A magistrate has commended high-profile NSW environmental activist Violet CoCo's protest activity but said she had gone "too far" defacing a Perth police station with spray paint.

Deanna "Violet" Maree CoCo, 32, was convicted and fined $200 after she admitted spray painting four yellow Woodside Energy logos on the front windows of the Perth Police Centre a day earlier.

The Western Australian magistrates court was told CoCo's actions at the police station were an act of solidarity with local campaigners targeted by police amid an escalating crackdown on protesters.

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It included CoCo attempting to use super glue to adhere her arm to the window before police arrested and charged her with criminal damage or destruction of property on Wednesday.

After listening to the fact, Magistrate Matthew Walton said CoCo appeared to have "legitimate personal beliefs".

"It is noble and commendable people have strong personal views," he said on Thursday.

"It's a fundamental tenet of western democracy … a functioning democracy … it should be supported.

"You don't have to go too far abroad to see the restrictions on personal freedoms and activism.

"In a lot of regards you should be commended, however, you breached the law … you went too far on this occasion."

CoCo was ordered to pay $500 in damages.

"I encourage you to do it but you should be encouraged to do it in a lawful manner," Walton said.

"It should be something held to be very precious to all of us."

Activist group Disrupt Burrup Hub on Wednesday said CoCo's actions at the police station were an act of solidarity with local campaigners targeted by police amid an escalating crackdown on protesters.

It said environmental campaigners have been subject to increasing police overreach in recent months in response to a campaign targeting Woodside's Burrup Hub project.

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This has allegedly included house raids, data seizure and excessive charges after activists sprayed the Woodside logo on a famous Fredrick McCubbin painting at the WA Art Gallery and WA's parliament building.

CoCo was among the first people charged after the NSW parliament hiked penalties and expanded the reach of laws targeting those who block traffic on major routes.

The NSW District Court in March wiped her 15-month prison sentence for parking a truck on the Harbour Bridge and blocking a lane during morning peak traffic in April 2022, which was part of an environmental protest against climate inaction.

She was issued with a 12-month conditional release order after the court heard she had initially been imprisoned on false information from NSW Police.

Disrupt Burrup Hub has called for industrial development on the Burrup Peninsula, about 30km west of Karratha in the Pilbara region, to be stopped, including Woodside Energy's expansion of the Pluto gas plant.

The Burrup Peninsula, known as Murujuga to traditional owners, contains the largest and oldest collection of petroglyphs in the world.

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A second teenager has been charged over the theft of a car allegedly involved in a horror crash that killed three women and left another fighting for her life in Queensland last Sunday.

Nurse Sheree Robertson, 52, from Torquay in Hervey Bay, was driving home from work in Maryborough when she was killed alongside Kelsie Davies, 17, and Michale Chandler, 29, in the collision, while Kaylah Behrens, 23, remains in an induced coma.

Police had already arrested one 13-year-old boy over the crash, and on Thursday charged a second teenager.

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The second teen, who is also a 13-year-old boy, was charged with two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and one count each of driving without a licence and possessing dangerous drugs.

However, police say he was not in the allegedly stolen Mercedez-Benz involved in the crash during the collision.

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Officers also said the initial suggestion that a passenger ran from the stolen car following the crash appeared to be inaccurate, saying they had found no evidence to suggest that had occurred.

The teen is set to re-appear in Maryborough Childrens Court at a later date.

The first teen was denied bail earlier in the week after being charged with three counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

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Tasmania's attorney-general has ordered an inquest into the death of a young man who was struck by a car driven by his partner, despite a judge ruling one was not needed.

Family and friends of Jari Wise campaigned for an inquest after he was killed at Huonville, south of Hobart, in 2020.

Wise was hit by a car being driven by Melissa Oates, who then left him on the road.

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Oates was in April 2021 jailed for eight months after pleading guilty to dangerous driving, drink driving and failing to stop and assist in an accident.

She was found to not be legally responsible for the death of Wise as it could not be ruled out he jumped in front of the car.

Attorney-General Elise Archer on Thursday directed the coroner to hold an inquest, hours after a Supreme Court judge ruled one would not be in the interest of justice.

Wise's mother, Faith Tkalac, had launched Supreme Court legal action against the coroner in her push for an inquest.

"I'm lost for words. I'm elated, which is difficult for me to say because this is regarding my … child," she said.

"It's been such a fight. This has been my every day, my every minute, my every moment."

Archer said she had been monitoring Supreme Court proceedings but had to wait for an outcome before making her determination.

"I am deeply concerned and acknowledge the impact of these proceedings on the family and friends of Mr Wise," she said in a statement.

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Archer said she used her powers under the coroners act to direct an inquest.

"I have not made this decision lightly, but it is my sincere belief that this will assist Mr Wise's loved ones to find the answers that they seek," she said.

Coroner Simon Cooper investigated Wise's death and in July 2021 decided not to hold an inquest, partly because it was unlikely to reveal any additional, significant information.

