Police are appealing for witnesses and information following a firearm discharge in West Kensington.
The incident happened at approximately 04:00hrs on Sunday, 13 October outside a nightclub in Russell Gardens, W14.
Witnesses reported hearing gunshots after a verbal altercation involving a group of people. All those involved left the scene prior to police arriving.
Officers attended and during a search of the location, casings were found. A crime scene remains in place while investigative work continues.
There have been no reports of any injuries.
Detectives are appealing for anyone who was in the area and saw events unfold, or anyone who has information that could assist police, to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote CAD1158/13Oct. You can also provide information anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
It’s one year since the failed referendum to enshrine a First Nations Voice to Parliament in the Australian Constitution.
The vote represents a moment of deep sadness and frustration for many First Nations people for the lost opportunity to move towards meaningful change in our lives, communities and for our futures. Many elders and old people will likely not live to see change.
To my mind, no single thing doomed the Voice. It was a mix of a lot of the above.
Albanese treating the referendum like an election campaign but without the usual level of resourcing and advocacy. The Coalition’s outright opposition to the idea (despite previous indications of support). The media’s failure to grapple with Indigenous issues and dogmatic insistence on giving prominence to “both sides” of the debate.
The YES23 organisation was also disorganised from the start. Yes campaigners were forced onto the back foot daily by relentless misinformation, seemingly deliberate, from the No campaign.
It was further amplified by the No campaign’s very successful “If you don’t know, vote no” slogan – the idea being that their untruths warranted little scrutiny.
That’s on top of a large undercurrent of racism that was never properly called out, and which has never been properly addressed.
Campaigns like this are something we as a nation haven’t come to terms with. We’ve seen in the United States how effective misinformation can be at confusing people, creating false senses of reality and distorting public perception.
Even if Australians supported the ideas behind the Voice in the abstract, neither they nor the media were prepared for the level of dishonesty and bad dealing from the No campaign. It was never a fair fight.
No, no, and no again
The Voice to Parliament represented a consensus plea from Indigenous communities for systemic reform. The idea was that the structure of the Australian political system was, either by design or outcome, causing many of the social and economic issues that we face, and therefore a structural solution was needed.
The No campaign claimed after the referendum that the result was a rejection of this idea of a Voice to Parliament as a solution to issues in Indigenous communities or among Indigenous peoples more generally, “because it wasn’t going to fix the things that needed to be fixed”.
Prominent No campaigner Warren Mundine even called the referendum the “most divisive, most racially charged attack on Australia I’ve ever seen”.
I am not bringing up these issues again to relitigate the issues of the referendum. Instead, I want to ask a very important question: the Voice to Parliament was designed to address our systemic disadvantage, so what solutions to these serious structural issues have any of the No campaigners offered in the past 12 months?
We have seen some policies from the Coalition. Plans to reduce “fly in, fly out” workers in remote communities. Reforming land rights and native title. A royal commission into child sexual abuse in Indigenous communities. Less need for programs with “a specific Indigenous focus” in urban areas, where most First Nations people live.
Some of these are just a rehash of failed Coalition policies of the past, as many others have mentioned. Some appear to have come personally from Senator Jacinta Price and are seemingly not backed by experts (or many people in Indigenous communities). Others appear to be tied directly into conservative political talking points, rather than really addressing Indigenous need.
The Coalition also abandoned its plan for an alternative second referendum almost immediately after the failed vote.
The Coalition and other leading No campaigners clearly have no plans to address the structural issues facing our peoples. They’re only offering more of the regular policy tinkering and seesawing we have seen far too often before.
Abandoning the cause
The same is true of the government. I have already written for this masthead about the government’s abject failures at implementing the Closing the Gap targets and its lack of meaningful consultation.
The government’s current attempts at Indigenous policy remain exercises in seeking consent over genuine consultation. Its proposed “economic empowerment” agenda for First Nations peoples is a perfect example.
Aside from the lack of codesign and meaningful engagement, such policies have been bandied about for the better part of two decades and still have not substantively moved the dial.
The pursuit of market-based wealth for some privileged few First Nations peoples and communities, under the guise of closing the gap, as well as focusing on the overexaggerated benefits of renewable energy as a driver of Indigenous economic power, is not “economic development” for all mobs.
The policy focus was also announced as Albanese abandoned his commitment to a Makaratta Commission – the Treaty and Truth components that were meant to follow the Voice to Parliament.
These ideas fall into the same tired policy stereotypes of throwing money at some of the usual organisations and peoples who have long benefited, and claiming this solves the systemic problems we face. The problem isn’t money, it’s the very rules of the game.
Charting a way forward
Research following the referendum shows that 87% of Australians think First Nations peoples should be able to decide for ourselves about our way of life. Moreover, 64% think the disadvantages faced by our communities warrant extra government attention, and 68% believe this disadvantage comes from “past race-based policies”.
Only 35% believe Indigenous peoples are now treated equally to other Australians, and only 37% believe injustices faced by our community are “all in the past”.
