The self-described idyllic life of a family-of-five living in an Italian forest with horses, donkeys and chickens has stalled after a court ordered the children be removed and placed in foster care.

Patrol cars were dispatched to remove the children from their home in Abruzzo to a church-run care facility.

The mother is staying at the same premise but the parents have limited access to the children, their family lawyer said.

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The fate of the children, known in Italian as the Bimbi nel Bosco or kids in the woods, has captivated the country.

Tens of thousands of people have signed an online petition to reunite the family.

The parents, Nathan Trevallion, a 51-year-old British former professional chef, and Catherine Birmingham, a 45-year-old Australian life coach and former equestrian trainer, were named in an order issued by a L'Aquila court as parents of the children – one eight-year-old and six-year-old twins.

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"The family unit lives in housing hardship as the building has not been declared habitable," the order states.

"The members of the Trevallion family have no social interaction, no fixed income, the home has no toilet facilities, and the children do not attend school.

"The order is based on the risk of violating the right to social life in consideration of the serious and harmful violations of the children's rights to physical and mental integrity the parents should be suspended from parental responsibility."

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Giovanni Angelucci, the family's lawyer, says the family heats the home with fireplaces and uses solar panels for light and to charge their devices.

The family removed running water to avoid microplastics as well as costs and instead draws fresh water from a well on the property.

They don't have an indoor toilet but instead use an outdoor composting toilet.

The family's living situation came to light in September 2024 after all five were hospitalised for poisoning after eating wild mushrooms from the forest.

After that time, the family was visited by social service officials and law enforcement, but their lawyer said they did not comply with recommendations to have the children receive regular medical care and attend schools.

Trevallion told local media at the time he was shocked by the decision.

"They are happy, smell good, well-mannered, and well-fed; why break this bond?" he said Friday, according to La Repubblica newspaper.

CNN reached out to the family via Birmingham's website, which advises that they don't check electronic communications often.

Angelluci said the family will appeal the decision next week.

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Birmingham runs a life coaching and energy reading business, according to her website, which is filled with images of animals and the children – photos the court order said violated the children's privacy and were posted only to show the appearance of a normal living situation after the social services' investigation began.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her deputy Matteo Salvini have both criticised the court decision.

Meloni, who said the removal of the children was "alarming," has called the Italian Justice Minister Carlo Nordio over the case, according to her spokesman.

Salvini, who plans to visit the family home next week, told reporters at the Venice Bienniele on Friday that it was "shameful that the State is concerned with private education and the personal life choices of two parents who found Italy a hospitable country, yet it steals their children."

The family purchased the home in 2021, at which time Birmingham wrote on her website, "Recently we found our dream forever home. … With the energy of the place being very special, we bring people to stay for healing and awakening, connecting to the wild, without and within, eating home grown and home cooked organic vegan food."

Giuseppe Masciulli, the mayor of nearby Palmoli, also condemned the removal of the children.

"I'm a father myself, so I was deeply shocked by the situation," he told CNN, adding that he believed the situation could be resolved if the family promises to meet certain requirements, including reinstalling running water and meeting with the local school on a weekly basis to assess the children's academic progress.

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Police stopped the 22-year-old in Palmerston North and found a shotgun.

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The federal government has asked the Bureau of Meteorology to explain why the total bill for their unpopular new website cost $92 million more than the agency previously stated.

The Bureau's new chief, Stuart Minchin, yesterday revealed that the project had cost $96.5 million rather than $4.1 million, which was only the cost of redesigning the front-end of the website.

The total figure includes a $78 million contract for Accenture Australia.

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"The remaining cost reflects the significant investment required to fully rebuild and test the systems and technology that underpin the website, making sure it is secure and stable and can draw in the huge amounts of data gathered from our observing network and weather models," Minchin said in a statement.

Environment Minister Murray Watt, who oversees the Bureau of Meteorology, today said he was "not happy" to learn of the blowout.

