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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Josh Taylor (now) and Emily Wind (earlier)

Dutton says reports of WA boat arrival ‘disturbing’; Barnaby Joyce denies drinking problem – as it happened

Taylor Swift EPA Melbourne Australia Penny Wong Sydney Nauru (Organization) ICJ AusNet Israel
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton during question time in the House of Representatives chamber of Parliament House
The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, has said people smugglers ‘can peek out a weak leader’ amid reports of 30 people arriving in northern WA by boat. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

What we learned, Friday 16 February

We will wrap up the live blog here for the evening. Here’s the major points from today:

  • The Bureau of Meteorology has officially designated the low moving over parts of the Northern Territory and the Gulf of Carpentaria as Tropical Cyclone Lincoln. It is a category one, so a lower risk cyclone, but will still bring heavy rain and strong winds.

  • Australian Border Force confirmed an operation is under way in remote northern WA amid reports that over 20 people arrived in Beagle Bay by boat.

  • The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, has called on the government to front up and explain the situation.

  • A Townsville woman died in flood waters yesterday afternoon, Queensland police confirmed. Her vehicle became submerged in flood waters at Duchess, south-east of Mount Isa, yesterday.

  • Seven schools across Sydney will have precautionary testing done amid the escalating asbestos crisis in NSW.

  • There are still 24,000 homes and businesses without power in parts of Victoria, with those who have no power for seven days or longer able to apply for payments from the Victorian and federal governments for close to $2,000 a week for homes and close to $3,000 for businesses.

  • Nationals frontbencher Barnaby Joyce has denied he has a drinking problem – just that alcohol and prescription medication should not be mixed.

Until tomorrow, have a good evening. If you’re following all things Taylor Swift, we are running that live blog here.

Updated

Lidia Thorpe says government 'complicit in genocide' if it does not restore UNRWA funds

The independent senator Lidia Thorpe has called on the Australian government to reinstate funding to a key UN agency “to keep people alive” in Gaza.

Australia was among more than 10 other countries to suspend funding to UNRWA after allegations from Israel that as many as 12 of its staff may have been involved in the 7 October Hamas-led attacks.

Australia’s freeze relates to $6m in top-up funding announced in mid-January, but $20m in core funding for the 2023-24 financial year has already been delivered. The funding suspensions by major donors including the US and the UK have prompted UNRWA to warn its operations may have to be curtailed by the end of February.

Speaking to reporters at Parliament House in Canberra today, Thorpe said the Australian government should “release the funds immediately”. She said:

It’s a humanitarian crisis. I don’t know how many times we have to inform the government – they can do more, and they should do more. Otherwise, they are complicit in the genocide that’s going on in Palestine.

South Africa has initiated proceedings at the International Court of Justice alleging that Israel has engaged in genocide against Palestinians in Gaza – a claim that Israel has rejected as “false” and “outrageous”.

The ICJ has yet to decide on the substantive allegations, but in an interim ruling late last month found the rights of Palestinians in Gaza to be protected from acts of genocide were “plausible”.

It ordered Israel to “take all measures within its power to prevent” genocidal acts and to “take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip”.

Updated

The latest on power outage numbers in Victoria

Current numbers have gone down from 33,000 at around 12 noon today to 24,433 as of 5pm.

AusNet services in outer east and outer northern Melbourne, and eastern and north-eastern Victoria make up the bulk at 23,450.

There are two CitiPower customers in the Melbourne CBD and inner suburbs without power.

Three Jemena customers in north-west Melbourne, 83 Powercor customers in western Melbourne, central and western Victoria, and 765 United Energy customers in south-east Melbourne and Mornington Peninsula are without power.

The next update will be at 7.30am tomorrow.

Updated

Here’s our report on the reported boat arrival.

Australia urged to reinstate aid for Palestinian refugees

Australia is being urged to immediately reinstate aid for Palestinian refugees and commit to a national debate on a two-state solution with Israel, AAP reports.

The government needs to “reject propaganda attacks” against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), the nation’s peak foreign aid body says.

Israel had a clear motive in wanting to disband the organisation, the Australian Council For International Development CEO, Marc Purcell said, after foreign affairs officials revealed accusations against UNRWA were often exaggerated.

“This is the UN agency that is currently on the ground providing lifesaving support in Gaza, so this reality is important and disturbing,” he said.

“We urge greater scepticism by Australian parliamentarians and the media in the face of what is now a well-established pattern of Israeli government making shrill and spurious accusations.”

Australia and other international partners froze aid to UNRWA in January after allegations some staff participated in Hamas’ 7 October attack against Israel.

The government is waiting on an investigation by the UN into the matter but has admitted it’s also waiting for Israel to provide evidence about the allegations.

Updated

SA police say a 3-metre shark has been spotted 100 metres from shore at Grange.

Updated

McKenzie: Joyce ‘incredibly embarrassed about his behaviour’

Nationals frontbencher, Bridget McKenzie, says of her colleague Barnaby Joyce, that he has been in the media for longer than needed because “political editors are very keen on the clickbait” that Joyce enjoys, and Joyce is “incredibly embarrassed about his behaviour”.

I think Barnaby is incredibly embarrassed about his online behaviour and he has been offered to take leave and I know he will be going home at the end of this sitting and sitting down his family and thinking about next steps forward.

On whether Joyce should take that leave, McKenzie told the ABC Afternoon Briefing host Matt Doran:

I think all of us in that public life need to take our role seriously, some of us are a lot more recognisable on the street late at night than others, and so all of us need to take the great honour and responsibility that we have been given by the Australian people with the seriousness that they give it to us with.

Updated

Queensland government pledges $330m for youth mental health services

As demand for youth mental health services increases, the Queensland government is pledging a $330m funding boost, AAP reports.

A $68m portion of the funding will be used to expand acute mental health programs in 12 hospitals and health services across the state.

“Families often don’t know where to turn and it can be the most distressing time in a young person’s life,” the Queensland health minister, Shannon Fentiman, said on Friday.

