As it happened:Man charged over missing campers;Nation deploys AFP officers to assist with civil unrest in Solomon Islands;Scott Morrison brands NSW ICAC a ‘kangaroo court’

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The day in review

Good evening and thank you for reading our live coverage of the day’s events. If you are just joining us now,here’s what you need to know.

Greg Lynn (inset) and the vehicle seized by police in Gippsland on Monday evening.

Greg Lynn (inset) and the vehicle seized by police in Gippsland on Monday evening.Supplied

People travelling to Victoria from interstate will no longer need to apply for a travel permit.

People travelling to Victoria from interstate will no longer need to apply for a travel permit.Louie Douvis

Zoe Daniel is running as an independent candidate for the federal seat of Goldstein.

Zoe Daniel is running as an independent candidate for the federal seat of Goldstein.Simon Schluter

Independent MP Helen Haines leaves the chamber with Liberal Bridget Archer.

Independent MP Helen Haines leaves the chamber with Liberal Bridget Archer.Dominic Lorrimer

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on Thursday.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on Thursday.Justin McManus

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet.Kate Geraghty

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.Getty Images AsiaPac

There are eight new cases of COVID-19 in the ACT.

There are eight new cases of COVID-19 in the ACT.Alex Ellinghausen

The Northern Territory’s Chief Minister Michael Gunner.

The Northern Territory’s Chief Minister Michael Gunner.Alex Ellinghausen

Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison.Alex Ellinghausen

Victoria Police not looking for other suspects over alleged murder of missing campers

ByMarta Pascual Juanola

Victoria Police Crime Command Assistant Commissioner Bob Hill has confirmed police are not looking for any other suspects in relation to the alleged murder of missing campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay.

“I can advise the community that no other person is being sought with respect to this murder investigation,” he said.

Caroline Springs man Greg Lynn,55,has been in police custody for three days,after police interviewed him at an earlier date over the pair’s disappearance.

Assistant Commissioner Hill declined to comment on either interview as the matter is currently before the courts.

As reported earlier this evening,Mr Lynn has been charged with two counts of murder over the disappearance of the pair. He will face Sale Magistrates Court on Friday morning.

Police still want to talk to any campers,four-wheel-drive daytrippers,hunters,fishermen and trail bike riders who were in the area between March and July 2020,regardless of whether they heard anything.

Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit the information online atwww.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Passerby alerted Victoria Police to burnt campsite

ByMarta Pascual Juanola

Victoria Police were first alerted to the location of Russell Hill and Carol Clay’s campsite by a passerby who stumbled upon the burnt remains of their tent in the Wonnangatta Valley on March 21,2020.

That set off an extensive missing persons squad investigation that would eventually lead to arrest of 55-year-old Caroline Springs man Greg Lynn on Monday.

The burnt campsite

The burnt campsiteNine

Victoria Police Crime Command Assistant Commissioner Bob Hill said investigators had established Mr Hill and Ms Clay were most likely dead in mid-2020.

Over the course of the next 20 months,officers were deployed to the area regularly,as they scoured the forest for human remains and forensic clues.

Victoria Police still seeking trailer as accused man to appear in court tomorrow

Victoria Police still want to locate a trailer in connection with their investigation into the alleged murder of missing campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay.

Officers are now looking for a trailer that was towed by Greg Lynn at the time of Mr Hill and Ms Clay’s disappearance. It remains unaccounted for.

As reported earlier this evening,Mr Lynn has been charged with two counts of murder over the disappearance of the pair. He will face Sale Magistrates Court on Friday morning.

A photo of the car and trailer police are looking for in connection with the alleged murder.

A photo of the car and trailer police are looking for in connection with the alleged murder.Victoria Police

Police believe Mr Lynn sold the trailer on online buy and sell platform Gumtree shortly after Mr Hill and Ms Clay vanished in Victoria’s high country in March last year.

Assistant Commissioner Bob Hill described the metal trailer as being 7x5 foot in size and fitted with outback wheels.

“This trailer remains outstanding and police are keen to speak to anyone who purchased or received a similar trailer,particularly during the period of March and July last year. We believe the trailer was sold on Gumtree,” he said.

Investigators set sights on a site in the alpine region

ByMarta Pascual Juanola

Victoria Police Crime Command Assistant Commissioner Bob Hill says the investigation into the deaths of Russell Hill and Carol Clay is far from over.

Investigators have now focused their attention on finding the remains of the pair.

Mr Hill said police had identified a crime scene in Victoria’s great alpine area this morning,where they will begin searching for Mr Hill and Ms Clay’s remains in coming days.

