By RNZ The lawyer acting for a group of Chinese nationals who had allegedly worked illegally at an Auckland building site is calling for an investigation into their situation.Their lawyer, Matt Robson, alleges they have been…

By Charlotte Cook of RNZ The head of managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facilities has made more changes to the exercise bus system, after failures onboard a bus from the Grand Mercure Hotel.Frustrated public health experts…

A leading Queensland infectious diseases doctor has warned snap COVID-19 lockdowns are likely to remain for years to come.

In an interview with 9News, Dr Paul Griffin said he believes the new reality is that new variants of the virus will likely end up in our community and we should get used to it. 

Working on the COVID frontline at the Mater Hospital in Brisbane, Dr Griffin said he backs the idea that lockdowns are an "effective way" of controlling outbreaks. 

READ MORE: "As high risk since the beginning of the pandemic"

"Until we have sufficient coverage of the vaccine, a lockdown is an effective way of getting back under control – unfortunately our vaccine rollout isn't quite at that point yet," he said. 

"The reality is we will likely see new strains emerge – seeing community transmission is a big concern and if we leave that going unchecked, we could have hundreds of cases in a very short time."

Doctor Griffin also believes COVID testing is here to stay, even if you've been vaccinated, saying it will be a part of our everyday life if you ever show any symptoms. 

READ MORE: 'We must brace ourselves': Warning from NSW Premier as more cases expected to be linked to Byron Bay hen's party

However, the hard work's already been put in, with vaccines currently rolling out across the country, with only minor adjustments to be made to combat the new variant if it presents itself.  

But it's no time to become complacent, with social distancing, mask and hand hygiene needing to be Australians top priority. 

"People did get a little complacent and a little bit fatigued (with the virus)" he said. 

"(The current lockdown in Brisbane) should really highlight how important it is to be doing these things".

The father of Australian actor Russell Crowe has died.

John Alexander Crowe died aged 85 in Coffs Harbour on the NSW north coast.

His Oscar-winning actor son posted to Twitter, confirming the death of his "dear old man".

"I arrived back in the bush last night," he said.

"Today, although the sun is shining and the torrential rain has abated, this date will forever be tinged with sadness.

"My dear old man, my beautiful dad, the most gentle of men, has passed away."

https://twitter.com/russellcrowe/status/1376772591558434816

"I'm posting this because I know there are people all over the world who's heart he touched and who's ribs he tickled with his sparkly eyes and his cheeky attitude to everyone, and everything, and this is probably as efficient a method as any to pass on the news."

Mr Crowe and his father quarantined together at his property in Australia last year.

"Isolating with the old man. 84 now," Mr Crowe wrote on Twitter at the time.

"Wearing a hat I got at Princeton while shooting A Beautiful Mind".

John's death came just weeks after he celebrated his 85th birthday.

A man accused of stabbing a Melbourne teenager to death in a fight over a baseball cap has been found guilty of manslaughter.

Joshua Horton, 20, was charged with murder, accused of stabbing 17-year-old Maaka Hakiwai in the heart with a knife and his older brother Nathaniel twice in the leg, at Kings Park in September 2019.

A jury this afternoon found him guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter, and intention to cause serious injury.

CCTV footage shows Mr Hakiwai and his brother Nate in their final moments together leading up to the attack.

They were walking down the street and were at a bus stop when a car pulled up and two strangers got out and came after Nate's Philadelphia 76ers NBA cap.

In court, Horton seemed relaxed after the verdict was handed down.

READ MORE: Two Victorian schoolgirls allegedly assaulted in Ballarat park

Horton's lawyers asked for him to be seen by a psychologist in prison.

Prosecutors said a number of victim impact statements will be submitted from Mr Hakiwai's family, who were not present in court today.

They will be heard at the pre-sentencing hearing in June 21.

People with dairy allergies are being warned not to get caught out when buying chocolate from Aldi supermarkets this Easter.

The labelling used on the German-owned supermarket's own brand of Dairy Fine chocolates has been criticised as confusing for years.

Nine.com.au previously reported on the case of a Melbourne woman who suffered an anaphylactic reaction after misreading the brand name on an Aldi chocolate Easter bunny.

The words "Dairy Fine" on the Aldi brand chocolate are written in a cursive script, making it hard to decipher and easily mistaken for the words "dairy free", Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia spokeswoman Maria Said told nine.com.au.

https://www.facebook.com/AnaphylaxisAustralia/posts/3904480026274363

"People continue to make the same mistake every year," she said.

"The fact that the foil on these products does get scrunched up is also a factor that causes people to read it quickly and make the assumption."