There’s been a significant increase in young people accessing the acute response service at Logan, which is recording about 120 child visits a month.

Three years ago the team said about 30 young people accessed their services each month.

Fentiman said the funding will allow for an extra 33 clinicians to work in the acute response teams across the state.

“We are seeing increasing demand,” she said.

“If we’re not investing in the mental health of our children then we’re not going to really succeed in breaking that cycle of mental ill health.”

Updated

The PM, Anthony Albanese, meanwhile, is on Nova radio talking about his engagement. He says he received a text message from former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern, who said, “I hope you work out how to get married while prime minister because I could never get that done.”

Albanese said he replied that Ardern did, however, give birth while in office.

Updated

ABF issues statement on operation in north-west WA

Australian Border Force has confirmed in a statement it is “undertaking an operation in the north west of Western Australia” but will not provide any more information while the operation is ongoing.

The ABC has reported that over 20 men believed to have been from Pakistan and Bangladesh have arrived by boat in Beagle Bay in remote northern WA.

The rest of the statement we got from the border force states:

Australia’s tough border protection policies means no one who travels unauthorised by boat will ever be allowed to settle permanently in Australia. The only way to travel to Australia is legally, with an Australian visa.​

Australia remains committed to protecting its borders, stamping out people smuggling and preventing vulnerable people from risking their lives on futile journeys. The people smuggling business model is built on the exploitation of information and selling lies to vulnerable people who will give up everything to risk their lives at sea.

We are seeking more information and confirmation on the detail from the office of home affairs minister, Clare O’Neil.

Updated

The federal government is gearing up for any storm damage from Tropical Cyclone Lincoln.

Updated

Dutton says reports of WA boat arrival ‘disturbing’

The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, is commenting on an ABC report that 30 people have arrived in Australia by boat in remote northern WA.

We have not verified the reports yet, but are working to do so.

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, was asked about it at a press conference just before and said he had not been advised about it, saying he was travelling to the press conference by car.

Dutton says the reports are disturbing, and the PM could have taken a call in the car on his way to find out what is going on.

He said:

People smugglers can peak out a weak leader, a weak prime minister and a weak minister and this is what they have done, we have warned about this for some time.

He calls on the home affairs minister, Clare O’Neil, to stand up to provide an explanation on whether the government has “lost control” of the borders.

Updated

NT police superintendent Daniel Shane says at this stage with Tropical Cyclone Lincoln there is no need for people to be evacuated from their homes, but they are making sure that people will be safe as the weather event progresses.

Local stores have been contacted to ensure that they have supply of food, and while they may not have fresh fruit and vegetables, he said they will have plenty of other food.

Updated

Tropical Cyclone Lincoln rated as category one, Bureau says

The Bureau of Meteorology has designated the tropical low over the Gulf of Carpentaria as Tropical Cyclone Lincoln, a bureau spokesperson says. It is a category one risk, which is the lowest risk profile BOM has for cyclones.

The spokesperson said there would be a lot of wind and rain, but it has the same risk profile as the low had.

She said:

That said, now that the system has consolidated into a more organised weather system, we will still closely watch it as it approaches the coast during this afternoon. Our current focus is we expect Tropical Cyclone Lincoln across the southern Gulf of Carpentaria Coast in the vicinity of Robinson River at around 7pm tonight.

After it crosses the coast, BoM predicts the system will downgrade quite quickly to a tropical low but there will still be wind and heavy rainfall, with gales with damaging wind gusts of up to 110km/h as it moves across to the Northern Territory over the coming days.

We have already seen rainfall totals of around 120mm in a 24-hour period in a centre island in the Northern Territory and similar amount in Burketown in Queensland and so we know the system is holding a fair amount of rain. It is reasonable to expect we could have heavy and more intense 12 hourly rainfall total of around 100mm as well.

The risk of tidal surge or storm tide is not high at this point, but tides may be higher than usual.

Updated

Many thanks for joining me on the blog today – Josh Taylor will bring you the rest of our rolling coverage today. Take care!

All the Taylor Swift excitement will be continuing over on a separate live blog, helmed by none other than our resident Swiftie, Claire Keenan:

It’s set to be an absolutely massive night for Melbourne, and the live blog will be covering all the action right until the very end.

So follow along for all the updates – especially if you missed out on tickets!

More flights between Australia and Sri Lanka

Australians wanting to fly to Sri Lanka are set to benefit from a huge uptick in flight options, as the two countries signed an updated air services agreement.

Passenger flights had been capped at 14 per week from Australia’s four major airports – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth – but under the new agreement, this has been increased to 28 weekly flights with immediate effect. The new weekly caps will also apply to the future Western Sydney Airport, scheduled to begin operations in 2026.

Further capacity increases will come in over two phases. The number of flights permitted will rise to 35 weekly services from the end of this year, when the northern (hemisphere) winter slot timetable begins. Capacities will again rise to 42 services a week in time for the northern winter timetable in 2025.

To put this in perspective, the controversy that erupted over the Albanese government’s refusal to grant Qatar Airways additional air rights was over the Qatari government’s proposal to increase weekly services between the two countries from the maximum of 35 allowed under the current bilateral agreement to 63 – an increase of 28 weekly services.

The new deal with Sri Lanka follows the Australian government granting extra permissions to Turkish Airlines in December, allowing Turkey’s national carrier to increase from the current seven weekly flights it’s allowed to operate to 35 per week by 2025 – a move which some have said will help the airline compete as it looks to launch non-stop flights between Australia and Istanbul.

Updated

Here are some graphics showing Tropical Cyclone Lincoln, which has officially formed over the Gulf of Carpentaria:

We had more details on this just earlier in the blog.

Updated

Severe thunderstorm warnings for Illawarra and central NSW

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for the Central Tablelands and some parts of the Illawarra and the Central West Slopes in NSW.

The thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall and localised flash flooding over the next few hours, the Bureau of Meteorology said.

