The sister of a woman with cerebral palsy who is facing deportation has issued a desperate plea for the Australian government to let her stay.

Jacqueline Schmidt Aravena, 61, has been living with her sister Marcela in Melbourne for nine years, after originally coming to Australia from her native Chile on a visitor visa in 2017.

Marcela, an aged care and disability support worker, said she had been looking after Jacqueline, who also has an intellectual disability, for most of her life – fulfilling a promise she made to her mother on her deathbed more than 40 years ago.

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"My mother had cancer and the night before she passed away, she said, 'What is going to happen with Jacqueline?" Marcela said.

"I said, 'Don't worry, Jacqueline is going to be okay. I will take care of her.'"

Marcela acted as Jacqueline's main caregiver for decades until 2005, when she fell in love and moved to Melbourne to be with her Australian partner. She is now an Australian citizen.

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Having been advised it would be impossible to get a visa for her sister to come with her, Marcela paid for a carer to look after Jacqueline while they were apart, and flew home as much as she could.

When Jacqueline's carer told Marcela she could no longer do the job, she arranged with the help of a member of parliament for her sister to come to Australia and apply for a remaining relative visa.

Marcela said her sister was happy and content living with her and her family and did not rely on the government for any support.

"My children grew up with Jacqueline and now our grandkids are growing up around her as well," she said. 

"They love her, she is like a little girl, mentally, so she likes playing with them.

"Normally, she does everything with me. I take her shopping, and everything I do, she's in the car with me." 

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In 2019, Jacqueline's visa application was refused, under the grounds that she had other relatives in Chile. For the remaining visa to be approved, an applicant's living relatives must all reside in Australia.

However, Marcela said her sister's half-siblings in Chile were elderly, aged in their 80s and 90s, and were unable to care for her. The pair's brother had also been estranged from the family for 20 years.

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In 2022, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal upheld the department's decision, despite noting the limited capacity of Jaqueline's other relatives to care for her.

Two requests for a ministerial intervention into Jacqueline's case have also been knocked back, with the second being refused in December 2025.

The family's lawyer, Michael Cao from Challenge Legal, said both times the application never made it to the minister's desk for consideration, because new personal procedural directions had narrowed the scope for intervention in cases like hers under compassionate grounds. 

"The minister's office found she doesn't meet the new, narrowed criteria," Cao said. "They didn't even refer the case to the minister, which we believe is quite unfair and unfortunate for Jacqueline and her family."

"We like to believe that Jacqueline did always satisfy the compassionate grounds because she has no family anywhere else that can care for her," Cao said. 

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Cao has since lodged a third application for a ministerial intervention, with the written support of Greens senator David Shoebridge.

Marcela said if her sister was deported back to Chile, it would be devastating for the whole family.

"She is not going to survive," Marcela said.

"She would have to go to a nursing home, and nursing homes in Chile are nothing like they are here."

The uncertainty has left the family in a harrowing state of limbo. Jacqueline's bridging visa expired on Thursday, and the family spent the day waiting for news on a renewal while their third application for intervention sits with the department.

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Marcela has now turned to the public for help, launching a Change.org petition which has so far attracted more than 1800 signatures.

"We are not asking for special treatment or any kind of financial assistance. We are asking for humanity," Marcela wrote in the petition. 

Spokespersons for both the Assistant Minister for Immigration Matt Thistlethwaite and the Department of Home Affairs told nine.com.au they could not comment on individual cases for privacy reasons. 

The human remains found in the Tasmanian wilderness have been confirmed to belong to missing Belgian backpacker Celine Cremer.

After police today said the remains had been "provisionally identified" as Cremer's, the backpacker's sister took to Facebook to update friends and family.

"After almost three years of endless waiting, we finally have answers," Amélie Cremer wrote.

"DNA tests and dental expertise confirmed that everything matched Celine. These words are hard to write … but they also bring us immense relief.

"Today, our hearts are upset, but at the same time. After all this time, Celine can finally go home. She will be able to rest in peace, surrounded by love that never left her side."

