North Queensland Floods Force Evacuations as NSW Battles Major Bushfire

An 85-year-old man is missing in flood waters, while search continues for a teenager swept out to sea in Victoria.

Severe flooding in North Queensland has led to the evacuation of the remote Aboriginal community of Wujal Wujal, with around 250 to 300 people expected to be relocated to Cooktown. Cooktown itself is low on supplies, with only three days' worth of food left.
An 85-year-old man has been reported missing in the flood waters in Degarra, with a search and rescue operation underway.
A major bushfire in north-west New South Wales near Narrabri has flared up, with residents in the remote area told it is too late to leave. The fire is currently out of control.
Search efforts are continuing for a teenager who was swept out to sea off Victoria’s west coast.
Mutual obligations for Centrelink recipients have been paused nationally until 1 January, with welfare recipients in some flood-affected postcodes set to receive their payments automatically.