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9 News
12 hours ago
- General
- 9 News
Mining giant called to foot the bill after fire ant outbreak
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Mining giant BHP should foot the bill for a major fire ant outbreak in Queensland , an advocacy group says. It comes after odour detection dog teams found the presence of fire ants at several mine sites in the Central Highlands and Isaac Council regions, including at the BHP Broadmeadow Mine west of Mackay. Fire ants are considered invasive and feed on Australian flora and fauna, as well as displacing or eliminating native species. Fire ants can have a serious impact on Australia's ecosystem. (NSW Department of Primary Industries) In light of the latest detection, Reece Pianta believes BHP should be the ones to pay for the treatment required across their sites that were impacted by the fire ant infestation. "When a mining company moves contaminated material and sparks an outbreak, taxpayers shouldn't be left footing the bill – the companies responsible must pay to have their mess cleaned up, no different from an oil spill," he said. "This is a catastrophic breach – shipments from just one infested site have triggered a major regional outbreak. "But every dollar and every drone we have should be focused on wiping out fire ants at the frontlines near Brisbane, not cleaning up after corporate carelessness." The infestation occurred at a BHP mine in Queensland. (Will Willitts) Pianta insists it is not a matter of punishing companies such as BHP in this instance, rather than forcing public funds to be used would undermine efforts to deal with the fire ants issue. Much of the country is at high risk of infestation, according to data from the National Fire Ant Eradication Program. "This isn't about companies footing the bill for everything. But if governments allow outbreaks like this to suck resources away from where they're needed most, we risk undermining the eradication effort across the whole country," he said. "BHP did the right thing reporting and supporting fire ant surveillance work, now they are uniquely well placed to support the response." BHP has been contacted for comment. national Australia queensland mining environment animals CONTACT US Property News: Sydney's iconic wedding cake house is for sale for $9m.
9 News
11-08-2025
- 9 News
Backpacker pleads guilty over e-scooter crash that killed Perth dad
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here BREAKING Australia to recognise Palestinian state Alicia Kemp, 25, struck pedestrian Thanh Phan, 51, while riding through central Perth about 8.40pm on May 31. Phan was critically injured and died in hospital several days later. Perth father Thahn Phan died after being hit by an e-scooter in Perth on May 31. (9News) Kemp was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death under the influence of alcohol, and dangerous driving occasioning bodily harm under the influence of alcohol. She appeared in Western Australia's Magistrates Court today via video-link and pleaded guilty to dangerous driving occasioning death under the influence of alcohol. Prosecutors dropped the bodily harm charge. Outside court, defence lawyer Mike Tudori said his client had acted stupidly and now wanted the court process to be completed as quickly as possible. "She is nervous and worried, she's a young foreign national girl in our prison (system)," he told reporters. "She's relieved that one of the charges has been discontinued, and now she'll just move towards preparing for a sentencing later on in the year for this tragic death." Tudori said he'd like the sentencing process completed by Christmas. "She's obviously done something stupid at the time," he said. Phan was hit at the intersection of Murray and King Street. (9News) "She obviously wasn't thinking, level-headed and there's consequences, and she just wants to get on with her life." Tudori said Kemp's family in the UK were concerned and worried for her, and that she was being supported in WA by her boyfriend. Phan's family has described him as a "beloved husband, father of two, brother, and dear friend". Kemp suffered minor injuries in the collision. Her 26-year-old female pillion passenger was also taken to hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Kemp, who was previously refused bail, was remanded in custody to appear in the District Court on October 31 for a sentencing mention. CONTACT US Property News: Rubbish-strewn house overtaken by mould asks $1.2 million.
