Human remains have been found after a suspected shark attack in Sydney's south-east.

Emergency services responded to reports a swimmer had been attacked by a shark at Little Bay Beach near Malabar about 4.30pm today.

Officers found human remains in the water.

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Witnesses said they heard the swimmer yelling.

"Some guy was swimming and a shark came and attacked him vertically," Kris Linto, a witness, said.

"We heard a yell and turned around it looked like a car had landed in the water, a big splash then the shark was chomping at the body and there was blood everywhere."

"It was really bad."

Mr Linto claimed he saw a 4.5-metre great white shark attack the swimmer.

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NSW Ambulance Inspector Lucky Phrachanh said the swimmer could not be saved.

"Unfortunately, this person had suffered catastrophic injuries as a result of the attack and there was nothing paramedics could do when we arrived on scene," he said.

Little Bay Beach has been closed as police search the area.

Police will liaise with the Department of Primary Industry to investigate the circumstances of the death.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Mining magnate Clive Palmer has taken the stand to give evidence at his defamation hearing against Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan.

The pair have been involved in an ongoing war of words since 2020 over border closures, COVID-19 restrictions and potential treatments for the virus.

One of the allegedly defamatory comments by Mr McGowan was in response to Mr Palmer buying $30 million worth of the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine in 2020.

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"He wanted to come to WA to promote hydroxychloroquine as some sort of cure for COVID," Mr McGowan said at the time.

"Not only is it not a cure, it's dangerous."

Today Mr Palmer, who is staying on his boat Australia in Sydney Harbour for the duration of the trial, told the court the comments were unfair.

"It was the equivalent of suggesting I was a drug dealer," he said.

Four days after his initial comments, Mr McGowan upped the stakes as Mr Palmer continually complained about Western Australia's hard border.

"We're in a war with Clive Palmer and it's a war we intend to win," the WA Premier said in August 2020.

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Mr Palmer said today: "I didn't think WA had the power to declare war on anyone… I felt it spelled sayonara for me and my companies."

The spat between the two men got so bad Mr Palmer said he feared for his safety and that of his family.

He also claimed he believed the WA Premier could kill him without being prosecuted.

"It just got too much for me, I ended up vomiting wondering what we could do," he told the court.

In court, Mr McGowan's high-profile lawyer Bret Walker repeatedly accused the mining boss of lying and giving silly answers on the stand, and at one point Mr Palmer hit back at the barrister and told him: "I don't need you to tell me what I understand."

Outside court this afternoon, Mr Palmer said he had been painted as a villain by the Western Australian leader.

"I have no ill will towards Mark McGowan or his family, but Mark was very successful at the last state election, and he basically did that by making me Dr Evil in Western Australia," he said.

When asked about the case today, Mr McGowan said: "Look, it's before the courts, and I can't comment on it. I'm obviously required to give evidence next week.

If you're a household of four and paying more than $486 a quarter for electricity, it could be time to switch.

Energy bills have traditionally been going down in the past two years but like a home loan, it can pay to change providers.

Most people get complacent and stay with their energy company for an average of 11 years, Canstar Blue found, even though they don't really know whether they're getting a good deal.

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Only 12 per cent of the population has switched energy providers in the past two years but three in five of them say it was a good financial decision.

According to Canstar Blue data:

• Almost 80 per cent admit they don't understand their local energy market
• More than 60 per cent don't know what their usage and supply rates are
• More than 40 per cent don't know what tariff they're on
• Although they can't really be sure they're getting a good deal, Aussies spend 11 years on average with their energy provider
• Almost 60 per cent who do switch providers, though, say it proved to be a good financial decision
• The average quarterly electricity bill is $344, but for a household of four, the average goes up to $486 per quarter
• Only 12 per cent have switched in the past two years
• The energy providers that have the most satisfied customers aren't the cheapest

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Following 12 months of research, Canstar Blue has rated the energy providers in each state.

In NSW, Red Energy came out on top, scoring top marks for overall satisfaction, value for money, customer service, bill and cost clarity, ease of sign up, focus on environmental sustainability and online tools and advice.

Red Energy is owned by Snowy Hydro.

AGL and Energy Australia ranked the lowest of the six providers, falling down on overall satisfaction, value for money and customer service.

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Canstar Blue CEO Megan Doyle told 9News it pays to shop around.

"It really does pay to check in on the market… at least every two years," she said.

"The smaller new players in the market are really quite aggressive on price."

While price was the main consideration for most people, others chose their provider based on different factors including payment flexibility, call centre availability and loyalty programs.

Switching providers can usually be done online within minutes.

The information provided on this website is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice. The information has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information on this website you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is set to speak at Harvard University later this year, but a social media post announcing her visit was hijacked by a debate over her performance as leader of this country. On Tuesday , Ardern announced…

A single mother of three who was arrested one month after high-end fashion designer Dame Trelise Cooper’s Auckland headquarters was targeted in a $750,000 heist, says she, too, is a victim despite police having found some of the stolen…

Three people have faced court accused of extortion after detectives seized designer clothes and shoes valued at $150,000 in Sydney's west.

An investigation was launched in July last year after a 34-year-old man claimed he had allegedly been extorted, robbed and assaulted by a group of men.

Police allege the incidents took place at a home in Tregear between July 2020 and March 2021, with the man also seriously assaulted by a group of men — including one carrying a pipe — in Londonderry in October 2020.

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A woman who was known to the man allegedly faced violent threats on several occasions and the man had a restored 1982 VH Holden Commodore and 2012 Harley Davidson V Rod motorcycle taken.

