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A martial arts expert has been found guilty of murdering his new girlfriend whose remains were found in bushland almost two years after she went missing.

Sayle Kenneth Newson, of Buff Point on the NSW Central Coast, had denied murdering Carly McBride, 31, on September 30, 2014, at Muswellbrook or elsewhere.

Her remains were found in bushland at Owens Gap, about 17 kilometres northwest of Scone, on August 7, 2016.

After deliberating more than two weeks, a NSW Supreme Court jury in Newcastle on Thursday found the 43-year-old guilty of murder.

A post-mortem examination revealed Ms McBride suffered blunt force trauma to her face and back of her head, indicating she suffered at least two blows to the skull and one to her back.

The mother of two had met Newson at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre west of Wyong in late 2013, before beginning a relationship with him in early August 2014.

The Crown alleged Newson had been motivated by jealousy and possessiveness.

When interviewed by police before Ms McBride's remains had been found, Newson said she was the first woman he had loved in 14 years and he believed "Carly was given to me".

Newson told police he thought she was dead and "God had made this decision".

Justice Mark Ierace will sentence him at a later date.

© AAP 2021

Britney Spears has told a judge overseeing her controversial conservatorship that she wants her life back and for the 13-year long arrangement to end.

The pop star's remarks, delivered remotely on Wednesday to the Los Angeles Superior Court hearing, marked her first public statements about the court-approved legal arrangement first put in place in 2008 when she suffered a mental health breakdown.

In an emotional statement, Spears, 39, said she believed the conservatorship was abusive.

"I just want my life back," she said.

"I'm not here to be anyone's slave. I'm traumatised. I'm not happy, I can't sleep. I'm so angry and I cry every day."

Spears asked for the conservatorship to be ended.

"I truly believe this conservatorship is abusive."

LA Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny said she would need a formal petition submitted to the court asking for the conservatorship to be terminated before she could take any action.

Penny praised Spears for speaking out.

"I know it took a lot of courage," Penny said.

"I just want to commend you again for really stepping forward and stepping out to have your thoughts heard, not only by myself but by everybody who has been involved in this case."

The last time Spears spoke directly to the judge was in May 2019 but the court was closed to the public and her testimony was sealed. On Wednesday the singer said she wanted people to hear what she had to say.

The former teen phenomenon said she wanted to get married again and have a baby. But she said she has a contraceptive device that she wants removed, but is not allowed to go to the doctor "because they don't want me to have children".

Spears has two children with her former husband Kevin Federline, who has custody of them.

Outside the courthouse, several dozen fans - many of them dressed in pink and holding "Free Britney" placards - rallied in support of their campaign to have the conservatorship ended.

Last year, Spears began the legal process to remove her father, Jamie Spears, from handling personal affairs ranging from her medical care to who visits her secluded villa outside Los Angeles. Jamie Spears also is a joint conservator of the singer's finances.

Jamie Spears said in a statement read out by his lawyer on Wednesday that he was "sorry to see his daughter suffer and in so much pain. Mr. Spears loves his daughter and misses her very much".

Despite the conservatorship, Spears made a comeback in late 2009 and performed, released albums and went on world tours solidly until late 2018, when she cancelled a string of dates. She has not performed since late 2018.

Details of her mental health issues have never been disclosed but Spears said on Wednesday that doctors had put her on Lithium and that she "felt drunk".

© AP 2021

Sydney's evolving COVID-19 crisis has infiltrated NSW Parliament after NSW Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall tested positive to the virus.

Parliament House staffers have been told to stay home while MPs at the Macquarie St building on Thursday must undergo a rapid COVID test and remain on site until they receive the result.

Government Whip Adam Crouch has instructed MPs to "stay put" until they receive an update.

"If you are currently in Parliament House remain in Parliament House.

"If you are not in Parliament House, remain where you are," he said in a statement.

Media and non-essential staff have been told to leave.

Mr Marshall contracted the virus after dining at Christo's Pizza in Paddington on Monday night with Nationals colleagues Trevor Khan, Steph Cooke and Ben Franklin.

The four MPs were in parliament on Tuesday afternoon after attending a partyroom meeting earlier in the day.

"This morning just after 8am I was formally advised by NSW Health that I had returned a positive test for COVID-19," Mr Marshall said in a statement on Thursday.

"I have been in isolation in Sydney since late Tuesday night, when I received a text message from NSW Health," he said.

Mr Marshall is isolating at his flat in Sydney, and will not be able to return to his Armidale home for at least fourteen days. His ministerial staff are also in isolation.

Two of the three MPs Mr Marshall was dining with, Steph Cooke and Ben Franklin have confirmed they have returned negative tests, while AAP understands Trevor Khan has also tested negative.

Ms Cooke, the member for Cootamundra, said in a statement she had tested negative and was "following the advice of NSW Health by staying in isolation and will be taking further tests in coming days".

Mr Franklin posted on social media late on Wednesday he had tested negative "but will need to be tested again on 28 June and 3 July before coming out of isolation on 6 July".

The parliament will operate on a skeleton staff on 16 MPs on Thursday- just enough to pass the budget before the session is suspended.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard also revealed he is self isolating after being exposed to a potential case at parliament house.

Mr Hazzard admitted it "was likely" other MPs could be affected and told Channel Nine he stands next to Premier Gladys Berejiklian every day.

"I think the premier is fairly safe," he said.

Opposition Leader Chris Minns has postponed his budget reply speech and says MPs have been advised to tell their staff to stay home.

"All sides agree now is not the time for politics ... we need to get through what is a very difficult health situation in Sydney," he told Sydney radio station 2GB.

NSW is likely to report more more COVID-19 cases on Thursday but Mr Hazzard played down fears Sydney is on the brink of a lockdown.

"I don't believe that we will go into a lockdown," he said.

"The advice is that's not necessary so we will take that advice," he told ABC Radio Sydney.

However, on Wednesday the premier warned "the NSW government will not hesitate to go further and harder if we have to".

Meanwhile, school holiday plans are in tatters for many Sydney residents, with many confined to the metropolitan area, as NSW struggles to contain a coronavirus cluster that's blown out to 31 infections.

Ms Berejiklian is urging people to "abandon non-essential activities" after introducing new rules for residents in Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour on Wednesday.

A household guest limit of five, including children, and the four-square-metre rule indoors and outdoors were introduced alongside mandatory masks in all indoor non-residential settings, including workplaces.

NSW Health issued more alerts for COVID-19 exposure sites at a range of venues at Darlinghurst, Double Bay, Bondi Beach, Bondi Junction, Narellan, Meadowbank and the Sydney CBD.

There were 16 new cases reported on Wednesday, taking the total number of infections to 31.

Residents who live or work in the City of Sydney, Waverley, Randwick, Canada Bay, Inner West, Bayside, and Woollahra local government areas cannot travel outside the metropolitan area unless it's absolutely essential.

Masks must also be worn to gym classes, which are now limited to 20 people.

Other states have hardened their borders days before NSW public schools break for two weeks.

© AAP 2021