A man will face court charged over the alleged online procurement of a child following an investigation by Strike Force Trawler detectives in the Lower Hunter Valley.
In March this year, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crime Squad’s Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) began engaging online with a man from Maitland.
Police will allege in court that the man believed he was speaking with a 13-year-old girl and engaged in conversations about sex acts he wished to perform on the teenager and shared sexually explicit material with her.
It will also be alleged that the man arranged to meet the girl in person.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives arrested a 36-year-old man at Waratah Railway Station about 10.10am yesterday (Tuesday 12 May 2020).
A subsequent search warrant was executed at the man’s home address, where mobile phones, tablets, a laptop and a hard drive were seized by officers.
He was taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with using a carriage service to procure person under 16 years for sexual activity.
The man was refused bail and appeared via video link at Newcastle Local Court yesterday (Tuesday 12 May 2020), and is next due to appear at the same court today (Wednesday 13 May 2020).
Strike Force Trawler is an ongoing investigation by the CEIU into the sexual abuse and exploitation of children facilitated through the internet and related telecommunications devices.
Regular covert online investigations are conducted by the CEIU; and police in NSW work closely with their law-enforcement colleagues interstate and overseas.
The Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate matters against children and adults, including sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and extreme cases of neglect.
Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. People should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Author: admin
Man issued PIN by Nepean Police Area Command
A man has been issued a $1000 Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) by police conducting inquiries into the circumstances surrounding a group not complying with Ministerial Directions in Sydney’s west.
Officers from Nepean Police Area Command initiated an investigation after photos and videos were shared on social media concerning an incident at a home in Penrith on Saturday 25 April 2020.
Following inquiries, police issued PINs to five women – aged in their late teens to early 20s – for failing to comply with a Ministerial Direction on Thursday 30 April 2020.
A 22-year-old man, who was filmed in the videos, was spoken to by police at the time.
Following information received and further inquiries, the man was issued a $1000 PIN for non-essential travel via email about 2pm today (Wednesday 13 May 2020).
Greens Move To Allow Universities Access To JobKeeper
The Greens have lodged a motion in the Senate to disallow parts of the Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Payments and Benefits) Amendment Rules (No. 2) 2020 that have the effect of excluding universities from accessing the JobKeeper wage subsidy.
The motion would only disallow provisions of the rules regarding JobKeeper eligibility for higher education providers, which extend the turnover calculation period from one to six months for universities and mandate that government funding be included in the calculations.
Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Australian Greens spokesperson for Education, said:
“Through multiple changes to the rules, universities have been targeted by this government and deliberately excluded from the JobKeeper wage subsidy scheme.
“30,000 jobs are on the line, with impacted staff in every corner of the country. The unfair treatment must end this week. Parliament has the opportunity to reject this malicious exclusion of universities.
“The government keeps shifting the goalposts and the madness has to stop. The failure to support universities through this crisis jeopardises not just our recovery but also our long-term future.
“I call on Labor and the crossbench to do the right thing and back this motion, which would potentially save jobs in every state and territory, and deliver much-needed support to our universities and their staff at this very difficult time.
“In addition to JobKeeper, universities need a dedicated rescue package to massively boost funding, save jobs and research, improve conditions and abolish fees,” she said.
Govt’s money for wildlife disingenuous
Greens Spokesperson for the Environment Senator Sarah Hanson-Young responded to the Federal Government’s announcement of $150million for Bushfire Recovery for Species and Landscapes:
“This announcement is much more about trying to win a by-election than anything to do with helping the environment and wildlife.
“If the Government cared a bit more about protecting koalas than they do protecting their seats in parliament, we might have faith they have a plan for bushfire recovery.
“Environmental recovery after the catastrophic bushfires was always going to need much more than $50m and the government flagged more was coming, but this still isn’t enough. The Greens called for a $500m fighting fund for the environment in January when the fires were still burning, when we already knew more than a million animals had been lost and millions of hectares of habitat destroyed, yet it’s taken four months to get more than $50m.
“$50m was never going to cut it and $150m more now still won’t be enough especially when the government is going to allow more damage to the environment with salvage logging and cut to environmental protections.
“The Federal Government announced yesterday the bushfire recovery funding includes $15m for transporting salvaged logs. This is despite the science clearly showing salvage logging will be devastating to bushfire affected areas causing further disturbance to these ecosystems and hampering regeneration and recovery.
“So on the one hand the government says it is putting more money on the table for the environment but on the other hand, they are supporting salvage logging and planning to cut environmental protections.