Cremer, 31, was last seen in Waratah in the state's north-west on June 17, 2023, and is believed to have vanished after going on a bushwalk at Philosopher Falls.

She was reported missing by her family on June 26, sparking a major search operation involving SES, drones and a helicopter.

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Cremer was believed to have gone on a bushwalk at Philosopher Falls, but never returned.

Her empty white Honda CRV was found in a car park. Police believe she got lost trying to find her way back to her car.

Human remains and items of clothing were discovered in January along a section of the Arthur River near Waratah, sparking a renewed investigation.

Local bushwalker Jarrod Boys made the initial discovery this week as part of ongoing efforts to locate Cremer, with a large number of volunteers continuing the search more than two years after she was first reported missing by family members.

The massive independent effort was also documented on YouTube and it's understood Boys joined the search after watching those videos.

The teams also found Cremer's phone in December.

Today, Amélie thanked those who continued to look for her sister after authorities had given up.

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who participated in the search and helped find her," she wrote.

"Thanks also to our relatives for their support, respect and presence throughout these years. You have been essential."

In a message to her sister, whose "absence has left a huge void", she added "Celine, we never forgot you. Not one day, not one second".

"Your smile, your energy and all the love you gave us live on within us," she said.

"Today we bring you near us."

There will be no further planned searches of the Arthur River.

Earlier today, Commander Nathan Johnston said that expert reports provided "compelling evidence" that the remains were those of Cremer.

A report is being prepared for the coroner, who will officially identify the remains.

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A family is grieving the death of their teenage son after a school commute turned to tragedy in Perth's south.

The high school student was struck by two cars after getting off the bus during the morning rush in Warnbro.

Witnesses say the teenage boy stepped off a bus on Warnbro Sound Avenue just after 8am and was crossing the road.

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They say he was clipped by one car then struck by another, dying at the scene.

"Quite sad, quite quick," one witness told 9News.

"I had to brake and then tried to help but there was already people who knew CPR and first aid."

Major crash investigators spent hours trying to piece together exactly what happened.

Warnbro Community High School emailed parents news of the incident and their efforts to help those affected by the tragedy.

"Our focus is on supporting students and staff who may be impacted … while respecting the privacy of those involved," principal Debra Bright wrote.

The stretch of Warnbro Sound Avenue is busy and locals say it's too fast, calling for the 70km/h speed limit to be reduced.

"It makes me feel worried because I've got a two-year-old son, we're right next to a busy road and I've always been worried about the road," resident Rhiannon Harp told 9News.

"We've got two high schools just across the road from where the bus was and there is a primary school over there as well."

The sentiment is shared by fellow resident Dilly Koloi.

"It's even hard to get out of my own intersection, there's quite heavy traffic here," he said.

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A 20-year-old man has been charged after allegedly planning a terrorist attack on multiple political and religious sites in Perth.

Police allege the man was motivated by a white supremacist ideology and planned to use bombs and firearms to carry out a mass casualty event, with his intentions allegedly outlined in a manifesto.

It is believed the man was planning to target Parliament House and police headquarters, as well as Muslim places of worship.

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WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said communications within an encrypted chat group, alongside the manifesto, were "concerning" and disturbing in their content.

"[They contained] white supremacy ideology, anti-Muslim ideology, antisemitism, and quite frankly, abhorrent conversations about minorities and other races in this community," Blanch said at a press conference in Perth this afternoon.

"Most concerningly, there was a notebook that outlined preparations for a terrorist attack at significant locations."

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Authorities, including the counter-terrorism team and the Australian Federal Police, were tipped off to the communications in the chat group, and started an investigation in January, which led to a search of a house in Bindoon, in the Wheatbelt region, yesterday.

Police said they found seven firearms, fake weapons, as well as a ballistics vest, gas masks, and lock-picking equipment at the house, which the man shared with his parents.

They also seized several electronic devices, which are still being investigated.

