Two charged after investigation into home invasion and public place shooting – Edgeworth

Two people have been charged following a joint investigation by detectives from the Robbery and Serious Crime Squad and Lake Macquarie Police District into an alleged home invasion and public place shooting in Lake Macquarie earlier this year.

Police had been told a 24-year-old woman attended John Hunter Hospital about 11pm on Tuesday 8 March 2022 suffering a laceration to her leg and head, after two men allegedly forced entry to her home in Edgeworth and slashed her with a machete.

Local police later attended the Laurel Avenue home and commenced inquiries, which were later taken carriage by detectives from the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad.

Then about 9.10pm on Friday 8 April 2022, emergency services responded to reports of a public place shooting at a carpark on Arnott Street, Edgeworth. 

A 27-year-old man was found suffering gunshot wounds to the right leg and was taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment.

Detectives from Lake Macquarie Police District commenced investigations into the shooting under Strike Force Undola.

Initial investigations led detectives to believe the incidents were linked and allegedly involved members of the Nomads Outlaw Motorcycle Gang.

As part of ongoing joint investigations, strike force detectives have previously executed a search warrant at a Cardiff storage facility earlier this month, where a number of weapons, ammunition and a machete were located and seized.

Police also seized a number of items consistent with the Nomads Outlaw Motorcycle Gang during a subsequent vehicle stop conducted at Blackalls Park that same day.

Following further extensive joint inquiries, strike force detectives executed a search warrant at a home at Blackalls Park about 10.10am on Monday (29 August 2022).

A number of items relevant to the investigation were seized, including mobile phones and documents.

A 42-year-old woman was arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station, where she was charged with 12 offences, including special aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence, accessory after the fact of discharge firearm intend cause grievous bodily harm, conceal serious indictable offence, possess unauthorised prohibited firearm, possess unauthorised pistol, possess unauthorised firearm, possess ammunition without holding licence, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, act with intent to influence witness, and threat/cause injury/harm to prevent information to police.

She was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court yesterday (Tuesday 30 August 2022), where she was formally bail refused to appear at Toronto Local Court on Tuesday 25 October 2022.

A further two search warrant was executed at a home on Crestview Street, Gillieston Heights, about 7am yesterday (Tuesday 30 August 2022).

A 27-year-old man was arrested at one of the homes and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station.

He was charged with knowingly direct activities of criminal group, accessory after the fact of special aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence, discharge firearm intend cause grievous bodily harm, steal property in dwelling, and threat/cause injury/harm to prevent information to police.

He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court yesterday, where he was formally bail refused to reappear at Maitland Local Court today (Wednesday 31 August 2022).

Investigations under both strike forces are ongoing, with further arrests expected.

Statement on Russian obstruction of the nuclear treaty conference

The Australian Government is deeply disappointed that the tenth Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) did not reach a consensus outcome, despite the urgency of the international security environment.

After four weeks of negotiations in New York, all State Parties except Russia were ready to agree to a meaningful and balanced outcome across the treaty’s three pillars: disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Russia has deliberately obstructed progress. Its actions directly challenge core tenets of the NPT.

We condemn Russia’s ongoing unprovoked and unjustifiable war of aggression and call on Russia to immediately withdraw its forces from Ukrainian territory.

At the heart of the NPT is the goal of a world without nuclear weapons, a goal to which Australia remains deeply committed.

Australia is steadfast in our support of the NPT as the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime. Irrespective of this outcome, the treaty continues to deliver tangible security benefits to us all.

We must redouble our efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons. Australia will continue to make constructive contributions and work with others to strengthen the NPT.

I thank Assistant Minister for Trade Tim Ayres for leading Australia’s delegation to the Conference earlier this month and delivering our National Statement.

Aid package needed for Pakistan floods

Australian Greens Deputy Leader and International Aid spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that Australia must immediately provide aid funding and assistance to Pakistan as the country deals with unprecedented and disastrous flooding.

Senator Faruqi said:

“What’s unfolding in Pakistan right now is nothing short of disastrous and horrific. We are seeing people who did little to contribute to the climate emergency facing its worst consequences.

“Australia should deliver aid funding and assistance to support relief and reconstruction efforts, as well as the planning of climate-resilient infrastructure which can better withstand floods and extreme weather.

