When model and sex worker Revelle Balmain vanished, her boss allegedly made a call referring to her having been murdered.

Decades on, the disputed phrasing still intrigues the lead detective for the cold case that gripped Sydney in the late 1990s.

Balmain was 22 and had grand plans to travel in Japan when she disappeared on November 5, 1994.

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She had attended a booking with client Gavin Samers before he dropped her at a hotel in suburban Kingsford about 7pm.

Her boss, Jane King, told police she and husband Zoran Stanojevic dined at a pizza restaurant on the afternoon of Balmain's disappearance.

While police haven't been able to confirm the couple went to the restaurant on that day, the case's lead detective on Monday said a witness reported King calling the manager afterwards.

They recalled King asking the manager to verify that she and her husband had been at the restaurant because her employee "had been murdered".

"The words used were quite intriguing," Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Bell told a Sydney court.

King disputed the witness's account, saying she said the word "missing" not "murdered".

But the lead detective queried why she felt the need to contact the restaurant to substantiate her whereabouts.

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"I find that odd," he told the inquest into Balmain's disappearance.

The detective found King's claim she had reported her employee missing "very strange", noting he found no police records to support it.

Balmain owed the company about $400 at the time of her disappearance and King knew she was preparing to leave the country imminently, the inquest was told.

There are lingering questions around calls King made that night, Detective Inspector Bell added, as well as her husband's whereabouts between 6.30pm and 10.30pm.

The detective wanted to know more about Stanojevic's knowledge of Balmain's appointment on the day she vanished and his associations with two Serbian clients.

It was stressed throughout the investigation that the men had been important clients and it was necessary to understand why, Bell said.

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The duo returned to Europe after Balmain's disappearance and a request to the Serbian government for assistance had been pending since 2021, the inquest heard.

The detective's unresolved questions were aired during the first day of a resumed inquest into Balmain's disappearance that began in 2024.

King and Stanojevic are scheduled to give evidence before the coroner later in the week.

A previous inquest in 1999 found Balmain died at the hands of a person or persons unknown and the matter was referred to unsolved homicide detectives.

A fresh investigation between 2007 and 2009 followed by a formal review in 2020 failed to produce any compelling new evidence.

Authorities offered a $1 million reward for information in 2021, a year after Det Insp Bell took charge of the investigation.

The inquest runs until Thursday.

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A man has been charged with murder more than 18 months after a newborn baby died in a Queensland hospital.

The three-week-old baby boy was taken to Queensland Children's Hospital on July 18, 2024 in a critical condition but with no obvious injuries.

He died in hospital four days later.

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Operation Whiskey Nell was then launched by detectives from the Logan Child Protection Investigation Unit and Child Trauma Unit in a bid to find out the cause of the child's death.

Detectives recently received medical examination results which showed the child had sustained internal injuries.

Police will allege the injuries were sustained at a home in Rosemary Street, Greenbank.

A 25-year-old man, who was known to the child, was arrested this morning and subsequently charged with murder.

He is expected to face Brisbane Magistrates Court today.

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Charges against former NRL star Josh McGuire have been aired in court for the first time since he was accused of choking and assaulting a child.

The ex-Brisbane NRL forward and Queensland State of Origin player was due to appear in person in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday after an initial date in December was adjourned.

However, solicitor Emma Kearney made an application for the 35-year-old to be excused from appearing, which was granted by Deputy Chief Magistrate Anthony Gett.

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McGuire, who is on bail, is charged with choking, suffocation or strangulation against a child as well as common assault against a child.

Kearney also asked Gett to force prosecutors to disclose evidence in the case.

"The brief of evidence has not been disclosed despite the arresting officer telling our office prior (to) Christmas that they were in possession of a (statement of evidence by a child) and a statement by the complainant child's mother," she said.

"Nothing has been disclosed to our office."

Kearney said the material was "particularly pertinent" for McGuire to make changes to his bail conditions.

"The Crown has opposed all attempts to vary bail … we can't reasonably make any application in the absence of that evidence," she said.

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Kearney sought a direction that prosecutors provide the evidence within a week.

The prosecutor called for a two-week adjournment to process and provide the evidence to McGuire's defence.

"A large portion of the brief of evidence has been received by our office. We are in the process of disclosing material," the prosecutor said.

Gett ordered prosecutors to provide the child and mother's statements to McGuire's defence within the next week.

The case was adjourned to February 16 and McGuire's bail was extended.

McGuire played 259 NRL games over 15 seasons after beginning his career at the Brisbane Broncos in 2009.

He earned 14 Origin caps for Queensland and played Tests for Samoa and Australia before finishing his stellar run in the UK Super League for Warrington in 2023.

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A koala has been rescued after it was hit by a car and thrown through the grille in Adelaide's southern suburbs.

