Trial date set for Lehrmann rape allegations

Trial date set for Lehrmann rape allegations

9News

Former political staffer Bruce Lehrmann's trial date to face rape charges can now be revealed after an application for a blanket non-publication order over the case was withdrawn.

Lehrmann, 30, is set to stand trial from November 2, just over five years after the alleged offences took place at a house in regional Queensland.

Lawyers for Nine Entertainment, News Corp and the ABC were informed last week that Lehrmann was no longer attempting to ban all media coverage of his court case before the trial.

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District Court Judge Deborah Richards on Tuesday confirmed the temporary non-publication order over the entire case had been allowed to expire.

On March 18, defence solicitor Zali Burrows had sought blanket suppression over the case, saying further news reports would generate "adverse publicity" and serve as a "vehicle for commentating on social media".

"We seek (the order) to preserve for Mr Lehrmann to have a fair trial," Ms Burrows said.

Judge Richards imposed the temporary non-publication order next day with the media organisations due to challenge a permanent order at a hearing on April 9.

When Ms Burrows was asked by Judge Richards if Lehrmann would seek a jury trial or a trial before a judge alone.

"It may be (before a jury). Mr Lehrmann is still deciding," Ms Burrows said.

Lehrmann is accused of raping a woman twice during the morning of October 10, 2021 after a night out in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane.

He was charged in January 2023 and committed in July 2024 to stand trial following hearings in Toowoomba Magistrates Court into the reliability of the alleged victim's evidence.

Lehrmann and the woman met during the previous night at a Toowoomba strip club.

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She told police she and Lehrmann discussed their political beliefs before catching a taxi to his friend's house, having consensual sex and consuming cocaine about 4am.

The woman said she was woken about 10am by Lehrmann sexually assaulting her.

Lehrmann, who is on bail, has yet to formally enter a plea but previously indicated he would contest the charges.

Lehrmann previously worked in Canberra's Parliament House for then Liberal senator and minister Linda Reynolds.

He sued Network Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson for defamation over an interview with former colleague Brittany Higgins, who claimed Lehrmann raped her in the ministerial office in 2019.

A criminal trial in the ACT on the charge of raping Ms Higgins was aborted in 2023 due to juror misconduct.

Lehrmann lost the defamation case after a Federal Court judge found in 2024, to the civil standard of proof, that he raped Ms Higgins.

Lehrmann has taken his case to the High Court in his third bid to win the defamation case.

If Lehrmann is denied further appeal, he could be forced into bankruptcy due to court orders he pay a $2 million legal bill to Ten.

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Winter blast to leave states reeling before severe storms this week

Winter blast to leave states reeling before severe storms this week

9News

Multiple states are facing an early sample of winter this week as storms and a cold front sweep Australia's south-east.

Melbourne is facing a week of overcast skies and showers, with temperatures to fall from a top of 27 degrees on Thursday to a top of 17 degrees on Saturday and Sunday, and lows of 10 degrees or just below through the weekend.

Canberra will get as cold as just two degrees on Sunday and Monday, while lows of 9 degrees on the weekend are expected in Adelaide and 7 degrees in Hobart.

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Weatherzone said a trough would move across south-eastern Australia on Thursday, with severe thunderstorms expected in southern South Australia, Victoria and southern New South Wales.

"With strong winds aloft, these storms are likely to produce damaging wind gusts, with a chance of destructive winds in some areas," Weatherzone reported.

Gusts of more than 80km/h are expected over "elevated terrain", accelerating to 90km/h to 100km/h in alpine and mountainous regions.

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"After the cold front crosses later on Thursday, a much colder airmass will sweep across the south-east on (Friday), with a secondary trough and low driving a noticeable shift to wintry conditions into the weekend," Weatherzone said.

Snow could fall at heights of just 600m above sea level in Tasmania, while some could also been seen in Victoria, though only above 1000m.

"Cold air thunderstorms with small hail are also possible, marking a notable early-season wintry outbreak for April across southeast Australia," Weatherzone said.

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Australian flight attendant dies in horror Fiji crash

Australian flight attendant dies in horror Fiji crash

9News

Family and friends are paying tribute to an Australian woman who died in a road accident in Fiji as she celebrated her 28th birthday.

Virgin Australia flight attendant Lucinta Evans was struck by a taxi that had hit another vehicle and veered off the road in Nadi on March 28.

