With the news overnight that Julian Assange has been denied bail, Greens Foreign Affairs spokesperson Senator Janet Rice has called on Prime Minister Morrison to act to ensure his wellbeing, and signalled that she will seek to involve the Australian Senate to act on his behalf.
Senator Rice said:
“I call on Mr Morrison to show some courage and pick up the phone to speak directly to both UK Prime Minister Boris Johnston to ensure Mr Assange’s wellbeing; and to US President-elect Joe Biden to drop the charges against him.
“It is a massive and tragic irony that the judgement has been made to not extradite Mr Assange because of risk of suicide, yet he is still being subject to onoging indefinite detention in the brutal conditions of Belmarsh prison.
“I urge Mr Morrison to heed the calls from Amnesty International who have said the decision to deny Julian Assange’s request for bail has rendered his continued detention ‘arbitrary’.
“If Mr. Assange is still being detained when Parliament resumes next month, I will request that the Joint Standing Committee for Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT) seek an urgent meeting with the incoming US Ambassador to Australia as soon as they arrive on our shores to discuss this case further.
“The US charges against Julian Assange must also be seen in the light of the chaos and insurrection in Washington overnight. It is the same President Trump who has incited his followers with baseless claims of conspiracy and fraud who is going after Assange, a whistleblower who exposed corruption and war crimes.
“Australia needs to speak out against the madness and attacks on democracy that have been the hallmarks of the Trump presidency, and that should include speaking up for the rights of an Australian citizen who should be being treated as a hero not a criminal.
“Julian Assange is an Australian citizen and therefore the responsibility of our government. He has suffered enough. The Australian Government must say ‘enough is enough’ and intervene to ensure his safety,” Senator Rice said.
Author: admin
Sport Integrity Australia Advisory Council
The oversight and guidance for sport integrity matters in Australia has been further strengthened with the appointment of a highly experienced nine-member Sport Integrity Australia Advisory Council.
The Advisory Council includes leaders from a wide cross section of sport, governance, government administration, law enforcement and child protection.
Minister for Sport, Richard Colbeck, said each member of the council brought with them a breadth of experience that would reinforce the work of Sport Integrity Australia in strengthening the framework of sport across Australia.
“I am pleased to announce the nine member advisory council,” Minister Colbeck said. “Each member brings skills and knowledge to provide advice on all areas of sports integrity.
“It follows the Australian Government’s recent investment of $10.1 million to introduce an independent complaints handling process within Sport Integrity Australia.”
Appointed members include World Sailing Vice President Sarah Kenny (Chair), Paralympics Australia CEO Lynne Anderson, Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland, former elite athlete and governance expert Margot Foster, former NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney, former senior public servant Peter Conran, sports consultant and former elite athlete Scott Draper, former National Children’s Commissioner Megan Mitchell and policy adviser Jason Marocchi.
Sport Integrity Australia commenced operations on 1 July 2020, and is the cornerstone of the Government’s sport integrity strategy.
The newly appointed Advisory Council will provide Strategic advice to both the CEO of Sport Integrity Australia as well as to the Minister for Sport.
“I am particularly pleased to announce Ms Sarah Kenny as Chair of the Advisory Council,” Minister Colbeck said. “Highly regarded for her national and international experience within the administration of Olympic sailing, Ms Kenny is a vice president of World Sailing, and represented Australia at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games in windsurfing.”
He said Ms Kenny also boasts an extensive legal career combining corporate law with a sports related practice including integrity matters.
“Experienced in the complex wagering regulatory regime in Australia, anti-money laundering, and complex integrity issues, her leadership will be invaluable to the success of the Advisory Council,” Minister Colbeck said.
Ms Kenny said it was an honour to be appointed.
“I am looking forward to working with the other highly respected Advisory Council members to bring together our combined experience and knowledge to advise on all aspects of sport integrity and to assist in safeguarding the integrity of Australian sport,” she said.
Minister Colbeck said the highly qualified council members will bring enormous value to the consideration of sport integrity issues and the way they are addressed.