"The initial figure that the BoM provided in the range of $4 million was for one aspect of the website development," he told ABC.

"It's a matter for them why they chose to provide that figure rather than a broader figure.

"But there's no doubt that there have been increases in the cost of this website as it's been developed, and one of the things I have asked the new CEO of the BoM to get on top of is what happened here."

Watt has met with Minchin twice since he took on the Bureau's top role a fortnight ago, first to raise concerns about criticisms of the new website and a second time to discuss the total cost figures.

"I'm looking forward to a bit of a change in the culture and the approach of the BoM," he said, throwing his support behind Minchin to "get on top of this and drive some change".

"If there are lessons around future procurements that are needed, then we need to know what they are."

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The Bureau of Meteorology's website, which is one of the most visited sites in Australia, was last upgraded under Kevin Rudd's first term as prime minister and found to have vulnerabilities after a cyber intrusion in 2015.

The redesigned website went live on October 22 under former chief Andrew Johnson and was met with heavy criticism over usability issues, including difficulties finding features, and complaints about the rain radar and weather map.

The federal government ordered the Bureau of Meteorology to fix the website, with some changes already made.

Minchin said a website update was scheduled to go live last week, but was postponed due to the severe Tropical Cyclone Fina off the Northern Territory coast.

The update will respond directly to community feedback received during the beta phase, with a focus on making the rain radar and weather map easier to use.

It will also include video tutorials, website help and troubleshooting to help users navigate the site. 

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"Given this [$96.5 million] investment, it's vital we get it right," he said in a statement.

"I want to assure you that our dedicated teams are working hard to continue delivering website updates and improvements as quickly as possible."

The Bureau of Meteorology's new website update will be rescheduled as soon as the severe weather subsides, with a date to be announced soon. 

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‘I forgive you, Daniel, but you need to be held accountable.’

Could MP property holdings influence policymaking?

Regional Queensland has the most unaffordable rental market of the regions nationally, with even average earners being pushed into rental stress, paying more than 30 per cent of their income in rent, according to new data.

The annual Rental Affordability Index (RAI) report reveals median rent in the regions is now soaring above Brisbane, despite those areas typically having lower household incomes.

Affordability is worst along the south-east coast, where the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and surrounding areas are classed as Unaffordable to Severely Unaffordable.

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A single pensioner living in regional Queensland would be required to pay 61 per cent of their income in rent, the report showed.

The situation is even more dire for single working parents, single people living on welfare and even full-time workers on minimum wage.

Perth, Sydney and regional New South Wales are also among the least affordable parts of the country.

While rents are stabilising in some cities, they are still considered unaffordable, with the exception of Canberra.

Ellen Witte, Principal and Partner at SGS Economics and Planning and the lead author of the report, said rental prices are only stabilising in the cities because renters cannot absorb any further rent increases.

"We have finally seen affordability stabilise in many places after rapid declines to record low levels since 2021," she said.

"The stabilisation may have less to do with relief and more to do with renters reaching their limit and being unable to pay more, combined with some easing of housing supply constraints."

Robert Pradolin, Founder and Executive Director of Housing All Australians warned key workers across the country are being priced out of living close to their jobs, putting community services under strain.

"Housing that people can afford is critical economic infrastructure, and without it, our national prosperity and productivity are being held back," Pradolin said.

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Billionaire James Packer held nothing back in a new tirade against former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews, claiming the one-time state leader had almost ruined his life.

Packer gave one of his most revealing interviews in recent times, detailing his addiction issues and naming one of the world's most divisive leaders as the man who saved him.

The notoriously reclusive Packer was on board his mega yacht off Fiji when he opened up to journalist and friend, former Australian Financial Review columnist Joe Aston.

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And he was candidly blunt when speaking of Andrews.

"I couldn't speak more lowly of Daniel Andrews. I think he's human filth," he told Rampart Talks, Aston's new venture.

"I hope he sues me."

He said Andrews was "about my least favourite person in the world".

