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Corby finally outside of villa

Written By Unknown on Senin, 03 Maret 2014 | 03.30

In an interview for Seven's Sunday Night, Mercedes Corby talks to Mike Willesee about Schapelle and how her sister feels after her release from a Bali prison. Courtesy Channel 7/Sunday Night

THREE weeks after her release from jail, Schapelle Corby has finally left the Seminyak villa where she has been holed up and gone to the central Kuta home of her brother-in-law's family.

Her move out of the luxury villa comes as Indonesia's Deputy Justice Minister ordered the Bali parole authority to summon Corby's sister Mercedes about her weekend media interview.

Denny Indrayana suggested that conducting the interview may have been a way of circumventing the interview ban imposed by the Government.

SCHAPELLE A SUNDAY NIGHT FIZZER

Emotional ... Mercedes Corby tears up during the <i>Sunday Night </i>interview.

Corby and her family had been staying at the Sentosa Seminyak villas since her release from jail 22 days ago where Channel 7's Sunday Night was paying for a team of private security guards.

But today News Corp Australia confirmed that Corby has now moved to the traditional Balinese family compound where Mercedes and her husband Wayan Widyartha and their family live.

A relative said Corby had come to the house late on Sunday night and had gone out early this morning.

Freedom ... an overjoyed Schapelle Corby kisses sister Mercedes after being released from Kerobokan. Picture: Seven, Sunday Night Source: Supplied

Whilst Corby spent three weeks in a luxury villa, she was watched over by security and a team from the Sunday Night program.

Her move to the Kuta home will be the first time she has really lived in the community in the best part of a decade.

In the wake of her release from jail, Indonesia's Justice Minister banned Corby from doing any media interviews and warned she could be put back in jail for parole.

Instead, Mercedes was interviewed on Sunday Night, and the deputy Justice Minister has ordered the Bali parole board to call her in for an explanation.

Mr Indrayana, speaking on Indonesian Metro TV, says his ministry officials in Jakarta will watch the Channel 7 Sunday Night program in its entirety before making any decision on what if any action to take.

Change of plan ... Channel Seven ran a watered-down version of the Schapelle Corby program after the Indonesian Government's ban. Picture: Seven, Sunday Night Source: Supplied

It comes as some in Indonesian politics call for Corby's parole to be revoked.

The ban on Corby doing a media interview meant that Channel 7's Sunday Night last night ran a watered-down version of what it was intending.

There was no interview with Corby but an interview with Mercedes and stills and video images of Corby's first moments of freedom, first meal in a restaurant and swim in the ocean.

Channel 7 promised that when Corby is able to speak they will put the hard questions to her and run her interview.

He said he had instructed Justice ministry officials to watch the whole program and report back to him.

And he has told officials in Bali to summon Mercedes Corby.

"I have already told the Bapas (parole board) to summon Mercedes and ask for an explanation, "Mr Indrayana.

He said people also had a right to free speech and the whole issue and the program needed to be reviewed.

"An important decision like this, without seeing the whole program, I think is not good," MrIndrayana said.

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Pistorius pleads not guilty to murder

The Oscar Pistorius murder trial is set to begin with the Olympian facing a life sentence if convicted.

Trial begins ... South African amputee Olympian sprinter Oscar Pistorius (left) arrives, watched by June Steenkamp (right), mother of Reeva Steenkamp, in the High Court in Pretoria. Source: AFP

OSCAR Pistorius has pleaded not guilty to murdering his girlfriend on Valentine's Day last year, marking the start of the Olympian's murder trial.

The trial started 90 minutes late after an Afrikaans interpreter was delayed and two women entered the courtroom trying to see the proceedings.

One woman claimed she knew Pistorius' late mother, Sheila, and had knowledge of Pistorius' character, while another said she was the ex-wife of the doctor who had amputated his legs.

Pistorius plead not guilty to all four charges against him: murder, two charges relating to discharge of firearm in a public place and one charge of illegal possession of ammunition.

Pistorius was ambushed by cameras as he made his way through the building to the courtroom.

Crowds of media gathered outside the court for the case, which has already attracted global attention.

Global interest ... Oscar Pistorius, front left, arrives for his trial at the high court in Pretoria flanked by media. Source: AP

Before the trial started he walked past the victim's mother who says she came to court so she can "really look him in the eyes".

