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The Australian Government has activated a comprehensive national emergency response in anticipation of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which is expected to make landfall within the next 24 hours. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the nation from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) headquarters, outlining federal assistance measures and urging residents to heed evacuation notices.
Federal Response Intensifies
Overnight, the Prime Minister approved the immediate deployment of 120 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel to New South Wales. These personnel will work alongside State Emergency Services (SES) to conduct door-knocking operations, welfare checks on vulnerable community members, and assist with critical infrastructure protection.
"There are no politics in any of this, no borders, and we have, on behalf of the Australian Government, we have your back," the Prime Minister stated.
The Chief Medical Officer has activated the Department of Health and Aged Care's National Incident Centre for Tropical Cyclone Alfred, establishing a coordination mechanism between Commonwealth health authorities, state health departments, and emergency response agencies.
Severe Conditions Already Developing
Effects of the approaching cyclone are already being felt along the coast, with record wave heights of 12.3 meters recorded at the Gold Coast. Heavy rainfall is expected to intensify throughout the day.
Major disruptions to essential services have begun:
Virgin and Qantas have suspended flights to and from Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Ballina Byron airports
More than 1,000 schools across Queensland and 280 schools in northern NSW have closed
Several Services Australia centers in affected regions have temporarily ceased operations
Emergency Preparations Underway
The federal government has delivered more than 375,000 sandbags to affected regions. Officials warn that power outages may affect tens of thousands of homes, and while generators from the national stockpile can be deployed when safe to do so, residents are urged to prepare for extended periods without electricity.
"This isn't a time for sightseeing or for seeing what it's like to experience these conditions firsthand," the Prime Minister cautioned. "Please stay safe, be sensible and keep distance from these events."
Community Impact
The Prime Minister acknowledged the psychological toll on communities that have faced repeated natural disasters, particularly mentioning Lismore residents who have endured multiple severe weather events in recent years.
"Many of these communities have suffered harsh event after harsh event after harsh event," he noted. "I think particularly the people of Lismore, for example, have been knocked down, they get up, they get knocked down, they get up, and now they have this being confronted with."
Climate Change Considerations
When asked about the relationship between climate change and severe weather events, the Prime Minister offered a measured response: "Australia has always had natural disasters... What we know, the science tells us that there would be more extreme weather events, they would be more frequent and they'd be more intense."
He noted that while individual events cannot be attributed solely to climate change, the broader pattern of increasingly extreme weather aligns with scientific predictions.
Essential Information Resources
Residents in affected areas are advised to monitor:
Local ABC radio broadcasts
Bureau of Meteorology website (www.bom.gov.au)
Queensland disaster information: www.disaster.qld.gov.au and www.getready.qld.gov.au
NSW emergency information: ses.nsw.gov.au and the Hazards Near Me app
The Prime Minister's message to all Australians in the path of Cyclone Alfred remains clear: "Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst."
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