“Australia has a clear role to play here: not only as a wealthy country in our region, but also as a big contributor to the climate crisis which is driving more disasters.

“Australia needs to view the climate crisis with the urgency it demands, and commit to no new coal and gas as well as net zero emissions by 2035. That’s the action needed to tackle the systemic causes of the tragedies we see unfolding today.”

Do Blak Lives Matter to Shaquille O’Neal?

PointsBet Australian brand ambassador Shaquille O’Neal has met with Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to discuss their proposal for a Voice to Parliament.

This comes as Minister Burney met with the Joint Council on Closing Gap last week. The latest data from the Productivity Commission indicates that that the rates of suicide, incarceration and children in out-of-home care have risen for First Nations people.

“Why is Labor talking to American celebrities about advisory bodies, when we’ve got First Nations people dying in custody?” Said Senator Lidia Thorpe, the Greens spokesperson for First Nations and DjabWurrung, Gunnai and Gunditjmara woman.

Senator Lidia Thorpe, the Greens spokesperson for First Nations said:

“We have the solutions. We’ve had the solutions for decades and Labor is ignoring them. Want to prevent First Nations people from going to jail in the first place? Implement the recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.

“Approximately 40% of the Commission’s recommendations are about social factors: education, health, employment, housing and land rights. Implementing these recommendations will save peoples lives, before any referendum.

“You don’t need a Voice to Parliament to tell us that the recommendations from a 31 year old Royal Commission needs to be urgently implemented, to reduce the incarceration of our people. 

“Labor needs to stop tinkering around the edges with new so-called solutions. I’m seeing a lot of time and energy being put towards laying out a pathway to the Voice, while neglecting work that is decades overdue. 

“This is not the first time Labor has been in Government and ignored the self-determined solutions our old people gave them, in favour of photo ops. Is this a Government that takes Blak Lives Matter seriously? Will they implement the remaining recommendations? Clock’s ticking, Labor.”

Deliver fee-free uni and TAFE to boost education

Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has welcomed the Victorian Government’s announcement of fee-free tertiary degrees for nursing and midwifery students, and called for universal free higher education.

Senator Faruqi said:

“It’s great that thousands of nursing students won’t go into enormous debt in order to get an education. That opportunity should be extended to everyone.

“Free higher education has the potential to transform our society, giving students a world-class education while ensuring no one is saddled with a debt sentence as they start a new phase of their lives.

“Student debt is skyrocketing, with almost three million students owing a record $69 billion as of last year. It is out of control and we should be wiping it, not adding to it.

“The Greens want free education for everyone, whether you are leaving school, changing careers, retraining later in life or looking to gain new skills and knowledge. Education is a right, not a privilege reserved for just those who can afford to pay for it.”

Greens to move for energy transition authority in Parliament

The Greens Industry, Transition and Regional Development spokesperson and Gladstone local, Senator Penny Allman-Payne, will give notice of a Bill to establish a National Energy Transition Authority in the next sitting of Parliament.

The announcement comes after climate bill negotiations between the Greens and government, during which the government undertook to consider the Greens’ proposal for a statutory transition authority to support coal and gas communities and give them control over their futures as Australia tackles the climate crisis. 

The Greens were the only party to campaign at the election on a fully costed platform for statutory transition authorities to be established in coal and gas regions, managed by locals, unions and businesses, and funded to grow new industries and secure jobs.

The Bill will: 

  • Establish an independent statutory National Energy Transition Authority tasked with planning and coordinating to facilitate new economic opportunities for workers and communities who are currently involved in fossil fuel production and associated industries.
  • The National Energy Transition Authority will provide policy coordination and planning nationwide to enable regulatory conditions conducive to stable investment by both governments and business in clean energy and supporting infrastructure.
  • The Authority will draw on a Diversifying Coal Communities Fund of $2.8 billion over ten years, which will approve and fund local plans across the nation, developed by regionally based transition bodies in partnership with the National Energy Transition Authority.

Senator Penny Allman-Payne said:

“Everyone knows the phase out of coal is underway so we have to put in place plans and institutions to support the communities that will be affected. This must be on the table at the Jobs and Skills Summit.

