Attorney-General Robert McClelland has activated the Australian government’s commonwealth disaster plan (Comdisplan) yesterday afternoon as tropical cyclone Yasi heads towards the Queensland coast.

Mr McClelland said Comdisplan has been activated following a request from the Queensland government for Australian Defence Force support to evacuate patients from two hospitals in Cairns.

The Queensland government has asked for RAAF support to evacuate more than 250 patients from the Cairns Base Hospital and Cairns Private Hospital.

According to Mr McClelland, planes have been fitted out the necessary equipment to undertake this critical evacuation.

“This will be a massive logistical operation but the fact that these drastic measures need to be undertaken is an indication of how serious the threat is, he said adding “All the signs are that this will be an extremely severe weather event.”

Emergency Alerts have been issued to residents in communities that are likely to be affected.

“The government urges residents in communities in Far North Queensland, North Queensland and Central Queensland to listen to the advice of authorities and treat the cyclone threat as extremely serious - residents should be taking all precautions, including stocking up on essential items,” said Mr McClelland.

“The Australian government will continue to work closely with our Queensland counterparts to help Queensland deal with the threat of tropical cyclone Yasi.”