Only a few weeks after south-east Queensland braced through ex-tropical cyclone Alfred, the region and other parts of the state are preparing for heavy rainfall, with flooding possible in some areas.Northern, western and central parts of Queensland are preparing for heavy rainfall and flooding.Credit: Getty ImagesA trough drawing moisture across the state has already delivered heavy rainfall to western and central Queensland, and parts of the south interior, with a severe weather warning in place and expected to remain until Wednesday.Read the full story here.Latest postsLatest postsMore than 12 million workers will receive a surprise tax cut of $268 next year and $536 the following year in a brazen pitch for votes at the election due in May, as Treasurer Jim Chalmers vows to deliver a “soft landing” for the economy and a recovery in living standards.But workers will have to wait until July 2026 to feel the modest benefits, due to cost $17 billion over three years, amid questions about whether the nation can afford the outlay when the budget forecasts deeper deficits and record debt.The moves are part of a budget that pours $36 billion into more than a dozen big policies over the next five years – including Medicare, cheaper medicines, energy bill relief and aged care – while listing only $2.5 billion in major budget improvements.The budget deficits will swell to $179.5 billion over five years, while Treasury warns of the economic dangers from a global trade war – without naming US President Donald Trump or the decision he is due to make on April 2 about another round of tariffs.Relatives of the victims of the MH17 disaster want Russia to acknowledge its role in the downing of the plane as part of any peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine.A group representing the families of those killed in the tragedy have sent letters to US President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, insisting that any credible peace deal brokered by the West must address Russia’s responsibility.Debris from Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 in eastern Ukraine in 2014.Credit: Kate GeraghtyMalaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down by a Russian-made Buk missile over eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014, while en route from Amsterdam Schiphol to Kuala Lumpur.The attack, which occurred three hours into the flight, claimed the lives of all 298 people on board, including 38 Australian citizens and residents. The majority of passengers were Dutch, but others came from countries including Indonesia, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany and the Philippines.Sander van Luik, a member of the Truth-Finding MH17 working group, told this masthead many relatives believed any sincere peace settlement with Russia must include explicit recognition of its role in taking down the plane. The budget has been handed down, promising relief on income tax, power bills and medicine – while cigarette smokers punched a bigger-than-expected hole in the budget.Here are some of the biggest winners and losers from this budget:Treasurer Jim Chalmers after delivering the budget speech in Parliament House on Tuesday.Credit: Alex EllinghausenLow-income earners: All Australians will benefit from a reduction of the lowest income-tax threshold, from 16 per cent to 14 per cent, over the next two years, delivering about $10 a week when it’s fully in place in mid-2027. Labor admits the surprise cut, which will cost the budget $17 billion, is modest. The reduction will mean more to those at the lower end of the income scale.Electricity users: Households will benefit from another round of direct government subsidies that energy companies will automatically deduct from power bills. The previous round of $300 subsidies ends in June. The new policy will reduce by $150 the price of electricity for the last six months of this year. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has supported the measure, after criticising the earlier boost.Aged care nurses: A further $2.5 billion has been put towards lifting pay for aged care nurses. Nearly $18 billion has been spent on wage increases in the aged care sector. Advertisement A man has died after a crash with a vehicle in Upper Mount Gravatt last night.Initial investigations indicate a vehicle struck the man near MacGregor Street about 7.50pm.The pedestrian, a man in his 70s, was taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital in a critical condition, and has since died.Anyone who witnessed the crash or has dashcam vision is urged to contact police.Only a few weeks after south-east Queensland braced through ex-tropical cyclone Alfred, the region and other parts of the state are preparing for heavy rainfall, with flooding possible in some areas.Northern, western and central parts of Queensland are preparing for heavy rainfall and flooding.Credit: Getty ImagesA trough drawing moisture across the state has already delivered heavy rainfall to western and central Queensland, and parts of the south interior, with a severe weather warning in place and expected to remain until Wednesday.Read the full story here.The rains have returned to the River City.After a Tuesday spotted with showers, today the forecast is for an 80 per cent chance of rain in Brisbane, with up to 10 millimetres expected.And tomorrow is set to be even wetter. Advertisement Here’s what’s making news further afield this morning:Treasurer Jim Chalmers handed down the federal budget last night, revealing more than 12 million workers will receive a surprise tax cut of $268 next year and $536 the following year in a brazen pitch for votes at the election due in May.There will be winners and losers after the budget was handed down.Credit: Marija ErcegovacNurses, schoolchildren and beer drinkers all had reason to toast this year’s budget. Some notable others much less so, in the divide between budget winners and losers.Coalition shadow treasurer Angus Taylor rejected the new tax cuts soon after they were unveiled, saying workers deserved more help to lift their living standards, amid speculation the Coalition would consider a tax plan of its own.Overseas, US President Donald Trump says it was a harmless “glitch” that a prominent journalist was added to a highly sensitive group chat about an imminent US military operation, as top national security leaders denied any classified information was shared. For any other government, accidentally adding a journalist to a chat about military airstrikes would be a crisis. For Trump’s, it’s barely a blip on the radar.Relatives of the victims of the MH17 disaster want Russia to acknowledge its role in the downing of the plane as part of any peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine.Brisbane Lions co-captain Lachie Neale has welcomed the news the Gabba will be retired, and a larger-capacity stadium built at Victoria Park.Credit: Getty ImagesIn sport, Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale has thrown his support behind the Queensland government’s unveiling of a new Victoria Park stadium to be the centrepiece of the 2032 Olympics, believing the growth of the AFL club had made the Gabba too small to host their powerhouse rivals.And the equation is simple for Australia after their 2-0 victory in China: win their next match and they’ll seal qualification for next year’s tournament.Good morning, welcome to Brisbane Times’ news blog for Wednesday, March 26. Today the city can expect a shower or two and a top temperature of 26 degrees.In local news you need to know:New infrastructure planned for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic summer Games includes a main stadium, aquatic centre and a main athletes village on the site of the RNA showgrounds.After almost four years of indecision, politicking, captain’s calls and confusion, the Brisbane 2032 Olympics finally has a road map – and the man charged with delivering the Games says it was worth the wait.One of the venues in Tuesday’s long-awaited Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games announcement appears unlikely to host Olympic events.And a new Brisbane Arena has been axed from Olympic plans, but the Crisafulli government hopes the entertainment venue can still be built with private funding.Only a few weeks after south-east Queensland braced through Cyclone Alfred, the region and other parts of the state are preparing for heavy rainfall, with flooding possible in some areas.And Shane Delia’s Layla restaurant in West End wows with a new take on Middle Eastern food.