“The Government has invested heavily in protecting the integrity of Australian sport.
“By establishing Sport Integrity Australia and the National Sports Tribunal, increasing investment into independent compliant handling and forming the Sport Integrity Australia Advisory Council, Australians can be confident everything possible is being done to keep the sport they love clean, safe and fair.”
The inaugural Sport Integrity Australia Advisory Council will consist of the following members:
- Ms Sarah Kenny (Chair)
- Ms Lynne Anderson (Member)
- Mr Peter Conran AM (Member)
- Ms Margot Foster AM (Member)
- Mr James Sutherland (Member)
- Mr Scott Draper (Member)
- Mr Ken Maroney AO APM (Member)
- Ms Megan Mitchell (Member)
- Mr Jason Marocchi (Member)
DUD NBN IS HOLDING AUSTRALIA BACK
Scott Morrison’s copper-based National Broadband Network is acting as a hand brake on national productivity and making it more difficult for Australians to work from home during the coronavirus pandemic.
The latest figures from the Speedtest Global Index show Australia’s broadband internet speeds now rank 60th in the world behind Moldova, Bulgaria, Belarus and New Zealand.
The Index listed Australia’s average broadband speed as 60.54 megabits per second in November, similar to speeds in Ukraine and Vietnam. The global leader was Singapore, with 241 megabits per second – four times faster than Australia.
Labor Leader Anthony Albanese said Scott Morrison should be ashamed of these figures.
“Today I will visit the electorate of Macquarie with local MP Susan Templeman, where hundreds of residents’ NBN connector boxes have failed in recent storms,’’ Mr Albanese said.
“Poor mobile phone coverage in the Blue Mountains and the Hawkesbury means some residents have been left without phone or internet for days or even weeks.
“Some people have lost up to six boxes in a row. They’ve started asking for a spare.’’
Ms Templeman said: “This makes it pretty much impossible for people to work from home or run a small business.
“It’s also dangerous during the bushfire season.’’
When the Government came to office, it replaced the former Labor Government’s plan for an NBN delivering fibre to the premises with a second-rate copper wire-based system that was out of date before it was even constructed.
In September, the Government finally admitted its error and committed $6 billion to bring the NBN into the 21st century, reverting to Labor’s initial plan.
This brings the cost of the NBN to $57 billion – nearly $30 billion more than what the Coalition promised their second-rate NBN would cost in 2013.
It has also been reported up to 238,000 NBN connections are still incapable delivering basic 25 megabit per second speeds, despite the Liberals promising everyone would have these minimum NBN speeds by 2016, and these speeds also being a requirement of Australian law.
Scott Morrison’s incompetence and mismanagement on communications is holding back business growth, particularly in regional Australia.
Man charged after 1kg of cocaine located – Heatherbrae
A man will appear in court today charged over the alleged commercial supply of prohibited drugs near Newcastle.
In October 2020, Strike Force Megig was established by the Hunter Regional Enforcement Squad (RES) to investigate the supply of illicit drugs in the Newcastle and Hunter regions.
Following inquiries, Hunter RES – assisted by Northern Operational Support Group officers (Operation Utah) and officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District – arrested a 29-year-old man at a caravan park on the Pacific Highway, Heatherbrae, about 7.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 5 January 2021).
Officers executed a search warrant at a cabin in the park, where they allegedly located more than 1kg of cocaine, drug paraphernalia and mobile phones.
The estimated potential street value of the cocaine is $450,000.
The man, from Palmview in Queensland, was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where he was charged with supply large commercial quantity prohibited drug and possess prohibited drug.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Wednesday 6 January 2021).
Alleged precursor chemicals located inside vehicle at Newcastle
Two men will face court today following a vehicle stop in Newcastle yesterday.
About 11.45am (Tuesday 5 January 2021), officers from Newcastle City Police District were patrolling the Wallsend area when they stopped a Subaru Forrester on Cowper Street and spoke with two men – aged 26 and 30.
Both men were arrested in relation to traffic offences and outstanding arrest warrants.
