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Major driver's licence change for Victorian drivers

A major drivers licence change has been implemented in Victoria. Up to 800,000 learner and provisional drivers in the state will soon have electronic access to their licence in a bid to make "it easier for them to go about their lives". They join the 1.2 million motorists in the state who already have the capability to access their licence digitally, a feature that was only introduced in Victoria in May this year. While the digital licences are optional, the state government said that feedback from the public has been overwhelmingly positive. Like other digital licences, it features a highly secure, timed QR code" that can be scanned by businesses and other authorities to verify authenticity and prevent fraudulent use. Victoria Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne said the initiative aims to simplify life for young drivers in the state. "We’ve seen more than 1.2 million Victorians access their licence on their phones since we launched this technology in May, and I’m sure we’ll continue to see a strong take up from our younger drivers," she said. The licences can also be updated in real-time if there are changes to conditions, personal information or if a licence has been cancelled or suspended. The state government is also working with venues to ensure licences are compatible with major scanning technology making it easier for both customers and venues across Victoria. Image: Shutterstock

Legal

Victorian plane crash victims identified

Three young men have been killed after a light plane crash in eastern Victoria at around 5.45pm on Saturday. Pilot Luke Smith, 20, his younger brother Ben Smith, 16, and their cousin Dustin Daly, 15, were on board the plane when it crashed into a paddock and burst into flames at Tinamba West in east Gippsland. They were only 15 minutes into the flight, which took off from West Sale airport, when the tragic incident occurred. The plane was reportedly seen circling several times, with witnesses saying they heard a strange sound coming from the aircraft in the moments before the crash. “From accounts that I’ve seen, there may have been circling or manoeuvring to resolve that issue or to try to find somewhere to land and unfortunately, that has happened,” Aviation Projects managing director Keith Tonkin said. Luke Smith has held a pilot licence since 2022 and was also an instructor. His aviation consultant and flying instructor Lorraine MacGillivray has paid tribute to the three young men. “They were all absolutely delightful human beings, and so this is a terrible loss,” MacGillivray said. “The conversations I had with him, he was diligent and he was committed and he was passionate about his flying,” MacGillivray said. “He was also a flight instructor.” The brothers were also heavily involved in the Tongala football and cricket clubs, who have since offered counselling to the grieving regional community. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating the crash, with a team of investigators specialising aircraft operations and maintenance looking into what happened. The ATSB described the plane as "amateur-built light aircraft" and will examine the wreckage, interview witnesses and comb through flight tracking data to try and determine what went wrong. “We’ll start looking at the records of the plane itself, and maintenance records and pilot qualifications and the actual tasking or the nature of the flight itself,” ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said. Witnesses who saw the incident or anyone who has photos or videos of the plane have been asked to come forward. Images: 7News

Caring

Court views footage of final moments before Clare Nowland was tasered

A registered nurse with nearly 50 years of experience has expressed her deep concern regarding the tasering of 95-year-old Clare Nowland, a resident at Yallambee Lodge nursing home in Cooma, New South Wales. The incident occurred in the early hours of May 17, 2023, and <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/clare-nowland-dies-officer-charged" target="_blank" rel="noopener">resulted in Nowland's death</a>, a great-grandmother suffering from dementia. Senior Constable Kristian James Samuel White, 34, is currently on trial in the NSW Supreme Court facing manslaughter charges related to the incident. He has pleaded not guilty, asserting that he acted lawfully under his duties as a police officer. During her testimony, Nurse Rosaline Baker recounted her alarm when she called triple-0 after Nowland had grabbed two steak knives and a jug of prunes from the kitchen. Following her call for help, White and Acting Sergeant Rachel Pank arrived on the scene after two paramedics. Together with Baker, they located Nowland in a treatment room. When White pulled out his taser, Baker admitted she was unfamiliar with the device and felt "kind of curious". However, her curiosity turned to horror when she heard a loud noise and witnessed Nowland being struck by the stun gun. "I was very, very concerned when she was falling to the ground," Baker stated in court. The trial has revealed troubling details about Nowland's condition and behaviour leading up to that fateful night. Expert testimony indicated that her behaviour had escalated over the three months prior to her death. She exhibited increasingly anti-social behaviour, such as taking food from other residents, attempting to undress in public areas, and refusing assistance from staff. CCTV footage presented during the trial showed Nowland physically lashing out at staff members and even getting stuck in a tree, as well as footage showing the final moments of Nowland's life as she hid from emergency service staff – including Senior Constable White. Nowland had been admitted to the hospital on April 16 and prescribed the anti-psychotic drug Risperdal to manage her aggressive behaviour after incidents involving punching and biting staff. Under questioning by defence barrister Troy Edwards SC, an expert acknowledged that Nowland's behaviour just before she was tasered could have been influenced by a recent reduction in her medication dosage. The trial continues. Images: 7 News

