The tragic death of former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo is devastating news. On behalf of the Australian Government and people, we offer our deepest sympathies and condolences to Mrs Abe and to Mr Abe’s family and friends, and to the people of Japan.
Mr Abe was one of Australia’s closest friends on the world stage. It was his vision that helped elevate our bilateral relationship to a Special Strategic Partnership in 2014. Under his leadership Japan emerged as one of Australia’s most like-minded partners in Asia – a legacy that endures today.
Mr Abe was a leader in the Indo-Pacific, championing a vision of a free and open region. The Quad and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership are in many ways the results of his diplomatic leadership.
Mr Abe was also a giant on the world stage – a leader in the G7, the G20 and the United Nations. His legacy was one of global impact, and a profound and positive one for Australia.
Just a few days after being sworn in as Prime Minister, I had the privilege of travelling to Japan for the Quad meeting. In many ways, this grouping is a legacy of Mr Abe’s diplomatic activism.
Mr Abe was the longest-serving Prime Minister in Japanese history. He will be greatly missed.
STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI MOURNING FORMER PRIME MINISTER ABE
We, the leaders of Australia, India, and the United States, are shocked at the tragic assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Prime Minister Abe was a transformative leader for Japan and for Japanese relations with each one of our countries.
He also played a formative role in the founding of the Quad partnership, and worked tirelessly to advance a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Our hearts are with the people of Japan — and Prime Minister Kishida— in this moment of grief.
We will honour Prime Minister Abe’s memory by redoubling our work towards a peaceful and prosperous region.
Police are investigating the armed robbery of a Newcastle hotel this morning.
About 3.20am (Friday 8 July 2022), a 21-year-old male employee was leaving the premises on Denison Street, Hamilton, when he was approached by a man armed with a knife.
He threatened the employee and demanded to be let inside the premises, before stealing cash.
The man then ran from the scene south on Beaumont Street towards Hamilton South.
Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District attended and established a crime scene.
The man – who was wearing all black clothing and a face mask – is described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged in his mid to late-30s, about 170cm tall, and of solid build.
As inquiries continue, police are appealing for anyone who may have CCTV footage from nearby streets or dashcam footage from Beaumont and Denison Streets between 3.15am and 3.30am this morning (Friday 8 July 2022), to contact Newcastle Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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.
A man remains under police guard following an alleged carjacking and pursuit across the Hunter yesterday.
Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attempted to stop a black Mazda on Cumberland Street, Cessnock, about 3.40pm yesterday (Thursday 7 July 2022), but when the driver allegedly failed to comply a pursuit was initiated. It was terminated a short time later due to safety concerns.
Police will allege the vehicle stopped in Weston, where the driver left the vehicle and approached a Mitsubishi Magna parked nearby.
The man allegedly forced the driver, a 67-year-old woman, from the vehicle and drove it away. The woman and her female passenger were shaken but not physically injured.
PolAir was brought in to assist and worked with local police to find the now-extensively damaged vehicle on Anderson Drive, Beresfield.
A short time later, a 33-year-old man was arrested after allegedly attempting to access another two vehicles in a garage nearby on Emerson Street.
He was initially taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station but was then taken to John Hunter Hospital to be assessed for a suspected medical condition.
He remains there under police guard as inquiries continue.
Today the Attorney-General, the Hon. Mark Dreyfus QC MP, discontinued the prosecution of Mr Bernard Collaery under section 71 of the Judiciary Act 1903.
“In taking this decision I have had careful regard to our national security, our national interest and the proper administration of justice.
“It is my view that the prosecution of Mr Collaery should end,” Mr Dreyfus said today.
“I have therefore decided to exercise my power under section 71 of the Judiciary Act not to proceed with the prosecution of Mr Collaery.”
This decision to discontinue the prosecution was informed by the Government’s commitment to protecting Australia’s national interest, including our national security and Australia’s relationships with our close neighbours.
The Attorney-General has notified the ACT Supreme Court, the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions and Mr Collaery’s legal representatives.
Today I announce the appointment of seven career diplomats to head Australian overseas posts.
