Australia news live: tributes flow at Sydney memorial service for ‘comedic giant’ Barry Humphries, including a message from the King

A message from King Charles: ‘no one was safe’ from Dame Edna’s sharp wit

The minister for arts, Tony Burke, is now reading a statement on behalf of King Charles III. He starts with a joke that says it seems like a television drama plot to say “I have a message from the king”.

A youthful Dame Edna greets the then Prince and Princess of Wales at a charity event in 1987. Photograph: Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images

Here’s the statement in full:

I suspect that all those who appeared on stage or on TV with Barry’s Dame Edna, or who found her appearing at the back of the Royal Box, will have shared that unique sensation where fear and fun combined.

Those who tried to stand on their dignity soon lost their footing. Those who wondered whether Australia’s housewife superstar might this time just go too far were always proved right.

No one was safe. Barry Humphries, through his creations, poked and prodded us, exposed to tensions, punctured pomposity, surfaced insecurities, but most of all made us laugh at ourselves.

This cultured and erudite man, with his love of literature and the visual arts, and passion for Weimar cabaret, could not have been more different from his various stage incarnations.

Like so many, I have been deeply saddened by his passing. Life really won’t be the same without him. May our gladiolus bloom in celebration of his memory.

Updated at 20.20 EST

Key events

If you missed it earlier, here’s more from my colleague Benita Kolovos on the $10bn cost blowout for Victoria’s largest road project:

Rupert Murdoch: ‘political correctness’ never ‘strangled’ Humphries

Rupert Murdoch has paid tribute to Barry Humphies in a video message that referenced political correctness. Murdoch said that “in a linear world”, Humphries was a rare example of “the lateral”:

Media boss Rupert Murdoch, via video link, told the Barry Humphries’ memorial the Australian satirist understood the nature of laughter. Photograph: Dean Lewins/AAP

It takes courage to strut on stage. To be judged by an audience night after night. You confess that you suffer severely from stage fright, and yet you tread the boards with a confidence that brings the crowd with you.

I’m struck by your self awareness, in understanding the nature of laughter. As you say, when people laugh at me, they are not laughing in the way they normally would be for a comedian. They are laughing with relief because the truth has been spoken, and political correctness has not strangled this particular [star]. Barry, you will never be strangled, you will never be silenced, your voice still echoes, your wisdom still enlightens, and your friendship still recites deeply in my heart.

The NSW premier,Chris Minns, has also spoken at the memorial service:

NSW premier Chris Minns and his wife Anna Minns arrive at Sydney’s Opera House … a ‘fitting place to say our goodbyes to Barry’. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP

The Sydney Opera House is a fitting place to say our goodbyes to Barry, not just because of its sails or its dramatic exterior… but because of what’s inside: the stage. It was on that stage, before an audience, where he was most at home.

Updated at 20.27 EST

Barry Humphries was ‘one of the funniest people in the world’, Elton John tells memorial

A series of comedians and the superstar Elton John have also recorded video messages to be played at Barry Humphries’ memorial service. Here’s a collection of them.

The British comedian, Jimmy Carr, said:

He was so generous with time and with his talent. I was blown away by him and so incredibly thrilled to have got to know him. He leaves the world a happier place. He was a genius.

Comedian David Walliams:

Later in life, I got to befriend Barry and spend time with him. It was one of the greatest pleasures of my life. He was as funny off stage, as he was on stage, and that can’t be said about many comedians. He has left an incredible legacy that will make us laugh forever.

Family, friends, politicians and entertainers, among them author Kathy Lette, have gathered to farewell Barry Humphries. Photograph: Dean Lewins/EPA

And Elton John:

Barry Humphries was one of the funniest people in the world, we all know that. He was also one of the kindest and most generous people to me.

It is sad that we won’t be seeing him again, but we have so many memories of him. His books, his TV appearances, and the wonderful jokes and wonderful kindness that he showed to me and everyone.

I hope you all have the most wonderful day there and celebrate with laughter, because that was what Barry was all about. Bless you.

Updated at 20.15 EST

Power should be back on for 80% of far north Qld homes by Saturday night

Ergon Energy will aim to restore power to 80% of the 15,000 homes and businesses facing outages in far north Queensland by Saturday night, and complete the remaining 20% by next Tuesday.

It comes after power to 25,000 had been restored after nearly 40,000 homes lost power on Wednesday as ex-tropical cyclone Jasper crossed the coastline.

Power restoration could be hampered in some areas by forecast rainfall over the next few days, Ergon Energy says. Photograph: Brian Cassey/AFP/Getty Images

Ergon’s chief operating officer Paul Jordon said the restoration plan might be hampered by rain forecast to continue to lash the region, and by additional damage to the network.

