Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council, says the community is completely cut off from the north and the south by road.
He says even homes and buildings on higher ground have been affected by flood waters, including his own home. On Facebook he writes:
Even the places in high area[s] have been flooded, even my place which I thought was pretty safe but I was wrong … Please spare a thought and prayer for my mob.
Updated
Cairns wakes up to windless morning, beaches littered with flood debris
Local Anna Buckley says the “normally pristine” Trinity Beach, a coastal suburb of Cairns, “is littered with debris” this morning, after heavy rains and floods hit Cairns on Sunday afternoon.
We have woken to a cool, windless morning with no rain. Our normally pristine beach is littered with debris.
Cairns water treatment plant is inoperable which means possible contamination so we’ll use bottled water for drinking.
The Captain Cook highway to Port Douglas and Mossman is badly damaged and will be impassable for quite some time.
Buckley says Trinity Beach was “relatively untouched by yesterday’s catastrophic events,” that causedsignificant flood damage at nearby Machans Beach, Holloways Beach and Yorkeys Knob.
Updated
Queensland floods: Crews now cleaning up Cairns airport runway
Cairns Airport CEO Richard Barker says access has now returned to the runway so teams will be working to pump the water out, clean the runway and check the lighting.
Once we’ve done that, which will take at least all day, we’re in a position to make decisions about safety, to reopen.
Barker says about 250 passengers were left stranded when the airport was closed yesterday, and they had to return home and go to temporary accomodation in the city.
He says the airport has resources and is “pretty much under control” but ADF assistance is needed in remote and cut-off areas where people are stranded.
We’re working hard to get the emergency helicopters back in the air.
Updated
Cairns airport flooding highest in more than 100 years
Richard Barker, chief executive of Cairns airport, says flooding at the airport is the highest its been in more than 100 years and he has never seen anything like it.
Speaking to ABC News, he says the nearby Barron river has reached “the highest levels since records began” in 1910, rising 4.5m.
We have a significant levee around the airport and water came over that for the first time ever, flooding the entire runway and our general aviation precinct … We made the decision to stop arrivals, we aimed to get as many aircraft out as we safely could [and] shut the runway.
We were talking yesterday with one of the engineers who designed and put in the drainage system 25 years ago. He has never seen anything like it himself either.
Yesterday, Cairns airport was closed in anticipation of the record flooding.
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ADF to airlift more first responders to Cairns to help with floods, federal emergency minister says
Emergency management minister Murray Watt has thanked the Cairns-based ADF personnel assisting the Far North Queensland community amid the flooding, at the request of the federal government.
Watt says he has spoken with Queensland premier Steven Miles, and the ADF will be airlifting extra QFES and police personnel to Cairns.
Thanks to Cairns-based ADF personnel who’ve been assisting flooded Far Nth Qlders, at request of Qld Govt. I’ve spoken with Qld Premier @StevenJMiles & ADF will also airlift extra @QldFES @QldPolice & other personnel to Cairns. The @AlboMP Govt stands by FNQ during these floods.
— Senator Murray Watt (@MurrayWatt) December 17, 2023
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Bushfire in Narrabri, NSW prompts evacuation centre set-up
While our focus remains on the flooding in Far North Queensland, AAP has details about an uncontained bushfire in New South Wales:
An evacuation centre has been set up at Narrabri in the state’s northwest after the fire threatened properties in the area.
The out-of-control fire, which is in the Pilliga Forest, close to Narrabri and the town of Boggabri, has so far burnt more than 64,700 hectares, NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) says on its website.
The blaze was at emergency level early Monday before being downgraded to watch and act level later in the morning, An evacuation centre has been established for residents.
The immediate threat had eased, but north westerly winds were forecast to increase, which would push the fire east.
More than 50 bush and grass fires are burning statewide, according to the RFS website, as a severe heatwave warning remains for the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast and Northern Tablelands Districts.
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Share your stories with us
If you are in Far North Queensland and impacted by the extreme rain and flooding, we would love to hear from you.