Updated

Woman found dead in Queensland flood waters was Indian national, high commission says

AAP has more details on the woman who has found dead in a car submerged in flood waters in Queensland:

The vehicle was first spotted in the flooded Malbon River at Duchess near Mount Isa in Queensland’s remote north-west yesterday afternoon.

The 28-year-old woman – believed to be an Indian national – was later located deceased inside the car by emergency services.

It is believed the woman had tried to drive through a flooded causeway.

The Indian High Commission in Australia posted on social media today:

Heart breaking tragedy in Australia: an Indian national lost her life in a flooding incident near Mount Isa, Queensland.

Deepest condolence to the family of the deceased. Mission team is in touch for all necessary assistance.

Updated

Tropical Cyclone Lincoln officially declared for northern Australia

The Bureau of Meteorology has officially declared the low moving over parts of the Northern Territory and the Gulf of Carpentaria as a tropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Lincoln is expected to cross the southern Gulf of Carpentaria coast this afternoon, with strong gale force winds and heavy rainfall.

As it moves inland tonight, the system is expected to weaken and begin moving west across the central NT over the weekend.

It will then move over northern WA, bringing heavy rainfall to areas near its path.

Updated

Albanese: ‘consequences of Rafah invasion are dire’

Moving to a more serious matter, Albanese is asked about the situation in Rafah. He said:

I have issued a statement with the prime minister of Canada and the prime minister of New Zealand. The consequences of a ground action in Rafah would be catastrophic and we are concerned, which is why we have repeated the call that we made weeks ago now for a humanitarian ceasefire. It is required.

Every single innocent life is of value, whether Israeli or Palestinian, and that is why we have made this very clear statement to the Israeli government that we are very concerned about the consequences of any proposed action on the ground in Rafah.

We have over 1m people who have been forced, due to the actions in Gaza, to flee to this very area for safety. Given that circumstance, there was nowhere for them to go safely. The consequences of an invasion are dire.

Updated

Prime minister Anthony Albanese is speaking to the media from Lake Haven in NSW, spruiking the latest Medicare urgent care clinic.

Seeing as he is on the Central Coast, and his fiance Jodie Haydon is from the region, he is asked whether they might have a wedding on the Central Coast.

Albanese:

I did pop the question on Wednesday night. Since then I’ve been in parliament in Canberra, I’ve travelled to the Central Coast here and we will take our time … While this has been a public announcement, we will have those discussions as appropriately between myself and Jodie and with due respect to the media – who all have a view about where it should be – we will have those discussions privately, as you would expect.

But can I take the opportunity to thank people for the very warm wishes that we have received, which have been delightful and very happy.

Updated

Severe weather warnings now available through NSW hazard alert apps

The NSW SES has launched the inclusion of severe weather warnings as part of the Hazards Near Me app, and Hazard Watch.

The state minister for emergency services, Jihad Dib, said the expansion of the app’s hazards was timely given we’re in the middle of storm season, which runs from September to March and typically sees an increase in storm activity.

Severe weather warnings and alerts are now available immediately on your phone or device. This is in addition to the warnings and alerts for fires, floods and tsunami that are already available on the platform.

We know February is typically the busiest month for the NSW SES, and in February 2023, the NSW SES responded to 9,288 calls to the State Operations Centre. More than 4,200 of those calls were for storm damage in communities across the state.

The NSW SES commissioner, Carlene York APM, said it had been an incredibly busy summer for volunteers:

NSW SES volunteers have already responded to more than 4,600 incidents across the state since Christmas Day. The majority of those were for severe weather

Updated

Taylor Swift sing-along on board Qantas flight to Melbourne

The Taylor Swift hype is officially reaching new heights! (… I’ll see myself out.)

These interstate travellers arriving in Melbourne from Perth for the Eras Tour were treated to a sing-along, led by Qantas crew member Paul Pillati, to the smash hit Cruel Summer.

His daughter Caitlin captured all the action and shared it on TikTok:

Updated

Nickel placed on national critical minerals list

The federal resources minister, Madeleine King, has placed nickel on the critical minerals list.

In a statement, King says this gives nickel companies the opportunity to access billions of dollars in commonwealth funding. Since the list was last updated in December last year, six operating nickel facilities have either announced reduction in operations or gone into care and maintenance, she said.

The international nickel price is forecast to stay relatively low through 2024, and likely for several years to come until the surplus of nickel in the market is corrected.

In the meantime, this puts further Australian nickel operations at risk.

Given impacts to our domestic capacity and noting the broader market developments presently unfolding in the nickel sector, I am fully convinced that we must be proactive in addressing the recent developments, including by adding nickel to the Critical Minerals List.

King said she had been progressing discussions with international counterparts in the US, Canada and EU to ensure “the high standards applied in Australian mining and production of nickel and other critical minerals are reflected in future pricing on international markets”.

Updated

‘Lots of friends and family have lost homes and lost businesses’, Grampians tourism chief says

Grampians Tourism chief executive and community member, Marc Sleeman, said he was lucky his Pomonal home was still standing.

Sleeman told AAP:

It’s bittersweet when I know lots of friends and family have lost homes and lost businesses.

I know we’ve lost a few sheds and boats and things like that, but small things in comparison to what other people have lost.

This comes as the Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, confirmed 44 homes have been lost at Pomonal in the Grampians National Park, up from 24 yesterday.

Residents of Pomonal have been advised local tap water is unsafe to drink even if boiled. Pomonal Primary School and two early learning remained shuttered today due to fire impacts.

- AAP

Updated

Mount Stapylton bushfire in Victoria updated to advice level

VicEmergency has updated its warning for the Mount Stapylton bushfire, which is continuing to burn at advice level in the Grampians National Park.

Advice level means there is currently no threat, but locals should stay informed in case the situation changes.

VicEmergency says the fire is expected to continue “for some time”.

Firefighters will continue to work to keep the fire contained. Smoke and flames may be visible, but the threat to communities is reduced.