In a heartbreaking post on Instagram, her sister Gabriana Evans said Lucinta was "truly full of life, with a light and energy that touched everyone who knew her".

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"Right now, we are all trying to process this loss and ask for some privacy as we grieve together".

Lucinta's cabin manager Lissy Hyde posted a floral tribute to her colleague at the site of the crash.

"I won't be able to look after you anymore on our flights or anything about work. I ask you to look after us from above," she said.

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"Fly with us my girl, beat us to every destination so we know you're there. You are loved, and we will continue to live life as bright and loud as you."

Her funeral will be held in Sydney on Monday, April 13.

A Gofundme has been set up to support Lucinta's family and partner "during this incredibly difficult time".

"Alongside their grief, they are facing unexpected financial strain after the funeral. This fund is to help ease that burden, giving them the space and time to mourn and heal without added stress," the Gofundme campaign said.

"A portion of the funds will also be used in Lucinta's memory — through road safety advocacy or a memorial plaque — with the hope of raising awareness and helping prevent future incidents at this location."

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New 'severe' tropical cyclone looming for northern Australia

New 'severe' tropical cyclone looming for northern Australia

9News

Residents in storm-lashed Far North Queensland could be facing another tropical cyclone in a few days, a potential second giant storm within just a few weeks.

The Bureau of Meteorology said today it was tracking severe Tropical Cyclone Maila, a category 3 storm, with sustained winds of 120 km/h and gusts of up to 165 km/h.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle last month was the latest to ravage Australia, tearing through north Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia as a cyclone and ex-cyclone.

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The bureau says Tropical Cyclone Maila is currently slow moving in the Solomon Sea, but is forecast to move towards the Far North Queensland coast later in the week, potentially crossing the coast on the weekend.

Residents who experienced damaging winds and flooding from Tropical Cyclone Narelle last month face more of the same if this latest severe weather system continues moving south-west.

This year's cyclone season, which runs until the end of this month, has already been a busy one, Weatherzone reports.

Tropical Cyclone Maila is the 11th named tropical cyclone to form in or move into the Australian region this season.

The cyclone should reach severe intensity (Category 3) by late next Sunday or early Monday, modelling suggests.

https://twitter.com/BOM_Qld/status/2040905409880277241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

"Should it cross the Cape York Peninsula, the system could weaken over land and then reintensify in the Gulf of Carpentaria, before impacting the eastern Top End early next week as it moves west," Weatherzone said.

It's too early to forecast whether Tropical Cyclone Maila will also impact Western Australia, forecasters say.

But they're reminding Top End communities to be mindful that a weakened or redeveloped system could bring heavy downpours and to check for updates.

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Qantas flight forced to make emergency return to Australia

Qantas flight forced to make emergency return to Australia

9News

A Qantas passenger jet bound for the United States was forced to turn back to Australia due to a mid-air passenger health emergency.

Flight QF7 was about four hours into its journey from Sydney to Dallas yesterday when an onboard medical incident force the plane to divert near Fiji.

With the aircraft carrying too much fuel to land in Fiji, the pilots chose to return to Sydney so the passenger could receive further medical treatment and where Qantas has more resources.

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After changing course back to Sydney airport, the jet had to dump fuel at high altitude.

Among the passengers was Australian Olympic diver Sam Fricker who shared footage of the mid-air release of aviation fuel.

"Four hours into our flight from Sydney to Texas, there was a medical emergency on board and we had to turn around and head straight back home," Fricker wrote on Instagram.

"We've now got a couple of hours before we try again and make another run at getting to America to compete.

"Really hoping the person who had the medical emergency is okay and getting the care they need."

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"It's sad to see them dumping fuel, we're over the ocean," Fricker said.

"It's also a tough time for fuel so I can't imagine how expensive this must be for them.

"It just goes to show the cost of human life is priceless, so if they can save their life, it's worth it."

The Iran war has disrupted global oil supplies of oil, with the price of aviation fuel soaring for airlines.

The rescheduled Dallas flight with a new crew departed Sydney around 9.25pm.

Qantas said safety was the airline's number one priority and it thanked customers on the flight for their patience and understanding.

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Taxi company's fear as fuel prices, Uber and 'rogue cowboys' smash industry

Taxi company's fear as fuel prices, Uber and 'rogue cowboys' smash industry

9News

Regional taxi drivers and operators are still dealing with the devastating ripple effect of skyrocketing fuel prices despite promised relief from the government.