Police conducted a search of the vehicle during which officers located precursors consistent with the alleged manufacture of prohibited drugs, along with drug paraphernalia, methylamphetamine and GBL.
NSW Fire and & Rescue HAZMAT crews were called to render the scene safe, with officers attached to the State Crime Command Drug and Firearms Squad’s Chemical Operations Team deployed to process the scene.
The alleged driver – a 30-year-old Jesmond man – was charged with drive motor vehicle during disqualification period.
A 26-year-old Raymond Terrace man was charged with four outstanding warrants for numerous property, drug, weapon and breach of bail offences.
Both men were refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Wednesday 6 January 2021).
Investigations into the items located during the vehicle search are ongoing.
Wanted Parramatta pair now believed to be in Hunter region
Police are re-appealing for public assistance as inquiries continue to locate a man and woman who are wanted on outstanding warrants.
Elika Asasi, aged 27, is wanted after she escaped from Corrective Services NSW custody at Westmead Hospital on Wednesday 9 December.
Elika is described as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, about 165cm tall, of medium build, with brown hair.
Christopher Szenczy, aged 31, is wanted on an outstanding warrant for drug and property related offences and was seen driving away from Westmead Hospital in a vehicle with Elika.
Christopher is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 170cm tall, of solid build, with short brown hair.
Detectives are now working with officers from the Port Stephens-Hunter Police District, as police have received information that the man and woman may have travelled to the Hunter region.
Police are warning members of the public not to approach the pair, but to instead call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Inquiries continue.
Driver sought after crashing into house – Cessnock
Police are appealing for information and searching for a driver who fled the scene of a crash in the Hunter Region overnight.
About 9.30pm (Wednesday 6 January 2021), officers from Hunter Valley Police District attended Chapman Street and found a dark grey Holden Statesman crashed into a house.
Police have been told the car was travelling on High Street when it struck a Ford Fiesta, mounted the kerb, before hitting the house, causing significant damage.
The driver fled the scene prior to the arrival of officers.
A crime scene was established and inquiries to locate the driver have commenced.
The residents of the home were uninjured.
Latest breaches of Public Health Orders
Police have issued 12 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs), and issued more than 50 warnings for breaches of the Public Health Act.
Police issued fines to 11 people, with one man receiving PINs on successive days.
Details of the PINS issued include,
• Just before 4.30pm on Tuesday (5 January 2020), officers attached to Police Transport Command (PTC) approached a man without a face covering at Blacktown Train Station. The man told police he didn’t have a mask and had no intention of getting one. The man was issued a $200 Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN). About 9.45am yesterday (Wednesday 6 January 2021), PTC officers approached the man, who was again at Blacktown Train Station and not wearing a mask. He allegedly swore at police and said he does not wear masks. He was issued a second $200 PIN and given a move-on direction.
• Officers from Cumberland Police Area Command were called to a shopping centre at Merrylands about 9.30am following reports a man was verbally abusing security and staff. On arrival, police were told the 60-year-old man had been asked to put a mask on, which he refused to do, and became aggressive before security directed him to leave. As he was being escorted from the centre, the man struggled with a security officer before they both fell to the ground. While no injuries were reported, the man requested to be taken to Auburn Hospital, where he again refused to wear a face mask. He was issued a $200 PIN.
• Just before 9.30am, a 68-year-old man allegedly entered a hardware store at Blacktown without a face mask. A security guard and a police officer approached the man and directed him to wear a mask; however, he refused. He also refused to show police identification. He was arrested and taken to Blacktown Police Station so police could conduct further inquiries. The man was subsequently issued a $200 PIN.
• About 10.20am, officers from PTC spoke with a 45-year-old man who was drinking alcohol on a train near Panania. The man was escorted from the train and checks revealed the man had previously been warned about not wearing a face mask while on public transport. He was subsequently issued a $200 PIN and an infringement for drinking alcohol on public transport.
• Police were conducting proactive patrols at a shopping centre at Bass Hill about 2.45pm when they approached a 38-year-old man in a supermarket who was not wearing a face mask. The man told police he had been at the gym and left his mask in the car. While speaking with police, another man approached and gave him a face mask, but police allege the man refused to put it on. He was subsequently issued a $200 PIN.