She stared at him coldly for several minutes, journalists in the court said.

READ: OSCAR PISTORIUS - WHAT REALLY HAPPENED?

The double-amputee athlete is charged with murder with premeditation in the shooting death of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in the pre-dawn hours of February 14, 2013.

A mother's anguish ... June Steenkamp (centre), the mother of Reeva Steenkamp, arrives at North Gauteng High Court. Source: Getty Images

Pistorius says he shot Steenkamp by accident, thinking she was an intruder inside his bathroom.

Steenkamp's mother, June, earlier entered the court dressed in black.

She was quoted in the Pretoria News, which published an interview she gave to a British newspaper, saying that she wants to see Pistorius.

"I want to look at Oscar, really look him in the eyes, and see for myself the truth about what he did to Reeva,'' said June Steenkamp, 67.

Agonising wait ... Oscar Pistorius looks on in the High Court in Pretoria. Source: AFP

"Whatever the court decides at the end of his trial, I will be ready to forgive him ... But first I want to force him to look at me, Reeva's mother, and see the pain and anguish he has inflicted on me. I feel I need that.''

Pistorius arrived at the high court in Pretoria wearing a dark gray suit and black tie.

June Steenkamp was seated on the same bench as Pistorius' family, and behind Pistorius so there is a possibility that their eyes will lock during the trial.

Prosecutors charged Pistorius, 27, with murder and say it was with premeditation. They say they will seek a life sentence if Pistorius is convicted.

The state says Pistorius intentionally killed Steenkamp by shooting her through a toilet door after an argument.

Pistorius denies murder and says he killed his girlfriend by mistake when he fired four times through the door thinking there was a dangerous intruder on the other side.

But, prosecutors say he had a heated row with his girlfriend in the hours before the shooting — with several witnesses claiming to have heard the couple arguing.

Legal advice ... Oscar Pistorius (right) speaks with his lawyer Barry Roux in the High Court in Pretoria. Source: AFP

His trial is expected to hear from more than 100 witnesses, including neighbours who claim to have heard screams from his house that night, as well as former girlfriends of the athlete.

Betting agency Paddy Power caused uproar on the weekend when it opened up a market on the trial.

The agency has beenx riticised for offering customers a refund if Pistorius is found not guilty,

but the latest offer of "money back if he walks" has incensed people further.

Last month, Reeva's father Barry Steenkamp said he bore the athlete no animosity.

Tough day ... Oscar Pistorius takes a moment to rehydrate in the High Court in Pretoria. Source: AFP

Pistorius broke down in tears in court when he was formally charged with Reeva's premeditated murder and Mr Steenkamp told the Daily Mail: "He must be going through things that we don't know about. There is no hatred in our hearts."

Yesterday the track star dubbed the "Blade Runner", a hero to South Africans, thanked the people that supported him since he shot dead his girlfriend in a message on his Facebook profile.

"Thank you for the continued support and words of encouragement during this difficult time," the post read.

On Saturday, Pistorius's family issued a statement in which they reiterated their support for him, but they also called for an end to "public commentary" on his murder trial.

"With less than two days before the start of Oscar's criminal trial, the family as well as the legal team will not be distracted by extraneous issues that have no bearing on, or relevance to, the legal process that must now be allowed to unfold," his uncle Arnold Pistorius said.

"We will not be commenting on any media reports, nor will we be engaging the press on any issues that belong in court. The time for public commentary is over. The focus is now entirely on a very serious trial ... We love Oscar, and believe in him, and will be standing by him."

Gone too soon ... Reeva Steenkamp with Oscar Pistorius in Johannesburg on January 26, 2013. Source: AFP

Meanwhile, South African police who went to the US last week to ask Apple technicians to recover encrypted content from one of Pistorius's iPhones have retrieved crucial information from the device.

The three senior officers were able to retrieve text and WhatsApp messages from the phone, South Africa's Sunday Times reported yesterday.

Family support ... police try to hold back the media as Carl Pistorius (centre) the brother of Oscar Pistorius, arrives at North Gauteng High Court. Source: Getty Images

The intense public interest in the Pistorius trial is shown by the launching Sunday night of a 24-hour cable channel devoted to covering the court case.