Community meetings for residents only will be held at the Pomonal community hall at 2pm, and the Dadswells Bridge hall at 4pm.

Updated

The Queensland premier, Steven Miles, has shared some photos of the heavy rain and flash flooding in the state’s south-east:

Miles said the rain is expected to continue today, so people should drive with caution and not drive in flood waters.

Updated

University of Sydney discovers ‘potential administrative issue’ in some degree certificates

The University of Sydney may have to reissue certificates for graduated students after discovering a “potential administrative issue” regarding a bachelor degree.

The Bachelor of Advanced Studies can be taken in combination with majors across architecture, arts, business, education, music and science, offering “flexibility” to explore disciplines over four or five years.

In a statement posted to the university’s website, it confirmed staff were currently reviewing previously issued degree certificates and “considering whether they clearly reflect the full learning outcomes our students achieve”.

We expect this may bring about some changes to the layout and wording of the Bachelor of Advanced Studies degree certificates and we may need to take administrative action to have the certificates reissued.

There are no changes to the current enrolment, study selections and timetables of enrolled Bachelor of Advanced Studies students.

The university’s academic board is meeting on Monday to consider “any actions required”.

Updated

Updated

Barnaby Joyce denies drinking problem

Nationals frontbencher Barnaby Joyce has denied having a drinking problem, after independent MP Zali Steggall yesterday suggested in parliament random drug and alcohol testing for MPs.

Joyce told Sky News last night:

It’s been confirmed I don’t have a drinking problem, just shouldn’t drink on medication.

He says he goes long periods without drinking. It came following a week of focus on Joyce after a video emerged of him on the ground after falling off a flower bed on a street in Canberra last week. Joyce blamed mixing prescription drugs with alcohol for his behaviour.

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, rejected the drug and alcohol testing proposal.

Updated

Number of customers needing power payment ‘will continue to come down’, premier says

Jacinta Allan is asked – given the power payment only applies to people who have had power out for seven days, and it’s only day three of no power – whether there will be that many who can get it.

Allan said it is being announced today so people can get the paperwork in place, but it is expected that the number of customers who need the support will come down from the 33,000 still without power today in the Gippsland region.

That number will continue to come down and as that number comes down, our focus has been keenly targeted on the households and communes that will be left without power for longer periods.

Updated

80 requests for assistance outstanding in Miraboo North, SES says

Tim Wiebusch from the Victorian State Emergency Service says Miraboo North still has around 80 requests for assistance, with 16 homes now uninhabitable, but that number is expected to grow.

He said he expected the need for assistance to continue over the weekend:

We’re likely to see for another two days at least requests for assistance being clear. We’re down from 5,000 requests for assistance almost back to 300 requests for assistance.

Updated

Victorian government activating prolonged outage payments to households still without power

Just going back to the Victorian press conference with the premier, Jacinta Allan. Allan says she is activating prolonged outage payments for those residents in the state who are still without power.

There were 550,000 without power at the peak, and that is now down to around 33,000 mostly within Ausnet’s region, Allan says.

The payments for those without power for 7 days or more are $1,920 per week for up to three weeks for homes, and $2,927 per week for businesses.

This is a payment funded by both the state and federal governments, Allan said.

There will also be a waiver of the waste levy for local government areas that are storm affected, Allan said.

Updated

Bonded asbestos found in mulch poses ‘low’ risk to public, authorities say

Authorities in Sydney are speaking at a press conference about the asbestos-contaminated mulch crisis across the city.

Tony Chappel, the CEO of the NSW Environmental Protection Authority, says precautionary testing across Sydney schools will determine whether there is asbestos material present.

He said it is bonded asbestos, and poses very low risk when undisturbed, and if the material can be prevented from being disturbed, the risk is minimal.

He said:

We’re continuing to work through the ultimate destination for the mulch that we have a concern may be contaminated and we’ll be providing a further update at the end of today about any additional positive results that are received.

NSW Health’s Dr Jeremy McAnulty explained the risk:

I really just wanted to reiterate that asbestos causes health damage if you breathe it in.

The amount you breathe in and length of time you breathe it in over are important factors about the likelihood of getting sick.

If asbestos appears in the environment, particularly if it’s bonded and not disturbed and the air is not then full of fibres that you can breathe in, then the risk remains low, but it’s important to have a precautionary approach so that asbestos, where found, is not disturbed. But the important thing is people should be aware that you’ve got to have an exposure pathway, people need to breathe in the fibres and to be clear, the more you breathe in over a longer time, the higher the risk.

Updated

Jacinta Allan says at least 16 homes uninhabitable in Mirboo North

The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, is speaking to the media from Mirboo North about storm damage across the state.

She said there has been a localised impact in Mirboo North from the storms, and there are “at least” 16 homes that are uninhabitable.

She said as assessments continue, that number is expected to grow:

[Work is under way] right now in terms of the repair work and assessing the structural damage in town and current estimates are there are at least 16 homes that have been identified as uninhabitable. That number is expected to increase as those repairs are undertaken.

Updated

The severe thunderstorm warning for heavy rainfall is continuing in Queensland, including for the Sunshine Coast and Maroochydore and surrounds.

The Bureau of Meteorology says moderate rainfall is occurring elsewhere across south east Queensland, with a slight risk of heavy rainfall redeveloping later today.

Updated power outage figures for Victoria

Aemo has just released its latest update on the electricity outages across Victoria, after the extreme storms earlier this week.

As at 11.30am, a total of 33,796 homes and businesses remain without power across the state. A spokesperson said “it may still take days or more than a week in extreme circumstances to restore electricity to all of those impacted”.

The stats can be broken down by distributor as:

  • AusNet: 32,593 without power in outer east and outer northern Melbourne, and eastern and north-eastern Victoria

  • United Energy: 1,151 without power in south-east Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula

  • Powercor: 43 without power in the outer western suburbs of Melbourne, and central and western Victoria

  • Jemena: six without power in north-west Melbourne

  • CitiPower: three without power in the Melbourne CBD and inner suburbs

Updated

Overnight rainfalls reach 151mm in south-east Queensland

Earlier this morning, a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for south-east Queensland.

