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Prue Car must act immediately on classroom porn and sex chat

Children as young as 12 in Year 6 at Illawong Public School were subjected to a graphic and highly inappropriate discussion led by a senior staff member, which included references to anal sex and an adult streaming website. 

Parents are understandably upset and demanding answers after discovering the content of the discussion, which has no place in any school environment.

The incident occurred following a program on sexual health called “Amazing Me,” which had received parental consent. However, the unapproved follow-up discussion went far beyond any reasonable boundaries. 

Students were asked to write questions anonymously, and these questions were read aloud and answered in a way which led to discussions about an adult streaming website and sex acts.

The Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said parents trusted Illawong Public School to provide a safe and age-appropriate education for their children. 

“Instead, they were exposed to a discussion relating to pornography and explicit sexual acts. This isn’t education—this is recklessness,” Mr Speakman said. 

Member for Miranda Eleni Petinos, who raised the matter in Parliament on Friday, said parents are furious—and they have every right to be. This isn’t just inappropriate; it’s indefensible.

“Instead of stepping up and facing these parents the Minister for Education Prue Car has gone silent. Where is her leadership? Where is her accountability? These families deserve answers, not excuses. The Minister for Education hasn’t even contacted me as the local member—her absence in this matter speaks volumes,” Ms Petinos said.

The Opposition is demanding immediate action from the Education Minister, including:

  • A truly independent and transparent investigation, with no conflicts of interest, to uncover how this was allowed to happen.
  • An apology and direct engagement with Illawong families to rebuild trust and demonstrate accountability.
  • An assurance from the Minister that these classroom discussions are not occurring elsewhere in NSW and what measures will be taken to prevent this from happening again

An inappropriate discussion is concerning enough, but it is even more troubling when the government’s response leaves parents feeling ignored and unsupported.

SOCIAL MEDIA COMMITTEE TABLES FINAL REPORT

The Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australian Society has tabled its final report.

The committee, chaired by Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon MP, has examined the decision of Meta to abandon deals under the News Media Bargaining Code, the important role of Australian news and public interest journalism in countering mis- and disinformation on digital platforms, the algorithms, recommender systems and corporate decision making of digital platforms, and the influence and impact of social media on Australian society at large.  

Over the course of the inquiry, the committee heard a range of perspectives from stakeholders including social media platforms, media organisations, youth organisations, parents with lived experience of the harms of social media, academics and other experts.

This is the third and final report of the Committee and focuses on the impacts of social media and Australian society. It examines the influence of social media on users’ health and wellbeing, particularly on vulnerable cohorts of people, but also how social media can provide users with a positive connection, a sense of community, a place for expression, and instant access to information and entertainment.

The final report has made twelve considered recommendations, which aim to address concerns raised during the course of the inquiry, including:

  • greater enforceability of laws to bring digital platforms under Australian jurisdiction
  • support for a single and overarching statutory duty of care for digital platforms to ensure Australian users, particularly children, are safe online
  • effective, mandatory data access for independent researchers and public interest organisations, coupled with a rigorous auditing process by appropriate regulators
  • measures to enable users greater control over the content they see by having the ability to alter, reset, or turn off their personal algorithms and recommender systems
  • greater protections for users’ personal information
  • inclusion of young Australians in the co-design processes for the regulation of social media
  • research and data collection provisions to enable evidence-based policy development
  • ongoing education to improve digital competency and online safety skills
  • built in safety-by-design principles for current and future platform technology
  • a transparent complaints mechanism that incorporates a right of appeal process, and
  • adequate resourcing for the Office of the eSafety Commissioner to discharge its evolving functions.

Committee Chair Sharon Claydon:

 “The Committee strongly supports the twelve recommendations in this report, and the eleven of the second interim report.

“Each recommendation addresses the complexity of the problem, recognises the value of both social media and public interest journalism in Australia, and is aimed squarely at keeping Australians safe online.

“With this report, big tech is now on notice. Digital platforms are not immune from the need to have a social licence to operate.

“This report comes at a time when the government is already taking strong action to hold big tech to account through protections for young people by limiting their access to social media, and broader reforms to move online safety to a duty of care model announced by the government last week.”

