A controversial weapons exposition will return to Melbourne in two years' time, despite the last event sparking some of the city's largest and most violent protests in decades.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan confirmed today that the state would host the 2028 Land Forces Expo in a move she said would "strengthen Victoria's international reputation".

This year's event, scheduled for October, was moved to Perth following the violence sparked by the last event at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, which included arrests and claims of police overreach.

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The expo is designed to showcase weapons and defence capabilities as well as medical technologies and humanitarian assistance systems, aimed at both domestic and overseas customers.

The last expo in September 2024 saw chaotic scenes on the streets of Melbourne as thousands of anti-war demonstrators marched in protest at the expo.

Twenty-seven police officers were injured and 42 people arrested on the first day of protests.

Police were called in from New South Wales to assist Victorian officers, with around a 1000-strong force attending to control the crowds.

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Protesters were accused of throwing projectiles like rocks, suspected human faeces, horse manure and balloons carrying unknown liquids at officers.

"We are backing the economic opportunities created by Victoria's defence industry and the 29,000 jobs it supports," said the state's Minister for Defence Industry Colin Brooks in a statement.

The Greens have slammed the decision, calling the Labor government "out of touch".

"They moved Land Forces to Perth in an election year to avoid scrutiny and mass protests just before an election but are happy to keep dealing in war and weapons in plain sight once the election is done and dusted," Greens spokesperson for Peace and Disarmament Gabrielle de Vietri said.

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He might be off the hook in court, but firebrand MP Mark Latham is still copping accusations of lying and character assassination from his former partner.

Nathalie Matthews, 38, applied for an apprehended violence order against Latham after accusing him of sustained emotional and physical abuse.

But she withdrew the private application by consent before a three-day hearing was set to begin.

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Latham's lawyer, Zali Burrows, told reporters outside Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court it was a good result for her client, who was excused from attending.

"The application has been withdrawn and dismissed," she said.

Latham has repeatedly denied his ex-partner's allegations and has not been charged with criminal wrongdoing.

The NSW upper house independent claimed the apprehended violence order application was withdrawn as far back as seven months ago, but was finally proved right on Wednesday.

"I was due in the Sydney Local Court tomorrow for the latest instalment in the private AVO application against me," he said in October.

"But it has now been delisted and the application withdrawn … that's the end of that."

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However, his dirty laundry with Matthews was aired in NSW Parliament after he made allegations about her relationship with the billionaire founder of WiseTech Global, Richard White.

In turn, Matthews tabled a citizen's right of reply in the upper house.

She claimed Latham made a series of false and defamatory statements about her while protected by parliamentary privilege during a speech on November 12.

The MP accused Matthews of being in a "pay-for-sex" relationship with White and benefiting from insider trading tips, which she denied.

"This statement is false and defamatory … Mr White never gave me insider information," Matthews wrote.

A win in court is a welcome change for Latham, who has suffered a series of high-profile losses.

In April, he was hit with a $100,000 fine by the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal after it ruled an obscene tweet directed at fellow MP Alex Greenwich constituted sexual harassment.

The Federal Court previously ruled the same tweet was defamatory and ordered Latham to pay $140,000 in legal costs.

The controversial politician has served as a right-wing independent MP since 2023, when a falling out with Senator Pauline Hanson led to his departure as One Nation NSW leader.

He led the populist party's return to state politics in 2019, 15 years after his failed attempt to lead Labor to a federal election victory.

After losing to incumbent Prime Minister John Howard in 2004, Latham resigned from federal parliament and was later ejected from the Labor Party.

He has been embroiled in several scandals during the past year, including taking photos of female MPs without their knowledge, for which he apologised.

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)

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Former NSW Young Australian of the Year Nikhil Autar has died at the age of 32.

The doctor, cancer survivor and writer achieved numerous feats in his life despite a number of significant challenges.

Autar was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 17 during his HSC year.

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He also underwent chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants and open heart surgery.

Despite this, he went on to graduate from medicine at Western Sydney University and was named the NSW Young Australian of the Year for 2024.

Autar also created the phone app Knia (Know In Advance) Maps to improve accessibility for people living with disabilities.

The app plotted accessibility at major Sydney hospitals, universities, public venues and transport as well as hundreds of small businesses.

He also founded the social enterprise Bheem Health, which provides low-cost medical devices to sick and vulnerable people.

His first device, called BheemUP, allowed any bed to convert into a hospital bed.