Caring

"Unfair": Pauline Hanson's tearful pledge after court ruling

Pauline Hanson has made an emotional pledge after the court <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/judge-rules-against-pauline-hanson" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ruled</a> she made racist remarks towards a fellow senator. Justice Angus Stewart found that the One Nation leader engaged in "seriously offensive" and intimidating behaviour when told Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi to "piss off back to Pakistan" in a tweet, with the judge saying the message constitutes "strong racism". After the ruling, Hanson spoke to Sky News in a teary interview in which she called the Federal Court ruling “unfair and unjust”, lamenting that Australia was “not the country I grew up in”. <div> </div> “I just feel that the country’s changed so much in such a way that people can’t say what they think anymore. The thought police is out there, everyone’s shut down for having an opinion,” she said between sobs. “It’s not the country I grew up in." “People may criticise my comment, but I’ve never changed since the first day of politics nearly 30 years ago." “But I think the decision made I think was unfair, unjust and a bit hard, but I’m not going to give up, I’m going to appeal against it, I’m going to fight this.” Handing down his the decision on Friday, Justice Angus Stewart labelled the post as “an angry ad hominem attack”. He ruled the post was “reasonably likely in all the circumstances” to “offend, insult, humiliate and intimidate the applicant and groups of people, namely people of colour who are migrants to Australia or are Australians of relatively recent migrant heritage and Muslims who are people of colour in Australia”. Justice Stewart found that Senator Hanson’s post was motivated by “the race, colour or national or ethnic origin” of Senator Faruqi, and her response was not made in good faith as a fair comment on a matter of public interest. “Senator Hanson’s tweet was merely an angry ad hominem attack devoid of discernible content (or comment) in response to what Senator Faruqi had said,” Justice Stewart said. Image credits: Sky News

Legal

"Stern warning": William Tyrrell's foster mother abused outside court

William Tyrrell's foster mother has been targeted in wild scenes outside court as she left the inquest into the child's disappearance, as another woman was seen "hurling abuse at her". When leaving court on Monday afternoon, the woman, who is unable to be named, was abused and heckled by an unknown female, as Counsel Assisting Gerard Craddock SC informed NSW Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame. "There is no place in civil society for that at all," he told the inquiry. "It is particularly terrible in these circumstances." He asked the coroner to "remind people in attendance that orderly conduct is required. That sort of conduct could amount to being punishable by contempt of court". Coroner Grahame said, "That is very disappointing. If that person is in this court now they should be warned (the court) can take action." "That sort of behaviour must not occur. I'm just disturbed by that sort of behaviour. I use a stern warning. Please behave." The incident was revealed at the beginning of the second day of the resumed inquest into the disappearance of the three-year-old boy 10 years ago. The inquest is probing the <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/new-corpse-disposal-theory-tested-in-william-tyrrell-inquest" target="_blank" rel="noopener">police theory</a> that William Tyrell's foster mother buried his body in bushland after he fell from a balcony and died on the morning he vanished from Kendall, on the NSW mid north coast, in September 2014. Image credits: NSW Police

Legal

Teen found not guilty of murdering Brisbane mum

A teenager has been found not guilty of murdering Brisbane mother Emma Lovell, with her heart-broken widow shedding tears at the verdict. The now 18-year-old faced trial on the allegation that he had seen a knife in his co-offender's hand and knew he was armed when the pair broke into the Lovell home on Boxing Day in 2022. The main offender fatally stabbed Emma and hurt her husband Lee in the struggle that followed. With the case largely dependant on crucial split-second CCTV, Justice Michael Copley ruled he could not "be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the accused knew the other teen was in possession of the knife". The teenager was found not guilty of Ms Lovell's murder or manslaughter and also acquitted of unlawful wounding, but was found guilty of burglary and assault in company. Outside the court, Lee Lovell became emotional as he told reporters, "I'm not feeling too great at the moment - the verdict was a joke. I don't feel justified for Emma one bit." "You try and do the best you can for her and I don't feel I've been able to do that." Mr Lovell said legislation needed to be changed in order for victims and their families to have justice. "You are a part of killing someone and you get a burglary charge. What does that say for anyone going forward," he said. "We are the ones with a life sentence now." Image credits: Facebook

