Man in Newcastle court on 45 charges

A man is due in Newcastle court today charged with 45 offences after allegedly exposing himself to school children.

Officers from Newcastle City Police District established Strike Force Fitzwater to investigate multiple reports of a man exposing his genitals to children in the Merewether and Cooks Hill area.

As part of inquiries, detectives were patrolling the Cooks Hill area yesterday (Friday 6 October 2023), when they followed a vehicle to Robey Street, Merewether, and arrested the 65-year-old driver.

The man was taken to Newcastle Police Station where he has now been charged with 45 offences,

Intentionally do sexual act towards child between 10 to 16 years (21 counts)
Stalk person intent to cause physical or mental harm (22 counts)
Intentionally sexually touch child 10 years or older and under 16 years, and
Carry out sexual act with another without consent.
He has been refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today (Saturday 7 October 2023).

A number of items have been seized for further examination from both the vehicle and a home in the Newcastle area.

LABOR OFFERS LIBERAL SOLUTIONS TO IMMIGRATION CRISIS

Labor’s approach to Australia’s immigration system is too similar to the Liberal Party and leading to the same disastrous human rights outcomes.

“Secret transfers of people seeking asylum to Nauru is a disgraceful continuation of the last government’s war on refugees,” Greens Immigration Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“They need to explain why they are exiling people to Nauru instead of ending the barbaric practice of offshore detention immediately.”

“Labor’s approach to asylum seekers is so flawed it may as well have been designed by Scott Morrison or Peter Dutton.”

“This Government was elected on a platform of change, not just to offer the same rubbish in a different bin.”

“The Nixon Report identified the massive delays in asylum seeker resolution – that needs to be addressed by actually investing resources into resolving claims quickly and fairly.”

“It also needs to be addressed by restoring massive cuts the Status Resolution Support Services, as Labor promised to do.”

“Labor should rule out using the Nixon report to remove people’s rights, ditch the Dutton law and order rhetoric and concentrate on making the visa processing system faster and fairer.”

SENATE INQUIRY EXPOSES AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC DIVISION IN TURMOIL

Senate inquiry hearings into Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) funding mismanagement have exposed the Division is in turmoil.

A staggering level of incompetence in the Division’s governance has been identified, resulting in harrowing impacts on science staff and capabilities.

Damning evidence to the committee over the past two days includes:

  • Revelations of a $42 million AAD budget overspend with an admission from the AAD of “ongoing issues with Budget transparency”, resulting in cost cutting and budget restraints that have impacted the delivery of science in the Antarctic.
  • Distress from AAD staff who “dread” coming into the office and face extreme stress in “a hostile work environment where there is bullying and where funding is uncertain”.
  • Frustration from UTAS and other scientists that no field work has been conducted in Antarctica investigating critical marginal sea ice movements for over a decade.
  • Alarm from CPSU delegates and members about a “culture of secrecy”, project funding being used as a bullying tactic, and “at least half a dozen” current AAD employees who had felt pressured not to give evidence. 
  • Incredulity expressed by TasPorts on why the government didn’t listen to warnings dating back to 2018 that its $528m ice-breaking research ship – RSV Nuyina – which resupplies Australia’s three Antarctic stations and conducts crucial climate research was too big to safely pass underneath Hobart’s bridge to refuel.

The inquiry was initiated following the Albanese Government’s failure to set the record straight and address rising fears about what science programs will be axed as a result of a $25 million cut the AAD’s operating budget..

Greens spokesperson for healthy oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said: 

“We knew going into this inquiry that certain matters relating to the AAD’s governance were dysfunctional, but I never could have imagined just how toxic the situation had become – especially for our nation’s Antarctic scientists.

“The AAD self-identified a shocking $42 million overspend and ongoing issues with budget transparency – and whether or not the Division likes to admit it, this has resulted in budget restraints that have impacted Australia’s delivery of critical science programs in the Antarctic.

“Deeply personal witness testimony to the AAD inquiry has been devastating and has indicated a staggering level of incompetence in the Division’s governance that has resulted in harrowing impacts on scientists and their critical work. People’s lives have been dramatically impacted by the dysfunction of the AAD’s workplace culture and historic poor decision making. 

“It’s now incumbent on the Senate to provide a strong majority report with recommendations that can fix this mess, and for the Government to listen and restore critical funding for Antarctic science programs, as well as implement long-term structural change. 

“MPs from across the political spectrum who attended the hearings were in solidarity about wanting to find a solution to this mess – but only the Government has the power to implement meaningful change.” 

Disaster assistance following Bega Valley bushfires

Disaster assistance will be made available in the Bega Valley Shire Local Government Area (LGA) following severe bushfires on 3 October 2023.

Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said the bushfire across the Bega Valley area caused significant damage.

