A woman will face court after she was charged with allegedly committing nearly 80 fraudulent transactions amounting to over $650 000 while employed at an aged-care facility at Strathfield.
In August 2020 Auburn Police Area Command received information that a number of fraudulent transactions had occurred in relation to an employee of the Margaret Street facility between 2017 and 2020, and an investigation commenced.
Following inquiries, Auburn detectives attended a house in Australia Avenue, Sydney Olympic Park and arrested a 63-year-old woman yesterday (Monday 8 February 2021).
The woman was issued a future court attendance notice for 78 counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception.
She is due to appear in Burwood Local Court on Thursday 25 March 2021.
Author: admin
Aged Care Voluntary Industry Code of Practice
The Australian Government congratulates the Aged Care Workforce Industry Council on its official launch of the Voluntary Industry Code of Practice.
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck said the Code of Practice is already receiving strong early support from the aged care sector, as some of Australia’s largest providers pledge their commitment to quality care.
“This Code of Practice is the first of its kind for the aged care sector in Australia,” Minister Colbeck said.
“It is based on seven guiding principles for quality care and will be a transformative tool for Australia’s aged care sector.
“Importantly, this Code of Practice tells Australians that the aged care sector has aspirations for excellence, and will hold itself accountable to the community.”
Minister Colbeck said the launch with industry and workforce leaders marks a new chapter in the delivery of quality aged care services in Australia.
Most importantly, it highlights the process of continuous improvement of aged care services in Australia, as a feature of adopting the principles of the Code.
The Voluntary Industry Code of Practice was developed, in consultation with consumers, providers, and peak bodies, and is an achievement against strategic action 2 from A Matter of Care, Australia’s Aged Care Workforce Strategy.
The Code of Practice is a centrepiece of the strategy, and provides the framework for a culture of proactive reform from aged care providers.
“The Government is supporting work to implement the strategy with $10.3 million over three years allocated in the 2020–21 Budget,” Minister Colbeck said.
“This investment will support ACWIC to lead nine projects, and help implement other actions from the strategy.
“This additional funding builds on $2.3 million the Government previously delivered to support the establishment of the ACWIC and kick-start its important work.
“The Code of Practice underpins the values and principles for delivering quality care to our senior Australians.
“In practice, these principles will better support the aged care workforce in its critical role of caring for, and delivering services to, older Australians.”
Minister Colbeck commended the Aged Care Workforce Industry Council and the sector for showing commitment to tangible reform.
“The fact that industry has reached this milestone during a year of such disruption, due to COVID-19, is a testament to the sector’s commitment to cultural change,” he said.
“It’s a demonstration the sector will work to meet – and exceed – the community’s high expectations when the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety releases its final report in February.”
For more information on the Voluntary Industry Code of Practice, please visit www.acwic.com.au.
Next milestones in Australia’s F-35 program
The first F-35A aircraft has been inducted into BAE Systems Australia’s (BAESA) maintenance depot as part of the next major milestone in the Joint Strike Fighter Program.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the F-35A fleet was now 33 strong and ready to deploy on operations.
“This is about protecting and securing Australia’s interests but it’s also creating jobs and driving investment right here in the Hunter and across the country too,” the Prime Minister said.
“This induction demonstrates the world leading capability of our local defence industry here in Australia.
“We want to give as many opportunities to Australian companies as possible which is why there’s already more than 50 local companies sharing in $2.7 billion worth of contracts as part of the F-35 Program.
“As we recover from the COVID recession a key plank of our Economic Recovery Plan is our $270 billion investment in Defence capability over the next decade and our $65 billion commitment in air capabilities which includes the Joint Strike Fighter Program. This investment is keeping Australians safe and secure while creating more jobs and more opportunities for businesses.”
After being selected as the maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade depot for the Southeast Asia region, the BAESA facility will host Australian F-35A aircraft and in future other nations’ F-35 aircraft.
The Program is progressing on budget and on schedule and the aircraft is undergoing routine structural modifications to improve the airframe, ensuring it reaches full life, and align it with newer aircraft.
Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds CSC said up to four Australian F-35A aircraft were expected to undergo routine maintenance at BAESA’s facility this year, demonstrating the significant boost the Program was having on the local Hunter economy.
