Australia was an island of cold weather last month as a streak of global record-breaking heat continued.

Data released this week by the non-profit environment group Berkeley Earth shows that the Earth's global average air temperature last month was 0.11 degrees above the 1850 to 1900 average. This was the highest April average temperature on record, beating the previous record from 2020 by 0.14 degrees.

Last month continued a lengthy run of record-breaking global heat that has been uninterrupted since June 2023, with April becoming the 11th consecutive month to set a new monthly global average temperature record.

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But amid this unrivalled global warmth, Australia registered its first cooler-than-average April in nine years.

The mean air temperature over Australia in April was lower than the 1951 to 1980 average.

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It was one of only a few places on Earth's surface that were cooler than average last month.

The reason behind Australia's cool spell during an otherwise record-breaking warm month for Earth's atmosphere was high pressure centred to the south of Western Australia.

This condition causes southerly winds to carry cool air across Australia. When these high-pressure systems are strong and large, the southerly winds can be persistent and shift cool air across the entire continent.

So, while many areas of Earth were experiencing record-breaking warmth last month, Australia was one of the only places being kept cooler than normal, thanks to a stagnant weather pattern.

Meteorologists say this is a good example of how periods of cold weather can mask the longer-term warming trend of climate change.

When single mother-of-three Rachael left her husband more than 20 years ago, she had two young children and was pregnant with her third.

"I was renting and we moved with nothing," Rachael, who asked for her surname to be withheld, told 9news.com.au.

With no job, and no savings, the only real asset Rachael had was $30,000 in a superannuation fund. 

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In desperation, Rachael made an application to her superannuation company to withdraw the maximum permitted under a financial hardship provision – $10,000.

"It was used for buying a fridge and furniture and everything we needed," she said.

In order to meet the hardship provision, a person has to be on Centrelink unemployment benefits for 26 continuous weeks or more.

The money withdrawn from super is taxed at 25 per cent, however, people with incomes in the tax-free threshold receive the tax back after lodging their tax return.

Rachael said she felt she had no other choice but to make that first withdrawal from her superannuation.

The situation was different for the second and third time she applied for funds from her superannuation to be released.

However, Rachael said she still felt it was important at the time.

When her youngest two children were in high school, Rachael withdrew $10,000 for each of them so they could go on a school trip to Japan.

The applications were made two years apart, when the children were both 16 years old.

"They were learning Japanese and I wanted to give them a good education. I took it out so they could go to Japan," Rachael said.

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"I couldn't not send them. I just thought they have got to go, it's part of their education. 

"None of them are interested in Japanese now and they couldn't give a shit."

The withdrawals left Rachael with no money in her superannuation fund at all, making her feel like it was the "worst thing I did". 

"I wish I hadn't as I am now facing medical problems and housing problems and have nothing to fall back on," Rachael said.

Rachael, who is now 51, made the last withdrawal from her super about seven years ago.

If Rachael had kept the entire $30,000 in her superannuation account, the amount would have more than tripled to $109,800 by the time she was 67, assuming a compound interest rate of 5 per cent.

Rachael said her experience was a warning to others.

"I tell everyone I know, 'Don't take it out because you will need it when you are old.'" 

Rachael said while there were checks in place to make sure people had been receiving Centrelink benefits for the required amount of time in order to access their super, there was almost no scrutiny about what the money was actually spent on.

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While many people were genuinely struggling, some weren't, she said. 

"I think some people on Centrelink think it's quick cash and they can go buy a new TV," she said. 

Figures from superannuation industry regulator Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) show that an early release of superannuation funds due to hardship was granted to 77,000 accounts in the last financial year to June 2023.

Low unemployment has meant those numbers have remained relatively steady.

However, statistics released in March by the Australian Tax Office (ATO) show the number of people accessing their super early for compassionate reasons is growing.

Superannuation funds can be accessed under compassionate grounds through the ATO in order to get medical treatment, accommodate a disability, meet palliative care needs, funeral expenses or prevent the foreclosure of your home.

There is no limit placed on the amount that can be withdrawn from a person's superannuation for compassionate reasons.

In the 2022-2023 financial year, the tax office accepted 41,800 applications for compassionate access to super.

This was a 21.5 per cent increase on the previous financial year.

In the last financial year, there were a record number of applications approved for medical treatments, including a 67 per cent increase for dental treatments.

The figures also show a 28 per cent surge in the number of people applying for an early release of their super to prevent the foreclosure of their home. 

However, the dramatic increase in the number of applications for early access to prevent a home foreclosure did not translate to more approvals, with the ATO giving the green light to even fewer requests than the previous financial year.

Finance expert Joel Gibson said it was no surprise to see an application spike from people facing home foreclosures. 

"We're still yet to see the worst impacts of the RBA's rate hikes on mortgage holders, so I think next year will be higher still," Gibson said.

Gibson said it was not clear why so few applications were being approved in relation to foreclosures, but it was exactly the sort of thing early access to super should be allowed for. 