As part of her Supreme Court application, Tkalac claimed there were other witnesses who could provide evidence of Oates threatening to kill Wise on the night he died.

She argued it had never been established whether Wise stepped out in front of the car or whether the crash was deliberate.

In delivering his judgment, Supreme Court of Tasmania Justice Michael Brett said an inquest would not be in the interest of justice.

He ruled the police investigation had been extremely thorough and it became clear evidence did not support the theory Oates was responsible for Wise's death.

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Almost a year ago, police were called to a disorder and found the 51-year-old dead.

Pipes fixed but silt in town’s water source means treatment plant struggling to keep up.

Millions of Australians are worried about paying back their student debt after education loans face a major 7.1 increase as a result of surging inflation.

Student HECS and HELP loans in Australia are interest-free making them one of the cheapest debts to have, however they are indexed every financial year based on a cost of living index.

From June 1 this year, indexation will rise to 7.1 per cent on student loans when it previously sat at 3.9 per cent.

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It is the highest indexation seen since it was 8 per cent in 1990.

Sydney lawyer Sally is concerned about the significant indexation rise in student loans and the future of paying hers off.

Sally's loan started at nearly $90,000 for a law degree but has now paid off down to $45,000 after 10 years of work.

But in light of the stark indexation rise, she's questioning whether to pay it off now with savings she may have used on a house deposit.

"I've been working full-time for over 10 years including a few years as a junior lawyer making peanuts and barely made a dent in the debt compared to its indexation," she told 9news.com.au.

"The 7.1 per cent for me means an extra $4000 this year and I'll pay off maybe $7000 from income tax."

But she said if Australia sees a period of stagflation – high inflation over a long time – then it is going to become harder and harder for her to pay off the loans.

"I'm more inclined to dip into my savings which I've spent a long time working hard to squirrel away to pay it off."

Instead, she believes loans should be indexed based on wage growth.

It comes as a Finder survey of 305 Australians with student debt recorded similar outlooks to Sally in repaying their loans.

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The survey found one in two are slightly or extremely concerned about their ability to repay the loan.

A further 14 per cent don't think they'll ever be able to pay off their debt which equates to more than 420,000 people, according to Finder.

Head of consumer research at Finder Graham Cooke warned inflation which shows little sign of slowing will lead to more graduates with rising student debt.

"Inflation is causing headaches for almost all Australians, and former students are no exception," Cooke said.

"Our high inflation rate means more interest will be charged against student debt than we have seen in decades – no doubt the effects will be significant."

Cooke warned Aussies looking to buy a home will struggle to take out a future loan as lingering student debt is a "massive liability" for lenders.

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Around 15 per cent of Australians – around 3 million people – are paying back their student loans, according to the Australia Tax Office.

The ATO estimates around 11 per cent of those have between $5000 and $40,000 and 3 per cent have between $40,000 and $100,000.

Just 2 per cent have under $5000.

Cooke said Aussies who have some spare cash should put it towards repayments to minimise debt in the long run.

"Whilst it may seem all doom and gloom, student debt is the least crucial loan you'll ever have," Cooke said.

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The information provided on this website is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice. The information has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information on this website you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.

A tiny two-bedroom house is expected to sell for over $8 million after being owned by the same family for 53 years.

The 850sqm of land and the small house on it in Cabarita, Sydney, is expected to fetch over $8 million when it goes to auction on May 20.

The home at 9 Collingwood Avenue was last bought by the Waller Family in 1969 for $17,000.

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Now the property's value has skyrocketed, thanks largely to its location in one of Sydney's most sought-after suburbs right on France Bay.

"Located in one of Cabarita's most prestigious neighbourhoods with elite private schools, cafes, restaurants and direct transport to the CBD at your doorstep, this property promises the ultimate Inner West lifestyle," the listing states.

The home is listed with real estate company Horwood Nolan.

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The company's founder and managing director Ben Horwood said waterfront properties like it are very rare to find in today's market.

"It's a rare opportunity, inner-west waterfronts are typically built up with waterfront apartments, there are very few standalones in the inner west," he told 9News.com.au.

"It's got good proximity to private schools, the rest of the inner west and Sydney, it makes this place an exceedingly convenient place to live for families."

Horwood also said interest in the property has been good, with most families looking to knock it down and "build their dream waterfront home."

A property of similar size two doors down from 9 Collingwood Avenue sold for $8.2 million in July 2022.

The family who has owned the home for the last 50 years are selling as they decided it was time to move on, according to Horwood.

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Aged care workers are in for a major pay boost in the upcoming federal budget with salary increases of up to $10,000 per year to cover the rising cost of living pressures.

Under an $11.3 billion package, nurses and aged care workers will receive the most significant pay pocket increase in the federal budget on May 9.

From January 1, aged care workers will receive an extra $7000 in their pay packet and nurses will be paid an additional $10,000 a year.

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A full breakdown of the changes can be found below.

