Key events
South Australia’s legal and prison systems remained in limbo overnight, AAP reports, as staff consider ending a strike that has shut down courts and forced a 96-hour lockdown for prisoners.
Corrections officers are striking over what they say is an inadequate pay offer, a surge in violence in prisons and a crisis in staffing levels caused by low wages.
More than 1,000 corrections officers across the state voted to strike on Monday and on Thursday voted to extend it to 96 hours. They are striking over what they say is an inadequate pay offer, a surge in violence in prisons and a crisis in staffing levels caused by low wages.
The strike plunged the prison system into a four-day lockdown, with more than 2,000 inmates confined to their cells since 7.30am on Monday.
Union delegates were consulting members late on Thursday and striking staff will reconvene this morning to decide whether to take further action, or reach an agreement with the government.
– with AAP
Tom Silvagni to face court
Convicted rapist Tom Silvagni will face court today for the first time since a suppression over his identity was lifted.
The 23-year-old son of AFL great Stephen Silvagni and television personality Jo Silvagni was found guilty of two counts of rape on 5 December after a two-week trial in the Victorian county court.
He is due to face a pre-sentence hearing this morning.
There had been a suppression over his identity since he was first charged with rape in June 2024, with his lawyers arguing publication could lead to the deterioration of his mental health.
Read more here:
Tom McIlroy
You can read more on the context of Mark Butler’s meeting with state health ministers today here:
Butler and Anthony Albanese are pushing for a deal before the end of the year, ending a funding row dating back to December 2023 when states agreed to help address cost blowouts in the National Disability Insurance Scheme in exchange for more money for public hospitals.
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then Nick Visser will take the controls.
State health ministers will meet their federal counterpart, Mark Butler, today as advocates for elderly Australians say shortages in aged care facilities are putting further pressure on overcrowded hospitals. The federal government is urging them to accept a $20bn boost.
More coming up.