Some owners fear they will shut down if spiralling costs at the pump don't ease soon.

Crown Cabs director Jacqui Shephard said her fleet of 35 drivers across Victoria are doing it "tough".

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She said the taxi company was already struggling with the rising popularity of rideshare apps and independent operators who shirk the regulations.

"We're looking at things like... do we stay open? And we've been looking at that for a little while," Shephard told Nine.com.au.

"Because we wear the fuel cost, which means that, with any more costs going up, it's not even worth us staying open."

Shephard said Crown Cabs' regular customers in regional communities rely on the service for wheelchair-friendly trips or to attend healthcare appointments.

Often, drivers are heading back to town with no passengers.

These "empty" rides still use up fuel and after diesel surged to over $3.20 a litre, that is potentially hundreds of dollars wasted.

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"Our costs have gone up considerably," Shephard added.

"It's really tough. And there doesn't seem to be any reaction or any support from the state or federal government."

Some taxi drivers have reported seeing their weekly diesel bill double from around $400 to over $800.

But taxi companies are not able to pass on the cost of fuel to customers due to the industry's tight regulations.

There is legislation capping the maximum fares that taxis can charge in Victoria, meaning surcharges to cope with the cost of fuel are out of the question.

Even if they could, Shephard said her customers are "already struggling enough" as it is.

"We want to be there to help those people. We're not going to be raising our prices ridiculously - and we can't," she said.

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Meanwhile, rideshare companies DiDi and Uber have been able to introduce temporary levies to help out drivers.

Shephard said there has been a rise of independent drivers who refuse to play by the rules too.

"We have to abide by everything," Shephard said.

"And you've got all the idependents who are just rogue cowboys who take work away from those doing the right thing and give the industry a bad name."

For companies like Crown Cabs, it remains to be seen if the federal government's decision to halve the fuel excise for three months will help lower costs.

The government convened in a national cabinet meeting yesterday to urgently discuss ways to ease the supply issues and high prices impacting motorists.

Fuel availability is dwindling around the country as stock is depleted.

In Victoria alone, out of a total of 1,627 petrol stations, 82 are without diesel and 40 are without any petrol at all.

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Artemis II's moonbound astronauts capture Earth's brilliant blue beauty

Artemis II's moonbound astronauts capture Earth's brilliant blue beauty

9News

The Artemis II astronauts have captured our blue planet’s brilliant beauty as they zoom ever closer to the moon.

NASA released the crew’s first downlinked images on Friday, one and a half days into the first astronaut moonshot in more than half a century.

The first photo taken by commander Reid Wiseman shows a curved slice of Earth in one of the capsule’s windows.

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The second shows the entire globe with the oceans topped by swirling white tendrils of clouds. A green aurora even glows, according to NASA.

“It’s great to think that with the exception of our four friends, all of us are represented in this image," said NASA's Lakiesha Hawkins, an exploration systems leader. She added the mission was going well.

As of late Friday afternoon, Wiseman and his crew were more than 180,000 kilometres from Earth and were quickly gaining on the moon with another 240,000 kilometres to go. They should reach their destination on Monday.

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The three Americans and one Canadian will swing around the moon in their Orion capsule, hang a U-turn and then head straight back home without stopping.

They fired Orion's main engine on Thursday night that set them on their course.

After Mission Control shifted the position of their capsule, the entire Earth complete with northern lights filled their windows.

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“It was the most spectacular moment, and it paused all four of us in our tracks,” Wiseman said in a TV interview.

They're the first lunar travelers since Apollo 17 in 1972.

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Multiple men charged following alleged plan to import multiple tonnes of drugs into Victoria

Multiple men charged following alleged plan to import multiple tonnes of drugs into Victoria

9News

Nine men have been charged in a multi-agency operation investigating an alleged syndicate behind the importation of tonnes of illicit drugs into Victoria and the trafficking across the country.

The ten-month investigation has seen nine alleged offenders, aged between 31 and 72, charged with a range of offences relating to the alleged conspiracy of interstate drug trafficking.

Seven of the men are now facing a maximum penalty of life imprisonment if found guilty.

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The operation began in May last year after four crew members were rescued offshore following the sinking of a commercial trawler off Port Albert in Victoria.

The crew's movements were monitored following suspicions about why the vessel was out at sea in poor weather without the equipment usually used for commercial fishing.

