Four youths, aged between 14 and 18 years old, were taken into custody.

Crown Casino has been hit with a $30 million fine by Victoria's gambling watchdog after investigations into undocumented bank cheques.

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) found the gaming giant allowed patrons to gamble at the Melbourne casino by depositing bank cheques made out to themselves and not the company.

"This was a serious contravention because it was undocumented, long-running and subverted the important controls on the use of cheques at the casino," the VGCCC said.

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A 2021 royal commission found Crown also likely accepted blank cheques in exchange for gambling chips.

Although the VGCCC was "concerned" by the findings, it found insufficient evidence to establish Crown had engaged in the practice.

"This is the second time we've taken action on undocumented practices at the casino, and we will investigate further to ensure there are no more," chairperson Fran Thorn said.

"To be clear, we will not allow the casino to conceal its practices to avoid scrutiny.

"Practices like accepting bank cheques expose Crown to the risk of money laundering, put patrons at risk of gambling harm, and compromise our ability to ensure the casino runs with integrity, safety and fairness."

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A Crown Resorts spokesperson said it had accepted the outcome from the VGCCC.

"These practices have ceased, and we have implemented significant improvements to reduce and prevent risk across our business," the spokesperson said.

"Under new ownership and leadership, our Future Crown program is driving whole-of-company reform as we continue to uplift our culture and build a Crown that exceeds the expectations of our stakeholders and the community.

"We will comply with the directions issued and work constructively with the VGCCC and the government to address this and other issues raised as part of the Victorian Royal Commission."

Crown was fined $80 million in May 2022 over its China Union Pay process and another $120 million in November for breaches of its responsible service of gambling obligations.

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A portrait of comedian Cal Wilson has received the coveted Packing Room Prize, as the Archibald Prize nominees were revealed.

The mother of a toddler who died after being left in a hot car in 2020 in North Queensland has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Laura Rose Peverill formally pleaded guilty to the death of her daughter at an arraignment in the Townsville Supreme Court on Thursday.

Rylee Rose Black, 3, died after being in a car parked outside a Townsville home in soaring temperatures in November 2020.

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The toddler was taken to the Townsville University Hospital by Peverill and her partner Aaron Hill, but could not be saved.

Peverill will return to court on October 18 for sentence while Hill, also charged with manslaughter, is yet to enter a plea.

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Exclusive: It is no secret Australia is in the midst of a devastating affordability crisis, with prices skyrocketing in every direction and wages remaining stagnant, pressure has mounted on governments to take immediate, drastic action.

With little relief in sight, Aussies are scrambling for answers.

Exclusive data, obtained by 9news.com.au, has revealed for the first time just how desperate people are for answers that searches relating to the word "expensive" have reached an all-time high in Australia.

READ MORE: Aussies trawling through trash to get groceries as cost-of-living bites

The ACT, Western Australia and South Australia are the top jurisdictions searching for cost of living queries nationally, with searches relating to interest rates, inflation and the official cash rate also reaching all-time highs over the past 12 months.

Australia is now one of the top five countries across the globe searching for "interest rates" and "recession", while search interest in "savings" also reached an all-time high in April, landing Aussies in the top ten nations across the world googling the topic in 2023.

In addition, we're ranked in the top five countries globally googling "mortgage loans" and we've also ranked within the top 10 countries searching for "housing" so this year.

Though the ACT, WA and SA are the top regions overall searching for cost of living information, smaller towns and jurisdictions have also clearly felt the brunt of the crisis, with a number of individual localities reporting a huge boom in affordability searches.

READ MORE: Your landlord has slugged you with a rent increase – what can you do?

READ MORE: Older Australians hit hard by cost of living crisis

Burrum Heads and Bundaberg in Queensland were the top two individual localities searching for "cost of living" per capita, following by Bunbury in WA, Hervey Bay in Queensland, Wagga Wagga and Albury in New South Wales, Canberra in the ACT, Queanbeyan in NSW, Perth and Brisbane.

"Will the cost of living go down in Australia?", "why is the cost of living so high in Australia?" and "when will the cost of living go down?" were the top three questions asked on the search engine, with "how to save money", "how to budget and save" and "how to add another savings account on the Commbank app" the top three searches relating to savings.

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If you've ever felt frustrated by the rising price of flight tickets, you're most certainly not alone, with the data also showing a 4750 per cent increase in "why are flights so expensive right now?" searches.