“The Morrison Government is unashamedly committed to building a robust sovereign defence industry,” Minister Reynolds said.
“We are building our sovereign defence capabilities. We now have 41 fully trained RAAF pilots, nine of whom trained on home soil at RAAF Base Williamtown. We also have more than 225 trained technicians as the RAAF’s F-35A maintenance capability continues to develop.”
This progress is being supported through the sovereign Training Support Services contract awarded to Lockheed Martin Australia, worth approximately $70 million. It will see more than 70 personnel employed at RAAF Base Williamtown and RAAF Base Tindal.
“This demonstrates the extraordinary opportunities this program is providing for Australians and the economy, especially as it continues to bounce back from COVID-19,” Minister Reynolds said.
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the program had helped the people of the Hunter region weather the impact of the economic impact of the pandemic.
“In 2020, job losses in the aeronautics industry due to COVID-19 resulted in the closure of Jetstar’s aircraft maintenance facility here in Newcastle, and many other regional facilities,” Minister Price said.
“BAESA recently hired 25 former Jetstar employees who had been made redundant as a result of the pandemic.
“Not only have these technical workers been retained in the local Hunter aviation industry, but they will also help Defence build its sovereign sustainment capability as the fleet continues to grow.”
More information about the F-35A Lightning II is available at: https://www.airforce.gov.au/technology/aircraft/strike/f-35a-lightning-ii and https://www.defence.gov.au/CASG/AboutCASG/OurStructure/Air/
INNOVATIVE PROJECT TO TRANSFORM YOUNG LIVES
More than 50 young people leaving out-of-home care will soon move into a first-of-its-kind development in Sydney, providing secure housing and access to specialist services and support to help them break the cycle of disadvantage.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said Foyer Central would give young people leaving care the best possible start to adulthood as they undertake work, study or training.
“This landmark project will give many of our most vulnerable teenagers the chance to get back on track. Homelessness is a tragedy and it’s initiatives like Foyer Central and the access to secure housing and practical support they provide that can actually help break the cycle and change lives for the better,” Mr Perrottet said.
Foyer Central is based on the globally successful foyer model and will be targeted at young people aged 18 to 22 who have left out-of-home care.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said the development includes 53 self-contained units in close proximity to transport, shops, services and education institutions.
“Foyer Central is about unlocking opportunities for young people and enabling and empowering them to achieve their full potential in life,” Mr Ward said.
Services delivered through the project will be funded primarily through a Social Impact Bond. The bonds combine investment and expertise from the public, private and not-for-profit sectors to achieve specific social goals. Partners with the NSW Government in the project include SGCH, Uniting, Social Ventures Australia and the City of Sydney.
Uniting Executive Director Tracey Burton said a team of dedicated Youth Development Coaches will mentor and connect young people to education institutions, employment opportunities, health and wellbeing services and community initiatives.
“We want young people living at Foyer Central to feel proud of where they live, and that they can create the positive, diverse and dynamic environment they want. A space supported by talented, capable coaches providing 24/7 support,” Ms Burton said.
SGCH CEO Scott Langford said the property also includes 20 affordable units, managed by SGCH, for low-income workers such as childcare staff.
“Foyer Central brings together the capability, expertise and dedication of a range of partners with the common goal to change young lives through opportunity,” Mr Langford said.
For more information, visit www.foyercentral.org.au.
NEW COVID-19 CLEANING SQUADS HIT THE CBD
Additional dedicated cleaning squads have rolled out across CBD transport hubs, to help keep commuters COVID safe.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the roving teams are cleaning high touch points at five key locations and handing out masks to commuters.
“In addition to the cleaners on our services, we have now rolled out additional cleaning squads to keep stops, waiting areas and even bike racks clean to help stop the spread of COVID-19,” Mr Constance said.
“More than 1,000 touch points are cleaned each shift at Central, Town Hall, Wynyard, Circular Quay and Martin Place, and more than 92,000 masks have been handed out to customers since the squads first popped up during the Northern Beaches outbreak.
“The teams can be deployed quickly to areas where there has been a COVID-19 breakout or where a major event is taking place, like the SCG for the cricket.
