Australia news live: Tropical Cyclone Alfred forces suspension of Brisbane ferries ‘until further notice’
Brisbane CityCat and ferries suspended as city prepares for Tropical Cyclone Alfred
Andrew Messenger
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.
On Monday afternoon, the Brisbane city council announced the last CityCat services will depart Northshore Hamilton and the University of Queensland stops at 10.15pm. The last KittyCat ferry services will leave at 11.40pm. After that time, they will be laid up for protection against the storm, which is expected to hit south-east Queensland later this week.
The council will remove 11 of its CityCats from the water to be placed on hardstands and dock the other 16 inside protected berths. The five smaller KittyCats will be moored at a marina.
The lord mayor, Adrian Schrinner, said:
I understand this decision will inconvenience people, but the safety of our passengers, crew and vessels must be a top priority.
Schrinner said the combination of high tides, flash flooding, dangerous high winds and intense rainfall creates a serious safety hazard for boats on the Brisbane River:
The decision comes after [the] maritime safety Queensland chief officer, Tony Wulff, this afternoon advised vessels on the water should be made safe and secure.
Other elements of the city’s public transport system are still operating.
Key events
Christopher Knaus
David McBride’s lengthy prison sentence failed to take into account ‘brave and selfless’ motivations, lawyers argue
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”.
McBride, a former military lawyer, on Monday argued against both his conviction and his five-year, eight-month prison sentence for taking and leaking classified material to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
That material was subsequently used by the ABC as part of an exposé on alleged war crimes by Australian troops in Afghanistan.
Flanked by two corrections officers, McBride entered the ACT court of appeal on Monday to a standing ovation from his supporters. They had packed out the public gallery after earlier hearing a speech outside court by Bernard Collaery, who was charged over disclosures about Australia’s bugging of Timor-Leste, an impoverished ally, during oil and gas negotiations.
Business outlook brighter but red tape chafes operators
Businesses feel optimistic about their growth prospects after the Reserve Bank’s first rate cut in more than four years, while a lift in profit and inventories shows modest signs of a rebound.
Buoyed up by the prospect of lower interest rates, small and medium enterprises plan to expand operations, buy new equipment and boost marketing budgets in 2025, a survey by business lender Judo Bank has found.
Sentiment has surged, with 68% of the 517 surveyed business owners confident about their growth outlook this year, said the bank’s managing director of relationships, Ben Tuszynski.
More than four in five respondents reported stable or strong business health, despite almost half of employers finding it hard to secure staff amid heavy competition for workers.
– AAP
On the scene: Bribie Island prepares for Cyclone Alfred
Our reporter Joe Hinchliffe is on Queensland’s Bribie Island, as residents prepare for Cyclone Alfred.
He’s observed supermarket shelves with no produce as families stock up on essentials before the worst of the weather.
People are also sandbagging areas of the island and preparing barriers, in anticipation of possible flooding.
Property prices rebound after rate cut
Australia’s short-lived housing price downturn appears to be over as a modest interest rate cut fuels expectations for those seeking to get on or move up the property ladder, as AAP reports.
Property values rose 0.3% across the country in February, bringing prices back near record highs after a 0.4% drop over the previous three months, CoreLogic’s monthly home value index showed on Monday.
The first weekend of March had the most auctions of 2025 at 2,773, more than 4% higher than the same week 12 months earlier.
Even before homebuyers feel the effect of the Reserve Bank’s February rate cut, rising confidence was contributing to a surge in demand, CoreLogic’s research director, Tim Lawless, said:
It’s been quite an abrupt change of pace.
This is probably a signal that there’s been a boost to confidence, that buyers are probably starting to position themselves in the marketplace (ahead of future growth).
Nicky Winmar asks to co-lead AFL racism class action
AFL great Nicky Winmar has asked to “courageously” co-lead a landmark racism class action brought by retired Indigenous players, lawyers say.
The action was lodged in the Supreme Court by Phil Krakouer, who played 141 games for North Melbourne, in September 2023, alleging senior AFL management did nothing to prevent racism within the sport.
