A man has allegedly been caught drink-driving more than five times the legal limit in Belmont yesterday.
Police will allege a man was refused entry about 2.15pm (Friday 9 November 2018), to a licensed premises on the Pacific Highway, Belmont, before he left the area in a Subaru station wagon.
Hotel staff notified police and officers from the Lake Macquarie Highway Patrol Command observed the vehicle a short time later in a carpark on Macquarie Street, Belmont.
After a conversation with the man, he returned a positive reading to a roadside breath test and was arrested and taken to Belmont Police Station.
He underwent a breath analysis and returned an alleged reading of 0.263.
The 34-year-old man was issued a Field Court Attendance Notice for the offence of high-range PCA and is due to appear at Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 5 December 2018.
Dried cannabis and plants seized – Broadmeadow
Investigations are continuing after a large amount of dried cannabis leaf and 12 cannabis plants were seized from a home in Newcastle.
About 11:15am yesterday (Friday 9 November 2018), officers from Newcastle City Police District executed a search warrant at a house on Teralba Road, Broadmeadow.
During the search, officers located and seized 12 cannabis plants, over 21kg of dried cannabis, a quantity of steroids, ketamine and a large quantity of hydroponic equipment.
No persons were found in the home.
A crime scene was established, and police identified unmetered power sources being used in the operation.
Investigations have commenced, and inquiries continue.
Man charged with intimidation and fraud offences after fundraising scheme complaint – Lake Macquarie PD
A man will face court next month after being charged with fraud and intimidation offences in the Lake Macquarie area.
Police from Lake Macquarie Police District received a complaint about a fundraising scheme established in July 2018 to benefit drought-stricken farmers.
A donation event was held to raise money and collect goods at a park near Newcastle.
Following the event, police will allege a member involved in the scheme attempted to speak to the organiser about the expenditure of funds and was intimidated.
It will also be alleged personal items were purchased with some of the money raised.
During the course of the investigation, a senior constable was allegedly harassed.
Following inquiries, about 8am today (Friday 9 November 2018), detectives attended a home on Fourth Street, Boolaroo, and arrested a 36-year-old man after he attempted to flee.
He was taken to Belmont Police Station and charged with seven offences including dishonestly obtain property by deception (x3), stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm, intimidate police officer in execution of duty, obtain personal information about officer, and resist officer in execution of duty.
The man was granted conditional bail to appear at Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 5 December 2018.
Investigations are ongoing.
Vic Bourke Street Incident Possibly Terrorism Related
Police are currently at an incident on Bourke Street in the Melbourne CBD. Police 
initially responded to a report of a car on fire near the corner of Swanston Street about 4.20pm. A man was arrested at the scene and has been taken to hospital under police guard in a critical condition. Police are not looking for anyone further at this early stage. A small number of people are being treated for stab wounds.
The exact circumstances are yet to be determined at this stage. The area has been cordoned off and the public are urged to avoid the area. Anyone with information or who witnessed the incident is asked to go to Melbourne West Police Station to make a statement. We will provide further information when it comes to hand.
Inaugural Australasian Police Domestic Violence Forum
The NSW Police Force are leading the national conversation on policing domestic-violence related incidents with the launch of the inaugural Australasian Police Domestic Violence Forum.
On Tuesday (13 November 2018), representatives from the NSW Police Force will be joined by international guests from New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, to continue the conversation around domestic and family violence.
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller APM, will open the three-day forum and says the initiative is designed to address the changing landscape of policing incidents of domestic and family violence.
“The aim of the forum is to provide an opportunity for police across Australia, New Zealand and abroad, to have a frank and open conversation about the challenges officers face when they respond to a domestic-related incident,” Commissioner Fuller said.
“Domestic and family violence is a crime that does not discriminate, and with the assistance of local and international partners, we are continuing to improve policing to protect victims and bring perpetrators to justice.”
NSW Police Corporate Sponsor for Domestic and Family Violence, Assistant Commissioner Mark Jones APM, said officers see first hand the effect domestic violence incidents have on families every day.
“Unfortunately, it is a crime that continues to dominate police time, with officers responding to more than 126,000 domestic-related incidents over the last 12 months,” said Assistant Commissioner Jones.
“The inaugural Australasian Police Domestic Violence Forum will allow us to continue the conversation into the most effective way of policing such crimes.
“With White Ribbon Day around the corner it is a timely reminder for everyone to never underestimate the significant role you can play in addressing domestic and family violence; what you know could save someone’s life,” said Assistant Commissioner Jones.
The forum will run from Tuesday (13 November 2018) until Thursday (15 November 2018), in the lead up to the annual White Ribbon campaign.
White Ribbon Day (Friday 23 November 2018), also makes the start of 16 Days of Activism – an international campaign calling for an end to violence against women, concluding with International Human Rights Day on Monday 10 December 2018.