This clearly shows a level of recognition by the Australian people that something needs to be done about Indigenous policy and the structural issues in this country.
According to the same data, 87% of Australians agree it is “important for First Nations peoples to have a voice/say in matters that affect them”. This jumps to 98.5% among Yes voters, but also is true of 76% of No voters.
This suggests that Australian people see the problem and can identify the structural issues.
The real work, then, is on civics education, getting people to understand that the structural issues they can see need structural change; but also making them more aware of the effects of misinformation. It’s not right that proposals that should get the support of the Australian people can be derailed the way this was.
But what also isn’t right is the current abdication of Indigenous policy by both major parties and their abandonment of any attempt to remedy structural issues. Following the referendum, the major parties have given up.
To paraphrase myself from February’s Closing the Gap announcement: the next time you run into an MP, ask them what their plan for Indigenous people is. Ask them not just about closing the gap, but to fix the structural issues that so clearly disadvantage our people.
That’s the question no one wants to answer, but it’s what we need to do if we are to move on from the 2023 referendum in a positive direction.
James Blackwell is a member of the Uluru Dialogue at UNSW. He is also an Independent Councillor for Hilltops Council in NSW.
A 50-year-old man is facing the court, after he allegedly failed to stop for Police on the North Shore last night.
Just before 9.30pm, a Police unit saw a vehicle being driven well over the legal speed limit on the Northern Motorway.
Waitematā Road Policing Manager, Senior Sergeant Andrew Hawkins, says the driver was signalled to stop. He slowed down but did not pull over.
“As Police pulled alongside this vehicle, the driver has sped up again, and fled. We did not pursue and followed the vehicle’s movements on traffic cameras.
“The vehicle exited the motorway at Onewa, and officers soon found it abandoned on Tarahanga Street in Northcote.
“The alleged driver was quickly located nearby but claimed to have no knowledge of the vehicle. Its keys were found in his pocket, and after declining breath and blood tests, he was arrested.”
The 50-year-old man is scheduled to appear in the North Shore District Court today facing charges of failing to stop, reckless driving, driving contrary to a zero-alcohol limit and refusing to give blood.
The man’s vehicle was also impounded.
“This was great work from our staff to bring the incident to a safe and satisfying conclusion,” Senior Sergeant Andrew Hawkins says.
“We won’t tolerate this abhorrent and reckless driving behaviour. The alleged offender’s actions put other motorists at great risk, and we are happy his vehicle is now off the road.”
Released by: Deputy Premier, Attorney General, Minister for Corrections, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to create a safer New South Wales and increase protections for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence, with the commencement of electronic monitoring for alleged serious domestic violence offenders released on bail.
Earlier this year, the Government significantly tightened bail laws for people charged with serious domestic violence offences, forcing them to ‘show cause’ why they shouldn’t be detained. This change has made it harder than ever for alleged serious domestic violence offenders to get bail.
From today, any alleged serious domestic violence offender who is granted bail will be electronically monitored around the clock using GPS technology.
The new program allows Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) to track alleged offenders against geographic bail conditions.
These exclusion zones may include residential addresses, school and work locations, or suburbs or areas within a city for people in need of protection.
If an alleged offender enters a restricted zone, CSNSW’s electronic monitoring officers are immediately notified.
Corrections officers will contact NSW Police to advise that a potential breach of bail conditions has occurred and NSW Police can then respond.
This builds on the around-the-clock monitoring of certain offenders already conducted by Corrective Services NSW, including the monitoring of high-risk domestic violence perpetrators on parole orders or Intensive Correction Orders.
These tough new laws are one part of the NSW Government’s work to strengthen protections for victim-survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence.
The Government has also introduced legislation to create Serious Domestic Abuse Prevention Orders. These new orders will allow the court to impose any conditions considered appropriate to prevent a person’s involvement in domestic abuse.
In addition, this legislation would create new offences covering repeated and intentional breaches of Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders.
Under earlier Minns Labor Government justice system reforms:
The categories of offences for which bail decisions can be ‘stayed’ were expanded, with the accused remaining in custody while prosecutors challenge the decision to grant bail.
For all domestic violence bail decisions, judges and magistrates must now consider, where relevant, domestic abuse risk factors and the views of victims and their family members.
All bail decisions will be made by judges and magistrates.
The NSW Government delivered a $246 million package in the NSW Budget to address domestic, family and sexual violence through crisis response measures, early intervention, primary prevention, and justice system responses.
If you or someone you know is affected by domestic, family or sexual violence, please call the toll-free number 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for support on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or visit 1800respect.org.au
Deputy Premier Prue Car said:
“The NSW Government is committed to curbing the unacceptable rate of domestic, family and sexual violence within our community, and monitoring alleged offenders is key to that.
“It’s harder now for alleged domestic violence offenders to get bail, but if they do, these new monitoring devices ensure Corrective Services will be able to keep an eye on their movements.”
Attorney General Michael Daley said:
“Earlier this year the NSW Government toughened bail laws that raised the threshold and added additional factors to be considered before bail could be granted for alleged serious domestic violence offenders, placing the onus on them to show the court why their detention isn’t justified.