“For many in the Bega Valley the threat of bushfires is still fresh from Black Summer,” Minister Watt said.

“This early assistance will begin the recovery process for those directly affected, as we continue to collect information to understand the full impacts of the fires. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the Minns government, ready to support communities.”

NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said the assistance will support communities, landowners, farmers, and primary producers to help in the clean-up and recovery from the bushfires. 

“It is important that we open up this funding and support so impacted councils and some residents get their lives back on track,” Minister Dib said.

Assistance available under the DRFA may include:

  • Help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged (eligibility criteria apply).
  • Support for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets.
  • Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers, and non-profit organisations.
  • Freight subsidies for primary producers.

For information on personal hardship and distress assistance, contact Service NSW on 13 77 88launch or visit the NSW Government website.

To apply for a concessional loan, visit the NSW Rural Assistance Authority websitelaunch or call 1800 678 593launch.

Veterans’ transition to employment in NSW on the right track

The NSW Government held the annual Veterans Employment Roundtable at the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park today focussing on collaborative communication to assist veterans transitioning from the Defence Force into private and public sector employment.

Around 1,200 Defence Force personnel transition to employment in NSW every year.

Minister for Veterans David Harris hosted public and private sector stakeholders along with veterans’ support and employment organisations to foster ongoing discussions and initiatives for veterans career opportunities after their service.

Roundtables have been held since 2020, with a focus on the work that government can do in partnership with private employers, to foster increased collaboration and supports to ensure veterans find meaningful employment.

This year’s Roundtable had a special focus on communication, and a key goal was to build opportunities between organisations to effectively share information about services and communications to reach and assist veterans in their job search.

Mark Bransdon, an Army Veteran of 22 years’ service, discharged in 2019 and is now the Learning and Development Officer at Campbelltown City Council. He shared his story with the Roundtable, highlighting the value to veterans transitioning to employment outside of the Defence Forces.

The NSW Government is committed to honouring our veterans and their families, and the NSW Veterans Strategy and 2023-2024 Action Plan ensures that the veteran community is supported. One of the strategy actions is the organisation of an annual NSW Veterans Employment Roundtable.

The NSW Government Veterans Employment Program leads the way in assisting veterans finding roles within the NSW public sector. For more information visit Veterans Employment Programlaunch.

Minister for Veterans, David Harris said:

“It was great to meet key leaders in the employment field to discuss how we can all work together and assist veterans with their job search and use the skills they have learnt while serving in the Australian Defence Force.

“Their unique skillset enables them to work in a range of sectors and contribute positively to the NSW economy and community.

“We understand it can be challenging for some veterans to apply for work after their service.

“Today’s discussions are a positive step forward to ensure our veterans have a clearer path and a smoother transition from military service to civilian life.”

Army veteran and Learning and Development Officer at Campbelltown City Council, Mark Bransdon said: 

“I have brought a lived experience to Campbelltown City Council with my transition.

“The hiring manager for the role I applied for was aware of the skills I learnt in Defence, that I could bring to the role. That made a big difference to my transition.

The opportunities moving forward are that we can share this information with other councils and organisations to make it easier for them to implement a program assists veterans transitioning.

“Councils are also a beneficiary as they employ someone with great skills that can add value to their organisation.”

Four new members join Multicultural NSW Advisory Board

The NSW Government has welcomed the appointment of 4 new members to the Multicultural NSW Advisory Board.

Malaemie Fruean OAM, David Giang, George Vardas and the board’s newest Youth Member, Polina Mycak, will each serve 3-year terms on the Advisory Board until 2026.

Ömer Incekara, was reappointed after serving a 3-year term and Esther Adeyinka was appointed to a general board member from the youth position to an additional 3-year term.

The merit-based selection process attracted more than 150 applications.

Minister Kamper thanked the outgoing Advisory Board members (Margaret Piper, Ken Hong, Sam Elmir and Grace Ho) for their committed service advising government on multicultural policy, improving equitable access to services for all people in NSW, and ensuring no one is left behind.

Chaired by Nick Kaldas APM, the Multicultural NSW Advisory Board provides advice and guidance on a range of matters relating to culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Further information about the new members is as follows:

  • Polina Mycak (youth member) – Polina Mycak is passionate about the promotion of multicultural principles. She is also a member of the Ukrainian Youth Association, and an undergraduate at Macquarie University studying psychology and arts, with an interest in cross cultural psychology.
  • George Vardas – George is a practising lawyer, accredited mediator, and cultural heritage consultant. He has extensive experience advising on multicultural policy and working with multicultural groups to effectively campaign to bring about positive change.
  • Malaemie Fruean OAM – Malaemie is a strong advocate for Pacifica communities and is well known and respected across Western Sydney. She is committed to sharing her knowledge and extensive experience in community engagement to increase cultural awareness.
  • David Giang – David is Managing Director and Editor of Australia’s first and only Vietnamese language newspaper, Chieu Duong (The Sunrise Daily) – the only remaining Vietnamese print publication in Australia today. He recently founded the Independent Multicultural Media Association.

