A young woman stabbed her violent criminal father twice in the chest, piercing his heart, after a heated argument when he called her a slut, a jury has been told.

In his opening address to the Newcastle Supreme Court jury today, crown prosecutor Brian Costello said Maddison Hickson fled the scene after the stabbing, telling a friend she wanted her "mummy".

Costello said Hickson's friend, Taylah McDonald, then put the knife in the dishwasher and put it through a wash cycle.

READ MORE: Aussie town offering eye-watering salary in bid to lure a doctor

Hickson has pleaded not guilty to murdering her father, Michael Carroll, 51, at a house in Tenambit, near Maitland, on January 16 last year.

McDonald pleaded not guilty to one count of misleading police about the knife used in the stabbing with intent to hinder the discovery of evidence, and one count of being an accessory after the fact to murder.

Costello said Carroll had been sitting in the lounge room just after 7pm when he argued with his daughter and called her a slut.

The prosecutor said Hickson was swearing at her father when he stood up and they appeared to be holding or hugging each other, but not in a friendly way.

Hickson then suddenly ran into the front yard before her father followed four seconds later, collapsed and died from the two stab wounds to his heart.

READ MORE: 'Disgusting' find washes up on Queensland beach

Hickson told a friend standing outside: "Take me to my mummy, I want my mummy."

She then called her mother and told her: "He attacked me. I think I stabbed my dad."

Costello said Hickson had stabbed her father in a spontaneous response out of anger and frustration following the heated argument and had not been in fear of him or acting in self-defence.

But he said if the jury believed she had been fearful, they could still find her guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter if they considered what she did was not a reasonable response in the circumstances.

Defence barrister Peter Krisenthal said Hickson's case was a fairly simple one because she was just defending herself.

Krisenthal said Hickson ran out of the house after the stabbing and told her friend: "Get me away from him (her father)."

He said Hickson was choking with emotion when she later told police: "He tried to stab me."

Krisenthal said Hickson had been 21 at the time and her father had not been present for much of her life because of his criminal lifestyle.

READ MORE: BoM asks to stop calling them by its known name

"Mr Carroll had a tendency to become violent, including with the use of weapons, to assault and intimidate people with whom he had a grievance," the defence barrister said.

"Mr Carroll would regularly resort to physical violence if he didn't like what someone said."

Krisenthal outlined how Carroll had been a convicted criminal, used a baseball bat and pliers to assault one of his victims, and had punched and tried to kick his then-pregnant partner in the stomach after she refused his demand to have an abortion.

The defence barrister said Carroll's use of methamphetamine caused him to become paranoid and aggressive.

Hickson's older sister, Lacey, told the court their father had not always been in their lives because he was so often in jail.

She said their father would visit them whenever he was released from prison and promised to come back the next day but never did.

"There wasn't a year he didn't go to jail,'' Hickson said.

She said Maddison Hickson was the most hurt when their father failed to come back to see them because she was the one of his three daughters who most wanted a relationship with him.

"She was the one who sat on the kerb crying when he didn't come home,'' Hickson recalled.

The trial, which is expected to take three weeks, continues on Wednesday.

A mother of five is the latest victim of looting as thieves continue to target flood-impacted homes across Melbourne.

Thieves ransacked Lam Lgong's flood-ravaged home in Maribyrnong overnight, leaving her devastated.

"Please don't do it to us, just leave us alone," she said.

READ MORE: Residents rally to build 'great wall of Echuca' as thousands flee Victoria floods

"It's still not right to go in someone's property. Because that is their labour. They work hard for that."

Floodwaters left Lgong and her family with very little on Friday and she has spent the last couple of days removing soaked furniture and belongings.

"We're just gonna work hard and buy things slowly, like washing machine, fridge, whatever," she said.

READ MORE: Victorian premier pledges VCE support for flood-affected families

In Maribrynong, the smell of rotting hard rubbish is worsening every day, but that's not deterring looting opportunists.

It comes as a number of residents were targeted by looters yesterday, with the thieves stealing thousands of dollars worth of personal items.

A diver has been found dead after a search in Hawke’s Bay this evening. Police received a report at 7.35pm after the diver failed to surface at Aramoana Beach. DO YOU KNOW MORE? EMAIL US The diver was located in the water…

Aussie shoppers are being forced to find clever new ways to get more bang for their buck as inflation and cost of living pressures bite household budgets.

