news

Monday's news in under 5 minutes.

We’ve rounded up all the latest stories from Australia and around the world – so you don’t have to go searching.

1. Coroner to hand down findings on Luke Batty death.

Rosie and Luke Batty.

Victoria’s state coroner Judge Ian Gray will today hand down his report on the death of 11-year-old Luke Batty in February last year.

Luke Batty died when his father, 54-year-old Greg Anderson, beat and then stabbed him when he was at cricket practise at Tyabb oval on February 12, 2014.

The inquest also heard from Luke’s mum Rosie Batty who is the 2015 Australian of the Year.

The inquest heard that Greg Anderson had four outstanding arrest warrants and two intervention orders when he was shot dead by police after he killed his son.

The Australian reports he faced charges of assaulting Ms Batty, possessing child pornography and failing to front court.

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius said the 54-year old’s offending was “troubling enough for police to monitor him” but it fell short of him being rated as a serious recidivist criminal.

The findings will be handed down at 10am.

2. Clinic to offer over the phone abortions.

Over the phone abortions.

An Australian medical service will offer abortions without visiting a doctor or pharmacist.

The Tabbot Foundation have started “over the phone” abortions – where a woman can access a clinic via a series of phone calls and then have abortion medication posted to them.

The only in-person consultation is an ultrasound and a blood test at local clinics. The service will also halve the cost of abortion.

ADVERTISEMENT

The service is available up to 9 weeks into the pregnancy.

Fairfax Media reports that a Tabbot Foundation spokesman said, “Medical pregnancy termination through teleconference is one of the most appropriate medical conditions you can use this for because you don’t have to examine the patient,” he said.

“It will also mean women who might have felt intimidated going into an abortion clinic don’t have to.”

The woman just call the service’s toll-free number –1800 180 880 – and have a local clinic do a blood test and ultrasound.

In NSW a psychological assessment, required by law, would also be done over the phone.

The women would then be posted RU486, prophylactic antibiotics, painkillers and anti-nausea drugs, all at a cost of $250.

Reproductive Choice Australia co-president Jenny Ejlak told Fairfax Media that this will provide a big difference, as many GP’s were reluctant to diagnose RU486.

“It will provide access to medical termination in a lot of parts of the country where it’s not available at all, but it will also provide an option for women that is probably going to be a lot cheaper than the other clinics.”

But she said it was unfortunate that women still had to pay high fees for medical termination, when the medications themselves cost very little.

ADVERTISEMENT

“For a lot of women, students, people living on unemployment benefits or the disability pension, $250 is a significant amount of money,” she said.

3. Townsville man charged over stabbing murder of his partner.

She is the 66th victim this year.

A man will appear in court today after being charged with the murder of his former partner in another case of domestic violence in QLD.

The 32-year-old woman died after being stabbed just before 11pm on Saturday at a unit block in Idalia, in Townsville in North Queensland.

A 36-year old man was taken to hospital for treatment for an injury on his arm and was later charged with her murder

Detective Acting Superintendent Cheryl Scanlon told media yesterday that this was another case of domestic violence.

“This is a terribly tragic set of circumstances and this is a young lady, at 32 years of age, cut down at the prime of her life,” she said.

The woman is the 66th woman to die this year as a result of domestic violence.

For domestic violence support 24/7, call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732). 

4. Thousands attend vigil for mother killed by monkey bike riders.

Andrea Lehane was run down by ‘monkey bike’ riders.

Last night thousands of people gathered by candlelight to pay their respects to mother-of-two Andrea Lehane who died after being hit by teenagers riding monkey bikes at Carrum Downs shopping centre.

Amongst the well wishers were the husband of the young mother and her two children who stood candle lit remembering their mother.

The Age reports that Mrs Lehane’s cousin spoke to the crowd “You will always remain in my heart for ever.” he said about the young mother.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Our hearts are broken but we have found comfort from all the support, from knowing we are in your thoughts and prayers.”

An 18-year old man accused of riding the bike that struck Mrs Lehane will appear in court tomorrow. Caleb Jakobbson was charged with culpable driving on Friday night and did not apply for bail in a brief hearing at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Saturday morning, he was remanded in custody to appear at a filing hearing on Tuesday.

