Mushroom killer Erin Patterson will return to court in August to appeal her triple murder conviction, Victoria's Supreme Court has confirmed.

Patterson was convicted and jailed for life in September with a non-parole period of 33 years for the murder of her parents-in-law, Gail and Don Patterson, and Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson.

She was also convicted of the attempted murder of Heather's husband, Ian Wilkinson, 69, who fell seriously ill after eating the meal but survived.

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The 51-year-old's appeal hearing will be heard on August 19 and 20.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) will front court on those dates to appeal the length of Patterson's non-parole period, which it claimed is "manifestly inadequate".

Patterson's lawyers lodged a formal application to appeal her convictions in the Supreme Court in November.

Patterson claimed there was a "fundamental irregularity" while the jury was sequestered during the trial.

After the jury was sent out for deliberations, it was revealed they had been placed in the same hotel as the police informant and two members of the prosecution team.

Patterson further claimed a "substantial miscarriage of justice occurred" because of the prosecution's "unfair and oppressive" cross-examination of her when she gave evidence over several days in the trial.

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She said the prosecution's opening and closing arguments also caused a substantial miscarriage of justice because they introduced an implied motive at the end of the trial.

The mushroom cook has also taken issue with evidence that was aired in court.

Justice Christopher Beale noted in sentencing Patterson that her offending was the worst category of murder and represented a betrayal of trust towards people she considered family.

But he showed Patterson mercy with the chance of parole, noting she was essentially in solitary confinement for at least 22 hours a day.

Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Diana Piekusis KC said the judge had erred by finding there was a "substantial chance" Patterson would be held in solitary confinement for years to come.

Her sentence of life in prison with a non-parole period of 33 years will make her Victoria's longest-serving female prisoner.

– with AAP

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Authorities have intercepted a drone carrying more than $1 million of contraband into Townsville Correctional Complex in North Queensland

Eagle-eyed officers noticed the downed device, which was carrying drugs, syringes and a mobile phone, on May 17.

Police and the Corrective Services Investigation Unit are now investigating and have urged anyone with information to come forward.

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Operating a drone over a correctional facility carries a penalty of two years' imprisonment.

Acting Chief Superintendent Silvi Baretta said the find was a result of officers' diligent adherence to security search practices.

"Not only does contraband pose a substantial safety risk, it threatens our ability to deliver meaningful and targeted rehabilitation to prevent reoffending and keep communities safe," Baretta said.

"I commend our officers for their professionalism and commitment to the good order and safety of Townsville Correctional Complex."

NAB has broken ranks from the big four Australian banks, becoming the first to hike fixed rates after the Reserve Bank's interest rate decision this month.

The bank today raised its short-term fixed rate for loans by 0.15 percentage points.

Its lowest fixed-rate option is now well above six per cent, sitting at 6.49 per cent for a five-year term – and the surprise move could spell doom for borrowers hoping for some relief.

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NAB's unwelcome move follows the RBA's third consecutive rate hike on May 5.

The RBA increased the cash rate up to 4.35 per cent, resulting in an extra $227 to $453 added to the average monthly mortgage repayments.

Canstar data insights director Sally Tindall said NAB's decision shows the rate-hiking cycle among Australian lenders has a long tail.

"Fixed rates are often a window into what banks think is coming next," Tindall said.

"NAB's decision to lift its short-term fixed rates suggests it's not ready to rule out further rate rises, even though the RBA will almost certainly hit pause next month."

Mortgage holders should brace for a tough second half of the year.

Tindall said borrowers are unlikely to be dealt a lucky hand for some time.

"The reality is, rates are likely to remain high for the foreseeable future and could well get one or two notches tighter," she added.

The RBA will meet again next month on June 15 and 16.

Westpac is leading the four major banks with the lowest fixed rate loan on offer, with a 6.29 per cent rate for a two-year term, according to data from Canstar.

The lowest rate outside of the big lenders still remains a touch below six per cent.

Norther Inland, Pacific Mortgage Group and Transport Mutual are offering a one-year fixed term loan at 5.99 per cent – the only three lenders with a fixed rate below six.

At the start of 2026, there were 83 lenders offering at least one fixed rate hike under six per cent.

However, the rate of home loans have not slowed despite the fresh boost of buyer anxiety hitting the property market.