Former players claim they experienced racism, racial vilification, racial discrimination, racial abuse, racial violence or victimisation between 1975 and 2022 while participating in the AFL competition.
Krakouer, who was formally leading the case, may be joined by another leading plaintiff, the court was told on Monday afternoon.
The AFL is fighting the allegations and its barrister, Mark Costello KC, questioned whether that plaintiff could be involved in the action when he was also involved in a separation case about concussions.
– AAP
Amanda Meade
ABC argues Antoinette Lattouf’s social media activity affected perception of ABC’s impartiality in closing submissions
Antoinette Lattouf’s social media activity adversely affected perceptions of the ABC’s impartiality because it did not reflect an Israeli perspective on the conflict, the ABC has told the federal court in closing submissions.
Here’s part of its submission:
The Human Rights Watch story was immediately preceded by a story quoting Ms Lattouf talking critically of the Israeli Defence Force.
The ABC, which is defending the unlawful termination case, said Lattouf’s sharing of the Human Rights Watch post on Instagram was fundamentally different to the ABC News report on the same topic:
The ABC has an obligation to report the news, whereas someone like Ms Lattouf is reasonably taken to have made choices about what to post.
The ABC accepts Lattouf’s race and background “were a factor in the decision to engage her”, but it denies it was motivated to take her off air “to any degree by her race or national extraction”.
Jonathan Barrett
Creditors told Whyalla steelworks was losing $1.5m a day
The Whyalla steelworks was losing $1.5m a day leading up to the appointment of administrators, attenders of the first creditors meeting of the collapsed South Australian project heard today.
The steelworks was put into administration last month after the South Australian government, which is also a creditor, lost confidence in the entity operating the steelworks, ultimately headed by UK billionaire Sanjeev Gupta.
Accounts from the project’s former owner, OneSteel Manufacturing, show that the company lost $319.1m in the seven months to the end of January, equating to a pre-tax loss of $1.5m a day. Attenders were told:
This loss was driven by a combination of factors, including the blast furnace shutdowns, working capital constraints and shipping restrictions.
The accounts have not been verified by administrators KordaMentha.
Creditors have claimed debts in excess of $1bn, with entities linked to Gupta’s GFG Alliance claiming debts of $536m.
GFG’s representatives, which did not attend the meeting today, said in a statement read out by the administrators:
While we are saddened by the decision of the South Australian government, we continue to believe in the strategic importance of Whyalla, and will fully support a viable long-term solution for the future of the Whyalla steelworks.
Gallagher reaffirms Labor’s commitment to Ukraine but refrains from commenting on Trump’s behaviour
The finance minister, Katy Gallagher, has declined to comment directly on the US president Donald Trump’s treatment of Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the oval office.
Speaking to the ABC, Gallagher said:
I’m not sure there is much use in me commenting on President Trump and his behaviour. People can see the vision and make their own decision about that. We have been absolutely clear that our support is for Ukraine and against the illegal invasion of their country and we are standing strong with Ukraine.
People can make their own decisions about Donald Trump and the way he conducted that meeting, but our commitment and support for President Zelenskiy and the people of Ukraine remains strong.
Earlier today, Peter Dutton said he was “disappointed by the scenes at the White House”.
Brisbane CityCat and ferries suspended as city prepares for Tropical Cyclone Alfred
Andrew Messenger
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.
On Monday afternoon, the Brisbane city council announced the last CityCat services will depart Northshore Hamilton and the University of Queensland stops at 10.15pm. The last KittyCat ferry services will leave at 11.40pm. After that time, they will be laid up for protection against the storm, which is expected to hit south-east Queensland later this week.
The council will remove 11 of its CityCats from the water to be placed on hardstands and dock the other 16 inside protected berths. The five smaller KittyCats will be moored at a marina.
The lord mayor, Adrian Schrinner, said:
I understand this decision will inconvenience people, but the safety of our passengers, crew and vessels must be a top priority.
