News live: Darwin hospital roof collapses as Tropical Cyclone Fina brings heavy rains; Australia signs G20 statement backing Paris Agreement | Australia news
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Statement by G20 leaders was ‘unanimously’ supported despite US pressure and boycott
Some more context on Australia’s signing of the G20 declaration supporting the Paris agreement: Associated Press:
World leaders of the Group of 20 wealthy emerging economies broke with tradition and agreed to a declaration at the start of a summit in South Africa on Saturday despite opposition from the United States, which boycotted two days of talks due to a diplomatic dispute with the host country.
Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson for the South African president, Cyril RamaphosaHe said a leaders’ declaration at the start of talks in Johannesburg was unanimously accepted by other members. Declarations are generally adopted at the end of G20 summits.
The 122-point declaration called for greater global action on issues such as climate-related disasters and government debt levels, particularly affecting developing countries, and was touted by the host country as a victory for the first G20 summit in Africa.
Summit overshadowed by US boycott ordered by president DonaldTrump, South African officials said the United States was pressuring South Africa not to accept a leaders’ declaration in the absence of an American delegation.
Latest round of housing funding will provide 21,000 more homes, Labor says
Penry Buckley
The Albanian government has announced it will deliver 21,000 new social or affordable homes by June 2029 as part of the next round of the Australian Housing Future Fund (Haff).
$2.6 billion will be offered from late January 2026 as part of the third round of funding, which provides loans to housing providers to build homes rather than buying them outright.
A new component will focus on the delivery of homes in regional Australia, with $600 million of the funding allocated to First Nations housing providers to support the 10% First Nations tenancy target in social housing delivered under the third round.
Federal Minister of Housing, Clare O’NeilHe says the project will facilitate “More homes, more speed, more scale.”
The housing crisis in Australia is caused by a housing shortage, so all governments have to build housing.
The government has built 5,000 social or affordable homes since 2022, 889 of which are under Haff, which was established in November 2023.
It has committed to delivering 55,000 units by mid-2029. There are 169,000 households on the social housing waiting list as of June 2024.
Darwin and surrounding residents told to continue sheltering in place
Although the worst of the storm is over, officials say residents should stay in their shelters until everything clears up. The latest advice from the Bureau of Meteorology states:
[The Northern Territory Emergency Service] NTES is advising people to remain calm about very exposed coastal areas around southern Bathurst Island and the Cox Peninsula and to remain in safe shelter as destructive winds continue. Do not attempt to go outside. Heed the advice and follow the instructions of Emergency Service personnel and local authorities.
NTES is advising people to seek safe shelter in the central and western Tiwi Islands and other locations between the Daly River Estuary and Hotham Point, including Darwin.
There are no reports of injuries so far amid the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Fina
Cyclone Fina left a trail of destruction at the upper end after pummeling Van Diemen Bay between Darwin and the Tiwi Islands overnight.
The category three storm moved across the water, bringing winds that were just short of those seen in Hurricane Tracy.
However, only minor damage was detected in Darwin, with trees falling along pavements and occasionally hitting fences, power lines or footpaths.
No injuries or deaths were reported.
Due to ongoing staff shortages, the Royal Darwin hospital was placed on Code Brown for emergencies only on Friday.
-Amanda Parkinson
Royal Darwin hospital roof collapsed due to heavy rain
The roof of the Royal Darwin hospital partially collapsed on Saturday but no one was injured.
Steve Edgingtona member of the Northern Territory legislature, shared an image of collapsed roofing and bricks strewn about on the first floor of the hospital.
NT police said the incident controller and the incident controller had been assured all staff and patients were safe. Emma Carter ABC Radio confirmed no one in Darwin was injured.
roof covering #RoyalDarwinHospital An area on the first floor partially collapsed after it was reported that there was water in the building.
My first priority is to ensure that all staff and patients are safe and I have been reassured that this is the case.
When I have more… pic.twitter.com/WwliVn2yJj
— Steve Edgington MLA (@SteveEdgoMLA) 22 November 2025
– with AAP
Good morning!
Tropical Cyclone Fina has wreaked havoc on the Top End after a night of damaging winds and heavy rain for residents. The category three system has moved further out into the Timor Sea and now lies about 80 kilometers from Darwin.
COP30 is complete and Australia is one of 24 countries to sign the Colombia-led agreement Belém Declaration on a Just Transition from Fossil Fuels.
Meanwhile, G20 leaders, including Australia, signed a joint statement at the summit in South Africa strengthening their commitment to the Paris agreement, despite US President Donald Trump boycotting the event.
New NSW Liberal leader, Kellie SloanHe says taking the party’s top job was “not in my bingo cards” and that he was only persuaded to take it “in the last few days”.
And the housing minister, Clare O’Neilhas announced the largest round ever under the Housing Australia Future Fund, including more than 21,000 new social and affordable homes across the country.
Let’s get into it.
