Australia news live update: ex-Cyclone Jasper pelts north Queensland with rain; economy adds 61,500 jobs in a month – latest | Australia news

Treasurer Jim Chalmers is speaking to the media from Canberra following the release of the latest job figures today.

If you missed it, Peter Hannam brought us all the details here:

Chalmers pointed to figures showing the economy added 61,500 jobs last month, with all but 4,500 of them full-time ones.

So many of them have been full-time and the participation rate is up as well, and that is a very welcome and very important outcome.

To put this in context as we conclude 2023, we have unemployment with a three in front of it, we have inflation moderating, we have wages going again after a decade of stagnation, we have got the narrowest gender pay gap that we’ve ever had, we have got we have delivered a surplus and we have a very small deficit this year.

Even in the midst of slowing economy and growing global uncertainty, we approach 2024 from a position of genuine economic strength given the conditions.

There are 61 bush and grass fires burning across New South Wales, as of 12.30pm, with 11 not yet contained.

The Rural Fire Service said as the heat increases this afternoon, firefighters will be supported by water bombing aircraft to strengthen containment lines.

A bushfire in the Tenterfield region is burning at advice level – meaning there is no immediate danger and people should stay up to date in case the situation changes.

The Trap Mountain Dumaresq Valley fire is burning 55km south west of Tenterfield, in remote and rugged terrain.

It has burnt around 2,800 hectares and is being controlled. Firefighters will continue working to establish containment lines over the coming days.

Defence industry minister Pat Conroy was in Washington as the US Senate passed the next piece of legislation needed for the Aukus deal.

As Daniel Hurst brought us earlier on the blog, the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act includes provisions to allow the US to sell Virginia class nuclear powered submarines to Australia in the 2030s, and other measures to free up the sharing of defence technology under the Aukus pact, which also includes the UK.

Posting to X/Twitter, Conroy said:

Honoured to be in Washington as the US Senate passes the legislation crucial for the AUKUS program.

This landmark step brings us closer to seizing a generational opportunity, fortifying our ability to protect our nation and contributing to stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Reports of looting ‘disturbing’: deputy premier

The deputy premier, Steven Miles, says he has not called for assistance from the defence force.

I have confidence in our police and their ability to deal with that. In Townsville, the police commissioner has deployed very significant additional resources, dozens of additional police as well as extra vehicles. They are on the ground now.

Miles called reports of looting in the region ‘“disturbing”.

This is certainly not the time to take advantage of those who are vulnerable and suffering from the impacts of the cyclone.

I know our police are out there in the field keeping our communities safe but we should not be making their job harder and forcing them to deal with those kind of crimes, when really all they want to do is help get people up into the homes.

Low damage to infrastructure from ex-Cyclone Japser

Brad Commens, from the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, has given an update on damaged caused by ex-Cyclone Japser:

We currently [have] got out a damage assessment teams out [on] the field. Since 6am, we have conducted 236 damage assessments.

Only 10 of those were minor and 8 were moderate, so not a great deal of damage to community infrastructure and housing. So that is very good.

‘If it’s flooded, forget it’: Queenslanders warned to stay away from flood waters

The minister for emergency management, Murray Watt, is also urging people in far north Queensland to bewary of flooded regions:

If there is one message for people today it is this: if it’s flooded, forget it.

Last year, we saw over 10 people die in flood waters in Queensland alone just from driving into flood waters. We don’t want to lose any lives resulting from people thinking they can drive through flood waters when they actually cannot.

Today is a day to be careful on the roads, if you need to be on the roads at all.

Queensland authorities provide update on ex-Cyclone Jasper

Deputy premier Steven Miles says up to $900 in disaster relief payments are available for families of five to cover costs of essentials like food, clothing and medicine.

We have already seen flash flooding with eight people having to be evacuated by SES from the roof in Mosman.

A major flood warning is ongoing for the Daintree River. Remember to listen to the warnings.

Don’t enter flood waters …. If it’s flooded, forget it. There are about 40,000 homes and businesses without power.