“I’d like to thank all our frontline workers for keeping our network moving and our commuters who are wearing their masks while travelling on public transport.”
Transport for NSW Acting Deputy Secretary for Greater Sydney Howard Collins said the 1,200 extra summer services, introduced in early December, will continue until at least the end of March.
“The extra summer services will be extended to help commuters stay safe as they continue to return to the CBD. More than 4,500 extra services are now running across the network in response to COVID-19,” Mr Collins said.
“Don’t forget to wear your face mask, sit or stand on a green dot, maintain physical distancing and register your Opal card or check in using a QR code to help support the NSW Health tracing team.”
The roving cleaning teams are in addition to the cleaners on services which have carried out an additional 1.7 million hours of cleaning across the public transport network since March 2020.
Commuters are reminded that face masks are still mandatory on all modes of public transport and you may be fined $200 on the spot for not wearing one. Children aged 12 and under are exempt but are encouraged to wear masks where practicable.
City of Newcastle joins the line-up with new international surfing event
Newcastle will launch the Australian leg of the world pro surfing tour, with 52 of the best surfers from across the globe set to converge on the city in April.
City of Newcastle in partnership with the NSW Government through tourism and major events agency Destination NSW has secured the new event kicking off at Merewether Beach from the start of April as the first Australian stop on the World Surf League (WSL)’s revamped 2021 Championship Tour (CT).
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the WSL event was a massive coup for Newcastle, providing a major boost to the tourism sector by promoting the city and our coastline on the world stage.
“It’s been wonderful to work collaboratively with the NSW Government, Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres to attract the premier international world surfing league event back to NSW and Newcastle,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Their support and advocacy were vital as we worked alongside the great team at Destination NSW to secure what is a massive coup for our state and our city, and we thank them for their expertise and assistance.
The WSL event will be fantastic, not only for the region’s sports lovers, but for its potential flow-on effects for our visitor economy.
“The event will bring a major influx of competitors, media representatives, event officials and fans to our city throughout April, delivering an estimated benefit of more than $15 million to Newcastle’s economy.
“It will also provide invaluable promotion for future tourism by showcasing Newcastle to a global audience of more than 10 million viewers, with the event to be livestreamed across various platforms and broadcast on Channel 7 and Fox Sports.”
Cr Nelmes said City of Newcastle has a long and proud history of supporting top level international surfing contests, having been heavily involved in the establishment of Surfest in 1985 (then known as the BHP Steel International), which was the world’s richest professional surfing event at the time.
In the last decade, Newcastle has cemented its reputation for hosting a variety of prominent Australian and international events across various sporting codes.
“Newcastle has become a destination of choice for major sporting events, including Surfest, the recent SAANZAR Rugby Championship, Supercars Newcastle 500, the 2015 Asian Cup Football tournament, the A-League Grand Final and various rugby union and league Test Matches,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Newcastle is highly regarded in international surf circles as the home of Surfest, the largest surfing festival in the southern hemisphere, which includes WSL qualifying series events.
“With a prize pool of over $1 million across the men’s and women’s contests, this new championship event will elevate Mereweather’s popular break even further, joining an international pro touring schedule stacked with the top surfing destinations across the globe in a sport that is new addition to the Olympics.”
“We’re pleased the WSL event will tap into the local expertise of Surfest organiser Warren Smith and look forward to welcoming athletes and surfing fans from across Australia to Newcastle for this COVID Safe event in April.”
Three charged over alleged aggravated break and enter and shooting – Jesmond
Three men have been charged over an alleged aggravated break and enter and shooting in Newcastle last month.
About 8.10pm on Thursday 14 January 2021, two 19-year-old men attended an apartment at Newcastle Road, Jesmond, where they spoke with a 36-year-old man.
Police will allege in court the pair forced entry to the home and threatened the man with a fire extinguisher. The 36-year-old ran from the apartment to a nearby home in William Street.
The pair followed the man before one of the men allegedly discharged a firearm towards the older man.
The two men fled the scene in a waiting Toyota Camry, allegedly being driven by a third 19-year-old man.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District were notified and established a crime scene a short time later.
