Off-duty officer praised for bravery – Port Stephens

An off-duty police officer and a local man are being praised for their bravery after rescuing three people, including two children, who were washed off rocks at Port Stephens yesterday.
About 2.40pm (Saturday 20 July 2019), emergency services were called to Boat Harbour after reports that three people, who had been swimming in rock pools, were washed into the ocean.
Due to high swell and windy conditions an eight-year-old boy, 15-year-old girl and 44-year-old woman – were carried south.
Onlookers alerted a local man, Mr Michael Pascoe, of Boat Harbour, in a small aluminium vessel, who went to their aid.
An off-duty police officer Sergeant Andrew Parker, from the Marine Area Command, entered the water with a rescue board and pulled the three swimmers to the boat.
Officers from Nelson Bay Police Station, Water Police, Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter and Surf Life Saving NSW all attended the scene.
The two children and their mother were pulled from the water with no major injuries; the girl is being checked for a suspected sprained ankle.
“The heroic efforts of Sergeant Parker and Mr Pascoe in rescuing these three people in dangerous surf conditions should be commended,” said Acting Inspector Christine McDonald.
“If not for the quick-thinking and courageous response from these men, the outcome could have been tragic for these three swimmers.”

Police seek public assistance following break and enter – Cardiff

A search is underway for a man police believe can assist with inquiries following an alleged break, enter and steal at a building site this morning.
About 6.30am (Sunday 21 July 2019), police were called to a premise under construction on Macquarie Road, Cardiff following reports of a trespassing offence underway.
When officers from Lake Macquarie Police District arrived, they located a number of tools and a collection of building supplies stacked next to a black Suzuki 4WD.
Soon after police located a man who immediately ran from the building site. A short foot pursuit followed before officers lost sight of the man.
A perimeter was established and Polair and the Dog Unit were engaged. The man was tracked to local bushland but when he was unable to be located, the search for him was suspended at 12.30pm.
Police would like to speak to a man they hope can assist with their inquiries.
The man is described as of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm tall, aged in his 40s, with a medium build and brown hair. He was last seen wearing a blue jacket and grey beanie.

Police operation at Kariong continues

Police have established a secure perimeter inside a juvenile justice centre at Kariong following a disturbance, which has left seven detainees injured.
About 8.30pm (Sunday 21 July 2019), officers from Brisbane Water Police District were called to the facility following reports a number of detainees assaulted other juveniles.
An 18-year-old, who suffered stab wounds and facial injuries was transported by NSW Ambulance paramedics to Royal North Shore Hospital in a serious condition.
Another 18-year-old suffered stab wounds to his head and hands; a 20-year-old suffered facial and hand injuries; a 17-year-old had facial and head injuries; while another 20-year-old suffered injuries to his hand, leg, and arm.
Another 17-year-old dislocated his ankle after jumping off a roof.
They have all been taken to Gosford Hospital for treatment.
A seventh juvenile was later treated at the scene for a broken nose.
Additional resources have been deployed from neighbouring police districts, as well as the Public Order and Riot Squad, Operations Support Group, Dog Unit, PolAir, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, the Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, and other specialist resources.
Police have established a cordon, restricting the armed detainees to a building within the complex, as negotiations continue.
Investigations into the assaults are underway, with a number of crime scenes established within the centre.
All detainees have been accounted for, and the external security of the facility was not compromised.

