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A Shepparton woman was sentenced today (29 July, 2024) to three years imprisonment for orchestrating the forced marriage of her 20-year-old daughter, who later became the victim of a homicide in Western Australia.

This sentence marks the first successful conviction and sentencing for forced marriage in Australian history.

The investigation began in 2019 when specialist AFP Human Trafficking Team detectives met with the victim, who alleged members of her family were threatening and coercing her into participating in a forced marriage.

She was offered police intervention, protection, and emergency safety planning. For wellbeing support, including alternative accommodation, she was referred to the Red Cross Support for Trafficked People Program (STPP) on a number of occasions.

The court found the 20-year-old woman was eventually coerced into marrying a West Australian man in a ceremony held in Shepparton, Victoria, in August, 2019.

The AFP alleged the woman did not freely consent to this marriage, after which she travelled to Western Australia to live with her new husband.

In January 2020, the Western Australian Police Force Homicide Squad confirmed the death of the victim and subsequently charged her husband, 25, -with murder. He was convicted and sentenced to a minimum 19 years’ imprisonment.

In October 2020, the AFP executed search warrants in Shepparton, Victoria in relation to the forced marriage . The AFP subsequently charged the victim’s mother with orchestrating the forced marriage, under section 270.7B (1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).

The woman, 48, appeared before Shepparton Magistrates’ Court and was subsequently bailed to reappear at a later date.

In May 2024, the woman was found guilty at trial in the Melbourne County Court of causing a person to enter a forced marriage. She was sentenced today (29 July, 2024) to three years imprisonment with 12 months to be served before being released on own recognisance.

This was the second case where an individual had been charged with this offence in Victoria.

Forced marriage is a form of human trafficking and is criminalised under the Commonwealth Criminal Code.

AFP Commander Raegan Stewart said Australia was not immune to forced marriages, with this crime type often under-reported as people were unaware they may be victims, or were scared about the impact on their family situation.

“The investigation would not have been possible without the assistance of members of the community, including many witnesses who came forward to police despite community and cultural barriers,” Commander Stewart said.

“The number of human trafficking complaints to the AFP is on the rise, with the AFP receiving 340 reports of offences – 90 being forced marriage allegations – across the 2022-23 financial year.

“It is a crime type we know is underreported and we hope this conviction highlights how seriously the AFP takes these matters, and its commitment to bringing perpetrators before the courts.” If you or someone you know is being forced to marry and you need immediate assistance, you can call 131 AFP (237) or use our online form to report information regarding human trafficking.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teen missing from Newcastle.

Bailey Nelson, aged 13, was last seen in King Street, Newcastle about 2.40am today (Monday 22 July 2024).

When he was unable to be located or contacted, officers attached to Newcastle City Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police and family hold serious concerns for Bailey’s welfare due to his age.

He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm tall, with a thin build and short brown hair.

Bailey was last seen wearing a black puffer jacket with a white zipper, khaki long pants and black shoes. He was carrying a black satchel bag.

Bailey is known to frequent the Jesmond and Kotara areas.

Anyone with information into his whereabouts is urged to call Newcastle Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The NSW Government has today ordered a public inquiry into Liverpool City Council after an interim report provided to the Minister for Local Government detailed serious concerns about widespread dysfunction and maladministration.

The Minister has also written to the Mayor of Liverpool advising of his intention to suspend the Council and postpone the elections due in September while the inquiry is being conducted. The Council has been given seven days to respond.

The interim report provided to the Minister forms part of an investigation announced in April 2024 under Section 430 of the Local Government Act 1993.

The scope of the Section 430 investigation focused on recruitment matters including whether the Council had complied with its statutory obligations, if conflicts of interest influenced staff appointments and any other matters that may have impacted the governance and effective administration of the Council.

However, investigators have identified matters sufficient in seriousness and volume to warrant an immediate public inquiry into the Council.