Two charged over alleged fatal stabbing – Hamilton

Two people have been charged over the alleged fatal stabbing of a man in Newcastle at the weekend.

Emergency services had been called to Beaumont Street, Hamilton, about 2.40am Sunday (17 November 2024), and found a 22-year-old man suffering multiple stab wounds. He died in hospital at short time later.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation under Strike Force Mannum, with the assistance of the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.

Following inquiries, a 27-year-old man was arrested at Waratah Police Station about 11am yesterday (Monday 18 November 2024).

The man, from North Lambton, has now been charged with murder and has been refused bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court later today.

About 5:10pm yesterday, a 33-year-old woman was arrested at a bus stop at Bankstown.

She was taken to Bankstown Police Station and charged with murder and has been refused bail to appear in Bankstown Local Court today.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Appeal to locate man missing from Muswellbrook

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from the state’s Hunter Region.

Gavin Moresby-White, aged 68, was last seen on Greg Stairs Road, Gungal – 50km west of Muswellbrook – about 10.30am on Tuesday 29 October 2024.

When concerns were raised for his welfare on Friday 15 November 2024, officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police and family hold serious concerns for Gavin as his disappearance is out of character.

Gavin is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 170cm tall with medium build, and balding with white hair.

He is known to drive a Toyota Camry with QLD plates 859MHT, which was found by police on Greg Stairs Road, Gungal.

Anyone with information into his whereabouts or dashcam footage is urged to call Hunter Valley police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Greens pledge to fight PFAS & plastics

Plastic production makes up 45% of the petrochemical sector which is expected to drive half the world’s oil demand growth between now and 2050, according to the International Energy Agency.

Action on waste is action on climate, yet the Albanese government is refusing to take this seriously. Australia needs legislation and regulation that tackles plastic waste and Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) at the design stage, instead of waiting for the pollutants to be created, only to then figure out how to manage or repurpose them.

That’s why the Greens have today announced plans to ensure big producers of plastics are forced to clean up the mess they make, and take a design-first approach to waste that bans the most toxic plastics and all PFAS pollutants.

Greens spokesperson for Waste and Recycling, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson:

“Plastic pollution is no longer some faraway problem floating out in a distant ocean. Toxic and dangerous plastics are now found everywhere, and people are increasingly clued into the fact most are cooked up in a lab from oil-based chemicals. Make no mistake, plastics and PFAS are fuelling the climate crisis.

“It’s farcical that big corporate producers and retailers of toxic plastics and plastic packaging currently have no obligation to take responsibility for the products they unleash into the world. Successive federal governments have disgracefully allowed big plastic producers to set their own voluntary plastic waste reduction targets they’ve had no intention of meeting without any penalties or threats of regulation – it’s got to change.

“The big producers of plastics and PFAS have had their chance to clean up their act and they haven’t. Our planet is now sick and our communities are suffering. It’s beyond time for mandated plastic waste reduction schemes and action that tackles the most harmful plastic pollutants at the design stage.”

Greens candidate for Macnamara, Sonya Semmens:
 

“The dolphins in Port Phillip Bay have the highest reported PFAS levels in the world. It’s not surprising when you understand the amount of plastic rubbish and wastewater that washes onto the beach. I know I’m not the only parent wondering what the health risks are for kids
and families swimming in the bay.

“To end this plastic pollution, we need to change the system that creates it. Australia desperately needs legislation and regulation that tackles plastic waste and PFAS at the design stage instead of waiting for the pollutants to be created, only to then figure out how to manage or repurpose them.

“We know that action on waste is action on climate, yet the government is refusing to take this seriously. Other countries started phasing out PFAS years ago and Australia now risks becoming the global dumping ground for products containing these insidious chemicals.

“Labor and the Liberals have both failed to protect communities across the nation from plastic waste and PFAS. We can’t keep voting for these same two tired parties and expecting a different result – Australia needs change now, and we need more Greens in parliament to
make it happen.

“Cleaning up our Bay and waterways won’t happen overnight, but the first step is to vote for someone who is fighting for it.”

