A popular Melbourne restaurant is being investigated for possible breaches of COVID-19 rules after 11 diners at the one table tested positive to the virus.

The Department of Justice has confirmed they are investigating Marameo restaurant for allegedly not using QR codes and checking people's vaccination status.

The investigation comes after a group of 13 women dined at the venue on Saturday, October 30.

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Eleven of them, who are all fully vaccinated, have now contracted the virus.

Some are sicker than others, but none are in hospital

"The Victorian Government's Industry Engagement and Enforcement Operation is aware of this venue and is investigating the matter. Community complaints made to the Police Assistance Line about businesses failing to comply with Chief Health Officer directions will be followed up by the Operation," the government said in a statement.

It's not clear whether the young women contracted the virus from a fellow diner or a staff member.

9News has tried to contact the restaurant owner.

The restaurant has this afternoon shared a message on its Instagram account:

"On Saturday, we were informed that members of a group that dined in Marameo's private dining room on Saturday, 30 October 2021 at 8.30pm have since returned positive COVID-19 results.

"Following health advice, Marameo was closed for deep cleaning on Sunday and Monday and all of our staff were tested in order for us to reopen safely. All staff who have worked at Marameo during this period have since returned negative test results.

"In line with public health advice, all patrons who dined with us from 8.30pm on this date have been contacted. DHHS says we have completed all necessary steps. Case closed."

Brisbane petrol prices have hit an eye-watering high, breaking previous records at $1.90 a litre for regular unleaded fuel.

The RACQ had originally predicted prices would peak towards the end of the month, but the sudden price hike has come earlier than expected.

RACQ spokesperson Renee Smith said while Greater Brisbane, Ipswich, Toowoomba and the Gold and Sunshine Coasts recently enjoyed a period of low fuel prices, that's set to change.

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"The average cost of ULP in Brisbane is 161.3 cents per litre, but we know as we enter the expensive phase of the cycle, prices increase by about 30 cents per litre," Ms Smith said.

"We experienced a new record high average price of 178.8 cents per litre in Brisbane in October in the last peak of the cycle."

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At 1pm today, that record was broken by Coles Express, with fuel costing 193.9 cents per litre.

"Global factors, like oil prices, supply and demand issues, and terminal gate prices, are to blame. It is a volatile situation and while it is hard to predict what will happen next, trends are pointing toward a new record daily average," Ms Smith said.

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"It's most likely ULP will remain below 200 cents per litre for the foreseeable future, however another strong increase in the oil price could lead to even higher average prices early next year."

Ms Smith urged motorists to take advantage of cheap fuel, particularly filling up when petrol is $1.60 per litre or less.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has been forced to abandon a press conference in regional Victoria after unruly protesters gatecrashed the opening of a TAFE.

Mr Andrews was ambushed as he went to unveil a new TAFE in Bendigo today, with his announcement drowned out by calls to "kill the bill", referring to new pandemic laws introduced by the state government.

The incident is the latest escalation in tensions around the pandemic bill that have resulted in high-profile public servants also being attacked.

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Mr Andrews cut the announcement short, telling the crowd, "to perhaps give you a quieter time, I'm going to go now".

People could be heard loudly yelling abuse and "sack Dan Andrews", as he was ushered from the event into a car.

9News understands Mr Andrews left the location upon the advice of Victoria Police.

Fury around the pandemic laws was targeted at Victoria's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton and COVID-19 Commander Jeroen Weimar on Monday.

They needed a police escort to safely leave parliament as they were heckled by protesters.

Around 200 protesters gathered on the steps to Victorian Parliament last night to rally against the pandemic laws.

New legislation known as 'Zoe's Law' will be introduced in New South Wales to recognise the loss of an unborn child due to criminal acts.

Pregnant women who lose their child due to another person's criminal act will now be better supported, and the offenders will face tougher sentences.

Attorney General Mark Speakman said the legislation will recognise the loss of an unborn child as a "unique injury" for pregnant women and family members.

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"Currently, there is no stand-alone offence of causing the loss of an unborn child. These proposed changes will better acknowledge the heartbreak suffered by families and punish offenders appropriately," Mr Speakman said.

The unborn child will need to be 20 weeks old or weigh 400 grams for a person to be charged with an offence.

The offence can carry a maximum penalty of five to 28 years in jail.

Two women have campaigned for the legislation changes for the past 12 years.

Brodie Donegan lost her unborn baby girl, Zoe, to a driver under the influence of drugs on Christmas Day in 2009.

