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1 week ago | 
abc.net.au | Ben Butler
A 26-year-old woman is in custody after police allegedly discovered large quantities of explosives during an investigation into stolen cars in the Frankston area. Police allegedly discovered 15 kilograms of explosives, more than 40kg of chemicals used to make explosives and more than 60 detonators when detectives searched a home in Cranbourne linked to Zarna Barbar on Wednesday morning. The bomb squad was called in to "render the items safe", police said.
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1 week ago | 
abc.net.au | Liam Walsh |Ben Butler |Jessica Longbottom
More people have been left scrambling in the wake of a disability accommodation company shutting down operations, including subcontractors, a former AFL footballer and a finance group from Asia. NDISP, which ceased operating this month, has also faced complaints from investors whose properties it oversaw, and from a parent over the care of his son who has a disability.
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1 week ago | 
abc.net.au | Ben Butler
A member of one of Melbourne's most well-known legal dynasties has been accused of being involved in unconscionable conduct in a bitter court battle involving a serial fraudster and a US lawsuit against Uber. Former lawyer Francis Galbally, who is closely involved with the Collingwood Football Club and whose family includes prominent criminal defence lawyers, has been accused in the Federal Court of helping to hand a series of patents — potentially worth billions — to a US company for free.
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2 weeks ago | 
abc.net.au | Ben Butler |Jessica Longbottom |Liam Walsh
Leanne Crumpton's daughter Sally was only three when she died with cerebral palsy. So when the 64-year-old learned about investing in specialty homes suited for people with disability — and the potential windfalls on offer for such NDIS-approved housing — it struck a chord. "I just thought about what it would've been like for her to grow up and be able to have her own home," Ms Crumpton said.
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3 weeks ago | 
abc.net.au | Ben Butler
The Department of Foreign Affairs has toughened its travel advice for the USA three times in just over a month in response to the Trump administration's increasingly harsh border controls. While DFAT has not changed the USA's overall rating from green, which means "exercise normal safety precautions", it has beefed up warnings about being detained at the border and requirements to carry identification while travelling within the country.
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1 month ago | 
abc.net.au | Ben Butler
Authorities have abandoned the prosecution of the man accused of the murder of Melbourne gangland lawyer Joseph “Pino” Acquaro. A spokesperson for the Victorian Office of Public Prosecutions (OPP) said a notice discontinuing the murder charge against tradesman Vincenzo Crupi was filed with the state’s Supreme Court on Friday morning. The OPP did not provide reasons for the decision, but said it followed a review by a committee headed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Brendan Kissane.
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1 month ago | 
abc.net.au | Ben Butler |Jessica Longbottom
The Victorian Building Authority has issued a public warning against a builder based in Melbourne's outer suburbs. The regulator alleges Baba Building Group has engaged in "non-compliant and defective work". Baba Building Group has denied breaching permit conditions or safety requirements. Victoria's building regulator has warned consumers it is investigating a builder over allegations it has built potentially unsafe homes in Melbourne's outer suburbs.
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2 months ago | 
abc.net.au | Jessica Longbottom |Ben Butler |Danielle Bonica
On the western outskirts of Melbourne, where the new estates meet open paddocks, it was clear something wasn't right at number 20, Eshal Crescent. There was a skip out the front overflowing with rubbish, the remnants scattered all over the front yard. Among soft drink bottles and unopened mail were bent spoons and a destroyed Nokia phone. A syringe lay in the gutter across the road. What remained of the front door hung open to the street.
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2 months ago | 
abc.net.au | Jessica Longbottom |Ben Butler |Kate Ashton |Danielle Bonica
Large sums of taxpayer money meant for some of the most vulnerable Australians have been flowing through companies linked to a man named Khawaja Moeen Haroon. While his network has been under investigation for suspected fraud on the NDIS, some of those in his care have been left living in squalor. This is how he built his network, and the human cost to those caught in its web.
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2 months ago | 
abc.net.au | Jade Toomey |Ben Butler
The owner of the embattled Genius childcare group has sold at least six centres to a company headed up by his former business partner. Genius has been in the spotlight for months after growing complaints about unpaid wages, landlord disputes, and child health and safety breaches. Steps Learning will take over six of the centres from early next week. Failed childcare boss Darren Misquitta has sold off a number of his Genius centres to a new company fronted by his former business partner.
