Hello. It's Wednesday, June 29 and you're reading The Loop, a quick wrap-up of today's news.
This edition of The Loop, and some of the articles linked below, contain content that readers may find distressing.
Let's start here
A coroner has found Hannah Clarke's estranged partner was a "master of manipulation" determined on "executing his murderous plans", and that it's "unlikely" further action from authorities would have stopped him from killing the 31-year-old and their children Aaliyah, 6, Laianah, 4, and Trey, 3.
But Deputy State Coroner Jane Bentley says every agency that dealt with Ms Clarke failed to recognise the "extreme risk" she would be killed.
Deputy State Coroner Bentley noted that the "majority of statements provided by friends and associates of Hannah and [Rowan] Baxter provided insight into the controlling nature of Baxter's personality and how it led to the deaths", but noted in her address that:
"It is of great concern, and reflective of the attitudes that continue to purvey our community, even after Baxter had killed Hannah and her children, a number of people continued to give statements to police in which they stated that Baxter loved his wife and children, he was a great father and that his actions were somehow excused or explained by the fact that he was losing everything, was being victimised by the process, and that Hannah should not have kept his children from him.
"The truth is that Hannah, who knew him best, was initially in favour of him having contact with their children but became fearful of their safety, as she correctly perceived that he was becoming more dangerous."
Hannah's parents, Sue and Lloyd Clarke, said they were "happy" with the coroner's findings and that they wanted to see the recommendations from the inquest implemented nationally, not just in Queensland.
What else is going on
- Electricity provider Origin Energy has been ordered by the Federal Court to pay more than $17 million in penalties for breaching its obligations to customers experiencing hardship and payment difficulties. It is the largest total penalty ever imposed in Australia for breaches of the national energy retail law and rules.
- Some of Ghislaine Maxwell's victims have spoken out after the 60-year-old was sentenced to 20 years in prison for helping convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein abuse teenage girls. One of the victims' lawyers said it was a "victorious day for justice".
What Australia has been searching for online
- Serena Williams. In case you missed it overnight, the former world number one has been knocked out of Wimbledon in the first round by French youngster Harmony Tan.
- Cassidy Hutchinson. The former White House aide delivered bombshell details of former president Donald Trump's response to the January 6 riots at a surprise hearing of the investigating committee.
You're up to date
Some important phone numbers again:
- Lifeline - 131 114
- Beyond Blue - 1300 22 46 36
ABC/wires
