Australia news live: Victorian Liberals announce plan for new appeals court to ensure tougher sentences

New court of criminal appeal would give effect to new bail and sentencing laws, opposition leader says. Follow live Powerhouse Parramatta – a museum and gallery project 12 years and $915 million in the making – has unveiled its inaugural exhibition program. The five exhibitions focus on “immersive” experiences, including 3D cityscape, a crystal tunnel, and historic aeroplanes. Powerhouse describes the forthcoming exhibitions as follows: The Dark: an immersive exhibition created for children aged 4 – 12-years-old. Developed in collaboration with creatives Kip Williams, Elizabeth Gadsby and Marg Horwell, The Dark is a bedroom, a crystal tunnel, a forest, and a gateway to a land of giants. It is magical with many things to be discovered one by one. Es Devlin: The Turning is an exhibition of 5 major works by British artist, Es Devlin whose genre-defying work ranges from sculpture to film, architecture, language and performance. Her work immerses audiences into atmospheric environments that draw on Earth’s vast biodiversity, maths and our collective imaginations. Overflow: A First Nations-led exhibition grounded in the living principles of Water Country, working with seven Aboriginal organisations to consider the importance and care of salt and freshwater systems throughout NSW. These stories are brought to life through the cinematic lens of acclaimed filmmaker and Kamilaroi man Ivan Sen. Task Eternal: will explore the intersection of design, innovation and technology and trace humanity’s quest to defy gravity, take flight and journey into the sky. The Mall: across two storeys, the exhibition examines the history, evolution and cultural significance of the shopping mall, exploring Australian and global innovation across architecture, design, technology, engineering, and fashion. Powerhouse Parramatta will redefine how museums connect with community, industry and learning. As Western Sydney’s first NSW cultural institution, it will be a place that celebrates the creativity, ambition and diversity of our communities, connecting local stories and knowledge with international innovation. These five foundational exhibitions place audiences at the heart of the museum, bringing to life stories of technology, creativity and excellence. Together, they reflect our ambition to create a museum that amplifies community, creates new opportunities and helps define the future. We are deeply grateful to our patrons for their visionary support and for joining us on the journey to create one of the world’s great new museums. We can’t wait to open the doors this November. Our new criminal court will empower specialist criminal law judges to ensure sentencing of criminals meet community expectations. Each sentence they hand down will form part of case law going forward, helping to establish appropriate consequences for criminal actions. Continue reading...