Former AFL player jailed over family violence, and what women are talking about today.

This post deals with the topic of domestic violence and may be triggering for some readers.

Former AFL player Andrew Lovett has been jailed after admitting to punching, kicking, spitting and pouring beer on his ex-partner during nearly two years of sustained emotional and physical abuse.

Lovett, who played 88 games for Essendon from 2005 to 2009, was sentenced to eight months in prison. He had earlier pleaded guilty to 24 charges relating to family violence from February 2020 to December last year.

“No woman should fear or suffer physical harm because of a partner,” magistrate Jason Ong said.

“This was terrifying, ongoing, aggressive, physical violence. It was controlling and manipulative. You could and should have walked away. It was serious and sustained family violence. It was escalating over time (and) cannot be tolerated.”

#BREAKING: Former Essendon footballer Andrew Lovett has been jailed for eight months for repeated physical and psychological violence against his then-girlfriend. | @acooperjourno #AFL https://t.co/1jKKwuwlBB

— The Age (@theage) March 17, 2022

Lovett met the woman, who cannot be named, through Tinder in October 2019. She says she “instantly fell head over heels” for Lovett, but his aggressive behaviour started within months and she later described him as a vampire who fed off all her energy. At times, after fleeing from him, the woman would resort to sleeping in her car, public parks, or at the homes of family and friends.

“I never knew that one swipe would change my life forever. It didn't take long for the fairytale to turn into a horror story, this wasn't a movie though, this was real life, I was living a nightmare. He was my Prince Charming, who I ended up needing rescuing from. He broke me in every single way when he took off his mask and revealed his true self,” she said in a statement to the court.

If this post brings up 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. It doesn’t matter where you live, they will take your call and, if need be, refer you to a service closer to home. 

- With AAP.

The doctor shortage in parts of Queensland has left some patients waiting for up to 12 weeks to see a GP, while Indigenous health services are spending millions of dollars on temporary doctors, an inquiry has been told.

"With a delay of three months, we start to see a decline in their wellbeing," Hayley Mattson-Finger, from the youth mental health service Headspace told the Senate inquiry into GP services in rural Australia this week. "We know the moment we introduce a clinical feel is the moment we see a disengagement. We then start to see a deterioration in their mental health."

Matthew Cooke, the head of the Nhulundu Health Service in Gladstone, said the nation's 141 Indigenous community-controlled health organisations receive roughly $400 million from the federal government's $1.6 billion Indigenous Australians' Health Program. That leaves the Nhulundu service with $1 million per year for 5000 clients. Cooke said the service has not been able to recruit permanent doctors, so it has spent $3.5 million employing locum/temporary doctors over the last five years.

Dr Marco Giuseppin, from the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Mount Isa, said the doctor shortage in rural areas is intensified by a "geographic narcissism" in-hospital training.

"When focuses of leadership are based in metropolitan areas, decisions are often made that are counterproductive to rural and remote health. We're seeing this in an increasing amount in our hospital systems throughout Australia. An emphasis on credentials that are often acquired in the city further drive our young medical practitioners to seek out training opportunities in those settings, after which they're unlikely to return to rural and remote practice."

The Senate inquiry is due to report by June.

- With AAP.

Social media giants like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have begun censoring Russian propaganda in a bid to ensure false reports are not disseminated online.

This week, Facebook has removed official Russian posts that falsely claimed reports of Russia bombing a children's hospital in Ukraine were a hoax. The misinformation was circulated on Russian Embassy Twitter, Facebook and Telegram accounts. Twitter and Facebook did take the post down from the Russian Embassy in the United Kingdom for breaking their rules against denying violent events.

At least three people including a child were killed in the March 9 airstrike on the maternity and children’s hospital in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Russia has shifted its stance over the hospital bombing, with a mix of statements on Thursday that veered between aggressive denials and a call by the Kremlin to establish clear facts. It comes as civilians in Russia are struggling to access social media like Facebook and Twitter, with Moscow cracking down and either restricting or blocking certain platforms.

If you would like to hear the real story behind Russia’s bombing of a children’s hospital in Ukraine, you can read more here: This is the brutality of war: The photo the world cannot look away from.

Unfortunately, we need to talk about last night’s Married At First Sight episode and the ‘nude photo scandal’ that erupted from it. Today Australia is talking about a photo we never should have seen, and the fallout from it is worse than we first thought.