Detectives commenced Strike Force Waradgery to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Following extensive inquiries, Newcastle City detectives – assisted by Northern Region Tactical Operations Unit – executed three simultaneous search warrants at properties in Jesmond and Fletcher about 7am yesterday (Friday 5 February 2021).
Three 19-year-old men were arrested during the warrants – two in Jesmond and one in Fletcher and taken to Waratah Police Station.
A 19-year-old Jesmond man was charged with;
• Agg B&E & commit serious indictable offence-people there
• Shoot at with intent to murder
• Affray
• Possess prohibited drug
• Supply prohibited drug >indictable & <commercial quantity
• Deal with property proceeds of crime < $100000
• Possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit (x 3)
A second 19-year-old Jesmond man was charged with;
• Shoot at with intent to murder
• Agg B&E & commit serious indictable offence-people there
• Affray
• Possess unauthorised firearm
A 19-year-old Fletcher man was charged with;
• Shoot at with intent to murder
• Possess prohibited drug
• Agg B&E & commit serious indictable offence-people there
• Owner not disclose identity of driver/passenger
• Affray
All three were refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Saturday 6 February 2021.
Man charged, firearm and drugs seized after pursuit – Raymond Terrace
A man has been charged after police seized a firearm and drugs following a pursuit in the Hunter region yesterday.
About 3.15am, Saturday 6 February 2021, officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were conducting routine patrols on Tathra Street, Raymond Terrace, when they attempted to stop a Toyota Kluger for the purposes of a random breath test.
When it allegedly failed to stop, a pursuit commenced.
It’s alleged the Toyota also reversed into the front of the marked police vehicle, before driving through a large steel gate at a property on Sabre Close, causing extensive damage.
Police arrested a 26-year-old man at the scene, and a 27-year-old man after a short foot pursuit.
Following a search of the vehicle, police seized a handgun, methylamphetamine and cannabis.
No one was injured.
The 27-year-old driver has been charged with:
- Police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly
- Destroy or damage property
- Possess unauthorised pistol
- Not keep firearm safely-prohibited firearm
- Possess prohibited drug
- Receive property stolen outside NSW
- Goods in personal custody suspected being stolen m/v
- Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period – first offence.
He was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today (Sunday 7 February 2021).
The 26-year-old passenger was released, pending further inquiries.
Nine businesses fined for COVID-19 breaches – Fairfield City PAC
Nine businesses in Sydney’s south-west have been fined for alleged breaches during a compliance check yesterday.
Last night (Saturday 6 February 2021), officers attached to Fairfield City Police Area Command conducted an operation targeting business premises suspected of not complying with the current COVID-19 NSW Health Orders.
A restaurant located on Canley Vale Road, Canley Vale, was issued a $5000 Penalty Infringement Notice for not comply with noticed direction in relation to 7/8/9 – COVID19 Corporation.
Another eight businesses in Fairfield and Canley Vale were each issued a $1000 Penalty Infringement Notice.
The two most common offences identified amongst all the venues was for failing to complete a COVID-19 Safety Plan and failing to have customers sign in via the Services New South Wales QR Application.
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.
Anyone with information about this incident 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.
Racism in Australia not going away: Scanlon report
Australian Greens Anti-Racism spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that the Scanlon Foundation’s Mapping Social Cohesion report for 2020 contains alarming findings with respect to racism felt towards and experienced by culturally diverse Australians.
The report points to “substantial negative sentiment towards national groups from Africa, Asia and the Middle East”, among other findings. The Greens say the government should read the report with utmost seriousness and invest in anti-racism programs and initiatives.
Senator Faruqi said:
“This report should be a wake-up call for everyone denying that people of colour in Australia continue to face racism.
“The Morrison government is not only denying and deflecting the racism people face every day in this country. They’re actively fomenting it.
“Consistently strong anti-Muslim attitudes are very disturbing in the aftermath of the Christchurch terrorist attack which was driven by anti-Muslim hatred, committed by an Australian, and directly targeted Muslims.
“About 40 per cent of Asia-born respondents reported experiencing discrimination, with racism often experienced when shopping, on public transport, or at work.
“While a healthy level of general support for multiculturalism and our immigration program is welcome, we must tackle these real challenges we face. There are many in our community who are at the receiving end of some really toxic attitudes and behaviours,” she said.