Students claim even the teachers were not told today would mark the end of their classes.
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Ben Smart-Olivia Hope murder: Scott Watson’s lawyers fight to bring in new DNA evidence
Watson has long claimed his innocence and is set to launch his latest appeal next year.
Bruce Lehrmann accused of two counts of rape
Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann can now be named as the high-profile man facing rape charges in Queensland following a Supreme Court decision.
Lehrmann, who has not been required to appear in court for the hearing and remains on bail, faces two counts of raping a woman at Toowoomba, west of Brisbane, in October 2021.
Lehrmann was charged with rape in January 2023 but could not be named at that time under a Queensland law that suppressed the names of people charged with certain sex offences unless they were committed to stand trial.
He is yet to enter a plea.
When Queensland repealed that law earlier this month, Lehrmann was granted an interim non-publication order in order to prepare a case for why his identity should be protected.
The Brisbane Supreme Court today heard submissions to determine whether or not to grant an application to overturn a Toowoomba magistrate's decision earlier this month that would allow media outlets to name Lehrmann.
The magistrate denied Lehrmann's application on October 14 but granted another interim order to allow him to challenge the decision in the Brisbane Supreme Court.
Justice Peter Applegarth today dismissed the application for a review of the decision and said it was open for the magistrate to find that an ongoing non-publication order was not necessary to prevent risk to Lehrmann's safety.
Lehrmann was the subject of national media attention after being charged with the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins in an office at Parliament House in March 2019 while both were employed as staff for Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds.
The case ended in a mistrial in October 2022 after a jury member unlawfully researched subjects including the prevalence of false rape claims.
Lehrmann has always maintained his innocence.
The ACT later held a public inquiry into the handling of the case that led to the resignation of chief prosecutor Shane Drumgold.
Today, barrister Andrew Hoare said his client's mental health would face "catastrophic consequences" if he were publicly identified.
"A risk of self-harm has been identified … through aggravation of existing symptoms," he said.
Barrister Michael Nicolson, acting for Queensland Police in opposing the application, said the magistrate had been "very calculated" in forming her decision."She did what she was told to do and looked at the material," Nicolson said.
The barrister for several media outlets, Rob Anderson KC, said the magistrate had fairly considered the incongruity between the psychiatrist's report and the man's decision to give television interviews that included information about his health.
"There was no error … (the magistrate) did appropriately take into account all the material before her," Anderson said.
NZ First leader Winston Peters doubles down on bizarre Christchurch terror attack claims with new social media post
This is Peters’ third post to social media in a series of astonishing claims.
Weather: Remnants of Tropical Cyclone Lola to strike New Zealand; Auckland tipped for cloud, snow further south
Winter-like weather will grip New Zealand on Friday then wind will change on Sunday.
Coronial inquest begins for Esther Osborne who died while in mental health care
She told a nurse she wanted to die. Shortly after, she was found unresponsive.
Mount Maunganui Tay St beach: Longline fishing under fire after hook snags Tauranga man’s leg
Man, dog and boogie boarder get caught up by fishing line.
Polar blast: State Highway 1 in Kaikōura closed, New Zealand slammed by gales, heavy rain, snow to sea level, 29 alerts issued
Violent electrical storms have also pounded parts of the South Island this morning.
Man hospitalised after getting trapped under ride-on mower on golf course
A man is in hospital after he became trapped under a ride-on lawn mower at a golf course in north Queensland.
It's believed the man was pinned under a large, commercial lawn mower at Rowes Bay Golf Club in Townsville about 10.51am.
Two Queensland Fire and Emergency Service crews worked to free the man.
READ MORE: Woman found dead at Sydney CBD school named
Queensland Ambulance Service said the man had injuries to his pelvis and knee.
The incident happened near a sloped section of land near a pond.
Big four predict Reserve Bank November rate hike
An interest rate rise is thought to be on the horizon for mortgage holders, with all big four banks forecasting a Melbourne Cup day rate hike.
Higher-than-expected inflation data released yesterday showed consumer prices (CPI) rose 1.2 per cent for the September quarter, prompting major banks to review their predictions for the Reserve Bank's meeting on November 7.
CBA, ANZ, NAB and Westpac have since said they believe interest rates will lift by 0.25 percentage points, pushing the cash rate to 4.35 per cent, according to RateCity.
READ MORE: AFP smashes alleged $229 money laundering ring with storefronts around Australia
CBA, ANZ and Westpac noted that the decision would be "finely balanced", with RBA forecasts and further data suggesting the possibility for the board to pause.
RateCity Research Director Sally Tindall said all four banks were in agreement that a rate rise was the most likely outcome of next week's meeting.
"The last time all four bank economic teams unanimously predicted a hike at the next Board meeting was back in March 2023," she said.
A 0.25 percentage point hike would see the average borrower with a $500,000 home loan pay an extra $76 in monthly repayments.
This means mortgage repayments would have increased by $1210 across all 13 hikes.
READ MORE: Water polo coach found dead at Sydney school as police hunt colleague
Tindall said the rate hike would take Australia's cash rate to its highest level in over the decade, placing further strain on mortgage holders.
"While it's astounding to think the last 12 rate hikes haven't been enough, the Board has made it clear it will do what it takes to rein in inflation using the one blunt instrument it has," she said.
"Borrowers should prepare for a rate hike in November, but potentially one more in December or the New Year."
Tindall advised borrowers instead of waiting for the next decision,start planning ahead.
"Call up your bank and ask for a rate cut. Any reduction in your interest can offset whatever decision is made on November 7 and beyond," she said.