Australia news live: Barnaby Joyce denies drinking problem; ACCC warns Taylor Swift fans to be wary of online offers of last-minute Melbourne show tickets

Severe thunderstorm warnings for Illawarra and central NSW

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for the Central Tablelands and some parts of the Illawarra and the Central West Slopes in NSW.

The thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall and localised flash flooding over the next few hours, the Bureau of Meteorology said.

Woman found dead in Queensland flood waters was Indian national, high commission says

AAP has more details on the woman who has found dead in a car submerged in flood waters in Queensland:

The vehicle was first spotted in the flooded Malbon River at Duchess near Mount Isa in Queensland’s remote north-west yesterday afternoon.

The 28-year-old woman – believed to be an Indian national – was later located deceased inside the car by emergency services.

It is believed the woman had tried to drive through a flooded causeway.

The Indian High Commission in Australia posted on social media today:

Heart breaking tragedy in Australia: an Indian national lost her life in a flooding incident near Mount Isa, Queensland.

Deepest condolence to the family of the deceased. Mission team is in touch for all necessary assistance.

Tropical Cyclone Lincoln officially declared for northern Australia
The Bureau of Meteorology has officially declared the low moving over parts of the Northern Territory and the Gulf of Carpentaria as a tropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Lincoln is expected to cross the southern Gulf of Carpentaria coast this afternoon, with strong gale force winds and heavy rainfall.

As it moves inland tonight, the system is expected to weaken and begin moving west across the central NT over the weekend.

It will then move over northern WA, bringing heavy rainfall to areas near its path.

Albanese: ‘consequences of Rafah invasion are dire’

Moving to a more serious matter, Albanese is asked about the situation in Rafah. He said:

I have issued a statement with the prime minister of Canada and the prime minister of New Zealand. The consequences of a ground action in Rafah would be catastrophic and we are concerned, which is why we have repeated the call that we made weeks ago now for a humanitarian ceasefire. It is required.

Every single innocent life is of value, whether Israeli or Palestinian, and that is why we have made this very clear statement to the Israeli government that we are very concerned about the consequences of any proposed action on the ground in Rafah.

We have over 1m people who have been forced, due to the actions in Gaza, to flee to this very area for safety. Given that circumstance, there was nowhere for them to go safely. The consequences of an invasion are dire.

Prime minister Anthony Albanese is speaking to the media from Lake Haven in NSW, spruiking the latest Medicare urgent care clinic.

Seeing as he is on the Central Coast, and his fiance Jodie Haydon is from the region, he is asked whether they might have a wedding on the Central Coast.

Albanese:

I did pop the question on Wednesday night. Since then I’ve been in parliament in Canberra, I’ve travelled to the Central Coast here and we will take our time … While this has been a public announcement, we will have those discussions as appropriately between myself and Jodie and with due respect to the media – who all have a view about where it should be – we will have those discussions privately, as you would expect.

But can I take the opportunity to thank people for the very warm wishes that we have received, which have been delightful and very happy.