For months after the incident, police kept close watch on multiple local boats they suspected were linked to a drug importation syndicate.

Authorities will allege the syndicate unsuccessfully made multiple attempts to travel in the Bass Strait so they could launch "daughter vessels" to receive large quantities of drugs from a "mother ship" passing through Australian waters.

Multiple search warrants were executed over the past month across suburbs in Victoria, including Morwell, Glenroy, Cranbourne, Cranbourne West, Cranbourne South and Greenvale.

A warrant was also executed in St Clair, a suburb in Sydney's west.

Following the searches, eight men were arrested in Victoria, and one man was arrested in Sydney.

Police charged seven of the men for their alleged roles in conspiracy to import drugs into the country, while two were charged for their alleged involvement in drug activity.

Four of the men were also charged in relation to the seizure of 30kg of methamphetamine in Perth on August 11 last year and the confiscation of 41kg of cocaine by Victorian police just two days later.

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Police will allege these two incidents are tied to the syndicate, which would allegedly exploit ties to the trucking industry to move illicit drugs interstate.

Police have not ruled out further arrests as they continue to investigate the international syndicate behind an alleged mothership attempting to drop illicit cargo into Australian waters.

"Organised criminals are sending their business to our shores because of the insatiable Australian demand for illicit commodities and the community's willingness to pay top dollar for them," AFP Detective Superintendent Ray Imbriano said.

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Brisbane woman spat on, verbally abused by e-scooter riders in brazen attack

Brisbane woman spat on, verbally abused by e-scooter riders in brazen attack

9News

A Brisbane woman has been left shaken after being attacked by a pair of e-scooter riders in broad daylight.

Ruby Fraser, 23, was on an afternoon run at a walking track at William Jolly Bridge, near the Brisbane River, on Tuesday when she suddenly felt a tug on her headphones.

Two male e-scooter riders attempted to steal Fraser's headphones, before spitting at her and verbally assaulting her near Lang Parade in Auchenflower, police said.

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They both fled the scene shortly after.

While Fraser was not physically harmed in the incident, the young woman told Today she is "shocked and shattered" and is now afraid to go out running.

"I'm pretty shattered, feeling pretty defeated the last few days. It's beem a tough few days," Fraser said.

"Then they came up within a metre of me, verbally abusing me, projectile spitting on me, giving me the middle finger and saying some pretty hurtful things.

"The thought of going on that run alone again anytime soon just brings me major anxiety."

Fraser was able to quickly move to safety by hiding out at a nearby apartment complex.

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She called the police and officers began a search for the two young offenders, but were unable to find them.

"I was luckily able to escape up a ramp up the main road and get away from them," Fraser added.

"It was lucky I was there, because there's kilometres [on that track] with no escape."

The two offenders are described as being in their mid to late teens.

The first is described as having a fair complexion with a slim build, around 160 centimetres tall, and wearing a red hoodie and black pants.

The second is also described as having a fair complexion, a proportionate build, approximately 180 centimetres tall and was last seen wearing a black windbreaker jacket and black pants.

An investigation into the incident remains ongoing and police have urged anyone with information to come forward.

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'High' chance of cyclone developing off Queensland coast this weekend

'High' chance of cyclone developing off Queensland coast this weekend

9News

A tropical low off the coast of Queensland has a moderate chance of intensifying into a cyclone tomorrow, increasing to a high chance on Sunday.

The chances of a cyclone forming remain high through Monday and into the week.

Tropical low 37U is currently hovering between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

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It has an up to 70 per cent chance of developing into a tropical cyclone over the weekend, but the slow-moving low may not reach Queensland.

It's expected to move west towards Papua New Guinea over the weekend, then head south or south-west through the week.

The BOM predicts the system will stay well away from Australia regardless of whether it remains a tropical low or develops into a cyclone.

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Earlier this week Weatherzone said though it may not make landfall in Australia, it could still impact local weather.

"This convergence of three tropical atmospheric waves is likely to enhance cloudiness and rainfall over the western Pacific Ocean, possibly including parts of the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and northern Australia," the weather reporting site said.

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Rain is forecast for many parts of the sunshine state over the Easter long weekend.

Wide-spread scattered showers are predicted along the Queensland coast, particularly near the Cassowary and Daintree regions.

Weatherzone has forecast a high chance of rain in Brisbane today, followed by clear skies and sun from Saturday to Monday.

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