Please send any photos and first hand accounts via X/Twitter @emilywindwrites or email (emily.wind@theguardian.com), for us to share on the blog and in our reporting.
And please, stay safe – the images that are coming through are so concerning.
Updated
Qld floods: emergency crews can’t reach people trapped on roof in Wujal Wujal
Chief executive of the Wujal Wujal Aboriginal shire council, Kylie Hanslow, says the nine people trapped on a roof are in a “desperate way”.
As Queensland premier Steven Miles flagged earlier, the nine people – including a seven-year-old boy – are trapped on the roof of the Wujal Wujal clinic. Emergency crews have been unable to get to them because of low-lying cloud, intense rainfall and flooding.
Hanslow told ABC News the little boy is unwell, and a chopper is due from Cairns.
We need to get those people some help. Apparently there’s a chopper coming from Cairns, they’ll fuel up in Cooktown and then [evacuate] those people out. But it’s bleak on the ground here in Wujal.
Hanslow hasn’t been able to get to the people stranded on the roof to assess their situation, but she says they would be freezing and wet.
It’s been a very long night for them … things are not looking good there.
She didn’t have an ETA on the chopper from Cairns but hopes it will arrive “sooner rather than later”.
Updated
Flooding south of Cairns closes vital access bridge for locals
Here are some screen grabs from the Peets Bridge River flood camera this morning, showing the extent of the flooding:
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Qld floods: ‘life-threatening’ flash flooding could hit Hope Vale, Port Douglas
Here is the latest severe weather warning from the Bureau of Meteorology:
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper remains near the Gulf Country and Peninsula border and, combined with a separate coastal trough near Daintree, is bringing heavy rainfall and flash flooding to land between Cape Flattery and Julatten.
Widespread six-hourly rainfall totals between 150mm and 200mm are likely, with falls up to 250mm expected along the coast and adjacent ranges.
Rainfall is expected to slowly ease during the day and could fall below warning thresholds during the afternoon or evening.
Meanwhile, locally intense rainfall that could lead to “dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding” is possible between Hope Vale and Port Douglas, with six-hourly totals up to 300mm possible.
Significant rainfall totals since 9am yesterday to 7.30am today (local time) include:
Yandill – 684mm
Myola – 638mmDaintree Village – 621mm
Mossman Treatment Plant – 601mm
Port Douglas – 380 mm
Cairns Airport – 307 mm
⚠️Latest Severe Weather Warning: Heavy, locally intense rainfall w dangerous & life-threatening flash flooding, occurring or possible north of Cairns, with 6-hourly rainfall totals up to 300 mm. #Port Douglas, #WujalWujal, #DaintreeVillage & #Cooktown. https://t.co/hgNTnkfwQ9 pic.twitter.com/jiOW9sQixT
— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) December 17, 2023
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Floods could lead to ‘billion-dollar’ financial impact in Queensland’s far north
Queensland deputy premier and treasurer Cameron Dick also spoke to ABC News breakfast this morning, from the QFES headquarters.
Asked about the extreme nature of the flooding from a financial perspective, he predicted it could amount to a “billion-dollar impact”:
I certainly think that it will be a billion-dollar impact, broadly, and not just on property, but on the economy more broadly here in the far north.
We will put whatever dollars we need to, every cent necessary to make sure that we can recover.
Earlier, Cairns mayor Terry James told ABC RN about the impact these floods will have on the local tourist industry:
This is the peak season for them. We get a lot of people coming up here to spend their Christmas, so spare a thought for the tourism industry and just the moment we get back on deck, if you can get back up here and have your holiday that’d be much appreciated because it’ll help a lot of businesses in the area.
Updated
Fresh severe thunderstorm warnings for far north Qld, BoM says
BoM meteorologist Sarah Scully spoke to ABC News Breakfast, providing statistics on the intense rainfall and flooding being experienced in Far North Queensland.