The Greens plan for plastics, packaging & recycling:

  • Implement a national ban on the most harmful single-use plastic items to ensure a federally consistent approach across Australian jurisdictions;
  • Deliver a mandated packaging product stewardship scheme (extended producer responsibility scheme) that brings Australia into line with international best practice;
  • Legislate to make adoption of Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) mandatory on all consumer packaging;
  • Invest $500 million over five years into building infrastructure and deploying innovative technologies to increase recycling rates in Australia. This includes investment to build secondary markets for recycled materials.

The Greens plan for PFAS & forever chemicals:

  • Act immediately to ban all types of forever chemicals (PFAS) in all uses. This will include, but not be limited to, bans for PFAS use in consumer packaging, agrichemicals/pesticides and cosmetic products;
  • Take a design-first approach to management of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and PFAS by regulating out harmful chemicals and other contaminants in packaging;
  •  Implement standardised national frameworks for acceptable levels of all POPs and compounds – especially PFAS – in the creation of organic compost;
  • To support food waste recycling and to relieve current pressures on the waste and resource recovery sector to manage PFAS, the Greens will work with industry and stakeholders to develop a timeline to remove contaminants from compostable food packaging.

2024 Lima APEC Leaders’ Summit

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has joined with leaders from across the region in Lima, Peru for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

APEC is the leading economic and trade forum for our Asia-Pacific region.

Keeping trade free, fair and open benefits all Australians. One in four Australian jobs are related to trade, and around 75 per cent of Australia’s total trade is with APEC members.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Albanese called for further regional economic cooperation and progress towards digital trade, which will make trade faster, easier and cheaper for businesses and consumers.

Leaders discussed the transition to net zero, with Prime Minister Albanese sharing Australia’s ambition to become a renewable energy superpower and highlighting the economic and job opportunities this will present.

Prime Minister Albanese joined leaders to endorse the 2024 APEC Leaders’ Declaration that advances inclusive and interconnected trade initiatives. The declaration sets out APEC’s work in trade facilitation, services trade, digital trade, agricultural sustainability, and gender equality and inclusion.

In the sidelines of the APEC Leaders’ Summit, the Prime Minister met with Peruvian President Boluarte, Indonesian President Prabowo, and Singaporean Prime Minister Wong.

The Prime Minister will now travel to Brazil for the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“With one in four Australian jobs connected to trade, forums like APEC are vital to keep trade free and open.

“Australia is committed to working through APEC to achieve strong, sustainable and inclusive growth.

“I congratulate Peru and President Boluarte on a successful APEC and look forward to working closely with the Republic of Korea as host of APEC in 2025.”

Man fatally stabbed – Hamilton

A man has died following a stabbing in Newcastle this morning.

About 2.40am (Sunday 17 November 2024), emergency services were called to Beaumont Street, Hamilton, following reports of a stabbing.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District attended and found a man, believed to be aged in his 20s, with stab wounds.

NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the man before he was taken to hospital, where he later died.

The man is yet to be formally identified.

Police have established a crime scene and commenced an investigation, with the assistance of the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.

Beaumont Street is closed between Tudor and Donald Street, with motorists and pedestrians advised to avoid the area.

Anyone with information about the incident, was in the area at the time – or has dash cam or mobile phone footage is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

$125 million to support the Pacific’s renewable energy transition

The Albanese Government is partnering with Pacific nations to improve energy security and scale up energy grid transition with a $125 million investment in renewable energy.

At COP29, Australia announced the funding which comprises a $75 million investment through the REnew Pacific program and $50 million through the Australia-Pacific Partnership for Energy Transition (APPET) program.

Delivered by the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific, the ‘REnew Pacific’ program will help deliver off-grid and community scale renewable energy in remote and rural parts of the Pacific.

The program will enable lighting, access to water, improved agriculture, better food security, quality education and health services, reliable communications connectivity and enhanced incomes.

The $50 million APPET funding responds to Pacific priorities to capture more of the benefits of renewable energy investments. This may include energy transition modelling, grid studies, renewable energy project feasibility studies, university collaborations and other activities to support energy transition progress.

It will support the skills and training needed to grow the Pacific’s renewable energy workforce and provide practical, Pacific-led support to Pacific governments and energy operators.

Australia recently announced an additional $9 million contribution to the Pacific Regional NDC Hub, which is designed to respond to Pacific requests for support on a range of climate activities.

