Erin Patterson found guilty of murdering three guests with deadly mushroom lunch
The jury has reached a verdict in Erin Patterson's murder trial, finding her guilty of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. Patterson had pleaded not guilty to murdering three relatives and attempting to murder another by serving them Beef Wellingtons containing death cap mushrooms during a lunch at her home at Leongatha in regional Victoria in July 2023. Patterson's parents-in-law Don and Gail Patterson both died after the lunch, along with Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson. Heather's husband Ian Wilkinson survived after spending weeks in hospital. The trial was held in the Latrobe Valley Law Courts in the regional Victorian town of Morwell. Reporter: Jarrod Whittaker (Sale)
Northern Territory Coroner Elisabeth Armitage has delivered her findings in a long-running inquest into the fatal police shooting of 19-year-old Warlpiri-Luritja man Kumanjayi Walker during an arrest in Yuendumu in 2019. Judge Armitage found former constable Zachary Rolfe, who fired the fatal shots, "was racist", and that she could not exclude the possibility that those attitudes "were a contributing cause of Kumanjayi's death". The NT Police Force says it will "carefully consider" Judge Armitage's 32 recommendations and more than 600 pages of findings.Reporter: Carly Williams in Yuendumu
A former underground miner is suing Anglo Coal for more than $1 million in damages following separate explosions at Grosvenor Coal Mine. The 35-year-old is suffering post-traumatic stress disorder from multiple incidents. Anglo American says the health, safety and wellbeing of workers is top priority and it is committed to ensuring a safe working environment. Reporter: Ellie Will cox (Rockhampton)
Gunlom Falls, one of Kakadu National Park's most popular sites, reopened today, giving visitors access for the first time in six years. The waterfall was closed in 2019 due to a dispute between traditional owners and Parks Australia over damage to a sacred Aboriginal men's site. Reporter: James Elton (Katherine)
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SBS Australia
an hour ago
- SBS Australia
Reserve Bank defends its interest rates decision
Listen to Australian and world news, and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts . The Reserve Bank governor defends interest rate hold as necessary to curb inflation Israel working on plans to relocate Palestinians from Gaza into third countries Matildas edge Panama with stoppage-time winner to end WA tour on a high The Reserve Bank Governor has countered claims that the central bank betrayed mortgage holders by keeping interest rates steady. Michelle Bullock says the R-B-A's decision reflects the need to ensure the costs of goods remains under control for all Australians. The surprise decision went against expectations of most traders and economists, who were leaning towards a 25 -basis-point cut to the cash rate. Ms Bullock says the bank is trying to maintain price stability and full employment. "No, I don't think we're betraying anyone. I think betrayal would be letting inflation get out of hand. What's made it so difficult for households over the past year or so has been the cost of living. We're never going to go back from the level of prices now but we can at least stop them from rising as quickly. So I think that households should be banking on us to make sure that we don't let inflation get away again. Provided inflation keeps coming in as expected, we can expect interest rates to decline. But we need to make sure we've nailed inflation." The family of 19-year-old Warlpiri man Kumanjayi Walker - who was fatally shot by Northern Territory police - say they remain sceptical police will be able to eliminate institutional racism. The comments follow a final report from a three-year coronial inquiry into the shooting, with Coroner Elizabeth Armitage finding Mr Walker's death was avoidable, that Constable Zachary Rolfe was racist and the N-T police bears all the hallmarks of institutional racism. In response, N-T Police have acknowledged this systemic racism and pledged to stamp out bigotry in its ranks. But Kumanjayi Walker's cousin Samara Fernandez-Brown says she has little faith the force can be reformed. "I wouldn't necessarily hold my breath and hope for the Northern Territory Police. I think I'd like to see a structural change but perhaps moving away from police and moving around community-based solutions and accountability and structures that are safe. At the moment, the Northern Territory is inherent unsafe for Aboriginal and Torres-Strait Islander people. For me, asking the Northern Territory Police to become safe is unsustainable and a band-aid solution, so I'd like to see a structure that replaces that altogether." ++++ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel is continuing to work with the United States on a plan to facilitate the relocation of Palestinians outside of Gaza. Both leaders say the relocations should be voluntary, with Mr Netanyahu suggesting deals with third countries are close. "We're working with the United States very closely about finding countries that will seek to realise what they always say, that they want to give the Palestinians a better future. And those who, and I think we're getting close to finding several countries. And I think this will give, again, the freedom to choose. Palestinians should have it. And, I hope that we