The Loop: Australians trapped under the Public Trustee system, tributes for mum slain in SA, snake shows up in Tasmanian child's bedroom

Hi there. It's Monday, March 14 and you're reading The Loop, a quick wrap-up of today's news.

Let's start here

Four Corners has uncovered exorbitant fees and shocking mismanagement by state government agencies who look after vulnerable Australians.

When the Public Trustee is given the keys to your life, speaking out publicly is illegal, and the state can block you from trying to regain your freedom — but the program went to the Supreme Court to fight for the right to reveal the hidden ordeal of people who have escaped the system.

It comes after this morning's story about a woman acquitted of stealing from her dying mother who discovered a government agency took $10,000 in "legal fees" from her mum's account to help build the police case against her.

What else is going on

• Australia and the Netherlands have initiated new legal proceedings against Russia for the downing of flight MH17 through the International Civil Aviation Organization. All 298 people on board the plane, including 38 Australian citizens and residents, died when a Russian Buk missile hit the plane in 2014
• Grief-stricken family and friends have paid tribute to a 26-year-old mother who was allegedly murdered in regional SA, saying her death has left them "heartbroken". Synamin Bell's body was found at her home by police on Saturday. A 25-year-old man has been charged with murder

Synamin Bell's family say her death has left them "heartbroken" and her children "without their loving mum". (GoFundMe)

News alerts you might have missed

• Some casual workers can now access paid sick leave under a new state trial. Here's how it works, and why it could prompt a political battle
• Analysis with Brett Worthington: Petrol prices have the ability to annoy people even when they're not buying fuel. But pain at the pump comes with pain for the government

Don't forget to turn on notifications on the ABC News app for the news topics you're most interested in.

What Australia has been searching for online

• Rebel Wilson. The Aussie actor, comedian and BAFTAs host has raised a middle finger to Russian President Vladimir Putin during the award ceremony 

Tell me you're Australian without telling me you're Australian.

• Millie Bobbie Brown. Speaking of the BAFTAs, everyone's been chasing pics of the Stranger Things star's look, described by our red carpet fashion correspondent as a "two-in-one gown for an emo wedding".

Millie Bobby Brown attended the BAFTAs with Jake Bongiovi, Jon Bon Jovi's son (the pair are reportedly dating). (Reuters: Henry Nicholls)

One more thing

A baby danger noodle has given a Tasmanian family a fright after nine-year-old Xavier found this sneaky snake, believed to be about a day old, in his bedroom.

Reptile Rescue's Chris Daly came to relocate the baby lowland copperhead — which is a venomous breed — but says a combination of its "poor venom delivery system" and the snake's young age meant it was less likely to bite. 

It's believed the family cat dragged the snake into the home. (Facebook: Reptile Rescue Incorporated)

"Being a baby, it would be very reluctant to bite and its fangs would still be probably too soft — normally they take a week to start hardening up," he says.

Breeding season is leading to an increase in calls to Reptile Rescue, and Mr Daley has urged people to keep their cats from wandering around where possible.

"He (the snake)'s got a little bit of a mark on him from where the cat had him in the mouth, which is a normal sign, so I've Betadined him up and I'll treat him for the next week or so and make sure he hasn't got any infections from the cat," he says.

The snake will be monitored for a few more days before it's released back into the wild.

You're up to date

Thanks for reading.

ABC/wires