Industrial hemp growers in New South Wales are flouting the law to produce medical cannabis products for the black market, according to the head of Australia's largest hemp seed food producer.

Purchasing this item on the black market brings risks such as the unknown contents of the CBD products,  Mr Cochrane says, "They don't know what's in it, they don't know how it's grown, they don't know if it's got mould, they don't know if it's got pesticides, heavy metals — the list just goes on,"

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is under fire after rejecting a question from a journalist asking about political corruption. 

The journalist requested information in regards to the Daryl Maguire and the recent funding allegations, the Premier refused to comment further and disregarded the reporter.

Ray Stevens, Member for the Mermaid Beach electorate, has spoken out against the excessive criminal activity that is resulting in the losses of thousands of dollars for small businesses.

Stevens told 4zzz that the only solution is to toughen the court sentencing and tackle the repeat offenders. Police have advised Stevens that it is the same young offenders each time who keep reoffending due to the lack of penalty and a lack of follow ups for breaching bail.

This story contains themes of inequality and injustice for our first nations residents. 

The gap between indigenous Covid vaccinations has widened in all states, data shows. In Queensland, a measly 13% of Indigenous residents are vaccinated out of a 27% vaccination rate for other residents.

Western Australia has shown the worst rating, with only an 8% vaccination rate for our first nations residents and a 27% vaccination rate for other residents.

The Taliban has stated that they will not allow Afghans to leave the country. 

The Taliban is also rejecting talks of extending the deadline for US troops to leave, after a frantic Western evacuation operation at Kabul airport picks up pace. 

A Taliban spokesperson has come out and said that while Afghan residents are able to gather and travel to Kabul Airport, the huge crowds of Afghans gathered there in recent days should return home and would not face reprisals from the country's new rulers.

Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, declared he continues to maintain the coalition when questioned about resigning after this year's controversies. 

He told Parliament in his 3-year anniversary speech that after observing their government, he intends to stay in parliament after the next election.

Victorians aged 16 to 39 will now be able to get the Pfizer vaccine with 450,000 appointment bookings opening up for the age bracket at state-run hubs.

Demand has been high for the bookings with 1.2 million Victorians in the younger age bracket yet to be vaccinated. 

Health authorities have confirmed that anyone aged 16 to 39 with an existing AstraZeneca booking will be offered the choice of either vaccine when they show up for their appointment.

More ADF troops are set to arrive at the Queensland-New South Wales border today to bolster the Queensland police force efforts to stop any ‘border hoppers’. 

It comes after a busy weekend filled with protests and several attempts of people trying to hop over the roadblocks in place on the border. 

The Department of Defence said the 120 personnel would support police law enforcement tasks at up to 12 locations including Gold Coast Highway, Coolangatta, Stanthorpe and Goondiwindi.