The major crime scene,missing persons,search and rescue and forensic squads will be involved in the search.

“Police are hopeful they will locate the deceased and provide closure to the family,” he said.

“My heartfelt thoughts are with the Hill and Clay families ... I know their grief remains as raw as ever.”

‘Extraordinary’ investigation might bring closure to families:police

Victoria Police Crime Command Assistant Commissioner Bob Hill said he hoped the charges would help provide some closure to the families of Russell Hill and Carol Clay,who vanished while camping in Victoria’s high country in March last year.

“We are hopeful that this arrest brings us a step closer to providing the answers the families have been desperately seeking and richly deserve,” he said.

Victoria Police Crime Command Assistant Commissioner Bob Hill.

Victoria Police Crime Command Assistant Commissioner Bob Hill.Paul Rovere

“While this arrest is testament to months of dedication and tireless work by the missing persons court detainees,investigation is far from over. While we know for why you now have the opportunity to put this matter before the court our efforts to locate the remains of Russell and Carroll will continue.

“The investigative efforts relating to this matter have been extraordinary.

“The investigation has also been supported by a range of specialist units and local police as well as several external agencies. I thank all concerned. Again I extend my condolences to the Hill and Clay families. And finally Victoria Police thanks members of the public and the media for their assistance.”

Watch:Victoria Police media conference on missing campers

Victoria Police held a press conference after laying charges over the alleged murder of Carol Clay and Russell Hill. Watch in full below.

Assistant Commissioner Bob Hill says he hoped the charges will help provide some closure to the families of Russell Hill and Carol Clay.

Charges after lengthy investigation

Russell Hill,74,and Carol Clay,73,have not been seen since theyheaded off on a camping trip in Victoria’s high country.

The charges come after a lengthy investigation by missing person detectives,who have made several public appeals and scoured hectares of remote high country.

Missing campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay.

Missing campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay.Supplied

The last contact the pair had with the outside world was through Mr Hill’s high-frequency radio as they set up camp in the Wonnangatta Valley,a secluded pocket of the Victorian Alpine National Park without mobile phone reception.

It took days for their burnt-out campsite to be reported to police.

Man charged over alleged murder of missing campers

ByCassandra Morgan andMarta Pascual Juanola

A 55-year-old airline pilot has been charged with two counts of murder over the disappearance of campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay,who vanished in Victoria’s high country in March last year.

Special operations group officersarrested Caroline Springs man Greg Lynn about 5.30pm on Monday in Gippsland’s remote Arbuckle Junction,about 170 kilometres east of Melbourne.

Greg Lynn.

Greg Lynn.Facebook

The charges come three days after special operation group officers arrested Mr Lynn at a remote campsite in Gippsland’s Arbuckle Junction and follow a lengthy investigation by missing person detectives into the pair’s whereabouts.

Mr Hill and Ms Clay have not been seen or heard from since they went on a secret camping trip to the secluded Wonnangatta Valley in the Victorian Alpine National Park.

The last contact the pair had with the outside world was through Mr Hill’s high-frequency radio as they set up their campsite,which had no mobile phone reception.

Mr Lynn,whose posts on social media suggest he returned to Victoria’s high country at least once since the pair vanished in March last year,has been described as an avid camper and a recreational shooter by neighbours and friends.

Earlier today,Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said the probe had been one of the most complex and challenging investigations he’d ever been briefed on.

Victoria Police due to hold press conference over missing campers

ByMathew Dunckley

Victoria Police have called a media conference about the Wonnangatta campers arrest.

Crime Command assistant commissioner Bob Hill will provide an update to the media. We will bring you a livestream of the press conference,which is scheduled for 7.15pm tonight.

In the meantime,you can read the latest on the investigation here from reporterDavid Estcourt.

A four-wheel-drive impounded by police on Monday and,inset,missing campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay.

A four-wheel-drive impounded by police on Monday and,inset,missing campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay.Nine News

Police have held Greg Lynn,55,of Caroline Springs,for close to three days since his arrest over last year’s disappearance of campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay.

The dramatic arrest was carried out by special operations group officers at a remote campsite at Arbuckle Junction at 5.30pm on Monday. No charges have been laid to date.

Broede Carmody is a state political reporter for The Age. Previously,he was the national news blogger for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.

Michaela Whitbourn is a legal affairs reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald.

Nick Bonyhady is a technology writer for the Australian Financial Review,based in Sydney. He is a former technology editor,industrial relations and politics reporter at the Sydney Morning Herald and Age.

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