What we learned: Monday, 3 March
We’re going to call it a day. Here’s a look back at today’s major stories:
All CityCat and ferry services in Brisbane will be suspended from tonight “until further notice” so the vessels can be moved to safety ahead of Tropical Cyclone Alfred. BoM forecasts suggest the cyclone could make landfall near Brisbane.
The federal government is not considering sending troops to Ukraine to support a “coalition of the willing” peacekeeping force as suggested by British prime minister Keir Starmer.
Peter Dutton said he was “disappointed” by Donald Trump’s treatment of Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office and said he would lobby the US president to change his view on Ukraine, if the Coalition won the coming federal election.
A Perth-bound plane made an emergency landing in Sydney shortly after take-off due to a technical issue.
Lawyers for David McBride have argued their client’s lengthy prison sentence failed to take into account he was motivated by “bravely and selflessly” attempting to right what he saw as a “serious wrong”.
A Lithuanian rower has been rescued off the Queensland coast after he was caught in a tropical cyclone’s 130km/h winds and monster waves.
Thanks so much for your company. We will be back, bright and early, with you tomorrow.
Updated
New Zealand leader says he still trusts President Trump despite volatile Ukraine conference
New Zealand’s prime minister, Chris Luxon, says he still trusts Donald Trump, even as the US leader backflips on support for Ukraine.
New Zealand is not a formal ally of the United States – unlike Australia – but has long-standing security and intelligence links such as the Five Eyes network.
In Wellington on Monday, Luxon admitted a fractious joint press conference between Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy was a “tough watch”:
I see our current intelligence reports, not ones from 20 years ago, and I’d just say to you that it is right that we are very much part of the Five Eyes network.
I trust the president, and I trust the American system, and that we can work well with the American system.
Updated
