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More support for flood affected communities

Flood-affected communities across NSW will be able to obtain free legal advice as a result of a $3 million funding investment to aid ongoing relief and recovery.

Commonwealth Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said the Commonwealth funding would ensure people recovering from the NSW floods can access critical legal support and advice.

“This significant investment will help to deliver free, practical legal advice in areas such as tenancy, insurance, debts, employment and family violence,” Mr Dreyfus said.

NSW Attorney General Mark Speakman said the floods have taken an immense toll on communities in Northern NSW and the Hawkesbury region.

“This funding injection, allocated by the NSW Government, will help people in these flood impacted communities receive the legal support they need to get their lives back on track,” Mr Speakman said.

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the funding will be divided between Legal Aid NSW’s Disaster Response Legal Service, the Tenants’ Union of NSW, Western Sydney Community Legal Centre and Justice Connect.

“A total of 60 local government areas across NSW were impacted by flooding in February and March and it’s important we have the right support in place to help flood-affected residents access the legal advice and assistance they need,” Ms Cooke said.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said flood impacted areas are still recovering.

“Navigating complex paperwork after a natural disaster can be very overwhelming, and this support will ensure communities have access to much-needed resources,” Senator Watt said.

This funding is in addition to a $680,000 funding boost provided to the Northern Rivers Community Legal Centre (NRCLC) in April 2022, to help the NRCLC deliver critical legal services to people recovering from the flood crisis.

Further information about the services being provided by the legal assistance sector in response to the floods can be found at www.disasterhelp.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or at https://www.clcnsw.org.au/legal-help-flood-affected-communities-nsw-2022.

New powers to crack down on organised crime

The NSW Government will take another crucial step towards dismantling organised crime with new powers and tougher penalties targeting money laundering and unexplained wealth.
 
The reforms represent the State’s toughest ever laws targeting organised crime and will see NSW introduce world-leading legislation targeting the use of dedicated encrypted communication devices by criminals to avoid law enforcement.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the reforms were designed to strike organised crime networks at their financial base, stopping criminals from profiting from their actions and incapacitating them financially.
 
“Organised crime is all about drug supply and money – and to truly shut it down we need to shut down the flow of dollars that fuels it,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“These reforms will better arm law enforcement with the powers they need to confiscate unexplained wealth and create new offences and tougher penalties for those seeking to launder money derived from criminal activity.
 
“Organised crime and the technologies that criminals use to operate are always changing and evolving, and these reforms will put our state in the strongest position to deal with these insidious crimes.”
 
Deputy Premier and Minister for Police Paul Toole said these laws give police tough new powers to infiltrate organised criminal networks which increasingly rely on dedicated encrypted devices to avoid detection by law enforcement.
 
“We know these devices are being used to plan serious crimes like drugs and firearms smuggling, money laundering and even murder. These reforms will make it an offence to possess these kinds of devices and allow us to better target high-risk individuals from using them to orchestrate crime,” Mr Toole said.  
  
“Organised crime in this State is on notice. If you think you can hide the ill-gotten gains of crime, you are wrong. If you think you can avoid detection by using encrypted devices, you are wrong.”
 
The reforms announced today include:
 

  • New powers to confiscate unlawfully acquired assets of major convicted drug traffickers
  • Enhanced powers to target and confiscate unexplained wealth from criminal gangs
  • Expanded powers to stop and search for unexplained wealth and more effectively investigate organised crime
  • New prohibition orders to target high-risk individuals likely to use dedicated encrypted devices to avoid law enforcement

 
Acting Commissioner David Hudson said the reforms would significantly assist police in the fight against organised crime. 
 
“Organised criminal networks and the technologies they use to coordinate their illegal activities are forever evolving,” Acting Commissioner Hudson said. 
 
“These networks go to great lengths to hide from the eyes of law enforcement, but we intend to use every power possible to fully investigate those suspected of serious crimes and put a stop to their activity. 
 