One option is gift cards, and Coles is offering discounts on their cards to use on anything from fuel to groceries to power bills.

The venture is the supermarket giant's attempt to ease the burden on Aussie households who are facing growing interest rate pressures, surging fuel costs and fresh produce prices which will soon skyrocket after the current floods.

READ MORE: BoM asks to stop calling them by its known name

"These gift cards can be used wherever accepts a Mastercard. So it's essentially a Mastercard that you're purchasing," Martine Alpins from Coles said.

The supermarket giant is offering 10 per cent off $100 and $250 gift cards but customers do have to pay an admin fee.

All up, customers save $5.50 on a $100 card or $18.70 on a $250 card.

Aussies can purchase up to five cards, which would result in a saving of $93.50.

READ MORE: Aussie town offering eye-watering salary in bid to lure a doctor

Shoppers told 9News the discount on the cards would help their budgets "a bit".

"Cost of living has gone up by about 10 per cent so that brings it back down a bit," one said.

"The cost of living is definitely rising right now so any little help we can get is good," another shopper said.

The discount is available until next Wednesday.

The Coles gift card isn't the only discount around. Finance expert Effie Zahos said these cards can also be obtained through a health provider, telco or energy provider.

"You do need to search around a little bit and you've got to be a bit patient as well, but it's a great way to knock some dollars off that face value," Zahos said.

READ MORE: 'Disgusting' find washes up on Queensland beach

NRMA members can buy discounted gift cards to be used at dozens of retailers including JB Hi-Fi, Rebel and Big W, with savings ranging from 3 to 10 per cent off.

"We've seen a 45 per cent increase in the uptake of these gift cards just in the last 12 months so their proving to be very popular as families are struggling with cost of living pressures," NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said.

Woolworths also has a gift card promotion where it is offering its Everyday Rewards members up to 2000 bonus points, which they can use to shave money off their next shop.

First responders, civilians, and a slain police dog who all received some of Aotearoa’s highest bravery awards have been commemorated in a new memorial walkway at the police college.He Toa Taumata Rau (The Place of Many Brave Deeds)…

This article deals with child sexual abuse and may be distressing for some readers. A mother suspicious that her daughter was being sexually abused by the girl’s father put up a video camera to observe their interactions. When…

Brittany Higgins' credibility is being scrutinised in the closing days of the trial for the man she accuses of raping her after she was described as a "honest" witness.

Bruce Lehrmann is being tried in the ACT Supreme Court after he pleaded not guilty to sexual intercourse without consent.

Higgins alleges she was assaulted by Lehrmann inside the Parliament House office of former cabinet minister Linda Reynolds, for whom they worked as staffers, in 2019.

READ MORE: 'He was in my body': Brittany Higgins finishes giving evidence

Prosecutor Shane Drumgold completed his closing argument on Tuesday, telling the jury Higgins was an honest, credible witness who has not wavered in her sexual assault allegation.

He said Higgins was facing a situation where political forces were at play and she was right to tread carefully.

But Lehrmann's defence lawyer Steven Whybrow said a closer look at Higgins' evidence made the prosecution's case against his client "totally untenable".

He said the "kindest way" to sum up the case was to say Higgins simply didn't know what happened that night, but suggested she had motive to fabricate the allegations to save her job.

Whybrow said "it would be pretty embarrassing" to be found asleep in a ministerial office and spark a security breach.

"Is there a reasonable possibility this complaint is being made because her 'dream job' is, from her perspective, in jeopardy?" Whybrow said.

He suggested Higgins woke up in parliament on Saturday morning after a night out drinking with colleagues and waited until "a more sensible hour" to leave, hoping no one would notice.

READ MORE: Former minister denies trying to interfere in Bruce Lehrmann trial

Whybrow also suggested Higgins fabricated doctor appointments at the time to "make it more believable" that she had been sexually assaulted.

He said there was no record of Higgins attending these appointments and the reason she didn't go was because she didn't need to.

"The person (Higgins) bringing the allegation is prepared to say anything," he said.

"She says things that superficially support her position and then they turn out to be not reliable."

But the prosecutor said if Higgins did make up her allegation, it was an elaborate fabrication and she was "quite the actor".

Drumgold said Higgins had not faltered in her evidence and was honest when she could not remember something.

He said her version of events had remained the same from the days after the alleged assault, to her police complaint two years later, to her appearance in the witness box.

