Narelle Bears Down on WA Coastal Towns
A series of isolated coastal towns are in the path of a powerful tropical cyclone advancing towards Australia’s west coast, according to Australian Associated Press.
Tropical Cyclone Narelle, which was upgraded yesterday to a severe category 4 system off Western Australia with winds reaching up to 250km/h, is forecast to make landfall late on Friday between Carnarvon and Kalbarri as a weakened category 3 cyclone.
The system was moving parallel to the coast near Exmouth overnight, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, and is expected to impact Coral Bay and Denham before crossing the coast in the Shark Bay region.
Kalbarri State Emergency Service deputy Steve Duncan stated the town was as prepared as possible for Narelle’s arrival in the early hours of Saturday.
“The majority of the town was here for (Cyclone Seroja in 2021),” he said.
“That’s one benefit of past events, people are more aware.”
Cyclone Seroja devastated the coastal town of approximately 1,500 residents after making landfall as a category three system.
“People are still quite jumpy,” Duncan said.
“It was quite a traumatic event for the town, so people are very wary on any potential cyclone impact in the area, which is quite understandable.”
Storms Batter Parts of Victoria and NSW with Damaging Winds and Rain
Severe storms affected parts of Victoria and New South Wales overnight and continue in some areas this morning, bringing winds exceeding 100km/h and heavy rainfall.
Victoria’s State Emergency Service received over 190 requests for assistance statewide, including 97 for fallen trees and 46 for building damage. Requests were distributed across the state, with the busiest units in Moorabbin receiving 14 requests and Heidelberg 10.
Power outages are reported across Victoria this morning, affecting approximately 3,400 customers in the state’s east according to Ausnet, and another 390 customers in the west as reported by Citipower.
Severe weather warnings remain in effect for areas in Victoria’s north-east, with heavy rainfall and damaging winds impacting east Gippsland. Rainfall between 60mm and 80mm and flash flooding are expected in elevated areas today.
Updates from New South Wales will be provided shortly.
Government Will ‘Focus on What’s in Australia’s National Interest’, Watt Says
Environment Minister Murray Watt appeared on ABC’s RN and was questioned about former US President Donald Trump’s criticism of Australia.
“Well, as we’ve said many times, we’re not going to give a running commentary on the various statements of President Trump. What we’re going to do is focus on what’s in Australia’s national interest.
It’s been very widely reported that we’ve delivered the support that we’ve been asked for, which is a defensive support for the UAE. I heard you say that you’ll have the ambassador from the UAE on the program shortly and he’ll be able to tell you more about the support that we’re providing to defend the UAE from incoming attacks from Iran.
That’s the request that we’ve received. That’s the request that we have agreed to. And I’m not aware of any further request having been made of Australia.”
Marles Won’t Give ‘Running Commentary’ on What Trump Has Said
Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles spoke to ABC News following US President Donald Trump’s recent remarks that Australia had been “not great.”
Marles stated that Australia has not declined any requests from the White House and declined to comment directly on the president’s statements.
“We are looking at the requesting we get from countries around the world, including the United States and obviously we answer them in the context of our national interest …
The last thing I’m going to do is give a running commentary on what the president has said. All we can do is respond to this situation, respond to the requests that are made of us, but doing so with a focus on what is our national interest. That is what we are doing.”
Kyle Sandilands’ Court Appearance Over $100 Million Contract Dispute
Controversial radio host Kyle Sandilands is expected to make his first court appearance today in a legal dispute involving a $100 million contract, Australian Associated Press reports.
Sandilands is suing his former employer ARN in the Federal Court in Sydney, claiming the termination of his contract was invalid due to the absence of serious misconduct and that the termination breached Australian Consumer Law.
ARN, the parent company of KIIS FM which broadcast Sandilands’ show for over a decade, stated on Monday that it disputes the claims and intends to defend them.
Trump’s Previous Comments on Australia’s Role in Iran Conflict
This is not the first time Donald Trump has made such remarks; a week prior, when asked by an Australian journalist about Australia’s involvement in the Iran conflict, he said,
“Well, they should get involved, and I was a little bit surprised they said no, because we always say yes to them.”
In response, Defence Minister Richard Marles clarified that Australia had not been asked to send military support to the Strait of Hormuz, and the Prime Minister noted that Australia had already deployed a plane, defensive missiles, and personnel to the United Arab Emirates.
Trump Says 'Australia Was Not Great' After US Strikes Iran
During a press conference at the White House today, US President Donald Trump criticized NATO, the UK, and Australia for their limited involvement in his conflict with Iran.
While NATO comments were addressed separately, Australia was mentioned late in the press conference in response to a question about Trump’s calls with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“[Starmer] did something that was shocking: he didn’t want to help us.
And maybe in particular that country, you know, the longest bond, the longest ally.
Australia, too, Australia was not great. I was a little surprised by Australia.
I wouldn’t say anybody was great, other than the five countries in the Middle East. We never really had very much support.”
Live News Blog Introduction
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories, and Stephanie Convery will guide you through the day.
Isolated Western Australian coastal towns remain in the path of Tropical Cyclone Narelle, which continued to strengthen overnight as it moved parallel to the coast ahead of expected landfall later today.
Controversial radio host Kyle Sandilands is scheduled to make his first court appearance today in a legal battle involving a $100 million contract. Updates will be provided as events unfold.
