Attorney-General Michelle Rowland is now the second minister to refer herself for an expense audit as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese seeks advice from the independent expenses body.

Federal politicians have come under scrutiny for their use of family travel expenses, which left taxpayers footing a $1.1 million bill in the 2024-25 financial year. 

Rowland has today announced she has referred a $21,685 family trip to Western Australia to the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority (IPEA).

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"The Attorney-General has referred a trip from 2023 to the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority for advice," a spokesperson said in a statement. 

Communication Minister Anika Wells has also referred herself for an audit after it was revealed she spent $100,000 on a trip to New York, $4000 to fly her husband to the cricket and another $3000 on a family ski trip under family reunion allowance. There is no suggestion of any improper use of expenses by Wells.

The federal government has brushed away criticisms about family reunion travel, which is an entitlement for parliamentarians to fly their family out to them while they are away from home on official business.

These are paid for by the taxpayer. 

Their expenditure technically falls within parliamentary rules but has been criticised for failing the pub test, as many of their constituents struggle to keep up in the cost-of-living crisis. 

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This afternoon, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he asked the IPEA for advice.

"It's important that, as parliamentarians, we're not deciding things for ourselves because that would bring obvious criticism," he told reporters this afternoon.

"I've asked IPEA for advice. At least two members of parliament have referred themselves for the details of their audit, but in addition to that, I've said to IPEA, 'Please give us some advice,' and we will take that on board."

Albanese failed to answer when exactly he sought advice from the IPEA and said he asked for advice "publicly". 

"I have said that publicly and asked for that advice from IPEA," he said.

The prime minister spent $30,253.08 on family travel expenses in the last financial year.

Out of all the parliamentarians, Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell charged taxpayers the highest amount of $45,926.84 in family travel during the same time.

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The woman who was raped by the youngest son of AFL great Stephen Silvagni has confronted him in court, saying his "evil" actions violated not only her body but also her trust.

The woman stared down Tom Silvagni, 23, this morning as he appeared in the Victorian County Court on a video link from prison.

Silvagni barely reacted as the woman laid out how his crimes and series of lies changed her life forever.

"You didn't just violate my body that night, you violated my trust," she told Silvagni.

"It's actually terrifying that someone you thought you knew and trusted could do something so evil."

Tom Silvagni was found guilty of two counts of rape on December 5 following a two-week trial.

There had been a suppression over his identity since he was first charged with rape in June 2024, with his lawyers arguing publication could lead to the deterioration of his mental health.

But Judge Andrew Palmer lifted the order yesterday, ruling it was no longer necessary given the trial had been run and Silvagni would be under close watch in custody.

Silvagni had repeatedly denied he digitally raped his friend's girlfriend at his Melbourne home in the early hours of January 14, 2024.

The jury was told the woman had consensual sex with her boyfriend at the house before he organised an Uber and left the property shortly before 2am.

Silvagni then lied, telling the woman her boyfriend would be returning upstairs because his Uber had been cancelled.

But it was Silvagni who went into the dark bedroom a short time later and pretended to be the woman's boyfriend as he digitally raped her.

She managed to move away and ask directly if he was Silvagni but he still claimed to be the other man.

Silvagni then grabbed both of the woman's hands, pinned her down and digitally raped her a second time while she told him to stop.

The woman managed to get a hand free and felt his hair, which was longer than her boyfriend's, and that's when Silvagni stopped and ran from the room.

He returned a few minutes later and acted as if nothing had happened, instead asking her if she was OK and requesting a hug before she left.

In the days that followed, Silvagni fabricated an Uber receipt to make it look like the woman's boyfriend had left his home after 2.30am.

Silvagni admitted forging the receipt but said he did so because he panicked after being falsely accused of rape.

But the jury rejected his story, finding him guilty of the two rape charges on December 5.

Silvagni's lawyer, David Hallowes SC, today told the court they accepted the offending was serious but argued his client was a young man from a loving family with no prior convictions.

He told the court Silvagni had suffered additional punishment from the extensive media attention, following the suppression over his identity being lifted.

Silvagni should also receive a lighter sentence because his time in custody would be more difficult due to his poor mental health and risk of suicide, Hallowes said.

Judge Gregory Lyon remanded Silvagni in custody ahead of his sentencing hearing on Wednesday.

The maximum jail term for rape is 25 years.

