Holly Stearnes

Farmers are storming the steps of Victoria’s state parliament over plans for hefty penalties to be handed down to landowners unwilling to budge in the government’s “desperation” to pursue an all-renewables approach. Proposed laws will allow the Allan government access to transmission workers onto private land in order, with those who resist facing fines of more than $12,000 fines for refusing.

Furious Victorian farmers have joined the battle against Australia’s march toward renewables, protesting transmission lines cutting through their prime agricultural land. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has proposed a new bill to allow transmission workers onto private property and fine owners who refuse more than $12,000. Farmer Ben Duxson, from Marnoo in the state’s western Wimmera reason, accused the Allan government of trying to “overrun and bully” land owners.

Erin Patterson has concluded eight days of cross-examination, firmly denying any suggestion she intended to kill her relatives using death cap mushrooms. The accused triple murderer gave her final answers in the witness box. Ms Patterson has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. Now, her fate lies with the jury who must decide if it was all a tragic accident or a calculated plan to kill.