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"I think Daniel Andrews not only ruined Victoria, he almost ruined my life," he said.

In a wide-ranging talk, Packer was equally open about his feelings on other controversial political figures.

And he spoke about his personal issues, including his battle with the bottle.

"The reality is that I had substance abuse issues," he told Rampart Talks.

"I had a lot of debt obligations, a lot of pressure, and I was drinking way too much."

The man he credits with pulling him back from the brink is Benjamin Netanyahu.

"The prime minister of Israel was a dear friend to me when I needed help and I will never forget that," he said.

The Israeli PM might be unpopular among many at home and abroad for the war on Gaza but Packer has a different take.

"He's obviously an incredibly divisive figure and I will never forget that," Packer said.

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He also revealed another friend in high places.

"I've met Donald (Trump) a few times and he's been nothing but nice to me. He liked my father," he said.

Packer once rented a house in Palm Beach, Florida, next to Trump's Mar-a-Lago compound.

"We had dinner. He could not have been nicer," Packer said.

He's worth about $5 billion but Packer marks himself down as a businessman.

"I give myself five out of ten, when my dad died I thought I would be an eight or nine," he said.

Packer turned his back on Australia years ago but he plans to return next month to spend Christmas here with his mother.

"There's always the risk I'll run into someone I've fallen out with but I'm looking forward to getting back to Sydney," he said.

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Skye Gyngell, the first Australian female chef to win a Michelin star, has died aged 62.

Her family announced the award-winning chef had passed away in London on Saturday while surrounded by her loved ones. 

"We are deeply saddened to share news of Skye Gyngell's passing on 22nd November in London, surrounded by her family and loved ones," her family said in a statement.

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"Skye was a culinary visionary who influenced generations of chefs and growers globally to think about food and its connection to the land.

"She leaves behind a remarkable legacy and is an inspiration to us all."

Gyngell had been battling Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare and aggressive skin cancer, after discovering a lump on her neck last year.

The acclaimed chef was born in Sydney in 1963 into an established broadcast family.

Her father, Bruce Gyngell, was the first face and voice on Australian television in 1956, earning him a place in the Australian Media Hall of Fame.

Her mother, interior designer Ann Gyngell, died just days before she did last week.

Her brother David was chief executive of Nine, the publisher of this website, across two stints between 2007 and 2015.

Gyngell initially studied law at Sydney University before she moved to Paris to train under renowned chefs.

She worked in kitchens abroad before moving to London, where she became one of the country's most famed chefs.

She took on the role of head chef at Petersham Nurseries, where her distinctively seasonal and elegant cooking awarded the organic greenhouse Italian restaurant a Michelin star in 2011.

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She was appointed culinary director of Heckfield Place in 2012 and opened up Spring Restaurant, her first solo venture in the arts and cultural heart of London, in 2014.

Spring reflects Gyngell's passion for seasonal menus, with the restaurant describing its cooking as "wholesome, produce-driven and cooked by a team of people who are passionate about what they do".

Gyngell was awarded a lifetime achievement award at the National Restaurant Awards in June.

Spring paid tribute to her "remarkable legacy", saying that she was more than a chef.

"She was a mentor, an anchor, and a force who helped so many of us find our place in what we do," the restaurant said.

"Her presence shaped our culture and the way we see the world around us in profound and lasting ways, and we remain deeply grateful for the time we were able to share with her.

"She will be deeply missed by all who knew her."

Chefs and food professionals have shared their heartbreak over news of her passing and appreciation for her trailblazing impact on the industry.

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"This is terribly sad news. She was an amazing woman, and incredible cook, and kind-hearted. She will be very very, very missed," celebrity chef Jamie Oliver said.

"Thank you for all that you did to inspire young cooks."

"Skye was one of the greatest cooks of all time," Australian chef Kylie Kwong said.

Gyngell leaves behind her daughters, Holly and Evie, and her granddaughter Cyprien.

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