Legal

Is it possible to have a fair jury trial anymore?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/arlie-loughnan-12732">Arlie Loughnan</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> The decades-long mystery about what happened to 19-year-old Amber Haigh made it to court in New South Wales earlier this year. Those accused of murdering Haigh were found <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/sep/16/amber-haigh-murder-trial-verdict-not-guilty-robert-anne-geeves-ntwnfb">not guilty</a>. Usually we don’t know precisely why someone was found guilty or not. But in this case, the reasons were given. This is because the trial was “<a href="https://www.judcom.nsw.gov.au/publications/benchbks/criminal/judge_alone_trials.html">judge alone</a>”: a trial without a jury. This means the judge decides on the factual questions as well as the legal ones. And as judges are required to give reasons for their decisions, we learned what was behind the verdict, something usually hidden by the “<a href="http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/SydLRev/2013/32.pdf">black box</a>” of the jury room. Judge alone trials are <a href="https://bocsar.nsw.gov.au/research-evaluations/2024/CJB264-Summary-Effect-of-judge-alone-trials1.html">increasing</a> in New South Wales. Moves are being made in some <a href="https://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/PrecedentAULA/2020/69.html">other Australian jurisdictions</a> to increase access to judge alone trials. While it’s only possible to hold a judge alone trial in certain circumstances, and there are small numbers of such trials relative to other trials, some lawyers and judges think these trials have <a href="https://bocsar.nsw.gov.au/documents/publications/cjb/cjb251-300/CJB264-Report-Effect-of-judge-alone-trials.pdf">advantages</a> over those with a jury. This is because jury trials face a lot of challenges. Some have pondered whether, in this media-saturated environment, there is such a thing as a fair jury trial. So what are these challenges, and where do they leave the time-honoured process? <h2>What happens in a jury trial?</h2> The criminal trial brings together knowledge of the facts that underpin the criminal charge. The task of the jury is to independently assess that knowledge as presented in the trial, and reach a conclusion about guilt to the criminal standard of proof: <a href="https://www.judcom.nsw.gov.au/publications/benchbks/criminal/onus_and_standard_of_proof.html">beyond reasonable doubt</a>. Crucially, lay people provide legitimacy to this process, as individuals drawn from all walks of life are engaged in the <a href="https://theconversation.com/jury-is-out-why-shifting-to-judge-alone-trials-is-a-flawed-approach-to-criminal-justice-137397">decision-making</a> around the guilt of the accused. The jury is therefore a fundamental part of our <a href="https://theconversation.com/all-about-juries-why-do-we-actually-need-them-and-can-they-get-it-wrong-112703">democracy</a>. <h2>The changing trial</h2> For its legitimacy, the criminal trial traditionally relies on open justice, independent prosecutors and the lay jury (the “black box”), all overseen by the impartial umpire, the judge, and backed up by the appeal system. But these aspects of the criminal trial are being challenged by changes occurring inside and outside the courtroom. These challenges include high levels of <a href="https://theconversation.com/when-punitive-media-intrude-on-the-courts-role-can-justice-be-served-63824">media attention</a> given to criminal justice matters. Another is the questioning about the way <a href="https://theconversation.com/lehrmann-inquiry-whats-a-director-of-public-prosecutions-or-dpp-a-legal-expert-explains-206194">public prosecutors are using their discretion</a> in bringing charges against individuals. This is happening in NSW, ACT and Victoria. There are also concerns about “<a href="https://theconversation.com/junk-science-is-being-used-in-australian-courtrooms-and-wrongful-convictions-are-at-stake-231480">junk science</a>” being relied on Australian courtrooms. This is where unreliable or inaccurate expert evidence is introduced in trials. Some legal bodies are also demanding a <a href="https://lawcouncil.au/publicassets/0e6c7bd7-e1d6-e611-80d2-005056be66b1/120421-Policy-Statement-Commonwealth-Criminal-Cases-Review-Comission.pdf">post-appeal criminal cases review commission</a> to prevent wrongful convictions. <h2>Added complexity</h2> It is not just juries that must come to grips with complex evidence in criminal matters. Judges and lawyers are also required to grasp intricate scientific evidence, understand new areas of expertise, and get across changing practices of validating expert knowledge. The difficulty of these tasks for judges and lawyers was on show in the two special inquiries into Kathleen Folbigg’s convictions for the murder of her children, held in 2019 and 2022–23. Rapid developments in genetic science, alongside other developments, came to <a href="https://theconversation.com/folbigg-pardon-science-is-changing-rapidly-and-the-law-needs-to-change-with-it-207604">cast doubt</a> on the accuracy of Folbigg’s convictions. This was just a few years after the first inquiry concluded there was no reasonable doubt about her guilt. The challenges facing criminal trials are one dimension of much wider social and political dynamics. News and information is produced and consumed differently now. People have <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-so-many-people-have-had-enough-of-experts-and-how-to-win-back-trust-206134">differing degrees</a> of respect for scientific knowledge and expertise. Trust in authority and institutions <a href="https://theconversation.com/5-charts-show-how-trust-in-australias-leaders-and-institutions-has-collapsed-183441">is low</a>. These factors come together in a perfect storm and pose existential questions about what criminal justice should look like now. <h2>What does the future look like?</h2> The future of criminal law and its institutions depends on their <a href="https://ses.library.usyd.edu.au/handle/2123/32995">legitimacy</a>. It’s legitimacy that gives courts the social license and power to proscribe conduct, prosecute crimes and authorise punishment. Juries are a vital piece of this picture. Amid the changing environment, there are things we can do to improve jury trials and in turn, safeguard and enhance their legitimacy. One is providing extremely careful instructions to juries to make sure jurors <a href="https://theconversation.com/we-need-better-jury-directions-to-ensure-justice-is-done-104417">understand their tasks</a>, and do not feel <a href="https://lawfoundation.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/UNSW_Jury_Study_Hunter_2013.pdf">frustrated</a>. Another is introducing <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343032083_Regulating_Forensic_Science_and_Medicine_Evidence_at_Trial_It's_Time_for_a_Wall_a_Gate_and_Some_Gatekeeping">higher and better standards</a> for expert evidence. Experts testifying in court need firm guidance, especially on their use of <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-words-that-helped-wrongly-convict-kathleen-folbigg-200635">industry jargon</a>, to decrease chances of wrongful convictions. These sorts of changes might be coupled with changes in criminal laws, like enhancing laws of self-defence so they are <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5aa98420f2e6b1ba0c874e42/t/64a58aac48b25f2af05ac74f/1688570542199/CWJ+Arlie+Loughnan+and+Clare+Davidson+Australia.pdf">more accessible to women</a> in domestic violence situations. Together, this would help to future-proof criminal law, ready to meet the challenges of coming years and decades that we are yet to detect.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/239401/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/arlie-loughnan-12732">Arlie Loughnan</a>, Professor of Criminal Law, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-it-possible-to-have-a-fair-jury-trial-anymore-239401">original article</a>. </div>

