Energy crisis grips Australia

Australians have been warned to expect blackouts across the densely populated east coast on Tuesday, as an energy crisis grips one of the world's biggest coal and gas producers.

The Australian Energy Market Operator warned there could be significant power shortfalls in the states of Queensland and New South Wales, which are home to more than 13 million people.

It also issued notices for a forecast of reserve shortfalls in the states of Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.

Newly elected Prime Minister Anthony Albanese blamed the energy crisis on the previous government, which was in power for nearly a decade.

"The consequences of the former government's failure to put in place an energy policy is being felt right now," he told reporters in Brisbane.

Albanese said  "all things are on the table" as his government examines how to ease the crisis, which has dominated his centre-left government's first weeks in power.