“We’ve seen an increasing number of alleged serious domestic violence offenders on remand, signalling these bail reforms are indeed working.
“Domestic violence is an abhorrent crime and one that the NSW Government will not tolerate.”
Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong said:
“Women, children, and others in danger deserve to live their lives in safety, free from the threat of domestic violence.
“Corrective Services NSW has the specialist knowledge and robust systems in place to help successfully expand existing electronic monitoring of offenders on parole or subject to community corrections orders to those on bail.
“This intense monitoring shows alleged domestic violence offenders how serious the government is about preventing domestic violence on all fronts.”
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:
“Electronic monitoring of people accused of serious domestic violence while they are out on bail prioritises victim-survivors’ safety and ensures alleged perpetrators abide by their bail conditions.
“This is one part of a coordinated, multi-pronged response to addressing domestic and family violence in our state that includes earlier intervention and primary prevention.
“The NSW Government is also working with the sector and victim-survivors as we continue to provide holistic, trauma-informed, wraparound support for victim-survivors who are escaping violence.”
Acting Commissioner Corrective Services NSW Leon Taylor said:
“The expansion of our existing electronic monitoring system allows us to track serious alleged domestic violence offenders.
“In the case of a suspected breach our Corrective Services officers will immediately notify police so they can take action.
“If we hold concerns for a person in need of protection, the Corrections team will be able to pick up the phone and alert them to a potential bail breach in real time, allowing them to enact their safety plan.”
Women’s Safety Commissioner Dr Hannah Tonkin said:
“Domestic and family violence disproportionately affects women, so it’s vital for the NSW Government to continue implementing reforms like this to better protect at-risk women across the community.
“These changes will give victim-survivors of domestic and family violence greater peace of mind and support their safety planning while the matter is dealt with in the courts.”
Released by: Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Minister for Transport
The NSW Government is investing $10 million to make it safer and easier to walk and ride to 11 Illawarra stations.
The planned initiatives will include things like footpath upgrades, better lighting, new bicycle storage around stations for people who choose to walk or cycle to and from their homes and to other modes of transport.
More than $3 million of the investment will be used to build a two-way shared cycleway at Corrimal, which would stretch nearly one kilometre along Murray Road between Corrimal Station and Cawley Street. Corrimal will also see a new pedestrian refuge installed and additional bicycle racks outside the station.
Other stations to benefit from proposed upgrades include:
Helensburgh will see existing bicycle storage upgraded and bicycle racks replaced, a footpath upgrade and new lighting. Footpaths will also be improved between the station and nearby bus stop, with a new refuge crossing installed across Lawrence Hargrave Drive between school and railway station.
Stanwell Park will see new lighting and CCTV installed and footpaths upgraded.
Scarborough will see including a new pedestrian refuge across Lawrence Hargrave Drive between the station and nearby school, improved footpath access between the station and bus stop and improvements to station stairs.
Coledale will see stairs replaced with a ramp.
Austinmer will see two pedestrian refuge crossings installed across nearby streets and a new sheltered bicycle storage space at both station entrances.
Thirroul will see existing bicycle storage upgraded and bicycle racks replaced, a footpath upgrade and new lighting. The nearby bus stop will be improved so vehicles can overtake waiting buses.
Bulli will see new sheltered bicycle storage installed, existing bicycle racks upgraded and more lighting.
North Wollongong will see a new secure bicycle shed with CCTV installed.
Coniston will see sheltered bicycle storage installed, new lighting and upgraded footpaths. Design work is also underway to make Coniston fully accessible.
Dapto will see new sheltered bicycle stalling installed.
Twenty-eight projects have been identified and prioritised following extensive consultation with the community and other stakeholders.
Further consultation will take place with the community as the projects progress, with all of them expected to be completed between early next year and the first half of 2026.
The Transport Integration and Placemaking projects are being delivered through Transport for NSW’s Rail Service Improvement Program, in partnership with Wollongong City Council and Sydney Trains.
This announcement comes as Transport for NSW has approved an extension of Wollongong City Council’s shared e-scooter trial until 30 June 2025.
In the first 12 months of the trial with operator Neuron Mobility, 165,000 e-scooter trips were taken in the Wollongong local government area – with riders collectively clocking up over 316,000 kilometres, enough to ride around Australia over 20 times.
In addition to extending its trial, the council is also exploring options to expand the trial footprint, to support more people riding shared e-scooters to reach their destinations.
Quotes attributable to Transport Minister Jo Haylen MP:
“This is an exciting and incredibly important investment for the people of Wollongong.
“Given there are 25 train stations in the Wollongong Local Government area, there is a growing need to ensure pedestrians and cyclists can connect to these public transport hubs as safely and easily as possible.
“Sheltered bicycle storage, new refuge crossings and street lighting with CCTV are just some of the many projects we will be rolling out to support the community.
“We know people in the Illawarra love active transport, so making it easier for people to make the most of these last mile connections is essential.
“Extending the Wollongong e-scooter trial until June next year is a big added bonus too.
