Two people have been critically hurt after a car rolled in Oamaru.A police spokeswoman said they were notified of the crash in Ardgowan Rd, between Homestead and Redcastle Rds, about 6.30pm today. Two people suffered critical…

A group of campers have been left shocked after waking to find a giant crocodile outside their caravan in a popular Darwin camping spot.

Campers at the aptly named Dundee Beach Holiday Park were woken by yelling after a 2.5 metre crocodile sauntered to the bottom of one family's caravan steps.

"They didn't know what was going on at first because they were asleep, they thought what was all this commotion outside and people talking right outside their van and they went to come outside and we yelled don't come out there's a croc," witness Nyomi Hogan said.

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Fishing guide Kurt Williamson managed to trap the beast before rangers were able to remove it.

It's the first time a crocodile has been spotted at the campsite.

"First time for me and for the other guys on the croc team finding one in the middle of a caravan park," ranger Jaylan Marshall said.

"In the middle of the Dundee it's pretty uncommon it's never happened before that we know of.

"With the dogs and the food from the barbeques and everything like that, the smells would sort of entice him to come in as well."

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As dry season comes to an end, the rangers have warned tourists to stay "crocwise" and vigilant when visiting the Territory.

"Even if the water does look very tempting especially at this time of year you still have to be very vigilant with these guys hanging around," Marshall said.

There are urgent calls for a 'try', awarded to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during this morning's State of Origin grudge match at Parliament House, to be referred to the NRL bunker.

Donning a blue jersey, track pants and footy boots, the prime minister joined the 'Parliamentary Friends of Rugby League' on Tuesday morning for their fourth annual State of Origin touch football match.

Sucking back the cold Canberra air, the group ran out for the 'friendly' – put on by NRL Chief Executive Andrew Abdo – taking place on the parliament playing field.

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New South Wales and Queensland sides consisted of veteran pollies, like former Nationals leaders Michael McCormack and Barnaby Joyce.

The latter, helping to make up the numbers for the Queensland side, seemingly as red as his maroon jersey after a valiant effort.

Some speculated he was worthy of the Wally Lewis medal, but the PM seemingly disagreed.

"Barnaby has very short stints on the field. Even though he represents the NSW seat, he has a Maroons jersey on as well," Mr Albanese told Today.

"Look, there should be an inquiry into some of these players and where they are playing for, I tell you."

He then took issue with former Wallaby turned senator David Pocock, who also hit the field for the Maroons during the match.

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"I can report the greatest scandal since GI (Greg Inglis) playing for Queensland, David Pocock from the ACT pulling on a Queensland jumper.

"They will stop at nothing."

But the biggest controversy came just before half-time.

With a sweaty and exhausted NSW side already up 2-1, the Prime Minister hit the gas, making a glorious run toward a gap.

Hot on his heels, was newly-minted junior minister, Anika Wells.

Diving across the try line, the crowd cheered, and an elated Albanese raised both arms while running toward the group, before taking a lap of high-fives.

All the while though, Ms Wells was appealing to the referee, claiming she'd made contact with her boss, before he put the ball down… and replays would suggest, she did.

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The referee ultimately gave Mr Albanese the benefit of the doubt, awarding NSW the final try of the morning.

Albo's Blues took home bragging rights and the odd cramp, winning 3-1.

Asked about the contentious call in a press conference, meters from the Prime Minister's Office, Ms Wells laughed off the controversy.

"Before I walk back into the Prime Minister's Office, I've really loved being the Minister for Sport, it's been an honour.

"I think we can all agree that referee is probably going to be the next governor-general based on that decision," she said.

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West Australian Premier Mark McGowan has defended his actions after a Federal Court judge ruled today both he and businessman Clive Palmer defamed each other.

Following the judgement handed down by Justice Michael Lee on Tuesday, McGowan fronted the media and said he accepted the court's judgement but defended his actions.

"I have always acted in the public interest and will continue to do so," he said.

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"I accept the judgement and I did what I had to do to protect the state.

"I will go to my grave proud of what we did."

In the judgement hearing on Tuesday, Lee found both defences were unsuccessful and said the "game has not been worth the candle".

"These proceedings have not only involved considerable expenditure by Mr Palmer and the taxpayers of Western Australia but have also consumed considerable resources of the Commonwealth and importantly diverted court time from resolving controversies of real importance," Lee said.