"If people are going to put that money into an appreciating asset just like a super fund would, and it's keeping a roof over their heads, I think that's a win-win," Gibson said.

"A lot of money experts will disagree with me on this and say super is sacrosanct. 

"But I'd argue your life savings are better invested in the family home than just about anywhere else – in retirement you can sell that home and downsize, as many do."

The ATO figures for early access to superannuation on compassionate grounds do not include the large number of people who accessed their superannuation under special provisions during the pandemic.

In the case of the 3 million people who took around $37 billion from their super during the COVID pandemic, they "probably blew their dough", Gibson said.

Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) CEO Mary Delahunty said people needed to think very carefully before making the decision to access their super early.

"Many Australians are under sustained cost of living pressure right now. Even in difficult financial circumstances, there is a need to balance the early withdrawal of super with the long-term retirement benefits that super delivers," Delahunty said. 

"ASFA research demonstrates that people who withdraw their superannuation early tend to pay a high price in terms of the cost to their retirement savings."

The NRL has launched its own investigation into a rape allegation made against a Queensland player.

9News last night revealed the complaint was made by a woman after officers this week attended the home of a current player at a Queensland club.

Police launched an investigation and, today, the NRL confirmed its Integrity Unit was also investigating the matter.

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"It's very disappointing to hear about these allegations, they are very serious," NRL chief Andrew Abdo said.

"We have, you know, policies in place to deal with these should they eventuate so we'll deal with the facts once we know a bit more."

The player is currently contracted to a Queensland club and – since no charges have been laid – is free to play this weekend if his club selects him. 

If he is charged, he will be automatically stood down under NRL policy.

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Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski provided an update on the investigation today, saying it may take some time due to its complex nature.

9News reporter Tim Arvier, who broke the news last night, said he reached out to the player for comment.

"I spoke to that player who was accused of this a short time ago, he did not make any comment and hung up the phone," he said, last night.

Supermarket makeup companies are giving luxury brands a run for their money, with consumers turning to more affordable options.

Consumers are still spending big in the beauty industry, but they are turning to cheaper makeup brands, in part spurred by social media.

Mother-of-two Rachel Manhuyod said buying budget beauty products was not only affordable, but convenient.

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"I'm able to do my groceries, and pick up makeup, skincare, baby needs, everything in one go," Manhuyod said.

"They're really on par with a lot of luxury brands these days, what we get is great value for money."

Woolworths commercial director James Hepworth said the store had seen a significant increase in interest in supermarket beauty products.

He said mascara was one of the store's best-selling beauty products, with approximately 8000 tubes sold every day.

"Customers are really loving (beauty) categories at the moment, they're 15 per cent up year on year," Hepworth said.

One of the surging cheaper brands, MCo Beauty, is known for its affordable "dupes", of high-end makeup products, garnering a cult following on TikTok.

Market research company IBIS World said the products are usually very similar to luxury items.

"Dupe products are products that are replicas, have similar packaging and colours to luxury goods and usually they're at cheaper price points," IBIS World senior industry analyst Danny Martin said. 

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The brand is now expanding into the US after the high demand for makeup dupes.

Coles and Aldi are also cashing in on the demand, each launching their own skincare brands. 

Mecca is still the queen of Australian cosmetics, generating an estimated $1.2 billion in revenue this financial year, but experts say the market is shifting.

Myer saw an overall sales revenue that was down 3 per cent in the first half of this financial year.

"They're being priced out as the affordable market emerges," Martin said.

Receiving threats and online abuse after telling X Corp to take down a video of a brutal church stabbing, the eSafety Commissioner has raised safety concerns with police.

Australia's internet cop is in a Federal Court legal battle with Elon Musk's social media platform seeking the removal of a clip showing Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel being attacked at a western Sydney church in April.

According to a court material made public on Thursday, the watchdog was forced to contact NSW and federal police because of threats and online abuse towards Commissioner Julie Grant received following the takedown notice.

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"As a result of these threats, eSafety is concerned for the eSafety Commissioner's safety and wellbeing, and the safety and wellbeing of her family," wrote eSafety Commission general manager of regulatory operations Toby Dagg in an affidavit filed with the Federal Court.

"(The commission) has requested the assistance of the Australian Federal Police and New South Wales Police Force."

On Monday, Justice Geoffrey Kennett declined to extend an interim order requiring X to block clips from 65 websites that show the graphic few seconds when the bishop was stabbed.

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Removal notices were sent to multiple social media companies, including Facebook and Instagram parent Meta, which quickly did what it was told.

However, X only geoblocked the material from Australian users, leaving the clip viewable by those who used virtual private networks (VPNs).

In his decision, Justice Kennett found an order requiring removal of the content for all Australians worldwide was unreasonable.

"The potential consequences for orderly and amicable relations between nations, if a notice with the breadth contended for were enforced, are obvious," Justice Kennett wrote.

"Most likely, the notice would be ignored or disparaged in other countries."

