Australia news as it happened: Coalition seeks to criminalise actions of anyone assisting IS brides to return to Australia; Armed man shot and killed trying to enter Trump’s Mar-a-Lago

“Even moderate rainfall can create dangerous conditions including flash flooding, debris flow, falling trees and landslides.”

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for heavy rainfall for the northern country, Mallee, north central, and parts of the central, north-east, and west and south Gippsland districts.

Thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are possible through Melbourne’s western suburbs from tomorrow morning, and will become more likely as a system sweeps through the eastern suburbs from tomorrow afternoon and evening, the bureau said.

Many areas are expected to be under threat from Tuesday night.

Up to 70 millimetres of rain could fall within six hours, the bureau said.

Emergency services warned Victorians to drive to the conditions, and be wary of fallen trees, debris, damaged powerlines and flash flooding.

“Early preparation is the best defence, particularly ahead of peak travel periods,” Victorian SES chief officer of operations Alistair Drayton said.

“If severe weather is impacting your area, consider delaying travel where possible and staying indoors until conditions improve. Never drive through floodwater.”

Jackson did not elaborate but said the conclusion came after weeks of intensive investigation before his team had to hand the case off. He said he wanted to push back against false reporting on the case.

It’s not clear who hired Jackson to represent Reiner or who was paying the bill. Generally, defendants use public defenders when they can’t afford a private attorney.

Nick Reiner is expected to plead not guilty, as is common for criminal defendants at this stage of the case, whatever their longer-term plan might be.

Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70, died from “multiple sharp force injuries”, the LA County Medical Examiner said in initial findings. Authorities said they were killed hours before their bodies were discovered. A court order has prevented the release of more details. Authorities have said nothing about possible motives.

Prosecutors have said they have not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty for Nick Reiner, who is eligible for it if found guilty of the charges.

Rob Reiner was a prolific director whose work included some of the most memorable and endlessly watchable movies of the 1980s and ’90s. His credits included This is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, A Few Good Men and When Harry Met Sally…, during which he met photographer Michele Singer and married her soon after.

AP

Tourism Tasmania aviation and access director Steve Farquer, who established the Hobart base when he was a general manager at Qantas, said the airline was entitled to make business decisions but the closure would have ramifications.

“The impact for a number of Tasmanians who have chosen to live in Hobart, who have brought their families to Hobart and established a life in Hobart – schools, education, health – it’s a significant issue for them,” Farquer told the inquiry sitting in Wynyard, in the state’s north-west.

The logistics of the Hobart base were complicated, but central for the operation of flights to other capitals and regions, he said.

“The passion of the crew base, their commitment in advocating for Tasmania, what they deliver in terms of customer service and supporting our brand proposition, and that connectivity with our regular customers has been very, very crucial,” Farquer said.

The Senate committee released an interim report into the QantasLink closures on Wednesday afternoon, finding the move was poorly managed and had devastated both staff and regional communities.

In response, Qantas said all staff at the bases had been offered roles in other locations, “which most have taken up”.

“We put in place a comprehensive support package for impacted team members because we know the decision to close the crew bases has been difficult for our people,” a spokesperson said.

“This support package is well beyond any requirements as part of their agreement and enables them to commute for work, like many other team members already do.”

Qantas continued to invest in regional operations and would work with the committee, the spokesperson said.

Hobart Airport chief executive Norris Carter said he did not anticipate any change or disruption to flights in and out of the city.

The inquiry continues.

AAP

Ambassadors from EU member states and officials from other nations, including Australia, were briefed on the war by the Ukrainian ambassador on the cusp of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion, which is on Tuesday.

“This has become a very sad habit for us,” EU ambassador Gabriele Visentin said alongside Myroshnychenko, with ambassadors and envoys in Australia meeting on every anniversary to express sustained support.

The Ukrainian ambassador called for more Australian contributions to a NATO-led Ukrainian fund that co-ordinates critical defence purchases for the besieged nation.

Australia has donated more $1.7 billion to Ukraine, including $1.5 billion in military assistance, since the start of the war, but concerns have been raised about the sporadic approach to announcing support. He vowed to raise the issue with Defence Minister Richard Marles on Monday.

“We appreciate what we get, don’t get me wrong ... Bushmasters have become symbols of support, Australian tanks are there defending Ukrainian democracy – it’s just, this war is so brutal,” Myroshnychenko said.

“We need your support now more than ever.”

The ambassador also raised the alarm over an increasing Russian presence in the Indo-Pacific, and revealed that Australia’s defence and foreign affairs departments had commissioned and received reports into Russian influence in the region.

Myroshnychenko rejected any peace deal with Russia that would cede Ukrainian territory, and said it was about more than just the land.

“It’s about the people who live there under the Russian occupation,” he said.

“How much torture, rape, total erasure of their identities [is] happening in the occupation?”

AAP