What’s trending today on the Herald Sun?
Mystery hangs over mushrooms used in deadly meal, Aussie surfers missing at sea found safe and AFL experts predict the final ladder. These are the Herald Sun’s top stories of the day.
News
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Need a quick primer on the news you missed? Here’s a quick rundown of the top-trending stories on the Herald Sun today.
VIC NEWS
Mystery hangs over mushrooms used in deadly meal
There are no alerts out for any mushrooms for sale across the state, according to Victoria’s Health Department, with Asian shops across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs reassuring consumers they have had no issues with their products.
The woman who cooked a deadly beef Wellington that killed three people has claimed she only used dried mushrooms bought at an Asian grocery store and button mushrooms purchased from a supermarket.
Given Ms Patterson’s claims, the Herald Sun asked Victoria’s Health Department whether any concerns had been raised about mushrooms being sold anywhere in Victoria, or if any had been recently recalled.
A department spokesman referred the newspaper to the latest health advisories and alerts published by Victoria’s chief health officer, as well as the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) recalls database.
No mushroom alerts were listed by the CHO.
Eleven Asian grocery stores in and around the Mount Waverley and Glen Waverley areas visited by the Herald Sun today also reassured consumers none of their mushroom products had been recalled, adding they had not received any inquiries from police regarding Ms Patterson’s claims.
Read Brooke Grebert-Craig’s full report
Dan backs D’Ambrosio as ‘person of character’ after Labor branch revelations
Daniel Andrews has backed one of his key ministers after reports she was involved in serious branch-stacking, saying there was “no comparison” to what was revealed during the 2020 branch-stacking probe.
The Victorian ALP branch associated with Climate Action, Energy and Resources Minister Lily D’Ambrosio has been accused of forging the signatures of at least two dead people on party membership forms.
Leaked documents from a 2020 Victorian branch-stacking investigation showed that only 13 of the 132 members signed up by the Lalor South branch – associated with Climate Action, Energy and Resources Minister Lily D’Ambrosio – remained on the books after the probe was carried out, according to The Australian.
Two men whose memberships of the branch were renewed for two years after their deaths was also uncovered.
But the Premier on Tuesday said there was no foundation to any allegations against the Energy Minister, denying that an investigation should be brought against her.
Read Carly Douglas’ full report
Labor MP Fowles booted from Electoral Matters Committee
Axed MP Will Fowles has been kicked off Victorian parliament’s Electoral Matters Committee.
It comes as the backbench MP says he still doesn’t know the full detail of the allegations behind his forced resignation.
Mr Fowles resigned following a two-day investigation by the Premier’s Office into an alleged assault earlier this month.
But despite a referral being made to Victoria Police by the government, no formal police complaint has been made or further investigation launched.
The Andrews government on Tuesday successfully moved a motion to replace him as chair of the committee with first term MP Luba Grigorovitch.
Read Mitch Clarke and Shannon Deery’s ful report
COURTS
Billionaire learns fate after drug ‘remnants’ found on private jet
One of Australia’s richest men, who was busted for drug possession moments after stepping off his luxury long-range jet, will be able to take to the skies with a clean criminal record. Perth billionaire Laurence Escalante, 41, fronted the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday where he escaped conviction for possessing “unlawfully imported” small quantities of cocaine, ecstasy and LSD.
The Herald Sun last week revealed that the gaming and tech entrepreneur, estimated to be worth a whopping $3.4bn, had soared into Melbourne on his private plane to plead guilty to the charge.
The court heard how Escalante flew into Tullamarine on his jet – dubbed the “Ferrari of the Skies” – in May last year after a weekend bender in Las Vegas.
Read Laura Placella’s full report
NATIONAL
All four missing Aussie surfers located after storm disaster
All four Australian tourists missing off the coast of Indonesia have been found alive, after two days spent surviving by floating on surfboards in the water.