If convicted on the murder charge, Pistorius could be sent to prison for at least 25 years before the chance of parole, the minimum time someone must serve if given a life sentence in South Africa. He would be older than 50 before he could be released.

A lesser sentence is possible if Pistorius is found guilty of murder but without premeditation. He also could be convicted of culpable homicide, South Africa's version of manslaughter in which someone is killed through negligence.

As well as murder, Pistorius faces a second charge of illegal possession of ammunition for bullets found at his Pretoria house that he allegedly didn't have proper licensing for. Prosecutors say he also will be indicted tonight with two more gun charges relating to him allegedly shooting in public on two separate occasions before Reeva's killing.

Sisterhood ... members of South Africa's ruling African National Congress Women's League protest outside Pretoria's North Gauteng High Court. Source: AFP

Those incidents happened in the court jurisdiction of the city of Johannesburg, not where Reeva was killed in Pretoria, and prosecutors applied to have the two charges included and heard at his murder trial.

Female judge Thokozile Masipa will ultimately pronounce the champion runner innocent or guilty and will decide on any sentence. South Africa has no trial by jury.

Parts of the trial will be broadcast on live television, both in South Africa and across the world, and hundreds of reporters are expected to descend on North Gauteng High Court in the South African capital for the start of the trial. The 24-hour cable channel devoted solely to the trial will continue until the case is finished.

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���We should never have come on this show. Ever’

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 02 Maret 2014 | 03.30

On The Block, Fans v Faves, Alisa and Lysandra have a major dummy spit over the fairness of the shows judging and threaten to leave the show. Courtesy: The Block/Nine Network

Alisa and Lysandra were less than impressed with the judges' feedback. Source: Channel 9

THE Block's feisty twins Alisa and Lysandra have threatened to walk off the show in an explosive F-bomb laden rant after receiving harsh feedback on their latest room reveal.

The duo, once labelled the "bathroom queens", were so furious at being awarded a score of five for their room that they accused the judges of favouritism and said they "should never have come on this show".

More: Lysandra's ex-husband blindsided by end of marriage

Their controversial bathroom was slammed as "bizarre" and "uncomfortable" by the judges, with Shaynna Blaze adding that it wouldn't sell their property.

More: War of words breaks out between The Block's Steve and producers

Alisa was in tears after the scores were revealed. Source: Channel 9

"It comes across as try-hard," Blaze said.

While Neale Maynard described it as "bizarre" and he felt "boxed in" and "uncomfortable".

Added Darren Palmer: "It hasn't been planned well. That's something you can't fix."

And as the scores 6.5, 5 and 7 were revealed, Alisa only had two words; "that's bulls***".

Kyle and Kara received three perfect tens which only added to their fury as they stormed out of the building in tears.

"Any more and I'll be f***ing walking, I'll be f***ing walking," said an enraged Alisa.

"F*** them, F*** them, F*** them, you know F*** them.

The girls had described their area as an "unworkable" space and believed they did the best they could. Source: Channel 9

"I'm f***ing sick of it, enough is enough, if you're (producers) going to be like this then we may as well go home.

"Kyle and Kara produced probably the worst room of The Block and they get 6.5, is that really f***ing fair? Is it? It's not.

"That is not a five bathroom.

"It's all about fairness and it's f***ing so obvious what's happening and it's not fair."

Added Lysandra: "It doesn't matter how hard we work to produce anything anymore, it doesn't matter.

"We're halfway and we've been pretty good about it."

Alisa and Lysandra said the scores were "bulls***". Source: Channel 9

When a producer asked the twins if they were serious about walking off, Alisa replied: "If they keep up this f***ing five bulls**t, then f***ing oath, we've got a reputation to uphold."

As the girls got into their car and drove away one of them was heard saying: "We should never have come on this show. Ever. That's my biggest regret."

The comments came after host Scotty Cam questioned the girls commitment to the project, saying they were acting more like Geordie Shore-style reality stars that live in a share house and "party too hard", than contestants on The Block.

The twins' bathroom Source: Channel 9

"It's simple, nice, understated and we're happy with it," they said. Source: Channel 9

The twins had been out the night before only to confess the next day that they were still drunk, spending more time debating which McMuffin to eat than thinking about their room reveal.