Adding to the confusion, some Aldi stores also stock a brand of dairy-free chocolate, Sweet William.

Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia had been working with Aldi over the past few years to come up with a solution to the problem, Ms Said said.

Aldi last year added the words "milk chocolate" below the words Dairy Fine, which was a welcome step, however, the supermarket giant could always do more, she said.

"This is about people taking the time to read the labelling thoroughly, but at the same time I think food manufacturers need to think about people with a food allergy when we are communicating any aspect of food products on the label," Ms Said said.

"Nobody feels good about their product causing a reaction in someone even if it is labelled correctly."

A spokesperson for Aldi Australia said the labelling on its Dairy Fine chocolates was clear.

"Aldi Australia has measures in place to ensure clear labelling of Dairy Fine products, including ensuring the type of chocolate, eg. Milk chocolate, is on the front of pack where possible," the spokesperson said in a statement.

"In addition, the type of chocolate is always stated on the back of pack near the ingredient list. All ALDI's labels have clear allergen labelling which goes above and beyond current allergen regulations."

Easter was a high-risk time for people with a food allergy, Ms Said said, with misunderstandings about dark chocolate also causing some mistakes.

"There seems to be the assumption – even within the allergy community which is quite frightening – that dark chocolate doesn't contain milk," she said.

"Dark chocolate contains less milk but much of it has either some milk or the risk of contamination is high.

"We have many reported reactions to dark chocolate and people need to take the advice on dark chocolate very seriously."

Contact reporter Emily McPherson at em********@******om.au.

A golfer in the US has found himself in hot water after harassing an alligator on a resort property for the perfect photo.

The Fripp Island Golf & Beach Resort posted a picture of the man holding the reptile's tail in his hands as his friend takes a picture.

The South Carolina Resort said it was actively searching for the two men in the photo, citing local laws that harassing, feeding or enticing wildlife is illegal.

READ MORE: Florida man catches 4m alligator he had watched for years

"Fripp Island Resort would like to remind all of our residents, guests, and visitors that Fripp is a wildlife habitat," the club posted.

"Harassment, enticement, or feeding of wildlife is both illegal and dangerous. We are sharing this incident in hopes that the violators will be found, not to encourage this behaviour."

South Carolina's Department of Natural Resources opened an investigation into the photograph, shortly after which the man in the photo voluntarily called the department to identify himself.

READ MORE: US woman discovers alligators fighting at front door

A citation was issued and the man is expected to be charged.

"This is something people need to understand. Do not touch an alligator," said David Lucas from the department.

American alligators can grow to lengths of more than 4 metres and weigh as much as 230 kilograms.

Alligators are capable of killing humans but fatal attacks are extremely rare.

The Easter long weekend will feature a mixed bag of weather across Australia, from rain and thunderstorms, to 10C temperature drops and even the chance of a tropical cyclone.

The lead up to Easter will be noticeably warm over a large area of southern, central and western Australia.

The hottest air will be in the northwest, where temperatures will reach the high 30s to low 40s every day from now until Easter Monday.

READ MORE: State-by-state guide to coronavirus travel restrictions for Easter

Warm inland air will also drift over southern Australia during the first half of the weekend, causing temperatures to climb seven to 10C above average in Adelaide, Melbourne and Hobart on Friday and Saturday.

However, the second half of the weekend will be noticeably cooler, with temperatures forecast to drop by 6C to 10C in all three cities by Sunday.

Meanwhile, a wet weekend is in store for the northern tropics with showers increasing for parts of the Northern Territory, Queensland and north east New South Wales.

LIVE UPDATES: Two arrested over Adelaide shooting murder

Here's your state-by-state breakdown of the weather in your state for Easter 2021:

New South Wales and ACT

Temperatures will be cool-to-mild in the northeast and mostly sunny and warm in the southeast. Sunny, mild-to-warm in the west.

Storms and rain are possible in northeastern NSW while most of southern Australia will stay dry throughout the long weekend.

Sydney will also be dry and relatively warm until at least Sunday with tops of 27C forecast, although there is a chance of showers on Monday in the city.

A warm and sunny Easter is forecast for Canberra with temperatures reaching 28C on Saturday and 27C on Sunday with full sun expected for the duration of the long weekend.

https://twitter.com/BOM_au/status/1376275184752209921

Victoria

Warm inland air will also drift over southern Australia during the first half of the weekend, causing temperatures to climb seven to 10C above average in Melbourne on Friday and Saturday.

Conditions in the city are forecast to sunny with tops of 29C and 30C on Friday and Saturday.

