The suspect allegedly forced a pub patron to drive him almost 300 kilometres before he was apprehended by police.

In a statement, the mining company confirmed "all three employees are safe and well and have departed the country".

The prosecution argued the four co-accused had formed a "common purpose" to kill Kingsley Alley in the early hours of October 8, 2022, while the defence accused prosecutors of "cherry-picking" evidence. 

The changes will see some future recipients of residential and in-home care pay more for food and accommodation, saving the federal budget $12.6 billion over 11 years.

Thai police have confirmed the death of Melbourne teenager Bianca Jones, who became ill after drinking tainted alcohol during a backpacking holiday in Laos.