Legal

Police commissioner faces his son's killer in court

The South Australian police commissioner has faced the young man accused of killing his son in a hit and run in an Adelaide court, sharing an emotional statement about his family's grief. Randhawa, 19, was behind the wheel when he struck Charlie Stevens, 18, who was out celebrating schoolies with his friends. Randhawa has pleaded guilty to aggravated driving without due care and leaving an accident scene after causing death, as Charlie died from his irreversible brain injuries following the crash. “Not a single day goes by when we don’t talk about Charlie, when we don’t talk about him together, there is not a day when we don’t shed a tear thinking about our son and how much we miss him,” Commissioner Grant Stevens said. “Charlie would have been 19 on the 28th of April this year, but instead of celebrating it, it took all our efforts just to get through the day. And we know that that grief is with us for the rest of our lives.” Mr Stevens then addressed Randhawa directly as he said, “We acknowledge you have taken responsibility for what you have done and we are sure this has been difficult for you.” “But you get to move on and the people close to you still have you in their lives. We don’t have Charlie and we want you to remember that.” Charlie’s sister Sophie Tregloan also addressed Randhawa, saying, “Do I hate you? Yes, I absolutely do – but what I hate most is what you’ve taken from myself and my family.” “You have taken so much from us in a split second dumb decision. It’s Charlie’s heart I will miss the most. He was kind, inclusive of all, a pillar of strength.” Randhawa then delivered an emotional apology to the Stevens’ family, saying, “You’re always on my mind and so is Charlie and you will be forever.” “There’s so much I’d like to say but mostly I want to say I’m sorry, and I’m sorry Charlie.” Judge Joanne Tracey is still considering an appropriate sentence for Randhawa, who is out on bail. Image credits: SA Police / Facebook

Family & Pets

Supreme Court Justice killed just three weeks after retiring

Former South Australian Supreme Court Justice Malcolm Blue has tragically died, just three weeks after retiring. The 70-year-old had been looking forward to spending quality time with his friends and family after retiring, when he was involved in a tractor accident at a vineyard in Willunga South on Saturday morning. South Australian Police were called to the scene after the accident, where police said he died at the scene from his injuries. After his 13-year role as a Supreme Court judge where he earned the respect of politicians and legal professionals, Blue retired in August, as his family said he had been looking forward to spending more time with his family during his retirement. “We are devastated by Malcolm’s loss. He was a much-loved and loving father, partner and brother, and cherished his family,” his family said in a statement <a href="https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/justice-malcolm-blue-remembered-as-a-great-south-australian-after-death-in-farming-tragedy/news-story/49330193603000f8a0cbf7933b5b7eea?amp" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-type="article-inline">to News Corp.</a> “Malcolm was always kind, funny, smart and wonderfully supportive for family, friends and legal colleagues. He was both gentle and brilliant and will be missed terribly." “Having achieved so much during a long and distinguished legal career, Malcolm was looking forward to spending more time with his family on the property." “Malcolm will be deeply missed by his partner Angela, daughters Charlotte, Victoria and Alex, three sisters, along with his extended family, many friends, and colleagues in the legal fraternity.” SA Premier Peter Malinauskas praised Blue’s service to the state at a press conference on Sunday. “Mr Blue was a great South Australian who served his community exceptionally well over a very long period of time,” Malinauskas said. “I’m sure that South Australia will appropriately honour him as someone who’s made a major contribution.” Chief Justice of South Australia Chris Kourakis said Blue’s death was felt across Australia’s judiciary and legal profession, saying, “Justice Blue was a pre-eminent intellect and jurist who selflessly devoted his energy to the work of the court and making justice more accessible to the people of South Australia.” Image credits: 7News