“Today’s announcement will significantly increase our ability to target every element of these criminal networks – including the wealth and assets gained from their illegal activities – to keep the broader community safe.”
 
Legislation to underpin the new reforms will be introduced when NSW Parliament returns for the Spring session.

PM VISIT TO EUROPE

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Europe from Sunday 26 June for the NATO Leaders’ Summit in Madrid. The Prime Minister will then travel on to France to accept President Emmanuel Macron’s invitation to meet in Paris.

The NATO Leaders’ Summit comes at a critical time. The conflict in Ukraine has significant consequences that reach far beyond Europe. Australia’s attendance also allows for engagement on strategic priorities for NATO engagement in our region.

Australia has been invited to attend the Summit as an Enhanced Opportunities Partner. In this role, Australia has worked closely with NATO on interoperability, military training and exercise programs, and other issues of mutual interest.

Through this partnership, the Prime Minister will engage with our Asia-Pacific partners and attend official engagements including bilateral meetings with NATO member countries.

At the conclusion of the NATO Leaders’ Summit, Prime Minister Albanese will travel to Paris, to meet with President Emmanuel Macron.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles will be Acting Prime Minister while Prime Minister Albanese is overseas.

the Prime Minister said:

“I look forward to attending the NATO Leaders’ Summit. It could not come at a more critical time.

“I look forward to engaging on the strategic priorities for our region.

“Australia has been unequivocal in its support for Ukraine and its condemnation of President Putin. We will continue to stand up for freedom and democracy.

“I am also honoured to accept an invitation from President Macron to visit Paris.

“France is an important partner and friend to Australia, particularly in our shared vision for peace and stability in the Pacific.”

How many more apologies will our Governments need to give First Nations people?

Yesterday, the Western Australian Governement pardoned and apologised to the Yamatji family of a baby who was brutally murdered in 2013. After domestic violence left Tamica Mullaley naked and bleeding in a Broome street, police were called and she was arrested.

Police left baby Mullaley’s 10-month-old baby, Charlie, at the crime scene. The man who assaulted Mullaley returned to the scene and kidnapped the child. Police were told several times that he had threatened to kill the baby, but took nine hours to act on the information.

Baby Charlie was tortured, sexually assaulted and murdered.

In 2015, Tamica Mullaley was charged and convicted of two counts of assaulting a public officer and one count of obstructing officers. Her father, Ted Mullaley, was found guilty of obstructing police for trying to stop them from arresting his daughter.

Yamatji Noongar Senator for WA: Dorinda Cox said:

“I went to see the Mullaley family yesterday. When I hugged Tamica and Uncle Ted, it was in that moment I knew the pardon they had just receive was a small comfort for the harrowing experience that has been 9 years in the making after losing Charlie Boy.

“This is only the first step in the long line of many reforms required for their justice and healing.

“It is this case and so many others like it across this country why myself and Senator Lidia Thorpe co-signed the motion for the Senate inquiry into Missing and Murdered First Nations Women and children.

“The inquiry will open for submissions in the first six months of the 47th Federal Parliament so we can pursue justice, healing and peace for our people.”

Gunnai, Gunditjmara and DjabWurrung Senator Lidia Thorpe, the Greens spokesperson for First Nations said:

“A CCC review found that there was “no serious misconduct” by police. The Greens are calling for independent police and prison oversight through the full implimentation of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. “

After such a horrific crime, this family was dragged through the courts and their fight for justice continues to this day. Their calls for an inquest into baby Charlie’s death was rejected by the WA supreme court in 2020.

“The press have spent a week writing about flags, where is the national outrage for this family? Where is the anger for the injustice that First Nations people face everyday? How many more apologies will our governments need to deliver before they change their behaviour?” 

Sexual harassment against women in the FIFO mining industry must end now

“The Greens are shocked, disgusted, and appalled to learn today of the staggering rates of sexual assault, violence and predatory behaviour against women on mining sites across WA today.

“This is the mining sector’s #MeToo moment. The culture of abuse has to stop. The culture of secrecy has to stop.
“The mining sector now has a choice – they can choose to see this culture of violence continue and sweep this issue under the carpet, or they can step up and end this horrific culture of abuse.