“There is so much opportunity for new jobs and industries in the coal regions, we just need to get on with it. Where I live, in Central Queensland, coal and gas workers tell me they know their jobs are on the way out and they’re sick of governments pretending that it isn’t happening. They want some honesty, and they want a plan.

“As we have seen with the Latrobe Valley Authority, a locally led transition with national support can start to get results for coal workers, their families and their communities.

“During negotiations on the climate change legislation the government agreed to consider the Greens’ plans for a transition authority. If the Government and Greens make serious progress on this issue over the next three years, Coalition climate scare campaigns will fall on deaf ears because coal and gas communities will know their future is being planned for and that their children will have a secure future.

“The experience in Europe shows that if you plan the transition, workers can move into new well-paid jobs, be redeployed through industry-wide polling or benefit from early retirement, but it needs leadership from government.”

The Greens’ election policy, Powering Past Coal and Gas, outlined a plan for the transition authority, as well as a ‘Job for Job Guarantee’ wage support plan for coal workers. The ACTU has called for the establishment of a transition authority and although Labor did not propose any policies before the election, it is consistent with the policy platform set by its members, suggesting the Greens’ bill could pass Parliament. 

Reserve Bank modelling of the climate commitments of Australia’s major trading partners, including China, Japan and South Korea, could see our coal exports fall by up to 80%.

ARC review welcome but NIT and veto have to go

Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has welcomed today’s announced review of the Australian Research Council but urged action on a number of fronts.

Senator Faruqi said:

“The Senate inquiry I initiated earlier this year did recommend an independent review, and I’m glad Minister Clare has taken this up. It’s beyond time for a good hard look at the ARC.

“A couple of things are crystal clear: the ministerial veto power and the national interest test have to go. Scrapping the veto power is overwhelmingly backed by universities and researchers.

“The national interest test is completely unnecessary and onerous, and has attracted significant criticism. It has to be ditched, not tweaked.

“The minister can make these changes without delay.

“Let’s go back to first principles: the people who know best about what research to fund are those in the research community. Rigorous peer review is fundamental, but it’s been undermined by politics for far too long.

“The review should not narrow itself to governance and operations. We need to ask the basic question of why we can apparently only afford to fund as few as one in five projects under many schemes, despite vastly more projects being of high quality. A lack of proper funding is really harming Australian research.”

Wellbeing for additional needs students at the heart of school redevelopment

A state-of-the-art sensory garden and a hydrotherapy pool are two of the new and improved facilities at the centre of Passfield Park School, which was officially opened today by the Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell. 

Ms Mitchell said the $35 million redevelopment of Passfield Park School is part of the NSW Government’s $270 million investment in Schools for Specific Purposes across the state over the past eight years.  

The redevelopment is one of 15 delivered by the Government to provide modern and fit-for-purpose facilities for students with additional needs and their families. 

“The NSW Government is committed to providing the best education facilities for all students no matter their location or circumstance,” Ms Mitchell said.  

“The new environment at Passfield Park maximises learning opportunities for students and provides them with a greater sense of wellbeing.”  

The redevelopment also includes 16 permanent teaching spaces, a library and a hall, entrance and drop off areas, modern core facilities such as staff and administration areas, a covered outdoor learning area, expanded carpark for 68 cars, and an indoor sports facility.  

The NSW Government is investing $8.6 billion in school infrastructure over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver 160 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This builds on the more than $9.1 billion invested in projects delivered since 2017, which means a total program of $17.7 billion in public education infrastructure. 

Schools for specific purposes delivered by the NSW Government: 

1.    Ajuga School  

2.    Budawang School*  

3.    Campbell House School  

4.    Fernhill School  

5.    George Bass School 

6.    Glenfield Park School  

7.    Lucas Gardens School  

8.    Mainsbridge School 

9.    Parry School 

10. Passfield Park School 

11. Rowland Hassall School 

12. The Ponds School  

13. Tirriwirri School 

14. Wangee Park School 

15. Yandelora School 

16. Yawarra Community School  
* Delivered for 2023 

New home of sport and entertainment opens

More than 50,000 people will flock to the brand-new Allianz Stadium for the very first time today with a free community day and night, before the biggest names in sport and entertainment kick off a spectacular opening series of events.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet declared the state-of-the-art Stadium open with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque before the first fans made their way through the turnstiles.
 
