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A Wisconsin man has been convicted of killing six people and injuring dozens of others when he drove his SUV through a Christmas parade, wrapping up a trial in which he defended himself with bizarre legal theories and erratic outbursts.

It took the jury a little over three hours on Wednesday to find Darrell Brooks guilty of all 76 charges, including six counts of first-degree intentional homicide. He faces a mandatory life sentence on each homicide count.

Brooks, dressed in a suit and tie, silently rested his head on folded hands as the verdicts were read. His subdued demeanour was a stark departure from previous days of the trial, when his sometimes-outrageous behaviour drew rebukes from the judge.

Judge Jennifer Dorow scheduled a hearing Monday to set a sentencing date. Victims and their families are expected to make statements then.

Brooks drove his Ford Escape into the Christmas parade in Waukesha in suburban Milwaukee on November 21 moments after fleeing a domestic disturbance with his ex-girlfriend, prosecutors said.

The incident left deep scars on the community of 70,000 people about 25 kilometres west of Milwaukee. Community members built memorials to the dead and held vigils.

The anger was still raw on Wednesday; someone in the gallery yelled "Burn in hell" as the verdicts were read. Vehicles passing the courthouse honked their horns in celebration, WITI-TV reported.

Brooks pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease earlier this year but withdrew the plea before his trial began with no explanation.

Days before the trial started, he dismissed his public defenders, electing to represent himself despite overwhelming evidence against him. Police officers and paradegoers testified they saw Brooks behind the wheel of the SUV.

District Attorney Susan Opper presented several photos of Brooks driving the vehicle to the jury.

Brooks' main defence theory appeared to be that he was a sovereign citizen, echoing a conspiracy theory that every person is a nation and isn't subject to government restrictions. He refused to recognise the court's jurisdiction over him, refused to answer to his own name, launched into meandering cross-examinations, and muttered under his breath that the trial wasn't fair.

He got into daily arguments with the judge that often devolved into shouting matches. At one point he glared at Dorow so intensely she had to take a recess because she said she was scared of him.

Multiple times, she moved him into another courtroom where he could watch the proceedings via video and she could mute his microphone when he became disruptive.

One day, after he was moved to the other room, he stripped off his shirt and sat bare-chested on his table with his back to the camera. On another day, he built a barricade out of his boxes of legal documents and hid behind it. On yet another, he held up a Bible so no one could see his face on camera and tossed his copy of the jury instructions into the garbage.

"We felt very, very offended by his behaviour, his disrespect of the court, the decorum, the families, his insulting the judge, his challenging the judge," Opper said at a news conference.

"That's not the way our system is designed. That was intentional on his part. We truly believe that. He did everything he (could) except claim the dog ate his homework," Opper said.

"He tried to turn this into his story. Let's talk about Mr. Brooks and his family. We just kept redirecting it back to the real focus here, our families, our victims, our community and his responsibility for this destruction."

© AP 2022

Enduring some of the toughest weeks of her life, Diamonds debutante Donnell Wallam has answered critics in dazzling fashion by scoring the match-winning goal against England.

Wallam showed her skills and athleticism in a chaotic circle to nail a lay-up goal with just seven seconds remaining in the Newcastle match to secure a 55-54 victory in game one of the three Test netball series.

After relentless scrutiny regarding her role in the withdrawal of a $15 million sponsorship deal from mining magnate Gina Rinehart, all eyes were on Wallam when called upon by Australian coach Stacey Marinkovich midway through the final quarter.

The 28-year-old was flawless after becoming the third Indigenous player to don the green and gold and the first in 22 years and embraced by her teammates after the win.

Former Diamonds skipper Sharni Norder, who was also a critic of the sponsorship deal, lauded Wallam's resilience.

"I don't know anyone who would have the strength of character to go through something so tumultuous and have the courage to step up and represent her country on the world stage and smash it. Donnell Wallam is my hero," Norder tweeted.

An emotional Wallam, a Noongar woman from Western Australia, said the "outside noise" over the last few weeks had taken a toll.

"I was relieved to finally get my chance on court - it's been some of the toughest few weeks of my life," Wallam told Kayo Sports.

"To finally get out there and just play in this dress was just really special and it makes the last couple of weeks feel like a blur.

"I just hope that I'm now a role model to the young girls and boys coming through."

Marcia Ella-Duncan, who was the first Indigenous woman to play for Australia back in 1986, presented Wallam with her outfit on Wednesday night.

"It was really special and it's been a long time coming so I hope I made everyone proud out there," Wallam said.

Wallam's delight at her selection for the series was dampened after she raised concerns about vile historical comments made by Rinehart's late father Lang Hancock about the Indigenous population.

She was said to be uncomfortable wearing a uniform with the Hancock Prospecting logo.

Teammates took a stand with Wallam which resulted in the mining magnate's firm cancelling the cash-strapped sports body's financial lifeline.

Their other sponsors such as Origin Energy have since pledged their commitment.

Wallam said while it had been a testing time she was grateful to those who supported her stance, including her teammates.

"Every single one of the team members, the staff, have been amazing.

"Coming into the bubble we tried to not let the outside noise impact us and they really wrapped their arms around me.

"Thanks for everyone for their support, the kind messages I've been getting, it hasn't gone unnoticed and has really helped me in these last few weeks."

© AAP 2022

Employees will be able to request more flexible working hours under new laws put forward by the government.

Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke will introduce the bill to parliament on Thursday, kicking off the first tranche of workers' rights reforms.

Employers will be legally required to try and reach an agreement with employees who request flexible work hours, including making alternative arrangements if the request can't be catered for.

A worker would then be able to take the case to the workforce watchdog if their boss refuses.

Eligible workers include parents with school age children and carers, as well as people with a disability, above the age of 55 or experiencing domestic violence.

Mr Burke said inflexible working arrangements were damaging families and the economy.

He said the reforms would particularly help women and low-paid workers.

"Our workplace laws are outdated and do not actively support a culture of flexible work," he said.

"The care of children and other loved ones is truly an essential job. Our workplace laws must better recognise and support this work."

Australian Council of Trade Unions president Michele O'Neil said workplace reform was the "missing piece of the puzzle" and would get wages moving.

"It's going to be good for working people but it's also essential for the economy."

Speaking before the release of the detail of the bill, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief Andrew McKellar said workplace reform was the "one discordant note" in the government's economic plans.

"The risk is if we don't get this right, we will see an increase in industrial action and job losses will follow."

© AAP 2022