Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is providing the latest update on Tropical Cyclone Alfred from the National Situation Room in Canberra.

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'

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

Peter Dutton has warned Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would have a “tin ear” if he goes to an election this weekend as Cyclone Alfred prepares to bear down on Queensland.

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

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 has slowed its approach and is now expected to cross the south-east Queensland coast on Friday afternoon.

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.

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

Residents are stacking sandbags to protect low-lying properties ahead of a tropical cyclone that is forecast to become the first in 51 years to hit the Australian east coast near Brisbane, the nation's third-most populous city.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is forecast to cross the coast between the Queensland state capital Brisbane and the tourist city of Gold Coast to the south late on Thursday or early Friday