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@ n2da
2025-03-02 21:49:36
## Cyclone Alfred Threatens South East Queensland
Tropical Cyclone Alfred is projected to make landfall in South East Queensland by Thursday as a Category 2 system.
Currently located 465 km northeast of Brisbane, the cyclone is expected to bring gale-force winds, up to 600 mm of rainfall, abnormally high tides, and damaging swells.
Authorities have issued multiple warnings, including coastal hazard and flood watches, urging residents from Bundaberg to the Gold Coast to prepare for severe weather conditions.
[Read more](https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/millions-in-the-firing-line-as-tropical-cyclone-alfred-makes-beeline-for-southeast/news-story/2ef0ba84897092acae7747b373858b8a)
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## Housing Market Rebounds Amid Interest Rate Cut
Australia's housing market downturn appears to be over, with property values rising by 0.3% in February, nearly offsetting the previous three-month decline of 0.4%.
This rebound is attributed to increased buyer confidence following a recent interest rate cut by the Reserve Bank, signaling a potential resurgence in the housing sector.
[Read more](https://www.sheppnews.com.au/national/housing-downturn-over-as-rate-cut-boosts-sentiment/)
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## Federal Politics: Australia Urged to Lift Defense Spending
In federal politics, discussions have emerged urging Australia to increase its defense spending.
This call emphasizes the need to bolster national security and address evolving geopolitical challenges.
[Read more](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-03/federal-politics-live-blog-march-3/105001554)
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## Australian Government Pledges RAAF Base Access for Aerial Firefighting
The Australian government has pledged to grant the New South Wales Rural Fire Service access to Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) bases to support aerial firefighting operations.
This initiative aims to enhance the state's capacity to respond to bushfires and improve overall emergency preparedness.
[Read more](https://asiapacificdefencereporter.com/australian-government-pledges-base-access-for-aerial-firefighting/)
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## New Search Initiated for MH370
Eleven years after the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, a new search has commenced.
Ocean Infinity is deploying advanced technology, including mothership Armada 7806 and remote-controlled underwater drones capable of scanning the ocean floor down to six kilometers.
The search covers a new 15,000 square kilometer area 1,500 kilometers west of Perth, identified based on data from the past decade.
Challenges such as extreme weather conditions and the vast Indian Ocean area persist.
Experts emphasize the improvement in maritime technology and the emotional toll of repeated search efforts.
The Malaysian government is negotiating a contract with Ocean Infinity, promising a $70 million reward if the wreckage is found.
[Read more](https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/catastrophic-experts-issue-mh370-search-warning/news-story/a42d7bd660511f142f2417a6bc4c6cc5)
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## Victorian Unions Protest Public Sector Job Cuts
The Victorian government, led by Treasurer Jaclyn Symes, announced an unexpected plan to cut 3,000 public sector jobs as part of a budget clean-out, causing uproar among unions.
Six unions representing various sectors, including firefighters, teachers, and public sector workers, have organized a rally on March 3 to protest the job cuts.
Union officials emphasized the widespread impact of these cuts, questioning who would take on the workload and warning of the expensive payouts in redundancies.
They criticized the government's approach, pointing out potential repercussions and the irony of hiring costly consultants to advise on job cuts.
[Read more](https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/victorian-unions-are-banding-together-to-rally-against-the-allan-government-plan-to-cut-3000-jobs/news-story/4d1391154adb67734207f8cb5fb23736)
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## Centrelink Payments Increase for Millions of Australians
Starting in March, approximately five million Australians receiving various Centrelink payments, including Age Pension, Carer Payment, Commonwealth Rent Assistance, ABSTUDY, JobSeeker, Disability Support Pension, and Parenting Payment Single, will see payment increases.
These adjustments are based on the higher of the consumer price index or wage price index, assessed biannually.
Notable changes for JobSeeker include reduced penalties for non-compliance with job requirements for new registrants and exemptions for those working 30 hours a fortnight for two months.
Carers will benefit from more flexible work hours, allowing a spread of 100 hours over four weeks without affecting their payments.
These measures aim to alleviate cost-of-living pressures, with increments resulting in a substantial rise in support since the current government took office.
[Read more](https://www.news.com.au/finance/economy/australian-economy/millions-of-aussies-to-receive-pension-increase-next-month-as-major-changes-come-to-centrelink/news-story/80c4081d4564e442cdead44ccf6a1f72)
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*Note: All information is based on articles published on March 3, 2025.*