NSW Police Force announces new Missing Persons Registry – Project Aletheia

The NSW Police Force has announced the establishment of a new unit to investigate and coordinate long-term missing persons cases.
In 2017, as part of re-engineering, NSW Police Commissioner Michael Fuller initiated a comprehensive review and analysis of the Missing Persons Unit (MPU) functions.
The review identified various areas for improvement and recommended significant structural and procedural changes to meet current and future demands.
Commissioner Fuller has announced Project Aletheia, a State Crime Command-led initiative, to dissolve the MPU and implement a new structure that will draw on the expertise of specialist detectives and analysts.
“It is clear that change is needed, and I have delegated responsibility to the State Crime Command to ensure we can do everything we can to put policies, procedures, and checkpoints in place to rectify past problems and create solutions for now and into the future,” Commissioner Fuller said.
“To have a loved one go missing has a devastating impact on the person’s family and friends and while police do an outstanding job in providing support for the families, we are committed to providing outcomes.
“It needs to be acknowledged that families of missing persons have not been given the answers they have been seeking, and this is not acceptable.
“We owe it to the people of NSW to deliver better outcomes for families of missing persons and vulnerable people who are most at risk of going missing – those living with a mental illness, young people, and older people with dementia or memory loss – to ensure every opportunity is explored to find loved ones – wherever they may be,” Commissioner Fuller said.
Project Aletheia will involve the formation of the Missing Persons Registry (MPR) within State Crime Command in a new state-of-the-art facility, which is currently under development.
A team of seven detectives and four analysts – including those with qualifications and expertise in psychology and data matching – will work to resolve current long-term missing person cases and provide assistance to frontline police to improve the initial response to missing persons reports.
State Crime Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith, said the MPR will utilise cutting edge technology and leverage techniques used in the investigations of serious and organised crime.
“Project Aletheia – meaning seeker of truth – is the largest missing persons data matching project in Australia and will revolutionise the way missing persons cases are managed and investigated,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Smith said.
“The first process – which is expected to take months – is to digitise existing records and implement new systems.
“We are going to use every technological advancement available to us – whether that be ancestral mapping or biometric photos – that are capable of generating matches – to locate people and provide answers in cases which date back more than 60 years.
“With technology advancing every day, we will be innovative in the way we pursue investigations and continue to seek new developments in the future to solve cases,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Smith said.
In recent months – and through the implementation of new systems under Project Aletheia – more than 30 cases have been resolved, with 13 people located offshore or interstate.
In addition, a joint-agency project between officers from the NSW Police Force and forensic and scientific experts from NSW Health Pathology, which was established in March 2018, will continue to progress the resolution of unidentified human remains cases.
“This is a complex project, which begins with the reconciliation of records – many of which are historic and in hard copy – followed by various forensic processes and inquiries to find a match,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Smith said.
‘We are committed to ensuring the most effective and efficient allocation of resources in order the maximise our capability and provide answers to families of missing persons.”
The MPR will be a stand-alone investigative unit, reporting directly to the Director of Crime Operations, and will draw upon the expertise of specialist investigators across the NSW Police Force and law enforcement and intelligence partners both here and abroad.

Greens: Manus Island

Australian Greens Immigration Spokesperson Nick McKim has been ordered to leave Manus Island on the sixth anniversary of the commencement of indefinite offshore detention.
“The veil of secrecy continues to surround Australia’s detention centres on Manus Island and Nauru,” Senator McKim said.
“As a member of the Australian Parliament it is my duty to examine the conditions in which Australia’s detainees are being kept.”
“This has been six long years of cruelty and deprivation.”
“The mental health of detainees is at an all-time low.”
“The deliberate cruelty of the Labor and Liberal parties has removed all hope that these men had for the future.”
“The Australian Greens will continue fighting to ensure all refugees and people seeking asylum are given the freedom and safety they so desperately need.”
Senator McKim was ordered to leave Papua New Guinea on Friday despite having an official passport and multiple entry visa.
“In my six visits to Papua New Guinea I have always followed local laws and been respectful to everyone.”
“It is the Labor and Liberal parties who wear the shame of this bloody chapter, not the people of Papua New Guinea.”

Senior Rebels OMCG member charged with 18 offences after weapons, drugs seized – Rutherford

A senior member of the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) has been charged after Strike Force Raptor seized weapons, drugs and diesel suspected of being stolen, from a home in the Hunter region.
As part of ongoing investigations into an alleged criminal network, police from the Criminal Groups Squad’s Strike Force Raptor North stopped and spoke to a 45-year-old man on Young Street, Rutherford, about 5.40am yesterday (Thursday 18 July 2019).
The man was arrested and charged for allegedly breaching his bail.
He was refused bail and appeared at Maitland Local Court that morning, where he was released on conditional bail.
A short time later, Strike Force Raptor North conducted a Firearms Prohibition Order (FPO) search at a home in Rutherford.
During the search, investigators located several items, including a push dagger, a sheath knife, a disguised electronic control device, an extendable baton and Rebels OMCG colours.
Investigators also found a crystal substance suspected to be methylamphetamine, prescribed restricted substances and 20 drums of diesel suspected of being stolen.
All items were seized for forensic analysis.
The 45-year-old man was re-arrested at the scene and taken to Maitland Police Station.
He was charged with possess prohibited weapon without permit (x4), use prohibited weapon contrary to prohibition order (x4), fail to ensure safe keeping of prohibited weapon (x4), possess prohibited drug (x3), possess prescribed restricted substance (x2) and goods in custody.
The man was refused bail to appear before Maitland Local Court today (Friday 19 July 2019).
Strike Force Raptor was established in 2009 and conducts proactive investigations and intelligence-based, high-impact policing operations to prevent and disrupt conflicts, and dismantle any network engaged in serious organised criminal activity.
 