Australia’s ability to advance our interests abroad is dependent on the capability of our foreign service.
The appointment of experienced Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) officers underscores my commitment to enhanced Australian diplomatic capacity.
I announce the following diplomatic appointments of career DFAT officers:
I thank outgoing ambassadors, high commissioners and consuls-general for their contributions to advancing Australia’s interests in these countries during their respective tenures.
The appalling state of WA’s prisons should be fully investigated, following news overnight that children as young as 14 will be transferred from the Banksia Hill Youth Detention Facility to Casuarina Prison today, the Greens said today.
The Greens remain profoundly concerned for the safety and wellbeing for these children.
Yamatji Noongar woman and Senator for Western Australia, Dorinda Cox said:
“No child should be in prison. I am appalled that yet again, children are being blamed for what is essentially a failure of duty on care on part of the WA Government. It says so much about the horrific conditions that these children are being kept in, that this situation has occurred.
“To describe these children as ‘difficult’ completely misses the point – no child should be in prison in the first place, let alone sent to a maximum security adult prison.
“These children are being traumatised as we speak – keeping them in these settings is akin to torture.
“The Western Australian Government has a duty of care to these children, instead, they’re being traumatised in ways that will deeply harm them for the rest of their lives. This benefits absolutely no-one.”
Senator David Shoebridge, Australian Greens spokesperson for Justice said:
“There’s a growing case for Federal action to keep children safe and out of these inhumane and abusive prisons.
“Putting children in the too hard basket, locking them up in adult prison complexes, will exacerbate trauma and cause lasting harm.
“These actions are a breach of Australia’s international obligations to respect the rights of children and protect them from harm.
“Doing nothing in the face of these systemic failures makes the Federal government complicit not just in WA but in the NT, Queensland and all other states and territories that continue to imprison young kids.”
A 9.6-hectare section of the Hexham Wetlands used by the Awabakal people as a place of spiritual connection and ceremony has become the first site in Newcastle officially protected with an Aboriginal Place declaration by the NSW Minister for Heritage.
The elevated outcrop known as Rocky Knob is located on the northern outskirts of the suburb of Fletcher within an area of Burraghihnbihng (Hexham Wetlands) traditionally used as a hunting and gathering place of the Pambalong Clan of the Awabakal people.
Associated with spiritual beliefs that have been passed down through generations, the site is a place of ceremony and ritual used to mark the passing of ancestors and is one of the few undisturbed Aboriginal burial grounds that still exist in NSW.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said it was important to honour the traditional custodians of the land and their cultural practices by conserving the region’s rich Aboriginal heritage for future generations.
“I am pleased NSW Minister for Environment and Heritage James Griffin has taken steps to safeguard the cultural significance of this site by declaring it Newcastle’s first official Aboriginal Place,” Cr Nelmes said.
“This will provide it with valuable protection under the National Parks and Wildlife Act and ensure it can continue to be a place where cultural practices and stories can be passed on to future generations of First Nations people.”
The area of Rocky Knob and its surrounds have connections through links in Songlines (cultural pathways) to Mount Sugarloaf, Black Hill Ridge and Doghole Cultural Site in Stockrington. The elevated site has views to and is visible from a number of other culturally significant sites for the Awabakal people including Mount Sugarloaf in the southwest, Black Hill Ridge in the west, Tarro to the north and Newcastle to the southeast.
Any land in NSW that is deemed to have special significance for Aboriginal culture, including public and private land, can be proposed for declaration as an Aboriginal Place, which acts as a process to recognise and legally protect Aboriginal cultural heritage.
The request to list Rocky Knob was made by the NSW Local Land Services.
A scholarship program designed to foster emerging talent within Newcastle’s creative community will culminate in a month-long exhibition of LGBTIQ+ artists at Newcastle Museum.
Curated by Jasmine Fletcher, a non-binary multidisciplinary artist and founder of not-for-profit events organisation Queer and Now, Unabbreviated will showcase 32 LGBTIQ+ creatives from the Hunter and Central Coast, who work across a range of mediums including painting, textile, drawing, print making, mixed media works and written responses.