Silvagni's father breaks down while vowing to 'stand by' son

AFL great Stephen Silvagni broke down in tears while giving his family's first public statement since Tom Silvagni was convicted of rape last Friday.

Stephen said he and his family "firmly stand behind" their son as he "continues to maintain his innocence", while addressing the media outside the Victorian County Court this morning, following the pre-sentence hearing.

"Jo and I, together with our family members and friends, are so disappointed with the outcome," Stephen read as his wife, television personality Jo Silvagni, stood by his side.

"We love and support our son. Our son continues to maintain his innocence and we stand firmly by him.

"We will be considering our options to appeal and shall not be making any further comments on this case.

"Our goal is to clear his name and bring him home. We ask for our privacy and to be respectful."

Stephen finished by saying, "We're very grateful for our great support and families," before he burst into tears and walked away.

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

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David Jones has hinted its beloved Christmas window displays could return to its flagship Sydney store next year.

The department store giant opted to promote its loyalty program in the Elizabeth Street windows over the annual festive display this year.

The retailer insisted this week the "Christmas magic continues in-store" with a Santa experience and choir.

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But the move was met with anger and disappointment from Sydney residents and visitors.

Hornsby Heights father Phil told Nine radio station 2GB earlier this week the decision shattered a family tradition he had passed down to his seven-year-old daughter Lucy.

"This is about community and sharing the joy of Christmas time that Sydney families have enjoyed for decades," he said.

Across social media, many expressed their disapproval of the store's decision to feature an ad instead of a Christmas display.

"My beloved mother is rolling in her grave," one commenter said.

"We went into the city last weekend to see the window display as it's been a yearly tradition of ours. Devastated to see there was nothing," another said.

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One woman said the festive displays meant a lot to her granddaughter and called for the store to "bring back the Christmas windows".

"It is the delight on their faces of an imaginary world that they remember for generations and take their grandchildren to see the wonder," she said.

A David Jones spokesperson acknowledged this year's display had fallen short of expectations and was not what many in the community were hoping for.

"We understand how deeply cherished the Christmas windows are by our customers and the community, and we truly appreciate the feedback we've received," a David Jones spokesperson said.

"We greatly value our customers' feedback and will take it on board as we plan future celebrations.

"We look forward to delighting our customers next year."

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Parts of a notorious Australian jail should be closed due to "dilapidated" and "unsafe" conditions, according to the prison regulator.

Evidence of vermin, mouldy walls and rusting beds were found inside Sydney's 116-year-old Long Bay Correctional Complex in Sydney's south during an inspection by the NSW Inspector of Custodial Services Fiona Rafter.

Her report covering inspections of the facility, which holds 1200 inmates, during 2023 and last year was tabled in state parliament this week.

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It paints a grim picture of life inside the prison's Metropolitan Special Programs Centre, dating back to about 1900.

Rafter highlighted how she found a dangerous and dirty environment with hanging points across all areas of the complex.

She described the cells as "rundown and small" and noted they offered little natural light.

Their size meant they were unable to house wheelchairs and other mobility aids for prisoners with special needs.

Rafter was also scathing about the state of the showers in the centre, which had no privacy barriers and poor drainage.

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"The damaged and broken tiles in 7-wing were particularly concerning as these showers are used by inmates at-risk of self-harm."

The condition and age of the centre meant authorities could not provide a safe environment for prisoners who have mental illness, disability, age and frailty, she said.

Rafter also brought to attention the poor conditions in two "mothballed" parts of the prison.

The wings were temporarily closed but were supposed to be left in a state that enabled them to be reopened at short notice.

But the report found after only three months they were "filthy", with fur and faeces pointing to stray cats living in them.

Inspectors also scrutinised Long Bay's two hospital facilities.

They described one as "modern, secure, fit for purpose", but the other housed remand prisoners and "bore no resemblance to a hospital".

In September, the NSW Opposition called for Long Bay jail to be sold off to make room for thousands of new homes.

Under the plan, the site would be bulldozed to build up to 12,000 homes if the Coalition is elected in 2027.

NSW Corrections Minister Anoulack Chanthivong said the government was considering the recommendations of the report and would issue a formal response at a later date.

"The government has invested $16 million into its anti-ligature program and is prioritising cells that house inmates most at risk," he said.

"The government has also commissioned a Rapid Review into Unnatural Deaths in Custody to systemic issues and recommend reforms to improve safety and wellbeing in custody.

"We are actively working to reduce all preventable deaths in custody including by improving design and safety across correctional centres."

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