NSW Flood Rescues, Political Tensions Dominate Australia News

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Emergency services in New South Wales are responding to widespread flooding as heavy rainfall continues to impact much of the state. The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) has responded to over 500 incidents, including multiple flood rescues, and is urging residents to remain alert as rivers rise and roads close.

Deputy Commissioner Debbie Platz confirmed the SES has responded to more than 500 incidents, including multiple flood rescues. “We are starting to see road closures across many parts of NSW, and these closures are going to cause isolation to many communities,” Platz said, urging residents to monitor official warnings.

One man was rescued from a van trapped in floodwater at Douglas Park using a tethered approach. Police divers are searching for two men missing after their car crashed into the Macdonald River near St Albans; a third man escaped.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued major flood warnings for the Namoi River and moderate warnings for the Peel River, affecting communities such as Tamworth and Gunnedah. “Watch and act” alerts are in place across the Central Coast and northern NSW.

While flood operations dominate emergency response, political and institutional tensions also made headlines today. Independent ACT Senator David Pocock joined students at ANU to protest job cuts. He criticised the university’s leadership for taking a “sledgehammer” approach, calling for greater transparency and government support for higher education.

The university has announced cost-cutting measures targeting $250 million in savings, with further involuntary redundancies ruled out for 2025, though challenges remain for staff and students.

At the national level, Treasurer Jim Chalmers had a heated exchange with Shadow Treasurer Ted O’Brien over fiscal sustainability during the economic reform roundtable, with Chalmers rejecting overspending accusations. The exchange prompted calls from participants including ACTU Secretary Sally McManus to focus discussions on reform rather than political disputes.

The defamation appeal by former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann, challenging a ruling that he was not defamed by Lisa Wilkinson and Network 10, continued in federal court and is expected to conclude this week.

With extreme weather and high-stakes political debates unfolding simultaneously, authorities and communities across NSW remain on alert.