“We need this sector to take abuse in all its forms seriously – to invest in prevention education – and for structural change, and urge the sector to implement all 24 recommendations of this review as a matter of urgency.”

Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens spokesperson on Women said:

“This report recognises the vulnerability of women working on FIFO sites and has come about because of their bravery in sharing their stories.  Its recommendations must be implemented. 

“There are many recommendations in this report that Federal parliament should also take note of.  When parliament resumes, we will be pushing for parliament to set the standard for safe and respectful workplaces.

“Every person in every workplace should expect to be safe and respected.”

“Commissioner Jenkins laid out a clear pathway for reform in the Respect@Work report, including a positive duty on employers to make workplaces safe. Labor has promised to implement those recommendations and the Greens will hold them to that pledge.

Fining and punishing striking workers won’t fix NSW’s problems 

The Public Service Association has today slammed the NSW Government’s plan to hit striking workers with draconian fines, with the union emphasising that shooting the messengers won’t fix the state’s many problems.

Minister for Employee Relations Damien Tudehope today announced he would increase the maximum penalties for striking in response to the industrial unrest created by his government.

Public Service Association of NSW General Secretary, Stewart Little, said the government had created the problem by mismanaging public services and grabbing power from the independent Industrial Relations Commission.

“The state government created this situation when they snatched power from the independent Industrial Relations Commission, which has successfully managed industrial issues for decades,” Mr Little said.

“This government has mismanaged and underfunded public services. It has sacked and mistreated frontline workers. It’s spent a decade lighting a hundred separate bin fires across the state and now Damien Tudehope reckons he can bully frontline workers into staying silent about them.

“Public sector workers have a deep sense of public duty and they don’t strike lightly. They’ll only take industrial action when a government has mismanaged things to the point of crisis.

“If Damien Tudehope reckons he can shoot the messenger he’s mistaken.

“New South Wales is already one of only a few democracies on earth where workers get fined for exercising the human right to strike. The fact this government thinks it’s now appropriate to tighten the screws on workers speaks volumes.”

SSI sponsors Newcastle ‘Unity in Diversity’ festival for Refugee Week 

Refugee support agency Settlement Services International is proudly sponsoring the STARTTS partnered Newcastle ‘Unity in Diversity’ festival to mark Refugee Week on Saturday, June 25, 2022, at Foreshore Park.

Unity in Diversity is a full-day public program of activities, including multicultural food stalls, entertainment, and family-friendly activities. 

SSI Humanitarian Settlement Program Regional Coordinator for Newcastle and the Hunter Helen Larkin said that the festival gave people from refugee backgrounds an important platform to showcase their heritage in all its richness.

“The Unity in Diversity festival is a chance to experience firsthand the unique culture and artistry found in new communities and celebrates the contributions refugees make to their new homes,” she said.

Ms Larkin said that SSI is supporting recently arrived Ukrainian refugees to participate at the event through food stalls and entertainment. 

“SSI is proud to sponsor the festival for the second year in a row, and is excited to support our newly arrived Ukrainian refugees share their skills and talents with the Newcastle community.”

Ukrainian refugees Yurii and Inna Chuchenko have recently settled in Fern Bay and will have a raw dessert food stall at the festival. 

“We are excited to get involved in the celebrations marking this important cause, and also, connecting with the Newcastle community,” he said. 

Mr Chuchenko said he was eager to raise awareness about the benefits of refugee resettlement in regional Australia with the Ukrainian community.

“As newly arrived refugees in Fern Bay, we’ve had such a positive experience so far and want to share our insights with other Ukrainians across Australia.

“This is why we started the CH2 Project to provide a fluid, secure and efficient pathway for Ukrainian Nationals to a life in Regional NSW.

“Our first project is to build this pathway to the regional cities and townships within the Upper Hunter, Liverpool Plains and New England areas.”

