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Sales of new cars and trucks are surging in Australia, despite ongoing supply issues.

Australian customers took delivery of 124,926 new vehicles in June, a 25 per cent improvement on the same month last year, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries said.

It was the best June result since 2018 and took demand for the first half of 2023 to 581,759, an 8.2 per cent improvement.

The increase appeared to defy recent cost-of-living pressures and surging interest rates, although a number of the cars delivered could have been ordered months ago.

Chamber chief executive Tony Weber said the continuing sales growth was encouraging, especially considering ongoing issues with securing stock.

"The end of the financial year has traditionally been a strong month for vehicle sales," Mr Weber said.

"Indications from our members are that demand for new vehicles remains solid, but the supply is not yet at a point to meet this demand.

"To put it simply, if we could have landed more vehicles, this would have been a record June result."

Sales of zero and low-emission vehicles continued to grow in June with battery electric, hybrid or plug-in hybrid models accounting for 16.6 per cent of the market.

Demand for battery electric vehicles finished at 8.8 per cent while Tesla delivered 5560 of its Model Y car, making it the second best seller behind the Toyota Hi-Lux with 6142.

In third place was the Ford Ranger on 5334 ahead of the MG ZS on 3756 and the Toyota RAV 4 on 2858.

"The early adopters of the new powertrain technology continue to push up the sales of electric vehicles across the country," Mr Weber said.

"The steady introduction of new battery electric models across all model segments at more competitive price points is critically important as we deal with the challenges of supplying electric vehicles that meet business and personal consumer needs at prices the mainstream buyers can afford."

Toyota was the market-leading company in June with 20,948 vehicles ahead of Mazda with 9706, Hyundai's 8215, Ford on 7753 and Kia with 7551.

© AAP 2023

A magistrate has berated prosecutors for allowing the police officer accused of tasering a 95-year-old grandmother not to appear in person before court.

Senior Constable Kristian White appeared before Cooma Court Local Court via video link on Wednesday over the tasering of great-grandmother Clare Nowland, who later died from injuries sustained in the incident.

The 33-year-old has been charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault.

A plea has not been entered on any of the charges.

Magistrate Roger Clisdell chastised the Director of Public Prosecutions for allowing the accused not to appear in person.

The magistrate noted money had been spent on extra security in preparation for the matter being heard in court, saying he was disgusted.

"We've got a court full of security, at great expense, and the DPP decided he would appear via (video link)," he told the court.

"Who runs the court, (the DPP) or me?

"Dumbo siting on the bench here has to suck it up ... I am not happy."

The DPP had applied for bail for White, with conditions that would require him to appear in person for future hearings.

White's lawyers said he did not present a flight risk and had no risk of reoffending.

However, Mr Clisdell threw out the bail application.

"(The DPP) excused him today, so why should I put him at your beck and call and not mine?" he said.

It's alleged White tasered Mrs Nowland at the Yallambee Lodge aged care home in Cooma in May, after being called out to the centre.

Mrs Nowland, who was holding a steak knife while using a walking frame, was allegedly tasered after she failed to drop the knife.

The 95-year-old then fell to the ground, hit her head and suffered a fractured skull.

She died at Cooma Base Hospital a week later.

White was suspended from NSW Police with pay following the incident.

The most serious of the charges he faces, recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Following Mrs Nowland's death, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said upgrading the charges was a possibility.

The matter will return to court on September 6.

© AAP 2023

Students in eight South Australian public high schools will trial an artificial intelligence app designed to help them use the technology to support their studies.

The students will use the chatbot for eight weeks alongside more broader guidance for schools and parents around the use of AI in education.

That includes outlining ways AI can provide educational opportunities through chatbots, image and video generation and intelligent tutoring systems.

The advice also provides guidance about managing risks with the app including features to protect children from inappropriate information.

SA is the only state not to ban AI in schools and Education Minister Blair Boyer said the government had decided to embrace the technology rather than prevent or ignore it.

"AI will be a part of our work and lives in the future, which means we have a responsibility to educate young people about its appropriate and effective use," Mr Boyer said.

"If we don't, then we are doing them an incredible disservice."

Chief executive Martin Westwell said the education department wanted to encourage the use of AI, with safeguards, as a tool for learning to ensure young people had exposure to emerging technologies.

"However, we expect the use of AI to continue to develop and as such we will continue to review our policies, practices and best advice to teachers and parents in this space," he said.

The schools participating in the trial are Ceduna Area School, Streaky Bay Area School, Adelaide Botanic High School, Adelaide High School, Mitcham Girls High School, Unley High School, Thebarton Senior College and Glenunga International High School.

© AAP 2023