Police said they believe the man was acting alone and that there is no current threat to the community.

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Blanch said the man was not known to authorities before his arrest, and that the firearms were owned legally.

Premier Roger Cook said the man's alleged intentions were "deeply concerning". He praised the work of police to act quickly and "prevent an alleged act of terror in our city".

"To attack the heart of our democracy, to attack our freedom of religion, to attack those who keep us safe," he said of the man's alleged plans.

"The threats are real in our community, we must not let hate and division win."

He said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had been briefed.

The 20-year-old man was charged with one count of act in preparation for a terrorist act, the first time the charge has been used in the state. He's also charged with use of a carriage service to menace or harass, possess prohibited weapon, failed to store a firearm or related thing in compliant storage, and unlicensed ammunition.

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The man appeared in Perth Magistrates Court this afternoon and was refused bail.

Blanch said he could be facing life imprisonment if found guilty of the charges.

It comes just a month after a man carried out an alleged attempted terrorist attack on an Invasion Day rally in Perth's CBD.

Liam Alexander Hall, 31, allegedly threw a bomb containing volatile chemicals, nails and metal ball bearings into a crowd of people.

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Tens of thousands will flock to the streets across the heart of Sydney tomorrow night to celebrate the 48th annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

Partygoers from across the nation will rush to the city to watch more than 9000 marchers and 170 floats take to the street in the iconic parade.

With festivities that have been running from February 13 until March 1, this edition of the festival follows the theme "Ecstatica".

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"Ecstatica is about euphoria as resistance, a reminder that our collective queer joy is on a break from the battle," Mardi Gras interim chief executive Jesse Matheson told 9news.com.au at the launch in November last year.

The theme blends the festival's foundations in protest and visibility with unashamed joy.

So what can people expect heading into tomorrow night?

Parade locations, tickets and parties

The main procession will kick off at 7.30pm tomorrow, sweeping down Oxford Street, Flinders Street, and Anzac Parade, passing through the celebrated Taylor Square "Glitter Club" viewing area, with the parade expected to wrap up at 10.30pm.

While the event is free and unticketed for spectators, some tickets can be bought to secure extra benefits such as prime viewing of the parade and a reservation at a party spot for the night.

Celebrations are expected to go well into the night after the parade.

The state government has extended business hours for shops, bars, clubs, restaurants, breweries and live music venues in Sydney, Darlinghurst, Surry Hills, Potts Point, Paddington, Camperdown, Newtown and Erskineville until midnight this weekend.

The Sunday Laneway party is set to wrap up the marathon of festivities, with music acts starting at 2pm and running until 1am, transforming the Beresford and Hill Street into a street celebration to close out the parade.

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What will the weather be like?

Unfortunately, weather conditions this weekend are not looking great, however, that will not deter revellers.

Showers are expected in the early morning, before clearing up by the early afternoon.

Wet weather is expected to return at about 8pm, shortly after the start of the parade, and the damp conditions are expected to persist all night and into the following morning.

Luckily, conditions will clear up at 5pm on Sunday, not long after the start of the street party on Hill Street. 

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Road closures and public transport

Major roads across Sydney's CBD extending to Moore Park will be shut from 4pm on Saturday and will not reopen until 2am on Sunday.

Motorists are being urged to avoid unnecessary travel to the city and instead utilise the metro and train services that are set to run for 24 hours.

This is the first time the iconic festival has had around-the-clock metro and rail services running to get partygoers home safely.

NSW Transport is advising people to take advantage of the rare opportunity.

"Leave the car at home," Transport for NSW Coordinator-General Howard Collins said.

"Check signs carefully because your vehicle will be towed."

Light rail services will also run for 24 hours on the L1 Dulwich Hill, L2 Randwick and L3 Kingsford lines.

Light rails will arrive every 15 to 20 minutes until normal services resume on Sunday morning.

On Sunday, bus routes 370 and 343 will also run around-the-clock with added hourly services.