The following 2 members have been reappointed:

  • Esther Adeyinka – Esther is passionate about making sure that diverse voices are heard and respected in decision-making spaces, particularly the voices of young, diverse women. She works as a lawyer in a commercial law firm and is also a small business owner
  • Ömer Incekara – Ömer is passionate about community language schools and promoting multiculturalism. Ömer is CEO of an advertising agency and sits on several boards and associations. He is Chair of the Ataturk Scholarship and Director of the Australian Turkish Mutual Alliance (ATMA).

NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said:

“The Advisory Board has a vital role to play as a conduit between community, Multicultural NSW and the NSW Government.”

“Drawing on their community connections, cross-cultural understanding and lived experience, our Advisory Board elevates the voices of the wider community.”

“In partnership with Multicultural NSW CEO Joseph La Posta, I look forward to working with the new members and entire Advisory Board, to ensure future generations of NSW residents can enjoy the benefits of living in one of the world’s greatest multicultural states.”

Multicultural NSW Advisory Board Chair Nick Kaldas, APM said:

“Our vision is for a stronger NSW, using our cultural diversity as a vehicle to achieve cultural and economic prosperity.”

“We are committed to ensuring the views and concerns of all people are heard in government decision-making processes and that everyone has equal access to government services.”

“Through understanding our communities, we can deliver improved services, make better use of our cultural and linguistic resources and be more cohesive and resilient in response to challenges.”

Labor betrays Cootamundra and Gundagai communities

The Opposition condemned a callous backflip by the Minns Labor Government on council demergers.

Local Government Shadow Minister Wendy Tuckerman said that before the election Labor was telling communities that it was going to help councils to demerge, and even passed a legislative amendment to ensure the Government paid the demerger costs.

“Since coming to Government, Labor and Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig have completely changed their tune on council demergers,” Mrs Tuckerman said. “The Labor Government is trying to backpedal as fast as they can from their own amendment, and the Budget handed down just weeks ago has no funds available for councils like Cootamundra-Gundagai that had already done the hard yards and been through the Boundary Commission inquiries.”

“The former Coalition Government set out a clear demerger roadmap, in consultation with the council and the local community, that guided the entire process – which has now been completely and senselessly discarded by Ron Hoenig.

“Instead of following the roadmap, which was near completion to delivering a demerged council, the Labor Government – true to form – starts another review.

“The Coalition Government’s had also announced in February that the legal path for demerging the council would likely require legislative change to facilitate the process after the March State Election,” said Mrs Tuckerman. “So, either the Minister wasn’t paying attention, or he is wilfully misleading the community and should apologise.”

“Despite having a roadmap that is almost complete and advice to urgently create new legislation, the Minns Labor Government will be returning the issue to the Boundaries Commission for the third time further dragging out this process and risking the Council’s ability to hold a demerged election in time with other councils across NSW.”

“The Minister needs to urgently fix this mess, and provide clear details on the demerger process, including timelines and what financial support will be provided.”

“I am devasted for the residents and the Cootamundra-Gundagai Council staff – this is yet another example of Labor saying one thing before the election and doing another after the election. This is a Government that just doesn’t care about regional and rural communities,” Ms Tuckerman concluded.

URGENT CARE CLINIC FOR BRISBANE SOUTH

The Albanese Government is delivering on its commitment to Brisbane Southsiders, with a provider for the Brisbane South Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (Medicare UCC) selected, following an Expression of Interest process.

Cornwall Street Medical Centre will be established as the Brisbane South Medicare UCC and will start seeing patients 23 October 2023.

The Brisbane South Medicare UCC will deliver on the Australian Government’s commitment to make it easier for people in Queensland to get the urgent treatment they need – from highly qualified doctors and nurses – while taking pressure off the Mater Hospital Brisbane and Princess Alexandra Hospital.<

The Medicare UCC will be open for extended hours, seven days a week, and offer walk-in care that is fully bulk billed.

Over 30 per cent of presentations to the Mater Hospital Brisbane and Princess Alexandra Hospital are for non-urgent or semi-urgent care.

The Brisbane South clinic is one of the 11 Medicare UCCs across Queensland – located in Bundaberg, Cairns, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Logan, Northern Brisbane, Murrumba Downs (Redcliffe), Rockhampton, Toowoomba and Townsville.

The Australian Government will continue to work closely with Primary Health Networks and the Queensland Government to deliver the remaining Medicare UCCs, all of which will open this year.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“It’s a real privilege to be opening another Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, this time in Woolloongabba.

