Bay police target drink-driving and impatience as 2025 road toll hangs in the balance.

Her viral Waiheke community post drew comments from Europe, the US and Britain.

Two passengers attacked the taxi driver in a frightening experience.

A group of Kiwi friends arrived at the Gold Coast to find they had been duped.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson will end 2025 on a relative high, with new polling showing her likeability rating has surged in the past year.

According to new figures from Resolve Political Monitor for Nine newspapers, Hanson's likeability among voters jumped from -13 at the end of 2024 to +3 by the end of 2025.

While still on the lower scale of likeability ratings for federal politicians, it puts the Queensland senator in close to the most-liked position of her career, mirroring a surge in primary support for her party this year.

READ MORE: Queensland floods turn deadly as rain continues to pour

Hanson also recorded the second-highest "familiarity" score of 93 per cent, behind only Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at 97 per cent.

Her newest follower, New England MP Barnaby Joyce, also saw his popularity rocket by 18 points – though he still remains one of just two politicians surveyed with a net unlikeable rating, having shifted from -22 to -4.

While Albanese was rated at +9 likeability (up from -17 at the end of 2024), the pollsters noted these figures were compiled before the Bondi Beach terror attack on December 14.

READ MORE: Cath restocks her pantry once a year. She's already planned her meals for 2026

Albanese has been attacked by political opponents and members of the community, including victims' families, in the aftermath, and his government has been blamed for not doing enough to stem rising antisemitism in Australia.

A smaller Resolve poll, with a greater margin of error, conducted after the attack, saw Albanese's likeability drop from +9 to -5, while opposition leader Sussan Ley went from +8 in the pre-attack poll to +1.

The pre-attack poll showed Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie retain her crown as Australia's most-liked politician with a rating of +15, though she was joined by fellow Independent David Pocock.

READ MORE: Python hitches ride in unsuspecting driver's car across Queensland-NSW border

Small Business Minister Dr Anne Aly, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King were the most-liked members of the government, at +12, +11, and +11 respectively.

Goldstein MP Tim Wilson is the most-liked member of the opposition, also on +11.

Aside from Joyce, the only surveyed politician to earn a net disliked rating was independent Senator Lidia Thorpe, at -12.

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

A man has died in Queensland floodwaters as the state braces for another day of heavy rain.

Police were called to Gulf Development Road at Normanton, in the state's north-west, at about 3pm yesterday.

They found a car submerged in floodwaters, where the body of a man aged in his 70s was located inside.

READ MORE: Python hitches ride in unsuspecting driver's car across Queensland-NSW border

The death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

It comes as the state's north faces record rainfall for the fourth day in a row, with landslides, widespread flooding and more than 30 roads cut off yesterday afternoon.

Rainfall is expected to ease today, but the Bureau of Meteorology has warned totals could still reach up to 220mm in Townsville and 100mm in the state's west in the next 24 hours.

READ MORE: Embattled Australian cruise ship detained after running aground off PNG

Premier David Crisafulli yesterday announced disaster relief for the affected areas.

"We have two main concerns and that is roads and the impact on agriculture," he said.

"There could be some significant stock loss. We stand ready to be able to provide fodder if that is required."

READ MORE: Russia's nuclear-capable Oreshnik missiles have entered active service

Further north, between Cairns and Townsville, South Mission Beach has now recorded 850mm of rain from the current monsoon storm system.

That's expected to exceed a metre before the system moves on.

Multiple severe weather and flood warnings are in place for the state's north and north-west, including for the Norman, Flinders, Gilbert, Cloncurry, Georgina, Nicholson, Leichhardt, Bohle, Western, Diamantina, Herbert, Mulgrave, Russell, and Tully rivers.

"A tropical low embedded in the monsoon trough across the northwest will linger for the next few days whilst slowly weakening," the bureau said.

"The position of the trough will fluctuate over coming days whilst it slowly weakens, and will most likely be located between Cooktown and Townsville."

Queensland Police Minister Daniel Purdie said yesterday authorities were already in position to help with the response to the weather event.

"We've put senior police into Richmond, Mount Isa and Ingham with some support staff to help the coordination of this response," he said.

"With the fire department, we've 37 expert swift water rescue crews have been pre-positioned, coupled with air assets from the fire department ready to help."

Crisafulli also said he was confident the state was in a good position to handle the disaster and recovery.

"I want to give people assurance that we've done a lot of work to pre-prepare for the disaster season," he said.

"That really puts us in good stead and I am very confident about the way that we can handle events, both this one and in the future."

People are urged to stay up to date on the BoM website and the Queensland government's disaster website.

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Cath Armstrong is not a fan of grocery shopping, so the Victorian mum uses a method that allows her to do it as little as possible.

Each year between December 27 and 30, the founder of the popular Cheapskates Club dedicates a few days to a yearly shop to save her "time, grey hairs, frustration and stress".

"I loathe grocery shopping," Armstrong said.