“All of these small but meaningful investments dotted along the coast will make neighborhoods across the Illawarra better connected.”
Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park MP:
“It’s not every day that 11 trains stations receive much needed upgrades, but that’s exactly what is happening here in the Illawarra.
“These small and important investments will make it so much easier for families to access their station, and safely lock their bike up there for the day.
“Upgrades to lighting, footpaths and crossings will also go a long way to improving the overall safety and access for commuters and tourists alike.”
Quotes attributable to the Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully MP:
“I’ve said before Wollongong is the best city in the world to ride a bike, now it’s the best place to ride an e-scooter.
I am pleased that council is also exploring expanding the eScooter trial zone to potentially include Port Kembla and that’s really exciting.
“The upgrades to stations and improved connections to Corrimal Station will make for a better public transport experience for current and future residents.”
Quotes attributable to the Member for Shellharbour, Anna Watson MP:
“After its recent accessibility upgrade, it’s exciting to see Dapto Station is once again receiving welcome investment from the Minns Labor Government. The new sheltered bike racks are a big win for our community and will make it easier to ride to the station, for those who want to.”
Quotes attributable to the Member for Heathcote, Maryanne Stuart MP:
“Lawrence Hargrave Drive is the main artery connecting the villages along the coast. As a result, it’s incredibly busy and a challenge for pedestrians to cross. I really welcome the new pedestrian refuges that will make it safer for people to cross the road, as well as the other investments being made for our local stations.
“Works being undertaken at our train stations and roadways are crucial after they were neglected by the former Liberal National State government. The upgrades at Austinmer in particular, are changes I have campaigned on, I am thrilled the Minns Labor Government will be delivering these upgrades!”
Quotes attributable to the Lord Mayor of Wollongong, Tania Brown:
“Projects like these upgrades to Murray Road, and other locations around Wollongong, will assist people to comfortably and safely walk, roll, cycle or scoot to and from train stations that link our city.
“We welcome the grant funding from the NSW Government and will continue to look for ways to collaborate with Transport for NSW to improve the public and active transport system across Wollongong.
“We’re pleased to see an extension of the trial to 30 June 2025 to allow Council to work with Transport for NSW to continue to learn about e-scooter use and the further opportunities the shared scheme offers to support e-micromobility across Wollongong.”
A man with a swag of shoplifting charges totalling nearly $40,000 and who has been evading Police since April, will now face court.
Police caught up with the 24-year-old on the weekend, following months of enquiries into his whereabouts.
“The alleged offender had multiple warrants for his arrest,” Inspector Rakana Cook, of Counties Manukau East Police, says.
“Our teams had been working hard to locate this person, who is now facing 29 shoplifting charges for various offences across supermarkets in Tāmaki Makaurau.”
Inspector Cook says enquiries led officers to a home in Manurewa, where the suspect was located and taken into custody without issue.
“It’s pleasing we have been able to hold this offender to account and prevent any further victimisation.
“We take these matters seriously and our staff will continue to target recidivist retail offenders.”
Police continue to encourage the public to report offending as it happens by calling 111.
The National Centre for Reconciliation, Truth, and Justice is commemorating today’s anniversary of the Voice to Parliament Referendum by holding a special event tonight at the Melbourne Museum.
The event is the second Annual Reconciliation Lecture, following last year’s inaugural event with Noel Pearson as guest lecturer. The Lecture is designed to increase understandings of reconciliation in the wider community.
The National Centre, established at Federation University in March 2023, is Australia’s leading think-tank on reconciliation and will host a panel that will discuss “One Year on from the Referendum – Where are we with Reconciliation, Voice, Treaty, and Truth?”
The panel, moderated by Professor Andrew Gunstone, the National Centre’s Executive Director and Australia’s foremost academic authority on reconciliation, will consist of three eminent First Nations leaders:
Dr Jackie Huggins AM, a national reconciliation leader for over four decades
Rueben Berg, Co-Chair First Peoples Assembly of Victoria
The panel will explore several key issues, including where we are as a nation following the Referendum, is Reconciliation dead, and how Australia and Victoria are engaging with Voice, Treaty, and Truth.
Professor Gunstone will host this special event to a sold-out audience, which will also include a speech from Federation University Australia’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Duncan Bentley.
The panel and moderator are available for interview by request.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is advising motorists of a full closure to both northbound and southbound traffic on State Highway 1 between Silverdale and Warkworth from 9pm on Monday 21 October to 3am on Tuesday 22 October.
Waka Kotahi will be working with Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) and NZ Police to stage an emergency exercise in the Johnstones Hill Tunnel during this time.
Light vehicles will be detoured via Hibiscus Coast Road and Old State Highway 1.
Overweight vehicles will not be able to use Grand Drive in Orewa due to weight restrictions.
These emergency exercises are part of an ongoing programme at both the Johnstones Hill Tunnel, Waterview Tunnel and Victoria Park Tunnel and enable emergency response teams to practice, review and update emergency response protocols.
This closure is weather dependent and may change from advertised dates.
