Massive floodwaters swept across parts of Australia’s drought-parched south east, forcing hundreds of people to abandon their homes and businesses in the region’s worst deluge in nearly 40 years.

Wildfires destroyed eight houses and cut electricity lines in southern Australia, plunging much of Victoria state into chaos as hundreds of thousands were left without power, a fire official said today.

Bernie Ecclestone has no choice but for the Australian Grand Prix to return to the start of the season, it was claimed today.

Thousands of police and federal agents will respond to mock car bombs, hostage sieges, port attacks and other terror strikes across Australia this week to test the country’s readiness ahead of next year’s Commonwealth Games.

Paul McCartney is to perform in the southern Australian city of Melbourne next month, officials said today.