The exhibition forms part of Jasmine’s 12-month Roost Creative Scholarship, which is designed to enable emerging creatives to explore, refine and connect with established creative professionals in Newcastle.
The scholarship is delivered by not-for-profit creative organisation and co-working space, The Roost, with support from Newcastle Museum, The Business Centre and Imprint Newcastle.
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen will help officially open Unabbreviated at a special event on Thursday 7 July and said the exhibition showcases the breadth of talent and diversity within our community.
“City of Newcastle has demonstrated a long held and consistent advocacy for Newcastle as a diverse and inclusive city, and proud activism in support of our LGBTIQ+ community,” Cr Clausen said.
“Hosting this exhibition at Newcastle Museum is another great way to help foster inclusivity and celebrate our diverse community while also highlighting the depth of creative talent in our region.”
Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird said the exhibition, which will be displayed in the ‘A Newcastle Story’ gallery, has strong links to the Museum’s overarching 2022/23 programming theme of ‘Fluidity’ and would encourage new perspectives on the diversity of identity in our community.
“A Newcastle Story provides a space for Novocastrians and visitors to discover answers to how and why we are a distinct and fascinating community, making it the ideal place to reflect on the importance of identity and inclusiveness,” Ms Baird said.
“It is necessary to acknowledge people who are not afforded the same rights for who they love, how they look or what they believe in. To exist outside the norm is the ultimate rebellion.
“Unabbreviated acknowledges and celebrates creatives that would not usually exhibit together in this context and is a wonderful addition to A Newcastle Story.”
Jasmine said Newcastle lacks permanent spaces for LGBTIQ+ community to connect and believed this exhibition, although temporary, would help foster social connections, visibility and representation, which is invaluable to the wellbeing of people who are a part of this community.
“Unabbreviated showcases sexual and gender diverse people and aims to focus on the creative practice of the individual, it does not attempt to classify or address the queer experience,” Jasmine said.
“By celebrating LGBTIQ+ artists, makers and creators, Unabbreviated creates an opportunity to feature works, share their stories and start important conversations.”
Unabbreviated will open to the public from 6pm on Thursday 7 July and run until 31 July.
Eight police dogs and their handlers will graduate alongside 200 new probationary constables at today’s Police Attestation ceremony in Goulburn.
Acting Police Commissioner David Hudson will swear-in the 200 new probationary constables, four detection police dogs and four general purpose police dogs who will be accompanied by their instructors.
The police dogs completed the NSW Police Detection and General Purpose Novice Courses in 2019 and 2021, but have not been able to graduate until now due to COVID restrictions.
The 200 probationary constables will be deployed to police stations across the state from next week (Monday 27 June 2022) where they will complete their year of onthe-job training. Deputy Premier and Minister for Police Paul Toole said every Attestation ceremony was a significant occasion for the Police Force and the community.“I congratulate our newest probationary constables, who will be deployed to areas where they are needed the most,” Mr Toole said.
In 2019 the NSW Government announced a record investment in police, with an additional 1500 officers over four years and committed $60 million to upgrade the Goulburn Police Academy.
“We are proud to offer our continued support to the NSW Police Force to ensure it has the very best people, training facilities, and technology to keep our communities safe,” Mr Toole said.
Acting Police Commissioner David Hudson said the ceremony was an important opportunity to recognise the commitment of Class 353, as well as their families and friends.
“Behind every police officer and every probationary constable is a family and a network that plays a critical role in supporting our people,” Acting Commissioner Hudson said.
“It’s more important than ever that we ensure our police have our utmost support so that they can enjoy long and successful careers.
“It’s also a unique and special occasion when we see new police dogs enter the Force. The value police dogs bring to policing – including criminal investigations and critical incident response is significant and should be recognised.”
Acting Assistant Commissioner Toby Lindsay said a career in policing was exciting and rewarding.
“As a probationary constable engaged in general duties policing you can expect to be working with and helping the community,” Acting AC Lindsay said. “You will also undertake a wide range of investigations including motor vehicle accidents, stealing offense, assaults and more.
“In addition to general duties policing, there are more than 100 specialist roles in support of our frontline police and community.”
