Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wishes a merry Christmas to Australians amid severe and dangerous weather, mourning replaces usual celebrations in Bethlehem, and in sport, treacherous conditions expected for the annual Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wishes a merry Christmas to Australians amid severe and dangerous weather
- Mourning replaces usual celebrations in Bethlehem
- Treacherous conditions expected for the annual Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race
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TRANSCRIPT
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has delivered his 2023 Christmas and New Years message for Australians, paying respect to victims of flooding and severe weather in northern Queensland.
The Prime Minister says many Australians will be looking forward to celebrating the holiday period after a tough year when many struggled to make ends meet due to cost of living pressures, some were divided by fierce debate surrounding the Voice to Parliament referendum and wars overseas dominated the news.
Mr Albanese wished everyone a safe and happy Christmas.
"I'd like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas. For so many Australians, this is a chance to rest, to spend time with our family, and for Christians this is a holy time... Of course, this isn't an easy time for everyone. I know many Australians are doing it tough at the moment in particular those in far north Queensland dealing with the aftermath of the floods. To them I say 'You are in our thoughts. May better times be ahead.' and may all Australians have a happy and joyous Christmas and a safe one."
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For Christians the birth of Jesus Christ is being celebrated in many places around the world today but those living in his birthplace of Bethlehem say they are marking the day with sadness and sorrow.
Bethlehem is located in the West Bank in the Middle East and usually sees an influx of millions of tourists and visitors over the Christmas period.
This year the celebrations have been canceled in Bethlehem and the Palestinian Tourism Minister, Rula Ma'ayah says this year there will be no tourists.
"The whole world is celebrating Christmas this year, but not Bethlehem, not the birthplace of our lord Jesus Christ. Bethlehem is celebrating with sadness and sorrow because of what is happening in Gaza and in all the West Bank, all Palestinian territories."
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US President Joe Biden has met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the objectives and phasing of Israel's military operations.
The White House says the pair discussed the need to protect civilian lives and securing the release of hostages, adding that the Israeli Prime Minister made clear Israel will pursue the war until all of its objectives are met.
Joe Biden told reporters that he did not ask for a ceasefire and that Prime Minister Netanyahu thanked him for the United States stance at the UN Security Council.
The United States and Israel both oppose a ceasefire and the US abstained from a UN statement urging steps to allow "safe, unhindered, and expanded humanitarian access" to Gaza and "conditions for a sustainable cessation" of fighting.
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Flooding rescues are underway in New South Wales as severe storms and flash flooding make their way through the state.
Emergency services say they were called to 94 incidents over a three hour period in Sydney alone on Sunday night and that over thirty townhouses have been inundated with floodwaters in the eastern suburbs.
State Emergency Services Chief Superintendent, Greg Swindells gave his message to New South Wales residents travelling on Christmas Day.
"Particularly at this time of the year we understand that there will be many people traveling around the state of New South Wales to visit loved ones for the Christmas period. So what we ask is for people just to take their time and be careful in the areas that they're driving, be it a familiar area that they've been to in the past or an unfamiliar location that they're traveling to, to drive safely, to be aware of what the current situation is. If you encounter a thunderstorm or some water across a roadway, then to stop, turn around and find another way."
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To sailing now...
The annual Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is facing uncertain weather conditions as the Bureau of Meteorology reveals a somewhat vague forecast ahead for Boxing Day.
But Skipper John Winning Jr is backing Andoo Comanche to defend her line honours title no matter the conditions.
Winning's boat has thrived in heavy, downwind conditions before and last year arrived into Constitution Dock in one day, eleven hours and forty eight seconds - claiming the second fasted time for a line honours winner in Hobart history.
Smaller boats are expected to face a real challenge though as stormy weather and strong winds remain on the cards for Tuesdays race.
Senior Meterologist at the Bureau, Gabrielle Woodhouse gave a weather briefing to racers ahead of Tuesday.
"There is still the risk of seeing some strong wind warnings being issued, particulalry through parts of Bass Straight and around Tasmania, and obviously with the thunderstorms forecast, particularly on Tuesday and Wednesday, there is the risk that we are going to see some fairly erratic winds and sharp changes in direction and wind speed with those storms. Unfortunately, some of them might be forming overhead and it's a difficult one at this stage just because of the thunderstorms that are forecast."