Caring

Samantha Murphy's accused murderer faces court

The man accused of murdering Samantha Murphy has faced court to an "unprecedented" amount of evidence. Patrick Orren Stephenson, 22, has been charged with the murder of mother-of-three Murphy, 51, at Mount Clear, after she went missing on February 4th. Stephenson was arrested in March, as the police investigation into the location of Murphy's body continued to no avail. Appearing before the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court via video link from prison, Stephenson was told he will wait behind bars for another three months before his case returns due to the "unprecedented" brief of evidence against him. Prosecutors asked the court to adjourn the committal mention for 12 weeks in order to allow them to go through a brief of evidence which contains "extensive" CCTV footage. <div>"We appreciate that is a significant period of time," prosecutor Daniel White told the court. "The brief is extensive and involves an extensive amount of CCTV footage." Stephenson's barrister Moya O'Brien agreed to the three-month delay as she said the evidence brief had only recently been served on defence and was "described as unprecedented in terms of size". Magistrate Mark Stratmann said three months was "a long time" for Stephenson and the community to wait, although agreed to allow the adjournment. Stephenson was remanded back into custody until the case returns to the Ballarat court on November 14. Stephenson's court appearance comes just days after Samantha Murphy’s loved ones marked six months since she vanished. Image credits: Nine / Facebook </div>

Legal

Victorian mother jailed for forced marriage that ended in daughter's murder

In a landmark case, a Victorian mother, Sakina Muhammad Jan, has become the first person in Australia to be jailed under forced marriage laws. Jan was sentenced to three years in prison, with a minimum of 12 months to be served, for coercing her daughter, Ruqia Haidari, into marrying a man who later murdered her. The case unfolded in Melbourne's County Court, where Jan was surrounded by emotional family and community members. Jan, an Afghan Hazara refugee, had arranged for her daughter to marry Mohammad Ali Halimi, a match brokered by a local Islamic community member in Shepparton. Despite Haidari's reluctance, Jan pressured her into a full marriage after initial dowry arrangements of $14,000 had been made. Haidari then relocated to Perth with her new husband, Halimi. Six weeks later, she was brutally murdered, her throat slashed with a kitchen knife. Halimi was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment by a Western Australian court. Judge Fran Dalziel, who presided over Jan's case, noted that Haidari had expressed her desire not to marry, preferring instead to pursue education and work. However, Jan had insisted, telling her daughter (according to Judge Dalziel): “Are you my mother or am I your mother? I can make decisions for you ... Do you think it is up to you? No matter what, you need to listen to me; your mother.” Jan's lawyers argued that she believed she was acting in her daughter's best interests, reflecting her own experiences of being married at a young age without formal education. Nonetheless, Judge Dalziel condemned Jan's actions, stating that she had "abused" her maternal power and made it clear that forced marriage is illegal and carries significant consequences for perpetrators. “It must be made clear to everyone in our country that forced marriage is against the law,” she said. “You abused your power as her mother to override her desire to not marry Mr Halimi.” After the sentencing, Jan had an emotional outburst, refusing to accept the judge's decision or sign a recognisance release order, which would have allowed her to serve two years of her sentence in the community under certain good-behaviour conditions. The courtroom scene escalated, requiring additional security and paramedics when another woman collapsed during the proceedings. This case marks the first known conviction under Australia's forced marriage laws, which were introduced in 2013. Authorities have noted an increase in such cases, particularly involving young women and girls. Images: Australian Federal Police \ 9News \ ABC News

Legal

"Heartbreaking": Teen dies after collapsing on badminton court

Rising badminton star Zhang Zhijie has died after he collapsed in the middle of a match at the Badminton Asia Junior Championships in Yogyakarta, Indonesia on Monday. In an interview with the BBC, Indonesia’s badminton association PBSI said that the 17-year-old athlete suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. The Chinese athlete was facing Japan’s Kazuma Kawano when he fell to the floor and appeared to convulse. He was stretchered off the floor and taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead after they failed to resuscitate him. Viral footage of the tragic incident has sparked fury on Chinese social media platform Weibo, after it showed that it took first medical responders more than 35 seconds to finally arrive and check his condition. According to a PBSI spokesman, medical teams were only following the rule where they needed to get the referee's permission before entering the court. “That is in accordance with the regulations and standards of procedure that applies to every international badminton tournament,” the spokesman said. The Badminton World Federation said it will investigate if the correct protocols were taken during the tragic incident. “Zhang’s death at the Badminton Asia Junior Championships in Yogyakarta, Indonesia is a tragic occurrence, and we are taking all necessary steps to thoroughly review this matter in consultation with Badminton Asia and Badminton Association of Indonesia,” they told TMZ. It is also reported that the medical responders did not have an AED machine to react to the cardiac arrest. Zhijie's death has been a trending topic on Weibo for days, with many outraged over the medical response. One person wrote: “Which is more important - the rules or someone’s life?” Another added: “Did they miss the ‘golden period’ to rescue him?” The badminton community have since paid tribute to the athlete, and they observed a moment of silence in memory of him at the championship on Tuesday. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> One minute of silence as we pay our respects to the late Zhang Zhi Jie. Rest in peace. <a href="https://t.co/DhP4actMDJ">pic.twitter.com/DhP4actMDJ</a> — BAM (@BA_Malaysia) <a href="https://twitter.com/BA_Malaysia/status/1807601602460819621?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2024</a></blockquote> The Badminton Association of Malaysia also held a moment of silence at tournament on Sunday, as seen in a video posted on X. “One minute of silence as we pay our respects to the late Zhang Zhijie. Rest in peace," they wrote. China’s badminton association also said that they were “deeply saddened” by the loss. “Zhang Zhijie loved badminton and was an outstanding athlete of the national youth badminton team,” they said in a statement. His parents have since travelled to Yogyakarta to retrieve his body. Images: Twitter/ Wide Awake Media