can secure it close by." It comes amid reports the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which now runs aid in the strip, has submitted its own proposal to the White House to realise Mr Trump's vision, which originally included U-S ownership, and mass forced displacement. The $2 billion plan would reportedly involve "large scale" and supposedly "voluntary" camps inside, and possibly outside, of Gaza. Three crew members aboard the Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated bulk carrier Eternity C have been killed in an alleged Houthi drone and speedboat attack off the coast of Yemen, according to the E-U naval mission Aspides. It's the second such incident in a day, breaking months of relative calm. Red Sea shipping traffic has dropped sharply since the Iran-backed Houthi militia began targeting vessels in November 2023, claiming solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza conflict. These are the first reported seafarer deaths in the region since June 2024, bringing the total number killed in Red Sea attacks to seven. The ship's operator, Cosmoship Management, has not yet commented. The Matildas have claimed a 3-2 victory over Panama at H-B-F Park in Perth, thanks to a stoppage-time goal by defender Charli Grant. It brought some redemptions for the team, which lost an earlier game against Panama in Bunbury on Saturday [[05 JULY]]. The win was a good way for the Matildas to finish their four-match stint in Western Australia, but they still have plenty of work to do. Australia only has two more international windows to prepare ahead of the 2026 Asian Cup, which kicks off on March 1.
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
‘Share a bed': Former NT judge facing sexual harassment probe
A former Northern Territory Supreme Court judge is facing 'very serious' allegations of sexual harassment against a former associate, with the claims to be probed by the anti-discrimination body after a failed bid by the government to block the inquiry. The female former associate first lodged a complaint with the Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commission (NTADC) in May 2024 via law firm Maurice Blackburn, alleging serious sexual harassment by the judge and sex discrimination by other judicial officers in relation to their handling of her complaints. Dr Vivienne Thom, the top investigator in the probe which found former High Court judge Dyson Heydon sexually harassed six female associates, was commissioned by the NT government to investigate the complaint. Her report concluded the judge had sexually harassed the associate, but the NT government urged the NTADC to dismiss the complaint on the basis the alleged events occurred years earlier. In a June 12 decision, the NTADC rejected the NT government's arguments and accepted the complaint. The NTADC has discretion to accept a complaint outside of the statutory 12-month time limit if it deems it appropriate to do so. The NTADC said the complaint was 'very serious'. The alleged harassment included making inappropriate comments, taking photos of her without permission and directing her to attend social engagements with him outside of work hours. The judge also allegedly asked the associate if she 'liked having massages', commented on her appearance and on one occasion said they should travel to see a concert and 'share a bed to save money'. When the associate complained to another judicial officer, she was told to speak directly to the judge involved about her concerns and to report back if the harassment 'gets worse', according to the complaint. The judicial officer said one option was to 'swap [the complainant] with a male associate'. The woman alleges she was offered no further assistance or support. She alleges she was left devastated by the experience, abandoned her legal career and required treatment for the psychological impact of her experience at the court. It wasn't until 2020 when she saw media reports about sexual harassment claims made by former associates against Justice Heydon that she believed it might be possible to seek redress. 'The High Court's unprecedented apology to six former female associates of Dyson Heydon was a powerful turning point in my life,' she said in a statement via her lawyers. 'Up until then, I did not believe that there were any avenues that could address the sexual harassment I experienced in my role as a judge's associate and the devastating impact that it had on my career and wellbeing. The brave women that came forward with their complaints of sexual harassment to the High Court made it possible for me to do the same. I am driven to seek accountability for what happened to me. I hope that my claim may set an example in the Northern Territory.' A spokeswoman for the NT's Country Liberal Party government said in a statement that Attorney-General Marie-Clare Boothby was 'unable to comment on the alleged matter you're referring to'. In its decision to accept the complaint, the NTADC said the allegations 'involve the abuse of an immense workplace power imbalance'. 'Further, the respondents are individuals in whom significant public trust is placed, and they should be expected to act with the highest degree of integrity,' it said. 'The power imbalance between the parties could not be more pronounced.' The NTADC said it was 'is in the public interest that judges and public officials are not seen as 'above the law' and are held to account when there are serious allegations of sexual harassment and sex discrimination made against them'. 