Jobs data won’t prevent interest rate rise: EY chief economist

EY Oceania’s chief economist, Charelle Murphy, says today’s job data won’t be enough to shift the RBA’s thinking about interest rates alone.

Here’s what Murphy told ABC News a few moments ago:

I do not think it will be enough to change the Reserve Bank’s view of where it is right now. The next is meeting in February. That is when we will get the next possibility of an interest rate rise.

There is certainly some chance they do increase rates again because they think that the economy is running just that little bit too hot for inflation to come down into its target band.

However, when we start to see evidence … the weak GDP number in the third quarter of this year, combined with some indicators like job ads which have softened a little bit, they may not be in a hurry.

They might want to sit and watch how the economy evolves.

SA government gives greyhound racing industry two years to ‘clean itself up’

The South Australian government has released the findings of an inquiry into the greyhound racing industry this morning.

Premier Peter Malinauskas said the report listed 86 “substantial recommendations that will lead to change”.

The inquiry was launched after a video emerged showing the alleged mistreatment of a dog within the industry.

Of the 86 recommendations, 57 are from the review itself, 14 from the greyhound racing industry, 10 from the RSPCA and five from the Animal Justice Movement.

Malinauskas:

The greyhound racing industry has within it some good people. In fact, a lot of good people, who care very much for their animals and show them the respect and dignity that the greyhound racing industry [needs to] survive in South Australia – but only if it cleans up its act. This report makes plainly clear that there is work that needs to be done if the greyhound racing industry is going to continue in our state.

The premier singled out recommendation 57, which says the industry has two years to “clean itself up”.

Otherwise, it faces the prospect of no longer being able to enjoy the social licence and the government support that is required for it to be able to operate. And that’s a strong recommendation and one that the government accepts.

An inspector will be appointed to monitor the implementation of the recommendations, and report back after two years whether or not the industry should continue.

BoM issues fresh flood warnings for Daintree, Mossman rivers

The Bureau of Meteorology has just reissued its flood warnings for the Daintree, Mossman and Barron rivers following Tropical Cyclone Jasper.

Rainfall totals up to 444mm have been recorded in the Daintree and Mossman river catchments in the 24 hours to 9am, local time. Heavy rainfall is expected to continue into tomorrow, and a severe weather warning is current.

The Daintree River is now at 8.05m and rising, with moderate flooding. It is likely to reach the major flood level of 9m from late this morning, with further rises possible.

The Mossman River is reaching similar levels to that of the January 2019 flooding event. River levels are expected to continue rising, with further rapid rises possible.

Minor flooding is occurring along the Barron River, downstream of Barron Falls. Rainfall totals of 65-450mm have been recorded over the catchment in the 24 hours to 9am.

Meanwhile, moderate flooding may occur at Cairns Airport, where the Barron river is now at 2.78m and rising. It may reach the moderate flood level of 3m late this morning.

Aukus legislation passes US Senate, heads to House next

Daniel Hurst

Assistant foreign affairs minister leads bipartisan meeting with Israeli women’s group

The assistant foreign affairs minister, Tim Watts, who is now in Israel, has led a bipartisan group to meet the Israel Women’s Network. He said the network detailed “the horrifying sexual and gender-based violence occurring” in the Israel-Gaza war.

In a post to X/Twitter, Watts wrote:

I thank the Network, and the frontline staff across the world who work for gender equality in conflicts, for their tireless efforts, determination, and resilience.

The Australian government is deeply concerned about sexual gender-based violence and we support a range of women, peace and security initiatives globally.

Australia’s jobless rate rose in November, ABS says

Peter Hannam

BoM forecasts storms across Queensland

Here’s a closer look at the forecast for Queensland today, via the Bureau of Meteorology.

Severe storms with damaging winds are possible in the southern interior, including Charleville and St George. An ongoing severe storm risk remains for the far north:

Emergency management minister Murray Watt has just shared this video from Cairns:

Far north Queensland is continuing to see heavy rainfall and strong winds after Tropical Cyclone Jasper hit last night.