The marsupial – consequently named Axle – was picked up by volunteer rescuers from the Southern Koala and Echidna Rescue after he was injured before midnight on Saturday.

"If you ever needed another reason to stop and check after hitting an animal, this is it," the charity said on social media.

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"He was hit with such force that he was thrown through the grille of a car and yet, somehow, he has come away with only minor injuries.

"Our amazing volunteer rescuers responded just before midnight and carefully worked to free Axle from the car.

"He was vet-checked today and, aside from a scrape and what we imagine is a very sore head, this brave boy is remarkably okay."

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The charity thanked the driver who stopped, checked and called its 24-hour hotline.

"One phone call truly made all the difference," the charity said.

"Axle will spend a few days resting and receiving some well-deserved TLC before being released back into a safer part of his home territory."

The Australian Koala Foundation recommends several steps to rescue an injured koala.

If you come across an injured koala, you should pull off the road safely and call your local wildlife carer for instructions if possible.

Always make sure it is safe before you go onto the road to attend to an animal and stop any traffic if necessary.

Approach the animal carefully from behind and place a blanket over the koala, enclosing its arms and head.

Be careful as the koala is frightened and has very sharp claws.

Move the koala to a safe place away from any traffic, handle the animal as little as possible and keep the environment quiet until it arrives at a vet or with a wildlife carer.

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An Australian woman has died in an accident at a ski resort in Japan.

Brooke Day, 22, died on Friday at a popular resort in the Hakuba Valley, a popular skiing and snowboarding region about 30 kilometres from Nagano.

It's believed the Sunshine Coast woman went into cardiac arrest after becoming stuck in a chairlift and suspended in the air about 9am (11am AEDT) on Friday.

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The operators of Tsugaike Mountain Resort, Tsugaike Gondola Lift Co, confirmed the death of a customer on its web page.

The resort said the 22-year-old was left hanging in midair after trying to get off a chair lift when the waist buckle on her backpack caught onto the chair.

In a statement, chief executive and president Tsuneo Kubo said Day was dragged along with her backpack because its chest strap did not release.

He said she was taken to hospital after an attendant pressed the stop button and first aid was administered.

The Tsuga No. 2 Pair Lift remained closed today as the company continued to investigate.

She was identified in Japanese media as Ella Day Brooke but sources close to her family confirmed her name to The Sydney Morning Herald.

In a profile by her employer, Hakuba Physio, the receptionist described herself as a "people person" whose personal motto was to "live in the moment".

She said she was happiest riding powder snow or at the beach with her dog.

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Kubo on Friday said the woman suffered what appeared to be a heart attack before being taken to hospital, where she later died.

"We would like to express our deepest condolences to the bereaved family and pray for the repose of their souls," company chief executive and president Kubo said in a statement.

"We will continue to fully cooperate with the police and related agencies in their investigations."

Nagano Omachi Police also said she suffered a cardiac arrest.

Kubo said staff would also look into strengthening the resort's safety management in an effort to prevent a recurrence.

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson confirmed it was providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian who died in Japan.

"We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time. Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment," they said.

– Reported with CNN

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WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this story contains the name and image of a person who is deceased.

Police have confirmed Julian Ingram was seen on the side of a road two days after he allegedly murdered three people, and believe the accused triple-murderer is still receiving help from the public to evade capture.

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland this afternoon said Ingram, also known as Julian Pierpoint, visited a property on Kidman Way, three kilometres south of Mt Hope, "in the dark hours of the night" between January 24 and 25.

He urged anyone with information about Ingram's whereabouts to contact police.

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The revelation comes after two women detailed a scary encounter with a man they believe was Ingram.

The 37-year-old is wanted over the Lake Cargelligo shooting deaths of his heavily pregnant ex-partner Sophie Quinn, 25, her friend John Harris, 32 and aunty Nerida Quinn, 50,as well as the serious injury of Kaleb Macqueen, 19, on January 22.

Police have battled what Holland described as "oppressive" conditions in western NSW, where temperatures have hovered above 40 degrees for days on end as their expansive search for the fugitive nudges two weeks.

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Holland said he believes Ingram is receiving help from members of the public to remain unsighted by police.

"After 12 days in this heat and the conditions he's in, I do believe he's getting help and we're appealing to the members of the public to give us some support," he said.

Holland today called a level two critical incident investigation into the alleged triple murder, which will examine the police response, as well as Ingram's domestic violence history and how he got access to guns before the shooting.

"Fresh information has come forward and it's given me reason to believe that the matter needs to be further investigated, hence my reasoning for creating the critical incident investigation," Holland said.

Police are continuing a large-scale search surrounding Lake Cargelligo, including support from the Police AirWing, Tactical Operations and the Rescue and Bomb Disposal crews.

He was last seen driving a dual cab Ford Ranger utility with the NSW registration DM-07-GZ.