Aged Care Minister Anika Wells said 250,000 aged care workers including registered nurses and other employees will receive the increase.

It is estimated this pay boost will bring 10,000 more workers to the aged care sector.

"This is a seismic shift," Wells said.

"We say that the workforce crisis is the biggest crisis facing aged care and you have heard me say that we will pull in everything to address that.

"It is an $11.3 billion lever that we pulled to lift wages for aged care workers."

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Treasurer Jim Chalmers said this funding is the pay rise aged care workers "need and deserve".

"Aged care workers deserve more than our thanks to get our people through some difficult years in recent times," he said.

"The care economy is more than pressure on the budget, it is an opportunity for the economy more broadly."

Chalmers said the care economy – including aged care – is going to become a "bigger and bigger" part of the economy in the future.

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Wells said the pay increase for aged care workers is the biggest since the Federation of Australia.

"For us, as a Labor government, that helps right a wrong where the care economy has long been undervalued in this country," Wells said.

Wells said employers will be legally obliged to pay 15 per cent above the award for workers and the public pressure will ensure workers on an enterprise agreement will also be paid accordingly.

She added the $11.3 billion package is on top of the cost to any provider paying their employees the extra 15 per cent.

The package goes towards funding leave liabilities and super. 

Salary increases for aged care workers:

• A registered nurse on a level 2.3 award wage will receive an extra $196 a week which equates to more than $10,000 a year.
• An enrolled nurse on a level two award wage will receive an extra $145 a week which adds up to more than $7500 a year.
• A level three assistant in nursing will receive an additional $136 a week adding up to more than $7100 a year.
• A level 4 aged care worker or level 3.1 home care worker will receive an extra $141 a week which equates to more than $7300 a year.
• A recreational activity officer on a level 3 aged care award will receive an extra $139 – more than $7200 a year.
• A head chef on a level 4 aged care award will receive an additional $141 a week – more than $7300 a year.
• A staff member at an aged care facility with a Certificate III will be paid $1082 a week.

READ MORE: What we know so far about the May 9 federal budget

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Popular weight loss and nutrition business Jenny Craig is closing operations in the United States after 40 years, local media reports.

The company's operations in Australia are independent of the US and will continue, a Jenny Craig spokesperson told 9News.com.au.

"Here in Australia and New Zealand we currently continue to operate and support our clients," they said.

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"As always, our priority is to continue providing the best possible service."

In an email sent to US employees on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT), the company said it will close "due to its inability to secure additional financing," reports NBC.

The company has about 1000 casual and corporate workers in the US.

Jenny Craig has been searching for a buyer as it ran out of money, Bloomberg Law reported last month.

Two current Jenny Craig corporate employees said they were concerned the company will file for bankruptcy by the end of this week.

Founded in 1983, Jenny Craig's weight loss programs designed by chefs and nutritionists grew to become a successful global brand, including in Australia, where former Spice Girls star Mel B was a brand ambassador.

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Celebrities, including actors Kirstie Alley, Jason Alexander and singer-songwriter Mariah Carey, were recruited to promote the company.

But Jenny Craig – which operates largely on face-to-face customer interactions – has been impacted by a growth in online competitors and the popularity of weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy, Rybelsus and Ozempic.

Last week amid reports about potential job cuts, a Jenny Craig spokesperson said that the company was "currently transitioning from a brick-and-mortar retail business to a customer-friendly, e-commerce driven model."

The spokesperson said they would provide more details in coming weeks.

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Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has doubled down on criticism of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), telling reporters he is not sure that the bank's decision to hike interest rates is actually forcing down inflation.

Andrews has instead said the move is "smashing families", having forced financially stable families into struggle.

"I'm not sure that these rate rises are beating inflation, but they're certainly smashing families," he told reporters this morning.

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"There are people now who are under significant financial pressure – who never thought that would be.

"Such is the shock of these interest rate hikes.

"People who never thought they would need to go to a foodbank are now doing that."

Andrews said the RBA had "many other tools they can use" instead to try to bring down inflation, and the RBA had gone back on promises.

"Everyone was told so definitively that interest rates would not go up," he said.

But Andrews conceded that the RBA Governor Philip Lowe had "a very difficult job to do", adding that he knew him and respected him.

The central bank on Tuesday lifted the official cash rate target by 25 basis points from 3.6 per cent to 3.85 per cent.

Yesterday the premier told media his government had borrowed so much money because it had been falsely assured about interest rates.

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He said state governments were told during a 2020 national cabinet meeting they should "go and borrow" to avoid a 25 per cent unemployment rate.

Andrews said his government was told "interest rates won't be going up" and wouldn't have borrowed as much as it did at the time if told differently.

RBA Governor Philip Lowe said on Tuesday the cost of living in Australia was "still too high", saying it would take "a couple of years" for inflation to hit the RBA's target range of 2 to 3 per cent.

Currently, the annual rate of inflation in Australia is 7 per cent.

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