Meanwhile, he said Lehrmann had given inconsistent accounts about his reasons for being at parliament on the night of the alleged assault to the security guards, to his boss and to the police.

Drumgold said Lehrmann's intent was to go to Parliament House with the "drunk" and "vulnerable" Higgins.

"We say this was the most convenient place to get her (Higgins) alone, not a sudden need to do some work in the middle of the night," he said on Tuesday.

READ MORE: Key points from the first week of the Bruce Lehrmann trial

Drumgold said the defence has argued that Higgins made up a complaint to keep her staffer job in Reynolds' office but pointed out she did not reapply for that job after the election.

He told the jury there were strong political forces at play in the period immediately after the alleged events, through the 2019 federal election and afterwards.

"It's clear that this is a young lady in the middle of strong political forces," he said.

"We say she was right to be scared, she was right to be cautious and she was right to move slowly and carefully."

The closing argument for the defence continues on Wednesday.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.

If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

One person has been seriously injured after an assault in Christchurch CBD this evening.Police were called to Cashel St at 6.20pm. DO YOU KNOW MORE? EMAIL US One person has been transported to the hospital in a serious condition…

The Echuca community is continuing to rally together to build a levy to protect thousands of homes from flooding when the Murray River peaks later this week.

Labelled the "great wall of Echuca" by locals, the levee, made from tonnes of soil, stretches nearly three kilometres long and two metres high.

The Bureau of Meteorology expects the Murray River to exceed the major flood level of 94.4m AHD (Australian Height Datum) on Thursday and may hit 95m AHD on Friday.

About 34,000 homes remain at risk across the state as thousands of homes are inundated or isolated in Shepparton.

READ MORE: 'Rain, and lots of it' coming as multiple weather events pass over nation

Warnings in place

There are about 60 warnings still in place across the state, 13 of those are emergency warnings with residents told to evacuate immediately in Echuca and Charlton.

Floodwaters in the town peaked yesterday, 15 centimetres shy of the 12.2 metres predicted however evacuation orders are still in place for the town.

Residents can find the latest warnings and evacuation orders on the VicEmergency website and weather updates on the Bureau of Meteorology website.

A fresh Emergency Warning for residents living in Rochester to move to higher ground was issued at midday.

Similar orders are in place for Bunbartha, Kerang, Loddon, Zeerust, Mundoona, Kaarimba, Coomboona, Mooroopna North, Tallygaroopna, Undera, Charlton and Echuca, as of Tuesday at 9.30am

READ MORE: Warning issued as venomous snakes spotted swimming through floodwater

From Loddon Weir to Kerang, people are being advised they may be isolated for at least a week if they do not evacuate the area.

"Boort is predicted to be isolated for up to one week, similar to the 2011 floods," Vic Emergency has said.

"Two more peaks are expected for Appin South. Water is anticipated to be higher than expected at Kerang, but remain below the levee. If you do not wish to be isolated for at least a week within the levee area, it is recommended you relocate as soon as possible.

"If you choose to stay you will need to be self sufficient for the period of isolation.

"Leaving now is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous."

Evacuation orders have also returned in the small town of Rochester, of which 85 per cent was flooded on Friday.

Since the event started, there have been more than 700 flood rescues and more than 7000 requests for assistance.

READ MORE: 'Frightened, wet and exhausted' native animals filmed desperately fleeing floodwaters

https://twitter.com/vicsesnews/status/1582179747773444096

Rochester residents are also being warned the town's sewerage system has been damaged by the flooding, and may take up to eight weeks to be fixed.

Over the past 24 hours the state's SES have conducted 130 flood rescues, with predictions some rivers, such as the Goulburn, will stay at major floods levels until Friday at least.

Today 250 beds at the Mickleham quarantine facility will be opened to house evacuated residents across Victoria.

The site has capacity to expand to 500 beds.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said "only a handful" of flood victims were at the Mickleham quarantine facility in Melbourne's north.

"There are four people there already," Andrews said.

"We have had a number of other people who have expressed an interest to move there.

"I think more and more, with the passage of time, people process that practical reality that they're perhaps not going to be able to get back into their house for quite some time."

READ MORE: Victorians impacted by floodwaters eligible for emergency payments

Homes deemed 'unsaveable' amid frantic rush to save Echuca

More heavy rain is expected to fall in the coming days as a low pressure system moves over the east coast.

The heaviest rain is expected to fall on Sunday. 

