Good afternoon. Greg Lynn, a former Jetstar pilot accused of killing two elderly campers in the Victorian high country, has apologised to their families for the “suffering that I caused”, and testified that he did not murder them.
Lynn, 57, took the stand in the Victorian supreme court on Thursday, after pleading not guilty to murdering Russell Hill, 74, and Carol Clay, 73, at a remote camping site in the Wonnangatta Valley in March 2020.
Under questioning, Lynn said he had no reason to murder Hill or Clay. Asked about the perception of not coming forward immediately after their deaths, Lynn agreed that it was “despicable”.
“All I can say to the families is that I am very sorry for your suffering that I caused,” he said.
The trial continues.
Top news
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Adam Bandt threatens Mark Dreyfus with legal action | The Greens leader revealed on Thursday that he had sent the attorney general a legal letter over comments Dreyfus made about pro-Palestinian protests at MPs’ electorate offices.
Victoria approves first gas project in 10 years | The premier, Jacinta Allan, and the minister for energy and resources, Lily D’Ambrosio, on Thursday announced the approval of Beach Energy’s plan to pipe gas from an offshore field near Port Campbell, in western Victoria, from 30 June, despite the government’s plans to wean households off the fossil fuel.
Dozens killed in Israeli strike on UN school, Gaza officials say | At least 30 people have been killed and dozens injured in an Israeli strike on a UN school housing displaced people in al-Nuseirat, in the central Gaza Strip, the Hamas-run Gaza government media office has said.
Mexico man dies from first human case of bird flu strain H5N2 | Scientists are on alert for changes in the virus that could signal bird flu is adapting to spread more easily among humans. But the World Health Organization said the current risk of the bird flu virus to the general population in Mexico was low.
Putin says Trump conviction ‘burns’ idea of US as leading democracy | Vladimir Putin has previously described the four separate criminal cases against Trump as “political persecution”. In a press conference on Wednesday, the Russian president said: “It is obvious all over the world that the prosecution of Trump … is simply using the judicial system in an internal political struggle.”
French artist Ben dies hours after wife’s death | The French artist Ben, best known for his ironic painted slogans, has died aged 88, killing himself just hours after the death of his wife of 60 years. “Unwilling and unable to live without her, Ben killed himself a few hours later at their home” in the French Mediterranean city of Nice, his family said. • In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14.
Alex de Minaur’s exciting run at French Open ends | The 11th seed was outlasted by Alexander Zverev, the fourth seed, who returned to the semi-finals with a 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-3 win. Zverev’s victory sets up a semi-final with Casper Ruud. Read why it’s not all doom and gloom for de Minaur.
T20 World Cup 2024: Australia beat Oman by 39 runs | Marcus Stoinis’s six hitting helped Australia to a decent score and, despite some plucky batting throughout, Oman were never really in contention.
In pictures
Food, glorious food – in pictures
Enjoy a selection of images from this year’s Pink Lady food photographer of the year awards. The overall winner was the Chinese photographer Zhonghua Yang for an image of a woman making dim sum for lunar new year.
What they said …
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“We’re sorry for every person convicted under legislation that should never have existed.” – Chris Minns
The NSW premier has issued an apology in parliament to LGBTQ+ people who were discriminated against by laws that criminalised homosexuality. “This was deeply wrong. And all of it was our fault,” Minns said. “So today we say we are very sorry.” Watch the full apology here.
In numbers
Australian drivers bought a record number of new vehicles in May, with many choosing hybrid and electric models. But Australia’s love for large vehicles is still on the rise, with SUVs dominating and ute sales continuing to grow.
Before bed read
The things that you’re liable to read in the IPCC bible ain’t necessarily so, Chris Uhlmann says. It’s a bold claim
The contributor to Sky News accuses climate change “zealots” of not having read the research. But his own reading is less than comprehensive, writes Graham Readfearn.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: SYNC. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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