Tag Archives: oceania

Family's pain after Lamborghini driver kills girl

A man has been described as one of "the most reviled people" in South Australia after killing a teenage pedestrian when he lost control of his high-powered Lamborghini.

Alexander Campbell apologised for the first time publicly today for killing Sophia Naismith, who was struck along with a friend when the Adelaide man mounted a Glengowrie kerb in his $300,000 Lamborghini Huracan in June 2019.

He fronted the South Australian District Court to hear Sophia's family's victim impact statements today, after he was last month found not guilty of causing her death by dangerous driving.

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He instead pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of driving without due care.

Family and friends of Naismith today labelled Campbell "one of the most reviled people in the state".

"You are a gutless coward and have shown a shameful lack of decency," her mother, Pia Vogrin, told Campbell before the court.

"My wish, my dream, my hope was that Sophia lived a full and happy life. You killed Sophia's dream, her right to life.

"You will always be one of the most reviled people in this state and be remembered for this crime, I will ensure this."

When asked about his perceived lack of remorse outside court, Campbell said he was sorry.

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"I've always been sorry," he told reporters

"I always will be sorry. But saying it isn't going to bring anyone back, you know."

Campbell was then asked how it was seeing Sophia's family.

"I just feel for the them. I don't want them to have to look at me and I don't want them to have to relive it anymore.

"Nothing will make it feel better, nothing will make it good."

He said that hearing Sophia's mother speak about her grief felt "like ripping your heart out".

When deciding not to find Campbell guilty of causing death by dangerous driving, Judge Muscat previously said it was not suggested Campbell was speeding, affected by alcohol or drugs when the crash occurred.

At the trial, prosecutors had contended Campbell accelerated harshly causing the powerful rear-wheel-drive car to swerve severely to the left.

But in an interview with police, the 37-year-old said when he changed gear while accelerating up to the 60km/h speed limit the wheels started spinning and the Lamborghini moved sideways instantly.

Campbell said he panicked as he was unable to stop the car from sliding, even though he was applying the brakes.

Campbell is yet to be sentenced.

Marchers unlikely to be on Brittany Higgins rape trial jury

People who attended the women's march in protest or follow Brittany Higgins on Twitter are likely to be excused as potential jury members in her case, a court has heard.

The trial of Bruce Lehrmann, who has pleaded not guilty to sexual intercourse without consent, is due to begin on October 4.

Chief Justice Lucy McCallum said she would need to ask any jury empanelled "to search their souls and see if they can be impartial".

READ MORE: New trial date for man accused of sexually assaulting Brittany Higgins

Brittany Higgins speaks at the March 4 Justice protest in Canberra, in March, 2021.

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Those who "support or champion" the cause would be unlikely to be empanelled, she told the ACT Supreme Court on Friday.

This includes if they attended a National Press Club speech delivered by Ms Higgins and Grace Tame or "any other event at which Ms Higgins has spoken".

Although, the reasons for attendance would be considered.

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The Women's March 4 Justice at Parliament House in Canberra on March 15.

"If it was a security (officer) or journalist they wouldn't necessarily need to be excused," the chief justice said.

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She noted the same would apply for any potential juror who leaned strongly the other way.

But she said there would be no shortage of potential jurors with the line likely to extend "out of the courtroom".

Wong calls on China to use influence to end Ukraine war

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has called on China to use its clout to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Wong spoke to reporters about the issue just after a meeting with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

"China has like all of us, signed up to the UN Charter," Wong said.

"We believe as does every country with the exception of Russia, that Russia is in breach of UN Charter with the illegal invasion of Ukraine."

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A teenager rides past a sign reading "Caution. Mines" in the liberated city of Izium in Ukraine.

She referenced China's position as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, known colloquially as the P5.

"We encourage China as a P5 member with a special responsibility to uphold the UN Charter and use its influence to end the war," Wong said.

When quizzed on China's position on the Ukraine war, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said China had been "consistent and clear".

"We call on the parties concerned to resolve the issue through dialogue and negotiation and find a solution that accommodates all parties' legitimate security concerns," he said.

"We also hope the international community will create conditions and space for that."

