That's it for today – thanks for reading
Here are the main stories on Monday 12 December:
There will be no compensation to fossil fuel companies under the energy cap plan, the prime minister Anthony Albanese says, as senators question the extent of the plan;
The chief medical officer has warned of two years of “regular” Covid waves as the national Covid-19 health management plan for 2023 is released;
The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, has promised to help elevate the voice of Pacific island countries in international climate negotiations during a visit to Vanuatu;
Melbourne is shivering through unseasonable weather with summer temperatures in the mid-teens, as Sydney is smashed by another storm;
The independent Fiona Patten has conceded her upper house seat to former Labor MP Adem Somyurek in Victoria; and
Antibiotics are in short supply across Australia, with GPs calling for a long-term fix.
We will see you back here for more news tomorrow morning.
Updated
Hundreds of calls for help as storms buffet NSW
Emergency rescuers in New South Wales have been swamped with close to 300 calls for help within the space of a few hours, as dangerous wind gusts and heavy thunderstorms hit the state.
Severe cells and dangerous winds battered Sydney and inland parts of NSW on Monday before tracking towards the state’s north, Dean Narramore from the Bureau of Meteorology said.
“We’re seeing damaging winds from the Victorian border all the way up through the Hunter area for many of our eastern elevated parts of NSW,” Narramore said.
Peak gusts of 100km/h are expected over numerous NSW towns today including Nowra, Bowral, Katoomba, Goulburn, Cooma and Bombala, with the Bureau warning winds will be strong enough to down trees, powerlines, and cause damage to property.
Severe, fast-moving thunderstorms are also currently tracking across northeastern NSW, with regional towns Coffs Harbour, Armidale, Glen Innes, Inverell, Sawtell and Dorrigo subject to severe weather warnings on Monday night.
NSW SES continues to lead the response to prolonged major flooding across Western and Southern NSW. This afternoon crews were called to a food rescue in Wallanthery. If warnings are issued for your area, follow the directions of emergency services, and never enter #floodwater. https://t.co/Hr7incOHBM
— NSW SES (@NSWSES) December 12, 2022
Earlier, storm cells caused significant damage in Sydney and multiple members of the NSW State emergency Service were continuing to respond to calls Monday afternoon, NSW SES spokesperson Sean Kearns said.
Some of the damage included fallen trees and roofs being ripped off homes, he said.
“One of these in particular was at Mortdale where a large part of a workshop roof was removed due to the damaging winds,” he said. “Thankfully no one was injured.”
More than 270 calls for help came in to the NSW SES on Monday between 6am and 2pm, with 185 from the Sydney metro area.
Trees were at higher risk of falling in high winds, after months of heavy rainfall softened soils, Kearns added.
In the coming days, much of southeastern Australia will be plunged into an unseasonal cold snap, as a cold front brings showers, localised hail and severe thunderstorms to parts of NSW, Victoria, and Tasmania.
Temperatures could dive to between five and fifteen degrees below average for several days, with the frostiest conditions set to be on Thursday and Friday.
“For some, it could be the coldest December day or December night on record,” Narramore said.
– via AAP
Updated
