Welcome to the 9News.com.au live blog for Tuesday, November 29, 2022. Reality star and crocodile wrangler Matt Wright will be charged in relation to a fatal helicopter crash in the Northern Territory that killed his fellow cast member. Aviation firefighters across Australia are prepared to stop work next week, which could cause "significant disruption" for travellers. More than half of the COVID-19 fines issued in New South Wales during the pandemic will be withdrawn after a court battle between a Sydney legal centre and the state government.
– Outback Wrangler star arrives in NT to be charged over chopper crash
– Ex-MP Daryl Maguire charged with criminal conspiracy over alleged visa fraud plot
– Aviation firefighters prepared to strike at all Australian airports next week
– More than 33,000 COVID-19 fines withdrawn in NSW after legal challenge
That's about it from the 9News.com.au live blog for Tuesday, November 29, 2022. Here's what happened.
Reality star and crocodile wrangler Matt Wright will be charged in relation to a fatal helicopter crash in the Northern Territory that killed his fellow cast member after arriving in Darwin.
Aviation firefighters across Australia are prepared to stop work next week, which could cause "significant disruption" for travellers.
More than half of the COVID-19 fines issued in New South Wales during the pandemic will be withdrawn after a court battle between a Sydney legal centre and the state government.
And according to the Rental Affordability Index (RAI), Hobart remains the country's least affordable city, thanks to a prolonged period of rapidly rising rents.
We'll return tomorrow with all the latest breaking news.
Until then visit nine.com.au and 9News.com.au for the latest updates.
Melbourne man Thomas Bednar has been found guilty of the murder of his mother in her home in May last year.
Judy Bednar, 78, suffered a number of blows causing significant rib fractures and died as a result of injuries that compromised her respiratory system.
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Port Macquarie was battered by heavy hail yesterday afternoon, with residents taking footage of what looked like a winter wonderland, days out from December.
Meanwhile, Queensland is in for hail and storms today and tomorrow.
Check what's on the way here.
Staff members at a Victorian hospital which will close its maternity services early next year have said the decision has come as a "complete shock".
Epworth HealthCare announced plans to close its Geelong maternity service yesterday due to ongoing staff shortages.
Group Chief Executive Dr Lachlan Henderson said the private hospital, which opened the service back in 2017, had entered a consultation period with key stakeholders.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE
Former MP Daryl Maguire has been charged with criminal conspiracy over an alleged visa fraud underway while he was sitting in the NSW parliament.
The former Wagga MP, who resigned after an anti-corruption inquiry and later had his discrete romantic relationship with former premier Gladys Berejiklian exposed, is accused of conspiring with migration agent Maggie Sining Logan between January 2013 and August 2015.
Federal prosecutors allege he conspired with Logan to have false or misleading documents to be furnished for official purposes in connection with non-citizens' visas.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE
More than half of the COVID-19 fines issued in New South Wales during the pandemic will be withdrawn after a court battle between a Sydney legal centre and the state government.
The NSW Supreme Court today heard two test cases brought by Redfern Legal Centre arguing the offence descriptions provided on the fine notices were too vague and therefore were legally invalid.
The Commissioner of Fines Administration's lawyer, David Kell SC, conceded the two notices did not "sufficiently state or describe the offences in general terms" nor did the fines "identify the offence-creating provision", ruling the fines invalid.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE
Anthony Albanese has flagged the possibility of introducing truth in political advertising laws.
In question time, the prime minister was asked by independent MP Zali Steggall whether the government will support her "stop the lies" bill.
"We have the usual Joint Standing Committee on electoral reform inquiry at the moment into the 2022 election," Albanese said.
"One of the issues that they will examine is a potential for truth in political advertising laws to enhance the integrity and transparency of the electoral system.
"And I think that is certainly something that is worthy of examination. We await that report."
Advertising in Australia must not contain false or misleading claims and there are plenty of examples of companies who breached those standards being hit with hefty fines – Samsung was slugged $14 million for misleading water resistance claims about its phones just this year.
However, political advertising in the country currently has no such requirement.
As Steggall puts it, "it is perfectly legal for political parties and politicians to lie in advertising for elections and referendums".
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