Funding for APPET and the contribution to the Pacific Regional NDC Hub is being made available by repurposing funds from the Indo Pacific Carbon Offset Scheme (IPCOS), an initiative of the former Government. Existing bilateral commitments made under IPCOS will be honoured where they remain relevant.

Further information can be found on the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water’s website.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong

“Supporting Pacific nations’ transition to renewable energy and away from imported fossil fuels will enhance economic resilience, improve energy security and help them meet their climate goals.

“Addressing climate change is a key priority for the Pacific, and the Albanese Labor Government is working hard to restore Australia’s climate leadership at home and abroad.”

Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen

“Climate change is no longer an abstract concern, it’s a reality and an existential threat for Pacific nations. Australia is working with our Pacific neighbours to strengthen their energy security and accelerate the renewable energy transformation across our region.

“Each step we take to fight climate change is a step back from the brink, and Australia is dedicated to working with our Pacific neighbours to make sure our next steps are the right ones.”

Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy

“The five-year REnew Pacific program shows our commitment to bringing affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy to remote and rural communities in the Pacific region.

“This will help improve living standards and create jobs. We are strengthening the region’s climate resilience through inclusive development and support its energy transition.”

Greens pledge to fight PFAS & plastics

Plastic production makes up 45% of the petrochemical sector which is expected to drive half the world’s oil demand growth between now and 2050, according to the International Energy Agency.

Action on waste is action on climate, yet the Albanese government is refusing to take this seriously. Australia needs legislation and regulation that tackles plastic waste and Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) at the design stage, instead of waiting for the pollutants to be created, only to then figure out how to manage or repurpose them.

That’s why the Greens have today announced plans to ensure big producers of plastics are forced to clean up the mess they make, and take a design-first approach to waste that bans the most toxic plastics and all PFAS pollutants.

Greens spokesperson for Waste and Recycling, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson:

“Plastic pollution is no longer some faraway problem floating out in a distant ocean. Toxic and dangerous plastics are now found everywhere, and people are increasingly clued into the fact most are cooked up in a lab from oil-based chemicals. Make no mistake, plastics and PFAS are fuelling the climate crisis.

“It’s farcical that big corporate producers and retailers of toxic plastics and plastic packaging currently have no obligation to take responsibility for the products they unleash into the world. Successive federal governments have disgracefully allowed big plastic producers to set their own voluntary plastic waste reduction targets they’ve had no intention of meeting without any penalties or threats of regulation – it’s got to change.

“The big producers of plastics and PFAS have had their chance to clean up their act and they haven’t. Our planet is now sick and our communities are suffering. It’s beyond time for mandated plastic waste reduction schemes and action that tackles the most harmful plastic pollutants at the design stage.”

Greens candidate for Macnamara, Sonya Semmens:
 

“The dolphins in Port Phillip Bay have the highest reported PFAS levels in the world. It’s not surprising when you understand the amount of plastic rubbish and wastewater that washes onto the beach. I know I’m not the only parent wondering what the health risks are for kids
and families swimming in the bay.

“To end this plastic pollution, we need to change the system that creates it. Australia desperately needs legislation and regulation that tackles plastic waste and PFAS at the design stage instead of waiting for the pollutants to be created, only to then figure out how to manage or repurpose them.

“We know that action on waste is action on climate, yet the government is refusing to take this seriously. Other countries started phasing out PFAS years ago and Australia now risks becoming the global dumping ground for products containing these insidious chemicals.

“Labor and the Liberals have both failed to protect communities across the nation from plastic waste and PFAS. We can’t keep voting for these same two tired parties and expecting a different result – Australia needs change now, and we need more Greens in parliament to
make it happen.

“Cleaning up our Bay and waterways won’t happen overnight, but the first step is to vote for someone who is fighting for it.”

The Greens plan for plastics, packaging & recycling:

  • Implement a national ban on the most harmful single-use plastic items to ensure a federally consistent approach across Australian jurisdictions;
  • Deliver a mandated packaging product stewardship scheme (extended producer responsibility scheme) that brings Australia into line with international best practice;
  • Legislate to make adoption of Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) mandatory on all consumer packaging;
  • Invest $500 million over five years into building infrastructure and deploying innovative technologies to increase recycling rates in Australia. This includes investment to build secondary markets for recycled materials.

