AN intellectually disabled man who murdered a room-mate at a Hunter Valley hostel 12 years ago has had a year shaved from his sentence meaning that he could be released from jail in two years’ time.

David Hugh Laurie, 52, bashed Jeffrey Swann, 47, in the early hours of June 7, 2003.

Both men were residents of Lowther Lodge, a hostel at Brookfield for intellectually disabled people, with Mr Swann having lived there since it opened in 1983 while Laurie had lived there for 18 months.

Laurie pleaded not guilty to murder on the basis that he was guilty only of manslaughter due to his mental impairment, but a jury found him guilty of murder regardless.

He was sentenced to 24 years’ jail with a non-parole period of 15 years.

Legal Aid lodged an appeal on his behalf arguing that Laurie was sentenced based on principles that have since been overturned by the High Court.

The NSW Court of Criminal Appeal re-sentenced Laurie on Friday to 20 years’ imprisonment with a non-parole period of 14 years meaning he will be eligible for release in June 2017.

The court noted that Laurie, who is mildly to moderately intellectually disabled, has a mixed record in the prison system.

‘‘It is clear from the Corrective Services notes that [Laurie’s] time in prison has not led to any significant change in his condition,’’ Justice Clifton Hoeben ruled.

‘‘His response to medication has fluctuated and the instances of self harm are disturbing.

‘‘On my reading of the Corrective Services notes I do not detect improvement in [Laurie’s] condition, most particularly, there does not seem to be any change in the unpredictability in his conduct which was part of the problem facing [the sentencing judge].’’

OPTIMISTIC: Khan Horne, General Manager, NAB Agribusiness.THE benchmark Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) is expected to finish 2014-15 at least 22 per cent higher than the average for the previous financial year, according to the National Australia Bank (NAB) Agribusiness April Commodity in Focus report.

Speaking ahead of Beef Australia 2015 in Rockhampton, Khan Horne, General Manager NAB Agribusiness, said last week beef prices are staying high despite continuing strong production levels over 2014-15.

“Overall, the fundamentals for the beef industry are very solid, supported by growing demand from our major export markets and the falling Australian dollar. Price wise it has been a good year for many beef producers,” Mr Horne said.

A key driver for the surge in the EYCI has been the US market, with the falling currency supporting prices in AUD terms.

“The 90CL export price stood at 635.2 AUc/kg on 26 March 2015, 32 per cent higher than the same time in 2014,” Mr Horne said.

“There was a sharp jump in price from June to September 2014 in US dollar (USD) terms.

While USD prices have since fallen, the exchange rate has acted as a buffer on falls in AUD terms.

“Late 2014 and early 2015 brought a dip in the quantity exported, although this has since rebounded.

The March 2015 export volume stood at 42,028 tonnes, not far shy of the recent peak of 47,238 tonnes in September 2014.

“Australian beef exports to the US last reached these levels in the early 2000s.”

Overall Q1 2015 eastern states slaughter was up 1.1% on the already elevated Q1 2014 slaughter rate.

These elevated rates partly reflect strong processor demand for export, but also a lack of rainfall precluding herd rebuilding.

“NAB Agribusiness is a proud sponsor of Beef Australia, and I encourage producers in Rockhampton from May 4-9 to drop by our stand for a chat.

“We will be running a Social Media Command Centre, where you can learn about the power of social media in keeping tabs on trends and conversations in the beef industry from our digital team.”

Agribusiness View provides the latest insights from NAB Agribusiness.

Visit nab南京夜网419论坛/agriview to sign up as well as to find the contact details for your nearest NAB Agribusiness Manager.

This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.

No rental accommodation is suitable for single parents or single youths on income benefits in the Bega Valley. THERE are no affordable or suitable properties for young people on income support or single parents in the Bega Valley, a survey has found.

Anglicare recently released its Rental Affordability Snapshot, which surveyed 81 properties advertised for rent in Bega and surrounding towns on April 11 in terms of affordability and appropriateness.

