Stories from Australia

The captain of the Blues stated that securing a victory in game one tomorrow night is for a strong start to the State of Origin series. The Blues won the previous series by winning two out of three matches but lost their final game in Newcastle. Isabelle Kelly noted that a game one win provides a boost to team morale and confidence. The Queensland Women's Rugby League coach stated the new squad is capable of stopping New South Wales from defending its title. New South Wales won the series within the first two games last year using a similar team roster. Blues coach John Strahan stated he does not intend to make many changes before the next State of Origin game on May 14. Strahan noted that some players have minor injuries and will undergo scans to determine fitness. The coach said the need for players to be fit for the upcoming match.

Veteran Captain Ali Breginshaw will not feature in the upcoming series after deciding to retire from representative rugby league this year. The Maroons are scheduled to face the Blues in Newcastle tomorrow night.

Player Lwai has decided to leave the Tigers mid-year despite having a good season. Lwai stated the decision was difficult for his family to consider given the timing. Tigers coach Benji Marshall expressed support for the player despite the move being hurtful to the team.

The Tasmanian government announced it will issue a formal apology regarding the display of human remains at a Hobart museum. The remains were reportedly shown without consent. The dispute involves 19 human remains being exhibited at a Hobart Museum without consent. A coroner's report found the Rotter Museum in Hobart kept and displayed human remains without family knowledge. The remains were taken during post-mortem examinations conducted between 1966 and 1991.

Independent Senator David Pocock stated the Australian government is favoring foreign companies over Australian citizens by rejecting a proposed gas export tax. He also noted a premium could be placed on company tax to target super profits. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ruled out new taxes on existing gas contracts during a speech to the Western Australia resources sector. Albanese also stated that super profits do not exist, addressing speculation that the Labor government would pursue changes in next month's federal budget. The announcement clarifies the government's position ahead of the upcoming budget release. The Prime Minister noted Australia's reliance on Asian partners for fuel security and their corresponding reliance on Australian exports. He indicated that future changes or adjustments to tax settings remain a possibility.

Three protesters were removed from a business breakfast in Perth this morning after attempting to disrupt an event attended by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The activists rushed into the WA Chamber of Minerals and Energy event while Albanese was interacting with attendees.

She faked a cancer diagnosis for her six-year-old son to raise money. The sentence includes a non-parole period of two years and four months, backdated to her initial arrest in December 2024. She is expected to be eligible for release in approximately one year. The court heard the woman claimed she lied due to a gambling addiction and a need to stabilize family finances. However, the judge stated the deception was motivated by a desire for attention rather than financial necessity. The woman had died two months prior, leaving behind more than 19,000 rupees, approximately 200 euros, which constituted the family's assets. She administered unnecessary medications to the child to support the false diagnosis. The court heard the child suffered psychological harm from believing he had cancer, as well as physical distress from having his head shaved and wearing adhesive bandages.

Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole announced a crisis support line for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander individuals in Alice Springs. The service can be reached by calling 13 yarn or using the number 139276.

Police seized several items from a crime scene located on the banks of the Todd River. Evidence collected includes a dune cover, a distinct yellow shirt worn by Jefferson Lewis, and a pair of child's underwear. The items have been transported to Darwin for investigation.

Access Canberra officers, ACT policing, and the Therapeutic Goods Administration conducted inspections at six retail outlets across Canberra. The raids identified six persons of interest with known links to the illicit tobacco trade. Authorities seized $27,000 in cash and 6,000 cigars during the operation.