In this bulletin;
- The PM speaks in Brisbane as Cyclone Alfred approaches Queensland;
- President Trump heckled and cheered in first Congress address;
- And in sport, Broncos' CEO returns to Brisbane as cyclone approaches.
The Prime Minister has spoken in Brisbane as Cyclone Afred approaches the Queensland coast amid expectations it will make landfall around 2 AM on Friday morning.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli says the category two storm will force the closure of schools and cancellation of elective surgeries and public transport on Thursday and Friday.
Almost 70 people were evacuated from South Stradbroke Island overnight, and evacuation centres have been set up in both Queensland and northern New South Wales.
Prme Minister Anthony Albanese says the federal government is providing an additional 250,000 sandbags to the Queensland goverment, adding the Australian Defence Force has been engaged to support communities through the weather event.
"We've activated the Australian Government Disaster Response Plan, a crisis coordination team, and deployed liaison officers. W've convened the national coordination mechanism to assist with the coordination of the Commonwealth government response. And what that means is that very quickly, Services Australia can be on the ground, making sure that people get that assistance when they need it."
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US President Donald Trump has declared his administration is "just getting started" in the first address to congress of his second term.
More than a dozen Democrats walked out during the speech, and Congressman Al Green was ejected for heckling Mr Trump.
In a stark contrast, Republican representatives received Mr Trump's comments with rapturous standing ovations throughout, as Mr Trump outlined a sweeping vision for building the "most dominant civilisation ever to exist on the face of this Earth".
"We are going to create the highest quality of life, build the safest and wealthiest and healthiest and most vital communities anywhere in the world. we are going to conquer the vast frontiers of science, and we are going to lead humanity into space and plant the american flag on the planet mars and even far beyond. "
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New data shows Australia's economy accelerated toward the end of 2024, with the fastest quarter of growth in two years, as GDP rose by 0.6 per cent in the December quarter.
That raised yearly growth to 1.3 per cent, up from the 0.8 per cent annual figure recorded in September, and exceeded expectations forecast by the Reserve Bank last month.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says Australia's economy has turned a corner.
"These numbers reflect the very substantial and very encouraging progress that Australians are making together in our economy. Inflation is down, incomes are strengthening, unemployment is very low. Interest rates are coming down, and now growth is picking up as well. This is a solid rebound in growth. What we're seeing here is a substantial momentum in the Australian economy after a period of some softness."
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Finance Minister Katy Gallagher says the Australian government is working to prepare for the possible fallout from US tariffs.
Australia is seeking exemptions from tariffs on steel and aluminium, but will also feel the effects of import levies imposed on other countries.
US President Donald Trump has slapped tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico in recent days, sparking fears of a global trade war.
Ms Gallagher says Australia has had "very close engagement" on the issue from the prime minister down.
"We think we've got a very strong argument for an exemption from any tariffs that the us put on, and we'll continue to argue that, you know, a lot of effort is going in, but you know you would expect that all of our agencies and all of our ministers are working really hard on this, including any impacts from some of the, I guess, some of the decisions that have been taken around global trade over the last few days."
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Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy has returned to Brisbane to support staff and players' families as Cyclone Alfred approaches the Queensland coast.
It comes as the Broncos travelled to Sydney on Tuesday to prepare for Thursday night's NRL clash with the Roosters at Allianz Stadium.
Their families will face flooding and damaging winds as the category two storm is predicted to impact the Brisbane area.
Players are scheduled to return home on Friday.