Caring

Charlise Mutten's mother flees court in tears

Charlise Mutten's mother has broken down and fled the courtroom in tears after being accused of murdering her nine-year-old daughter. Kallista Mutten was grilled by her ex-fiancé Justin Stein's lawyer on Tuesday about her excessive methamphetamine use, including while pregnant with his child. The grilling began when Carolyn Davenport SC accused her by saying, "You shot and killed your daughter", to which Ms Mutten replied, "Are you serious?" She then burst into tears, crying out "I didn't even know where she was shot" before Ms Davenport added that Mr Stein "had seen you deliver the second shot". After being excused from the witness box, Ms Mutten ran out of the courtroom in tears, while the jury were temporarily sent out. The dramatic moment came after Ms Mutten admitted taking methamphetamine even when her daughter came to visit. Ms Mutten was being cross-examined on day 12 of Stein's trial, who has been charged with Charlise's murder in January 2022. The 40-year-old admitted to having psychotic episodes while on using ice and had continued to take the drug despite her Charlise's visit during the summer school holidays in 2022. She denied she and Charlise were not getting along in the days before her death, or that she had been told to leave the Stein's Mount Wilson property, and instead left of her own accord. "I chose to leave because I didn't want to be there any more. Yeah, I was very hormonal, I was pregnant. Yeah, I was using, yeah. My emotions were very strong at the time," she said. Stein, 33, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Charlise, but has admitted to disposing the schoolgirl's body. Image credits: Daily Mail / Facebook / Nine News

Legal

Victorian man rides lawn mower for 800km to speak to the PM

You know the saying: mow big or mow home. And one man risked it all in hopes of scoring a meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. In an incredible 11-day journey Warren "Woz" Acott made the 800km journey from Central Victoria to Canberra to try and speak with the Prime Minister about motor neurone disease (MND). He left his home in Toolleen in Central Victoria on March 11, with no guarantee that anyone was going to meet him at the end of his journey. But his efforts have been fruitful, because by the time he arrived in Canberra this morning, he had a booking with the PM. "I've shuffled my schedule around to fit him in. I'd better go see him," Woz joked when he was told he had a meeting with the PM Albanese met met Woz in the Prime Minister's courtyard, and a crowd of families affected by MND were also waiting outside parliament to welcome Woz. "I'm overwhelmed. But it's not about me. It's about MND and the families and the carers and everybody else," Woz told A Current Affair. Woz, who lives with MND, wants the condition to be added to the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (NNDSS). This is because NNDSS conditions "a threat to public health in Australia" and are given additional funding for research." "We'll give consideration to all these things. You're a champion, mate," Albanese said. "It's all over my head. I mean, I'm a truck driver at the end of the day. But I know that if (MND is added to the NNDSS), it's more trackable, more funding, and everything else," Woz said. Robyn Sneddon, who lost her husband Ian to MND, praised Woz for his effort. "The effort he has made has been incredible. He is just a champion," she told A Current Affair. "I'm very proud of him," Snedden added. Images: A Current Affair