• About 3.25pm, officers from PTC approached a 54-year-old man, who was not wearing a face mask, at Glenfield Train Station. The man told officers that a mask won’t work because he has a beard. He was subsequently issued a $200 PIN.
• Officers from PTC approached a 44-year-old man as he alighted from a train at Glenfield Train Station about 5.30pm, after noticing he was not wearing a face mask. The man told officers he didn’t have a mask despite knowing he needed to wear one. He was subsequently issued a $200 PIN.
• PTC officers approached a 38-year-old woman who was smoking while waiting on a platform at Campbelltown Train Station about 6.30pm. She was advised that it was an offence to smoke in the area and also an offence not to wear a face mask. After checks revealed the woman did not have a valid Opal card, she was issued a $200 PIN and two further infringements for smoking and fare evasion.
• Just after 9.30pm, officers from PTC approached an 18-year-old woman who was not wearing a face mask on the concourse at Glenfield Train Station. The woman ignored police and continued to walk away but had to stop to wait on the platform. She told officers that she didn’t have a mask and just wanted to catch the train. Police subsequently issued her with a $200 PIN.
• Officers from PTC were patrolling a train near Mt Druitt about 3.20pm, when they spoke to a 50-year-old man who was not wearing a face mask. After the man stated he left his mask at home and did not have a valid ticket, he was issued a $200 PIN and an infringement for fare evasion.
• About 10pm, officers attached to PTC were conducting patrols on trains travelling on the Airport and South Line when they approached a 24-year-old man who was not wearing a mask. When asked why, the man stated he didn’t need to wear one. He was issued a $200 PIN.
Police also issued more than 50 warnings across Greater Sydney to people not wearing masks yesterday.
Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any ministerial direction or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community.
Anyone with information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of COVID-19-related ministerial directions is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
Police allegedly assaulted, intimidated during COVID-19 compliance check
Two people have been charged after police were allegedly assaulted during a COVID-19 compliance check in Sydney’s west.
About midnight (Thursday 7 January 2021), officers from Auburn Police Area Command attended a home on Amy Street, Regents Park, to conduct a compliance check on a 39-year-old man.
On arrival, it’s alleged the man verbally abused police before threatening them.
Additional police attended and the man was arrested after allegedly resisting five officers.
During the incident, a 20-year-old woman, known to the man, allegedly hindered police and assaulted a male senior constable.
They were both arrested and taken to Auburn Police Station where the man was charged with intimidate police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm and resist of hinder police officer in the execution of duty.
The woman was charged with two counts of assault police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm.
They have both been refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court today (Thursday 7 January 2021).
Wanted Parramatta pair located and charged – Raymond Terrace
Police have located and charged a man and woman wanted on outstanding warrants in the Hunter Region yesterday.
Following a public appeal for assistance and extensive inquiries into the location of the woman who escaped from Corrective Services NSW custody last month, and a wanted man, officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were alerted to the possible location of the pair about 4.45pm yesterday (Wednesday 6 January 2021).
With assistance from the Proactive Crime Team, police attended a home on Richardson Road, Raymond Terrace, where they arrested a 27-year-old woman and 31-year-old man allegedly hiding in a bedroom.
Police located a knife and two sets of car keys allegedly within the man’s backpack.
The man and woman were taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where they were charged with various offences.
The woman was charged with shoplifting, drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, use class A vehicle with unauthorised number plate affixed, drive unlicensed, and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (motor vehicle).
The man was charged with shoplifting, drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, use class A vehicle with unauthorised number plate affixed, two counts of drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (motor vehicle).
They were both refused bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 7 January 2021).
Police will allege the woman, a female inmate, escaped from Westmead Hospital at around 10.40am, Wednesday 9 December 2020, with the man – who was wanted on an outstanding warrant for drug and property related offences.
Police will further allege the pair committed various stealing offences, including two cars and alcohol from a bottle shop.