READ MORE: Hannah bought her first home at 25, thanks to being a 'cheapskate'

READ MORE: How one couple keeps their grocery bill to just $37.50 a week

"People wander up and down, they park their trolleys, they stop in the middle of the aisles, it nearly sends me spare."

Armstrong switched from a weekly shop to a monthly shop years ago to avoid the chore but had to rethink her approach when life became busier with work and family.

"I stretched it out to three months, then I thought, 'Well, I can do this for six months'," she said.

"When I hit shopping once every six months, it was just bliss.

"It took a full day but then it was just one day and for six months I didn't have to go back.

"Then I thought 'I'm going to try this for a whole year'."

READ MORE: Restaurant owner only accepts cash in fight to keep institution 'old school'

READ MORE: How will Australia's new cash mandate work?

Armstrong now does a yearly pantry re-stock and smaller fresh food shops every few weeks.

The annual shop costs about $1200 and consists of enough staples for her family for the year.

"All I simply did was look back over what I'd been buying and multiplied everything so it equaled a year's worth," she said.

Armstrong finds her calculations are "pretty accurate", which helps her avoid food waste.

During the yearly shop, she buys mostly generic brands from Aldi, Coles and Woolworths.

"It doesn't take up a lot of space, I've got one shelf unit in my laundry and that's about it," she said.

READ MORE: Cash boost for more than a million Australians

READ MORE: Government calls time on $300 energy bill relief for Aussie households

Armstrong also comes up with an annual meal plan, which follows a similar pattern every week.

During a typical week, the family will have a roast dinner on Sunday, meat and vegetables on Monday, pasta on Tuesday, meat and vegetables on Wednesday, homemade pizza on Thursday, fish on Friday and Mexican food on Saturday.

She then shares dinner ideas with thousands of Cheapskates Club followers to help them slash their grocery bills and navigate meal times with ease.

Food is one of the biggest household expenses for Australian families but making small changes to the way you shop can have a big impact on your budget in the new year.

But Armstrong emphasises people don't necessarily need to go shopping once a year to reap the benefits.

"I try to tell people just because I do something doesn't mean it's right for you," she said.

"Pick the things that work for you and keep doing them."

Australian grocery shopping habits have changed

When you enter a supermarket, every product is competing for your hard-earned cash.

From the essentials to the treats on the end-of-aisle displays, shop layouts are designed to get you to spend more, according to University of Sydney retail expert Lisa Asher.

"All of these key ingredients that we would normally buy, they're all so far apart that you have to cross the store often," Asher said.

"That causes you to go down the back aisle or go down the front aisle.

"You're seeing these end displays, which prompt impulse purchases.

"They're designed to make you buy and they're very effective."

READ MORE: Sydney mum made bank writing books she's never allowed to talk about

READ MORE: Cassie had to start selling her clothes to 'make quick cash when times are tough'

Another factor that contributes to impulse spending is the current economic climate.

"The use of promotions has become more prevalent and people, through the cost-of-living crisis, have become more deal-prone," Asher said.

"We've shifted from everyday low pricing, although there are everyday low products, but you've really got to look for them.

"This shift to half price, it hasn't always been like this."

Grocery shopping habits have also changed in Australia, which has increased the likelihood of impulse buying.

"It used to be that people might do one big shop a week or once a fortnight," Asher said.

"The more frequently people are going now, the more there's temptation."

Simple ways to save

Armstrong has shared her money-saving tips with thousands of Australians for decades to help them live "debt-free, cashed up and laughing".

For Australians who want to reset their budgets in the new year, she offers a few simple suggestions to kick-start the journey.

Her first tip is to take a look at your utility bills and see if there is a better deal.

"Don't be afraid to swap, it's really easy, it's painless," she said.

Her second tip is to adjust your grocery shopping habits as necessary.

"If you shop weekly, think about moving to fortnightly or monthly," Armstrong said.

"If you don't try it, you'll never know."

Her third tip is to write a shopping list, take it to the supermarket and stick to it.

"If you've forgotten something, add it to the list for next time and make do," she said.

"The less money you spend in the shops, the more money you're going to keep in your purse."

The information provided on this website is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice. The information has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information on this website you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Three people have been charged over a stinky stunt that saw about 200 kilograms of dead shark heads dumped at the electoral office of WA Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis.

The trio face charges of trespass and depositing litter after the find in Margaret River, about 270 kilometres south of Perth.

Their alleged actions are believed to have been a silent protest over the State Government's controversial fishing ban.

READ MORE: Forensic police scour Perth home in drug probe

The minister announced an 18-month ban on recreational fishing and an indefinite ban on commercial fishing of all demersal species, also known as groundfish, in early December.

The strict restrictions were announced in an effort to save under-threat species including the popular pink snapper, red emperor and dhufish.

"They're tough and people are upset but this is the right thing to do sustain the industry and to sustain recreational fisheries," WA Police Minister Reece Whitby said.