Here is what she outlined:
Black Mountain and Myola have both exceeded 2m of flooding, and the Daintree Village has received more than 1.75m
Cairns annual rainfall is 2m of rain, which it has seen since the beginning of this weather event. Rainfall totals have also exceeded the 1977 flooding event
There is a severe thunderstorm warning, with two major thunderstorm cells – one over the north tropical coast, and another over the central Cape York Peninsula. This could bring intense rainfall and severe weather to the coast, extending from Hope Vale all wait down to the south of the Cairns
More rainfall with six hourly rainfall totals between 150mm and 200mm is expected, possibly more
Rainfall should ease by this afternoon to just a few showers along the coast
High tide is expected around 2pm, exacerbating flooding in low-lying areas.
Updated
Queensland premier Steven Miles' new-look frontbench to be sworn in
AAP has more details on the new-look Queensland cabinet, set to be unveiled days after Steven Miles officially took over as the state’s 40th premier:
In what is considered the state government’s biggest frontbench shake-up in nine years, five new ministers are expected to be ushered in today.
Miles is the new leader with treasurer Cameron Dick his deputy after both were elected unanimously and unopposed to their roles at Friday’s Labor caucus meeting. It marks the first time since 2005 that the Queensland Labor party has two men at the helm.
Miles was later sworn in as the new premier at Government House, barely a week after Annastacia Palaszczuk’s shock resignation.
Meaghan Scanlon is set to take on three new responsibilities to tackle the housing crisis.
Miles said yesterday that Scanlon would gain three new responsibilities to tackle the housing crisis, becoming housing, planning, local government and public works minister.
Miles’ previous state development, infrastructure, planning and local government portfolio will be broken up to create the housing super-portfolio.
Nikki Boyd, Bart Mellish, Michael Healy, Lance McCallum and Charis Mullen will all be given frontbench positions in Miles’ new cabinet.
‘Quick’ Queensland cabinet swearing in so ministers can address floods recovery, says premier
The new Queensland cabinet is due to be sworn in today. Steven Miles said this will still go ahead, despite the weather emergency:
It is important we get ministers into these roles right away, because we have work to do.
It will be a quick swearing in. There won’t be much time for celebrations but we need to get people into the portfolios because many of them will need to help with the recovery in the state’s far north.
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Nine people stuck on roof of Queensland hospital
Steven Miles said 15,000 people are without power:
The problem is the rain won’t stop and until it eases up, we can’t get aerial support into remote places like Wujal Wujal and we have people stuck on roofs that have been there all night.
He says there are nine people on the roof of Wujal Wujal Hospital, and emergency crews can’t get aerial support to them because the cloud is too low, and the rain too heavy.
We have people standing by ready to do the rescues but we have to wait until it is safe to do so.
His biggest concern over the next 12-24 hours is getting people who are trapped on roofs to safety.
After that, we have concerns about drinking water, about sewerage, power and telecommunications, the roads – many of the roads are blocked and we can’t get aerial support in.
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Queensland floods: ‘worst I can remember’, says premier
Queensland premier Steven Miles spoke to ABC News Breakfast earlier amid the record-breaking, major flooding in the far north.
In terms of natural disasters the state has experienced, the premier said this is “about the worst I can remember”.
I have been talking to Cairns locals on the ground through yesterday and through the night and they say they have never seen anything like it.
For someone from Far North Queensland to say that, that is really saying something. We are seeing massive amounts of rain, more than 300mm in six hours [and] upwards of 650mm across 19 hour periods. It is just an incredible amount of rain continuously.
Updated
Queensland floods: Far north rainfall exceeds 2019 records
Record major flooding is occurring in Daintree village in far north Queensland, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Since 9am yesterday, rainfall totals of 820mm have been observed in the Daintree river catchment and up to 590mm over the Mossman river catchment.
Flooding levels above the 2019 record of 12.60m have been observed at Daintree village, with flood levels at 14.65m and rising. It is expected to stay above the major flood level throughout the day, with further rises possible amid heavy rainfall.