Affordability is measured on whether the rent is up to 30 per cent of disposable income, and appropriateness is if the property can accommodate the required numbers of people.

The majority of appropriate and affordable houses surveyed were only suitable for a couple with two children on the minimum wage and FTBA, accounting for 56 per cent of properties.

Only seven per cent of houses were found to be appropriate and affordable for a single person on the minimum wage, and only one per cent for a single person on age pension.

None were suitable for single parents or young, single people on income benefits.

“What we are seeing is families and single people severely impacted by the lack of suitable housing options across Bega and the wider South Coast area,” Anglicare regional director Simon Bennett, said.

“Our work with people who are homeless or experiencing severe rental stress is that appropriate, secure and affordable housing is the basic foundation for their well-being.

“It’s frightening to find that even in light of the changes to single parent benefits, to encourage single parents to find work, that even a full time low-skilled worker cannot afford to live with their family in Bega and surrounding towns.

“The fact remains that low-paid and particularly part time workers are unable to afford housing in this market and are likely to have the added financial burden of childcare costs as well.”

Not being able to afford to rent a house can have a detrimental effect on mental health, Mental Health Australia has warned in its response to Anglicare’s snapshot.

“Poor housing and housing stress, together with other life stresses, reduces psychological wellbeing and exacerbates mental illness,” Mental Health Australia Frank Quinlan CEO said.”

“Affordable housing for low income earners is extremely important – safe, stable and secure accommodation is vital to the mental health and wellbeing of people and families living with mental illness.

“The Anglicare Australia report confirms the findings of the 2012 National Report Card on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention that housing stress along with financial stress, and the stress of unemployment or living with poor health, can be contributing factors to mental illness.

“We know that for many people who are living with mental illness, owning and keeping their home can be harder to achieve compared to the general community – fewer own a home, or are paying off a mortgage, with more people renting or needing housing support.”

Anglicare’s research shows there has been an increase in the number of properties for rent since 2014, but this has not meant an improvement in affordability for people on income support.

This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.

THE Red Cliffs Country Market, with up to 150 stalls operating, will return this Sunday.

COMMUNITY: Many volunteers come together to stage the popular Red Cliffs Market, which will this weekend include a raffle for a wheelbarrow full of goodies.

With Mother’s Day coming on the following weekend, this Sunday is the ideal opportunity for visitors to pick up great gifts for Mum – from inexpensive but delightful little gifts to more elaborate items such as hand­­-made jewellery, paintings and garden creations.

Spokesperson Mary Chandler said a special Mother’s Day raffle featuring a wheelbarrow full of items could solve the problem of what to buy mum and will be drawn at the market at 1pm.

Ms Chandler said a large variety of stalls woul operate on the day in Indi Avenue, Ilex Street and Barclay Square including plants, fruit, vegetables, spices, oils, preserves, dried fruits and nuts, garden ornaments, poultry, hats, clothes and bric-a-brac.

For more of this story, purchase your copy of Saturday’s Sunraysia Daily 02/05/2015.To subscribe to our Digital Edition Click here

This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.

GTM HQ: Information, news and reviews Does that sky look a little threatening?

AT THE TRAIN STATION: GTM festival-goers wait for the bus. Picture: Brandon Eriksson

AT THE TRAIN STATION: GTM festival-goers wait for the bus. Picture: Brandon Eriksson

AT THE TRAIN STATION: GTM festival-goers wait for the bus. Picture: Brandon Eriksson

AT THE TRAIN STATION: GTM festival-goers wait for the bus. Picture: Brandon Eriksson

AT THE TRAIN STATION: GTM festival-goers wait for the bus. Picture: Brandon Eriksson

AT THE TRAIN STATION: GTM festival-goers wait for the bus. Picture: Brandon Eriksson

AT THE TRAIN STATION: GTM festival-goers wait for the bus. Picture: Brandon Eriksson

TweetFacebookHowdy Bendigo Groovin the Moo-ers!!

