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Elizabeth Byrne
Elizabeth Byrne has been a reporter for ABC News since 1987. She began her career in Katherine, Northern Territory, later leading the political coverage from Darwin, before moving to Canberra. Elizabeth has reported on a wide variety of issues spanning federal politics and international issues, and is currently the ABC's High Court reporter.
Latest by Elizabeth Byrne
Mining giant blocked from port expansion in High Court win for native title holders
The High Court rules in favour of native title holders in the Northern Territory preventing mining giant Glencore from expanding a critical part of its large zinc and lead mine on the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Canberra man accused of murdering his mother's neighbour dies before facing trial
Lawyers for Kambah man Grant Oldfield tell the ACT Supreme Court their client, who was accused of bashing Douglas Creek to death, died in December.
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Head of inquiry into Bruce Lehrmann's prosecution made 65 phone calls to journalists during proceedings, court hears
The ACT's former top prosecutor asks a court to consider Walter Sofronoff's hours of conversations with journalists while he was in the middle of conducting an inquiry into the prosecution of Bruce Lehrmann.
'Your boyfriend is lucky': Canberra doctor's registration torn up after non-consensual breast exam, sexual inappropriateness
Canberra doctor Nathem Al-Naser is banned from providing health services after authorities find he was sexually inappropriate towards two female patients.
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Judge gave 'too much weight' to national security in deciding if Bernard Collaery matters should be heard in open court
The protracted battle over secrecy in the now defunct prosecution of lawyer Bernard Collaery is finally over, five years after he was charged with breaching national security laws, with a redacted appeal ruling released.
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Judge orders publisher of 'Feminism Debunked' YouTube channel to appear in court over Lehrmann hearing videos
The action comes after nine videos of the defamation hearing, which was live streamed, appeared on the channel.
Owner's AirTag leads ACT police to haul of 21 allegedly stolen e-bikes and scooters
The owner of an e-bike helped lead police to the haul after receiving a notification from the tracking device.
Analysis
analysis:Bruce Lehrmann's defamation trial has now wrapped, but a decision isn't expected until well into next year
By Elizabeth Byrne and Patrick Bell
Enormous volumes of evidence were given in Bruce Lehrmann's defamation trial against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson, and will now be considered by Federal Court Justice Michael Lee, but a decision isn't expected until well into next year.
Former manager of Brittany Higgins and Bruce Lehrmann 'resisted' pressure to go to police over alleged incident
The former chief of staff in Senator Linda Reynolds's office tells the Federal Court she resisted pressure to go to the police after disclosures from Brittany Higgins about her alleged rape, saying she believed Ms Higgins should have control over the situation.
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Analysis
analysis:Lisa Wilkinson's evidence provided compelling viewing as she locked horns with Bruce Lehrmann's lawyers
By Elizabeth Byrne and Patrick Bell
Maybe it's the celebrity touch, but the public fascination with Bruce Lehrmann's defamation case has only increased this week, as journalist Lisa Wilkinson was cross-examined by Mr Lehrmann's barrister.
Canberra man sentenced to more than 27 years in jail for attacking woman with lit aerosol can
Canberra man Darryl Robertson is sentenced to more than 27 years in jail for attempted murder over an attack on a woman with a lit aerosol can, which left her with serious burns.
'A mother's worst nightmare': Brittany Higgins's mother gives evidence in Bruce Lehrmann's defamation trial
Brittany Higgins's mother, Kelly, tells Bruce Lehrmann's defamation trial she noticed a marked change in her daughter around the time of the alleged rape, from having a joy of life to being left a "broken soul".
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Bruce Lehrmann and Brittany Higgins getting 'quite touchy' in club on night of alleged rape, witness tells court
By Patrick Bell and Elizabeth Byrne
Lauren Gain worked in the Department of Defence at the time of the alleged rape in March 2019 and has today given evidence to Bruce Lehrmann's defamation trial against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson.
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'Do not have time to go back': Triage nurse defends not taking 5yo Rozalia Spadafora's blood pressure before her death
An ACT Coroner's Court inquest is considering mistakes made by Canberra Hospital staff that delayed the diagnosis of five-year-old Canberra girl Rozalia Spadafora before her death.
Analysis
analysis:Bruce Lehrmann's defamation action was set to be a re-run of his trial, but some key evidence is being revealed
By Elizabeth Byrne and Patrick Bell
Brittany Higgins's allegation she was raped by former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann in then-minister Linda Reynolds's office has had far-reaching consequences, and perhaps the most extraordinary part of the tale has been playing out in Federal Court this week.
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ABC and Bruce Lehrmann settle defamation case over broadcast of Brittany Higgins's Press Club speech
By Elizabeth Byrne and Patrick Bell
Before settling, Bruce Lehrmann was due to take on the ABC in the Federal Court in Sydney today. The former Liberal staffer's defamation action against Network Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson continues.
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Bruce Lehrmann's defamation action against Network Ten, Lisa Wilkinson and the ABC begins today
By Patrick Bell and Elizabeth Byrne
Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann will take on Network Ten and the ABC in the Federal Court in Sydney today in defamation action over allegations he raped his former colleague Brittany Higgins at Parliament House in 2019.
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Analysis
analysis:A father and daughter school dance saw David McBride sneak home. That's when authorities swooped
ACT court reporter Elizabeth Byrne
Most of the people we follow from the court run away from us. Not him. He stayed and chatted, happy to tell us he did it because he had felt he had to, writes court reporter Elizabeth Byrne.
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Military lawyer David McBride pleads guilty to unlawfully sharing secret allegations of Australian war crimes
By Elizabeth Byrne and Markus Mannheim
Former military lawyer David McBride gives up his fight against charges he unlawfully leaked classified documents to journalists, and pleads guilty to stealing and sharing secret military information.
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Elderly Canberra man to plead guilty to murdering 92-year-old wife
Jean Morley was found dead by a health worker in her Canberra home in July this year. Police believe she was suffocated.
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Trial begins of military lawyer who leaked secret allegations of war crimes
By Markus Mannheim and Elizabeth Byrne
David McBride faces five charges of unlawfully stealing and disclosing classified information about alleged misconduct by special forces troops.
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Police officers apply to join civil case challenging outcome of inquiry into Bruce Lehrmann's prosecution
Six police officers who played a key role in the investigation into the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins want to be included in a civil case challenging the outcome of an inquiry into former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann's prosecution over the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins.
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High Court ruling paves way to end indefinite detention for asylum seekers with nowhere to go
By High Court reporter Elizabeth Byrne and political reporter Nicole Hegarty
The High Court rules a Rohingya man has been unlawfully detained in immigration detention, paving the way to end indefinite detention for other asylum seekers.
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New High Court chief justice formally acknowledges Indigenous Australians during swearing-in ceremony
By High Court reporter Elizabeth Byrne and Charlotte Gore
Stephen Gageler has been sworn in as Australia's 14th Chief Justice of the High Court, taking on one of the most powerful jobs in the country.
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Analysis
analysis:'Gone are the days of secret-squirrel organisations': Calls to lift the veil of secrecy over internal police reviews
ACT Policing has confirmed it will hold an internal review into the dropped prosecution of NRL stars Jack Wighton and Latrell Mitchell, but the public will likely never hear the result — and that is the standard.
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