14 new jet skis unveiled as new Marine Enforcement Team announced
As summer approaches, a new police jet ski squadron will be out in force to prioritise and improve marine safety across the state’s waterways.
The NSW Police Marine Area Commander, Superintendent Mark Hutchings, was joined today (Thursday 8 November 2018) by Minister for Police Troy Grant, and NSW Maritime Services, to unveil 14 new jet skis which will be used by the new Marine Enforcement Team (MET).
The MET is a dedicated mobile response unit that will be deployed to reduce marine-related crime and ensure safer waterways across NSW.
The team will be comprised of officers from the Marine Area Command and will be primarily located within the Sydney Metropolitan area, as well as Newcastle and Port Stephens, during the boating season.
The MET will also have capabilities to deploy into waterways across the state when required.
Marine Area Commander Superintendent Mark Hutchings said the Marine Enforcement Team is an additional resource that will allow officers to focus on proactive policing.
“With summer only a few weeks away, and the hot weather already here, these new jet skis will boost the capability of officers to target those that commit dangerous or anti-social activity on our waterways,” said Supt Hutchings.
“The Marine Enforcement Team is a specialist unit within the Marine Area Command and will be conducting regular, planned and high-visibility police operations throughout the warmer months.
“Police will be on the water throughout the season to enforce maritime laws, conduct random breath and drug tests, carry out safety checks on vessels, check boat licences, and ensure any other jet ski riders enjoy the sport safely,” Supt Hutchings said.
Minister for Police Troy Grant said people should be able to head out on NSW waterways and enjoy their day without hoons and trouble makers causing problems; that is why the NSW Government has invested more than $140,000 in 14 new jet skis for the Marine Area Command.
“With Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year around the corner, the jet ski squad will be launching major enforcement and crowd control operations during the busiest period on our waterways,” said Mr Grant.
“The versatility of the jet ski team will also greatly enhance the Marine Area Command’s ability to rapidly respond and deploy to incidents on the water and contain anti-social and dangerous behaviour.”
Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey said the additional funding would allow Police to continue their proactive approach to targeting anti-social behaviour on our waterways.
“The number of jet ski registrations continues to grow at around 10 per cent per year which represents the fastest growing segment of the industry,” Mrs Pavey said.
“While the vast majority of riders use their craft in a responsible manner, personal watercraft continue to be over represented in serious injuries and complaints as a result of dangerous use and anti-social behaviour.”
Executive Director of Maritime Services Angus Mitchell said additional jet skis would help complement Roads and Maritime Boating Safety Officers with patrolling NSW waterways.
“In the last two years it has been a whole government approach when it comes to improving waterway safety. This has included co-location in many areas, joint patrols, sharing of assets and sharing of intelligence.”
Throughout the warmer months, police will be focusing on safe and responsible boating, and monitoring any reckless or dangerous behaviour taking place on or near the water.
The NSW Police Force will continue to work with a variety of agencies including Transport for NSW throughout the summer months to develop and implement strategies that will reduce risk to the community.
The future of Newcastle's transport set to arrive in 2019
A driverless vehicle will for the first time ever operate on local public roads in 2019.
The City of Newcastle is seeking proposals from qualified operators to trial an autonomous public transport vehicle that can operate safely in traffic.
A driverless shuttle used in a Transport for NSW autonomous vehicle trial at Sydney’s Olympic Park. City of Newcastle’s trial will involve a similar vehicle sourced through its tender process.
Newcastle’s trial will involve a small shuttle carrying about 12 people at a time through some of the city’s most scenic areas including our beaches and harbour front.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the trial will cement Newcastle as a leader for testing emerging technologies, and further confirm our smart city status.
“Our vision is to be a smart, liveable and sustainable global city by 2030,” the Lord Mayor said. “This project provides yet another great opportunity to showcase Newcastle’s smart city initiatives to a national and international audience.
“Automated shuttles and driverless car technologies are at the cutting-edge of transport. This trial will help build our understanding of how the vehicles can fit into existing traffic-dominated cities and connect with existing transport networks.
“City of Newcastle is partnering with a consortium of technology businesses to provide an integrated network for transport, energy and digital infrastructure to transform the city into a living lab.”
The trial will go through a safety testing phase before people can ride the shuttle free of charge.
The City’s tender documents outline a range of outcomes to be delivered during the trial, including:
- Providing an autonomous vehicle for public use
- Demonstrating that autonomous vehicles are suitable for use in urban environments
- Testing the suitability of Newcastle’s smart city infrastructure to support autonomous vehicle operation
- Assisting the development of local, state and federal regulations required to facilitate/accelerate the use of autonomous shuttles in urban public traffic.