“Across Brisbane’s south, when Queenslanders need urgent care that isn’t life threatening – the Brisbane South Medicare UCC will be here to help.

“Prior to the election last year, we committed to rolling out 50 new Urgent Care Clinics across the country. When we complete our rollout – we’ll have exceeded our target and there’ll be 58 centres giving Australians urgent care, taking pressure off emergency departments all over the country.

the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler said:

“The Brisbane South Medicare UCC is going to make a big difference to patients across the Southside.

“Southsiders will be able to walk in, see a doctor or nurse and access imaging and pathology services.

“The clinic will ease pressure on the Mater Hospital Brisbane and Princess Alexandra Hospital, allowing them to concentrate on higher priority emergencies.

“The Albanese Government is committed to strengthening Medicare and making it easier and cheaper to get quality healthcare, by tripling the bulk billing incentive and making medicines cheaper.”

Labor Senator for Queensland, Minister Murray Watt said:

“The Brisbane South Medicare UCC will mean Southsiders who need urgent but not acute care, can get it quickly even if it’s outside standard hours – and all they’ll need is their Medicare card.

“I know many Southside families who have had to wait long hours at the emergency department for non-life-threatening issues

“This Medicare UCC will ease pressure on our local emergency departments and be much more convenient for our community – closer to home, at short notice, and bulk billed under Medicare.”

Northern NSW man jailed for transmitting and soliciting child abuse material 

A Hunter man, 28, has been sentenced to a maximum of five years imprisonment in the Newcastle District Court for a range of child abuse material offences.

The investigation began after the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) received a report from the United States’ National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about a user uploading child abuse material to several online platforms.

AFP investigators linked the Hunter region man, then 26, to the illegal activity.

A search warrant was executed at the man’s home near Raymond Terrance in August 2022, with AFP investigators seizing a mobile phone and laptop that contained child abuse material. 

AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Stuart Millen warned that watching, downloading or purchasing child abuse material was not a victimless crime.

“The charges demonstrated the AFP’s commitment to investigate and charge offenders believed to be involved in child exploitation and sexual abuse,” Det A/Supt Millen added.

“Children are not commodities to be used for the abhorrent gratification of sexual predators, and our investigators will continue to be relentless in their pursuit of anyone sharing or accessing child abuse material.

“Anyone who views this material is committing a crime.”

The man pleaded guilty to:

  • One count of using a carriage service to procure child under 16 years of age, contrary to section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
  • One count of using a carriage service to transmit child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
  • Two counts of using a carriage service to cause child abuse material to be transmitted to self, contrary to section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
  • One count of using a carriage service to access child abuse material contrary to section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
  • One count of possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code (Cth).

He was sentenced to five years imprisonment by the Newcastle District Court yesterday (4 October, 2023), with a non-parole period of three years.

The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation is driving a collaborative national approach to combatting child abuse.

The ACCCE brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into online child sexual exploitation and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.

Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact the ACCCE at www.accce.gov.au/report. If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.

If you or someone you know is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available at www.accce.gov.au/support.

Research conducted by the ACCCE in 2020 revealed only about half of parents talked to their children about online safety. Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at www.thinkuknow.org.au, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.

For more information on the role of the ACCCE, what is online child sexual exploitation and how to report it visit www.accce.gov.au.

GREENS READY TO WORK WITH GOVERNMENT TO EXPEDITE SUPER ON PPL

With the release of the Labor’s draft legislation today the Greens reconfirm their intentions to use their Senate balance of power to facilitate the government’s superannuation tax reforms, if they will commit to paying superannuation on PPL.

Greens leader in the Senate and spokesperson on Women, Larissa Waters said:

“The Government’s superannuation tax proposal is such a timid proposed change to the tax concessions the obscenely wealthy receive. If Labor is not going to improve it, the least they can do is put the revenue to good use for the legions of women retiring into poverty.

“Labor has said repeatedly that they want super paid on paid parental leave ‘when budget circumstances permit’. The expected revenue from its proposed changes to super is more than enough to cover the cost.

“The Greens have said we will facilitate the government’s superannuation tax reforms if they will commit to paying superannuation on PPL. We likewise stand ready to expedite super on PPL through any other bill that the government produces.

“Labor is making women wait for minor measures like paying super on PPL that would immediately improve economic equality, but can somehow find $313 billion for the Stage 3 tax cuts.

“The government has now received the final Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce (WEET) report, but we’re still waiting to see a response.

“The Greens will be pushing to ensure Labor actually listens to the WEET’s advice – on PPL and all other areas of women’s economic security – rather than cherry picking recommendations as they did with the interim report.

“We will use our balance of power in the Senate to get outcomes for families and for the women in Australia retiring with 23 per cent less superannuation than men.”