Foreman Keith Schleiger also said the twins were "in trouble at the moment" as they weren't winning any challenges and were low on money.

But despite the criticism, the girls said they felt they were in with a chance of winning and loved their room.

"It's simple, nice, understated and we're happy with it," they said.

Kyle and Kara's "perfect" bathroom on The Block. Source: Channel 9

Have the girls fallen from their Sky High heights or are the judges being unfair? Leave your comments below and join the debate on Twitter @newscomauHQ


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Angels and demons: what you missed on Housewives

From left: Lydia Schiavello, Andrea Moss, Jackie Gillies, Janet Roach, Gina Liano and Chyka Keebaugh. Mad, the lot of them. Source: News Limited

THIS week on Real Housewives of Melbourne: Lydia flirts wildly with her own stepson, Jackie continues to perpetuate the myth that her husband looks like Johnny Depp, and Gina discovers it's remarkably easy to make a psychic cry in public. Well done, Gina.

LYDIA

Lydia Schiavello and husband Andrew Norbury. Not shown: her hunky adult stepson. Source: News Limited

Lydia takes her adult stepson Sam on a shopping excursion. She explains that Sam is studying commerce at uni, except that she pronounces it 'commas'.

She says Sam "does love beautiful things; I guess that's why he loves hanging out with his stepmum." Soon she starts modelling a see-through Dita Von Teese negligee for him in the middle of the store.

"Sam's such a big spunk. Oops, did I say that?"

It's all a bit Woody and Soon-Yi, to be honest.

The ridiculous ladies of Real Housewives in their own words

Jackie Gillies: 'I'm the new girl at school'

Later, Lydia invites Newcastle girl Jackie to an art gallery for a one-on-one catch-up. She tries to bond with the new girl in town by offering up a totally relatable anecdote about how great it is to have her own private jet.

You see, when Lydia used to have to fly on passenger planes like some sort of Dickensian street urchin, she wasn't allowed to bring her Chanel perfume on carry-on. And sometimes she needed it, because there are often "really smelly people" on planes.

We'd love to know what Jackie's angels were telling her at that moment.

JACKIE

Jackie Gillies, guided by feathers. Source: News Corp Australia

You thought Jackie's insanity peaked last week when she said her ex-Silverchair hubby Ben Gillies was the spitting image of Johnny Depp? You thought wrong.

This week, Jackie and Ben decide to start their own line of alcoholic beverages, because they both love drinking. During a meeting, the couple's business partner explains that the alcohol market is extremely competitive, and it may not be a good idea to launch a new brand from scratch.

Jackie's response?

"That goes straight over my head because for me, I believe things can happen. I see a thought, I feel a thought, I see it, and I move forward with it. Just do it, because it's gonna happen. For me psychically, do I see this being a massive success? YES."

I guess that means it's only a matter of time before Jackie & Ben's Totally Bitchin' Rock Star Angel Juice appears in all good liquor stores.

Later at home, Jackie gets a visit from her 'BFF,' wedding dress designer Henry Roth. Their friendship seems a little ... forced. Here's a taste:

Henry: "You're my number one in my heart you know that!"

Jackie: "Oh don't. You're gonna make me cry!"

Jackie: "Now let's get the champers, let's go upstairs and lets converse!"

Henry: "LET'S DO IT AND LET'S DO IT INTENSELY!!!!!!"

Henry and Jackie then decide that it'd be fun for her to try on her old wedding dress. So they do it and they do it INTENSELY!!!!!

ANDREA

Andrea Moss (at right) with Lydia. Not shown: the nanny she's standing on. Picture: Simon Cross Source: News Corp Australia

This week, we get a further glimpse into Andrea's home life as the mother of three young children. Andrea has a multi-page checklist for her children's nanny that includes detailed instructions on everything from meal times to bed times, from bathing the kids to feeding the dog.

She says she plans to turn this checklist into a book for other mums to buy. We think we'd rather purchase Jackie's booze.

We learn that when Andrea's poor nanny goes to the park, she has to bring the 'nanny phone' — some third-world Nokia handset without internet access — and leave her own phone at home, so she doesn't get distracted takin' selfies and cruisin' dudes on Tinder.