Please take care when travelling through our work sites and watch out for our crews. Reduce your speed, adhere to the temporary speed limits and follow the directions of traffic management staff and signs.
NZTA thanks everyone in advance for your patience and apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.
A 41-year-old Hobart man appeared in an out of hours court on Saturday after being charged with two counts of prohibited behaviour. Police were called to an area of the Hobart CBD about 10:40am on Friday, after reports a man had allegedly exposed himself to members of the public. With the assistance of CCTV, the alleged offender and his whereabouts were quickly identified. Police were able to quickly locate him and take him into custody. Anyone who witnessed the man’s behaviour at the time who has not already spoken to police is asked to contact Hobart Uniform on 131 444 (quote OR756154).
Officers made several arrests in Tāmaki Makaurau early this morning, after responding to an alleged kidnapping incident in Epsom.
Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Friend, from Auckland City’s Crime Squad, says Police were called to a home address on Coronation Road just after midnight.
“We received a concerning report that a group of men were trying to force their way into a home.
“The men allegedly forced entry and presented weapons to an occupant at the address, holding them against their will. They also allegedly stole some personal items, including jewellery.”
“Officers rushed to the scene and disturbed the alleged offenders, who tried to flee in two vehicles. Police were able to prevent one from leaving, with the occupants then attempting to flee on foot.
“All of the alleged offenders were eventually taken into custody thanks to the good work of the staff who attended, the Police Dog Unit and the Police Eagle helicopter.
Four men aged 18, 20, 22 and 23 are scheduled to appear in the Auckland District Court today facing charges of kidnapping and burglary.
A 16-year-old male has also been charged with kidnapping and burglary and is set to appear in the Auckland Youth Court.
“This was a frightening experience for the victim, who thankfully was uninjured during the incident. Support is being provided to them, and we hope the arrests also bring them some reassurance,” Detective Senior Sergeant Friend says.
“Police will not tolerate unlawful activity that impacts the community’s sense of safety, and we are actively committed to investigating any reports of such behaviour.”
As the matter is before the court, Police are limited in further comment.
Police drones assisted in detecting hooning motorists in Southern Tasmania
Monday, 14 October 2024 – 1:02 pm.
Two motorists have been charged for travelling dangerously in Southern Tasmania on Saturday night, after they were monitored by a police drone and subsequently arrested by police. “On Saturday night, police deployed drones to the Rose Bay and Montagu Bay areas, to covertly monitor known hooning hotspots, and detect and remove unsafe motorists from the roads,” said Sergeant Andy McShane. A 17-year-old motorcycle rider with a learner licence was detected dangerously conducting an extended burnout and high-speed wheel-stand. The rider will appear in court in November for serious traffic offences. Police investigations are ongoing to locate and seize the motorcycle. An 18-year-old driver was detected dangerously conducting a prolonged burnout in Montagu Bay. His vehicle has been clamped for a month, and he will appear in court on summons for several driving related charges. “It’s pleasing to see that drones are assisting police to detect and remove unsafe motorists from our roads, however, it’s disappointing that some motorists continue to drive and ride dangerously which puts themselves and others at risk” Sergeant McShane said. “The behaviour of the motorcyclist was reckless and extremely dangerous, and they’re lucky to have not been seriously injured or killed from their actions.” “If anyone has information that would assist us to locate and seize the motorcycle – a blue Yamaha YZF-R6 with Tasmanian registration A377U – I ask them to come forward.” “Police will continue to deploy drones across the state, to assist in investigations, and detect and deter unsafe motorists and those who commit anti-social behaviours.” Anyone with information in relation to the location of the Yamaha, or instances of dangerous driving when they occur, is asked to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers Tasmania at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000 (info can be provided anonymously).
A member of the public who spotted a man behaving in a drunken manner before hopping behind the wheel has aided Police in his arrest.
At about 8pm on Thursday, a Police unit was flagged down by a member of the public while driving along Onerahi Road.
Whangārei-Kaipara Area Commander Inspector Maria Nordstrom says the person told Police they had observed a man in a nearby takeaway shop who they believed was intoxicated.
“The person was able to provide officers with a detailed description of the male and his vehicle.
“Units have subsequently located the man driving and pulled him over where he was allegedly more than three times the legal alcohol limit.”
Inspector Nordstrom says the man allegedly admitted to drinking more than a dozen beers and blew an alcohol reading on 805mcgs.
“We thank those who are alerting us to this behaviour, vigilant reporting is often the key to Police being able to respond in a timely manner and hold people to account for their actions.
A 57-year-old man has been remanded in custody to reappear in Whangārei District Court on 27 October.
Two teenage girls who allegedly attempted to steal items of clothing before fleeing a shopping mall have been caught by Police as they were boarding a bus.
At about 1.45pm yesterday, Police were notified of two girls who allegedly attempted to take items of clothing from a store in WestCity Waitakere before assaulting a security guard and member of the public.
Waitematā West Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Kelly Farrant, says Police were swiftly on site and managed to apprehend the two youngsters as they were boarding a bus bound for New Lynn.