Here are just some of the rainfall totals that were recorded overnight:

  • 151 mm of rainfall recorded in the 6 hours to 7 am at Rosalie

  • 148 mm of rainfall recorded in the 6 hours to 7 am at Mt Coot-tha

  • 140 mm of rainfall recorded in the 6 hours to 7 am at Green Hill

  • 135 mm of rainfall recorded in the 6 hours to 7 am at Brisbane

  • 135 mm of rainfall recorded in the 6 hours to 7 am at Bowen Hills

  • 134 mm of rainfall recorded in the 6 hours to 7 am at Toowong

  • 124 mm of rainfall recorded in the 6 hours to 7 am at Gold Creek Reservoir

Updated

Taylor Swift fans say ‘the vibe in Melbourne is incredible’

Hundreds of people are already lining up at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, hoping to secure some merchandise ahead of tonight’s Taylor Swift concert:

One “Swiftie” described the atmosphere in Melbourne as “incredible”, having received friendship bracelets from someone at the train station:

The vibe in Melbourne is incredible. The guy at the train station gave us all friendship bracelets. We’re about to brave the merch lines. Such an in incredible experience. I [love] Melbourne.

And this group of Swifties have arrived in Melbourne for the Eras Tour, all the way from New Zealand.

Updated

Ticket scammers pull a Swiftie

A quick search of “Taylor Swift Melbourne” on X/Twitter reveals dozens, if not hundreds, of people purporting to be selling tickets to tonight’s concert.

Ticket scams related to the Eras Tour have been rife since the Australian concerts were first announced. Between mid-June last year and 12 February, the ACCC had received 406 reports to Scamwatch regarding Taylor Swift ticket scams, with total losses of about $183,000.

Last month it warned of a social media scam, where scammers would hack social media accounts to sell fake Taylor Swift tickets to the compromised account’s friends list.

An ACCC spokesperson said:

Taylor Swift fans looking to secure last minute tickets to the Australian leg of The Eras Tour are being urged to be cautious of scammers selling fake tickets on social media.

You can read all the latest advice from Scamwatch here. Please be on alert if you’re looking for last-minute tickets!

Updated

Sydney man freed from crashed car in one-hour rescue

Firefighters on Sydney’s lower north shore have pulled off a delicate, one-hour mission to free a man in his 80s from his overturned car at Mosman.

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) said in a statement that his vehicle mounted a footpath, crashed through a fence and rolled down a “steep decline” before ending up on its side near Balmoral Park just after 7am.

The driver, a man in his 80s, was trapped inside the wreckage.

Dozens of firefighters, including specialist rescue personnel, worked for more than an hour to stabilise the car and free the man. They used straps, cables, winches and hydraulic tools to prevent the car from further rolling down the embankment.

Crews removed the hatch to reach and free the man, who had sustained superficial cuts and abrasions. He was treated by paramedics and taken to hospital in a stable condition.

FRNSW said efforts are now under way to retrieve the car, with a crane likely to be used.

Updated

A lucky Taylor Swift fan has struck gold this morning – not with another concert ticket, but an elusive “Tay Tam”:

The Eras Tour officially kicks off in Australia today, but it also happens to be National Tim Tam Day, with the iconic biscuit turning 60 this year.

As Taste reports, Arnott’s is giving away free Tim Tams at Melbourne airport today, and a limited number of “Tay Tam” biscuits will be distributed across the city.

And they’re not the only brand to join in the hype. According to Mediaweek, Spotlight launched a “Get Concert Ready” campaign in January so Swifties could be dressed on-theme and create their own friendship bracelets.

Updated

Jacinta Allan says storms have highlighted state’s backup power needs

Victoria’s devastating storms have shone a spotlight on the need for more backup power to telecommunication towers as tens of thousands of homes remain off the grid, premier Jacinta Allan says, according to AAP.

Allan said it was reasonable to question if telcos should have more batteries and generators in towers as backup power sources for severe weather events:

We saw the same thing coming out of Queensland with the cyclone event before Christmas. The reality is everyone relies on their mobile phone. Very few people have a landline.

This has really emerged strongly out of this event this week as something that needs much greater focus and attention both levels of government, but also the telecommunications companies have to come to the table with solutions.

Allan suggested the state’s emergency call-taking service, Triple Zero Victoria, came under strain despite extra staff being added in anticipation of the catastrophic weather.

Tuesday was the highest number … for police calls ever. It was the fourth-highest ever for the emergency service and I think that speaks to … the tornado-like winds.

Updated

QBE Insurance doubles profit amid spike in premiums

Australia’s big general insurers are profiting during a period of fast-rising premiums that are squeezing homeowners and drivers.

QBE Insurance more than doubled its net profit for calendar 2023 to $1.4bn and greatly expanded its profit margins, even as policyholders grappled with double-digit premium rises, according to results lodged today.

It was able to grow the size of its insurance book and profits derived from policies.

The sector, largely overlooked as a driver of inflation and cause of cost of living pressures, was the standout contributor to recent inflation data, representing annual premium price increases not seen in more than two decades.

Part of the increases are linked to the growing cost of extreme weather events, however many insurers have more than offset these costs via premium hikes. Some homeowners living in high-risk areas have seen premiums spike by as much as 50%, while motor insurance premiums also rise quickly.

The QBE chair, Mike Wilkins, said:

As we face an increase in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events globally, we must collectively learn to mitigate their impacts and improve our preparedness and responses.

QBE chair Mike Wilkins
QBE chair Mike Wilkins Photograph: Daniel Pockett/AAP

In its half-year results also lodged on Friday, major insurer IAG recorded a slide in overall net profit from $468m to $407m. The insurer, however, expanded its profit margins, a scenario that tends to underpin future profit results.