The Greens plan for PFAS & forever chemicals:

  • Act immediately to ban all types of forever chemicals (PFAS) in all uses. This will include, but not be limited to, bans for PFAS use in consumer packaging, agrichemicals/pesticides and cosmetic products;
  • Take a design-first approach to management of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and PFAS by regulating out harmful chemicals and other contaminants in packaging;
  •  Implement standardised national frameworks for acceptable levels of all POPs and compounds – especially PFAS – in the creation of organic compost;
  • To support food waste recycling and to relieve current pressures on the waste and resource recovery sector to manage PFAS, the Greens will work with industry and stakeholders to develop a timeline to remove contaminants from compostable food packaging.

$52 million extra to help Byron’s disaster recovery

More than $52.5 million in additional disaster recovery funding has been approved by the Albanese and Minns Governments to help the Byron Shire Council restore damaged road infrastructure.

The funding, provided through the jointly-funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, will go towards restoring the slope at multiple locations and repairing the culvert at Coopers Lane.

Funding received will be used to repair landslips on: Coolamon Scenic Drive (two locations), Left Bank Road (two locations), Wilsons Creek Road (three locations), Coopers Creek Road (two locations), Goonengerry Road, Frasers Road, The Pocket Road (three locations), Tristran Parade, Huonbrook Road (five locations), Johnsons Road (four locations), Dry Creek Road, Main Arm Road, Monet Drive, St Helena Road, Wanganui Road, and Possum Shoot Road.

These repairs will help ensure that communities in the Byron Shire can access safer and more resilient roads.

Eight packages of funding have been approved for this work and range in value from $506,000 to $15.89 million.

Because of the volume of work, repairs will be carried out over a number of years.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Jenny McAllister:

“The 2022 floods had an enduring impact on the community of Byron Shire.

“We’re restoring roads across Byron Shire to help families stay connected and help businesses access roads they can rely on.

“We’re working with all levels of government to help local communities not only recover but rebuild for the long term.”

Federal Member for Richmond, Justine Elliot:

“We know how important it is to keep communities connected during and after natural disasters.

“These roads upgrades across the Byron Shire are about building back better, by repairing the damage and ensuring locals can access safer and more resilient roads.

“I’m proud to be part of the Albanese Labor Government, delivering this joint investment with the NSW Minns Labor Government to continue disaster recovery in the Byron Shire.”

NSW Minister for Planning, Paul Scully:

“We saw how heavily impacted parts of the Byron Shire have been by weather events in recent years so this investment is important.

“These works on multiple sections of road in the Byron Shire will be welcome and will help restore normal travel routes around the area.”

NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison:

“We know the NSW North Coast is vulnerable to severe weather events, and this funding will help Byron Shire Council carry out the necessary repairs to get them back on track.

“This funding will enable Council to get on with the vital work of restoring the local roads that people use every day to travel to work and education, see their families and get to medical appointments.

“Working together across all levels of Government, we are ramping up investment to help communities remain connected or re-connect faster following a severe weather event.”

NSW Member for Lismore and Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery, Janelle Saffin:

“I know that my Parliamentary colleague State Member for Ballina Tamara Smith will also welcome funding for extensive restoration works to improve resilience of Byron Shire roads within both of our respective electorates.

“I am very pleased to be part of a government making a significant investment in better road safety for local residents and visitors who use these roads on a daily basis.”

Duty MLC for Ballina, Emily Suvaal:

“It has been great to work with the Member for Lismore and Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery, Janelle Saffin, to help secure this funding.

“Working cooperatively within and across all levels of government is how we get things done.”

Byron Shire Council’s Manager of Infrastructure Recovery, Phil Warner:

“We want to be up front with our communities, who are obviously eager for repair work to be completed. It’s fantastic that we’ve received funding to do these important repairs but in some cases it will take us several years before we complete the work.

“This is because we need to plan the work, get it approved, and secure materials and people to do the work.

“We thank the community for their continued patience and will keep everyone updated on the timeframes for each of the repairs.”