What we learned today, Monday 30 March
That’s all for the blog today. Here is a recap of the top headlines:
Fugitive Dezi Freeman, the man accused of killing two officers at Porepunkah, has been shot dead after a seven-month manhunt in rural Victoria. Follow our separate live blog for updates.
Anthony Albanese has halved the fuel excise in a move that will save motorists 26 cents a litre for three months from 1 April.
Angus Taylor has shut down Andrew Hastie’s push for the Liberals to be “open-minded” to increasing taxes on gas companies and winding back concessions for property investors, exposing a clash of philosophies between the opposition leader and his most likely future rival.
The prime minister also shifted his language on the US-Israel war on Iran, saying he wanted to see a de-escalation and “more certainty” around Donald Trump’s objectives.
The Victorian Liberal leader, Jess Wilson, says the man who defeated Moira Deeming for the top spot on the party’s upper house ballot is “not welcome” on her team, after it was revealed he wrote a court character reference for a friend convicted of grooming a 15-year-old girl.
And Labor has supported a parliamentary inquiry into the tax regime for oil and gas companies in a further sign the prime minister is open to pursuing changes ahead of the May budget.
Thank you for tuning in.
Updated
Second man charged with manslaughter after frog toxin death
A second man has been charged with manslaughter over a man’s death at a ceremonial ritual allegedly involving ayahuasca and the frog toxin “kambo” in the northern rivers of New South Wales.
Cameron Kite, 41, appeared at Lismore court this morning alongside Soulore Solaris, 52, after they were both charged with the manslaughter of Jarrad Antonovich, who was 45 when he died in October 2021 at a retreat at Collins Creek near Kyogle, about 60km from Byron Bay. Police confirmed Kite’s charge today.
Police will allege Solaris supplied Antonovich with ayahuasca while hosting a retreat at the property and delayed seeking medical treatment when the man’s health deteriorated.
Solaris was arrested on 3 March and charged with manslaughter before being released on bail. Kite was charged on 17 March, also with manslaughter.
The first committal appearances were over within minutes, with the date of 25 May set for prosecutors to submit a brief of evidence and 10 June for a pre-service mention.
An earlier police statement said officers and emergency services attended a property on Gonpa Road, Collins Creek, after reports a man had collapsed at about 12.40am on Sunday 17 October 2021.
He could not be revived by paramedics.
Neither Solaris nor Kite was required to submit a plea and both will be excused from appearing at the next hearing.
Updated