They're all due to appear in Bunbury Magistrates Court on January 22.

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Police allege they have foiled a plot to carry out a shooting in a public place after a chase of a Porsche came to a crashing end in a western Sydney golf course.

Police chased the luxury car they say was being driven suspiciously while patrolling in South Granville in the city's west just before 9.30pm last night.

The driver allegedly sped away when police tried to pull it over, and police started a chase to Rawson Road at Guildford.

READ MORE: Champ who KO'd Jake Paul involved in fatal car crash

It then collided with a fence and crashed into a public golf course.

A 17-year-old man was arrested and taken to hospital with minor injuries, before being taken to Granville Police Station.

Police allege they found a pistol in the Porsche and say a shooting was planned.

"We believe we've stopped a public place shooting," NSW Police Superintendent Grant Healey said.

"We know that's what they were talking about and the indication from the car that was pursued last night and the firearm located, we believe that they were going to shoot at a premise."

Police allege the plot was planned by an organised crime group, with the 17-year-old potentially hired to carry out the shooting.

READ MORE: Trump, Netanyahu meet as Gaza ceasefire hangs in the balance

"[We are] unsure what time and when the shooting was going to take place, but we believe [the 17-year-old] was part of a plot," Healey said.

Healey said police were still searching for other members of the group.

Detectives are also investigating two other cars they found.

A 24-year-old man was charged yesterday after tactical police swarmed a house in Fairfield West on Sunday.

Charges include recruiting others to assist in carrying out illegal activities, participating in a criminal group and contributing to a criminal activity, and knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group.

He was refused bail, and was due to appear in court today.

Police say the raid was not related to the Bondi terror attack, or to Operation Shelter, the taskforce cracking down on antisemitism.

"This is organised crime, there is nothing else in it," Healey alleged.

Investigations are ongoing.

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Six men, including two teenagers, who were charged in Sydney after loaded guns were allegedly found in a car, were likely "contract killers", police say.

Police investigating a shooting at a home on Loura Street in Tallawong in the city's north-west on November 27 have charged the men, who are aged between 16 and 25.

Police stopped a taxi carrying a 16-year-old boy and a 20-year-old man on Old Windsor Road in Old Toongabbie.

READ MORE: Proof that the terror in Bondi has changed city forever

The pair allegedly tried to run when the innocent driver stopped, but were arrested. 

Police allegedly found two loaded guns, a cloned number plate and a "dedicated encrypted criminal communication device" in the car.

Detective Acting Superintendent Brad Abdy alleged the group was likely hired by criminal organisations.

He said the pair were on their way to a home in Rouse Hill to commit a "further serious violent act involving firearms".

"We were actively searching for people who were involved in the original shooting [at Tallawong], and at that, we were monitoring this group," he said.

"We believe, after receiving information earlier yesterday, that we were required to intercept that vehicle and prevent any further acts of violence."

READ MORE: China stages military drills around Taiwan to warn 'external forces'

Later that morning when police arrived at the Rouse Hill home, three men allegedly ran.

A 17-year-old, an 18-year-old, and a 23-year-old were chased and arrested.

Police found four allegedly stolen cars with cloned number plates there, as well as live semi-automatic guns, more than 1000 rounds of high-calibre ammunition, several fake number plates and two stolen gun vests. 

"That ammunition is obviously extremely dangerous," Abdy said.

"This seizure certainly hinders that group and certainly dismantles that [alleged] criminal syndicate."

READ MORE: Semi-automatic guns, drugs found in suburban home

Police also stopped and arrested a 25-year-old man on Mountford Avenue in Guildford and allegedly found two phones, including one suspected encrypted device.

They searched another home on Talbot Street in Guildford and allegedly uncovered more criminal communication devices, ammunition and clothes.

The 16-year-old was charged with 11 offences, including two counts of possessing an unauthorised pistol and participating in a criminal group contributing to criminal activity.

The 17-year-old and 18-year-old were also charged with 11 offences, including possessing more than three unregistered firearms, one is prohibited/pistol and participating in a criminal group contributing to criminal activity.

The 20-year-old was charged with 13 offences, including participating in a criminal group contributing to criminal activity and hindering or resisting a police officer in the execution of duty.

READ MORE: Trumps sics a trusted insider on to an $18b fraud case

The 25-year-old was charged with participating in a criminal group contributing to criminal activity.

The 23-year-old is alleged to have been involved in the shooting at the Tallawong home last month and was charged with 19 offences.

He and another 19-year-old man, who was charged over the shooting earlier this month, are alleged to be the pair who wielded a sledgehammer when they tried to force their way into the home on Loura Street.

One of the men allegedly tried to shoot at the home, but when the shot failed, threw a stun grenade inside.

READ MORE: Man charged over alleged conspiracy to commit shooting

The men then allegedly got another gun from their car and fired two shots at the property before driving away and later crashing.

The two people inside the Tallawong home were uninjured. 

Investigations continue.

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.