5. QLD camp sight sink hole could “expand”.

The hole is now three metres deep and takes in a large part of the MV Beagle camp site. ( Credit: Kieren Hudson)

A ranger has warned that the sinkhole that opened up at a popular Queensland camping sight could expand.

On Saturday a 200-by-50 metre sinkhole opened up at the Inskip Point camping area near Rainbow Beach.

The hole is now three metres deep and takes in a large part of the MV Beagle camp site.

“There is a real possibility the hole could expand with ocean currents, so people are urged to avoid the area,” said a senior ranger, Dan Clifton. “While we continue to assess the situation, our priority is public safety.”

The ABC reports that a car, caravan, a camper trailer and tents were swallowed almost immediately.

6. Pregnant women losing their jobs illegally.

A Melbourne recruitment agency specialising in helping mothers back to work has dealt with so many cases of pregnancy discrimination it has decided to partner with a legal firm.

The Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission has been forced to issue a warning to employers that pregnancy discrimination is against the law.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Herald Sun reports that the Just Mums recruitment has around 70 pregnant women on its books who signed on after losing their jobs, or were refused part-time or flexible conditions when they returned from leave.

Founder Rachel Perkins told The Herald Sun “We’ve become an advocate by default; we continually get mums ringing us saying they have been discriminated against. There have been women who have disclosed to their employer they are pregnant, and been made redundant that same week.”

EOHR Victoria Commissioner Kate Jenkins said 78 complaints had been made in the past two financial years regarding pregnancy and employment, but they were only the tip of the iceberg.

“It is really concerning that we are not making progress on this issue — despite having equal opportunity for more than three decades,” she said.

“Women with caring responsibilities still face entrenched barriers preventing their continued participation in the workplace.

7. NASA mystery to be unveiled.

NASA are messing with our minds tweeting that tonight a major announcement will be made – creating speculation that it might be aliens or a new life form they will announce.

In a statement, NASA said they would reveal a “major science finding” about the red planet, with the announcement scheduled for Monday September 28 at 11.30am EDT (1.30am Tuesday AEST).

ADVERTISEMENT

Social media has, of course, gone into overdrive with excitement about what it may be.

The serious types have argued the announcement will be the discovery of water on the planet – while others are suggesting potatoes perhaps or small green googley eyes creatures?

All will be revealed tonight.

8. Justin Bieber tells Melbourne fans to give him some respect.

The 21-year old spent the day touring Melbourne yesterday but last night posted the video asking fans to give him space – and try just “talking” to him.

“The way you ask or approach me when you want a photo with me is going determine if I take a photo or not,” he said.

“If I’m walking somewhere or arriving somewhere and you guys are asking me to take a photo if I don’t respond, if I continue to keep walking, the likelihood is that I probably don’t want to take a photo at that moment.

“If you start screaming louder that’s not going to make me take a photo more.

“I want to enjoy the moment like you’re enjoying the moment but I can’t enjoy it if I’m not feeling there’s any respect given to me that moment.

“Usually the chances are I’ll take a photo but if perhaps I don’t or I’m not in the mood to take a photo that moment, please just respect me and just treat me the way you want to be treated.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Honestly I’d rather stand there and talk to you there for five minutes and not take any photos us have that moment without the chaos.

“It’s like why did you travel to see me in the first place, was it really to see me or was it to get that moment of you seeing me so you could tell people about it.

“Just remember I’m not unattainable unreachable I’m just like you and I communicate just like you, so next time remember.”

9. H&M features first Muslim model in a hijab.

Global fashion retailer H&M have featured a model wearing a hijab in British H&M campaign.

The model, British born, Mariah Idrissi told Fusion that the shoot was done in a way she found respectful.

“[H&M] asked how much in terms of neck I could show, but to be honest they were very respectful.”

She told Fusion there were special accommodations made for her, providing a private dressing area and limiting male interaction. “If the cameramen noticed something not quite right, they would call a woman over to fix me, it was sweet,” Ms Idrissi sid.

“One of the watches was dangling in the wrong way, and rather than just twisting it on my wrist, the cameraman asked a woman to come over. It just showed that little bit of respect.”

Do you have a story to share with Mamamia? Email us news@mamamia.com.au
[post_snippet id=324408]