About 300 extra bus services are also set to run to the city from Inner West, Eastern Suburbs and North Shore suburbs throughout the afternoon, along with NightRide bus services.

Standard ticketing still applies, however, with commuters being reminded to tap on and off when using public transport this weekend.

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An Australian tourist has died in a Thailand resort town after allegedly being assaulted by another foreigner.

The 58-year-old man, was seen on CCTV engaging in an argument with a 29-year-old man near Phuket on Wednesday night.

The younger man is alleged to have assaulted the victim on Prachanukroh Road in Patong, with the Australian sustained serious head injuries.

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It is unclear what led to the assault.

According to local media reports, he was taken to Patong Hospital later that night, but he died of his injuries.

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The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) confirmed they were providing consular assistance to the family.

We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time," a DFAT spokesperson told Nine.com.au.

"They have requested privacy at this time."

Thai authorities have arrested a suspect and charged with assault causing death, according to reports in the Bangkok Post.

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Firefighters have spent nearly five hours battling to control a blaze inside one of Victoria's largest power stations.

Fire Rescue Victoria crews were called to the Yallourn Power Station, in the Latrobe Valley, just before midday after a Triple Zero caller reported burning embers in a coal bunker as a result of a lightning strike.

Firefighters arrived to find the fire about 40 metres by 20 metres high.

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About 70 firefighters, 10 firetrucks and two waterbombing aircrafts spent hours trying to contain the blaze, which was deemed under control just before 5pm.

Peter Marshall, from the United Firefighters Union, said earlier he was unsure how firefighters would control the fire.

"What we have here is a critical crisis in the fire service, where firefighters' morale is so depleted, because the government have deserted them," he said on 3AW.

Ambulance Victoria was called as a precaution.

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In a statement, EnergyAustralia confirmed a "severe storm" sparked lightning that hit the Yallourn power station and mine.

"The area was investigated immediately after and embers and hot spot smoulders were identified in the Raw Coal Bunker building," an EnergyAustralia spokesperson said.

"No significant damage has been detected however as per emergency protocols Fire Rescue Victoria and our on-site emergency response team responded.

"No-one has been injured and WorkSafe was also immediately notified following the incident.  

"There has been no impact to generation at Yallourn."

Firefighters will remain on scene to ensure the safety of the area.

The coal-fired power station supplies 22 per cent of Victoria's power.

The site, which has been running for more than 100 years, is due to close in 2028 as part of a $5 billion transformation into a "low-carbon emissions hub" by owners EnergyAustralia.

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A sinkhole has opened up on a busy street in Sydney CBD, forcing a nearby school to close and leaving businesses without water.

A burst water pipe created the hole at the intersection of College Street and Prince Albert Road near St Mary's Cathedral today. 

Students at St Mary's Cathedral College, which adjoins the church, were sent home for the day.

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Sydney Water has been forced to cut off water supply to up to 10 nearby businesses as it works to fix the pipe.

"Sydney Water crews are on site excavating and have isolated the main with a rezone in place so that repairs can commence," a spokesperson said.

"Prince Albert Road is currently closed with diversions in place in order for this critical work to be carried out safely.

"Sydney Water thanks the community for its patience and apologises for the inconvenience."

A Coles truck became stuck in the hole earlier this morning and had to be towed out.

The tyres were damaged, but the driver was able to safely leave once he was helped out of the truck. 

Shark warnings

Heavy rain has prompted a shark warning to beachgoers and swimmers today due to the increased potential for shark attacks in the wake of the heavy rain.

"Heavy rain can change beach and waterway conditions quickly," NSW SharkSmart said in a post on Instagram.

"Freshwater and nutrient-rich run‑off can reduce visibility, affecting water quality and attract baitfish – sometimes increasing shark activity."

https://www.instagram.com/p/DVM5kBvEunZ/?img_index=2

People are urged to avoid swimming in murky or dirty waters, take extra care within 1km of river mouths and harbours, and be cautious around baitfish, diving birds, and dolphins.