A major flood warning for the Daintree and the Barwon river remains in place.

There are also moderate to minor flood warnings for the Mossman, Barron, Mulgrave, Russell, Tully and Murray rivers.

The heaviest rainfall has been recorded at Cairns, Port Douglas and the Daintree, with the latter receiving almost 800mm in the past 48 hours.

Updated at 20.05 EST

Incoming Queensland premier Steven Miles: ‘we’ll make history today’

Queensland premier-to-be Steven Miles declared “we’ll make history today” as he arrived at a party caucus meeting this morning.

Miles and treasurer Cameron Dick will be endorsed as premier and deputy premier by Labor MPs at parliament house today.

They arrived to rapturous applause.

Incoming Queensland premier Steven Miles and his new deputy Cameron Dick were greeted by Labor colleagues with “rapturous applause”. Photograph: Jono Searle/AAP

Miles joked that he didn’t have time to hug all of the 51 MPs at the meeting.

They will be sworn in by Governor Jeannette Young later today.

The caucus will also elect several new members of cabinet, in advance of a reshuffle, which is expected to be announced Monday.

Miles replaces Annastacia Palaszczuk, who served as premier for nine years and won three elections. She took the party back into government after a wipeout election which reduced the party to seven MPs, defeating Campbell Newman.

Updated at 20.08 EST

Humphries memorial: Barry always had the final word, says Albanese

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has also addressed the memorial service for Barry Humphries. Here’s part of Albanese’s video message that was played to the audience at Sydney Opera House:

No matter how unruly his creations became, it was Barry who had the final word. And what a word it was. Barry had the ultimate power, a power he exercised with the glee that never knew any bounds.

Just like this place, he brought people from every state and territory together. And in the process, this genius, this comedic giant brought such joy to every part of Australia. Then, like a never ending bunch of gladiolus, he showered it upon the world.

Updated at 19.44 EST

A message from King Charles: ‘no one was safe’ from Dame Edna’s sharp wit

The minister for arts, Tony Burke, is now reading a statement on behalf of King Charles III. He starts with a joke that says it seems like a television drama plot to say “I have a message from the king”.

A youthful Dame Edna greets the then Prince and Princess of Wales at a charity event in 1987. Photograph: Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images

Here’s the statement in full:

I suspect that all those who appeared on stage or on TV with Barry’s Dame Edna, or who found her appearing at the back of the Royal Box, will have shared that unique sensation where fear and fun combined.

Those who tried to stand on their dignity soon lost their footing. Those who wondered whether Australia’s housewife superstar might this time just go too far were always proved right.

No one was safe. Barry Humphries, through his creations, poked and prodded us, exposed to tensions, punctured pomposity, surfaced insecurities, but most of all made us laugh at ourselves.

This cultured and erudite man, with his love of literature and the visual arts, and passion for Weimar cabaret, could not have been more different from his various stage incarnations.

Like so many, I have been deeply saddened by his passing. Life really won’t be the same without him. May our gladiolus bloom in celebration of his memory.

Updated at 20.20 EST

King Charles, Elton John to salute Barry Humphries at state memorial

The state memorial service for Barry Humphries has just begun at the Sydney Opera House. Television host Richard Wilkins is hosting the event, which is expected to include tributes from King Charles and Elton John.

Guests are arriving at the Sydney Opera House, this morning, for a state memorial for entertainer Barry Humphries. Photograph: Joe Castro/AAP

Wilkins is delivering an opening address to the service:

Barry found fame – extraordinary fame – in so many parts of the world. The UK, the US, Europe, Scandinavia, New Zealand and many other countries.

In fact, he put Australia on the cultural map, as only he could. And not everyone approved of the way he did it, of course. He spent much time overseas, but he never forgot in his heart that he was Australian, through and through.

Updated at 19.26 EST

Lisa Wilkinson returns to the witness box

Lisa Wilkinson is back today for her second day in the witness box, defending a defamation claim against her and Network Ten.

You can catch the live updates from my colleague Amanda Meade as this unfolds here:

Updated at 19.16 EST

Disability car stolen

Victoria police are appealing for information on a car burglary after a black 2021 Kia Carnival wagon which had been modified to help the victim who has a disability was stolen in the Mornington Peninsula.

The thieves broke into the Mount Eliza home of a 61- and 60-year-old couple at 3am on Tuesday and stole the wagon and a grey Hyundai i20.

The Hyundai was later found dumped at Nardoo Court in Mornington on Tuesday afternoon.

Updated at 18.55 EST

Steven Miles to be elected Queensland premier unopposed

Queensland’s Labor caucus meets at 10am local time (11am AEDT) today to decide on a new premier after Annastactia Palaszczuk’s sudden resignation on Sunday.