Updated

Queensland woman dies in flood waters

A Townsville woman has died in flood waters yesterday afternoon, Queensland police have confirmed.

According to police, the woman’s vehicle became submerged in flood waters at Duchess, south-east of Mount Isa, yesterday.

At about 1:15pm, emergency services received reports of a white Toyota Hilux located partially submerged in the flooded Malbon River, near Cloncurry Duchess Road.

The driver of the vehicle, a 28-year-old Townsville woman, was located inside and was declared deceased.

Investigations into the circumstances of the woman’s death are ongoing, police said. Police are appealing to the public for information.

Updated

Police association moves towards industrial action over pay

The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) has lodged an application with the Fair Work Commission (FWC) for a protected action ballot – the first step towards potential industrial action.

This would become the first time in history the AFPA/Australian federal police (AFP) would be taking this type of action.

The AFPA president, Alex Caruana, said now the application has been lodged, they will wait for the AFP to respond and the FWC to make their decision

He said this was the “only way forward” due to the “restrictiveness” of the government’s Public Sector Workplace Relations Policy 2023 and the non-APS bargaining parameters forming part of that policy.

The AFPA recently surveyed more than 1,800 of its members, and 75% endorsed industrial action to advocate for a better pay offer.

Caruana said that the AFPA had a mandate from its members to safeguard their workplace conditions and seek the best enterprise agreement possible:

The recent survey showed that over 90% of the 1,800 participants would reject the proposed three-year, 11.2% (with no additional allowances) pay rise offered by the government.

Updated

V/Line trains resume in Melbourne after industrial action

V/Line train services in Melbourne have resumed after industrial action by Rail, Tram and Bus Union members this morning.

In a statement, V/Line said there would be “some delays possible for the next few hours” but services would run to a normal timetable from late-morning.

The spokesperson also assured there would be increased capacity and extra services on some lines today to get fans to the Taylor Swift concert at the MCG.

Coaches would also be on standby at key locations in the hours before and after the concert to support train services, V/Line said.

The total attendance across the weekend is expected to be the equivalent of three AFL Grand Finals, so an enormous public transport effort has been months in the planning. With no parking available at the MCG, public transport is the best way for Swifties to get to the venue safely and quickly.

RTBU members employed by V/Line are planning to take further protected industrial action between 3am and 7am on 19 and 23 February, with no V/Line trains running during this time.

Updated

Banks restore digital services after network outages

Several Australian bank services that were hit with technical issues causing outages yesterday are now back up and running.

As Elias Visontay reported yesterday, several banks appeared to be hit with technical issues that caused outages and left customers unable to make online transfers or use mobile banking apps.

Several features including online transfers, smartphone apps and the use of Osko – a secure payment service – were unavailable.

A network outage at Data Action, a software company that provides online banking services to many newer so-called “challenger banks”, appeared to be the cause of the outages, iTnews reported.

According to the websites of UBank, Bank Australia, Defence Bank, Beyond Bank, People’s Choice and P&N Bank, all their services have now been restored.

All the services appeared to be restored between 6pm and 9pm last night, and all banks apologised for the inconvenience.

Updated

‘Bring him home’: David Pocock calls for end of prosecution of Julian Assange

The independent ACT senator David Pocock has called on the US and UK governments to “end the prosecution of Julian Assange and allow his return to Australia”.

This comes as federal MPs, including the prime minister and cabinet members, voted overwhelmingly to urge the US and UK to allow the WikiLeaks founder to return to Australia:

In a statement posted to X – directed to the US and UK embassies in Australia, president Joe Biden and prime minister Rishi Sunak – Pocock wrote:

On February 20, Julian Assange will make his final plea to the UK’s High Court to block his extradition to the US.

If extradited, Julian Assange will face a sentence of 175 years in prison for publishing evidence of war crimes committed by the US.

If he is convicted, the US will set a legal precedent that means any publication of US government information by anyone, anywhere, could result in espionage charges.

It will mark the end of free speech and the end of modern journalism.

It will re-define investigative journalism as a crime.

Democracy itself is at stake. Without freedom of the press, democracy cannot exist.

Updated

In New South Wales there is a severe thunderstorm warning for the far north-east, including Tweed Head and Murwillumbah.

The Bureau of Meteorology says localised heavy falls leading to flash flooding is a concern.

Updated

Severe storm warning for Queensland

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for south-east Queensland this morning.

It said there is an immediate threat of heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding for Beenleigh, Logan, the Gold Coast and Redland City.

Moderate rainfall is expected to continue elsewhere, including in Brisbane.

Updated

More on continuing power and mobile outages across Victoria

About 44,000 dwellings and premises were still disconnected from the electricity network as of 8.15pm last night, AAP reports.

It is expected most will be reconnected by 6pm on Saturday, while a further 3,000 aren’t likely to have power restored until early next week.

Parents had to keep their children at home after 35 schools and childcare centres remained closed on Thursday due to storm damage.

Yarram and District health service in Victoria’s south-east and Korumburra hospital in South Gippsland remain on backup generators, with power expected to be restored on Saturday.

About 230 phone towers were still offline on Thursday as Telstra, Optus and TPG crews raced to reconnect services.

Some residents may be unable to make triple-zero calls after Telstra warned up to 22 communities were potentially isolated from all public telecommunications.

Updated

Even though Taylor Swift won’t be performing in Sydney for another week, traffic management seems to be getting in early with its warning to pre-book parking:

And in even more Taylor Swift-related news, it seems glitter has been selling out ahead of her Melbourne show?

Our social media reporter, Matilda Boseley, snapped this photo at a Kmart this morning, showing bare shelves in the beauty section:

Updated

Matchbox who?

Melbourne is gearing up for the big show tonight … Matchbox Twenty at the Rod Laver Arena!!

In all seriousness, fans of the American rock band don’t seem too happy their concert is coinciding with the Taylor Swift Eras Tour at the MCG tonight.