There was a rash of shark attacks after a recent series of storms along the NSW coast, one of which resulted in a young boy's death after he was mauled at Vaucluse.

Experts at the time warned storm activity provided cover for bull sharks and lured them closer to shore and even upriver.​ ​

Sydney recovers from flash flooding

It came as heavy rain that totalled 100mm in some parts and flash flooding hit the Sydney region overnight.

Homes were evacuated as the rain inundated streets in Fairfield East and more than 490 calls were made to the SES.

Out of those, 42 led to swiftwater rescues.

Cars were also flooded in shopping centre carparks while roads were cut throughout the metropolitan area.

The rain has eased throughout this morning, with the Bureau of Meteorology cancelling a severe warning for Greater Sydney.

But flood warnings remain in place for much of outback NSW, Queensland, South Australia, and the Northern Territory.

A near-stationary tropical low system hanging over Central Australia continues to pour rain into all four states, with the heavy downpour slowly moving south.

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Adelaide is next in line for a soaking, with more than 100mm forecast to fall on the city in the coming hours.

Some events in the city have already been cancelled, with flash flooding expected across the metropolitan area.

Rain also continues to bucket down in dust-dry outback Queensland, with the tiny town of Birdsville, 10km from the South Australian border, copping an extremely rare drenching.

Weatherzone reported that in the 24 hours to 9am yesterday, the town received 93.2mm, more than half of its annual average of 161.4mm.

It was also Queensland's second-highest 24-hour rainfall total behind Fall Creek in the decidedly more tropical Cape York Peninsula.

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Jim Chalmers has effectively confirmed Treasury has looked into the impact of limiting one of Australia's most contentious tax breaks for property investors, as speculation continues to build about a significant overhaul of the tax system in this year's federal budget.

Speaking to reporters today, the treasurer was asked whether reports published this morning of his department conducting modelling about how much revenue could be raised by limiting negative gearing to two investment properties were accurate.

"We haven't changed our tax policies," he replied.

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"Our tax policies are all about delivering another income tax cut in July this year and another one in July next year…

"It's not unusual this far out from the budget that the Treasury would be considering other options and other next steps.

"But, as always, any further steps along those lines would be a matter for cabinet."

The language is notably similar to that used by Chalmers and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese before the federal government embarked on a promise-breaking but ultimately popular decision in 2024 to revise the stage 3 tax cuts to redirect more of the benefit to lower-income earners.

Negative gearing allows property investors to write off the costs associated with their loss-making rentals as a tax deduction.

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Alongside the capital gains tax (CGT) discount – which the government also hasn't ruled out taking a razor blade to in the May 12 federal budget – the two policies have become a lightning rod amid a growing debate around the generous incentives offered to property investors while young Australians find it increasingly difficult to buy their first homes.

A host of economists, politicians and unions have argued for removing or reducing the tax breaks, saying such a move would make property more affordable and could fund much-needed income tax cuts.

However, others have argued that would do little to address the housing crisis, and instead lead to less supply in the sector.

According to the Property Council, almost 1.3 million Australians use negative gearing. 

A previous analysis of ATO statistics estimated just under 30 per cent of those negatively geared taxpayers had two or more investment properties.

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Figures from the Parliamentary Budget office have shown negative gearing costs the federal government almost $7 billion a year, and the CGT discount for residential properties $5.4 billion, at the same time the budget has fallen into a structural deficit.

Last year's papers forecast the national accounts would be a combined $180 billion in the red between 2025 and 2029.

While Albanese has previously ruled out making changes to negative gearing – the proposal has widely been blamed on Labor's shock 2019 federal election losses – Chalmers has frequently spoken about wanting to address the inequality facing young Australians.

That was a point he reiterated today.

"We are alive, obviously, to the intergenerational issues in the housing market and in the tax system," he said.

The federal opposition has signalled it would fight any effort to roll back the CGT discount or negative gearing, although the government would likely be able to get any proposal through parliament with the support of the Greens.

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Police say the woman entered the Galway St store carrying a metal pole.