"We do believe he's still got access to the main vehicle he was using, we're not sure which vehicle he is using at present," Holland said.

If you or someone you know are feeling worried or no good, you can connect with 13YARN on 13 92 76 (24 hours/7 days) and talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter.

Support is also available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

David Littleproud will remain the federal Nationals leader after the leadership spill launched by backbench MP Colin Boyce failed.

Nationals whip Michelle Landry confirmed the spill motion at today's partyroom meeting was unsuccessful.

Boyce's challenge was tipped to fail following a lack of support among the party's MPs.

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Landry did not confirm how many voted for or against the motion, as is standard practice for Nationals partyroom motions.

Littleproud is expected to meet with Opposition Leader Sussan Ley today at 6pm, however it remains unknown if a reunion with the Coalition is on the cards yet.

Boyce earlier said he was mounting a challenge over his party's decision to split from the Liberals triggered when the National Party voted against new hate speech laws last month after their unsuccessful amendment to the bill.

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The Queensland MP claimed the Nationals were "asleep at the wheel".

Last weekend, Littleproud declared he had "no issues" with Boyce challenging him for the leader's job.

"He is well within his right (to challenge for the leadership)," Littleproud told Today.

"I'll take counsel from my colleagues and I'll take their guidance and their decision."I believe passionately in the National Party and no matter the result, I'll accept."

Littleproud said the Nationals did not want to operate in a party room where "unilateral" decisions would be made.

But the Nationals and their former Coalition partners, the Liberal Party, have recorded dismal polling with voters flocking to One Nation. 

Boyce, who has been in federal parliament since 2022, has previously said the Nationals needed to change direction, and remain in the Coalition to challenge the increasing threat from Pauline Hanson's party.

He announced last week that he will challenge Littleproud for the leadership of their party, describing the decision to split the Coalition for the second time in a year as "political suicide".

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TVs, iPads and a high jump mat were destroyed in the weekend break-in.

Human remains were discovered in the mine in 2023 during renewed drilling.

A new capital has joined the ranks of Australian cities where the average house exceeds $1 million, as property prices continue their stubborn climb nationwide.

The median cost of a standalone home in Perth hit $1,003,804 in January, climbing 1.9 per cent from the previous month, according to Cotality's Home Value Index.

It is the fourth Australian city to reach that benchmark, trailing just behind Brisbane and Canberra where median house prices have crept up to $1,149,589 and $1,033,761 respectively.

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It comes amid persistent property price rises nationwide, despite renewed cost of living pressures on the eve of a forecast interest rate hike.

The newly released Home Value Index also shows that it is the most affordable properties – those in the lowest quarter of the price range – where prices are rising fastest, in a trend that risks pushing home ownership ever further out of reach for thousands of Australians.

While Sydney remains by far the most unaffordable city for house ownership, with a median price of $1,598,819, growth has slowed to just 0.3 per cent in January.

Nationally, the value of Australian homes (both houses and apartments) rose by 0.8 per cent in January, according to Cotality's Home Value Index – a slight uptick from 0.6 per cent in December. 

Stubbornly high property prices are a fresh blow to prospective home buyers who are bracing for a cut to their borrowing power if the Reserve Bank hikes interest rates tomorrow as forecast.

"Despite the most unaffordable conditions on record in many cities, along with a rebound in cost of living pressures and prospect of a rate hike as early as (tomorrow), we are still seeing a broad-based rise in housing values," Cotality's research director Tim Lawless said.

However, Lawless suggested price rises are likely to ease this year, as demand eased and forecast interest rate hikes limited people's ability to service larger mortgages.

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The number of homes advertised for sale is currently 19 per cent below where it was at this time last year and 25 per cent below the five-year average.

At the same time, the quarterly number of home sales is one per cent higher than a year ago.

Australia's smaller and mid-sized capitals have recorded the biggest jump in property prices, with Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide prices rising by between 1.2 and 2 per cent.

That compares to an incremental creep of just 0.2 and 0.1 per cent respectively for Sydney and Melbourne.

In the past year, Darwin has seen the steepest property price increases, up by almost a fifth (19.7 per cent).

The second-largest increase is in Perth, where combined house and unit prices have risen by 18.5 per cent annually, making it the third most expensive city to buy a property after Sydney and Brisbane.

Sydney and Melbourne properties are up a comparatively small 6.4 and 5.4 per cent annually.

In worrying news for housing affordability and equality, homes at the most affordable end of the housing market are seeing the largest price hikes.

House values in the lowest quartile rose by 1.3 per cent, compared to just 0.3 per cent rise in the top quartile.

"This trend of stronger growth conditions at lower price points is supported by intense competition for more affordable houses," said Lawless.

"This is where first home buyers, investors and, progressively, mainstream demand is most concentrated."

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