Australia news live: Assange appeals US extradition in European court of human rights; excitement builds over Socceroos clash with Argentina

Christopher Knaus

Push for ‘victim advocates’ to support alleged rape survivors in court

There are growing calls for a major overhaul of the way rape complainants are treated within the justice system in the wake of the Bruce Lehrmann trial, with a former federal court judge urging governments to appoint victim advocates to support women through the process.

Prosecutors in the ACT on Friday announced they would not seek a second trial of Lehrmann because of the “significant and unacceptable risk to the life” of Brittany Higgins who is receiving mental health support in hospital.

The decision means Lehrmann, who pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual intercourse without consent, will not face trial and retains the presumption of innocence.

But revelations about the impact of the court process on Higgins have prompted calls for changes to better support complainants.

The Australian National University’s Global Institute for Women’s Leadership, of which Higgins is a member, said the case underscored the “huge toll faced by complainants in sexual assault prosecutions”. It said in a statement:

There is a clear need for ongoing law reform and practical changes in both the criminal justice system and the laws, processes and institutions that prohibit workplace harassment and ensure safe, respectful workplaces.

Read the full story here:

Welcome

Donna Lu

Good morning. It’s Donna here, taking you through your Saturday from a sunny Melbourne/Naarm, where it’s finally starting to feel like summer. Here is a look at the day’s top stories:

• The Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has submitted an appeal to the European court of human rights over an extradition order from the UK to the US, where he is wanted on criminal charges.

• Excitement is building ahead of the Socceroos match against Argentina tomorrow morning at the World Cup. It is only the second time that the Australians have progressed to the knockout stages of the finals.

• Two people have died after a multi-car crash that closed Sydney’s Anzac Bridge. It occurred shortly before midnight.

• Ambulance Victoria called a code red in metropolitan Melbourne for three hours overnight after experiencing “extremely high demand”.

• A council decision to remove dozens of bridges and lower the road level around the NSW town of Moulamein is under scrutiny as unprecedented flood waters cause millions of dollars in damage.

• Further down the Murray, locals in the South Australian town of Renmark are preparing for a surge of water. Flows down the Murray are expected to peak in the town in about two weeks, with water levels predicted to be the highest since the 1970s.

• The former Australia cricket captain Ricky Ponting was taken to hospital on Friday after suffering a heart problem.

If you spot anything, do get in touch at [email protected] or on Twitter at @donnadlu.