‘No question’ Alfred will significantly impact economy, says Albanese
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says severe weather event Alfred will significantly impact the economy, even after it was downgraded to an ex-tropical cyclone.
On Friday, Albanese confirmed plans for an April 12 election had been dropped and voters would instead head to the polls in the first weeks of May to avoid distracting from the recovery effort of the natural disaster.
While Alfred was downgraded to an ex-tropical cyclone on Saturday ahead of its landfall north of Brisbane, winds were still moving at 85km/h as towns such as Lismore braced for widespread flooding.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has scrapped plans to hold a general election in April.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
“The impacts are already being felt, and there is worse to come in the hours ahead, we must remain vigilant,” Albanese told a press conference in Canberra’s National Situation Room on Saturday.
The coming weeks will be a test for federal Labor, as it changes course from a planned April election to now focusing on recovery from Alfred’s aftermath and delivering a budget on March 25.
Throughout the week, Albanese knocked back questions on the election timing as he repeated that his focus was on emergency management. Asked on Saturday whether the budget would have more cost of living relief, the prime minister shut down any political speculation.
“I’m focused on this issue,” he said, referring to the weather event.
“The March 25 budget will be on March 25 as we foreshadowed last year.”
The federal government has initiated a disaster recovery payment of $1000 for adults and $400 for children in need of immediate help. The prime minister also announced on Thursday $1 million in recovery grants to every local council affected by Alfred.
