The Latest Breaking News from Michael Hodge KC

Supermarket giants brace for ruling on 'fake' discounts

The consumer watchdog's landmark case against Coles and Woolworths over alleged "illusory" discounts is nearing a decision after 18 sessions over two hearings.

AAP · May 1

Woolies cites post-COVID instability in prices stoush

Australia's biggest supermarket chain has defended its discounts, as the consumer watchdog's joint court case against Woolies and Coles nears the finish line.

AAP · Apr 30

Laundry powder price hike 'genuine', Woolies claims

The court stoush between the consumer watchdog and a supermarket giant has heard it used higher short-term prices to accentuate future price drops.

AAP · Apr 28

Frustrated judge criticises Lachlan Murdoch, Crikey in court as defamation battle drags out

A defamation battle being waged between media heir Lachlan Murdoch and the publisher of online news site Crikey appears to be driven by "ego and hubris", a judge has declared.

ABC News · Apr 4, 2023

Regulator's Crown case 'slower than carving up Europe'

AUSTRAC's money laundering lawsuit against Crown has been criticised as taking longer than the divvying up of Europe after Napoleon Bonaparte's downfall.

AAP · Feb 13, 2023

Probe into DNA testing at troubled Queensland lab hears of 'divided allegiances' as $6m inquiry hearings wrap up

Two independent scientists called in from Victoria and New Zealand to inspect Queensland's forensic lab tell an inquiry into botched DNA testing that lab staff had "divided allegiances and a lack of trust".

ABC News · Nov 2, 2022

DNA lab boss 'depicted as Disney villain'

A managing scientist stood aside from duties at Queensland's troubled DNA lab says she was shocked when given five minutes' notice to leave.

AAP · Nov 1, 2022

Senior manager of Queensland's DNA lab questioned about workplace culture, asking which employees were trying to get pregnant

Cathie Allen is asked if it was "acceptable management practice to be asking your senior managers to speculate as to which scientists on the staff are thinking about getting pregnant?"

ABC News · Oct 31, 2022

Queensland forensic lab boss Cathie Allen repeatedly accused of lying to DNA inquiry about crime scene testing processes

A senior manager at Queensland's troubled state-run DNA testing laboratory breaks down in tears as she is repeatedly accused of lying to a commission of inquiry during day two of her evidence.

ABC News · Oct 28, 2022

Queensland forensics lab boss didn't tell health minister when she first became aware of DNA testing problems, inquiry hears

The inquiry hears Lara Keller met with the health minister about problems with DNA testing in June but did mention police had been briefing her about the issues for almost six months.

ABC News · Oct 25, 2022