⚠️Major record flooding observed and ongoing in the Daintree River. The Daintree River at Daintree Village reached 14.85m earlier this morning and is currently sitting at 14.25m. This is well above the old record of 12.6m from 2019. https://t.co/znYKkohQ6y pic.twitter.com/zM2Ly1r4vb
— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) December 17, 2023
Updated
Australia’s news media bargaining code to be bolstered
Recommendations to strengthen Australian laws forcing tech giants to pay news publishers for content have been accepted by the Albanese government, AAP reports.
A review by Treasury of the News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code found more than 30 commercial agreements had been struck in its first year and it made five recommendations to improve the framework.
The government announced it would implement all recommendations.
In response, another review of the code will take place in early 2025, and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will be directed to prepare reports on the digital platforms that should be covered by it.
The code requires digital platforms including Google and Facebook to negotiate fair prices for using news companies’ content.
It was introduced to support the sustainability of the Australian news media by addressing bargaining power imbalances between digital platforms and businesses.
The review found the agreements were highly unlikely to have been made without the code.
Assistant treasurer Stephen Jones says the government is glad to support the “sensible” recommendations.
But let us be very clear: we already have the power to designate digital platforms and we are prepared to use it.
We want to see news outlets and digital platforms come together and negotiate in good faith.
Communications minister Michelle Rowland says the government wants to ensure the sustainability of public interest journalism in the digital age.
Updated
A Guardian reader has sent this drone photo to us, showing the extent of the flooding in Smithfield, right near Cairns in Far North Queensland:
Qld first responders surviving on 4-5 hours sleep, says Douglas shire mayor
Douglas Shire mayor Michael Kerr has highlighted the vital work of first responders on the scene of the flooding:
I don’t think people realise the amount of people that work in the background to ensure that the community stays safe and these people have been working nonstop since Jasper first was kicking in, and they’re living on four and five hours sleep a night and they’re still out there helping other people, rather than being at home with their own families.
These people are amazing. I’ve just got the highest respect for everything they’re doing. I really do.
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Cairns mayor: ‘we are planning for the worst again today’
Continuing to speak to ABC RN, Cairns mayor Terry James says the flooding in his community is “unprecedented”.
We just don’t know how much water will come down.
It takes anywhere from 48 to 72 hours to come down … with a high tide at 2pm expecting much the same as what we had yesterday, we’re planning for the worst again and hoping for the best.
But it’ll still be a couple of days before all of this water comes through the system and we know what we’re dealing with.
He is worried about more rain falling today, over and above what was experienced yesterday.
All of the first responders, they’re fatigued. We need more people on the ground, and [I] understand we’re going to see a helicopter today with a lot more SES personnel, that sort of thing. We need to … give these people a break, because once this water stops there’s a lot of work to do to patch up the area.
Updated
Queensland floods: Douglas shire mayor says ‘we weren’t prepared’ for such heavy rain
Cairns mayor Terry James says at last count, there were 79 people, five dogs and two cats in a nearby evacuation centre.
Douglas Shire mayor Michael Kerr says he hasn’t seen “anything like this before” when it comes to the extreme weather.
To have a cyclone come across [and] for it to just stall, stop and sit directly above us and drop the amount of rain that it has is very unusual.
It’s something I don’t think we were prepared for and the fact that the amount of rain that came from the system we weren’t even anticipating that would be the case.
He says at this stage, the Mossman river has dropped back. An emergency warning was issued for it yesterday morning due to extreme flooding.
Updated
Queensland floods: Residents, responders experiencing ‘absolute fatigue’
Cairns mayor Terry James said the major flooding his community is being lashed with is “unbelievable”.
Speaking to ABC RN, he says:
It’s widespread, there is absolutely water everywhere … I don’t think there’s a road that hasn’t been covered or damaged.
This is something that we haven’t seen for decades.
Earlier, the prime minister said the ADF was ready to step in if needed. James says the community needs “as many hands as possible [on the ground] to assist in the rescue and … resupply situation”.
Douglas mayor Michael Kerr agrees, saying people are needed on-the-ground because those who have already spent days responding to the disaster flooding are in “absolute fatigue mode”.