“Attempting to win elections by suddenly remembering forgotten bushfire communities won’t fly. Australians care about the environment more than ever and they want it protected, not trashed in favour of the government’s big business mates.
“The Environment Minister should take another look at the policy and start doing the right thing by our native wildlife and environment before we’ve lost even more of it.”
International Nurses Day 2020
The tireless work of Australia’s nurses – particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic – have been recognised by the Federal Government as part of International Nurses Day.
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, said the virus emergency had created challenges for many, none were tougher than for our world-class health professionals working on the frontline.
Today, 12 May, marks the day one of the founders of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale, was born.
“Her pioneering work during the Crimean War focused on the importance of sanitation and hygiene including handwashing,” Minister Hunt said.
“These hygiene principles are now at the heart of Australia’s coronavirus response and we have seen it work.”
Minister Hunt said there are more than 390,000 nurses registered in Australia.
“Today is a day when all Australians should stand as one and applaud our amazing nurses,” he said.
Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, Richard Colbeck, said more than 31,000 registered nurses and more than 18,000 enrolled nurses are working in aged care across Australia.
“Aged care nurses make up around 14 per cent of Australia’s total nursing workforce and care for more than 1.2 million senior Australians,” Minister Colbeck said.
“Nurses working in aged care lead multidisciplinary teams working in residential aged care facilities and the community.
“In particular, they are ensuring vital infection prevention and control processes are in place to better protect senior Australians in care from this virus.
“The nurses working across aged care are more important than ever.”
Minister for Regional Health, Mark Coulton, said more than 95,000 nurses work outside of Australia’s metropolitan areas — around 27 per cent of the total nursing workforce.
“Nurses are the lifeblood of small communities responding to increasingly complex health needs away from major hospitals,” Minister Coulton said.
“Rural nurses are highly skilled generalists that country communities rely on—often with reduced access to the clinical supports and assistance found in our cities.
“Whether in charge of a clinic or providing nursing care to outback patients, our nurses are valued and respected health professionals in rural, regional and remote communities.”
“Remote nursing organisation CRANAplus has provided important local insights throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the government’s health response meets the needs of regional communities.”
The Australian Government recently provided $4.1 million to fund up to 20,000 new online education places so Registered Nurses (RNs) can further assist in the delivery of care in intensive care and high dependency units across Australia.
Additionally, an online refresher course to allow 3000 RNs who are not currently in clinical practice to update their knowledge to re-join the health workforce is also available.
“Together, we thank and acknowledge Australia’s extraordinary nurses for their ongoing commitment and dedication to deliver exceptional frontline health care during this unprecedented time,” Minister Coulton said.
COVID-19: SAFETY PARAMOUNT AS DISTRICT COURT JURY TRIALS RESUME
Strict measures to ensure juror safety underpin today’s decision by the Chief Judge of the District Court to resume jury trials at selected locations from from Monday, 15 June.
Attorney General Mark Speakman said restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic had necessarily delayed jury trials as the justice system adapted to the social distancing we need to beat the coronavirus.
“Jury service is one of the most important rights and responsibilities that we have as members of the community and is central to ensuring fair trials. I encourage all potential jurors to answer their summonses so they can play their part,” Mr Speakman said.
“Justice Derek Price’s decision to resume some jury trials marks a welcome return towards normality in the District Court, which has worked with NSW Health and the Sheriff of NSW Tracey Hall to implement measures to keep jurors safe.”
Ms Hall said her office will today resume posting summonses to potential jurors who should be confident their health will be safeguarded.
“A fact sheet for potential jurors will accompany the summons, detailing what steps my officers and the District Court will take to ensure approproiate hygiene and social distancing,” Ms Hall said.
“On arrival at court, jurors may have their temperature taken and will be asked a series of screening questions to reduce the risk that people with cold or flu like symptoms will be present in court. Jurors will also have space to spread out in the courtroom and elsewhere to keep an appropriate distance.
“Ample provision of hand sanitiser, readily available wash stations, increased commercial cleaning and individualised meals will also help prevent contamination. Selection of jurors and appearance of other parties in the case will be by audio visual link and a strict cap will be applied to the numbers of people permitted in the courtroom.”
For the time being and subject to advice from NSW Health, jury trials will only be held at the Sydney Downing Centre complex and Parramatta and Newcastle courthouses.