Schrinner said the combination of high tides, flash flooding, dangerous high winds and intense rainfall creates a serious safety hazard for boats on the Brisbane River:
The decision comes after [the] maritime safety Queensland chief officer, Tony Wulff, this afternoon advised vessels on the water should be made safe and secure.
Other elements of the city’s public transport system are still operating.
Amanda Meade
Antoinette Lattouf should be awarded between $100,000 to $150,000 for non-economic loss should she win the unlawful termination case against the ABC, according to closing submissions filed in the federal court.
The amount should be on top of any penalty for breaching the Fair Work Act, which can be up to $65,000 per breach.
Lattouf’s case is that the ABC contravened sections 50 and 772 of the Fair Work Act, which relate to rights under an enterprise agreement and protected attributes of political opinion and race.
The Act “protects employees from dismissal because of any political opinion – not only those political opinions which are endorsed by their employer or anyone else,” Lattouf’s submission said.
“There was no attempt by the ABC to comply with the requirements of the [enterprise] agreement. The decision was delivered as a fait accompli, and Ms Lattouf was not invited or permitted to defend herself.”
A casual broadcaster, Lattouf was dismissed from hosting ABC’s Sydney Mornings program in December 2023 and later brought an unlawful termination case before the federal court.
South Australian police seize $2.38m haul of illegal tabacco
Police in South Australia say they have seized $2.38m worth of illicit tobacco after raids on 14 locations across the state last week.
According to police, the venues included “tobacconists, candy and gift shops, mini marts, commercial storage facilities, vehicles and residential premises”.
The raids were part of the force’s Eclipse operation, which has for far seized around $12m in illicit tobacco and searched more than 130 premises. Here’s SA Police’s Brett Featherby, who leads the operation:
We seek to continue to disrupt their financial operations and criminal activity and pursue criminal charges where evidence exists.
SA police will continue to investigate organised crime syndicates operating statewide through a whole of SA police-response. We will also target people supporting them as they evolve to prevent and suppress serious criminal activity and ensure community safety.
Benita Kolovos
Equality Australia says Victorian anti-vilification laws long overdue
Continuing from our last post: Equality Australia’s chief executive, Anna Brown, said in a statement the reforms were long overdue:
LGBTIQ+ people are no strangers to hate – including brutal bashings, verbal slurs and online bullying – and we know full well what it’s like to fear for our safety.
These protections, which are long overdue, recognise that all Victorians deserve to be protected from hate and bigotry and that preventing acts of violence starts with stopping words of hate. Any community or vulnerable minority that is being targeted by hate and violence should be protected under our law.
The chief executive of Women’s Health Victoria, Sally Hasler, said women and gender diverse people were the “main targets of gender-based violence” yet “don’t have sufficient protection from hate speech under Victorian law”.
This important new bill will protect some of the most marginalised and vulnerable people from hate speech – recognising that all Victorians deserve to feel safe and respected in society.
Benita Kolovos
Groups urge Victorian MPs to support government’s anti-vilification bill
Groups representing women, LGBTIQ+ people and people with a disability have written an open letter to Victorian MPs urging them to support the government’s anti-vilification bill when it goes to a vote in the upper house later this week.
The justice legislation amendment (anti-vilification and social cohesion) bill, if passed, will expand Victoria’s existing legal protections against vilification – which currently only cover race and religion – to cover disability, gender identity, sex and sexual orientation. It would also make serious vilification – such as incitement of hatred or physical threats – offences punishable by up to five years’ jail.
But the Coalition opposition said they will not support the bill in its current form, meaning the government will have to negotiate with the crossbench to get it over the line.
In the letter to MPs, signed by organisations including Gender Equity Victoria, Disability Advocacy Network Australia, Equality Australia, Rainbow Families, Switchboard Victoria and Transgender Victoria urged support for the bill. It reads:
This bill is critical for so many communities – particularly those of us who currently have no protections at all – and we urge you to pass it in its current form. Our state has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen protections against hate speech and ensure that every Victorian can finally live free from fear.
