Good morning Valued Subscriber,
A prominent Canberra lawyer accused of conspiring to launder money is set to face a trial after a court found the case against him has a "reasonable prospect" of success, Hannah Neale reports. Ben Aulich, 51, and accountant Michael Papandrea, 57, are accused of conspiring in 2020 to help an undercover police officer buy a supermarket to launder $100,000 cash per month.
An excited Megan Doherty called the newsroom yesterday to tell us of a dramatic police operation she'd stumbled upon. Using all her news reporting experience, Megan gave us a dramatic tale of guns, drugs and a cubby house , along with compelling photos and video of it unfolding. If you missed the story, make sure you read about the incredible coincidence involving a couple caught up in the drama.
Energy bills have taken a big jump over the past year in part due to the switch to greener energy sources, Steve Evans reports. According to the St Vincent de Paul Society, annual bills have increased by about $350 or 13 per cent since this time last year. And in news that will please future uni students, Education Minister Jason Clare has signalled a willingness to cut the price of university degrees hiked under the previous Coalition government. Dana Daniel reports degrees in communications, humanities and society and culture degrees, which were doubled in cost under the controversial Jobs Ready Graduates scheme, could have their costs be wound back.
We're in for a bit of a wet Friday with afternoon and evening showers predicted. The overnight low was 5 degrees and should reach 17. John-Paul Moloney, managing editor | 