Former deputy premier Steven Miles will be elected unopposed, with treasurer Cameron Dick named his deputy.

Queensland’s deputy premier is expected to take on the state’s top job unopposed. Photograph: Dan Peled/Getty Images

It’s been 11 years, eight months and seven days since the Labor caucus last met to elect a new leader. There were just six MPs in that meeting – Paluszczuk reminded reporters this week they could have fitted in a Tarago – after the Anna Bligh government’s drubbing at the 2012 election. (The party won seven seats but Bligh didn’t attend the caucus meeting.)

This time, 51 MPs will decide the future of the party. Again, the outgoing premier is expected not to attend.

Paluszczuk tendered her resignation from the post last night, after winning three straight elections. She will retire from politics early in the new year, sparking a by-election in her south Brisbane seat of Inala.

Miles has just 316 days to convince Queenslanders to retain him as premier before an election in October 2024. He will have to contend with a resurgent opposition led by David Crisafulli, who has spent months attacking the government’s health, housing and youth crime policies.

After the caucus meeting this morning, Miles will head to Government House in Paddington, where he will be sworn in by governor Jeannette Young.

He will make his first speech as premier at the executive building this afternoon, in which he is expected to lay out his government’s priorities.

Updated at 19.33 EST

Cost blowout breakdown

Here’s a breakdown on the Melbourne’s North East Link cost blowout to more than $10bn:

The longer tunnel and extra open space is costing $2bn more than planned, alongside upgrades to the neighbouring freeways.

The M80 and Eastern Freeway is costing $9.5bn.

There will be improved operation and community outcomes, including noise standards, better technology and interchange design is costing $600m.

The dedicated busway will cost $750m.

There is also $400m in extra costs to extend a rail tunnel, $70m to set up a park and ride in Bulleen and $100m for sporting facilities.

In addition, the document says there’s been $3.88bn in “additional cost pressures”. This includes $3.1bn due to the “escalation rates of critical construction supplies such as concrete, asphalt and steel and broader inflationary pressures” and $780m to comply with the environment effects statement.

Updated at 18.54 EST

Victoria’s North East Link cost blows out by more than $10bn

The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, has admitted the cost of building the North East Link has blown out by more than $10bn.

Announcing two new contracts – to connect the project to existing roads – today, Allan said the project was expected to now cost a total of $26bn.

The project was first estimated to cost $10bn in 2016 but this was revised to $15.8bn when the final design was locked in.

Allan said the new estimate, which is included in the mid-year budget update, was due to several factors including a longer tunnel, better noise standards, more open space and the addition of a dedicated busway for the road:

There are many components that have been added to this project as a result of listening to the market and also listening to the advice of experts as well about how we can best make this project work not just for the local communities … but for all of us, all of us who are wanting to navigate around the northern and eastern suburbs.

Updated at 18.49 EST

PM says backing appeals for Gaza ceasefire ‘the right call’

Albanese has also said backing calls for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict was the “right call to do” after being asked about some of the “unhappy” reactions to the decision:

We joined with almost almost every country in the world to say that our position, which I outlined very much in detail with the prime ministers of Canada and New Zealand, is to seek to have all of the hostages released which should occur.

We need to plan as well for what occurs after the conflict. Hamas can have no role in the future governance of of Gaza, and we need to work towards a political solution. We respect Israel’s right to defend itself, [and] that the range of the numbers of casualties just quite, quite, quite terrible there in Gaza, and every innocent life counts, whether it be Israeli or Palestinian.

Updated at 18.34 EST

Aukus approval an ‘extraordinary achievement’

Anthony Albanese hailed the passing of the bill in US Congress overnight that will allow the sale of Aukus nuclear submarines to Australia an “extraordinary achievement” during his interview on 2GB:

That means that Aukus can go ahead, means that Australia will have access to those Virginia-class submarines which are nuclear-propelled and that will be so important for Australia’s national security.

Earlier defence minister Richard Marles said on ABC News Breakfast the $4bn contribution from Australia to boost shipyard production in the US as part of the deal will be “worked through in the coming years”.

Updated at 18.29 EST

‘It will be a very difficult day,’ PM says of Peta Murphy funeral

Anthony Albanese will be in Melbourne today to attend the funeral of Labor MP for Dunkley Peta Murphy, who died from breast cancer.

Peta Murphy in February. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Speaking on 2GB, Albanese said:

It will be a very difficult day.

She was really courageous … she chose not to hide the treatment that she was getting, appearing there in Parliament and around public with the impact of chemotherapy [which] meant that she lost her hair, but she wanted to signify that cancer can affect anyone, members of parliament, whatever job you have.

And she was just a strong advocate, a courageous brilliant young woman who passed far too soon.

Updated at 18.28 EST