9 News
04-07-2025
- 9 News
'My heart sank': Father learns of son's crossover with alleged childcare paedophile Joshua Brown
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Exclusive: A Melbourne father has spoken out learning his toddler may have attended a childcare centre where alleged paedophile Joshua Brown worked, as the former childcare worker's employment history is revisited. A major police investigation saw Joshua Brown charged with 70 offences, including sexual assault, earlier this year. The charges relate to eight alleged victims at a Point Cook early education centre. Joshua Brown, 26, was arrested on May 12. (Supplied) About 1200 families were also contacted to send their children for precautionary testing for sexually transmitted diseases. Revelations emerged yesterday that Brown may have worked on more occasions than those listed on the government website. Melbourne father Daniel* did not initially think his family had been impacted, until an updated timeline revealed a crossover between his two-year-old son's attendance and Brown's employment at a centre in the city's west. "We didn't expect it, for us to be involved in it, and when we did find out my heart sank," Daniel said. "These are dates that the government weren't aware of, and yeah, it's just unfortunate that we had to find out that way," he told 9News. Premier Jacinta Allan said the website was being "constantly updated". (Nine) Because they were not initially contacted by the health department, Daniel claims his son was turned away from the test site and had to scramble to prove his toddler needed the test. "To make such big mistakes in this, with young children involved between, you know, five months to two years and, you know, to be cutting corners and, .... the communication breakdown has been very disappointing," Daniel told 9News. Police are investigating if any alleged abuse occurred at the 19 other facilities he worked at. Allan has assured parents the government is taking immediate action, yesterday appointing Jay Weatherill to review Victoria's childcare sector. "Jay Weatherill is the best person for this work, he is the best person to lead this work," she said. But critics have argued the former South Australian premier, who oversaw the worst child protection failure in the state's history, is not the right fit. "How on earth can we have confidence that this review will deliver the outcomes that Victorian families need?" shadow education minister Jess Wilson asked. *Name has been changed for privacy Melbourne national Australia Victoria child sex abuse CONTACT US Property News: The suburbs where workers on $300,000 can't afford a house.
9 News
19-06-2025
- 9 News
Man gets Mercedes stuck on world-famous Roman landmark
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here An 80-year-old man drove a compact luxury Mercedes-Benz A Class sedan down the landmark Spanish Steps in Rome this week before getting stuck partway down, municipal police said in a statement. The man tested negative for alcohol, and was cited on the spot for driving down the monument in Rome's historic centre, police said. Police said the man, a resident of Rome, was at a loss to explain how he had wound up driving down the famed steps. An 80-year-old driver in Rome managed to get his Mercedes stuck on the city's famed Spanish Steps. (9News) They did not release his name and it was unclear if the car was his. The small sporty car was later removed by firefighters using a crane. Police did not respond to requests for more details about the dynamics of the apparent accident. One of Rome's most recognisable monuments, the Spanish Steps have never been intended for motor vehicles, although some thrill seekers have tried their luck. A Saudi man was charged with aggravated damage to cultural heritage after a surveillance camera recorded him driving a rented Maserati down the 135 travertine steps in 2022. The Spanish Steps take their name from the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See in the nearby square. A famed background for numerous films, they were built in the 1720s and have long been a popular spot to people watch and hang out. rome accidents driving Italy Europe World CONTACT US Property News: The last inner Sydney suburbs where houses cost under $2m.
9 News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- 9 News
Israel strikes state-run Iranian TV while live on air
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Iran's state media studios have been bombed by Israel in a missile barrage that was caught live on air. The studio, based in Tehran, was airing a live television program when the bombs dropped, with loud bangs heard off camera. A female presenter, addressing the camera, quickly flees from the desk as debris starts falling from the roof and the frame begins shaking. Iran's state media studios have been bombed by Israel in a missile barrage that was caught live on air. The studio, based in Tehran, was airing a live television program when the bombs dropped, with loud bangs heard off camera. (Nine) Videos circulating on social media show the Iranian state TV building, known as "the glass building," is still burning. Following the attack, live programs have been transferred to another studio that resembles those used for radio broadcasts. Israel launched airstrikes and drones at Iran throughout the day, while Iran fired a pre-dawn wave of missiles at Israel that killed at least eight people. The tit-for-tat attacks between Israel and Iran began when Israel attacked Iran over Tehran's nuclear program, and have raised fears of a wider, more dangerous regional war. Iran's state media studios have been bombed by Israel in a missile barrage that was caught live on air. The studio, based in Tehran, was airing a live television program when the bombs dropped, with loud bangs heard off camera. (Nine) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Monday that the strikes have set Iran's nuclear program back "years." He added that Israel is not attempting to topple the Iranian government, but he said he would not be surprised if that happened as a result of the strikes. He also said he is in daily touch with US President Donald Trump. The military said defence systems were operating to intercept the missiles. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. In an Israeli city hit by missile fire, many support attacking Iran. While no opinion polls have been released since Israel launched a surprise attack Friday, much of the Israeli public seems to be lining up behind the operation in these early days. In an Israeli city hit by missile fire, many support attacking Iran. (AP) As they surveyed the damage and moved to hotels or the homes of loved ones, some Petah Tikva residents said Israel must keep up its attacks to survive. One woman said four of her neighbours were killed and much of her apartment was destroyed. Miryam, who spoke to AP on condition that her last name not be used because she serves in the military, called it the scariest thing she's experienced. "But the right thing is to attack Iran; I don't want them to have this power over us," she said. CONTACT US Property News: The last inner Sydney suburbs where houses cost under $2m.