The report details a number of areas of concern with regard to recruitment and staffing practices, procurement irregularities, allegations of inappropriate record keeping and widespread evidence of a toxic work environment.

The interim report reveals a strong likelihood that there are additional issues affecting the operations of the Council that have not yet been identified.

The report also outlines evidence of direct interference from the mayor and councillors in the assessment of development applications and other compliance and regulatory activities.

The widespread and serious nature of the report has left the NSW Government with little choice but to intervene.

Under Section 438U of the Local Government Act 1993, a public inquiry will now be launched into the functions and operations of the elected Council and the Council’s administration.

Mr Ross Glover has been appointed as the Commissioner to undertake the inquiry. Mr Glover was appointed by the former government in 2021 to undertake the inquiry into Wingecarribee Shire Council.

Should the Council be suspended, an interim administrator will be appointed to perform the functions of a governing body.

The interim report from the Office of Local Government as well as the public inquiry Terms of Reference can be viewed here: https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/councils/misconduct-and-intervention/investigations/section-430-investigations/

Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said:

“Communities expect their council to be operating with the highest level of integrity and in their best interests.

“It has become clear that is not the case at Liverpool City Council and there is major dysfunction across the entire organisation.

“These are very serious issues which are causing distress among staff and impacting the Council’s ability to deliver for its community, and they must be urgently addressed.

“A public inquiry is therefore a necessary measure to get all the issues out in the open and start the journey of restoring confidence in the Council.

“I want to ensure the Commissioner can oversee this inquiry without the politically charged environment of an election, which is why I believe it is in the public interest to postpone the September elections for Liverpool.

“Liverpool City Council has a vital role to play in the development of the Bradfield City Centre and the overall growth and economic success of Western Sydney.

“This action announced by the Government today is necessary to get to the bottom of some very serious and concerning matters.”    

The NSW Government is investing in mental health support for employees in hospitality and tourism venues across NSW to improve mental health and wellbeing.

The NSW Government’s once-off contribution of $250,000 will help the Raising the Bar Foundation design and deliver The Barstool Project, a custom mental health training package for employees in the hospitality and tourism industry in NSW.

The Barstool Project is an education initiative aimed at reaching 10,000 employees across the state, improving education and awareness of mental health and wellbeing issues in the industry.

Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park:

“I’m really impressed by the proactive work Lachlan, Daniel and the Raising the Bar Foundation team are doing to increase mental health support and driving a cultural shift in the hospitality industry.

“We know that over two in five (44%) Australians over 16 are estimated to have experienced a mental illness at some point in their life.

“It highlights the need for a concerted effort from the NSW Government and industry leaders like the Raising the Bar Foundation to ensure that people are equipped to stay mentally healthy and that they feel comfortable reaching out for help if they are struggling.”

Member for Wollongong Paul Scully:

“Whether you work in an office, out on a farm, or in a pub, a healthy mind is important for us all.

“I have been working with Lachlan, Daniel and the Raising the Bar foundation team on this innovative approach to improving mental health awareness for some time.

“Providing people in the hospitality and tourism sectors with the skills they need to identify mental health and wellbeing issues will not only benefit their colleagues but also help their customers as well.”

Raising the Bar Foundation Chairperson Lachlan Stevens:

“I’m very grateful the NSW Government is supporting our organisation’s goals to increase mental health support across the hospitality and tourism industry.

“Our mission is to create safer, healthier environments within hospitality venues for employees, employers and patrons, with an aim to shift the culture of these establishments back to human connection and community.”

Raising the Bar Foundation General Manager Daniel Chin:

“The support from the NSW Government is incredibly welcome and will expand our ability to empower individuals to understand and manage their mental health effectively.

“Raising the Bar Foundation is about leading the charge in eradicating the stigma around mental health and this contribution will help a great deal.”

It’s the dream of every parent and carer: school holidays packed with fun and learning for the kids without the pay packet-busting price tag.