"I remember early on thinking I just didn't want anyone else to navigate this," Ms Donegan said.

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Jacqui Sparks lost her daughter Mia after a collision with a driver under the influence of ice.

For Ms Sparks, the crash was so bad her uterus ruptured, leaving her unable to have children again.

However, the driver could not be charged with killing her baby.

"It should have already been in place, already been a law for our children," Ms Sparks said

"It shouldn't be something that's just coming on now."

Mr Speakman apologised for the time it took for the legislation to be introduced.

"I am personally sorry for the time it has taken to get here, but I think we have landed in a good spot," he said.

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Zoe's Law allows family members to give victim impact statements, claim funeral costs, and have the name of the unborn child included on formal criminal charges.

When these new offences are charged, families may also be eligible for a one-off bereavement payment of $3000.

This will assist with counselling and support services.

Ms Sparks and Ms Donegan are both pleased with the legislation.

"It's going to be something we can leave to future families and future mothers who unfortunately this will happen to. It shouldn't, but it will," Ms Sparks said.

It is expected to pass in both houses of parliament and become law early next year.

The bill does not impact abortion legislation.

"This bill does not in any way affect a woman's right to have a lawful abortion under NSW legislation," Mr Speakman said.

The number of deaths reported to Medsafe following a Covid jab has risen to 94 – but only one has been linked to the vaccination.That case was the death of a woman who was likely to have suffered from vaccine-induced myocarditis…

An unsolicited photo taken of former AFL coach Dani Laidley has allegedly been shared by Victoria Police officers along with transphobic comments, according to Victoria's anti-corruption watchdog.

The Independent Broad‑based Anti‑corruption (IBAC) has made a public appeal for information in relation to the allegations.

The unsolicited photo was allegedly taken at the Ballan Cup at Geelong Racecourse on Saturday, November 6.

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It has been alleged that Victoria Police officers shared the photo via text message alongside transphobic comments.

IBAC has released a statement asking members of the public or police personnel who witnessed the photo being taken, or has information about the photo in a text message being sent or received, to contact the organisation.

Anyone with information can contact IBAC at in**@**********ov.au or 1300 735 135, or people can provide information anonymously atwww.ibac.vic.gov.au/report

Two people will stand trial in relation to the death of New Zealand firefighter, Ian Pullen, in the NSW Hunter region.

Mr Pullen, a volunteer firefighter from New Zealand, was in the region helping with the firefighting effort in September 2018 when police allege he was struck and killed on a road outside of Singleton.

Joshua Knight is accused of being behind the wheel of a four-wheel drive which hit Mr Pullen – and instead of helping, it's alleged he stopped, got out briefly and then drove off.

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Today Mr Knight, 30, appeared via video link in Newcastle Local Court – pleading not guilty to failing to stop and assist.

Nicole Mason, 31, who police allege got out of the car with Mr Knight then struck Mr Pullen in the head, also had her case mentioned.

She has been charged with attempted murder and was excused from appearing in court today and her matter was adjourned.

While no pleas were entered, her solicitor told the court the case will likely go to trial.

Lilli-Jane Sales, 23, formally denied her involvement in the alleged crime – pleading not guilty to two counts of concealing a serious indictable offence.

Both Ms Sales and Mr Knight will face the Newcastle District Court next month.

Evergrande is staring down about US$8 billion ($10.8 billion) worth of debt obligations due to foreign investors over the next year.

The company's billionaire founder and chairman, Xu Jiayin, may have to pay at least some of that out of his own pocket.

The embattled conglomerate has become the poster child of China's property crisis. Fears the real estate developer could default and spark a contagion effect roiled global markets in September.

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In its latest financial stability report, the United States Federal Reserve warned "stresses in China's real estate sector could strain the Chinese financial system, with possible spillovers to the United States".

Evergrande has managed to meet some interest payments and stave off a collapse, at least for now. But a slew of new payment deadlines will soon expire.

On Wednesday, a 30-day grace period is up on some US$148 million ($201 million) worth of interest payments the company already missed deadlines on.

So far, there's been little clarity on how the company will shore up more cash. It's been trying to sell some of its assets — from a partial stake in its car business to an office tower in Hong Kong — but hasn't had much luck.

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Eliminating risk

The company has roughly US$8 billion ($10.8 billion) worth of interest payments or principal on offshore bonds that are coming due over the next year, according to analysts from Moody's and S&P Global Ratings.

Enter the company's founder, Xu Jiayin. Bloomberg reported late last month, citing anonymous sources, Chinese authorities have told Xu to use his personal wealth to pay the company's debts.