And because we’re so isolated, we just can’t get people from Cairns up here either.
Then the recovery side of this, once this water does disappear, it’s gonna be massive. There’s infrastructure damage galore, so this is going to be a long-term repair job for us.
Updated
Newspoll: ALP regains lead over Coalition on two-party preferred basis
AAP has the latest on Newspoll polling data:
The Labor government has regained its lead over the Coalition on a two-party-preferred basis, a Newspoll suggests, after a previous survey put support for the two at 50% each.
The coalition still leads Labor on the primary vote, 36% to 33%, according to the poll published in The Australian on Monday.
The primary vote result shows a gain of two percentage points for Labor and a two-point dip for the opposition since the previous Newspoll conducted in the middle of November.
The latest Newspoll indicated backing for the Greens was steady at 13%, there was a one-point increase for One Nation to seven per cent and support for the minor parties and independents category fell one point to 11%.
On a two-party-preferred basis, Labor leads the coalition 52% to 48%.
The previous Newspoll had the two parties neck-and-neck, a low point for Labor on a two-party-preferred basis since it won the federal election in May 2022.
The survey of 1,219 voters, conducted between 11 December and 15 December, also registered an increase in the number of people satisfied with the performance of prime minister Anthony Albanese and opposition leader Peter Dutton.
Albanese’s approval ratings rose two points to 42% and Dutton also gained a two-point rise in approval to 39%.
Updated
Albanese: Opposition has ‘nothing positive to offer’
Finishing up his interview on ABC RN, the prime minister was questioned on polling numbers for his government, and for himself as leader.
When asked about this, Anthony Albanese said:
We’ll continue to come up with fresh ideas. I note that during 2023, whilst our opponents oppose our measures to provide support on cost of living, they haven’t come up with a single proposal. They have nothing positive to offer. And that’s why our positive plans will continue to roll out …
Updated
Albanese: BDS shouldn’t target businesses just because they are owned by Jewish people
Anthony Albanese is asked how worried he is about social cohesion domestically, with antisemitism and Islamophobia on the rise amid the Israel-Gaza war.
He says he is “very worried” and, noting a rise in antisemitism, he specifically calls out the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israeli businesses as “very unwise”.
He says the movement is “now talking about targeting businesses because they’re owned by people who happen to be Jewish”.
That is antisemitic, very explicitly, that should be called out and it should be opposed.
The BDS Australia website reads: “[BDS] Australia is part of the global effort to end support for Israel’s oppression of Palestinians and pressure Israel to comply with international law.”
Albanese also commented on the rise of Islamophobia and said any attacks women are facing for wearing the hijab in their communities is “unacceptable”.
We have a great multicultural nation here, and it’s really important that some of the rhetoric that’s occurred be dulled down. I know that many people in the Jewish community are fearful at the moment, it shouldn’t be the case that people need to have protection around schools.
People should be able to go about their lives, respecting each other and being peaceful in the way that they engage. We’re aware that some of the tensions mean that people are emotional, but it’s very important that overseas [conflict does] not create conflict and trauma here in Australia.
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Albanese: Australia still ‘considering’ US request for war ship for Red Sea
As we just flagged, discussions are continuing about whether Australia will send a warship to the Red Sea, following a request from the US. This comes amid ongoing attacks against commercial shipping from Iran-backed militia.
Prime minister Anthony Albanese told ABC RNearlier this morning that this wasn’t a request directly from the US to Australia but to a “range of nations”.
He said Australia would consider the request “appropriately [and] in a considered way”.
We will give consideration to that appropriately, in a considered way – as we do – but this wasn’t a request, to be clear, from the US government to my government.
This was a general request to a range of nations for support there.
Our first priority is in our own region, and certainly the United States understands the important role that we’re playing, including freedom of navigation and other issues in our region.
Updated
Albanese doesn’t directly answer question about whether Aukus would survive under a Trump government
Last week, the US Congress passed legislation allowing the country to sell Virginia class submarines to Australia under the Aukus security pact.