$310 MILLION BOOST TO DROUGHT ASSISTANCE
The NSW Government today announced a further $310 million in emergency drought relief in recognition of the on-going drought conditions in regional NSW and to uphold a commitment to helping farmers make it out of the worst drought in living memory.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said renewing current support measures will provide drought affected communities across regional NSW with the certainty they need to make important stock and business decisions.
“I’m all too aware that some of our hardest hit communities feel like they have been forgotten due to the bushfires and COVID-19, and that rain in recent months may have left some people in the city with the impression that the drought is over,” Mr Barilaro said.
“My message to farmers and regional communities still battling this drought is that you are not alone.
“That is why we are continuing financial relief for farmers in drought by waiving onerous fees and charges and expanding measures to turbo-charge recovery.
“This fight is not over and many farmers will be feeling the financial and emotional impact of this drought for years to come.
“We have seen good rainfall across the state in recent months but we need to make sure the dollars continue to flow to keep our farmers and regional communities going.”
Extended support for drought affected comunities and farmers includes;
- $116 million to continue the Drought Transport subsidy
- $99 million to continue waiving of Local Land Services rates, bee site permits, Western Lands lease rent, wild dog fence rates and provide assistance for vehicle registration costs for eligible primary producers
- $28.5 million to continue existing water licence fee waivers for stock, domestic, general and high security water users
- Continuation of health and wellbeing programs, including the Farmgate Counsellors program, Aboriginal wellbeing services and Royal Flying Doctors Far West Drought Support programs.
Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall said the Drought Transport Subsidy would be extended, to help farmers reduce the cost of transporting fodder, stock, fertiliser, water and other farm inputs.
“We are reducing the cost of doing business to help farmers and their stock endure as we head towards recovery,” Mr Marshall said.
“While the focus lately has rightly been on dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, the devastation of drought has not been forgotten and our farmers will continue to be supported by our government.”
Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said as a regionally based Minister she is acutely aware of the toll the drought, bushfires and COVID-19 has had on rural communities.
“Every community is unique and the challenges faced across the state can be very different, which is why continuing our diverse mental health programs is critical,” Mrs Taylor said.
“We’ve had great success with measures like the Farmgate Counsellors program, and it is fantastic that this boost to drought assistance has a continued focus on mental health.
“As part of these extended programs, people will continue to receive the help and support they need to address significant health issues such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, panic attacks, suicide prevention, trauma and grief.”
Primary producers and small businesses already receiving support payments, subsidies, waivers and fee relief from the Emergency Drought Relief Package do not have to reapply.
This funding brings the NSW Government’s total drought support and water security commitment to close to $4 billion.
For a full list of drought support measures, go to: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/droughthub and www.nsw.gov.au/drought-in-nsw.
FUND SECURED BY JILL EMBERSON DELIVERS $2.7M TO NEWCASTLE RESEARCH
Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon has welcomed the announcement of almost $2.7 million in funding to the Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University of Newcastle for ovarian cancer treatment research.
Ms Claydon said this is one of a series of projects supported under a Federal Government funding commitment that was secured by Novocastrian Jill Emberson before her death from ovarian cancer in December 2019 .
“The HMRI / University of Newcastle grant is part of the Federal Government commitment of $20 million that would never have come about if it hadn’t been for Jill’s tireless advocacy for increased funding for ovarian cancer research,” Ms Claydon said.
“Even when Jill was extremely ill and debilitated from this terrible disease herself, she never wavered in her fight for fairer funding for ovarian cancer research and treatment.”
Ms Claydon said the funding would allow HMRI and University of Newcastle researchers to undertake a drug repurposing project to treat forms of ovarian cancer that aren’t responsive to current treatments.
“This project has the potential to fast-track new ovarian cancer treatments by looking at the potential of existing drugs that have already undergone the extensive vetting and safety tests needed to secure approval for human use,” Ms Claydon said.
“It will use artificial intelligence to narrow down the field of drugs that show promise.”
Ms Claydon said the survival outcomes from ovarian cancer are still ‘diabolically low’
“Ovarian cancer has the lowest survival rate of any women’s cancer with only 46 per cent of women surviving after five years.
“Compare that to breast cancer, which has a five-year survival rate of more than 90 per cent now. That’s the benchmark we should be aiming for.”
Ms Claydon promised to continue Jill’s fight for greater investment in ovarian cancer in Canberra.
“Jill founded the Pink Meets Teal campaign to build a community of advocates calling for fairer funding for ovarian cancer. I’m pleased to be able to do my part and continue Jill’s mission in the Federal Parliament.