The town of Echuca is bracing for a second flood peak with the Murray River already experiencing significant flooding.

"River levels at Echuca Wharf may reach levels higher than the 1993 flood (94.77 m AHD) from Friday," the Bureau warned.

"As this flood water moves downstream, river level rises and significant major flooding is expected at Torrumbarry and Barham."

Locals have worked overnight to build a 2.5 kilometre clay levee, and walls of sandbags are lining the streets.

Despite the efforts, Today reporter Izabella Staskowski said some homes have still been deemed "unsaveable".

"They are on the other side of the levee," she explained.

"They've had to accept those homes are very likely to be inundated."

The town is surrounded by three river systems; the Murray, the Goulburn and Campaspe.

"The Campaspe and the Goulburn have already broken their banks," Staskowski said.

"The Campaspe has started to subside ever so slightly but the Murray is the incoming threat."

Kerang could be isolated for two weeks

Victoria's emergency measures commissioner Andrew Crisp has told reporters that the Kerang community could remain isolated for weeks.

"We know the community could be isolated for one to two weeks," he said.

https://twitter.com/vicemergency/status/1582242605131177984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1582242605131177984%7Ctwgr%5E50d239433cbc5de18b0db6dfdf49ab1577ee3327%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2F2022-10-18%2Fflood-live-updates-victoria-nsw-tasmania-latest%2F101545312

Kerang is located on the Loddon River in northern Victoria.

Residents have been told today to decide if they are leaving or staying as meat is stripped from the shelves at the local Woolworths.

The township was cut off in the 2011 floods and it's expected to happen again.

Evacuation orders remain in part of Shepparton

Shepparton is still awash with water, with people in some areas stuck due to floodwaters, and Vic Emergency advising them it is too late to leave the areas.

Some parts of Shepparton have remained untouched by the floods, but many residents have lost everything.

Hundreds of people are camping out at the relief centre at Shepparton Showgrounds, which has reached capacity.

READ MORE: UK Prime Minister Liz Truss under pressure after historic tax cut U-turn

Andrews has announced a $351 million flood recovery package to help the state's recovery.

Of this, $165 million will be dedicated to road repairs, as hundreds of roads have had concrete torn from the ground by raging flood water.

Andrews yesterday said 359 roads were closed across the state due to damage or flooding, while crews had already 10,000 potholes and attended to 20 landslides since the flooding began late last week.

"Getting hundreds of roads fixed and reopened is going to be a massive job – so we're calling in reinforcements," he said.

"As part of a massive emergency road repair blitz, workers from our Big Build projects will be heading out across the state.

"They'll find and fix potholes, and entirely rebuild roads and bridges.

"Getting these roads back open is critical for people heading home after evacuating, and getting freight moving around the state."

Floods 'likely to push up the cost of living'

Treasurer Jim Chalmers yesterday warned the floods would put further pressure on grocery prices, stretching Australian budgets.

"I think we need to brace ourselves for the impact of these natural disasters on the cost of living, we're talking here about some of the best growing and producing country in Australia," he said, adding it would have consequences for the budget, set to be handed down next Tuesday.

"These are likely to push up the cost of living when Australians are already under the pump."

The warning comes as New South Wales and Tasmania also grapple with flooding of their own.

NSW SES currently has 70 warnings across the state. Of these, seven are at emergency level.

READ MORE: The Bureau of Meteorology wants you to stop calling them by the name everyone uses

"Flooding continues in western and southern NSW, with focus currently on Murray River community Moama and communities that may be affected by further rain," it said in a statement.

"Another low-pressure system is forecast from Wednesday this week and another one on the weekend.

"Given current flooding, saturated catchments, this weather will exacerbate current flooding, and multiple rivers are anticipated to see renewed minor to major flooding.

"Further rainfall is likely to continue until December."

The ADF has been called in to help flood victims in NSW,.

A total of 180 personnel will be sent into at-risk communities, particularly in the western regions of NSW.

The main focus for firefighters is on the Moama region, where the RFS has set up two base camps that will accommodate 550 people.

While the flood threat is subsiding in Tasmania, the BoM has issued several flood warnings .

Residents can stay across updates here. 

One person has died after a serious crash on SH1 in Waiomio, Far North. The crash was reported to police at about 5.15pm, a spokesperson said. DO YOU KNOW MORE? EMAIL US The road is currently closed while the serious crash…