'Providing a process to progress complaints of this nature, despite the expiration of the limitation period, will not only advance the objects of the Act, but promote public confidence in the justice system more broadly,' it said. The legal complaint is filed against the NT government, the former judge, two other senior officers and the Commissioner for Public Employment. The claim seeks an apology for the alleged harassment and discrimination she endured, as well as damages for injury, distress and the loss of her legal career. Maurice Blackburn principal lawyer Josh Bornstein said it was 'bizarre' that the NT government was 'trying to kill the case' on the basis of time despite commissioning Dr Thom's report into the allegations. 'She's an impeccable person with incredible credentials, she upheld the allegations of sexual harassment, and then [the NT government] for some reason wants to try to block the case going to a proper [adjudication],' Mr Bornstein said. He noted that while sexual harassment complaints were generally time-limited, 'recently the tide has turned a bit because [there is growing realisation] people don't come forward until years down the track'. Maurice Blackburn also acted for three women who made the complaints about Justice Heydon. After the High Court's 2020 apology to the victims of Justice Heydon, courts around the country undertook major reforms to ensure judges' employees could work without the threat of sexual harassment. Mr Bornstein said he had also assisted 'many other women to bring claims of sexual harassment against other judges and to resolve them without the need for litigation'. He slammed the NT government's 'attempt to block access to justice' for the alleged complainant as 'prehistoric'. 'Someone forgot to tell the Northern Territory government that we live in the 21st century,' he said. Mr Bornstein said adding 'further insult' was the fact that 'women who suffer sexual harassment in the Northern Territory are already treated as second-class citizens'. Under NT law, a woman who suffers serious injury and loses her legal career can only be compensated a maximum of $60,000 per respondent — the lowest in the country. That amount has remained unchanged since the 1990s. 'That's a law that probably should have been repealed in 1954,' said Mr Bornstein, who called for the government to 'urgently remove the cap to bring the law into line with the rest of the country'. Under the federal Sex Discrimination Act, there is no cap on damages.
ABC News
2 hours ago
- ABC News
City of Moreton Bay claims homeless people consented to having camps thrown away
A Queensland council says homeless campers "consented" to having their tents destroyed and possessions thrown into rubbish trucks during the clearing of a park used by rough sleepers. The City of Moreton Bay denied destroying people's property and said it only removed "unwanted items" from camps that had been "abandoned" by their owners. It comes after the council made homeless camping illegal on public land in March, prompting a crackdown on tent cities in April. Former homeless woman Debbie Bobeldyk said she had not left her camp willingly, nor had she consented to the council throwing out her personal belongings. She said the council threw away an urn containing her daughter's ashes, her fridge, portable air conditioner and several fences. The 58-year-old was one of the homeless campers who left Eddie Hyland Park in April after the council threatened her with a maximum fine of $8,065 if she stayed. Ms Bobeldyk said council officers gave her and her husband, John, one hour to collect what belongings they could before officers demolished their tent site with an excavator. "We couldn't pack everything up in that time, I could hardly breathe because of the panic, we could hardly get any of it," Ms Bobeldyk said. "We never gave them permission. A council spokesperson said it took a sensitive and empathetic approach to homeless campers. "City of Moreton Bay maintains a compassionate approach and supports rough sleepers to gather their personal items," the spokesperson said. "Council officers provide rough sleepers with bags for them to store and retain items such as clothing, medication and toiletries. "Council collects items identified as waste by rough sleepers and items that have been abandoned at campsites." The spokesperson said the council might also take items and hold them for 20 days for homeless people to collect. Homeless man Karl Eichin said he was evicted from his camp at Sweeney Reserve in April, and had not left of his own free will. The 43-year-old said he felt "intimidated" into leaving by a group of about eight council and police officers. Mr Eichin moved to a council-owned bush reserve in Kallangur. He is one of 11 homeless campers in Kallangur being represented by human rights lawyers in a Supreme Court case against the City of Moreton Bay. Mr Eichin said he did not want to live in a tent in Kallangur, but he had not been offered social housing. "I've been on the waiting list for years. I've had to go back and forth with [the Department of] Housing, but there are just so many people." The latest state government figures show that, as of March, there were 5,493 people on the social housing waiting list in the City of Moreton Bay — the highest in the region's history. The number of people on the Moreton Bay waiting list has more than doubled since 2018.
