Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button face the prospect of being at opposite ends of the grid for Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix given the differing fortunes of the two British Formula One stars at the start of the new season. 

The man who raped and murdered Irish woman Jill Meagher in Australia was on parole for other rapes at the time.

The Governor-General of Australia – the Queen’s representative in the country – has temporarily stood aside until a rape allegation is heard in court, Prime Minister John Howard announced today.