The company did not respond at the time to a CNN Business request for comment about that report, and Evergrande has largely stayed silent on its debt payments, even as bills have come due. But suggestions that Xu's debt repayment strategy may be getting personal aren't going away.

Local media in Hong Kong recently reported, citing information from a land registry, Xu is using a mansion in the city as collateral to secure bank loans. And the Wall Street Journal reported last week, from anonymous sources, Evergrande raised more than US$50 million ($67.99 million) by selling two of its private jets.

The government is "clearly setting the example of excessive risk-taking, which is something the Chinese government is very keen on eliminating" said Peter Cai, a China analyst from the Lowy Institute, an Australia-based thinktank.

"By making an example of these billionaires who have taken way too much debt for their companies, I think it's a way to demonstrate the government's resolve."

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A dramatic rise, then a sudden fall

Evergrande's debt saga is a dramatic reversal for Xu, whose rise to success mirrors China's broader economic ascent. He grew up impoverished in rural China.

His father was a warehouse worker and his mother died when he was a baby. He worked at a steel mill before starting Evergrande in 1996.

The company rode the boom of home buyers rushing to urban cities, as hundreds of millions of people across China were lifted out of poverty — a change that created metropolises from villages.

Evergrande alone built more than 1000 developments in hundreds of cities and claims it creates more than 3.8 million jobs a year.

Property supercharged China's economy, and has ballooned to account for as much as 30 per cent of the country's GDP. Cheap money also fuelled developers to keep building: Evergrande, for example, expanded into bottled water, electric cars — even pig farming.

By 2017, Xu became Asia's richest person, and was famous for his extravagant lifestyle and taste for luxury.

During one of China's annual legislative conferences, Xu went viral online for wearing a black suit with a flashy Hermès gold belt, earning himself the moniker "belt brother".

And according to the book Red Roulette by Chinese businessman Desmond Shum, Xu once ordered his private jet to fly empty to Paris while he played cards with a friend in another jet headed for the same place.

While Xu was an archetype of China's crazy rich, he also successfully aligned himself with Beijing and the ruling Chinese Communist Party — at least for a while.

He was known as a philanthropist and is a member of China's Political Consultative Committee, which advises the government on policy.

"All I have and all that Evergrande Group has achieved were endowed by the Party, the state and the whole society," Xu said in a 2018 speech.

But that strategy failed last year, when Beijing started to crack down on unrestrained borrowing in real estate — an ongoing issue in China, where the housing market has been cooling for some time.

In August 2020, the Chinese government unveiled a "three red lines" policy to limit debt from developers, which analysts say has contributed to the liquidity crisis now unfolding at Evergrande and other developers.

"There's been a decision at the very top, that this buildup of reckless credit expansion is becoming a danger to China and presumably a threat to the Party rule," said Leland Miller, the CEO of China Beige Book.

High stakes

Chinese President Xi Jinping is rewriting the rules in the world's second-largest economy — a dramatic upheaval he's attributed to a desire to close the wealth gap, but which experts also attribute to a desire for further control.

A regulatory crackdown has also swept through industries ranging from tech and education to fan culture and video games.

But real estate poses its own, enormous economic and social threat: nearly three-quarters of household wealth in China is tied up in property, and the Evergrande crisis has led to protests from employees, contractors and homebuyers.

The stakes are high: Beijing wants to make an example out of Evergrande, but the government also needs to avert a collapse that could endanger an already slowing economy.

"I think it's almost certain that the government is going to find a way to bail it out while making it look as essentially the bailout was done so by the private sector, even though the government's hand was behind it," Mitter said.

It seems unlikely that Xu, Evergrande's founder, could handle everything on his own. Evergrande is China's most indebted developer and it has some US$300 billion ($407 billion) in total liabilities. His personal wealth is valued at about US$7.2 billion ($9.79 billion), according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Pushing Xu to pay the debts himself is "of much greater symbolic value, than offering actual ability to make a dent in the amount of money owed," said Cai of the Lowy Institute.

Beijing, meanwhile, has repeatedly said the situation is controllable, even as authorities have acknowledged what they call "individual problems" in the property market.

However China attempts to resolve the issue, the government's efforts to more tightly regulate the real estate industry may be creating new risks, even as it eliminates old ones.

"For decades, we've been used to a high growth model where property pumps enormous amounts of credit into the economy … and when growth needs a little pick me up, then more building gets done," Miller said.

"We are going from an era of high to medium growth to an era of low growth in China."