Deputy Liberal Leader Sussan Ley has urged Anthony Albanese to confirm whether Labor will definitely hand down a budget, after-party members were issued invites to a $1200-a-head post-budget dinner.

The leaders of the major parties are acutely aware that a misstep when responding to a natural disaster can have major political consequences.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred could have been known as Cyclone Anthony, before a switch from the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM). The bureau maintains an approved list of alphabetical names for cyclones, divided into five sections.

Brisbane Airport cancels all flights as Queensland and NSW residents told to evacuate - PM Anthony Albanese warns public to exercise caution as cyclone's delayed landfall is 'not all good news'

As Cyclone Alfred bears down on Australia’s east coast, Anthony Albanese would have us believe the forthcoming federal election is the farthest thing from his mind. Which, of course, is bunkum.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred, a category 2 storm, is set to impact Brisbane with severe weather, and panic buying has kicked in.

Speaking from Brisbane alongside on Queensland Premier David Crisafulli on Wednesday, Mr Albanese batted away questions on whether he would delay calling the election due to the cyclone. “I’ve been asked every day for the last year about election timing. I am focused on governing. That is the sole focus that I have,” he said.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred will cross the coast near the area of Brisbane late Friday or early Saturday. Forecasters are predicting damaging winds, heavy rain and storm surges, and authorities have issued warnings about extreme flooding.

Early wind, rain from the rare tropical cyclone has began lashing part of eastern Australia on Thursday. Schools have been closed, public transport stopped, Brisbane airport closed. Stay tuned with us

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has urged residents in low-lying suburbs at risk of flooding to consider evacuating.

The exact trajectory of Tropical Cyclone Alfred shifted overnight from a crossing north of Brisbane down to the city’s southern suburbs, with the Bureau of Meteorology issuing a warning area from Double Island Point, south of K’Gari (Fraser Island) to north of Grafton in NSW.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Residents were stacking sandbags to protect low-lying properties Wednesday ahead of a tropical cyclone forecast to become the first in 51 years to hit the Australian east coast near Brisbane, the nation’s third-most populous city.