Elliot Foote text his father Peter about 12.30pm on Tuesday to tell him he was safe and well, after his girlfriend Steph Weisse, Jordan Short and Will Teagle, were rescued about 11am AEST.
“Hey Dad, Elliot here. I am alive, safe now, love you. Chat later,” Elliot texted his father.
It is understood Elliot had left behind Steph, Jordan and Will to go in search of help, paddling towards a nearby island.
His girlfriend and two mates were then rescued as a group, while a boat continued to look for Elliot around his last known location.
Read the Daily Telegraph’s full coverage
SPORT
Poms fury as Matildas fans ‘steal’ World Cup tickets
Women’s World Cup semi-final tickets intended for England fans have been snatched up by Aussies - meaning less than 10 per cent of the crowd is likely to be English.
The Lionesses claimed their spot in the final four with a 2-1 win over Colombia on Saturday.
They are now set to face tournament co-hosts Australia at the 83,500-seater Accor Stadium in Sydney.
An additional 1,970 tickets - solely intended for England fans - were released over the weekend in preparation for the clash.
The Football Association provided the access code ‘Lioness’ exclusively for those supporting Sarina Wiegman’s side.
However, a number of Australian fans have used the code to buy tickets instead.
And barely any England supporters were able to get tickets as a result, leaving UK fans furious.
“I’m actually raging” one fan fumed.
“I hope anyone that has a ticket in those sections gives them as much s*** as possible! So livid.” Read more in our rolling World Cup live blog.
Brutal snub: Matildas hero left out in cold
She was the Matildas hero in goal on Saturday night pulling off three miracle penalty saves to help Australia secure a World Cup semi-final berth but goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold has been hit by the most brutal of snubs.
Life as a goalkeeper is already one of solitude on the pitch, now Arnold has been left out in the cold by merch makers with her No 18 jersey unavailable for fans to buy.
While Nike sells the goalkeeper shirt for international men’s teams like Barcelona and Chelsea, merchandise for the Matildas is limited to the team’s yellow and gold home stadium shirts and teal colourway for away games. Fans from other soccer teams have also revolted against Nike and Adidas for not producing goalkeeper shirts.
Get the full story, and more, in our World Cup 2023 live blog.
Have they got it right? 10 AFL experts predict the final ladder
Two rounds left but it’s anyone’s guess how the final ladder will look. The permutations are endless so we’ve tasked 10 AFL experts to give their view on who could make the eight. Follow the link to see their predictions. Have they got it right?
WORLD
Trump whacked by mobster laws in new charges
Donald Trump has been hit with yet another set of criminal charges, this time under racketeering laws used to bring down mobsters along with 18 of his alleged accomplices.
The indictment – the former president’s fourth in five months as he campaigns to return to the White House – was given the green light by a grand jury in Georgia on Tuesday over his efforts to overturn his 2020 defeat in the state.
Mr Trump faces 13 separate charges including violating Georgia’s racketeering laws, conspiracy to commit forgery, filing false documents, and soliciting a public official to violate their oath.
Read US correspondent Tom Minnear’s full report
ENTERTAINMENT
Margot’s massive Barbie payday revealed
Margot Robbie stands to make her highest salary yet for her role in bringing Barbie to the big screen.
The Australian actress, 32, who starred in and produced the Greta Gerwig-directed blockbuster, reportedly made an upfront fee of $19 million to portray the Mattel doll.
But according to Variety, that figure will boost to around $77 million thanks to lucrative box office bonuses.
Barbie, which was made on a budget of approximately $220 million, hit the coveted $US1 billion mark at the global box office earlier this month, just two weeks after it hit cinemas.
‘Heavy heart’: Labor MP’s emotional tribute to husband
Member for Bendigo West and speaker of the Legislative Assembly Maree Edwards has shared the sad news that her husband Steve Kolotylo has died.
Machete seized in police blitz on car thieves and hoons in Melbourne’s west
A major police crackdown has led to dozens of arrests, including one man who was caught with a machete in the back of an allegedly stolen car.