“One alleged offender has run directly into a member of the public while trying to get away, while the other has allegedly assaulted a security guard in an attempt to flee.
“Thankfully no one was seriously injured, however they were understandably shaken up.
“This type of brazen crime is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”
Inspector Farrant says both teenagers were quickly apprehended without further incident.
“We want to reassure the public that Police are increasing our visibility around malls and transport hubs in the lead up to Christmas.
“Those who choose to cause harm to others can expect to be caught and held to account for their actions.”
A 14-year-old charged with aggravated assault and shoplifting will appear in Waitākere Youth Court on 29 October.
A 13-year-old has been referred to Youth Aid Services.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Northern Territory Police hold concerns for 73-year-old John, also known as Jack, who walked away from his property on Strickland Road, Adelaide River.
He is believed to have left his home between 11pm Sunday night and 8am this morning.
John is described as of Caucasian appearance, slim build, with grey hair and a beard.
He suffers from severe dementia and type 2 diabetes and his family and police hold concerns for his welfare.
Search & Rescue Section are conducting search operations for the missing person.
Anyone with information on John’s whereabouts is urged to make contact on 131 444 and quote reference P24283763.
Attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Kristine Clarke
A scene examination has been completed at Hampton Downs Road after a man was located critically injured in the early hours of this morning.
The victim remains in a critical condition in Auckland Hospital, and Police are in the early stages of determining the circumstances that led to the man being injured.
Cordons have since been removed and the road has reopened.
Police would like to hear from anyone who was travelling in the Hampton Downs area between 10pm on Sunday 13 October and 1am this morning, 14 October. This includes any dashcam footage from in the area.
If you have any information that could help our enquiries, please update us online now or call 105.
Please use the reference number 241014/2225.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Youths charged over several matters including arson
Monday, 14 October 2024 – 4:04 pm.
Police have charged two youths and a young adult over a series of offences in southern Tasmania last week. The offences, all allegedly committed on Friday, include a deliberately lit property fire at Otago, damage to vehicle windows, the theft of an e-scooter and the attempted theft of a mobile phone. Police have charged an 18-year-old Otago man and a 15-year-old boy with two counts of arson, aggravated armed robbery, attempted aggravated armed robbery, aggravated burglary and four counts of stealing and destroy property. A 12-year-old girl has also been charged with aggravated armed robbery, attempted aggravated armed robbery and other offences. The man was detained to appear in court, and the youths were bailed to appear at a later date. Investigations are ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact Bellerive CIB on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers Tasmania at crimestopperstas.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Northern Territory Police have arrested one male youth in relation to a series of crime over the weekend.
Around 11:20pm, police received reports that a group of males allegedly forced entry into a service station on Katherine Terrace before threatening staff with an edged weapon and stealing the cash register and an e-scooter before fleeing the scene.
The alleged offenders later unlawfully entered three separate commercial locations along the Victoria highway, stealing a Toyota Hilux.
A short time later, the group attended a licenced premises on O’Shea Terrace, where an employee was allegedly threatened with an edged weapon before the offenders stole her Holden Viva.
The stolen Hilux and Viva were later used to block a Mitsubishi Triton and subsequently threaten the driver with an edged weapons before her vehicle was also stolen.
Police have arrested and charged a 15-year-old-male who was remanded in custody.
Investigations into the co-offenders remain ongoing.
Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Byron May said, “Detectives continue to investigate the incident and are urging anyone with information to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Please quote reference number NTP2400102176.”
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julia Powles, Associate Professor of Law and Technology; Director, UWA Tech & Policy Lab, Law School, The University of Western Australia
Since 2019, the Australian Department for Industry, Science and Resources has been striving to make the nation a leader in “safe and responsible” artificial intelligence (AI). Key to this is a voluntary framework based on eight AI ethics principles, including “human-centred values”, “fairness” and “transparency and explainability”.
Every subsequent piece of national guidance on AI has spun off these eight principles, imploring business, government and schools to put them into practice. But these voluntary principles have no real hold on organisations that develop and deploy AI systems.
But the core idea of self-regulation remains stubbornly baked in. For example, it’s up to AI developers to determine whether their AI system is high risk, by having regard to a set of risks that can only be described as endemic to large-scale AI systems.
If this high hurdle is met, what mandatory guardrails kick in? For the most part, companies simply need to demonstrate they have internal processes gesturing at the AI ethics principles. The proposal is most notable, then, for what it does not include. There is no oversight, no consequences, no refusal, no redress.
Gene technology is what’s behind genetically modified organisms. Like AI, it raises concerns for more than 60% of the population.
In Australia, it’s regulated by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator. The regulator was established in 2001 to meet the biotech boom in agriculture and health. Since then, it’s become the exemplar of an expert-informed, highly transparent regulator focused on a specific technology with far-reaching consequences.
First, it’s a single-mission body. It regulates dealings with genetically modified organisms:
to protect the health and safety of people, and to protect the environment, by identifying risks posed by or as a result of gene technology.