How are we feeling today? Excited? Well the Addy has got you covered for all you need to know today, whether that’s the weather forecast or the bus timetables. Read on as we help make your day a groovin’ success…

Oh and tweet or instagram with us today by tagging @BgoAddy or #BendigoGTM.

PHOTOS:Faces of Groovin the Moo, 2015

READ: Music festival kicks off with bright start

READ:Festival’s local flavour

READ:Groovin evening session hits the right beat

Q.What’s your favourite thing about Groovin the Moo?

Angie Selleck, 20, Melbourne.

A.I like seeing the festival outfits.

Angie Selleck, 20, Melbourne.

Nat Relf, 20, Melbourne.

A. Having a good time with friends

Nat Relf, 20, Melbourne.

Ellie Kinahan, 20, Melbourne.

A. The fast paced day means no waiting between bands.

Ellie Kinahan, 20, Melbourne.

Paddy Nash, 33, Torquay.

A. Seeing my mates play on the stage.

Paddy Nash, 33, Torquay.

Jake Davis, 33, Ocean Grove.

A. Fountaineer. They’re a great local band.

Jake Davis, 33, Ocean Grove.

AT THE TRAIN STATION: GTM festival-goers wait for the bus. Picture: Brandon Eriksson

To generally get teenagers up at the crack of dawn is no easy task, but today is no ordinary day.

This year’s Groovin the Mooline up has attracted the attention of many music and party-loving teens, travelling from distances including Melbourne, Richmond and Geelong.

Alltypes of people are spilling out of trains at theBendigo station from the occasional music lover to die hard musicians, allcoming to Bendigo to have a good time and chill with their mates.

There’s also quite a lotof first timers fromBendigo, who hear it from word of mouth, friendsand the radio.

Sticky Fingers,Hilltop Hoods, Broods, One Day andMeg Mac are alldraw cardsand there’s astrong following for Flight Facilities.

However with themany great bands this year, a favourite is hard to choose.

Many Groovin the Moo-ers are bunkinginBendigo for the night, while those that aren’t are hopping back on the trainor begging mum and dad to take them home.

One thing is for certain though,Bendigo is not going to sleep tonight and these teenagerscannot get enough of it.

– by Brandon Eriksson

Weekend 2 of @groovinthemoo continues! Come see us play to another Sold out crowd in #bendigo on the #triplej stage @ 3:45PM.

— The Preatures (@ThePreatures) May 1, 2015Ready for #GTM2015#bendigo#coffeepic.twitter南京夜网/5HNykRzFq4

— Percy And Percy (@percyandpercy) May 1, 2015Gotta select flight mode now but we will see you soon Bendigo @groovinthemoo#pumped#gtm2015#GTM ✈️

— Ball Park Music (@ballparkmusic) May 1, 2015Forgot to bring shoes to Bendigo ?… Looks like I’m going to groovin in flip flops

— Morgan Colwell (@Colwell3Morgan) May 1, 2015Bendigo and Canberra, do I need to pack gumboots for @groovinthemoo? x

— Zan Rowe (@zanrowe) May 1, 2015Triple J stage / [V] stage

21:40 FLIGHT FACILITIES

20:40 RL GRIME (USA)

19:50 BROODS

18:50 HOT DUB TIMEMACHINE

18:00 PEACHES (CAN)

ZAN ROWE WILL BE YOUREVENING STUDIO HOST

17:15 CARMADA

16:25 SAN CISCO

15:25 A$AP FERG (USA)

14:25 SASKWATCH

13:30 DMA’S

12:35 NORTHLINE

11:45 THE DELTA RIGGS

11:30 THE DANCINGACCOUNTANT

11:10 HARTS

PHIL JAMIESON WILL BE YOURAFTERNOON STUDIO HOST

Reminder – extra services on the Bendigo line today for @groovinthemoo. Details – http://t.co/urJ2CLZpsb

— V/Line Bendigo Line (@vline_bendigo) May 1, 2015This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.