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National MPs will likely have an awkward caucus meeting tomorrow after a poll showing leader Judith Collins has lost the support of both National voters and the country at large. A Newshub-Reid Research poll asked whether Kiwi voters…

A coroner has found a Victorian mother-of-two who died during a voluntary cardiac screening suffered from "an industry putting profits over patients".

Peta Hickey was 43 and healthy when she died from an allergic reaction to IV contrast dye in May 2019.

The mother had no history of heart problems and had agreed to be part of a voluntary cardiac screening program run by her employer, Programme Skilled Workforce in 2019.

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It involved undergoing a cardiac CT scan at FMIG Radiology in Monee Ponds.

When the doctor administered the IV contrast dye, Ms Hickey suffered an anaphylactic reaction.

The office manager called Triple Zero and paramedics arrived to care for her before taking her to the intensive care unit at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.

Ms Hickey did not regain consciousness and died eight days later.

Coroner Simon McGregor today ruled her death was "a result of substandard clinical judgement from doctors at the beginning and end of this programme, combined with a misalignment of incentives amongst the various business entities that facilitated the process".

"It may be somewhat of an oversimplification, but the snapshot provided by this Inquest has revealed an industry putting profits over patients," his findings read.

The inquest heard a series of medical failings contributed to her death.

Ms Hickey had never had a consultation with the doctor whose electronic signature was on the test referral.

He was paid by her employer to review scan results, yet claimed he claims he had no idea he was referring her.

The inquest also found that when she suffered the reaction to the contrasting dye the doctor in charge didn't know how to respond.

Coroner McGregor has recommended a Commonwealth audit of radiology practices to see how many referrals are valid.

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Ms Hickey's family wants to see serious changes made to the industry and they are preparing to launch civil action against the doctors and entities that let her down.

"I have fought to find out what happened to Peta so our children aged two and eight at the time will in time be able to understand," her partner, Richard Hickey, told 9News.

Maurice Blackburn lawyer Kathryn Booth said the case put "everybody on notice that invasive testing for asymptomatic patients is a risky business".

"This is one of the worst cases of medical negligence I've seen in my career," she said.

National and Labour’s housing accord came under assault in select committee on Monday from a host of submitters, nearly all of whom supported the intent of the bill: to build more houses.The combination of a vast number of submissions…

Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie has blasted One Nation's vaccine discrimination bill, accusing Pauline Hanson of thriving on discrimination.

Senator Lambie labelled the party as "the enemy of healthcare workers who would have to clean up after the outbreak", after Senator Hanson proposed banning discrimination against unvaccinated people.

"One Nation wants autistic children to be taken out of public schools because, and I quote, they are a 'strain' on the rest of the class," Senator Lambie said.

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"One Nation wants a ban on any immigration from majority Muslim countries, even if the person isn't Muslim. 

"People don't choose what country they are born in, that is discrimination.

"Being held accountable for your own actions isn't called discrimination, it's called being – you wouldn't believe it – a God damn, bloody adult.

"That's right, it's being an adult. It's putting others before yourself. That's what this country is supposed to be about.

"We don't have lockdowns and border restrictions because state premiers love discrimination, that's rubbish. 

"We have them because they don't want people dying.

"This is the only weapon we have and we need to do everything we can to keep ourselves safe and our children safe."

READ MORE: Queensland defends border testing rules

After heated debate, the Senate overwhelmingly rejected the progress of the bill, 44 votes to five.

However, five Coalition Senators crossed the floor in support including Matt Canavan, Gerard Rennick, Alex Antic, Concetta Fierravanti-Wells and Sam McMahon.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison defended the dissenters, insisting the Liberal-National parties were able to deal with differences.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese used the revolt as political ammunition during Question Time today, questioning the Prime Minister's decision to mandate vaccines for some Australians.

"Why does the Prime Minister claim he is opposed to mandatory vaccinations when he has imposed mandatory vaccinations on aged care workers, Australians returning home, quarantine workers and even journalists attending his own press conferences?" Mr Albanese said.

Mr Morrison said it was about following the health advice.

"The government doesn't oppose mandatory vaccinations for health workers and aged care workers and disability workers," he said.

"Mandatory vaccines for healthcare workers, for aged care workers, for those working with vulnerable people was the clear medical advice.

"It has been essential to take a series of decisions to protect Australians (but) there is a time for governments to step back."

Watch the full speech in the video above.

A hunter who spent 48 hours huddled under a survival blanket near a campfire after getting lost in the Kaweka Range in Hawke’s Bay has been winched to safety. The man was reported missing to local Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR)…

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Intimate photos and videos of hundreds of Victorian women are being fleeced by an online sextortion racket.

The scam involves the offenders blackmailing victims into performing sex acts on camera after hacking into their private messages.

One of its victims, Vanessa*, had an intimate video she had sent to a partner distributed to her entire phone contact list even after she complied with the blackmailer's demands.

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The scammer hacked one of her Facebook friend's profiles and messaged her, claiming the friend was locked out of their account and needed her to verify a code.

"I pretty much just said yes because I just thought it was a friend from netball," Vanessa said.

Instead, the code allowed the hacker to access her phone and every message she'd sent – including an intimate video to a partner.

The hacker then threatened to forward the video to the 30-year-old's contact list unless she stripped off her clothes on Skype.

She complied, but the hacker sent the video around anyway.

"My family members got it.. my sister and brother-in-law," Vanessa said.

Vanessa said the hacker didn't get any real gain from the attack.

"They didn't get money, they didn't get anything else out of me," she said.

"It's purely just to humiliate people and have control over people."

Cybercrime detectives have identified 34 victims since July 2019, but believe there are hundreds more.

However, tracking down those responsible is a technological nightmare as they hide behind VPNs.

Detective Leading Senior Constable Anthon Bennett said the scammer could be a single individual or a whole group.

"Obviously it's oppressive, offensive, we feel for these vulnerable victims," he said.

The advice for protecting yourself against the types of attacks is to:

• Use two-factor authentication and security questions for all online accounts
• Verify a friend's identity in other ways (face to face or on the phone)
• Remember, you'll never be asked to unlock someone's account for them

* Name has been changed to protect identity

From Thursday, fully vaccinated Aucklanders will be able to get a much-needed post lockdown haircut.Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Cabinet decided to undertake a trial by allowing hairdressers and barbers in Auckland to…

Test your brains with the Herald’s afternoon quiz. Be sure to check back on nzherald.co.nz for the morning quiz tomorrow.