In this bulletin:
- Evacuation orders lifted for Lismore as heavy rains continue to threaten surrounding areas
- The Prime Minister congratulates W-A Premier Roger Cook after state election win
- And in football, Liverpool shoots 16 points clear in the Premier League race
TRANSCRIPT
Evacuations orders for Lismore in the New South Wales Northern Rivers region has been lifted while State Emergency Service officials urge continued caution as heavy rains threaten surrounding areas.
The threat of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred is not over as downpours and flooding continues, with more than 300,000 homes across southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales without power.
There is still more bad weather to come, as forecasters expect up to 700mm of rain and destructive gusts to continue through to Monday [[10th March]].
Residents in the New South Wales areas of Lismore, Armidale, Tenterfield, Tamworth, Gunnedah, Moree, Narrabri and Casino have been warned that the heavy rainfall could lead to flash flooding.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns says the situation in Lismore has stabilised for now but conditions remain fluid and volatile.
"I'm happy to report the evacuation warning that went out yesterday or the day before has been lifted for Lismore CBD. So, the advice now is to return with caution for the Lismore CBD. The SES has issued prepared to evacuation notices for low lying communities near the Clarence River because we're experiencing in that Northern River's western section, a heightened level of rainfall. So, this is a fluid situation. The rain is falling unevenly across the catchments, and as a result, there'll be different advice for different valleys and different communities."
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More than 200 millimetres of rain has fallen in the past day in parts of New South Wales' Northern Rivers, with moderate flooding in some areas, including along the Tweed River near Tumbulgum.
Residents of Lismore have been told they can return home, but to exercise caution.
The Clarence River continued to be hit by heavy rainfall on Sunday, with residents asked to be prepared to evacuate if necessary.
There were six flood rescues overnight by S-E-S New South volunteers, thousands of whom have travelled to assist residents of areas impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
New South Wales State Emergency Service Acting Chief Superintendent Stuart Fisher said some of the behaviour of flood victims was dangerous.
"Unfortunately, one of those was a family of two adults and six kids who had tried to navigate through flooded waters. SES crews were there, and they are safe but again it highlights the same issue we talk about time and time again. Do not drive through flooded waters. It absolutely astounds me that this still occurs."
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has congratulated Western Australia's Premier Roger Cook for securing a third-consecutive term for Labor, in a dominant state election.
The ABC reports Labor has won 40 seats, the Liberals five and the Nationals four as counting continues.
It looks to be the second-biggest victory for the party in the state's history - with the Liberals able to win back some of their heartland seats, but only by small swings.
"So, I congratulate Roger Cook and his entire team. It's been a disciplined, effective campaign and they achieved the results that they deserved."
Perth residents say they were shocked by the poor performance of the state opposition and believe the Liberals have a lot of work to do in order to win the next election.
"Not surprised by the results but surprised how poorly the Liberals actually did this time."
"The last three terms, including this one, have shown that the Liberal party is surely disorientated."
"For myself, I'm a staunch Labor supporter and it would be hard change for me to change my ways."
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Police have arrested a pro-Palestine protester who brought central London to a halt for 16 hours after climbing one of the capital's landmark buildings.
The man reportedly shouted "free Palestine" as he climbed Big Ben's Elizabeth Tower at the Palace of Westminster while waving a Palestinian flag.
Westminster Bridge and a nearby street were closed for much of Saturday and several emergency services vehicles were at the scene as bystanders looked on, amazed.
"If someone could literally get over a wall like that and get up a building that quick with no one stopping them. Unbelievable."
The barefoot man finally stepped off the iconic building and onto a cherry picker after a long conversation with negotiators.
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In football, Liverpool's lead in the Premier League has grown to a surely unassailable 16 points, while Mohamed Salah's lead in the race for the Golden Boot has grown to seven goals.
Both races are turning into a procession after Salah converted two second-half penalties for his 26th and 27th goals of the campaign to clinch a 3-1 win for Liverpool at home to last-placed Southampton.
Despite the win, manager Arne Slot says he wasn't impressed with his team's performance after trailing 1-0 down at half-time.
“I didn't give them compliments at the half time, I can tell you. The energy levels were far, far, far too low. And that is what I had to change. And that's why we made three substitutions. And that's the only thing I could come up with at halftime, to create something different for the second half.”
It's now just a matter of when, not if, Liverpool secure a record-tying 20th Premier League title.
Meanwhile, Manchester City - winners of the last four titles - are now 23 points behind the Reds after a 1-0 loss to third-placed Nottingham Forest.
