Justice Cameron Mander told the jury Dickason’s future was now up to him.
Tag Archives: oceania
Couple ordered to pay $30k for meth contamination and drug-related damage to Auckland apartment
“It was really certain they were cooking and producing a lot of meth at that property.”
Elizabeth Kerekere makes final speech, decrying poor process in the Green Party
Elizabeth Kerekere addresses ‘crybaby-gate’ incident as she bows out of Parliament.
Gangs, drugs, shootings: Text reveals Mongol’s gang takeover plan, helps send him to jail
The Auckland man was jailed for 14 years and nine months.
Waikato woman accuses neighbour of shooting her two dogs
Sharna Saunders says she wants to forget what she saw after they were allegedly shot.
PM's plan to tackle Australia's housing crisis in just five years
Australia will build 1.2 million new homes in the space of five years as part of a new plan agreed to at national cabinet aimed at tackling the nation's housing crisis.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said increasing supply was the key to addressing the housing and rental crisis, adding that the Commonwealth had committed $3 billion in incentivised payments for states and territories that build more than their allocated share of homes.
"This is an initiative that shows how serious we are as state and territory governments across the political spectrum as well as the Commonwealth, understanding that supply is the key," Albanese said.
READ MORE: Cinemas screen Matildas World Cup match for free
"That's the key to putting downward pressure and assisting renters."
The 1.2 million homes is an extra 200,000 on top of the 1 million agreed to by the states and territories last year.
One policy that wasn't included in Wednesday's announcement was a rent freeze or cap in line with what the Greens have been calling for in their negotiations with the federal government over its signature housing policy, which is yet to pass the Senate.
"You cannot say you support increased housing supply and vote against the Housing Australia Future Fund," Albanese said, adding that "the idea that you just have a rent freeze… we believe that will make it worse (for renters)".
READ MORE: Experts' solutions to 'completely unacceptable' rental crisis
That didn't sit at all well with the Greens, who indicated today's announcement won't stop them from continuing to block the Housing Australia Future Fund, which, without support from the Coalition, requires the minor party's backing to pass parliament.
They have repeatedly said they won't back the legislation unless the federal government works with the states and territories to introduce rent freezes or caps.
"From now on, every unfair rent increase is Labor's fault," Greens leader Adam Bandt said.
"Labor has every seat bar one at national cabinet, and it's now clear Labor's policy is for unlimited rent increases."
"Unlimited rent increases once a year are still unlimited rent increases," housing spokesperson Max Chandler-Mather added.
National cabinet did agree to a plan to strengthen renters' rights and better align legislation around the country.
However, many of the principles of that plan – such as removing no-grounds evictions, limiting rent increases to once per year, and banning rent bidding – had already been committed to or introduced by state and territory governments.
One original element of the plan involves looking at better regulation of short-stay accommodation, such as Airbnbs.
"One of the things that we looked at was the consideration of what the impact of short-term accommodation is having on rentals," Albanese said.
"I know, in an electorate like mine, it's having a substantial impact. And just having a look at that, considering what the implications are for that, is something that's worthy of doing.
"We know that there is no simple one-day, one-week, one-month solution to dealing with housing issues that are about a long-term supply issue.
"But we know that we're all prepared to look at the full suite of reforms across the housing sector."
National cabinet also agreed to the national planning reform blueprint, which Albanese said would include "planning, zoning, land release and other measures to improve housing supply and affordability".
'Never knew my old man': Memorial marks 25 years since Silk-Miller murders
Jim Miller never got a chance to grab a beer with his late father, Senior Constable Rodney Miller.
Jim was just seven weeks old when his dad failed to come home from work, gunned down along with Sergeant Gary Silk in 1998.
Jim, now 25, joined friends, family and other officers today for a memorial service and special sporting match to mark the 25th anniversary since his dad's death.
READ MORE: Dirt bike hoons caught riding dangerously while harassing police in Melbourne
In a crime that shocked Melbourne and sent fear through the force, Silk and Miller were investigating a series of hold-ups on August 16, 1998 when they were shot at close range outside the Silky Emperor Restaurant.
Although it's been more than two decades, the loss is still hard to overcome.
"I never got to know my old man or know what it was like to share a beer with him," Jim said today.
"That's probably been the hardest thing I have had to deal with over the past 25 years. But the way you have all made me feel by embracing me and feel so comfortable in your presence since I was a kid has been amazing.
"Days like today let you look in the positive of what has come out of everything you."
READ MORE: Woolworths unveils new security measures to deter shoplifting
Jim joined officers from St Kilda and Prahan Police Stations to play in the Silk-Miller Cup.
He was cheered on from his mother and Rod's widow, Carmel Arthur.
"It evokes a myriad of emotions. There's enormous pride, enormous awe, there is enormous sadness," she said.
"But I think at the heart of its just this connection this incredible connection."
READ MORE: Wooden arrow shot into residential backyard sparks concern
The family is still coming to terms with the news from last year that Jason Roberts was found not guilty by a Supreme Court jury.
He had been accused of murdering both Silk and Miller and was previously jailed for 22 years.
With both families' blessings, the annual formal memorial service will now move to every five years.
But it is still hoped members of the police force will come together each anniversary to play for the cup.
How the weather is looking for the blockbuster Matildas-England match
The Matildas are just hours away from their crunch match against England for a place in the FIFA Women's World Cup final.
And while the result is uncertain, the weather is at least expected to play ball both at Sydney's Stadium Australia and at the city's fan sites where big screens will show the match.
Here's a wrap of what you can expect at stadiums and live sites around Australia.
Sydney
It was raining this morning, but the Bureau of Meteorology said any showers will have cleared by this evening, which is great news for both fans at the game and watching around the city.
"It'll be a clear, cool night for those at Sydney Olympic Park," the weather bureau said.
https://twitter.com/BOM_au/status/1691687635096658157?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
For those heading to an outdoor site to catch the clash with England, you won't be rained on – but remember your green and gold scarves or jackets as it will be about 13 degrees by kickoff.
READ MORE: What our Matildas mean to Australia
Melbourne
It's going to be a bit cooler for fans heading to Federation Square following the Victorian capital's coldest August morning in five years
The three degrees make a difference, with a 10-degree temperature forecast at kickoff.
Luckily, forecasters said it is expected to remain dry.
Adelaide
There's slight chance of a shower in Adelaide tonight, so fans heading to see the match outside might want to pack an umbrella.
Brisbane
In true Queensland fashion, warm and dry conditions are expected.
It should be 17 degrees around kickoff.
Perth
Earlier showers are set to make way for clear skies in WA tonight, with the temperature set to be a chilly 11 degrees.
Darwin
Sunny Darwin will be dry and a hot 25 degrees this evening for the big match.
Tasmania
Hobart will be on the cool side at 9 degrees tonight, and it's expected to be cloudy but dry.
READ MORE: Where and when you can watch the Matildas' World Cup semi-final
Swimming: Apology after air quality failure at big swim champs in Hastings
More than 600 swimmers were at the biggest swimming event ever in Hawke’s Bay.
Taranaki farm worker murder: Eyewitness in Jodie Hughes’ trial recalls deadly beating
‘You don’t need to do this, you know, it’s not too late,’ the man pleaded with the killer.