Key Points
- Katherine issued with major flood warning as category 3 storm hits
- Albanese defends Australia’s role in supporting allies in the Middle East
- FIFA mandates female coaches for women’s teams in world tournaments
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TRANSCRIPT
Tropical Cyclone Narelle has been downgraded from category 4 to category 3, as it heads toward the Northern Territory coast.
A major flood warning has been issued for Katherine and a field hospital is also being set up in the town, as the cyclone crosses Cape York Peninsula, bringing heavy rainfall.
The Bureau of Meteorology says an already saturated Katherine River is likely to be highly responsive to rainfall.
NT Deputy Chief Minister Gerard Maley warns residents to stay vigilant and be ready for a severe weather event to unfold in the coming days.
"A major flood alert has now been called for Catherine. Major flooding is possible at Nipular Center from overnight Sunday to Monday and at Catherine Bridge from Monday morning. Forecast rain for late Saturday may cause significant rapid river rises across the Catherine catchment over the weekend and early next week."
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The federal government says the support Australia is providing in the Middle East is sufficient, after a group of European nations pledged their readiness to join efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
In a joint statement issued overnight, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan have called on Iran to immediately cease all attempts to block the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, vowing to assist what they call "appropriate efforts" to secure the Strait.
Earlier this week, the United States President Donald Trump lashed out against Australia and other countries for not meeting his call for allies to send warships to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Asked whether Australia would join allies in pledging support in the Strait, Prime Minister Albanese has said the nation is already contributing critical support to the region.
"Well look, we'll examine whatever we can do to provide assistance, but we are providing assistance in the region. We think this is absolutely critical. And again, we reiterate our calls for Iran to do the right thing and to allow for international passage to occur."
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On the final day of campaigning ahead of the South Australian election on Saturday, leading parties have focused on cost-of-living, with rising fuel prices set to be a key concern when voters head to the polls.
A Newspoll conducted for The Australian newspaper has Labor on a 40 per cent primary vote heading into tomorrow's election.
Premier Peter Malinauskas says the Labor government will priorities fast delivery of diesel to those most impacted by the shortage.
"What's important for regional communities is just to get the diesel. We've had some magnificent rain in South Australia in the last couple of weeks, which sets up this year nicely, and we want to make sure seeding occurs at the times that farmers want to be able to do that. And that's why the fuel suppliers that are coming into the country need to be distributed as quickly as possible."
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One Nation is currently polling ahead of the Liberal party, with the latest YouGov poll showing One Nation's primary vote at 22 per cent, compared with the Liberals at 19 per cent.
One Nation leader Cory Bernardy has accused the Labor government of being inconsistent in its approach to fuel security for regional communities.
"Well, here's the issue. I live in remote regional South Australia. We depend on fuel. We have to make sure we've got fuel available. The question is, who can you believe here? Chris Bowen tells us one day we've got plenty of fuel and then next day he says it's a market supply shock. Anthony Albanese says one thing and Peter Malinowski says another. They all are just saying what they think they can get away with and we've got to get to the truth. The real failure here though is that we've had no strategic fuel reserve or not one that's sufficient for needs.”
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In sport, FIFA has mandated all women's teams competing in world tournaments must have a woman as head or assistant coach.
The new rules are set to come into effect at this year's under 17 and under 20 world cups and will be seen at senior level in next year's World Cup in Brazil.
At the 2023 World Cup in Australia just 12 of the 32 nations taking part had female head coaches.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino says the changes will ensure greater representation at the top levels of world football.
"It's very important that we support women's football, and we have to do so not just in words, but also in concrete and tangible and real action. So today as a matter of global policy, and this will now be enshrined in every single regulation of women's competitions."