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Two US free-speech non-profits seeking to intervene in the case have gone further, arguing that the enforcement of a global takedown order such as this one could encourage authoritarian regimes.

"(Takedowns) set a dangerous precedent that could legitimise practices of authoritarian governments, which do not fully value the rights to freedom of speech and access to information," wrote Corynne McSherry, legal director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation in an affidavit.

Aaron Terr, director of public advocacy of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, wrote separately that consequences like this were a "real risk".

"This outcome could undermine Australia's standing to oppose similar actions by other governments and result in a significant erosion of free expression worldwide," he said.

Bishop Emmanuel has sided with X in wanting the video to remain online, pointing in an affidavit to Australia's "God given right to freedom of speech and freedom of religion".

He also raised concerns about others using the attack on him to serve their political purposes and control free speech.

The matter has been set down for a two-day hearing to begin July 24.

The commission is seeking penalties and further injunctions for X regarding the stabbing video.

Inquiry probes Crown’s treatment of Māori veterans after their return from fighting.

The second-term MP’s loss been honoured by PM Luxon, other politicians and public figures.

A weed sprayer has described seeing a grumpy old man, believed to be Russell Hill, speed past him on his way to a remote Victorian campsite on the day it's alleged he was murdered.

He also recounted giving a man, believed to be accused killer Greg Lynn, directions to the campsite two days earlier.

Lynn, who was an airline pilot at the time, is accused of killing Hill and his childhood sweetheart Carol Clay while they were camping in the Wonnangatta Valley more than four years ago.

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The 57-year-old has pleaded not guilty and is facing a four-to-six week trial in the Supreme Court in Melbourne.

Two weed sprayers and two deer hunters gave evidence to the jury today about their interactions with Lynn, Hill and Clay near Bucks Camp in March 2020.

Robert Williams, who was spraying blackberries in the area, said a man wearing gaitors and shorts, aged in his 50s approached him on March 18.

He said the man was "all sweaty" and looked sick so he asked him to stand a few metres away in case he had COVID-19.

Williams said the man, believed to be Lynn, then asked him where the best place to camp in the area was.

"Bucks Camp is definitely the best near Wonnangatta Station," he told the jury.

On March 20, Williams said he saw a "grumpy old bugger", believed to be Hill, in a "snazzied up" white Toytota Landcruiser.

He said the car zoomed past him and did not stop to say hello.

"The way he accelerated past me, it was like he was on a mission," he told the jury.

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"He was very unhappy … he just looked really grumpy and sad."

Later that day, about 4.30pm, he saw a "rude" drone fly over him.

"I heard this noise coming down the river, looked up, over the top of me there was a drone flying very low," he said.

"I actually waved to the drone, he tilted his wings."

The jury was told on Tuesday the two campers died on March 20 after an argument between Lynn and Hill about hunting and the latter's drone.

Hill had threatened to send footage of Lynn deer hunting close to Bucks Camp to police, defence barrister Dermot Dann KC said.

He said a scuffle ensured after Hill took a gun from Lynn's vehicle and Clay was accidentally shot by Hill.

He claimed Hill then came at Lynn with a knife, and was accidentally stabbed in the chest as Lynn was trying to defend himself.

Lynn then burned Clay and Hill's campsite, put their bodies in his trailer and dumped them on the remote Union Spur Track, near Dargo.

The trial continues.

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Collapsed airline Air Vanuatu owes creditors $110 million and that number is expected to rise, the company's liquidators say.

In a statutory report to creditors released this afternoon, liquidators from Enrst and Young have said the carrier's "financial position is dire".

Air Vanuatu has an overall deficit of $US65.9 million ($98.6 million) and owes creditors $US73.5 million ($110 million), according to the report, which says the actual amount owing is likely to be far higher.

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"The company's available financial information is significantly out of date," liquidators wrote.

"Therefore, this statement represents the liquidators' best estimates only, based on the company's books and records, and the information available.

"As our investigations continue, it is almost certain this estimate will change.

"In particular, it is likely the value of liabilities will increase materially."

The liquidators are exploring options – including a sale of the business – to keep Air Vanuatu running but said, were it not for the financial support of the Vanuatu government, the airline would collapse for good.

"The liquidators are grateful for the government's statement of financial support which is required to stabilise the operations of the company.

"If not for this financial support, the liquidators have no other choice than to cease operations and wind down the company.

"The company's financial position is dire and it clearly cannot fund its own operations."

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According to the report, only two of Air Vanuatu's six aircraft are currently flight-ready, with three requiring maintenance and one repossessed by its owner.

Liquidators said plane part shortages were one of the reasons behind the airline's financial troubles.

"(Air Vanuatu) encountered several operational challenges in recent years … such as travel restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters such as the double cyclone event in 2023, and disruptions to the availability of its fleet, due to global aviation parts shortages," the report states.

"As a consequence, we understand the business has been underperforming for a significant period of time."

The airline unexpectedly cancelled its international flights last week, including those to Sydney and Brisbane, before being put into voluntary liquidation the day after.