"Your focus has to be on the children all the time, not on texting your boyfriend 'cos you've just had a fight," Andrea explains to the permanently silent nanny, who responds with a look that says: I WILL CUT YOU.

CHYKA AND JANET

Chyka, we want to love you, but you keep getting stuck with the boring subplots. Source: News Corp Australia

Janet and Chyka got the dud subplot this week, as they headed to a jewellery store to melt down Janet's old wedding and engagement rings in a symbolic act of single-girl liberation.

Moving, in theory, but watching the pair huddled out the back of a shop with an elderly jeweller as he laboriously melted the rings down by hand felt like a particularly dull Sovereign Hill primary school excursion.

GINA

Gina was our favourite even BEFORE she accused one of the other cast members of demonic possession. Source: News Corp Australia

Still smarting from Jackie's 'psychic' announcement last week that her partner is having an affair, this week glam barrister Gina goes in for the kill.

The pair meet at a coffee shop; Gina resplendent in a hot-pink, skin-tight, fur-trimmed outfit that makes her look like the love child of Maria Venuti and Miss Piggy.

When Jackie reiterates that the affair comment came not from her, but from her 'angels', Gina sees red. She calls Jackie a sorcerer and says that the figures she sees are not angels, but DEMONS.

Gina: "It's demonic, it's not of god."

Jackie: "I think you're a demon with the way you're acting."

With that, Jackie bursts into tears, frantically dabbing her eyes with a napkin, while Gina sits perfectly poised sipping her latte, a smirk on her face.

"In court, I usually stop when they cry," she shrugs.

See the next episode of Real Housewives of Melbourne, 8:30pm next Sunday on Foxtel's Arena Channel.

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What you look like to a Photoshop artist

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 28 Februari 2014 | 03.30

This graphic shows some of the work this TV show cast would receive in Photoshop. Picture: Supplied Source: NewsComAu

THIS is the proof no one is perfect.

When a photographer looks through the lens, this is apparently what he sees. Even when dealing with some of the best looking people in show business.

America's morning show, Today, tweeted this picture out to their fans this morning.

Before the editing team went crazy in Photoshop. Source: Twitter

The photo was edited by a Cosmopolitan editor Joanna Coles as part of the show's "Love Your Selfie"campaigns. The series focuses on body image and viewers feeling comfortable being themselves.

After the extreme Photoshop session. Source: Twitter

The audience took to Twitter to express their reactions to the stunt. One wrote:

"I like the first one better, honestly!' Another said: 'That is just crazy. There is no room to be yourself when you photoshop."


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Qantas planes collide at LAX

Qantas planes, pictured at Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

TWO Qantas passenger jets have collided with each other at Los Angeles International Airport, damaging both aircraft.

The wing tips of a superjumbo A380 and a Boeing 747 struck around 4pm AEST as the planes were being towed out of a hangar. No passengers were on board.

The damage was substantial enough to force the cancellation of flight QF94 to Melbourne and QF16 to Brisbane.

The incident comes after the troubled airliner this week announced plans to slash more than 5000 jobs, retire ageing planes and sell off terminals in an attempt to cut costs by $2 billion over three years.

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce announced the drastic cuts on Thursday. Picture: AAP Source: AAP

Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association federal secretary Steve Purvinas - whose members are responsible for some of the airline's maintenance - said on Twitter he estimated the repair bill would run into the millions.

"Qantas A380 and B747 will be on the deck for a long time after accident in LAX," he said. "Thankfully the collision was on the ground."

A Qantas spokeswoman told news.com.au the damage bill claims were "unsubstantiated".

QANTAS ANNOUNCES 5000 JOBS AXED

WHAT THE QANTAS CUTS MEANS FOR YOU

The airliner has launched an investigation and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has been notified.

CASA spokesman Peter Gibson said the agency deployed extra safety inspectors to the Qantas bases across Australia following yesterday's announcement.

Qantas said customers would be put up in hotel rooms and accommodated on the next available flight.

While uncommon, collisions between taxiing aircraft do occur.

In August, a Virgin Australia plane carrying 175 passengers collided with an empty Jetstar plan at Melbourne Airport, causing $3 million damage.