Temperatures will drop back down to 20C on Sunday and Monday however conditions will remain mostly dry.

READ MORE: Easter long weekend store opening hours 2021 – What's open and closed?

Queensland

Further east, a deepening trough will also cause an increase in showers and thunderstorms over eastern Queensland and northeast NSW between Friday and Monday.

There is currently too much uncertainty to know how much rain will fall, although heavy falls and severe storms are possible.

Possible showers and temperatures around 25C to 26C are forecast from Friday through until Monday in Brisbane with storms also possible at some point.

South Australia

Warm inland air will also drift over southern Australia during the first half of the weekend, causing temperatures to climb between 7C and 10C above average in Adelaide.

Temperatures will peak in Adelaide on Friday and Saturday, reaching close to 30C before dropping back down to 24C on Sunday and Monday with partly cloudy conditions forecast.

Western Australia

Long-range weather forecasts predict mostly cloudy and warm conditions in the southwest, clearing shower and cool-to-mild in the south and sunny, very warm in the northwest.

Perth is expected to be dry with tops between 28C and 32C from Friday to Monday.

Northern Territory

If you live in the Kimberley or the Top End you could experience rain or thunderstorms during the Easter Long Weekend.

Rain and storms are likely to increase over parts of northern Australia later this week as a monsoon drifts towards Australia.

Some areas could see heavy falls, particularly if low pressure systems or tropical cyclones develop and move close to, or over, land.

It's too early to know if and where these lows or cyclones will develop, but computer models are showing signs that tropical cyclone activity will become more likely from about Friday onwards.

Tasmania

Showers are expected for parts of the southwest on Friday and Saturday with mostly fine conditions elsewhere.

Saturday will be hot and windy for Hobart with tops of 27C while the remainder of the long weekend is forecast to be partly cloudy and mild.

Easter is just around the corner, but a raft of new locally acquired COVID-19 cases in Brisbane has thrown a spanner into the travel plans of thousands.

With Greater Brisbane in a three-day lockdown, most of the restrictions are preventing residents in those areas from leaving – but some go two ways.

State-by-state, here's how fresh COVID-19 containments will disrupt your Easter travel.

READ MORE: No new NSW COVID-19 cases overnight but premier warns more could arise

Queensland

The Queensland border is open to all Australian states and territories, and you do not need a border pass to enter Queensland.

You are free to enter Queensland from any Australian state or territory for any purpose.

Brisbane's three-day lockdown ends at 5pm on Thursday – just one day before Good Friday.

At this stage, there is no confirmation on whether restrictions will extend into the Easter weekend.

Anybody who travels to Brisbane from now will have to follow lockdown restrictions. A full breakdown can be found here.

"Those who transit into Greater Brisbane from surrounding areas for work, healthcare, study or to support a vulnerable person may do so if it is not reasonably practicable to make other arrangement, such as work or study from home," Queensland Health advises.

READ MORE: Eight new local Queensland COVID-19 cases as two clusters emerge

New South Wales

There are no restrictions around travelling to NSW and the border is open.

NSW Health is advising people in NSW against non-essential travel to the Greater Brisbane area at this time.

Those from the Greater Brisbane area must not enter NSW.

Returning NSW residents from that area must quarantine upon arrival.

READ MORE: Everything we know about the two Queensland clusters

Victoria

Victoria's border is open, but all entrants must have a valid permit under the state's Victorian Travel Permit system.

You can apply for a permit online here.

Currently, the Greater Brisbane area (including City of Brisbane, City of Ipswich, Logan City, Moreton Bay Region and Redlands City) is designated as a "red zone" for travel permits.

This means anyone who was in these areas since March 12 must isolate and get tested.

Victorian residents in a red zone can apply for a red zone permit to return home.

From the day you enter Victoria, you must return straight home and self-quarantine for 14 days.

You must get a coronavirus test within 72 hours of arriving, and again on day 13 of self-quarantine.

READ MORE: Brisbane clusters grow, questions over frontline worker vaccinations

Western Australia

All interstate arrivals into WA must complete a G2G Pass to enter the state. You can complete an application for the pass online here.

WA's border is currently open to all states except Queensland.

Queenslanders wishing to travel to Western Australia at this time are not permitted to enter without an exemption through the G2G Pass system.

If permitted entry, you must self-quarantine at a suitable premises for 14 days.

If a suitable premises is not available, you will be directed to a government-approved quarantine facility at your own expense.

READ MORE: Tradie who attended hen's party as 'entertainer' linked to cluster

South Australia

South Australia's border is open without restrictions to everyone except for those living or visiting the Greater Brisbane area during a specified time.

