Your speedy update on all the day’s stories, Thursday, July 10 2014
1. Baden-Clay jury chastised for Googling “how to come to a decision”.
The deliberating jury in the Gerard Baden-Clay trial have been brought back to court to be informed they are not allowed to look outside their jury room for anything to do with the trial.
Baden-Clay, 43, has been accused of murdering his wife, Allisson, 43, on 19 April 2012. He has pleaded not guilty, the trial is over and the jury are deliberating their verdict. Today, the jury was called back to the court room where Justice Byrne informed them they had breached protocol. The Daily Telegraph report that a juror downloaded material on how to deliberate on a verdict.
“Now everyone appreciates a juror’s job is rarely easy and we all understand a juror are often anxious about performing their role,” Justine Byrne told the jury. “They want to do it well and responsibly and will look for assistance. But I repeat, that assistance must come from the court and only from the court, and not some external source.”
The jury have a guide approved by the court on deliberating a verdict. The deliberation continues.
2. The carbon tax is here to stay – for now.
Today, the Senate debated whether to repeal the carbon tax put in place by the former Labor government. However, in a surprise move, the Palmer United Party sided with Labor, Greens and the Australian Motoring Enthusiast Party to block the repeal.
The government will “try again” next Thursday and add that the repeal will include ensuring power price cuts to be passed on to customers.
The government remains hopeful that this will result in the carbon tax being repealed.
3. The Gold Coast whale is finally free!
This morning at 8:15am, the whale was finally free swimming through deep water.
The whale had been stuck in 30 centimetres of water since Tuesday night when a resident alerted police and Seaworld and RSPCA staff attended the scene. Yesterday afternoon, the whale was almost free, but hit a sandbar and rolled over by the waves which meant its blow hole was blocked - having rescuers fear it would drown.