Aussies and Kiwis are Googling "official cash rate" at the highest rates in the world, with our New Zealand neighbours only narrowly eclipsing us in volume.

After Canada, Australians are searching for the term "rebate" at the highest rate in the world.

1. How long does a Medicare rebate take?
2. How to apply for the $250 energy rebate in Victoria?
3. How to claim an electricity rebate?
4. How to claim a Medicare rebate?
5. What is a Medicare rebate?
6. What does rebate mean?
7. What is the solar rebate in NSW?
8. Why hasn't my Medicare rebate come through?
9. How much is the electricity rebate?
10. What is the Australian government rebate?

1. What is a recession?
2. What happens in a recession?
3. Will Australia go into recession?
4. Is Australia in a recession?
5. What does a recession mean for me?
6. How to prepare for a recession?
7. What happens to interest rates in a recession?
8. How to survive a recession?
9. Is the US in recession?
10. How does a recession affect the average person?

1. How to save money?
2. How to budget and save?
3. How to add another savings account on the Commbank app?
4. How to calculate the interest rate on savings?
5. How to save for a house deposit?
6. How to save money on groceries?
7. How to save tax in Australia?
8. How to save for a holiday?
9. How to save $20,000 in six months?
10. How to lock your savings account?

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The family of the South Australian footballer who died after a horror on-field collision during a game say he "brought light and life into every room".

Birdwood Football Club's Antonio Loiacono died on Saturday after he suffered critical injuries during the season-opening A-grade game at Gumeracha Oval in the Adelaide Hills.

Loiacono's family said he loved playing football for the "comradery of the players, their families and the local country teams".

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"Antonio started playing Auskick when he was just four-years-old and we are so thankful for the love and support we've received from the football community over the past few days," the family said in a statement.

"Antonio was a larrikin who had a gift for bringing people together, young and old, and brought light and life into every room."

"We feel so blessed that his spirit continues to unite the community, as he always did in life."

The family thanked the community for the "overwhelming support" they had received.

READ MORE: Less than one per cent of rentals deemed 'affordable' for Aussies on minimum wage

"It was Antonio's wish for his organs to be donated and we take comfort in knowing that in his death, others have been given the gift of life.

"We humbly request privacy for the family as we make arrangements for Antonio's funeral, where we will celebrate his life and the life he gave to others."

Friends and family have remembered the 20-year-old as someone who would "put a smile on anyone's face" and "one of the most caring and thoughtful people".

Jack Loiacono said his brother was his "other half, my best friend and the person I look up to most", describing him as "the most caring thoughtful person I've come across".

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"Words can't describe the pain we all feel you're loved by so many," he said, on Facebook.

The Birdwood Football Club expressed its condolences to Loiacono's family following his death.

Premier Peter Malinauskas described the loss as "heartbreaking".

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An update to Google Maps has provided a sobering look at the damage wrought by the Russian invasion of Ukraine on one of its most impacted cities.

"What's the life expectancy for my child?"

It was the question Melissa Norton never thought she would have to ask.

A routine a GP appointment with her son Henry, who had a slight cold and some teething issues, led to him being diagnosed with an ultra-rare disease that affects just one in five million.

The family live on a farm outside Albury, about four hours from the nearest hospital that offers the treatment needed, and now find themselves making a fortnightly journey to protect their child.

READ MORE: 'Close call': Another rate pause possible as inflation continues to slow

"Our lives have completely changed over the past few weeks and it really hasn't hit home," Norton told 9news.com.au.

"I don't think it will until we start that new normal life."

Henry lives with atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), which has caused abnormal blood clots to form in small blood vessels in the kidneys.

It can occur at any age, and the clots can cause serious medical issues if they restrict or block blood flow.

The life expectancy can be low for untreated patients but can be managed by an infusion at the Royal Children's Hospital.

He will most likely require this treatment for the rest of his life.

Norton is now unable to work as she becomes Henry's full-time carer, while also looking after her toddler, Lachlan.

"I am unable to work because Henry can't get sick at all," the mother said.

"If he has a temperature, rash or headache, we have to take him to emergency."

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"It will be like this for the foreseeable future.

"This will be our second home."

Husband Craig Norton works full-time as a leading hand at Boral Quarries and has also been forced to take a leave of absence.