One Redditor said he was “dreading it”:

[The MCG is] across from Rod Laver, the venues share parking, train stations, walking routes, everything. The MCG holds about 100,000 for a concert, Rod laver about 10,000. This is going to make the night difficult.

I’m spewing. Melbourne fans with tickets, be prepared for the traffic and stuff of mostly mums and young girls. Leave early.

One commenter added:

You will also have to contend with all the Swifties who didn’t get tickets catching transport to gather outside the venue and listen.

Another commenter who booked their hotel room early had a second look, and realised it was going to cost three times more what they’d paid originally, after the Eras Tour dates were announced.

Glad I got in early!

Updated

Number of homes destroyed by bushfire in Pomonal grows to 44

The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, says the total number of homes destroyed by the bushfires near the Grampians national park has grown to 44.

Speaking on ABC Radio Melbourne, she said the number of homes damaged in the town of Pomonal had increased from the 24 reported on Thursday:

I’ve just had some advice from the emergency management commissioner just now that the number of properties that have been lost in Pomonal is now at 44. So that’s a bit higher than what has previously been reported …

That beautiful part of the Grampains is a little community so that is a significant proportion, perhaps as much as half of the town that has experienced loss. Yesterday afternoon people were just starting to return. So I think there is going to be a lot of rebuilding there.

Updated

NDIS ‘the only lifeboat in the ocean’: Bill Shorten

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) minister, Bill Shorten, spoke to ABC RN earlier this morning, as the government faces accusations of not being transparent with the public about who will or won’t be included in the scheme over the coming years.

Shorten argued that the government’s decision to limit NDIS growth to 8% a year has, in part, been because the scheme is “growing faster than expected”.

He said this is because there was unmet needs among people with a disability across the country, but also that “it’s a bit of a desert for kids with developmental delays or [those who have] diagnoses of autism”.

What I mean by desert is that if it’s not NDIS supported, there’s nothing.

Now the NDIS was not meant to deal with all kids with developmental delays, it was just for the kids who might [be further] along the autism spectrum [but] the problem is it’s become the only lifeboat in the ocean.

Shorten said a recent national cabinet meeting, the state’s and the federal government said it wants to create a “scaffolding” for foundational supports:

That’s a bit jargonistic, but what it means is, it shouldn’t be the NDIS or nothing.

He acknowledged there would be “a bit of nervousness” among parents when there are talks of reforming the NDIS:

[But] if we’re going to improve the rate of growth of the scheme, then we have to build supports outside the scheme.

Updated

Aaaaand you can add the Australian federal police to that list of people capitalising on the Taylor Swift hype train.

Updated

Everyone has been getting in on the Taylor Swift hype as she prepares to kick off the Australian leg of her Eras Tour in Melbourne tonight – including none other than the Queensland Maroons.

In a TikTok they were asked to reveal their favourite Taylor Swift song, and its safe to say they may have been a bit biased …

Updated

‘Moderate chance’ of cyclone in Gulf of Carpentaria, BoM says

A tropical low that is around 195km north-west of Mornington Island in the Gulf of Carpentaria is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rainfall ahead of a coastal crossing today.

The warning zone issued by the Bureau of Meteorology includes Port Roper in the NT to Burketown in Queensland – including Mornington Island and Borroloola but not Ngukurr.

Gale and damaging wind gusts up to 100km/h could develop along the coast this morning. Heavy rainfall is expected to develop along the gulf coast today.

The system is expected to make landfall between the NT and Queensland border and Port Roper this afternoon.

The Bureau says there is a “moderate chance” it could strengthen into a tropical cyclone ahead of crossing the coast.

Later today the low will weaken inland and move west across the NT.

Updated

About 400 requests for assistance remaining in Victoria, SES says

The Victorian state emergency service says there are about 400 active requests for assistance remaining, after the extreme weather earlier this week.

An additional taskforce of SES volunteers and support agencies will head into the south-east and Gippsland to assist local crews on the ground tomorrow.

Updated

Telstra restores 90% of its mobile sites in Victoria

Telstra says it has restored more than 90% of its mobile sites after the extreme weather events earlier this week, which caused havoc across Victoria.

Some 35 mobile sites are now disrupted, and 2,369 landline phone services are now disrupted, it said in an update this morning.

Telstra’s regional general manager, Steve Tinker, said:

We’re making good progress restoring services following the severe storms in Victoria, with more than 90% of our mobile sites now back online.

Many of our network sites have back up power that kept services running after the storms hit, but that back-up power may not last during extended power outages.

That is why we have teams on the ground deploying and refuelling generators as quickly as they can. We are also working closely with power authorities and emergency services to access and restore power to affected sites.

Updated

Blackout updates from Victorian energy minister

Last night, the state’s energy minister, Lily D’Ambrosio, said on X she had met with the CEOs of power line companies, and provided this update:

Ausnet have halved the number of outages on their network from last night but are now faced with the most complex repairs in and around the Dandenongs and in Gippsland.

Mirboo North has been hit particularly hard. Ausnet will install a large generator in the main street [on Friday] to power shops and one-third of the properties in the township.

All of the storm-related outages in the Powercor/CitiPower areas have been restored.

United Energy are down to 905 storm-related outages remaining and will complete restoration works [on Friday].

Crews continue to work 16-to-18-hour shifts to ensure that people are re-connected as quickly, and as safely, as possible.

Updated

Over 35,000 Victorian premises still without power

As of 7am AEDT, there were 35,352 homes and businesses across Victoria without power after the extreme weather earlier in the week.

As per Aemo, this can be broken down by distributor as:

  • AusNet: 33,531 without power in outer east and outer northern Melbourne, and eastern and north-easten Victoria

  • CitiPower: two without power in the Melbourne CBD and inner suburbs

  • Jemena: three without power in north-west Melbourne

  • Powercor: 31 without power in the outer western suburbs of Melbourne, and central and western Victoria

  • United Energy: 1,785 without power in south-east Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula.