“Today is a once-in-a-generation occasion as we open Sydney’s Allianz Stadium, a game changer for our state and another major infrastructure project delivered by our government,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“This world-class stadium is befitting of the nation’s only truly global city and will ensure  NSW continues to attract the biggest stars in sport, music and entertainment.”
 
The Community Open Day will feature live entertainment, stadium tours and a sports zone with players from the Sydney Roosters, NSW Waratahs and Sydney FC, while the night event will include an official opening ceremony with large-scale projections, light shows and live performances from Guy Sebastian and Baker Boy.
 
Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the Stadium will be the envy of sporting fans across the country, giving rugby league, football and rugby fans a phenomenal viewing experience.
 
“On Friday, 2 September our female athletes will create Australian sporting history, with the NRL Telstra Women’s Premiership marking the first official sporting event at the new stadium between the Sydney Roosters and St George Illawarra Dragons, before the Sydney Roosters face their oldest and fiercest rivalry, the South Sydney Rabbitohs,” Mr Henskens said.
 
“With the final piece of turf now laid and the last seats in place, the stadium has the best community and player facilities in the country, and I can’t wait for everyone to enjoy it.”
 
The 42,500 seat stadium has a 360-degree open concourse inside and outside the venue, steep seating angles providing unrivalled views of the field, and the very best Merivale food and beverage offering.
 
Minister for Tourism Ben Franklin said the new stadium will drive growth in the visitor economy and promote a strong cultural and sporting sector.
 
“Allianz Stadium will become the stage for some of the music world’s biggest stars, including pop sensation Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber and the legendary Sir Elton John,” Mr Franklin said.
 
“We’re expecting sellout after sellout in the opening months which will provide a significant boost to the NSW visitor economy.” 
 
Allianz Australia Managing Director Richard Feledy added: “As we mark ten years since Allianz’s commitment to the original Allianz Stadium, we are very proud to bring communities together again through this new world-class precinct. Now open to the public, Allianz Stadium Sydney joins the Allianz family of stadiums around the world.
 
“Allianz has been supporting Australians for over 100 years and we are thrilled to officially welcome visitors to the new Allianz Stadium to witness history, share in the electricity and create lifelong memories.”
 
More information about the new Allianz Stadium can be found online.

Illawarra REZ attracts $43 billion in potential investment

The Illawarra Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) has attracted $43 billion worth of potential investments in response to a call for expressions of interest for large-scale energy and green manufacturing projects. 

Minister for Energy Matt Kean said 44 projects were registered – including offshore and onshore wind, solar, energy storage, pumped hydro, green hydrogen and green steel – potentially delivering 17 gigawatts of generation and storage capacity.  

“The response has been tremendous, with particularly strong interest in offshore wind, energy storage technologies and green hydrogen,” Mr Kean said.  

“The Illawarra REZ will help deliver cheap and reliable energy, power existing industries, support emerging industries to thrive and create thousands of new jobs in the future.”

Registered industry interest includes: 

  • More than $35 billion in potential investment from 10 wind generation projects, with 8 located offshore, totalling 12.9 gigawatts of generation capacity; 
  • 5 solar projects; 
  • 16 energy storage projects including 11 batteries; 
  • 4 pumped hydro projects; 
  • 4 hydrogen production and two hydrogen electricity generation projects; and 
  • 3 new load projects including green steel manufacturing. 

“This highlights the variety of large-scale energy projects being developed in the region, that will ensure the Illawarra plays a role as the powerhouse of the renewable energy economy,” Mr Kean said.

“The Illawarra has a proud history of manufacturing and the REZ will only build on this legacy, with ROI projects including emerging manufacturing industries such as green steel production.” 

The information provided through the ROI will be used by the Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo) to inform the timing, capacity, design and location of the Illawarra REZ and is the first step in engaging with industry on its design.

EnergyCo will be engaging closely with industry, local government, local communities and other stakeholders as it progresses the design and delivery of the REZ. 

The Illawarra REZ is expected to be formally declared under the NSW Government’s Electricity Roadmap legislation by the end of 2022.