The state’s Cultural Institutions and national parks are stepping up to help, with a range of free and low-cost activities that help ease the cost-of-living squeeze while providing cultural learning and entertainment during the winter school break starting Monday 8 July.

From circus skills and carnival fun at the State Library of NSW, to a drop-in workshop to create an art installation honouring our Grandmother Tree at the Australian Museum, and becoming a National Parks ranger for a day, there are range of activities on offer.

School holiday activity highlights include:

• Australian Museum
  • Burra, First Nations Learning Centre – Free guides lead gentle learning activities inspired by First Nations knowledge of our land and fauna.
  • Wansolmoana – join in the fun on 6 July in the AM’s Pasifika Gallery when award winning performers, Tavake, revive traditional dances and music from Tonga. Stay and enjoy the stunning artefacts on display, free, open every day.
  • Honouring Our Grandmother Tree – Running over three special days, join the free drop-in event to help create an art installation honouring our Grandmother Tree – the Sydney red gum. Set up in Hintze Hall, the Grandmother Tree is set to transform as Guringai, Yuin, and Sydney Traditional Owner Amanda Jane Reynolds lead children and families through unique art-making, ancestral teachings, and a daily sacred possum drumming ceremony.
  • Shellwork Art with Aunty Maxine – In this hands-on experience, master the traditional artform of shellwork in this interactive workshop with First Nations artist Aunty Maxine Ryan and spark your creativity to make your own unique piece to take home (child $45).
• Powerhouse
  • Powerhouse Family Day: First Nations Innovations (Powerhouse Castle Hill)– A free day of demonstrations, workshops, tours, drop-in activities and fun for people of all ages, inspired by the Powerhouse collection (13 July).
  • Alchemy Family Tours (Powerhouse Castle Hill) – Join First Nations assistant curator Madeline Poll for a tour of the Powerhouse exhibition Alchemy that explores bush techniques in Indigenous Australian art.
  • Creative Studio: Digital Illustration (Wagga Wagga) – A free three-day workshop designed for students in years 7-12, to learn about character design and development in this artist-led workshop.
• Art Gallery of NSW
  • Kids drop-in workshop: Alphonse Mucha paper headpieces – A free workshop inspired by the art of Alphonse Mucha, where you’ll cut paper then fold, crease, tear and scrunch it to make decorative botanical shapes inspired by Mucha’s artworks, many of which incorporate flowers and other plants.
  • Guided tour for kids: Roving art-making tour in Naala Nura – Join volunteer guides for a roving art-making tour of the Art Gallery of New South Wales collection. Find out more about some of the most intriguing artworks on display through friendly and fun activities, and make some art of your own.
  • Kids drop-in workshop: Keep the fires burning! – Create an artwork that represents a place that is special to you. Recalling your memories of this place, use text, images and repeat patterns to make a landscape image make a sign inspired by the art of Wanapati Yunupiŋu.
• State Library of NSW
  • Carnival Drop-In Centre – Free carnival fun for families in the Learning Centre! Walk down the tunnel to try some sideshow craft and games, dress-up as a tightrope walker or the circus ringmaster then catch a fish for the seals on our interactive floor. It is open every day of the first week of the holidays.
  • Drawing in the Galleries – Arty the Art Cart will be packed to the brim with paper and art materials ready for you to discover things in our paintings you might never have seen before. Suitable for primary school aged children. All materials provided. 
  • Circus Skills Workshop – The circus has come to town! Join the troupe to learn plate twirling, juggling and discover new ways to play with the hula hoop. Circus skills expert, Shiho will be there to train you (child $10).
  • Create a Carnival – Make your own circus-scape with boxes, recycled craft materials, glue, scissors and lots of red-and-white striped paper. You can make characters, animals and even a merry-go-round! You will see paintings and photos from our collection that will inspire you (child $5).
• Museums of History NSW:
  • Story time at the Museum – Coomaditchie Dreaming – A relaxed and fun story time session followed by a craft activity inspired by the Dreaming stories.
  • Art of Place: Poetry workshop for kids with Lucy Norton – Discover the power of words and unleash your creativity in this poetry workshop where you are invited to consider and write about your own interpretation of ‘the art of place’. Led by Lucy Norton, this workshop for kids will explore the nature, uses and practice of poetry through poetic language, forms and conventions (tickets $15).
  • Cast in Cast Out Memory Shield Kids Workshop – Join Dennis Golding for a special creative workshop where participants will be guided in making a memory shield that draws inspiration from the strength of First Nations cultures and connection to Country and the shield as an object of resistance, resilience, and empowerment (tickets $20).
• Sydney Opera House:
  • Magic Garden – Join award-winning children’s band, The Vegetable Plot, for a journey into the magic garden of human imagination (tickets from $25).
  • The River That Ran Uphill – Sydney premiere of the courageous, brave, and timely production, highlighting climate change and its impacts on South Pacific communities. (tickets from $35).
  • A Forest In The City – An immersive production where children are invited to join two dancers onstage and step inside a magical green city and help to create an exciting new world where insects appear, the seasons change and the city gets bigger, busier and more complex (tickets from $35).
• NSW National Parks – Sydney-based
  • Junior ranger – Children will be appointed ‘junior rangers’ to observe wildlife through binoculars and learn how to read maps in the Royal National Park (child $15, accompanying adult free + park entry).
  • Bare Island Fort guided tour – Cross a 130-year-old wooden bridge in La Perouse and enter a fort built in the 1880s to protect Botany Bay (adult $15, child $10, family $45).
  • Cycling Lady Carrington Drive – A historic cycling track offers birdwatching, picnic areas and history in the Royal National Park (free with park entry).
  • Barrenjoey Lighthouse tour – Climb the winding stairs inside Barrenjoey Lighthouse and enjoy views of the Pacific from the top (adult $10, child $5).
• NSW National Parks – Regional NSW
  • Leaping lizards (Blue Mountains) – Join a ranger at Blackheath on a tour to spot lizards, learn where they sleep and what they eat, and how to protect them in your backyard (child $20, accompanying adult free).
  • Dorrigo kids’ nature play (near Coffs Harbour) – A rainforest tour in Dorrigo National Park with nature games and hands-on activities (child $10, accompanying adult free + park entry).
  • Walk on the wild side at the Warrumbungles (Central West) – A guided tour that teaches the skills of birdwatching and where to look for evidence of animal tracks (adult $18, child $10, family $50 + park entry).
  • Trial Bay Gaol (North Coast) – Find out what life behind bars was like and learn about the gaol’s mysterious towers, impenetrable walls and cells (adult $20, child $10, family $50).
  • Mountain Maid gold mine tour (Hunter) – Step back in time and pan for gold on this tour of Mountain Maid gold mine in Copeland Tops State Conservation Area (adult $15, child $10, family $40).
• Taronga Zoo Sydney
  • Taronga’s Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Centre (ARC) – Jump slither and crawl into this brand-new experience where big and little kids alike can eye to eye with 42 species of reptiles and amphibians all whilst learning about how to become climate heroes. This indoor experience is free with your Zoo Entry or with your Zoo Friends Membership.
  • Crawly Critters Alive Live Show – Crawl into the wild world of amazing critters at Taronga Zoo’s electrifying new show: Crawly Critters ALIVE! Discover the secrets of the spiders, marvel at the camouflaging prowess of phasmids, and shudder (in a good way!) at the armoured defence of scorpions. Running twice daily at 11.45 am and 2.30 pm throughout the school holidays (free with entry or Zoo Friends Membership).

For more information on specific school holiday programs, visit each institution’s website.

Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said:

“The NSW Government’s top priority is helping people with cost-of-living pressures and it’s no secret that parents of school children have some of the biggest challenges – especially during the holidays.