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President of China Xi Jinping and President of Russia Vladimir Putin.

China has not officially supported Russia throughout the invasion, but has been an eager customer for its oil and natural gas.

Wong said her meeting with Wang had been "constructive".

"I think it is a long road on which many steps will have to be taken by both parties to a more stable relationship," she said.

"Australian interests are constant and the Government will continue to speak of those issues we see as necessary."

Wong also raised Taiwan and trade as other major issues of concern between Australia and China.

Risk of flooding remains despite rainfall easing

The risk of flooding isn't over yet for parts of Queensland and New South Wales despite the rain easing, the rivers continue to loom higher and higher.

The Gold Coast experienced a "very intense" downpour overnight with more than 300mm of rain falling in Springbrook which is currently cut off by floodwaters and landslides.

Bureau of Meteorologist (BoM) forecaster Kimba Wong said the rainfall overnight was "phenomenal" but the flood threat is not over as water levels are expected to continue rising over the coming days.

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Floodwaters in Gold Coast, Queensland, Friday September 23.

"We have seen some very heavy rainfall around the Gold Coast hinterland and border ranges in particular during the overnight period," Wong said.

"Obviously the rainfall has now eased but the flood impacts will continue for the next couple of days."

Flood warnings are in place for the Bremer river and Warrill Creek while the Amberley and Ipswich regions are also on alert.

Rescues after deluge hits south-east Queensland

As water inundated the Gold Coast overnight, some drivers ignored repeated warnings by emergency services not to drive through floodwaters.

One man was seen trapped in his car after being caught out by the flash flooding.

Floodwaters in Gold Coast, Queensland, Friday September 23.

The deluge was so heavy it even left the surface of a bridge virtually shredded.

At Jacobs Well, three teenagers had to be rescued when their tinny was hit by a wave and overturned. One was taken to hospital with head injuries.

Hundreds of customers also lost power during the sudden downpour which has wreaked havoc on the state.

"It's shocking it comes up so quick, yesterday there was literally no water in the creek at all. And then overnight it just came up the road was essentially closed off it's done so much damage to surrounding cafes and the area," a Coomera resident said.

Floodwaters in Gold Coast, Queensland, Friday September 23.

'It was just chaos'

Meanwhile, campers at Helensvale had just minutes to evacuate before flood levels rose overnight.

In the middle of the night the water started rising, fast – upending family holidays.

As of this morning, the site was completely underwater. 

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A packed campground in Helensvale started flooding in the late hours of last night, sparking a frantic evacuation.

One witness told Today there was absolutely no warning. 

"We had no idea," he said.

"I was already awake and my sister just yelled out to me to get up. I got up and I thought, 'it is probably not that bad' and within 20 minute, yeah, the water was going through our tent.

"We were knee-deep within minutes. It was chaos…just panic, dozens trying to get out at once."

Tents were swallowed by muddy brown water on the Gold Coast site.

READ MORE: Police officer braves surging floodwaters to rescue three people

NSW remains on alert despite severe warning being cancelled

Several parts of NSW recorded over 100mm of rainfall overnight, while the border town of Numinbah registered a mammoth 291mm.

NSW SES said they've conducted 14 flood rescues in the last 24 hours, up to 6am today.

Statewide there were 193 requests for assistance.

https://twitter.com/BOM_NSW/status/1573119302483513344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

While the rain is set to ease today, authorities warned the flood risk would continue in the days to come.

"The system that brought the intense thunderstorms last night is just hanging off the Gold Coast right now. We could still a bit more rainfall activity in the morning," senior Bureau forecaster, Dean Narramore, said.

"We are still expecting widespread showers across the NSW coast and south east Queensland today, and again tomorrow, before finally clearing on Sunday.

"Unfortunately, another weather event moves in to eastern Australia, mid-next week."

Three people rescued by police officer from car stuck in floodwaters in NSW Hunter region.

Many flood warnings are in currently in place for swollen catchments across the state.

Those can be accessed here.

And the already devastated city of Lismore is on edge after the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) issued a moderate flood warning for the Tweed River.

If the levee breaks the city would face its third flood of the year.