Key Points
- Cyclone Alfred expected to lose strength as it makes landfall
- Calls for urgent industry action after a teen was arrested trying to board a flight to Sydney
- The Matildas drop to their lowest world ranking in two decades
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TRANSCRIPT
The Bureau of Meteorology says its latest modelling suggests tropical Cyclone Alfred will weaken to a category-one system as it crosses the Moreton Bay Islands, off the Queensland coast.
Even before Alfred's expected arrival on Saturday morning, strong wind gusts and heavy rain caused blackouts for tens of thousands of homes in southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales.
Up to 4.5 million residents and around 1.8 million homes are in the impact zone.
Matthew Collopy, from the Bureau of Meteorology, says the cyclone is currently a category-two system.
"As the cyclone moves across Moreton Bay Islands it is expected to weaken from a category two to a category one system, this will mean that destructive winds are unlikely for Brisbane itself, but damaging wind gusts to 120 kilometres per hour are expected, and they will develop quickly as the system approaches."
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As the cyclone approaches the Queensland coast, areas to its south are bearing the brunt of power supply issues.
Energy provider Essential Energy reported 44 thousand homes around the New South Wales north coast were already without power this morning, as the SES prepares to attend thousands of emergency call-outs in the coming days.
Most of the power outages have been experienced around the Tweed Coast, with major damage in surrounding towns including Murwillumbah and Byron Bay.
Essential Energy Operations Manager Mark Summers urged households to be patient over coming days, with storm conditions potentially making it difficult to repair electricity networks until the worst of the weather passed.
"With the wind and the rain this morning causing a lot of vegetation damage, a lot of trees over mains, a lot of broken off power poles because trees have fallen onto the network, causing those interruptions."
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There are calls to urgently address what the Transport Workers Union says is a crisis in the aviation industry, after an incident at the Avalon Airport, near Melbourne.
Police have charged a 17-year-old who got on a plane with a shotgun and ammunition.
The charges include unlawfully taking control of an aircraft, orchestrating a bomb hoax and possessing a firearm.
No one was physically harmed in the incident, but it has raised concerns on security at Victoria's second biggest airport.
The National Secretary of the Transport Workers' Union, Michael Kaine, says the event shows the aviation sector needs urgent review.
"Urgent action has to be taken to address this crisis, not just this incident, because at some point this type of incident is going to end up in catastrophe."
The teenager has appeared before the court. His lawyer says it is his first time in custody.
The 17-year-old is expected to be back at court later this month.
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The family of an Aboriginal man who died after being misdiagnosed and discharged from a regional New South Wales hospital have welcomed news there will be systemic changes to the New South Wales health system.
Kamilaroi and Dunghutti man Ricky 'Dougie' Hampson died from perforated ulcers in 2021, less than 24 hours after being discharged from the Dubbo Base Hospital.
A coronial inquest last year made five recommendations for the Western New South Wales Local Health District and one for New South Wales Health.
In a letter to the state's Attorney-General, Health Minister Ryan Park said the government supported all the recommendations.
The family of Mr Hampson says they welcome the response ... and want the Dubbo Base Hospital to work with the local Aboriginal community.
National Justice Project Senior Solicitor, Karina Hawtrey, says the family had been committed to justice and accountability for their son's death.
“Dougie’s family have fought really long and hard since his death three and a half years ago to get justice and to get change not just for Dubbo hospital but for first nations patients across the state."
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In a broadcast recorded at Buckingham Palace, King Charles III has shared the songs which form the soundtrack to his life.
His new project dubbed The King's Music Room features songs from princess of pop, Kylie Minogue to Afrobeats and reggae.
It comes ahead of the annual Commonwealth Day next Monday, celebrating the Commonwealth of Nations, which is observed by millions across the Pacific, Asia, Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, and Americas.
In a promotional video for Apple Music, the King says music has the power to lift spirits and comfort in times of sadness.
“So, this is what I particularly wanted to share with you, songs which have brought me joy. This seemed such an interesting and innovative way to celebrate this year’s Commonwealth Day.”
The 2025 theme is Together We Thrive, with the Commonwealth family spreading a message of unity and peace.
Anti-monarchist group Republic is expected to protest outside Westminster Abbey for the third consecutive year, calling for the monarchy to be replaced with an elected head of state.
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The Matildas have now been ranked number 16 in the FIFA world standings, their lowest ranking in 20 years.
The Australia women's team sank in the rankings after their recent three-defeat program in the recent SheBelieves Cup in the US.
They are still seeking a new full-time manager to replace Tony Gustavsson, who departed after a disappointing performance at the Paris Olympics last year.
It's a steep fall for the team after their successful lead-up to the World Cup semi-finals in 2023.
The Matildas were in a top-10 position this time two years ago.