“There is a range of free and low-cost programs available ready to be explored and we hope this can be of assistance to parents.”

Minister for the Arts John Graham said:

“We know that children who participate in creative and cultural activities are more likely to do well at school, make strong connections and thrive later in life, and it is critical that these opportunities are affordable and accessible to all.”

“These free and low-cost activities and events will make a welcome difference in providing entertainment, learning and fun, and there really is something for everyone.”

Sydney’s iconic White Bay Power Station is enjoying a renaissance as the city’s newest arts, cultural and community hub.

After welcoming 180,000 visitors through its doors for the Biennale of Sydney, the Power Station will open its doors again next month, when it hosts two Saturday nights of Ministry of Sound dance parties in the Boiler House and Turbine Hall.

To improve access to this cultural space, planning is underway to deliver more than $17 million in upgrades to surrounding footpaths, nearby traffic lights and public spaces.

The work will include an $11.9 million investment to install new signalised intersection at Roberts Street and Mullens Street, an additional pedestrian crossing on Roberts Street and new landscaping.

The popular shared path along Victoria Road that connects people walking and cycling to the Anzac Bridge will be widened as part of a $3.9 million investment. Bounded by Victoria Road to its West, and a sharp cliff face to its east, the widened path will cantilever toward the White Bay Power Station, giving people more room to walk or ride their bikes.

An additional $1 million will provided through the reVITALise Program to build a new walking and cycling link between the precinct, Rozelle Parklands and onto the Light Rail, which includes seating, lighting, signage and landscaping.

Work will also be done to reserve future walking connections to the White Bay Metro Station, which will open next door in 2032.

With a further $100,000 will be spent to improve shading, furniture and lighting throughout the White Bay Power Station precinct.

Design works are underway with works due to be complete at the end of next year.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen:

“The inner west is loving this incredible new arts space, but we’ve heard getting in and out is still a big challenge.

“We’re getting in there and providing new safe routes for people to walk or ride their bikes, which will connect people to nearby public transport options.”

“This is include small changes, like improvements to traffic lights, to dramatic interventions like the widening of the shared path on Victoria Road, which will cantilever over power station land to give people more space to walk or cycle.”

Mayor Darcy Byrne:

“Our longstanding vision of White Bay Power Station as a great arts and cultural venue for Sydney is really coming to life.

“These pedestrian and active transport improvements are a vital step in making the Power Station accessible for concerts, exhibitions and events.

“The hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Biennale saw the incredible potential of the Power Station.

“Making the site more accessible will help bring hundreds of thousands more patrons through the doors of this unique asset.”

Today the Government will introduce the new Future Made in Australia Bill 2024 and Future Made in Australia (Omnibus Amendments No. 1) Bill 2024 to Parliament, a major step in making the Australian economy more prosperous and resilient.

This legislative package is a key part of putting our Future Made in Australia plan into action, so Australia makes the most of the major economic and industrial opportunities of the energy transition.

The Future Made in Australia legislation will bring together our policy work in this space to ensure it is an effective and practical strategy for Australia to seize this opportunity.

This legislation is all about unlocking private sector investment to build a stronger, more diversified and more resilient economy powered by renewable energy that creates secure, well-paid jobs around the country.

It embeds into law a disciplined and rigorous approach that will govern Future Made in Australia investments, to make the most of our net zero potential and ensure the benefits of these investments are widely shared and flow to local communities.

This package does three main things. It will legislate our new National Interest Framework, introduce a robust sector assessment process, and outline the Community Benefit Principles that will apply to investment decisions.

The National Interest Framework defines criteria for identifying sectors that will be key to the net zero transformation and where Australia could have a genuine comparative advantage, or where there is an economic security or resilience imperative to invest in domestic capability.

The package will enable Government to commission Treasury to undertake independent analysis of the extent that areas of the economy are aligned with the National Interest Framework, barriers to private investment in these areas and opportunities to address them.

