TRANSCRIPT
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defends changes to incoming tax cuts.
- North Queensland residents prepare for flash-flooding expected to be triggered by Tropical Cyclone Kirrily.
- And in tennis, Novak Djokovic looks to extend his stunning Australian Open record.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended incoming tax cuts in an address to the national press club, saying the changes will help ease the cost-of-living crisis for those hit hardest.
Under the changes, all taxpayers will pay less tax, and taxpayers earning less than $45,000 will benefit, with the lowest rate of income tax moving from 19 cents in the dollar down to 16 cents.
The original scheme under the Coalition government lowered tax rates for high income earners but did not do much for low-to-middle-income Australians.
Mr Albanese says the cuts go a long way to making our tax system more equitable and will support struggling Australians.
"It is the best way forward because it's the best way to help Australians struggling with their costs of living without putting pressure on inflation this plan will boost the family budgets of middle Australia and boost workforce participation in our economy."
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North Queensland residents are preparing for impact and potential flash flooding after the intensification of Tropical Cyclone Kirrily as it moves closer to the coast.
The Bureau of Meteorology upgraded Cyclone Kirrily to a category two system this morning, warning it would soon bring damaging winds and widespread flooding.
It is set to cross the coast as a category two cyclone tonight between the towns of Ingham and Ayr, most likely around Townsville.
Townsville resident Danny has joined others to collect sand in preparation for flash flooding.
"We're basically getting some sandbags ready obviously, Cyclone curlies. That pretty much forecast that it's kind of hit us. So looking at, you know, a heap of rain and stuff coming, I think there's gonna be some flash flooding. So we're obviously getting prepared. Getting some sandbags in the van, we're gonna go deliver this law. Come back to this more sand here and load up some more. But yeah, we've got pretty guys here, helping me out, you know, everyone's jumping in which is really great. So yeah, fantastic."
Interstate crews have bolstered emergency services teams, joining extra police and energy personnel on standby across the north.
And evacuation centres are already taking in people in north Queensland while Townsville airport will be closed today along with more than 120 schools.
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A fourth person has died in hospital after being pulled from the water at an un-patrolled beach on Victoria's Phillip Island.
On Wednesday, two women in their 20s and a man in his 40s died after being pulled from the water.
A woman in her 20s was rescued and flown to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne in a critical condition where police later confirmed she had died.
It is the worst case of beach deaths in Victorian waters in almost 20 years.
Kane Treloar from Lifesaving Victoria is urging swimmers to be cautious in the water, and only swim at patrolled locations.
"Sadly this brings our death toll to 19 individuals since the first of December. That is already two more than the previous year. So last summer, this number is too high. And as we know any drowning death is preventable. We want to try and avoid these drownings. And to do that we really need to prioritize water safety when we are heading after coastline and inland waterways or recreating around water. We're coming up to a public holiday. Public holidays generally mean "
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The Australian of the Year for 20 24 will soon be revealed, as finalists gather in Canberra ahead of the announcement.
Representatives from each state and territory will converge on the National Arboretum tonight, where the winners of Australian of the Year, Senior Australian and Young Australian of the Year, and Australia's Local Hero will be unveiled.
Australian of the Year finalist Janine Mohamed from Victoria is in the running for the work she has done in the First Nations health sector.
The Narungga Kaurna woman says finding ways to address and combat racism and promote truth-telling is essential to her work.
"You know if we really want to unite Australia a process of truth telling would be something that I'd really love to talk about more in this country I talk about the hard stuff which is you know the elimination of racism because I believe that it's going to make us a better country."
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Novak Djokovic says he's prepared to "walk the extra mile" as he looks to extend his stunning Australian Open record.
The 36-year-old is two wins away from adding to his Melbourne Park legend of 10 titles.
But first, Djokovic needs to secure a win over Italian world number four Jannik Sinner in Friday's semi-final.
Djokovic says he's not ready to let go of his Australian Open winning streak, now at 33, saying Rod Laver Arena had been "the court" of his career.