Another project was a world-first sensor mat that tracked sleep phases and minimised pressure sores for patients.

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Autar also raised almost $500,000 for pressure sore and medical device research.

Former Australian of the Year Professor Richard Scolyer and his wife Dr Katie Nicoll are among hundreds of people paying tribute to Autar.

"We are deeply saddened following the passing of Nikhil Autar, a remarkable Australian who showed us all the importance of living with compassion, kindness, and a never-ending commitment to helping others," the couple said on social media.

"Richard and I had the pleasure of meeting Nikhil and his family at the 2024 NSW Australian of the Year Awards, and then spent a wonderful few days with them in Canberra at the national awards.

"Nikhil's determination and courage, coupled with his humility and wonderful sense of humour, shone brightly."

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Tim Verry said he prays an inquest into his wife’s death will leave ‘no stone unturned’.

His oil painting won over hundreds of entries, including a portrait on a fake fingernail.

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this story contains the image of a person who is deceased.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has admitted governments need to do better to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians, after he met with the family of Kumanjayi Little Baby.

It has been almost three weeks since the five-year-old girl was found dead in Alice Springs days after she was allegedly abducted from a town camp.

Speaking this afternoon after meeting with her family, Albanese said the "wonderful, young soul" should have had her whole life ahead of her.

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"This is a young person lost far too early under circumstances that are unbearable," he said after meeting her mother and grandparents.

"(The family) are trying to bear their way through this with dignity, with respect and it will remain something that is with them forever.

"They're proud of their much-loved daughter and granddaughter, of who she was, but also that sense of regret that she won't get to be the young woman and woman that she should have become."

Albanese said his government will work with the Northern Territory government to tackle issues facing local communities, but admitted they all "need to do much better".

"This is a time where what I want to see is different levels of government coming together with the community in the same way that the community has come together itself."

The territory government has been criticised for its response to Kumanjayi Little Baby's death, which included proposed child protection changes and an inquiry.

North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency, the North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Services, Central Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service and Legal Aid NT were some of the organisations that issued a joint statement raising concerns about the proposed response.

The group said it would increase government intervention but fail to address underlying issues.

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Albanese called on the territory government to involve First Nations communities in its decision-making to create better outcomes.

"We'll work constructively with the Northern Territory government, but they also need to work respectfully with the local community, with the family, and need to make sure they involve First Nations people as well in this local community to work through these issues in the most constructive way possible," he said.

"I would say to the Northern Territory government that you'll get better outcomes if you have an inclusive approach and you have buy-in to these issues, and that's why that consultation and engagement is so important."

Albanese also criticised the territory government over the state of town camps.

"Clearly, the Northern Territory government have had responsibilities since 2012 for the town camps," he said.

"Clearly, there's a need to do more to make sure that the living conditions are improved."

The family of Kumanjayi Little Baby have called for Australians not to politicise her death as they conduct sorry business. 

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Police will be at the East Auckland ride to ensure safety for all.

Rachel Lamberth blamed an out-of-control gambling addiction for the offending.

Nine complaints about seagulls were logged with Whangārei District Council.

Former Olympic swimming champion Neil Brooks and his wife Linda were "ecstatic" at learning their long-running fraud charges were about to be formally abandoned in a Brisbane court.

The pair had been accused of making dishonest representations to induce investor Glenn Melcheck and his wife to pay $1.95 million for a 50 per cent stake in their sports merchandise company in 2008.

After being introduced in late 2007 by a third party, the Brooks and the Melchecks held a series of meetings before signing an agreement in January 2008.

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Days later, the Melchecks paid a $50,000 deposit only for the now-defunct company to collapse within months.

In Brisbane District Court today, prosecutors told Judge Anthony Rafter they would not proceed with the case, effectively ending the prosecution.

The Brooks' lawyer, Daniel Hannay, said they were finally vindicated after almost a decade.

"We had a FaceTime discussion last night – where I gave them the good news, they were both overseas," he said in a statement.

"There were lots of tears – but not many words. They are both ecstatic that the matter is finally over, and they can move on with their lives."

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The Brooks were charged in 2017, and during the proceedings, the court heard about alleged relationships with major European football clubs, including Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United.

Prosecutors alleged the couple, as directors of the company, made misleading claims about the business's success and prospects to induce the investment.

Brooks won gold at the 1980 Moscow Olympics and was part of Australia's famed "Mean Machine" relay team before going on to work as a television presenter.

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