"It's been quite challenging," she said.

"We are still learning about it all and getting around all the changes that will happen in our lives."

Henry also lives with x-linked stapes gusher syndrome, which means his atypical shaped cochlear has made him profoundly deaf.

They are currently in the process of finding out if Henry is eligible for a cochlear implant.

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"Both of these illnesses have caused a great impact on Henry's and our lives," Norton said.

The family have headed home this week for the first time in weeks to prepare for what's next.

"We will come back to Melbourne next week for his next infusion and we will continue to do so fortnightly," Norton said.

"We just need to be careful Henry doesn't get sick in the way of a cold or flu, anything that can compromise his immunity. 

"If he gets a flare-up in the meantime, it will lead us back to the hospital."

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For Henry, it might be a challenging road ahead, but he is currently in good spirits. 

"He has turned the corner in the past couple of days," Norton said.

"He's incredible today, he is all smiles."

The Norton family have set up an online fundraising page to assist with the financial cost. 

"We really don't like asking for help but we are seeking some support financially to assist," the mother-of-two said.

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Critical defence bases in northern Australia will receive a $3.8 billion upgrade over the next four years, the federal government announced today.

Defence Minister Richard Marles, speaking from Darwin, said land, air and naval installations will receive funding for vital improvements.

The move followed the release of the Defence Strategic Review on Monday, which recommended the armed forces change strategies towards missiles and long-range weapons.

READ MORE: 'Biggest shake-up in decades' as Australian defence enters 'missile age'

The Albanese will spend a total of $19 billion to carry out the review's recommendations.

"As the Defence Strategic Review rightly observes, our northern bases are a huge asset and critical to Australia's ability to project," Marles said.

"Our immediate investment in these bases will ensure our defence force is able to operate from them effectively."

He gave details about how much of the $3.8 billion will be spent.

Air bases across the Northern Territory, Queensland and Cocos Islands will receive $2 billion for improvements.

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One billion dollars will be spent to upgrade land and 'joint estate' capabilities.

And naval installations, including HMAS Coonawarra and HMAS Cairns, will get $600 million.

The review highlighted the importance Northern Territory bases play in projecting the firepower of the ADF and their vital strategic location.

Since 2011, the Top End has hosted regular rotations by thousands of US Marines who have held drills with Australian forces.

Marles also said today that officials were close to finalising a review into a Chinese company's lease over the Port of Darwin.

"The outcome of that review is not far off … I'm not about to speculate on the outcome of that review. Let's see what it comes up with, but it's not far off."

The 99-year port lease was granted to Landbridge Group in 2015 by the then Country Liberal NT government.

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New figures showing inflation continues to slow could see Australians dodge an interest rate hike next month — but it will be a "close call".

The Consumer Price Index from the Australian Bureau of Statistics yesterday revealed that annual inflation had slowed from a 7.8 increase in the December quarter last year, to 7 per cent in the first quarter of 2023.

Monthly growth is also slowing, from 6.8 per cent in February to 6.3 per cent in March.

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However, finance comparison website RateCity said that while slower growth could see a further pause on rate hikes, 7.0 per cent was still well outside the RBA's target for inflation.

Therefore another cash rate hike – the 11th since the RBA began increasing them from May last year – could well be on the cards.

The RBA opted to not issue another increase in April.

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Another 0.25 per cent increase would see the cash rate lift to 3.85 per cent, the highest level since April 2012.

RateCity found another 0.25 per cent rate rise would mean the "average borrower" with a $500,000 loan before the hikes started in May last year, could soon be paying a total of $1058 more a month.

"It's going to be another close call at Tuesday's RBA meeting," RateCity research director Sally Tindall said.

"A second pause would buy the RBA more time to see how households are holding up against the 10 rate hikes to date. This round of inflation data gives the Board cover to do this."

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She said many loan-holders would still only have had the eighth or ninth hike passed on to them so far, meaning they would be facing a further increase even if the RBA opted for a pause.

"Inflation in Australia might be moving in the right direction, but ultimately it's still too high," Tindall said.

"While many economists are predicting cash rate hikes as soon as the end of this year, borrowers should keep their heads down and focus on getting through the next few months.

"It's going to be a long, tough winter for many households around the country. If you don't think you can make it through without breaking the bank, stick up your hand and ask for help."

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