Small number of people already evacuated – premier
David Crisafulli said it was a “very small number” of people who had been evacuated so far.
As modelling is released on the cyclone’s path, councils would begin doorknocking in affected areas, he said.
During the course of the day, the councils will stand up evacuation centres that give people the option and it is really important that if that happens, that you listen to the advice.
Key events
Alfred’s effects already being felt in northern NSW, SES says
The NSW SES says it is preparing for the first cyclone warning issued in the state since 1990.
In a post to X, it said there were currently 33 advice warnings and the service had received more than 2,500 calls for assistance, with the effects of the storm already being felt across northern NSW.
Here are the latest track maps and satellite imagery from the Bureau of Meteorology:
RBA does not expect ‘sequence’ of rate cuts
Jonathan Barrett
The Reserve Bank’s deputy governor, Andrew Hauser, has told a business forum the central bank does not share the market’s confidence that there will be a “sequence” of further interest rate cuts.
The comments follow the release of the minutes of the RBA’s February board meeting, where it reduced the cash rate for the first time since early in the pandemic.
Hauser told the AFR summit in Sydney this morning that the RBA sets policy to return inflation to the midpoint of the target inflation range.
The target range is 2% to 3%, with the midpoint at 2.5%. Hauser told the forum:
The rate cut in February reduces the risks of inflation undershooting that midpoint, but the board does not currently share the market’s confidence that a sequence of further cuts will be required.
Interest rates will go where they need to go to maximise the chances of keeping inflation sustainably in the target band while helping to sustain full employment.
Economists at some of the major banks are forecasting up to another three-quarter-point rate cuts this year.
While the headline inflation rate is at the midpoint, the RBA’s preferred gauge that strips out government subsidies and volatile prices is at 3.2%.
‘I wouldn’t use that language’: Marles condemns WA premier calling JD Vance a ‘knob’
Richard Marles was also asked to weigh in after the WA premier, Roger Cook, called the US vice-president, JD Vance, a “knob”.
Marles said he “wouldn’t use that language” and this “wasn’t a moment of the greatest discipline” from Cook.
The deputy PM said Australia was “working very closely in building our relationship with the new administration in Washington”.
That’s obviously not language I would use in terms of describing the American vice-president and to be frank, the relationship between our government and the new administration in America is going well and they have treated us with enormous respect … There is a real courtesy and respect which is being afforded to us by the Trump administration and we’re grateful for that.
Marles reiterates ADF’s readiness to respond to cyclone
The defence minister, Richard Marles, has been making the rounds this morning and also spoke on ABC News Breakfast about the cyclone response.
Like earlier, he said the ADF stands ready to be deployed if a request is made.
I would expect that in terms of knocking on doors, providing airlifts in the event of flooding, that all of these may come into play, and we are ready to do everything that is required.
He also reiterated earlier comments that Australia is “open to whatever requests come in” from Ukraine regarding peacekeeping, and that “we want to provide what assistance we can”.
Our fundamental position is that we remain open to considering whatever is being asked of us and that’s what we’ve been doing from the outset.
Lifesavers urge people to stay out of surf and off beaches
Brenden Scoffell from Surf Lifesaving Queensland says beaches across the Gold Coast are seeing waves of between 20 and 50 metres tall.
Speaking on Sunrise, he said that “even [for] people walking along the beach, that’s extremely dangerous”.
You can be in no water, next minute you’re up to your knees in water … if not your waist.
He said lifeguards are trying to stop people from entering the water and have erected signs, but “it’s hard to stop people when they’re out there to catch the wave of the year kinda thing”.
Even though beaches have been closed since Monday, lifeguards are still in the towers to “make sure if anyone does go in the water and gets themselves in trouble, they’re there to try to save them”.
As I said, we’re telling people to please stay out of the water, stay off the beach because we don’t want to put our lifesavers’ lives at risk to come and save you …
Please don’t go out there and risk your life. It’s not worth it. And the danger you put our personnel in to go and try and rescue you is, it’s insane.
Passengers affected by Alfred can move flights for free – Virgin
The Qantas operations manager, Ben Holland, says the airline has activated its crisis management team to deal with Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Speaking on Sunrise, he said multiple plans are in place to “consider all the contingencies”.
We’re also talking, not only just with our internal processes but with air traffic control, with all the airports corporations. We’re working on the critical paths to determine when we can safely operate. We’ll adjust as required as those dictate.
Virgin has also said in a statement it is closely monitoring the cyclone, urging guests who are booked to fly to or from south-east Queensland and northern NSW to monitor their flight information.
It said guests travelling to or from Ballina, Brisbane, Bundaberg, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast airports from now until Saturday can choose to move their flight to a new date within 14 days (from the original departure date) free of charge, or cancel and request a travel credit.
