Queensland residents prepare for Cyclone Kirrily; PM begins selling stage-three tax cuts; and Captain Cook statue toppled

By Mike Hohnen

Welcome, readers, to Afternoon Update.

Much of the day’s discussion has revolved around the political storm caused by Labor’s stage-three tax cuts. However, residents in Queensland are facing a real and potentially life-threatening storm, with people in Townsville issued a “shelter in place” order as Tropical Cyclone Kirrily is upgraded to a category 3 system and expected to make landfall on Thursday evening.

Residents have been instructed to stay where they are by Mayor Jenny Hill while the Bureau of Meteorology warned all communities within the warning zone to be alert for heavy rainfall and possible flash flooding.

As well as Townsville, emergency alerts have been issued for Palm Island, Burdekin, Hinchinbrook and Magnetic Island.

Locals are “prepared and ready for the worst” with the Queensland premier, Steven Miles, pre-emptively declaring a disaster, and readying assistance from the federal government and other states.

Top news

• PM defends stage-three tax cut changes | At the National Press Club today Anthony Albanese has defended Labor’s plan by arguing it will deliver “a tax cut for every taxpayer” and that modification of the stage-three tax cuts was “the right thing to do” in changed economic circumstances.
• ACCC to investigate supermarket prices | The prime minister says the treasurer, Jim Chalmers, will direct the competition watchdog to conduct a 12-month price inquiry into supermarkets.
• Stage-three tax cut changes not modelled for inflationary effects | However, the Treasury and RBA have told the treasurer the redistribution of tax cuts to lower- and middle-income earners will not spur price increases.
• Sussan Ley retreats from suggestion Coalition would repeal tax changes | The deputy opposition leader has denied promising to roll back the Albanese government’s changes and says Labor “lied” about the tax cuts
• Fourth person dies in mass drowning on Phillip Island | Lifesavers say the tragedy at the unpatrolled beach is the worst in Victorian waters in almost 20 years.
• Captain Cook statue sawn in Melbourne on eve of 26 January | Both the statue and a Queen Victoria monument were reportedly spray-painted with “The colony will fall” in apparent protest against the Australia Day date.

• Argentinians strike against president’s far-right agenda | Tens of thousands of marchers have taken to the streets as schools and businesses closed in protest at Javier Milei’s extreme legislation.
• Tuvalu election: what could it mean for Taiwan, China and the Pacific? | Against a backdrop of intense geopolitical competition, the small Pacific island nation of Tuvalu will head to the polls to elect members of its 16-seat parliament.

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