TRANSCRIPT
- An investigation continues into the death of two sailors during the Sydney to Hobart yacht race
- Victoria's Liberal Party has a new leader after a party room vote
- In cricket, India's Virat Kohli fined after barging into Australian opener Sam Konstas
New South Wales Police Superintendent Joseph McNulty says the bodies of two sailors have been returned to shore and the families are being informed of their deaths - in what has been called a double tragedy.
The deaths happened on board two yachts in the Sydney to Hobart race, after the sailors were hit by sail booms.
They are the first deaths in the race since 1998 when six men died in stormy conditions.
Mr McNulty says both boats are being examined by investigators.
"We believe that at this stage of the early investigation that those vessels may have been changing sails at the time. So they weren't actually sailing with the wind. It's a typical change of sail at sea. We've got our detectives from the water police and far south coast command interviewing all the passengers, all the crew members so we can prepare two briefs for the coroner for this tragic event."
---
In Victoria, Brad Battin replaces John Pesutto as the state opposition leader, after a party room vote.
A spill motion was raised against Mr Pesutto, after a vote to return expelled MP Moira Deeming to the party room.
Mr Pesutto opted not to run in the leadership contest.
Mr Battin was elected over Mornington MP Chris Crewther, while opposition financial spokeswoman Jess Wilson's tilt at the top job failed to pass the first round of voting.
Mr Battin says now the leadership issue has been dealt with, the party can move forward.
"And I can stand here today, as a former police officer proactive patrols to reduce crime in the state and that means you need to fill vacancies that are already there. As we move forward, we will be moving forward as a united team. We will have every goal aimed at what can we put forward to deliver good and positive policy for each Victorian."
---
The NDIS Minister, Bill Shorten, he is encouraged by new data that shows an improvement in the situation facing NDIS participants who are ready to be medically discharged from hospital, but face a lengthy process waiting for somewhere to go.
New data from the National Disability Insurance Agency shows the lowest monthly average recorded in discharge times nationally - from an average of 160 extra days - down to 20 days.
Mr Shorten says the reduction is the result of the government’s investment in the National Disability Insurance Agency so it can work with state health systems and ensure everyone is notified when a participant enters hospital.
He says that ensures planning for their release can start immediately.
"So just a massive hundreds of millions of dollars of saving for the healthcare system. But most importantly, no one wants to be in hospital a minute longer than they have to. Hospital resources are scarce and overstretched. This is the NDIS working well with the healthcare system to make things better for everyone."
---
Organisers behind Sydney New Years Eve fireworks say the final preparations are well in hand.
Spectators coming to see the fireworks on the harbour foreshore are being warned to plan in advance to ensure they secure a viewing spot.
Fireworks director Fortunato Foti says more than 4,500 hours of work has gone into the show, with more than 9 tonnes of fireworks set to be launched.
"Some of the new fireworks this year include things emu track shells, fish shapes, bird shapes, jellyfish shape. We've got four season quadrant shells and we have the Indigenous meeting place shells will form part of the midnight show and the 9pm show. There is going to be a lot happening - but it is coming together and we're looking forward to it."
---
In cricket, India's Virat Kohli has been fined 20 per cent of his match fee after colliding into Australia opener Sam Konstas on day one of the fourth Test in Melbourne.
The International Cricket Council says Kohli has accepted the fine and no formal disciplinary hearing is required.
He is also free to play the fifth and final Test in Sydney next month.
Kohli clashed shoulders with Konstas at the end of the 10th over, after appearing to deliberately change direction to move toward the 19-year-old.
Cricket fan for the Australian team, Oli Davies told SBS Gujarati that he thinks what Kohli did is inappropriate.
"Kohli obviously has been seen a senior player in the world of cricket, obviously a dominant force around the world for a long time, it's not very good for him to set this example like that."
Fan for India's team, Abhishek Sigh says he hopes what happened between Kohli and Konstas doesn't detract from the spirit of the game.
"But I'm not justifying this. Whatever happened was not right for the spirit of the game, this should not be carried forward in a bad way, and whatever things happened should be now involved by those authorities."