Total residential home loans hit a record high of $2.48 trillion in the month of April.

Figures from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) show housing loans among deposit-taking institutions (ADIs) increased by $14.3 billion last month, an increase of 0.6 per cent on the month prior.

The free ride is about to end for seven million Victorians.

Commuters on trains, trams and buses in the state will start paying for public transport again after two months of fare-free travel.

Today is the final weekday that travellers can breeze through the gates without paying a cent.

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From Monday, June 1, Victorians will need to tap on with their MyKi.

Fares won't be returning to full price, though – the state government is slashing the fare of a one-way trip by 50 per cent until the end of 2026.

This means a full daily fare will cost the average commuter $5.70, or $34.20 per week if you take a return trip every day of the working week.

From June 1 until December 31, this could cost around $1026.

The Victorian government said half-price fares will save the average commuter $850.

It introduced the temporary measure as a response to the fuel crisis triggered by ongoing tension in the Middle East.

Premier Jacinta Allan said at the time that free public transport would keep a lid on fuel demand and ease the traffic pressure on the roads.

The scheme is expected to cost the government $432 million in lost revenue.

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Victoria will also relaunch its contactless payment trial across the network from Monday.

Victoria and Tasmania led the charge with free or subsidised public transport after the US-Iran conflict led to a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for the global supply of crude oil.

NSW was urged to follow suit, however Premier Chris Minns held firm and refused to offer a fare-free period.

Minns said at the time he wanted to avoid an "expensive" knee-jerk reaction to the ongoing conflict.

South Australia also ruled out free public transport in March.

More than two million middle-aged men in Australia are drinking alcohol at risky levels, a first-of-its-kind study has found.

The national in-depth study from Flinders University analysed national data from the 2019 and 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey to see what was driving Aussie men to drink.

Almost half (43 per cent) of men aged 30 to 59 exceeded Australia's national alcohol guidelines, which recommend no more than 10 standard drinks a week, and no more than four on any one day.

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Lead author and Flinders University PhD candidate, Stefano Zaccagnini, says the study found risky drinking was more common among men who smoke, use illicit drugs, experience high psychological distress, live in regional areas, or earn higher household incomes.

Men working in managerial, trade and technical occupations were also more likely to drink above recommended limits.

"Our findings show that more than 2.2 million Australian men aged 30 to 59 are drinking in excess of the national alcohol guidelines," Zaccagnini said.

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"Men drink alcohol for many reasons and across different social and cultural settings, and at consistently higher rates than women, which makes this an important group to study.

"Midlife is also a period when drinking can shift from occasional to routine – for example as a regular way to unwind – and that can heighten the risk of both short-term and long-term alcohol-related harms such as accidents, injuries, assaults, and chronic illnesses including dependence, liver disease and cancer."

The findings also highlight important differences within the midlife category.

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Men aged 30 to 44 who reported high psychological distress, were significantly more likely to drink at risky levels compared to those with lower psychological distress.

In contrast, psychological distress was not strongly linked to risky drinking among men aged 45 to 59.

"This research suggests that stress and mental health may influence drinking differently at various stages of midlife," Zaccagnini said.

Senior researcher and Director of Flinders' National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA), Professor Jacqueline Bowden, said the findings challenge common assumptions about who is most at risk of alcohol-related harms.

"There's a perception that risky drinking is mainly a problem for younger people, but this research shows it remains very common among men in midlife," she said.

"Whilst risky drinking among Australian men has declined overall in recent decades, progress has been slower among men in midlife, a group often missed by prevention efforts that tend to focus more on younger people. For many middle-aged men, alcohol is closely tied to work culture, social life and managing stress during these years."

Alcohol and Drug Foundation chief executive Dr Erin Lalor AM said this research reiterated the need for stronger investments in tailored approaches aimed at reducing alcohol-related harms.

"We know that a 'one size fits all' approach doesn't work when it comes to addressing the complex drivers of risky drinking. We need stronger investments by governments to help roll out targeted, evidence-based campaigns and programs," she said.

The National Alcohol and Other Drug hotline (1800 250 015) provides free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drugs, including available treatment options, and automatically directs the caller to the Alcohol and Drug Information Service in their state/territory.