Australia news live updates: more NSW flood warnings in place as Lismore cleanup continues; extreme heatwaves and severe storms forecast for Queensland

3.35am GMT

03:35

The heavy rain that was forecast earlier right now is starting to point out up on the climate radar. Individuals smashed by the floods may actually do with a break, but it surely seems as if it’s not going to come back for them right now.

Ben Domensino
(@Ben_Domensino)
This simply isn’t honest. Extreme warned thunderstorms are at present transferring over the flood-weary Northern Rivers district of NSW. pic.twitter.com/BIjRoSOgrF

March 6, 2022

3.13am GMT

03:13

My colleague Daniel Hurst has this story about defence minister Peter Dutton’s feedback on the ABC this morning.

There was a definite walk-back from Dutton on earlier statements over Australia’s willingness to defend Taiwan in any future battle.

Up to date
at 3.16am GMT

2.54am GMT

02:54

In Brisbane, a big crowd has gathered in King George Sq. in help of Ukraine.

Nick Kelly
(@njkelly9)
A big crowd right here in King George Sq. with extra arriving by the minute rallying help for Ukraine. Russians standing along with Ukrainian expats calling for an finish to violence. Numerous coronary heart wrenching tales from these with household there. @9NewsQueensland pic.twitter.com/bdjLNnwT5P

March 6, 2022

2.52am GMT

02:52

In the meantime, the Greens have right now introduced their plan to foyer free of charge and common early childhood schooling and care.

They’re pushing to speculate $19bn over the ahead estimates to make sure free and accessible childcare, and to increase common entry to early childhood schooling for all three and 4 12 months olds to 24 hours per week.

Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi stated all youngsters ought to have a proper to high quality early studying and care:

Free and common early studying has huge social and financial advantages for our neighborhood, households and youngsters. Too typically, girls have to surrender work and profession alternatives as a result of childcare is simply too costly or not accessible.
As a migrant guardian with no household in Australia, I might not have had the chance to review or to embark on my engineering profession if it wasn’t for inexpensive childcare at my college.

Up to date
at 2.55am GMT

2.29am GMT

02:29

Tasmania information 757 new Covid circumstances, no deaths

Tasmania’s well being authorities say the state recorded 757 new Covid circumstances previously 24 hours, with no deaths. 5 persons are in intensive care.

Up to date
at 2.38am GMT

2.20am GMT

02:20

Daniel Hurst

The defence minister, Peter Dutton, has raised the potential of a pre-election announcement on nuclear-powered submarines as a part of the Aukus take care of the US and the UK.

The federal government introduced in September that it was dumping the French standard submarines plans in favour of the brand new Aukus partnership.

On the time, although, there wasn’t a number of element: the three nations launched what was meant to be an 18-month examine to search out “the optimum pathway to ship no less than eight nuclear-powered submarines for Australia”.

That authentic timeframe steered the examine may not be completed till early 2023. However Dutton advised the ABC’s Insiders program right now:

We could have an announcement inside the subsequent couple of months about which boat we’re going with [and] what we are able to do within the interim.

(A reminder that the federal election is because of be held by 21 Could.)

Dutton stated Australia’s discussions with the US and the UK had been “extremely productive” and people nations each understood developments within the Indo-Pacific and had been “keen companions”.

Scott Morrison has beforehand stated the primary submarine was anticipated to be within the water by about 2040, however Dutton argued Australia would “purchase the aptitude a lot earlier than that”.

The minister didn’t nominate a brand new date.

Defence minister Peter Dutton. {Photograph}: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Up to date
at 2.29am GMT

2.13am GMT

02:13

WA information 2,270 new Covid circumstances, no deaths

Up to date
at 2.29am GMT

1.48am GMT

01:48

Victoria’s innovation minister Jaala Pulford says the state is in search of 1,500 people who find themselves awaiting their Covid vaccine booster to donate blood to assist analysis.

The challenge shall be run by the state’s vaccines assortment biobank at Melbourne’s Doherty Institute, which has been commissioned extensively by the federal authorities to supply modelling.

The analysis may supply an perception into the effectiveness of vaccines and the long-term results of Covid-19, and assist consultants put together for brand new strains. Pulford stated:

This new biobank shall be a key a part of managing coronavirus going ahead whereas permitting researchers to observe the results of vaccines and put together for any new strains.

Individuals because of obtain a 3rd vaccine dose are eligible to take part, with donors offering blood samples over two years together with earlier than and after receiving the booster jab.

Pulford stated the aged, individuals residing with HIV, healthcare employees, those that’ve been contaminated with coronavirus and the immunocompromised are strongly inspired to use.