As Daniel Hurst and Josh Butler reported, the development was warmly welcomed by the Australian government, which had hoped to secure the legislative tick before the US entered the politically charged environment of a presidential election year:
Asked whether the Aukus deal would survive a Trump presidency, prime minister Anthony Albanese told ABC RN that the relationship between Australia and the US is not just between leaders or individuals, but it is about common values.
He notes the legislation received “extraordinary support from Democrats and Republicans in the Congress and in the Senate”.
I spoke to people from across the political spectrum in the US and it was a very significant piece of legislation for both pillar one and pillar two of Aukus through the Congress.
Pushed again on whether the deal with survive a Trump presidency, he says:
The election in the United States is a matter for the people of the United States and we certainly will respect whatever decisions are made, but this is a relationship between nations, not just between two leaders.
Updated
Albanese says defence force ready to ‘spring into action’ in Qld floods
The prime minister Anthony Albanese is speaking to ABC RN right now about the widespread flooding in Far North Queensland.
He says the defence force is ready to “spring into action” if needed:
We will deliver, along with the Queensland government under Steven Miles, whatever is necessary.
The important thing at this point in time is to ensure that people are kept safe and that is a real concern, and a number of people are isolated and have needed rescuing from their terrible circumstances.
Our thoughts go to all people in those communities at this very difficult time.
Albanese noted the dangerous conditions people are experiencing, with widespread flooding cutting off power, and concerns about freshwater supplies.
Updated
No respite as Queensland faces widespread flash floods
North Queensland remains inundated by floods and heavy rain from ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper that has prompted the deployment of rescue vessels in Cairns, AAP reports.
The rain is forecast to continue today and into tomorrow, with some areas already hit with totals of more than a metre and water levels expected to break 1977 records.
An emergency flood warning was issued for Machans Beach, Holloways Beach and Yorkeys Knob last night, with residents urged to take shelter and not to expect emergency services to come to their door.
Boats from the State Emergency Service, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, surf lifesaving and water police were deployed after urgent calls for assistance in the area and the premier, Steven Miles, also sought the help of small rescue vessels from the HMAS Cairns naval base.
Further north, an emergency alert was issued for Wujal Wujal where major flooding from the Bloomfield River was affecting properties.
Evacuations and rescues have been carried out, mostly at Mossman, Douglas, Gordonvale and Innisfail, and homes in low-lying areas have been inundated.
Roads including the Bruce Highway were cut off and several bridges were damaged beyond use.
Laura Boekel of the Bureau of Meteorology said rivers and creeks were responding rapidly to further rainfall.
It won’t take a lot of rainfall in these catchments to see more flooding.
There is a “very high likelihood” conditions will not ease until Tuesday afternoon.
Good morning
And happy Monday. Welcome back to a new week on the Australia news live blog. I’m Emily Wind, and I’ll bring you our rolling coverage today.
Making news: premier Steven Miles has declared a “serious weather emergency” in far north Queensland, which is being lashed by thunderstorms and major flooding in the aftermath of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper. The remnants of the cyclone have combined with a coastal trough to produce intense rainfall and dangerous conditions, with Cairns airport shut down yesterday afternoon. According to Weatherzone 1,930mm of rain has fallen at Myola (north-west of Cairns) over five days, and the nearby BarronRiver reached a 14.09m high last night – the highest peak at this location since 1913.
Discussions are continuing around whether Australia will send a warship to the Red Sea, following a request from the US. This comes amid ongoing attacks against commercial shipping from Iran-backed militia. Yesterday, trade minister Don Farrell said defence minister Richard Marles would “make the right decision in Australia’s interest”.
Meanwhile, the latest Newspoll shows Labor regaining its lead over the Coalition on a two-party-preferred basis, after a previous survey put support for the two at 50% each.
See something that needs attention on the blog? You can get in touch via X/Twitter @emilywindwrites or send me an email: emily.wind@theguardian.com.
With that, let’s get started.