In exciting TV news, Marvel has released the first trailer Ms. Marvel an upcoming Disney+ series that features Marvel Studios' first Muslim superhero. Here’s what you need to know.

Plus, Kim Kardashian appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and gushed for the first time about her relationship with Pete Davidson. We now know the origin story of his questionable ‘Kim’ tattoo, but this interview also says something wild about the celebrity news cycle.

You can listen to today’s episode of The Spill here:

This post deals with sexual and domestic violence, mental health and self-harm and could be triggering for some readers.

Yesterday, I watched both parts of Evan Rachel Wood's new documentary, Phoenix Rising. 

In the two-part doco, Wood shares her experience as a survivor of domestic violence, allegedly at the hands of her ex-partner Brian Warner, better known to the world as Marilyn Manson.

It follows a mostly linear timeline in which Wood recounts her entire journey, from her first meeting with Manson to the moment four-and-a-half years later when she knew she was leaving him for good. She shares details of her PTSD, experience with therapy and the road that got her to the point where she felt ready to publicly come forward about it all.

It was, unsurprisingly, an extremely confronting and uncomfortable watch, in a similar vein to previous documentaries like Leaving Neverland. It feels invasive, especially because Wood goes into incredible detail about some truly horrific, devastating things. 

But it was also an incredibly moving, powerful piece of storytelling. 

If you are in the right headspace, I highly recommend giving it a watch.

Here, I recount the 17 biggest takeaways from the docuseries: "I was going to die." The biggest revelations from Evan Rachel Wood's new documentary.



Hello, friends! You might have noticed some weird phenomena occurring of late... and no, I'm not talking about the latest MAFS scandal.

I'm of course referring to our politicians, particularly PM Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese, doing things like playing ukuleles on national television, posing against brick walls in women's magazines, drinking beer (lots and lots of beer), washing random people's hair, and just generally being everywhere all the time. 

All these things are happening because it's a very important year - it's an ELECTION year, and our politicians want you to know that they are just like you. They understand you and love you. They want to be your friend.

And they want your vote, of course.

So expect to see more crazy shenanigans before you line up at the polling booths. Heaven help us all.

Read about it all here: Babies, beers and bonkers behaviour: All the signs it’s an election year.

Morning all, 

For the past few weeks, federal election chatter has started to build. 

When is Scott Morrison going to call it? What are the polls predicting? What are the different parties promising?

Here at Mamamia we want to cut through all the noise and predictions and find out what actually matters to you when it comes to deciding where you place your vote.

So with only a month left to call the election before April 18, we've put together a survey to hear your thoughts. 

Whether you're feeling excited or fatigued about this whole election business, let us know in the Mamamia Votes election survey. It's all 100% anonymous so be as honest as you like. We can handle it. 

Now onto the news. Here are the top five stories you need to know this morning, Thursday March 17.

1. Russia bombs Ukrainian theatre where hundreds were sheltering.

Russian forces have bombed a theatre in the besieged Ukranian city of Mariupol where hundreds of people were sheltering, officials have said. 

Mariupol council said Russian forces had "purposefully and cynically destroyed the Drama Theater in the heart of Mariupol", with the number of causalities not yet known. 

"The plane dropped a bomb on a building where hundreds of peaceful Mariupol residents were hiding," it said, according to CNN.

Russia's defence ministry denied it had carried out an air strike against the theatre. Reuters could not independently verify the information.

Russians dropped a bomb on the drama theater in Mariupol,which was designated as a gathering place for people who lost their homes and livelihoods. Among those who were in the theater, there were many children and patients in need of special attention
Source Maripol City Council pic.twitter.com/azL0Xs3fnT

— Oleksandra Matviichuk (@avalaina) March 16, 2022

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appealed for tougher sanctions on Russia and more weapons to help his country, in a speech to the US Congress by video link.

He invoked the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor and quoted Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech to call for a no-fly zone over Ukraine.

"In the darkest time for our country, for the whole of Europe, I call on you to do more," said Zelensky, who showed video clips of dead and wounded children and blasted buildings.

"Right now the destiny of our country is being decided," @ZelenskyyUa tells US Congress. pic.twitter.com/LgevGuBsLW

— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) March 16, 2022

The White House said Biden had not changed his opposition to a no-fly zone, something military experts say would be equivalent to the United States entering the war against Russia. But he did offer an additional $US800 million ($A1.1 billion) in security assistance to Ukraine. 

2. Police treat Perth car fire that killed mother, two kids, as suspected murder-suicide.

The deaths of a mother and two children in a car fire in Perth are being treated as a suspected murder-suicide by police. 