The trial will run for at least a year as part of the Newcastle Smart City Strategy, which received $5m funding through the Federal Government’s Smart Cities and Suburbs program last year.
Autonomous vehicles are being tested around the world as cities, governments and communities embrace the emergence of driverless technology.
Newcastle will join a select number of Australian cities trialling autonomous vehicles in public settings and full urban traffic. Legislation around autonomous vehicles in New South Wales currently requires a trained human operator to always be on board the vehicle.
FEDERAL LABOR WILL UPGRADE KALAMUNDA HOSPITAL
A Shorten Labor Government will deliver better palliative care for the people of Perth with a major upgrade to the Kalamunda District Community Hospital.
Western Australia has pressing need for more palliative care, as confirmed by a WA Parliamentary Inquiry earlier this year.
With this $7.6 million investment from Federal Labor, Kalamunda will be transformed into a Palliative Care Centre of Excellence – expanding and improving its services to ensure more people get the post possible care at the end of their lives.
This Palliative Care Centre of Excellence will improve the quality of life of both patients and their families, through the prevention and relief of suffering.
The 39-bed facility at Kalamunda has played a vital role in the community for more than 40 years – but upgrades to its buildings and amenities are desperately needed to ensure patients can continue to receive the highest standard of care.
The redevelopment will include upgrades to facilities, to ensure patients entering the end of their life are cared for in a comfortable and modern environment.
The upgrades will include:
- New infrastructure like ceiling hoists to support comfortable movement of patients;
- More private bathrooms;
- Family facilities for partners, carers and children to sleep over and refresh;
- Development of family rooms where partners can co-sleep during late end of life; and
- Courtyard landscaping to provide a peaceful and external environment for patients and families.
The funding will also provide for the installation of a new ICT system to support those patients unable to travel through the use of telehealth services.
Some of the funding will also provide for the refurbishment of the Day Procedure area of the hospital to a contemporary standard.
These improvements will help future proof the hospital and ensure it can continue to deliver high-quality end of life care for many years to come.
Labor is committed to improving palliative care across the country to ensure all Australians are afforded the comfort, dignity and privacy they need in their final days.
A SECURE AND PROSPEROUS PACIFIC
Labor welcomes the government’s long overdue recognition of the importance of the Pacific.
Today’s announcements echo many of the priorities outlined by Labor Leader Bill Shorten, in particular the need for a dedicated fund for infrastructure in the Pacific.
The Pacific has felt the impact of the record $11 billion in aid cuts under this government. While we welcome these new commitments, it is important the government clarifies what else is being cut to fund them.
As Labor has long argued, Australia does need to demonstrate greater leadership in the Pacific and play our part in ensuring a stable and prosperous region.
But Prime Minister Morrison’s actions since becoming Prime Minister have undermined Australia’s engagement in the Pacific.
No issue has done more damage to Australia’s standing in the region than the Coalition’s refusal to take seriously the issue of climate change.
September’s Pacific Islands Forum declared climate change to be “the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of the peoples of the Pacific.”
You can’t have a Pacific policy if you don’t have a climate change policy and yet the Prime Minister did not mention this issue once in today’s speech.
Mr Morrison has also undermined the existing highly successful Pacific labour mobility schemes in a desperate attempt to prop up the ailing Nationals Leader despite today hailing them as “life-changing” and promising to prioritise them,
Labour mobility schemes are highly valued by our Pacific neighbours and contribute substantially to economic development
Australia’s economy also benefits from the availability of Pacific workers. And our society benefits from the connections with Pacific communities.
For the past five years all Pacific leaders have seen from Australia is a succession of Liberal governments so bitterly divided they have been unable to work with them on the issues that matters to their future.
In his first weeks as Prime Minister Scott Morrison has also:
- Downgraded the position of Minister for the Pacific from his new ministry
- Appointed to the post someone who claimed she has “no idea” why she was given the job
- Snubbed the Pacific Islands Forum leaders’ meeting
- Refused to act after his Environment Minister insulted a former President of a Pacific nation.
Hey Liberal and Labor, now the Anglicans don’t even want the right to discriminate against LGBT+ people, will you finally support the Greens bills to end discrimination in schools?
Following the backflip by the Sydney Anglicans and the Melbourne Anglicans coming out to say they don’t want the power to expel or fire LGBT+ students and teachers, Labor and Liberal must commit to supporting the Greens bill removing discrimination in schools.
“There’s been a lot of talk from the Morrison government and from Labor about ending discrimination against LGBT+ people in schools, but the time for talk is over,” said Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens LGBTIQ+ spokesperson.
“This is really easy. The Labor and Liberal parties need to deliver on their promises to end discrimination in schools and support the Greens bill that is already being debated in the Senate.”
“It’s time to stop using LGBT+ people as a political football, again, and make schools safe, discrimination-free places for everyone.”