Other Ukrainian refugees that SSI and STARTTS supports will feature at the festival including Zumba dancer and instructor Anna Kuskova.

For more info, visit: www.newcastlelive.com.au/events/newcastle-unity-in-diversity-festival/

Appeal for man wanted on six outstanding warrants – Hunter Valley 

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man wanted on six outstanding warrants.

Luke Atkinson, aged 35, is wanted by virtue of multiple outstanding warrants for drug, property, weapon, stealing, assault, traffic, and fraud offences.

Luke is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 175cm to 180cm tall, of medium build, with a shaved head and unshaven facial hair.

He is known to frequent the Hunter Valley area, as well as Sutherland and surrounding suburbs.

The public is urged not to approach Luke and police would like anyone who has information on his whereabouts to contact Muswellbrook Police Station 6542 6999 or Crime Stoppers.

Three charged and firearms seized after pursuit involving PolAir – Hunter Valley 

Three people have been charged and two firearms seized following a pursuit and ongoing investigations into alleged firearm thefts in the Hunter region.

Earlier this month, officers from Hunter Valley Police District commenced investigations into alleged thefts of firearms from rural properties in the Upper Hunter Valley area.

Following ongoing inquiries, PolAir 7 commenced following a Landcruiser about 5pm on Tuesday (21 June 2022), which was seen driving through Muswellbrook and Scone, after receiving reports it had allegedly been previously used in a number of thefts.

The vehicle was tracked to the carpark of a fast-food restaurant on Kelly Street, Scone, when officers from Hunter Valley Police District attempted to stop the vehicle.

The Landcruiser allegedly rammed a police vehicle before driving from the scene.

PolAir continued to follow the vehicle to Swinging Ridges Road, Willow Tree, when one of the occupants of the vehicle climbed onto the rear tray of the Landcruiser and allegedly discharged several rounds from a firearm.

The Landcruiser continued to a station on Merriwa Road, Little Jacks Creek, where it entered bushland and the three occupants left the vehicle before fleeing into nearby bushland.

With the assistance of PolAir, officers located and arrested a man and two women in nearby bushland about 2.30am.

Police searched the area and located two firearms, which were seized for forensic examination. Subsequent checks revealed the vehicle had been stolen from the Southern Highlands earlier this month.

The trio were taken to Muswellbrook Police Station, where the man – aged 26 – was charged with fire firearm in or near public place, possess loaded firearm public place, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority and be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.

He appeared before Muswellbrook Local Court yesterday (Wednesday 22 June 2022) and was formally refused bail to reappear before the same court on Tuesday 19 July 2022.

A 27-year-old woman was charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner. She was granted conditional bail to appear before Muswellbrook Local Court on Tuesday 19 July 2022.

A second woman – aged 23 – was charged with take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, use offensive weapon in company to prevent detention, drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, aggravated break and enter dwelling in company steal and dishonestly obtain property by deception.

She was refused bail to appear before Muswellbrook Local Court today (Thursday 23 June 2022).

Investigations continue.

Uni wage theft investigation a welcome sign

Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has welcomed the Fair Work Ombudsman’s priority investigation of wage theft and casualisation at universities, following revelations of underpayments at dozens of campuses.

Senator Faruqi said:

“Wage theft is widespread in our universities and it is clearly linked to casualisation and job insecurity, which has been allowed to run rampant.

“I’m glad to see Fair Work take this seriously following years of complaints by university staff and unions, as well as the shocking evidence provided to multiple Senate inquiries.

“Since 2020, I have referred many universities to give evidence to the Senate, compelling senior university management to front up and be accountable for systemic underpayments they had presided over.

“I’m hoping in the new parliament we can take decisive action. Piece rates must be abolished immediately, and universities must introduce publicly available targets for increasing permanent employment and reducing casualisation. The federal government has a clear role to play in making sure this happens.

“More broadly, we need a big injection of public funding for our universities, and to overhaul university governance. The corporate university has been built to serve management, not staff and students. Universities must be reimagined on principles of democracy and equity.”