Australia news live update: unemployment rate jumps to 5.2%; NSW braces for widespread flooding; Morrison defends EV policy

Let’s go to Nino Bucci who is following the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission happening in Victoria.

This from AAP just now:

Accused drug lord Mostafa Baluch is on his way back to Sydney after a Queensland court approved his extradition to NSW.

Baluch’s alleged attempt to flee to freedom ended on Wednesday morning when he was found hiding in a grey Mercedes concealed in a shipping container being transported on the back of a truck. The fugitive had been on the run from police when he was nabbed during a botched bid to cross the Queensland border.

Sixteen days earlier, he allegedly cut off his ankle monitor while on bail sparking “one of the largest fugitive hunts in the country”. Police allege he was planning to flee overseas from Queensland.

Queensland officers searched dozens of trucks over the past few days, before zeroing in on the shipping container after noticing it wasn’t properly secured.

After a night in the Southport Watchhouse, Baluch’s extradition hearing was held on Thursday.

Baluch – unvaccinated for Covid – remained in isolation and was unable to appear in court so listened to the proceedings by phone. His lawyer, Nicholas Andrews, consented to the extradition application without objection, with Baluch expected to return to Sydney later in the day.

He is charged with a string of drug offences related to a 900kg shipment of cocaine into Australia that had a street value of $270m. Baluch will now also face charges over his alleged breach of bail

Prime minister Jacinda Ardern’s popularity has plummeted in two new polls, as New Zealand struggles to contain a Delta outbreak and transitions to a new era of endemic Covid.

Palaszczuk also said residents in Beaudesert and Warwick also needed to be on alert and get tested if they have symptoms but that health authorities weren’t concerned because the case is linked.

“It is a young woman in her teens from Beaudesert. She is a close contact of a confirmed case from that Moree cluster that we talked about the other day.

“And she was tested in home quarantine, so she spent a couple of days infectious in the community in Warwick and half a day infectious in Beaudesert.“

Palaszczuk said residents on the Gold Coast needed to get tested if they have symptoms.

“If we see more unlinked community transmission the Gold Coast in the next 24 to 48 hours, we may have to put in place some further restrictions.

“Therefore, people should consider on public transport on the Gold Coast, they should consider about wearing a mask, but also too if they are in crowded situations.”

In Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has said the government will decide further measures in the coming days after two new cases were found in the community.

Health Minister Greg Hunt has spoken about the 90% milestone:

“In a country general practice, Indigenous medical clinic, in a suburban pharmacy, someone will be the Australian who ticks us over 90% of 16-plus who have a vaccination.

“And what that has meant is that we have been protecting Australians and that’s an extraordinary achievement and I want to thank and honour all of those who have contributed.

“So today is a milestone day in protecting Australia and reaching a 90% vaccination rate during the course of today.”

In really good news – Australia will reach another vaccination milestone today. The country is on track to surpass the 90% first-dose target for 16s and over.

The driver of the truck has been charged with intending to pervert the course of justice. He owns the trucking company that has been raided.