Second, it has a sophisticated decision-making structure. Thanks to it, the risk assessment of every application of gene technology in Australia is informed by sound expertise. It also insulates that assessment from political influence and corporate lobbying.
Third, the regulator continuously integrates public input into its risk assessment process. It does so meaningfully and transparently. Every dealing with gene technology must be approved. Before a release into the wild, an exhaustive consultation process maximises review and oversight. This ensures a high threshold of public safety.
Regulating high-risk technologies
Together, these factors explain why Australia’s gene technology regulator has been so successful. They also highlight what’s missing in most emerging approaches to AI regulation.
The mandate of AI regulation typically involves an impossible compromise between protecting the public and supporting industry. As with gene regulation, it seeks to safeguard against risks. In the case of AI, those risks would be to health, the environment and human rights. But it also seeks to “maximise the opportunities that AI presents for our economy and society”.
Second, currently proposed AI regulation outsources risk assessment and management to commercial AI providers. Instead, it should develop a national evidence base, informed by cross-disciplinary scientific, socio-technical and civil society expertise.
The argument goes that AI is “out of the bag”, with potential applications too numerous and too mundane to regulate. Yet molecular biology methods are also well out of the bag. The gene tech regulator still maintains oversight of all uses of the technology, while continually working to categorise certain dealings as “exempt” or “low-risk” to facilitate research and development.
The lesson of more than two decades of gene regulation is that it doesn’t stop innovation to regulate a promising new technology until it can demonstrate a history of non-damaging use to people and the environment. In fact, it saves it.
The UWA Tech & Policy Lab receives funding from nationally competitive research grants and philanthropic partners. The present research was supported by GA308883: Effective Ethical Frameworks for the State as an Enabler of Innovation, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Julia Powles is the Director of the Lab and has served as an independent member of the National AI Centre’s Think Tank on Responsible AI, the Australian Government’s National Robotics Strategy Advisory Committee, and the Advisory Panel supporting the Australian Parliamentary Inquiry into the Use of Generative AI in the Australian Education System. Through each of these bodies, she has provided advice on comparative AI regulation.
Haris Yusoff does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
The PPP Development Department (PPPDD), established in 2018 under the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MOEF), monitors PPP progress in Uzbekistan. As of 5 August 2024, the government had signed 973 PPPs, totaling about $2.152 billion. These include 463 water management projects, 220 heating system projects, 91 education projects, 52 healthcare projects, and only 2 in transportation. Most PPP projects are small, averaging about $2.2 million each. The benefits of PPPs are more tangible for large projects, such as roads. Currently, no road PPPs have been signed, but two are in the pipeline: the Tashkent-Andijan Road (TAR), estimated at $5.35 billion, and the Tashkent-Samarkand Road (TSR), estimated at $1.4 billion.
Road construction and rehabilitation typically require higher investment than other infrastructure sectors. The World Bank estimates Uzbekistan’s Road Development Plan faces a $1.5 billion annual funding gap. Mobilizing private sector and external financiers is crucial to bridge this gap.
PPP projects generally progress through six phases: project identification, appraisal, structuring, tendering, delivery, and operation. Both the TAR and TSR are at the structuring stage. For TAR, the World Bank funded a pre-investment study in 2015 at a cost of $2.85 million, building on a pre-feasibility study completed in 2020. An investment teaser was prepared in December 2023, and the government invited expressions of interest by March 2024, with prequalification expected later in the year. The TSR feasibility study, funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), began in 2019 but remains incomplete.
Besides TAR and TSR, other potential PPP road projects include the Kungrad-Daut-Ata A380 Highway (KDH) operations and maintenance, a nationwide electronic tolling system, real-time traffic monitoring, weigh-in-motion systems, the Takhtakaracha tunnel construction, and the development of a new road crash and vehicle operations and maintenance database.
In December 2023, EBRD approved a €10 million loan to establish the Uzbekistan PPP Project Development Facility (UPDF), which will finance the preparation of priority PPP projects, including in the road sector.
Uzbekistan’s PPP framework
Uzbekistan’s PPP framework is built on the 2019 PPP Law (amended in 2021), Resolution 259 (2020), and a draft toll road law developed with World Bank support. The draft law aims to provide a foundation for tolling roads, complementing the existing PPP Law, and was expected to be submitted to Parliament by June 2024.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recommended improving fiscal risk assessments, including for state-owned enterprises and PPPs, to better manage external borrowing and integrate investment planning into the medium-term budget. Uzbekistan’s public debt rose from 28% of GDP in 2019 to 36.8% in July 2023, reaching $31.5 billion. The Debt Law caps public debt at 60% of GDP, with policies tightening if debt reaches 50%. Attracting private sector financing for high-cost road projects is essential to avoid increasing the public debt burden.
Tolling system for roads
The government plans to introduce toll roads to ease budget constraints and improve road services. A draft toll law, prepared with World Bank assistance, aims to establish tolling mechanisms. Preliminary estimates suggest toll fees for the TAR route could be $5-7 for cars and $15 for trucks and buses. Tolling alone may not cover construction and operations and maintenance costs, requiring availability payments or co-funding from development partners.