Charges laid after replica firearm produced during road rage incident -Tighes Hill

Police have charged a man with one count of intimidation and one count of possessing an unauthorised pistol after a road rage incident near Newcastle yesterday.
About 4.40pm (Thursday 18 July 2019) a 19-year-old woman, driving a white Suzuki Swift, turned out of Bryant Street onto Union Street, Tighes Hill.
Shortly after this, a green Honda CRV pulled in closely behind her and started beeping its horn.
The Honda, containing three males, then pulled up along-side the Suzuki and started making threatening gestures to her, with one man brandishing what appeared to be a handgun. The Honda followed her for a further three minutes before turning into a petrol station at Islington.
Following the incident, police from the Newcastle City Police Area Command made inquiries and located the vehicle.
As a result a 19-year-old man presented himself to detectives at Newcastle Police Station today (Friday 19 July 2019) where he was interviewed, arrested and charged.
The man was granted conditional bail and is set to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 22 August 2019.

NSW CYBER SECURITY NODE OPEN FOR BUSINESS

The Morrison and Berejiklian Governments are continuing to invest in cyber security, with the launch of a new hub to drive innovation and economic growth in the sector.
The NSW Cyber Security Innovation Node joins five other state and territory nodes created in partnership with AustCyber.
Federal Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the new node was another important step in developing an industry that would boost Australia’s economy and create jobs.
“This new node in Sydney, backed by AustCyber and the NSW Government, will bring together startups, corporations, universities, researchers and government agencies to share expertise and create new ideas,” Minister Andrews said.
“The Morrison Government is determined to reap the rewards of the rapidly growing global cyber security market which is expected to be worth US$250 billion by 2026.
“We want to generate more investment and more jobs for Australians.”
NSW Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said NSW was Australia’s leading user of cyber security products and services and home to the nation’s largest fintech industry.
“A cyber security network without NSW would not truly be a national network.
“Together with our launch of the NSW Cyber Security Industry Development Strategy last year, the establishment of the node is a further important step taken by the NSW Government towards strengthening our cyber capabilities,” Mr Tudehope said.
The NSW Cyber Security Innovation Node will be co-located with and complement the Joint Cyber Security Centre in Sydney, which has a focus on threat information sharing.
It joins a network of nodes backed by AustCyber and state/territory governments already established in Victoria, the ACT, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania.
Growing the cyber security sector is part of the Morrison Government’s broader plan to grow the economy and create 1.25 million new jobs over the next five years.

Climate Justice Must Be Central to Foreign Aid Program

Australian Greens Senator and Spokesperson for International Development, Dr Mehreen Faruqi, has said that climate justice must be central to Australia’s development assistance program following reports that the Foreign Minister, Senator Marise Payne, received the climate change strategy six months ago but is yet to release it.
Senator Faruqi said:
“Climate change is an existential threat to our neighbours and must be front and centre of our foreign aid program. The poorest, who contribute the least to climate change, are often the hardest hit by rising sea levels, extreme weather events and environmental damage.
“Given our dirty hands in producing climate changing emissions, we have a special responsibility to deliver climate justice.
“I urge Senator Payne to urgently release the climate strategy and provide funding to support action on climate change, particularly for our neighbours in the Pacific and South-East Asia.
“The reality is Australia exports climate change. Once our coal exports are counted, we are the world’s sixth largest contributor to climate change. Every tonne of coal we ship out brings us and our neighbours one step closer to the climate precipice,” she concluded.

Federal Government must Intervene to Reverse the Decline in Public Housing

Australian Greens Senator and Spokesperson for Housing, Dr Mehreen Faruqi, has responded to today’s Australian Institute of Health and Research report which shows Australia has lost 20,000 public housing units in the last decade. She welcomed the increase in community housing, but said public housing must be a bigger part of the housing mix.
Senator Faruqi said:
“It is time for the Federal Government to step in and show leadership on the housing crisis. We know that social housing in general has not kept pace with demand.
“It is a national shame that 140,000 people are still on public housing waiting lists.
“The reality is that Government-owned public housing is an essential part of the housing mix, but State Governments have increasingly been shirking their responsibility to build it. Public housing is a crucial part of our social safety net that has been eroded over time. We need to reverse this.
“I am particularly disturbed to see waiting times for people classified as being in the greatest need increasing, rather than decreasing. The most vulnerable in our society shouldn’t be forced to wait over a year for the basic right of a roof over their heads.
“The Greens have a plan to build 500,000 new public and community homes through a Federal Housing Trust. Everyone has the right to a safe, secure and permanent home,” she concluded.