Australia news live: Albanese names former News Corp executive as consul-general in New York

The trial of a former NSW police officer accused of murdering two men is set to begin in Sydney. Beau Lamarre-Condon has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder and one charge of aggravated break and enter over the deaths of TV presenter Jesse Baird, 26, and his partner Luke Davies, 29, in February 2024. His case has faced ongoing delays since charges were laid, but today, the 31-year-old’s trial will finally get underway. On Monday, a jury will be selected at NSW supreme court on King Street. Depending on how long the empanelment process takes the court may hear the crown’s opening statement in the afternoon. Justice Natalie Adams will preside over the trial, which is slated to go for two to three months and include a brief of evidence with more than 200 witnesses. The case has received significant media attention and Lamarre-Condon’s trial is also expected to attract substantial public interest.