Travellers who arrived in South Australia between March 20 and 5pm on March 29 from the City of Brisbane, Logan City, City of Ipswich, Moreton Bay Region and Redland City must self-quarantine until they get a negative COVID-19 result.

Travellers from these locations are also not allowed to attend any event with more than 1000 people present for a period of 14 days after their arrival in the state.

READ MORE: Push for Good Friday trading extension in Brisbane

Northern Territory

The Northern Territory currently has an open border, with some restrictions for Brisbane residents.

All arrivals to the NT must fill in a border entry form, and complete 14 days of quarantine if they recently returned from a COVID-19 hotspot.

The NT has declared the following areas hotspots:

• City of Brisbane
• City of Ipswich
• Logan City
• Moreton Bay Region
• Redland City
• Toowoomba Region

READ MORE: Brisbane in lockdown after COVID cluster grows

Australian Capital Territory

The ACT has an open border, with some restrictions in place for those arriving from Greater Brisbane.

ACT residents are advised not to travel to Greater Brisbane as it is a declared COVID-19 affected area.

Travellers entering the ACT from the City of Brisbane, City of Ipswich, Logan City, Moreton Bay Region and Redlands City must seek an approved exemption from ACT Health until 6pm on Thursday.

It's not known what restrictions will remain on Good Friday.

READ MORE: How states and territories are reacting to Brisbane's lockdown

Tasmania

Tasmania is open to all states and territories, with some restrictions applying to travellers from high-risk areas such as Greater Brisbane.

Travellers from Greater Brisbane are not allowed to enter unless they are approved as an essential traveller.

Those seeking to travel to Tasmania can check high-risk areas here.

READ MORE: Easter long weekend store opening hours 2021 – What's open and closed?

You can get up-to-date information from the Federal Government's Coronavirus Australia app, available on the App Store, Google Play and the Government's WhatsApp channel.

Beyond Blue's Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service is a 24/7 service free of charge to all Australians. Visit the site here or call 1800512348

For coronavirus breaking news alerts and livestreams straight to your smartphone sign up to the 9News app and set notifications to on at the App Store or Google Play.

A $1 million reward is on offer to help solve a cold case double-murder of a brother and sister killed in Melbourne's south-east more than three decades ago.

Doris McCartney and Ronald Swann were found dead in their Keith Street home in Moorabbin on October 22, 1989.

A friend of Ms McCartney discovered the pair's bodies and contacted police.

Ms McCartney, 71, and Mr Swann, 69, appeared to have been assaulted.

READ MORE: Young Victorian father charged with murder of Geelong criminal

But despite an "extensive and exhaustive investigation" over the past 31 years, detectives have been unable to establish a clear motive for their murder.

Detective Inspector Tim Day of the Homicide Squad said investigators were determined to solve the case and provide answers to the family even after all this time.

"This is a family that has suffered the loss of two loved ones in the most horrific circumstances, without ever knowing why," he said.

"Over the years we have followed up a number of avenues of enquiry and interviewed several people.

"This is very much an active case – some of those lines of enquiry are still open to us and have only emerged relatively recently.

"We are hopeful this has put us on the right track and investigators still believe we have the ability to solve this case, even after all this time."

Ms McCartney was a widower and her younger brother had moved into her Keith Street home to support her, police said.

There was no sign of forced entry into the pair's home and nothing had appeared to be taken.

READ MORE: Family of missing teenagers say photo released by police 'not them'

"From all accounts they lived a quiet life and police have never been able to determine why they were both murdered," Detective Inspector Day said.

However enquiries over the years have led police to believe someone came into the property to meet with Ms McCartney and an altercation of some kind unfolded.

A number of people have been interviewed about the double-murder, but no one has ever been charged.

Police have appealed for anyone with information about the deaths to come forward.

A reward of up to $1 million will be paid at the discretion of the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or those responsible for the crime.

"Today is not only about appealing to the public for information but also offering the opportunity for whoever is responsible to come forward and give their account," Detective Inspector Day said.

READ MORE: Reward on offer for information on 1987 murder of grandmother

"There will be someone out there why knows why Doris and Ronald were killed and by who – 31 years is a long time to carry a secret.

"Alternatively, it might be this reward is exactly the motivation someone needs to speak up.

"There are likely to be people out there with their own theories about what has happened and why, and we are keen to speak with those people.

"I'm asking anyone out there who does have information about Doris and Ronald's death, no matter what that information might be, to please come forward and speak to police.

"It is no less than their family deserves after all this time."

Anyone with information about the murders of Doris McCartney and Ronald Swann is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.