1. Man who beat girlfriend to death inflicting 122 separate external injuries says he should not be charged with murder.
A man who beat his girlfriend, a mother of two, to death says he did not intend on killing her and therefore should not be charged with her murder.
Mataio Jordon Aleluia, 20, of Melbourne killed his girlfriend Brittany Harvie, after wrongly accusing her of being unfaithful. He beat her inflicting more than 122 separate external injuries on the 22-year-old.
The homeless couple were living in a Mitsubishi Magna parked at a Clayton South park when he attacked her in the early hours of June 3, 2015.
The supreme court heard that one point during the beating Aleluia paused for a cigarette before continuing.
When he finished he put Ms Harvie in the passenger seat of the car, covered her in clothes and a blanket, but when he woke he found her dead.
The Herald Sun reports Aleluia admitted to police he beat Ms Harvie to death.
“I just killed my girlfriend man. What more do you want me to say, man,” Aleluia said during a police interview.
“I just kept punching her and punching her. I didn't stop...... F..k, I just thought she would make it to the morning."
Ms Harvie had two daughters, one just 10 weeks old when she died.
2. Woman could be jailed for refusing to stand in court.
The wife of a convicted Islamic State recruiter may be charged and potentially face jail time for refusing to stand in court.
Moutia Elzahed is one of two wives of recruiter Hamdi Alqudsi, last week she refused remove her face veil to give evidence in a civil case and would not stand for the presiding District Court Judge Audrey Balla.
The Daily Telegraph reports that NSW Attorney-General Gabrielle Upton wrote to the NSW Solicitor-General Michael Sexton SC yesterday asking he examine whether Moutia Elzahed should be charged under the new disrespectful behaviour in court law.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of 14 days in prison or a $1100 fine.
3. The Victorian Labor government will introduce a bill to legalise euthanasia.
The Victorian Labor government has said it will introduce a bill to legalise assisted dying into parliament.
Premier Daniel Andrews says an expert panel of clinical, legal, consumer and health experts will advise the government on drafting the legislation.
"We are doing the work to make sure that everyone in the Victorian parliament has the information, and assurances, they need to make an informed decision about this important issue," Mr Andrews said yesterday.
Mr Andrews said his view on limited euthanasia had changed following the death of his father in April after a long battle with cancer.
"That gives you reason to re-assess whether you have got this right and, for my part, my (previous) opposition to these laws was wrong.”
"My position has changed. Subject to the appropriate safeguards, subject to a good bill being put forward ... I intend to vote for that bill."
4. Teachers warned not to wear pro-refugee t-shirts in the classroom.
More than 500 Victorian teachers, who have said they will wear T-shirt depicting the slogan “Teachers for Refugees — Close the Camps, Bring them Here” have been warned not to.
The Victorian Education Department told teachers in a letter not to use their privileged position over students to “advocate their political views”.
The department recognises the significant contribution our schools and teachers make in helping refugees build a new life in Victoria,” said the letter by Education Minister James Merlino. “The department also recognises the potential of such a campaign to undermine confidence in government school education and its positive role in supporting refugees.”
But, as The Herald Sun reports, the Teachers for Refugees group said they will not be bullied.
The group posted on its Facebook page yesterday: “State education ministers will now pressure us not to wear the shirts. Let’s have an exponential increase in teachers participating.”
5. Dreamworld re-opens tomorrow.
Dreamworld re-opens its doors tomorrow more than six weeks after a malfunctioning ride killed four people.
The Courier Mail reports that yesterday engineers were still conducting tests on the park’s famous “Big 9” thrill rides, though none will be in operation tomorrow.
The tragic Thunder River Rapids ride accident claimed the lives of Kate Goodchild, Luke Dorsett, Roozi Araghi and Cindy Low in October.
This weekend’s opening will raise money for charity with Dreamworld to donate $25 from every ticket sale over the weekend to the Australian Red Cross.
6. Bacon strewn across prayer mats in Sydney hospital.
In an act described as “horrible” worshippers have discovered bacon strewn across the prayer mats of a Sydney hospital.
Clinical psychologist Hanan Dover said it was “horrible."
Writing on her Facebook page she said: “Horrible. Some anonymous bigot thought it would be appropriate to offend Muslims by placing bacon rashers on Muslim prayer mats inside the public prayer room at Bankstown Hospital.”
Bankstown Hospital’s acting general manager Linda Campbell said they were “disappointed.”
"We are disappointed and we immediately arranged for the prayer mats to be professionally steam cleaned," Ms Campbell told Nine News.
“We apologise for the offence caused and our staff have ensured that the prayer room is available for use."
7. Mick Jagger a dad again at 73.
Rolling Stones frontman Sir Mick Jagger has become a father again aged 73.
The singer and his partner, Melanie Hamrick, 30, welcomed a son.
A statement said: "Melanie Hamrick and Mick Jagger's son was born today in New York and they are both delighted.
"Mick was at the hospital for the arrival. Mother and baby are doing well and we request that the media respect their privacy at this time."
The American ballerina is the mother of Jagger’s eight child.
8. Shopping centre hires "parking ambassadors” to stop festive road rage.
Shopping centres have been forced to hire off duty police in order to help stop road rage in car parks.
Seven News reports that under a deal many major shopping centres are employing the police officers to help reduce incidents over the holiday period, while Westfield has hired parking ambassadors to help curb festive road rage.
According to the NRMA 70% of drivers have experienced road rage in the past year.
The NRMA says that road related areas such as car parks are still areas drivers need to obey the law.
Car parks are covered by parking, speed limit, overtaking and signage rules and drivers can be penalised for breaking them.
They say that as an example driving over the speed limit could result in being fined and losing demerit points. So, if you are doing 40km/h in a 20km/h zone, you will be eligible for a $446 fine and the loss of 4 demerit points (and double demerit points would apply on a double demerit holiday period).
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Top Comments
#2 Presumably these are the same sort of people that expect to be treated properly (equally and fairly) and be afforded every privilege and protection under the Rule of Law. Glad to see they are finally demanding that people who expect privilege of Rule of Law also adhere to its requirements and responsibilities.
"The singer and his parent, Melanie Hamrick, 30, welcomed a son." - This is a little concerning.
I'd rank #1 more concerning than this. Alright, there's a yawning gap in the ages of the parents but this child is presumably wanted and will have a reasonable life. What's going to happen to the kids whose mum was killed?
:D