10-year-old Abiyah and her eight-year-old brother Aiden Selvan, along with their mother, were found dead in a burnt-out car in Coogee in the city's south, earlier this week.

The children's father is returning home from the United States tonight after he left to visit his sick mother who has COVID-19.

Providence Christian College primary school, where the children attended, have paid tribute to Abiyah, who is remembered as a "talented, kind and thoughtful" person, and Aiden, who is remembered as "a kid who gave 110 per cent in everything".

"Just a lovely family, great family ... always present on campus, particularly mum," the school's principal Bill Innes told 9News.

There are more tributes for two Perth children killed in a car fire believed to be a suspected murder-suicide. @alexiapesce #9News

MORE: https://t.co/tkT9tEZwJf pic.twitter.com/app771HIMd

— 9News Perth (@9NewsPerth) March 16, 2022

Both parents worked at Fiona Stanley Hospital, where the father was a lead anesthetist technician and the mother was a nurse.

3. NSW Liberal MP to resign over flood funding.

NSW Liberal MP Catherine Cusack has indicated that she will resign over the federal government’s distribution of disaster funding in flood-affected Northern NSW.

Ballina, Byron and Tweed shires have missed out on the Morrison government’s extra payments - as Lismore, Richmond Valley and Clarence Valley receive an extra two weekly payments of $1000 per adult and $400 per child.

Those areas are all in the Nationals-held federal seat of Page, while Ballina, Byron and Tweed are held by Labor.

BREAKING: Scott Morrison has excluded Tweed, Byron & Ballina Shires from extra disaster payments. Due to this - Lib MP Catherine Cusack has JUST RESIGNED from Parliament. I agree with this decision & all North Coast Liberals & Nationals should resign. They have ALL failed us.

— Justine Elliot, your local Labor MP (@JElliotMP) March 16, 2022

A spokesperson has told 9News Ms Cusack has announced her intention to resign over the decision.

4. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and wife welcome seventh child. 

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and his wife Helen have welcomed their seventh child, a baby girl.  

Perrottet announced the news on Twitter this morning, sharing their daughter, named Celeste Grace Perrotte, was born last night. 

"Here she is! Helen and I are absolutely thrilled to welcome our beautiful baby girl, Celeste Grace Perrottet, born last night. Both Mum and baby are doing well," he wrote alongside a photo of his wife and baby in hospital. 

"She's looking forward to being kissed and cuddled, fought over and cherished by her big brother and sisters."

1/2 Here she is! Helen and I are absolutely thrilled to welcome our beautiful baby girl, Celeste Grace Perrottet, born last night.

Both Mum and baby are doing well. pic.twitter.com/En4LjGL5uf

— Dom Perrottet (@Dom_Perrottet) March 16, 2022

The 39-year-old, who already shares one son and five daughters with his wife, first announced the couple were expecting another child in October.

5. New Zealand reopens to Australians next month.

In case you missed it, New Zealand announced they are prioritising Australians as the country welcomes foreigners and tourists back next month, 12 weeks ahead of schedule.

Fully vaccinated Australians will be able to fly in and out of the country without quarantining or isolating from 11.59pm on April 12. The original date was July 2022. 

Those from visa waiver countries and holding valid visitor visas will then follow from 11.59pm on May 1.

"We are a safe place to visit and New Zealand will be ready with open arms," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said today, promising there would be no backtracking on the timetable.

"We are reopening and I'm asking our Australian family and friends to book their tickets."

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has confirmed that Australians can resume travel to New Zealand from April 13, when their border will reopen to Aussies. https://t.co/wbrEftjXWF#TheProjectTV pic.twitter.com/EnaRgVSPl9

— The Project (@theprojecttv) March 16, 2022

And that's it, you're all up to speed. We'll be back to bring you more of the biggest stories throughout the day. 

- With AAP

Just when you thought talking about viruses was a thing of the past, a new illness spread through mosquito bites has resurfaced in Australia amid all of the wet and humid weather.

Japanese Encephalitis was first discovered over 100 years ago, but its sudden resurgence particularly down the east coast is causing some concern among the scientific community and the public, but how worried should you be?

The Quicky speaks to two experts in infectious diseases to learn more about Japanese Encephalitis Virus or 'JEV' as it's also known, to find out how widespread it could become, and whether you need to ask for a vaccine to keep you and your family safe.

READ: 

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