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Truth about The Bachelor ‘nightmare’ revealed

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 27 Februari 2014 | 03.30

The Bachelor is an "a**hole" says Andi Dorfman, who eliminated herself from the show last night. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

"A**hole": The Bachelor's Juan Pablos Galavis Source: Getty Images

HISTORY was made on US television last night when a reality show contestant told The Bachelor's Juan Pablo Galavis — and millions of viewers — that he was an "a**hole".

Lawyer Andi Dorfman described her night alone with Juan Pablo in a "fantasy suite" as a "nightmare" she could not wait to end.

She didn't even like the guy, let alone love him. In fact, the thought of spending another moment with him was so unbearable that she had decided to leave the show.

"Not once did he really ask anything about me," Dorfman told the cameras. "I'm not unsure. I know he's not the one."

She accused Juan Pablo of being "inappropriate" and called him out for constantly using the "language barrier" defence.

He used "honesty" as an excuse for making hurtful comments, was selfish and sexist, she said.

"There's a difference between being honest and being an a**hole," Dorfman told him during their date.

Equally amazing, as Huffington Post columnist Emma Gray pointed out, was that the show's producers allowed her comments to be aired.

"The fact that Andi announced the relationship was over before Juan Pablo had a chance to — and was allowed by ABC to do so — is damn near revolutionary in the Bachelor world," Gray wrote.

"Like (former contestant) Sharleen Joynt who placed out (by choice) before her, Andi just didn't want to date Juan Pablo and wasn't going to fake it once she realised that for sure."

And in news just in, Dorfman has been tipped as the frontrunner for the next season of The Bachelorette. Well played.

READ MORE: Juan Pablo made headlines when he said he didn't want to see gay people on The Bachelor and went on to suggest he doesn't "understand" gay parenting.


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Seven to air Corby program

CHANNEL Seven will air unseen footage of Schapelle Corby on its Sunday Night program this weekend.

The segment, which the network is promoting on its Facebook page, is a pull-together of previously unseen footage of Corby and her interactions with family members in order to get past the Indonesian intervew ban.

Mercedes, may be interviewed as the ban does not apply to her.

Aspokeswomanfor Sunday Night told News Corp: "There's no interview with Schapelle, and no payment was made.

Schapelle Corby is ecstatic as she is driven away from Kerobokan.

"It's a compelling piece of journalism that captures the moments and days after Schapelle stepped behind the door of the villa and experienced freedom for the first time in nine-and-a-half years."

The footage shows an overwhelmed Corby, her face shrouded in the scarf and hat she wore when leaving prison, being driven from Kerobokan.

The footage shows a beaming Schapelle Corby Skypeing her relatives in Australia after her release.

Hunched over in the back seat, Croby utters her first words since leaving prison: "I feel like a, I feel like a crab."

Arriving at the exclusive Sentosa Seminyak resort, Corby squeals in delight as she greets her family, jumping and down in excitement.

Her brother-in-law Wayan, the husband of her sister Mercedes, thrusts his fist into the air in jubilation.

Taking her scarf and hat off, she embraces her sister Mercedes and hugs her nephew and niece.

Schapelle Corby has been holed up in a luxury Bali resort courtesy of Seven since her release after serving nine years for smuggling drugs into Bali.

The Indonesian government has blocked her tell-all interview with veteran journalist Mike Willesee, threatening to breach her parole and send her back to jail.


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ASADA probe finalised minus Dank

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 26 Februari 2014 | 03.30

Former Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan has been questioned by the NRL over his attendance at the Sharks' trial match on the weekend, with Dave Smith confirming he could be punished for his actions.

Stephen Damk. Source: News Limited

ASADA's investigation into possible doping offences in the NRL and AFL has officially concluded – minus an interview with the probe's central figure: sports scientist Stephen Dank.

The major development was revealed at Wednesday's Senate Estimates Hearing in Canberra, where ASADA boss Aurora Andruska uttered her first words about the investigation for almost nine months.

Andruska confirmed the information gathering phase of the probe was now over, with ASADA's attention now fixed upon whether there's enough evidence to justify infraction notices against any of the dozens of players who have been interviewed since May 2013.

Picture: Jon Hargest. Stephen Dank leaves his house in Ascott Vale Source: News Limited

ASADA recently announced the probe has consisted of more than 280 interviews with players, coaches, supplement providers, doctors, chemists and others with links to overall investigation.

