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National

Sydney news: Heavy rain here to stay, flood warnings for Lismore again

Here's what you need to know this morning.

Flood warnings issued

The rain is not forecast to ease all week in Sydney. (AAP Image: Joel Carrett)

More rain is forecast for everywhere from the NSW south coast to the Queensland border today, with a minor flood warning in place for parts of the north coast, including Lismore.

The Bureau of Meteorology's James Taylor says parts of the far north-east have received more than 100 millimetres of rain, including Kingscliff.

Minor flood warnings are in place for the Wilsons River at Lismore this morning, along with the nearby Richmond River.

Flooding has closed Wakehurst Parkway in both directions at Oxford Falls in northern Sydney. (ABC News)

Sharon Fox from the SES  says the state's north coast and Cronulla in Sydney's south have received especially heavy falls.

"If people wake to find their house has been inundated by heavy rain overnight, please give us a call on 132 500," she said.

"If you're experiencing any trees coming down due to the heavy falls, please do give us a call. If it's life-threatening, always dial triple zero."

Matt Kean says election was 'disaster' for Liberals

Matt Kean says the Liberal Party needs to get its act together on climate change and women. (AAP: Bianca De Marchi)

The New South Wales Liberal Treasurer, Matt Kean, has labelled the weekend election loss an "unmitigated disaster", saying the party needs to get its act together to win back the support of those the party has "abandoned".

His comments came after the Liberal Party lost three Sydney seats to teal independents, with moderate Liberal MPs unseated in Wentworth, North Sydney and Mackellar.

Mr Kean, a senior moderate, said the party had paid the price for misreading the electorate and abandoning the centre ground.

"It's an unmitigated disaster. I mean, the Liberal Party needs to get its act together when it comes to dealing with the issue of climate change … [and] listening to women," he said.

"And they need to be standing up when it comes to integrity in politics and looking to have a serious policy when it comes to an integrity watchdog in our federal political system."

McCormack not ruling out tilt at Nationals top job

Michael McCormack has held onto his seat of Riverina in south-western NSW. (AAP: Mick Tsikas)

Nationals MP Michael McCormack is not ruling out another tilt at the party's leadership. 

The Member for Riverina has held onto his south-western New South Wales seat and says he has already discussed the broader results with Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce. 

Mr McCormack says a swing against him in his electorate is likely due to broader sentiment towards the federal Coalition. 

"Look at the trying times we've had just in the past three years. There's a lot of angst in the community," he said.

"There's a lot people who feel aggrieved by the circumstances which have befallen them because of circumstances well and truly outside the government's control."

Mobile drug labs in Smithfield

Trailers such as this were used as mobile drug labs and were on the Smithfield property for almost all of March. (Supplied: NSW Police)

Police are appealing for information after the discovery of two mobile, clandestine drug laboratories and methylamphetamine in Sydney’s south-west.

Last month, officers were called to a property on Long Street, Smithfield, after the discovery of two trailers containing chemicals, solvents and equipment consistent with the manufacture of prohibited drugs.

The drug and firearms squad assisted in the dismantling of the labs and subsequent seizure of around 8 kilograms of methylamphetamine powder, and a further 28 kilograms of methylamphetamine liquid.

Drug and firearms squad commander Detective Acting Superintendent Gillian Lister said police were confident that someone might have seen the owner or occupants of the vehicle in the vicinity of the property.

“Methylamphetamine is a scourge on our community, and I urge anyone with information to do what is right and come forward to police,” Superintendent Lister said.

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