Lee has awarded Palmer the amount of $5000 in damages.

"I'm required there is an appropriate and rational relationship between the harm sustained which is very minor and the damages awarded which should as a consequence be very minor," he said.

Lee also decided McGowan would be awarded $20,000 in damages.

"The evidence establishes the inconsequential impact of the publications upon Mr McGowan's reputation. It is more likely Mr McGowan's reputation was enhanced," Lee said.

"As Mr McGowan accepted Mr Palmer was someone with whom Mr McGowan was happy to have a blue with.

"Although his damage to reputation was non-existent Mr McGowan's evidence to an aspect of the subjective hurt was compelling."

Palmer sued the WA premier in 2020, claiming "vicious" public comments – including labelling the mining billionaire an enemy of the state – had damaged his reputation.

The Queensland businessman had sought aggravated damages which would allow for a payout above the $432,500 cap.

He accused the Labor premier of being consumed by malice and seeking to "blacken his name at every opportunity".

McGowan, who counter-sued Palmer for defamation, made his own appeal for aggravated damages.

The premier claimed qualified privilege as a defence. It requires proof there was a legal, social or moral duty for him to say those things.

Palmer defended various comments he made on the basis of qualified privilege, and substantial and contextual truth.

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At the trial's conclusion in April, Lee said it was possible neither side would be able to make out any defences.

He flagged each man could receive a nominal damages sum, describing them as political combatants with entrenched reputations.

"There are people who love them, people who hate them," Lee said.

"The publications themselves are, it seems to me, highly unlikely to change very settled views about these men."

The defamation bid is one of several legal challenges Palmer has pursued against the WA premier, including a failed bid in the High Court to have the state's coronavirus-related hard border closure deemed unconstitutional.

It emerged in 2020 that Palmer was seeking up to $30 billion in damages over a 2012 decision by the former Liberal state government not to assess his proposed Balmoral South iron ore project.

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The McGowan government subsequently rushed through extraordinary legislation to prevent Palmer from suing the state.

In his evidence, Palmer said he was scared because provisions in the legislation protected the government from criminal prosecution.

Referring to the fictional character James Bond and his "licence to kill", Palmer told the court: "I didn't know what the limits might be."

Any suggestion Palmer had a genuine fear for his physical safety was "inherently incredible", McGowan's lawyers said.

In private text messages made public during the trial, McGowan described Palmer as "the worst Australian who's not in jail".

His attorney-general John Quigley privately labelled Palmer a "big fat liar".

A NSW minister has called on the Trade Minister Stuart Ayres to resign over his apparent role in the appointment of John Barilaro to a New York trade posting.

Infrastructure Minister Rob Stokes privately asked the deputy Liberal leader to resign from cabinet after accusations Ayres used his influence to appoint Barilaro the lucrative envoy position.

On Tuesday, Ayres' response when asked about the Stokes message was: "I responded with very similar messaging that the advice I provided the House is the advice I received from the CEO of Investment NSW."

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Ayres is under fire for his handling of the former deputy premier's appointment, following accusations he used discussions with the Investment NSW CEO Amy Brown to promote Barilaro's standing as a candidate.

Ayres once again doubled down on his claim he did nothing wrong.

"I've always acted in the best interests of the people of NSW," Ayres said.

He admitted there was "one thing" he would do differently if he had his time over.

When Barilaro asked him about filling the potential Investment NSW role in New York, Ayres said he should have advised him that though he could apply as a private citizen, it would not be in Barilaro's or NSW's "best interests" to do so.

"Once he did that though, I think it's important that the public service treated him fairly and equally," he said.

He said he was confident the review into the matter would show he acted "appropriately" as a government minister.

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Damning documents were released yesterday revealing Barilaro wasn't the preferred candidate for the coveted role.

Two selection reports were released, with one showing Barilaro did not attract the highest interview score among the final candidates and was instead suggested for the "talent pool" instead of snagging the role.

The other document showed Barilaro was the "recommended candidate" for the trade posting.

Barilaro was awarded the job of US trade commissioner ahead of credentialed bureaucrat Jenny West.

He has since withdrawn from the role, citing media attention.

A parliamentary inquiry into the appointment is currently underway.

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