Caring

New details emerge in Sam Kerr incident

Court documents have revealed that Sam Kerr was taken into custody was taken into custody and placed in a holding cell on the night she <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/sam-kerr-s-alleged-racial-comments-revealed-by-uk-paper" target="_blank" rel="noopener">allegedly verbally abused</a> a UK police officer. The Matildas captain has pleaded not guilty to the public disorder charge of using insulting, threatening or abusive words that caused alarm or distress towards a police officer in Twickenham, London, on January 30, 2023. The Sun reported that Kerr allegedly vomited in a taxi, was involved in a dispute about the taxi fare, and allegedly called an attending police officer a “stupid white b*****d”, which her legal team have argued that she actually called him a "stupid white cop". Kerr was <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/sam-kerr-s-lawyers-request-police-station-cctv-footage-interview-be-retained-20240314-p5fc9w.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly</a> placed in a police custody suite inside a police station and was interviewed during that time. According to court transcripts, there were also numerous body cam clips filmed by police during the alleged incident, which will be used as evidence in court. Kerr's legal team have reportedly requested for video footage of the incident to be made available to them, and last week they asked the Kingston Crown Court for any CCTV footage from outside a Twickenham station or from inside the custody suite to be provided to them. According to News Corp, her legal team is also yet to receive footage taken from two police body cam clips, and the transcript and audio from her interview while she was detained over the incident. The Daily Telegraph reported that during her plea hearing, Kerr was also warned about delaying any decision to change her plea to guilty — should that change of plea occur. “Should there be any change in your position … the sooner you plead guilty to this matter, if that is your intention and your wish, the earlier you do that the better, do you understand?” Judge Judith Elaine Coello said. “You will lose credit as time goes on and should you be convicted after trial; you will lose all credit you might otherwise have obtained. Are you clear on all of that?” Kerr is due to face trial in February 2025, and if found guilty could face up to six months in jail or an unlimited fine. Her lawyers are preparing to apply for the charges to be dismissed next month. Images: Getty

Legal

Former world champion cyclist to face court over Olympian wife's death

Rohan Dennis, the husband of former Olympic cyclist Melissa Hoskins, will face court after allegedly causing her death. Dennis, a former world champion cyclist, was arrested in January and charged with causing death by dangerous driving, driving without due care and endangering life. It is alleged that he recklessly struck his wife with his car in front of their home in Medindie in Adelaide on December 30. Hoskins was rushed to the Royal Adelaide Hospital but died later that night. The pair share two children together, and Dennis is due to appear at the Adelaide Magistrates Court today. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. The Australian cycling community were devastated when news of Hoskins' death first broke. "Melissa described her team pursuit gold medal at the 2015 world championships as the highlight of her career but for the rest of us, the highlight was just having her around," AusCycling chief executive Marne Fechner said at the time. "Although she retired in 2017, her presence as an alumnus of the sport has been felt and appreciated by many in the cycling and riding community." Hoskins competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics as a member of the Australian track cycling team pursuit, that finished fourth place. She also competed at the 2016 Olympics for the same team, and was in the squad that won the 2015 world title in the event. The Olympian was laid to rest in her hometown, Perth, in January with a public memorial service held in Adelaide during what would've been her 33rd birthday a month later. Dennis, who has been on bail since January, attended both ceremonies. Images: Getty

Legal

"Who cares?": Kyle Sandilands backs Sam Kerr

Kyle Sandilands has weighed in on Matildas captain Sam Kerr's court battle, after it was alleged that she called a police officer in London a <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/sam-kerr-s-alleged-racial-comments-revealed-by-uk-paper" target="_blank" rel="noopener">"stupid white b*****d"</a> during a dispute over a taxi fare. Sandilands was quick to defend the Matildas captain during the Kyle And Jackie O show on Tuesday and insisted that calling someone that didn't warrant a criminal conviction. "It's not even a big deal. She call some guy 'white b*****d'. Who cares?" the 52-year-old shock jock said. "White b******s don't care about that. That's for the other races to worry about," he added, before newsreader Brooklyn Ross quickly changed the topic. Kerr, 30, is preparing to face a four-day trial next February, following the incident that occurred after a night out in Twickenham on January 30, 2023. The football star appeared in a London court on Monday after she was accused of using insulting, threatening or abusive words that caused alarm or distress to the officer. Kerr has maintained her innocence, pleading not guilty to the charges brought against her. Her legal team hope to have the case thrown out when they return to court next month. In response to the controversy, the sport's governing body Football Australia (FA) said that while they were aware of the legal proceedings, they didn't know about the charges laid against Kerr. "As this is an ongoing legal matter, we are unable to provide further comment at this time. Our focus remains on supporting all our players, both on and off the field. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide support as appropriate," they said in a statement. Images: Kyle and Jackie O show/ Getty