Updated

Seven Sydney schools to be tested for asbestos

Seven schools across Sydney will have precautionary testing done amid the escalating asbestos crisis in NSW.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) says seven sites have been identified for precautionary testing, but said there is now no evidence of asbestos contamination at any of the schools identified.

This is precautionary testing only. Schools have made individual risk assessments based on the amount of mulch on site, with the majority remaining open and one school choosing to close.

Inspections will be taking place at:

  • Allambie Heights public school in Allambie Heights

  • International grammar school in Ultimo

  • Mt Annan Christian college in Mt Annan

  • North Sydney public school in North Sydney

  • Penrith Christian school in Orchard Hills

  • St Luke’s Catholic college in Marsden Park – Closed today

  • Westmead Christian grammar in Westmead

The EPA said schools that remain open are encouraged to “keep students and staff away from garden beds in and around the school sites”, and to expect to see EPA officers on the ground throughout the day.

The EPA said 90% of tested sites have returned a negative or clean result to date, with 24 sites returning a positive result for bonded asbestos, and one site for friable asbestos.

Other new sites confirmed with positive results for bonded asbestos include – St John of God hospital in North Richmond, Woolworths at Kellyville and a Transport for NSW park at Wiley Park.

Updated

Australia given heads-up before Nauru announcement, Senate hears

Nauru told the Australian government to expect “a significant policy announcement” but didn’t reveal the content before the Pacific nation switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China.

The Australian minister for the Pacific, Pat Conroy, has previously said the government was not taken by surprise by Nauru’s 15 January announcement, as it was given “a heads-up that a decision had been made”.

Elizabeth Peak, the head of the Office of the Pacific at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, told a Senate estimates hearing late yesterday:

We had a heads-up from the Nauru government in general terms that a significant policy announcement was forthcoming. And we were aware on 15 January that that announcement may relate to a change in diplomatic recognition.

The Coalition’s foreign affairs spokesperson, Simon Birmingham, zeroed in on the language about becoming “aware” of the actual detail of the announcement. He asked whether that awareness was a result of Australia being officially advised by Nauru or through other channels.

Peak replied that it “was a function of advice that we had through trusted local sources”.

Birmingham argued this showed Conroy’s initial claim “wasn’t entirely truthful”, but the foreign minister, Penny Wong, said she did not “accept that characterisation”.

Updated

Australia urges Israel to comply with international court orders

Australian officials have spoken directly with Israeli counterparts to urge compliance with the International Court of Justice’s orders, a Senate committee has been told.

But the Australian government has refused to state whether or not it accepts South Africa’s allegations that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, with those claims strongly denied by the Israeli government.

During a Senate estimates hearing late yesterday, the foreign minister, Penny Wong, said the Australian government’s position was that Israel must follow the ICJ’s interim orders. Those orders, issued late last month, required Israel to enable the provision of humanitarian assistance and “take all measures within its power” to prevent genocidal acts.

Foreign minister Penny Wong in Canberra
‘We accept rulings of the ICJ’: Foreign minister Penny Wong in Canberra on Thursday. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Wong said this position had been communicated to Israel “at official level and also [through] the public statements that I’ve made”.

The Greens senator Jordon Steele-John said that left unanswered the critical question of whether Australia accepted the premise of South Africa’s case under the genocide convention, prompting Wong to reply: “We accept rulings of the ICJ.”

Adam McCarthy, a first assistant secretary at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said the Australian government was a strong supporter of the rules-based order:

As such, it is for the ICJ to either accept or to not accept the premise of South Africa’s case or the nature of Israel’s defence.

Updated

Melbourne greets fans with Taylor Swift projection ahead of tonight’s show

Taylor Swift will kick off the Australian leg of her Eras Tour tonight, with her first sold-out show in Melbourne at the MCG.

The city welcomed the superstar to Australia with a projection on Flinders Street station last night:

The city is expected to be buzzing today, with transport authorities extending the free tram zone to help fans get to the stadium.

The gates to the MCG will officially open at 4.30pm AEDT this afternoon. Opening act Sabrina Carpenter will begin about 6.20pm, before Swift herself takes the stage later in the night.

Updated

Sydney to test further 38 sites for asbestos mulch, 71 total

The City of Sydney has announced it will test garden beds in 38 locations where it believes asbestos contaminated mulch may have been used.

These areas will be taped off from this morning.

The council will also be testing another 33 parks where it believes the contaminated mulch may have been used – 71 locations in total.

This is on top of three parks that were previously confirmed with asbestos.

It said in a statement last night:

We are testing these locations as we have identified through our delivery tracking that they may contain contaminated mulch.

We anticipate the testing of parks and garden beds will take several weeks.

If further asbestos is found, the area will be fenced and signs put up while clean-up takes place by licensed asbestos removalists.

We urge people to avoid taped off mulched areas in parks and mulched garden beds around their local area as this situation continues to evolve. We will share more information when it comes to hand.

You can view the full list of affected parks here.

Updated

Good morning

And happy Friday – welcome back to the Australia news live blog. I’m Emily Wind, and I’ll be taking you through our rolling coverage.

The City of Sydney has announced it will test garden beds in 38 locations where it believes asbestos contaminated mulch may have been used. These areas will be taped off from this morning. The council will also be testing another 33 parks where it believes the contaminated mulch may have been used. Catie McLeod wrote about the escalating crisis last night:

Australian officials have spoken directly with Israeli counterparts to urge compliance with the international court of justice’s orders, a Senate committee has been told.

Meanwhile, Nauru told the Australian government to expect “a significant policy announcement” but didn’t reveal the content before the Pacific nation switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China. We will have more on both these stories from Daniel Hurst shortly.

Taylor Swift has touched down in Australia and is set to kick off the Australian leg of her Eras Tour in Melbourne tonight. The city will be buzzing as fans flock from across the state – and the country – for the big event. We’ll bring you the latest about this here on the blog today.

See something that needs attention on the blog? You can get in touch via X, @emilywindwrites, or send me an email: emily.wind@theguardian.com.

With that, let’s get started.

Updated

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