Emily Wind
Many thanks for joining me on the blog today, I’ll hand over to Henry Belot for the afternoon – take care.
Crisafulli says all three levels of government should work together in cyclone response
Let’s circle back to the Queensland premier, David Crisafulli, who has just wrapped up questions from reporters about Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
The premier said he had spoken with the PM, opposition leader and federal emergency management minister – who was “one of the first people on the phone.”
She dialled into the meeting yesterday and we genuinely have a desire to work across all three levels of government. It is important that that happens, and if that does, it gives people the knowledge that things are well-planned [and are] being dealt with in a calm and methodical manner.
Crisafulli said that no matter what the recovery phase looked like, it was important that all three levels of government were on the same page.
My view is, post-disaster, whatever it looks like, what the community want to see is everybody taking it seriously and everybody doing their bit … If you do the preparation, you minimise the need for your recovery. But whatever occurs, we will be there for the long haul and I’m very confident Queenslanders will get through it. I genuinely am.
Benita Kolovos
Final decisions on planning scheme to be completed next year
Continuing from our last post: Community consultation on the plans will begin from 17 March and, once completed, an advisory panel will be formed and hold public hearings later this year.
Final decisions on the planning scheme will be completed in 2026.
It comes just days after the government announced the final locations of its activity centres earmarked for development.
Early works have begun on the $34.5bn SRL East line with tunnel boring set to commence in 2026. This stage of project is expected to be completed by 2035, according to a business case released in 2021.
Jacinta Allan said:
Building world-class public transport and building affordable homes around it – it just makes sense. This is the vision that the Suburban Rail Loop delivers. This benefits our whole city, because building enough homes for young people near transport and jobs in established suburbs will take pressure off the outer suburbs.
Benita Kolovos
Victoria pares back plans for high-rise units near future SRL stations
The Victorian government has pared back its plans for high-rise apartments near the future stations along the Suburban Rail Loop.
Following the release of draft vision papers in late 2023 for the first six areas along the SRL East line – Cheltenham, Clayton, Monash, Glen Waverley, Burwood and Box Hill – the government has released structure plans it says respond to feedback. A statement, released by the premier, Jacinta Allan, read:
In some of the more commercial areas where people told us they’d like to see more concentrated development, these limits have increased, while in some of the more residential areas they have been reduced. It’s about striking the right balance.
In Box Hill, in the direct vicinity of the station, towers of up to 40 storeys will be allowed, while in Burwood and Clayton the maximum height will be 20 storeys.
The Cheltenham structure plan, which includes Southland and Highett stations, shows two locations along the Nepean Highway, where the maximum height limit will be lifted to 18 storeys.
In Glen Waverley and Monash, developments near the stations will be able to go to 25 storeys. The new plans also depict new open spaces, pedestrian crossings and cycling paths.
Dramatic drop in feral horse numbers in Kosciuszko National Park
Lisa Cox
Efforts to control feral horse populations in Kosciuszko National Park are finally on track, with the NSW government close to hitting its target to reduce the number of horses in the park to 3,000.
The environment minister, Penny Sharpe, has told an estimates hearing that recent counts – which are still under peer review – put the number of horses in the park at 3,000 to 4,000.
It’s a dramatic reduction on the 17,000 horses the 2023 count estimated were in the park and suggests the government could reach the 3,000 target two years early.
Feral horses trampling through the park cause significant damage to its fragile ecosystems. Sharpe said:
We’re very close to reaching the target that was legislated … it’s a really important milestone.
Control measures, such as ground shooting and trapping and rehoming, to maintain the population at the lower number will remain in place. Sharpe said this might include some aerial shooting, though it was likely to be less necessary because of the success of the culling program.
The Invasive Species Council’s interim chief executive, Jack Gough, said the vastly improved numbers were welcome news.
The control program will clearly need to continue to reach the legal requirement of no more than 3,000 feral horses in 32% of the national park by June 2027.
Natural population growth of feral horses is about 18% per year, meaning that the government will need to get below the 3,000 target in order to ensure they don’t overshoot it by 2027.