“I will continue to raise this issue with the Government and call for the funding we need to secure the outcomes Australian women deserve.”
Greens pitch economic stimulus package to recreate Australia
The Greens will today launch their proposal for an economic stimulus package targeted at engaging the hundreds of thousands of artists and creatives who have lost their jobs during Covid-19, and the thousands more workers who have lost their jobs due to the flow on impact on hospitality and tourism.
The plan comprises three main elements including ‘Creating Australia’s Future’ which would see artists in residence in every school and library across the country, the ‘Billion Stories Fund’ to kick start our local screen industry prioritising Australian stories and children’s content, and ‘Australia Live’ which would inject funding into Australia’s festival, music and live performance sector.
Greens Spokesperson for the Arts Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“The arts and entertainment industry was one of the first to be hit by social distancing restrictions, it has suffered enormously throughout the lockdown and will be one of the last to recover.
“Yet, it has also been an industry so integral to helping Australians get through this crisis. Despite the job losses, social isolation and mental health problems, this anti-arts government has failed to recognise helping the industry to survive helps us all.
“The arts and entertainment industry will be absolutely vital to our economic recovery. Not only are other industries like tourism, hospitality and accommodation all going to benefit from its revival, but the sector is primed for stimulus. The industry can go in early and hard and put money into the pockets of workers who are in great need of an income and are going to spend what they earn. Without action, we stand to lose a generation of artists.
“The Green’s Create Australia plan is jobs rich and a funding commitment of $2.3 billion makes up less than 1% of what the Government has already spent on the Covid-19 response ($320 billion).
“The Morrison Government has a golden opportunity to enhance Australia’s sovereignty and cultural identity. Artists in Residence throughout our schools and libraries will be of enormous educational benefit to students and entire communities.
“Our screen production is world class and with Hollywood all but shut down we should be seizing the opportunity to create more Australian shows and films than ever. The decision by the Federal Government to let broadcasters out of their local content requirements was a kick in the guts to an industry on its knees, the Arts Minister must make amends.
“There can be no denying our arts and entertainment industry has been there for us during times of crisis and even during COVID-19 when many artists don’t even have an income, they’ve still stepped up to keep creating and connecting with community. If we are going to restore our social fabric we need to bring people back together through live performance, when it’s safe to do so, and that is going to take funding support. But it will be worth it as the return on investment from this sector will be enormous and in more ways than one.”
BACKGROUND
Creating Australia’s Future – Artist in Residence Program
A $300million project that would see an Artist in Residence in every school and library in the country. This would enable young artists in particular, to engage their skills while helping to mentor Australia’s youth and students. This project is focused on job creation, community development and building an enhanced appreciation for creative industries. It could of course be used to create community art projects in local areas, whether that is street art, theatre or music productions and local exhibitions.
A Billion Stories Fund
A $1billion Australian content fund to kick start Australia’s screen industry (film, TV and documentary). Productions are job rich, from the creatives, script writers, IT, lighting and sound engineers, crews, costumes, trades people, marketing, logistics (including on location travel, hospitality etc). In particular, Australian stories and children’s content would be prioritised, vital for our cultural identity, education and local jobs.
Australia Live
A $1billion grant fund to inject money into Australia’s festival, music and live performance sector which needs cash flow to restart. Investing in and creating incentives for the planning and delivery of events, live music and performance projects for both metropolitan and regional communities. These projects are job rich and the economic kickback is instant in the communities they occur. Local tourism, hospitality and retail also benefit greatly, of course, along with local construction jobs for those projects that require infrastructure. This fund would also be able to fund small-medium infrastructure projects for the construction and upgrade of local community concert, exhibition and studio spaces. Infrastructure that is purpose built for the creative industries, rather than just sport or conference facilities.
Childcare Review: Minister Must Ensure Equity And Make Childcare Free For Good
Australian Greens Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said the Education Minister must rule out the reintroduction of childcare fees in his current review of the COVID-19 childcare package.
Senator Faruqi said:
“Free and universal childcare has been a huge step forward for access to childcare. It should be made permanent.
“The Minister should be looking at how to ensure ongoing access to free childcare, and options for expanded public operation of childcare.
“The government has finally recognised childcare and early learning for what it is: an essential service that we all rely on and everyone can access, not only those who can afford to pay.
“Childcare cannot be seen as a way to turn a profit, but as a way to make our society more equitable.
“We are now at a really important turning point for early childhood education and care. Let’s not waste it. Free childcare should be here to stay,” she said.