Legal

Iconic Victorian Sphinx Hotel up for sale

The iconic Sphinx hotel is in Geelong, Victoria is up for sale for the first time in over 50 years. The Ramia family, who built a 14m-high replica sphinx on the roof of their pub, are looking to sell their property after 53 years of ownership. “We’ve got to the stage where we all want to do our own thing and it’s quite a large family,” George Ramia, the owner of the hotel said. “We’re up to nearly 53 years here and I think we’re getting a bit tired. “I started work here when I was about 14. I recall those days I wasn’t allowed in the pub but I used to do all the beer lines. “Johnny O’Keeffe used to play a lot and he always asked me to play pool, and I was a pretty good player because it’s all I was allowed to do.” Ramia who started working at the former Golf View Hotel when he was 14, saw the venue change throughout the decades from a home for live music to a bistro and recently renovated sports bar. He also saw the venue grow in popularity, after a period of financial difficulties, when the pub was remodelled with the 14m-high Sphinx on the roof, completed with Egyptian-style motifs including hieroglyphics and even a mock gold pharaoh’s tomb in the 1990s. The pub continues to host live bands and events, including the Geelong Elvis Festival. The Sphinx Hotel is positioned on a 15,000sq m freehold land parcel, with 16-rooms of various configurations, with approvals in place to develop a further 24 rooms. It also features 67 electronic gambling machines, multiple bar areas and function rooms, an outdoor beer garden, a TAB and a recently renovated sports bar. The sale of the property also include the drive-through bottle shop and a licence capacity for 1010 patrons. The hotel is available as either a new long-term lease or a freehold going concern, which is currently being managed by CBRE Hotels’ senior director Scott Callow. “Geelong’s Sphinx Hotel presents a compelling investment opportunity in the thriving gaming and entertainment industry,” the CBRE Hotels’ senior director said. “We anticipate strong interest from a range of investment segments seeking to gain a significant foothold in Victoria’s tightly held gaming market.” Images: Sphinx Hotel / Facebook

Real Estate

"I was shocked": Lisa Wilkinson's text messages shown in court

A series of explosive texts revealed in court have shown how Lisa Wilkinson's controversial Logies speech led to her untimely dismissal from The Project. The texts are contained in an affidavit that Wilkinson and her lawyers have submitted to the Federal Court in relation to a dispute over who will pay her million-dollar legal fees after being sued by Bruce Lehrmann for defamation. In an affidavit to the Federal Court, Wilkinson said she was shocked when she found out she was being let go from The Project, after she discovered her agent Nick Fordham had a meeting with Network Ten CEO Beverley McGarvey. “I was shocked, embarrassed and deeply disappointed by Ms McGarvey’s decision to remove me from The Project,” she said. “At that time, my most recent contract as co-host of The Project had only been signed 11 months before and still had more than two years to run.” Speaking of her agent's meeting, she said, “He told me that Ms McGarvey had informed him that Ten was doing a ‘rebrand’ of The Project with a number of hosting changes. He told me that she had said that those hosting changes included me." “He also told me that she had said that, because there had been too much heat on me in the months since the Logies speech – and, as a result, too much ‘brand damage’ – it was best that I be removed from my hosting role on The Project.” When she said farewell to The Project in 2022, Wilkinson blamed the “targeted toxicity” of sections of the media. “The last six months have not been easy,” Wilkinson told viewers of the panel show when she announced she would be leaving the show. “And the relentless, targeted toxicity by some sections of the media has taken a toll not just on me but on people I love." “I have had a ball,” she said. “But for me right now it’s time for a change. To be clear. I’m not leaving Ten and we’re looking at some very exciting work ideas ahead.” In the affidavit, she says that Ms McGarvey approved Wilkinson’s on-air explanation for her departure and suggested that they “sound very authentic”. “I said to her that this decision to remove me from The Project would result in yet more negative publicity for me, for The Project, and for Ten, particularly if my sudden departure was without explanation,” Wilkinson said. Ms McGarvey told Wilkinson in texts “Perfect delivery, you spoke from the heart.” “It was a beautiful sentiment and you are so generous to your colleagues. Thank you. The media should all be kind, you deserve it.” Image credits: Getty Images

Legal

Jumping castle operator in court over Hillcrest tragedy

A jumping castle operator who was charged over the 2021 <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/children-killed-in-hillcrest-tragedy-identified-amid-overwhelming-support" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hillcrest Primary School tragedy</a> is expected to face court for the first time. Six children, Peter Dodt, Jye Sheehan, Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones, Zane Mellor, Addison Stewart and Chace Harrison, were killed when the inflatable castle was lifted into the air on December 2021. The students were enjoying the end-of-year celebrations with their classmates on the oval of the school in Devonport in Tasmania's northwest, when the tragic incident occurred. Rosemary Anne Gamble, the operator who worked for Taz-Zorb - the company who supplied and set up the castle - was charged in November after failing to comply with workplace health and safety requirements. It is alleged that the castle was tethered at four of its eight anchorage points and the pegs recommended by the manufacturer, or a suitable alternative, weren't installed properly. According to court documents, seven students were on the castle when it became dislodged and airborne due to a "significant" weather event, causing them to fall from a height of about 10 metres. A few others were <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/heartbreaking-detail-as-mother-of-jumping-castle-victim-speaks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly</a> injured, with one nearby student being struck by the blower attached to the castle. It is alleged that Gamble failed to ensure the anchorage system was sufficient to prevent the castle from lifting, and failed to ensure there were pegs at each anchor point as per the manufacturer's instructions. It is also alleged that Gamble failed to provide adequate information, including manufacturer's operating manual to the two workers she was in charge of at the time. She is expected to face the Devonport Magistrates Court for the first time on Friday. Preparations for the coronial <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/update-on-inquest-into-hillcrest-primary-deaths" target="_blank" rel="noopener">inquest</a> was put on hold because of the criminal charges. Image: Twitter/ ABC News

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