Defence minister says Australia stands ‘ready to assist’ Ukraine
Richard Marles was asked if the prospect of Australian troops in Ukraine was raised with the defence force chief during their discussions.
He said Australia would “look at whatever requests come through”.
We do have a history of engaging in peacekeeping around the world, and there are Australians, servicemen and women, right now who are engaged in peacekeeping in places such as the Middle East.
So we’ll look at the requests that comes through. You know, obviously contingencies are being worked up, but I think the important point to make is we will stand ready to assist …
Russia is the aggressor here and we will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes for Ukraine to resolve this conflict on its terms.
Marles: ADF planning for contingencies so request for support can be ‘immediate’
The deputy prime minister and defence minister, Richard Marles, has provided an update on the ADF response to Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Speaking on the Today Show, he said Defence has provided more than 300,000 sandbags to help communities prepare.
And last night I spoke with the chief of the defence force to make sure that the defence force was ready to work as closely as possible with National Emergency Management Australia so that we are able to respond as quickly as possible.
But even before any requests are made … we will make sure that Defence is doing all its own planning for all these contingencies, so that the response is immediate.
Australia could play role in rebuilding Ukraine – ambassador
Vasyl Myroshnychenko welcomed indications from both Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton they would visit Ukraine after the upcoming federal election.
In terms of what Ukraine would like Australia to commit to, he pointed to reconstruction efforts:
That’s where the steel and natural resources comes into play. Many Australian mining companies and geological companies could really help us fund those resources in Ukraine, helping to develop them, and actually help us rebuild the country eventually.
Ambassador urges Australia to send more Bushmasters to Ukraine
The Ukrainian ambassador was also asked about the potential for Australian peacekeepers on the ground in Ukraine, and said he welcomed the statement from Anthony Albanese that he wouldn’t rule this out.
Vasyl Myroshnychenko said Ukraine “certainly value[s] the contributions that have been made by Australia so far, and Australian Bushmasters have saved many lives in Ukraine”.
And we certainly will be grateful if Australia could send more of those Bushmasters, M113s, which we’ve been using for evacuating our soldiers from frontlines, or any other decommissioned equipment.
The ambassador said it was “in the strategic national interest for Australia to continue supporting us”.
It’s not really a charity, it’s an investment into your own security.
Myroshnychenko ‘optimistic’ Trump and Zelenskyy can mend relationship
Vasyl Myroshnychenko said he is “optimistic” Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy can mend their relationship, telling ABC News Breakfast:
President Zelenskyy mentioned it was regrettable the meeting went that way. He stressed that Ukraine is ready to sign a deal on natural resources. We’re interested in having peace.
Myroshnychenko said the presence of a military is a “must” when it comes to security guarantees.
[This] could be boots on the ground, some conventional weapons located in Ukraine. We need to deter any future Russian aggression … We need to have rock solid guarantees to have a sustainable, just and comprehensive peace.
Ukrainian ambassador ‘grateful’ for Australia’s ‘willingness’ to ‘step up for democracy’
Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, says Ukraine is “grateful” for Australia’s increased willingness to step up support.
Speaking on ABC News Breakfast earlier, he said:
Whether one likes it or not, … America is changing its role in the world, [and] it’s up to the world to step up for democracy. Ukraine is doing that. We’re grateful for Australia’s increased willingness to do so.
Myroshnychenko said US commitment to security in Europe is “vital” and “we believe and we want peace more than anybody else.”
We believe that we are ready for negotiations. We believe at those negotiations, Europe, America and Ukraine have to be present. We need to force Russia into peace.
The contribution from the US in terms of military equipment has been the biggest one in the world … so this is the only way how we can intercept Russian ballistic missiles coming. We need the supplies for those in order to have any defence from Russian missiles coming.
Hume says public deserves to have budget
Clare O’Neil and Jane Hume were also asked about the timing of calling an election, amid Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
O’Neil said “politics is the furthest thing from the PM’s mind today”, while Hume said:
The consideration for the prime minister will also be whether he has to deliver a budget. If he doesn’t call it this weekend, he does have to do that. That would be something we would encourage him to do. We think the Australian public deserves the level of transparency as to what is actually in the books … That’s what we like to see and we call on him to do that.
Troops in Ukraine is Nato’s responsibility, opposition frontbencher says
The shadow finance minister, Jane Hume, was also on Sunrise and said it was Nato’s responsibility to provide boots on the ground in Ukraine if that’s what is requested.
The most important thing is Australia stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine against this aggressive and immoral invasion by Russia.
Would Peter Dutton support Australian peacekeepers in Ukraine? She responded:
I’m not sure exactly what it is the prime minister has committed us to, but Peter Dutton has been clear we think this is Nato’s responsibility to put troops on the ground, our responsibility is to support Ukraine anyway we can. We would urge the government to fast-track those tanks that have been committed to but not yet delivered to Ukraine.
Here is some more detail’s on the government’s position:
