"Memories f**k you up." The 3 things we learned from Daniel Johns' Project interview.

Content warning: This post discusses suicide and might be triggering for some readers. 

Tonight on The Project, former Silverchair frontman Daniel Johns opened up about his struggles.

The singer faced pleaded guilty to high-range drink driving in the NSW Hunter region at 10.30pm on March 23. Johns had driven his grey SUV out of a service station on the Pacific Highway at North Arm Cove and headed north in rainy conditions before crossing onto the wrong side of the road and crashing into a van. The van rolled and slid about 100 metres onto a nature strip while Johns' car also rolled several times, according to the facts of the case.

The van driver, 51, and his female passenger, 55, were treated at the scene and the woman was taken to hospital. Johns was breathalysed and returned a blood alcohol level of 0.157, and voluntarily admitted himself into a rehabilitation facility after the accident.

Johns was sentenced to a ten month correctional order for the drink driving. 

In the interview with Carrie Bickmore, Johns spoke about the events leading up to the drinking driving crime, and how his anorexia, anxiety, addiction and reactive arthritis have impacted him as of late.

Here's the three major things we learned. 

1. "Memories f**k you up." Why Johns doesn't like any Silverchair memorabilia in his house.

The interview took place at the Past, Present and FutureNever exhibition on Johns' life currently taking place in Melbourne. In the interview, Johns and Bickmore were surrounded by images of him in his Silverchair days.

When she asked about how he feels to see the Silverchair memorabilia, he said he finds it difficult. 

"Firstly it's not my house, it's not where I reside so I can visit it. I'm always happy to revisit memories, but I don't want to live in it," he said, noting it also made him "teary" to see the photos.

2. Johns wrote his album as a 'goodbye' – both literally and figuratively. 

When Johns wrote his most recent album, Future Never, he did not anticipate that it would become his most successful solo project to date. Although it's been a triumph, the album has a dark beginning for Johns. 

"When I was doing Future Never, I was like this is it. Like this is the last thing you're ever going to hear. Lyrically in the record there's a lot of [me] saying goodbye."

In the interview, Johns said that he oscillates between the highest of highs and lowest of lows.

"I always struggle with my mental health when I'm entrenched in making a record. I tend to spiral into self doubt. I want to be the anthesis of that – I want to be productive."

He then said: "I pretty much had a full on nervous breakdown. I left the building so to speak."

3. "I love chaos." Johns on the 'why' behind car crash and his penny drop moment.

Johns said that when he got in the car that night on March 23, he was incoherent. 

"I was barely even aware of what I was trying to do – I just wanted to escape."

Johns said, however, that as soon as the crash happened, he was able to remember everything. 

"I remember every detail. I remember being lost. I remember being petrified. I remember being in the dark," he said to Bickmore. "It was only when the penny dropped that I was putting other people in danger that I went 'what the f**k'."

Johns said that as an artist he is used to and enjoys chaos. But when that chaos crosses the line, and starts to put innocent people in danger, that what scares him the most. 

"The great thing that came out of it is that no one was hurt. On paper someone should've got hurt. Particularly me – I should have got hurt. My whole life just flashed before my eyes."

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He also said that he has reached out to the other people affected by his actions, and sincerely apologised.

"If someone had been hurt, I probably would have killed myself because I can't live with that."

It was at that point that Johns took himself to rehab, and he is in a much better place now.

If you think you may be experiencing depression or another mental health problem, please contact your general practitioner. If you're based in Australia, 24-hour support is available through Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.

Victoria has adopted an affirmative consent model, shifting scrutiny off victims and back on to perpetrators of sexual violence.

Under new laws, which passed Victorian parliament on Tuesday, a person must have a clear and enthusiastic go-ahead for their belief in consent to be reasonable. The consent can include – but is not limited to – verbally asking and getting a ‘yes’ in response, a physical gesture such as a nod, or reciprocating a move such as removing clothes.

The reforms are a crucial step in stopping all forms of violence against women, Prevention of Family Violence Minister Ros Spence said.

“Every Victorian has a responsibility to challenge the harmful behaviours, attitudes and assumptions that lead to sexual violence,” she said. “This new standard of consent in Victoria shifts the focus away from the victim and towards the accused and what actions they took to confirm consent.”

The laws make clear that ‘stealthing’ – the removing, tampering with, or not using a condom without consent – is a crime. They also target image-based sexual abuse, which includes taking intimate videos of someone without their consent as well as distributing or threatening to distribute intimate images.

A person who knowingly distributes an intimate image of someone else faces three years' imprisonment under the Justice Legislation Amendment (Sexual Offences and Other Matters) Bill 2022.

The new laws mean judges can give juries directions about consent, and have to explain to them what “proof beyond reasonable doubt” means.

The reforms will start to come into effect from next month, with the affirmative consent model to begin from July next year unless earlier proclaimed.

With AAP.

Early estimates put the damage from Pakistan’s recent deadly floods at more than AU$14 billion, the nation’s planning minister says.

Pakistani politician Ahsan Iqbal says the world has an obligation to help the South Asian nation cope with the effects of man-made climate change. Unprecedented flash floods caused by historic monsoon rains have washed away roads, crops, infrastructure and bridges, killing at least 1000 people in recent weeks and affecting more than 33 million – over 15 per cent of the country's 220 million population.

The climate change minister has called the situation a “climate-induced humanitarian disaster of epic proportions”.

As Iqbal noted: “People have actually lost their complete livelihood.”

The minister said it might take five years to rebuild and rehabilitate the nation, while in the near term it will be confronted with acute food shortages. Social media users have posted videos showing stranded people and whole buildings washed away by floodwater.

Southern, southwestern and northern Pakistan have been the hardest hit by the floods, which have swept large swaths of farmland and stored crops, also isolating the regions from the rest of the country for the last several days.

Tens of thousands of families have left their homes for safer places, moved in with their relatives, or into state-run camps, while others have been spending nights in the open, waiting for any help, such as tents, food and medicine.

Pakistan has appealed for international help and some countries have already sent in supplies and rescue teams.

Iqbal also said the world owed Pakistan, which was a victim of climate change caused by the “irresponsible development of the developed world”.

“Our carbon footprint is lowest in the world,” he said.

“The international community has a responsibility to help us, upgrade our infrastructure, to make our infrastructure more climate resilient, so that we don't have such losses every three, four, five years.”

It is frankly terrifying that one third of Pakistan is underwater, China is experiencing its worst drought on record, as are the olive-producing regions of southern Spain, and we’re currently only at 1.2C of warming.

— Donna Lu (@donnadlu) August 29, 2022

Hard to comprehend the scale of the flood disaster in Pakistan, the 5th most populated nation in the world.

Nearly 1400 dead, 1 million houses damaged or destroyed, and 50,000,000 people displaced.

1/3 of the country is underwater.pic.twitter.com/NFd15q3g7I

— Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch) August 30, 2022

One third of Pakistan is underwater.

33 MILLION PEOPLE (1 in 7 Pakistanis) are affected.

2,000 + people so far killed, one third of whom are believed to be children.

Please help by donating. #Pakistan 🇵🇰⚠️❤️🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/Dh3k2sAadl

— Jemima Goldsmith (@Jemima_Khan) August 30, 2022

With AAP.

Rachel DeLoache Williams is suing Netflix for how she was portrayed in their hit series Inventing Anna, based on the life of notorious scammer Anna Delvey. Rachel claims that while Netflix concealed details of other players in the real-life story, her real life was almost used in full. But there’s an extra twist to this story.

Plus, Sheri Easterling and Yung Gravy are the latest names dominating celebrity gossip circles, but the real fallout is hitting Sheri’s famous daughter Addison Rae the hardest. From online family drama and TikTok gossip, here’s everything you need to know.

And Meghan Markle’s new interview with The Cut has ignited a wave of backlash and we’re pretty sure we know exactly what triggered it. She’s also been called a liar for some of the statements made in the piece, but once you unravel what she actually said, it’s clear some of her words have been taken out of context.

Listen to The Spill below:

Morning all, 

Yesterday was a big day for anyone following the Chris Dawson trial. 

You can read out deep dive on the case, and the man who helped catch the killer here. 

But first, here are the top news stories you need to know today, Wednesday, August 31.

1. Lynette Dawson’s family ask her murderer to reveal location of body as he spends first night in jail. 

Lynette Dawson's family have pleaded for Chris Dawson to "find it in himself" to reveal the location of the mother-of-two's body, 40 years after she was murdered.

After a five hour long judgment in the NSW Supreme Court yesterday, Justice Ian Harrison found Dawson guilty of murdering his wife.

Outside court, her family said their journey was not over.

"This is a milestone in our journey, however, she is still missing," Dawson's brother Greg Simms said.

"We would ask Chris Dawson to find it in himself to do the decent thing and allow us to put Lyn to rest."

Chris Dawson has spent his first night behind bars as the family of his murdered wife Lynette plead for him to 'do the decent thing ... and allow us to bring her home to a peaceful rest,' pic.twitter.com/MQec5eWCum

— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) August 30, 2022

Simms also paid homage to his and Dawson's late mother, Helena Simms, who died in 2001 without knowing what happened to her daughter. 

"We'd like to remember those who loved Lyn but who were not here to see the judgment," he said.

Dawson, who spent his first night in jail last night, is expected to apply for bail today.

2. Ernst & Young launch internal review after death of woman. 

A Sydney woman who worked for global accounting giant Ernst & Young, has been found dead at the company’s Sydney office, hours after leaving a staff-organised social event. 

Police were called to George Street after 12.20am on Saturday following a concern for welfare report and found the body of the 33-year-old woman, who has not been identified. 

Police have confirmed with the company that there were no suspicious circumstances, according to 7News. 

The Australian reports that officers suspect the death may have been a result of self harm.

Ernst & Young Australia will conduct a comprehensive review into its workplace social activities after a young employee died at its Sydney office over the weekend. https://t.co/At0SjBNT5z

— The Australian (@australian) August 29, 2022

Before her death, the woman attended a social function at The Ivy bar and nightclub from 5.30pm, before returning to the offices from 7.30pm onwards.

Ernst & Young CEO David Larocca told 7News the company would be launching an internal review. 

"Our chief mental health officer will be part of an ongoing review and has been instrumental over the weekend in providing ongoing advice and guidance," Larocca told the publication. 

"We are deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic events of the weekend."

If you think you may be experiencing depression or another mental health problem, please contact your general practitioner. If you're based in Australia, 24-hour support is available through Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.

3. Leaders meet to discuss isolation changes.

National cabinet will meet today to discuss shortening the COVID-19 isolation time from seven to five days amid a push from state premiers.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will host his state and territory counterparts in Sydney, where NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews will call for a nationally consistent approach.

"Instead of the six states and two territories going different ways we're trying to get everyone on the same page," Albanese said yesterday. 

But the prime minister acknowledged the decision on isolation rules ultimately fell to premiers and chief ministers.

A big change could be coming to COVID stay-at-home rules when National Cabinet meets tomorrow. @ashleywick9 #9News pic.twitter.com/F8703TpL6e

— 9News Australia (@9NewsAUS) August 30, 2022

Health Services Union secretary Gerard Hayes has called for the virus to be treated as any other infectious disease, saying the government needs to get ahead of the curve so people can live with COVID rather than ignoring rules they see as an imposition.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says the nation is moving into a phase where there would be shorter isolation periods.

"The arrangements otherwise that were in place at the height of COVID will start to unwind, and I think that's what the community expects," he said yesterday 

Australia recorded 77 COVID-19 deaths and more than 12,000 new cases yesterday. 

4. More than half of young Australian women, victims of sexual crimes.

More than half of young Australian women have been victims of sexual crimes, according to disturbing new figures showing the rate of sexual violence is much higher than previously reported.

New prevalence rates show 51 per cent of women aged in their 20s, 34 per cent in their 40s, and 26 per cent of women aged between 68-73 have been sexually assaulted.

Survivors of sexual violence are up to 45 per cent more likely to experience high levels of financial stress and hardship, report poorer mental health, and live with chronic health conditions.

The research by Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety also found women in their 20s and 40s who were sexually assaulted as children experienced domestic and physical violence as adults at double the rate.

The research calls for a nationally consistent definition of sexual violence, with current data not capturing the true prevalence of assault across communities.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth will launch the report for the Women's Health Forum remotely tomorrow, before the minister and her state and territory counterparts plan to release the next National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children by October.

If this has raised any issues for you, or if you just feel like you need to speak to someone, please call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) – the national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service.

5. Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev who helped end Cold War dies.

Mikhail Gorbachev, who ended the Cold War without bloodshed but failed to prevent the collapse of the Soviet Union, has died at the age of 91, Russian news agencies have cited hospital officials as saying.

Gorbachev, the last Soviet president, forged arms reduction deals with the United States and partnerships with Western powers to remove the Iron Curtain that had divided Europe since World War II and bring about the reunification of Germany.

"Mikhail Gorbachev passed away tonight after a serious and protracted disease," Interfax news agency cited Russia's Central Clinical Hospital as saying in a statement. 

Breaking News: Mikhail Gorbachev, the Soviet leader who transformed the map of Europe and presided over the end of the Cold War, has died at 91. https://t.co/S015A1f4f6

— The New York Times (@nytimes) August 30, 2022

Gorbachev will be buried in Moscow's Novodevichy Cemetery next to his wife Raisa, who died in 1999, said Tass news agency, citing a source familiar with the family's wishes.

After visiting Gorbachev in hospital on June 30, liberal economist Ruslan Grinberg told the armed forces news outlet Zvezda: "He gave us all freedom - but we don't know what to do with it."

That's everything you need to know this morning. We'll be back with more of today's top stories later this afternoon.

- With AAP. 

On Tuesday afternoon, a judge found Chris Dawson guilty of murdering his wife Lyn back in the 1980's.

The disappearance of Lyn was the subject of Australian podcast The Teacher's Pet. With over 28 million downloads worldwide, the podcast, and the case it was about gained international interest. 

In today's episode of The Quicky, we tell a story of how a podcast influenced the criminal justice system and how one man was able to get away with murder for 40 years...until now. 

READ: 

• What women were talking about on Tuesday
• What women were talking about on Monday

Feature Image: Network 10.