It sets out five Community Benefit Principles that will be applied to Future Made in Australia supports identified in the Bill. To ensure the benefits of investment flow to local workers, industries and communities, decision makers will be required to have regard to how relevant investments can:

• Promote safe and secure jobs that are well paid and have good conditions;
• Develop more skilled and inclusive workforces, including by investing in training and skills development and broadening opportunities for workforce participation;
• Engage collaboratively with and achieve positive outcomes for local communities, such as First Nations communities and communities directly affected by the transition to net zero;
• Strengthen domestic industrial capabilities including through stronger local supply chains; and
• Demonstrate transparency and compliance in relation to the management of tax affairs, including benefits received under Future Made in Australia supports.

The legislation establishes Future Made in Australia Plans. These are written plans that can be required by Government to help maximise the broader benefits of investment in a Future Made in Australia. The application of the Principles and Plans will be subject to further consultation.

It will also establish the Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund to support emerging technologies in industries like green metals, clean energy manufacturing and low carbon liquid fuels, and it expands the National Interest Account to better enable investment in Australia’s national interests. 

To promote investment certainty, these amendments reintroduce guaranteed statutory funding for ARENA, which was allowed to lapse under the previous Government.

The Government recognises that the best opportunities for Australia and its people lie at the intersection of industry, energy, resources, skills and our ability to attract and deploy investment.

The Future Made in Australia package improves our investment environment and encourages new industries that put us on a path to net zero and strengthen our economic resilience.

Labor and the Liberals voting down the Greens’ Divestiture Bill shows they are siding with the supermarket corporations over the interests of everyday Australians, the Greens say.

“The political duopoly has today voted to protect the supermarket duopoly from the consequences of their anti-competitive behaviour,” Greens Economic Justice Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“Labor and the Liberals have sided with the profits of Coles and Woolworths. It is up to them to explain why they voted the way they did today

“Coles and Woolworths have price gouged customers, treated their own workforce appallingly and driven suppliers to the wall.”

“Their market dominance and political donations have allowed them to get away with it. It needs to end.”

“Thank you to the Nationals Senators and crossbenchers who supported the Greens today.”

“Last time a vote went this way, we ended up with the Banking Royal Commission. We will not stop fighting until there is more competition and lower food prices.”

The Albanese Government’s efforts to tackle Modern Slavery have been recognised as among the world’s best in the US Department of State 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report.

Australia is one of just 33 countries to have been ranked as Tier One in the report which finds “the Government of Australia fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.”

The report highlights the passage of the Albanese Government’s legislation last month establishing Australia’s first Anti-Slavery Commissioner as one of the reasons for the Tier One ranking.

The independent Commissioner will lead the fight against modern slavery by supporting victims and survivors, raising community awareness, and helping business address the risk of modern slavery practices in their operations and supply chains.

The Government has committed $8 million over four years in the 2023-24 Budget to support the Commissioner’s establishment and operation.

The Commissioner will also play a key role in helping to shape the implementation of future modern slavery reforms, including those arising from the statutory review of the Modern Slavery Act 2018.

The Government has now begun the search for the inaugural Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner through a transparent and merit-based selection process.

Of course, there is more work to be done to eliminate the scourge of modern slavery from Australia and from Australian supply chains, and the Government remains steadfast in its commitment to this outcome.

A woman has been charged following an unauthorised protest in the Hunter Valley earlier today.

About 4:20pm (Tuesday 25 June 2024), officers from Hunter Valley Police District received notification that a number of people had entered the rail corridor off the New England Highway at Hermitage Road, Belford.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District attended the site and arrested a 64-year-old woman.

She was taken to Singleton Police Station and charged with enter inclosed lands serious safety risk, cause obstruction to railway locomotive and enter inclosed land without lawful excuse.

She was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Wednesday 26 June 2024).