They are yet to be recovered.

As part of investigations, police executed a search warrant at properties on Cypress Drive, Yarrawonga, on January 24 this year where a pistol, two rifles, a shotgun, various ammunition, cannabis and cash was seized.

The 50-year-old male occupant was charged with firearm offences and remains before the courts.

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Police also executed search warrants at homes in Willmot, Cambridge Park, Mt Druitt, and two properties at Ropes Crossing from 6am yesterday.

During a search of a home at Ropes Crossing, police seized mobile phones, $5700 in cash, more than 100 pairs of designer shoes and other high-end clothing estimated to be worth more than $150,000.

The 28-year-old male occupant of the home was arrested and taken to Mt Druitt Police Station where he was charged.

A 34-year-old man, from Cambridge Park, and a 34-year-old man, from Ropes Crossing, were arrested and taken to St Marys Police Station where they were charged.

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Police will allege the three men targeted the other man over an outstanding debt.

All of the men are currently before the courts.

Investigations are continuing.

Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan has told media today that while his decision to keep the border closed has been unpopular, he will not be pressured to make any changes.

Mr McGowan reaffirmed his strong stance, repeatedly stating that "saving lives and saving jobs is the right thing to do".

He hopes to increase the state's third vaccination rate, which currently sits at 53.3 per cent, before opening the border to people from other states.

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"Dropping the border at this point in time will just mean we infect hundreds or thousands of new cases into Western Australia, whilst our third dose vaccination rate is not high enough," Mr McGowan said.

He insisted keeping the border closed was the right decision, despite airline Jetstar cancelling more flights.

Mr McGowan says close to 30,000 people have come to WA in the last 10 days, noting that people who fit the criteria and subject themselves to the testing regime can come home.

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When asked about a potential reopening date, the premier said the information is subject to review during February and "once we get the outcome of that review, we'll be able to give you advice as to what the appropriate date is".

Mr McGowan was asked about a possible outbreak inside an unspecified prison but said only one case has been detected so far, with the infected person believed to be a guard.

"It is concerning, that's why we've mandated vaccines for guards," he said.

"We strongly encourage prisoners to get vaccinated, as best we can, and I'd urge prisoners if they're not vaccinated to make sure they make the effort to get vaccinated as soon as they can."

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WA recorded 115 new cases of COVID-19 overnight, bringing the state's total number of active cases to 444.

Around 95 per cent of people aged over 12 years have received their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccination.

WA currently has zero COVID-19 patients receiving care in hospital or intensive care units.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese commenced today's Question Time by firing a shot at Aged Care Services Minister Richard Colbeck, after controversial comments made in Senate Estimates.

"The Minister for Aged Care Services said and I quote: 'I don't accept the deaths in the community or deaths in aged care as an indication' of his performance as a minister," Mr Albanese said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison was quick to defend his colleague and accused the Opposition of playing politics.

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"For every life that has been lost, which we grieve, we give thanks for the thousands of lives that have been saved by the actions of our aged care workers, aged care providers," he said.

The minister came under fire earlier this year after attending a cricket game instead of a COVID-19 Senate Committee.

Mr Morrison has previously said the pair have "spoken about it" and "my preference would have been that he would be at that hearing and he understands that".

When questioned in estimates about it today, Senator Colbeck defended his own comments that the aged care system was not in crisis, despite the pressure from COVID-19 and the Omicron outbreak.

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He's also rejected calls by Labor and the Greens to resign.

"We are going through a global pandemic, and the suggestion that's implied by your answer that if you were in government no one would have died in aged care from COVID doesn't stand up," he said.

"The government is the only party that can provide anyone with any confidence about the future of the aged care sector because the opposition has no plan."

Health experts said this year has already been the deadliest for aged care residents since the start of the pandemic.

Almost 700 residents have died in COVID-19 outbreaks while almost a third of the country's residential aged care homes are currently battling coronavirus outbreaks.

Federal Parliament has paused to reflect on the 80th anniversary of the Bangka Island Massacre, paying special tribute to Sister Vivian Bullwinkel.

Sister Bullwinkel was one of just two survivors of the Japanese attack during World War II, which saw 21 Australian nurses killed on the beach.

One British soldier, Private Cecil Kinsley, also survived the attack.

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Sister Bullwinkel was wounded and pretended to be dead until the Japanese left.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the massacre represented one of the darkest chapters of World War II.

"The memory and legacy of the victims and the survivors will never be forgotten," Mr Morrison said.

Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel Andrew Gee said the attack stood out as one of the worst war-time atrocities against Australians.

"Despite their wounds, Sister Bullwinkel and Private Kinsley bravely survived in the harsh jungle for 12 days, before finally giving themselves up," Mr Gee said.

"Private Kingsley died days later, but Sister Bullwinkel survived the war and, despite spending three and a half years in captivity, was able to return home to Australia."

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The uniform Sister Bullwinkel wore on that day now sits on display at the Australian War Memorial.

"It's a national treasure held in trust for all generations," Mr Morrison said.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese added Sister Bullwinkel was "a great Australian".

"Through her survival, so many more lives would be saved through her ongoing contribution as a nurse," he said.

"Throughout it all, she made sure her friends who didn't come home would never be forgotten."

To learn more about the sinking of the Vyner Brooke, the Bangka Island massacre and Sister Vivian Bullwinkel, visit the Department of Veterans' Affairs Anzac Portal.