What we learned today – Thursday 25 January
With that, we will wrap the blog for the night. If you’re in the in norther Queensland, stay safe out there.
We’ll be back first thing in the morning, bright and early from 6am to bring you updates.
Until then, it’s been a big news day – here were the biggest headlines:
Tropical Cyclone Kirrily has been updated to a category three system. It is expected to cross the coast north of Townsville later this evening, bringing severe winds and possible flash flooding.
The prime minister addressed the National Press Club today, plugging his reforms to the stage-three tax cuts. Anthony Albanese said at the heart of what his government is seeking to achieve is “economic security” so that Australians can “make a good life for yourself and your family”.
Peter Dutton accused the PM of lying to the public over the tax cuts, saying Albanese’s leadership was “terminal” and urged him to call an early election to put the proposed changes to the public. Nationals leader David Littleproud said the Albanese’s measures “do nothing” to deal with cost-of-living pressures.
Greens leader Adam Bandt said the government should go further in its changes to the tax cuts and do more for lower income earners, indicating Labor won’t necessarily have smooth sailing with its plan.
A community legal centre has filed a class action against the Victorian government over the state’s housing statement, fated to demolish the homes of about 10,000 public housing residents.
And a 10-year-old Australian girl has died while on a family holiday in New Zealand.
Updated
Cyclone Kirrily – a wrap of today's updates and warnings
There have been a lot of updates on Tropical Cyclone Kirrily today, so let’s break down where we’re at.
The cyclone has been upgraded to a category three system and is expected to bring severe and sustained winds.
It is expected to cross the coast about 10pm tonight near Townsville and weaken on Friday as it moves inland.
The warning zone covers Innisfail to Sarina, including Townsville, Mackay, Bowen, the Whitsunday Islands Charters Towers. Residents are being urged to prepare and find a safe place to shelter.
The cyclone is expected to bring severe storms and possible flash flooding to affected areas, including a storm tide between Townsville and Mackay.
If it remains a category three, wind gusts are expected to peak at about 170 km/h near the centre as the cyclone crosses the coast tonight.
It is now moving west southwest at 25 km/h. Emergency alerts have been issued with destructive winds likely from 7pm local time. Residents of Townsville and surrounds have been urged to take shelter now.
Updated