But Dank – the common denominator of supplement programs that have put Essendon and Cronulla under scrutiny for systemic doping – has not been interrogated, with his barrister this week confirming the sports scientist had never been issued with a Disclosure Notice compelling him to front ASADA.

Dank has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Disclosure Notices were handed to 13 individuals, including Dank's associate and supplement salesman, Darren 'The Gazelle' Hibbert, has admitted to maintaining private relationships with several NRL stars but maintains he never supplied athletes with banned performance-enhancing substances.

Andruska recently announced that she would depart in May, which is expected to co-incide with a determination on which individuals – if any – will receive infraction notices.

A light at the end of the long and frustrating tunnel first appeared earlier this month, when Federal Sports minister Peter Dutton engaged ex-Federal Court judge Garry Downes to review the investigation.

Dutton also declared Downes would be expected to provide an assessment by April.

Fronting the Committee for less than ten minutes on Wednesday afternoon, Andruska shed further light on Downe's role and the time frame for conclusion.

She told the Committee that briefs were now being prepared on each individual – including more than 30 players from across eight NRL clubs – who had been investigated.

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Downes will review the briefs and have the final say over whether each one contains another evidence to be escalated to the Anti-Doping Violation Panel for preparation of an infraction notice.

"Mr Downes will look at the information and the evidence and say how the cases will be taken forward," Andruska told the Committee.

"He's providing an independent view. This has been an investigation that's been under extreme scrutiny from the beginning. At some point someone was going to come into ASADA and undertake a complete review."

Andruska also revealed forensic auditors Deloitte had been invited to investigate whether ASADA was guilty of leaks, along with the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

She told the Committee that review had returned no evidence of leaks on ASADA's behalf.

Former Raiders winger Sandor Earl remains the lone person to receive an infraction notice – and he's now been waiting almost six months for confirmation of his suspension period.

Earl has applied to have a maximum four year ban for use and trafficking of banned peptide CJC-1295 reduced to 12 months, in exchange for "significant assistance" about Dank's alleged role in supplying the substances.


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New laws a first for motorcyclists

Get on your bike: new laws have been announced for motorcyclists in NSW. Source: News Limited

LANE filtering by motorcyclists today is legal in NSW in an Australian first aimed at easing traffic congestion and boosting road safety.

The practice involves riders travelling between lanes of halted or slow-moving cars, usually in central city areas. This includes motorcycles travelling within a lane, on the lane line or into the adjacent lane when filtering.

Government approval of the practice, announced this evening by NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay, follows a three-month trial in Sydney CBD areas.

NSW roads and ports minister Duncan Gay has announced new laws for motorcyclists. Picture: Damian Shaw Source: Supplied

It is expected to provide a model for all other states where laws on the practice are vague and most riders are unsure whether they are within the law. Police services have been among the groups seeking clarification of the legal position.

Filtering speeds up gridlocked traffic by removing motorcycles from the queues, and lessens the risk of riders being rear-ended by car drivers, the most-common motorcycle accident.

"Ultimately riders are doing drivers a big fat favour by lane filtering and reducing congestion for all. This also highlights the fact that the community consultation process in NSW is alive and well," said Christopher Burns, spokesman for the Motorcycle Council of NSW.

"Lane Filtering also has the benefit of reducing congestion as motorcycles are not taking up the equivalent of a car space and with close to 4000 motorcycles travelling into the Sydney CBD every weekday one can easily estimate the benefits to car drivers."

Motorcyclists will now be able to travel between lanes of halted or slow-moving cars. Source: News Limited

The practice has restrictions.

During the trials riders were not allowed to travel through moving traffic, known as lane splitting, or allowed to overtake to the left of a vehicle in the left-hand lane.

When traffic was queued at intersections, riders could move forward but had to stop behind the stop-line. And riders were not allowed in bus-only lanes.

Car and truck drivers will now have to get used to the possibility that a motorcycle might be squeezing past them in stalled traffic.

Drivers will be urged to watch both their mirrors and look for motorbikes filtering through the traffic, and riders will have to assess risks and if it looks dangerous, ride accordingly.

The Motorcycle Council congratulated Mr Gay and the Government for legalising what Mr Burns said had been "common practice for motorcycle riders across the country and overseas for decades".


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