The ADB has supported road infrastructure in Uzbekistan with $1.3 billion from 2007 to 2022. The Ministry of Transport requested ADB’s assistance in introducing a tolling system, with the KDH project selected to pilot this system. The KDH could become the first ADB-supported PPP road project in Uzbekistan, with potential involvement in other PPP efforts, such as transforming State Unitary Entities (SUE) for road operations and maintenance and improving urban bus services in Karakalpakstan.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Northern Territory Police have arrested one male youth in relation to a series of crime over the weekend.
Around 11:20pm, police received reports that a group of males allegedly forced entry into a service station on Katherine Terrace before threatening staff with an edged weapon and stealing the cash register and an e-scooter before fleeing the scene.
The alleged offenders later unlawfully entered three separate commercial locations along the Victoria highway, stealing a Toyota Hilux.
A short time later, the group attended a licenced premises on O’Shea Terrace, where an employee was allegedly threatened with an edged weapon before the offenders stole her Holden Viva.
The stolen Hilux and Viva were later used to block a Mitsubishi Triton and subsequently threaten the driver with an edged weapons before her vehicle was also stolen.
Police have arrested and charged a 15-year-old-male who was remanded in custody.
Investigations into the co-offenders remain ongoing.
Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Byron May said, “Detectives continue to investigate the incident and are urging anyone with information to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Please quote reference number NTP2400102176.”
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service (NTFRS) responded to a large grassfire in Alice Springs over the weekend.
Around 11pm on Friday 11 October 2024, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports of a grass fire near Kurrajong Drive , East Side, with the fire moving in a westerly direction towards nearby residences.
NTFRS Firefighters and volunteers deployed and began working to protect lives and property, particularly in the areas behind Burke Street, while Bushfires NT assisted with aerial surveys.
Four grass fire units and two tankers worked throughout the night battling the blaze with the fire burning an estimated 180 hectares. Firefighting efforts concluded around 5:20pm on Saturday 12 October.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Thankfully no lives or property was lost.
NTFRS Acting District Officer Anthony Blakeley said “I would like to commend the huge effort from NTFRS and Volunteer firefighters, who worked long hours in challenging conditions, protecting the Alice Springs Community.
“Alice Springs residences are no strangers to wildfires and mitigation strategies are crucial to ensuring your families safety. Update your Bushfire Survival Plan, Ensure you have 4 metre firebreaks around your property and clear and remove all loose debris.”
Hate crime is any criminal offence committed against a person or property which is motivated by an offender’s hatred of someone because of their race, colour, ethnic origin or nationality, their religion, their gender or gender identity, their sexual orientation, or their disability.
It can take many forms, from physical attacks such as an assault, damage to property, offensive graffiti and arson, to verbal abuse or insults or the threat of attack, including the sending of offensive letters, emails or texts, abusive or obscene telephone calls or malicious complaints.
The Safer Wolverhampton Partnership is calling on people to help raise awareness of the issue, and understand the ways that victims of, or witnesses to, an incident can report hate crime, during this year’s national Hate Crime Awareness Week, which began on Saturday and continues until 19 October. People can:
Call police on 101 – or dial 999 if it is an emergency
Contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via Crimestoppers
Report in person to the police at any police station or one of the Police Hate Crime drop-ins – see StopHateWLV for details
Report at any Third-Party Reporting Centre – independent organisations that have been trained to record hate crimes and incidents, offer support and signpost to other help. See StopHateWLV for details
Visit Report It and fill in the online reporting form which will be forwarded to police for investigation
If an incident occurs on a train or the Midland Metro, text British Transport Police on 61016
If the incident is Islamophobic in nature, Tell MAMA by visiting Tell MAMA or calling on 0800 456 1226
If the incident is anti-Semitic, it can be reported via Community Security Trust’s website, CST, or by calling 0208 457 9999.
Members of the Safer Wolverhampton Partnership will be at Tesco Wolverhampton, Marston Road, on Wednesday (16 October) from 10am to 12.30pm, Central Library, Snow Hill, on Thursday (17 October) from 10am to 12.30pm and Wednesfield Library, Well Lane, also Thursday from 2pm to 4.30pm, to raise awareness the importance of reporting hate crime, and will also be holding a series of other activities throughout the week.
Meanwhile, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Public Health team have been working with the University of Wolverhampton’s Wellbeing champions, who will be supporting with activities this week.
John Denley, Wolverhampton’s Director of Public Health, said: “The Safer Wolverhampton Partnership takes hate crime incredibly seriously, and all reports will be fully investigated by police.
“We are using Hate Crime Awareness Week to get people thinking about how they can respond to hate crime if they witness or are victims to it.
“Most importantly, we’ll be encouraging people to report instances of hate crime, which will enable victims to get the support they need and to ensure those committing it are met with justice.”
People can find out more about hate crime by logging on to StopHateWLV. For details of National Hate Crime Awareness week, please visit #NationalHCAW.
