Welcome to the 9News.com.au live blog for Tuesday, August 9, 2022.
Australian musical and entertainment icon Olivia Newton-John has died aged 73 at her California home surrounded by family.
Tributes have poured in for the star including from John Travolta, her co-star in the hit film Grease .
Treasurer Matt Kean has been elected as the New South Wales Liberal Party's new deputy leader. - Olivia Newton-John dies aged 73 - Treasurer Matt Kean elected as new deputy leader of NSW Liberal party - 'I just felt numb': Longtime friend Richard Wilkins reacts to news of Olivia Newton-John's death - Celebrities pay tribute to Olivia Newton-John following her death - Olivia Newton-John Centre team mourns her death as cancer centre marks 10 years - Olivia Newton-John: A life in pictures Police have set up a crime scene at a high school in Gunnedah in the state's north-west after remains were discovered earlier today.
Forensic testing is underway at St Mary's College to confirm whether or not the remains found are human.
Former NSW Liberal minister John Sidoti has been suspended from parliament after being found to have engaged in serious corrupt conduct by the independent corruption watchdog.
Sidoti was suspended from the Legislative Assembly today after he refused to resign following the corruption findings three weeks ago.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) found Sidoti engaged in corrupt conduct to benefit his family's property interests in Sydney's inner west between 2013 and 2017.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has recommended a legal review be conducted into whether the Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres complied with codes of conduct in relation to John Barilaro New York trade job fiasco.
Perrottet said the review will be made public once it is completed.
Barilaro told an inquiry looking into the job acquisition that he flagged his interest in the role with Perrottet on a phone call in November after his resignation from cabinet.
Barilaro also told the inquiry he spoke to then-trade minister Ayres and texted treasurer, now deputy premier, Matt Kean about the role, too.
Queensland Attorney General Shannon Fentiman said the report had identified 'a number of risks' with having seconded police officers working within the CCC, including the risk of influencing the CCC's culture and an overtly 'policing approach' to corruption investigations.
Fentiman said while the report identified police officers should continue to work with the CCC, more 'civillians' should be involved to form 'multi disciplinary teams' with different skill sets.
More training will also be established for CCC investigators as well as the establishment of a strategic prevention unit targeting corruption. "Another recommendation is the CCC will not charge individuals following a corruption investigation unless they have received advice from the director of public prosecutions," Fentiman said. "I think this is a key recommendation part as this inquiry arose from what happened with Logan City Council." This will apply save for 'exceptional circumstances'. "At the heart of this report is that Queenslanders must have confidence in the corruption watchdog, it plays an integral part in our integrity system," Fentiman said.
The search for four missing people who police believe were driving from Queensland to New South Wales is continuing today.
A 27-year old woman and her two young children, aged two and four, as well as their 50-year-old grandmother were recently reported missing from Queensland's far west.
Last seen at the Noccundra Hotel on Warry Gate Road, Police believe the family have gone missing while making their way to Packsaddle in remote NSW.
Police have been told that this stop was part of their journey to Adelaide.
Major land searches are taking place today across Tibooburra, Broken Hill, Wilcannia, Packsaddle, NSW.
Tony Fitzgerald has handed down the findings of his six month investigation into Queensland's Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC), following allegations of failings.
Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she had received the report this afternoon, which included 32 recommendations to improve the crime and corruption watchdog that was established after the Fitzgerald inquiry in the 1980s.
The inquiry was commissioned following the dismissal of several Logan councillors who were later exonerated of corruption allegations by the CCC. "On the face of [the recommendations] there is nothing here I cannot see our government implementing," the premier said of the recommendations. "The CCC must involve public approval, respect and trust. "I thank them for their work.
It has been very very comprehensive." The report will be publicly released today and will go to cabinet on Monday.
There have been reports of an "electrical explosion" at a Google data centre in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
The Council Bluffs Police department said the incident - which has left three people critically injured - took place just before midday.
A Google spokesperson gave this statement: "We are aware of an electrical incident that took place today at Google's data center in Council Bluffs, Iowa, injuring three people onsite who are now being treated.
The health and safety of all workers is our absolute top priority, and we are working closely with partners and local authorities to thoroughly investigate the situation and provide assistance as needed." There are 23 Google data centres around the world. © Nine Digital Pty Ltd 2022 Property News: Sunny playground where the growth is only just beginning - domain.com.au Online Coupons and Best Deals Watch the final season of Better Call Saul now on Stan.
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