Dominic Perrottet’s colleagues have been crying out for the premier to take decisive action to end the death spiral they fear their government is in. But the guillotine did not fall where they had hoped.
Perrottet stepped in to sack his junior fair trading minister Eleni Petinos just 48 hours after reports emerged that she had been accused of bullying staff. While overseas, on his poorly timed trade trip, Perrottet initially backed Petinos and was confident that an anonymous complaint made against her had been appropriately dealt with.
Trade Minister Stuart Ayres and Premier Dominic Perrottet in Mumbai last week.Credit:AAP
But by Sunday night “further matters” relating to Petinos had emerged and Perrottet was wasting no time in removing the young minister from his cabinet. He had no choice. Bullying cannot be tolerated.
Perrottet on Monday wanted it known that he had taken swift action. “I’m the premier. I have to make decisions… it’s a very difficult decision. But I believe it’s the right call,” he said. His colleagues of him, no doubt, agree that it was the only way to deal with the issue.
But if Perrottet thinks his decisiveness over such a clear problem will be enough to calm his anxious troops, he is sorely mistaken. While sacking Petinos gets rid of one problem, it will do nothing to stop the wider, more damaging saga that is paralyzing the government.
As long as the John Barilaro trade appointment fiasco rolls on, and Trade Minister Stuart Ayres remains in cabinet as well as being deputy Liberal leader, Perrottet’s colleagues will be increasingly incensed and his government will be locked in a crisis of its own making.
Perrottet has been the only one to declare publicly that Ayres is a “very strong minister in the NSW government”. Other ministers who have been pressed on the trade minister have ducked the question, clearly not keen to endorse their cabinet colleague.
Ayres, meanwhile, is outrageous. He refuses to accept the mood and stand aside pending the outcome of two inquiries – one, an independent probe; the second, a parliamentary inquiry. He keeps stressing that he has done nothing wrong and therefore has every right to stay.
He has missed the glaring point. Regardless of his self-determined innocence of him, he has come to symbolize a festering problem that is causing his government worsening damage. As long as Ayres digs in, it all drags on, and at some point the issue may be irreparable for the Coalition.
A private airstrip in Drouin South that has operated without planning approval for 42 years has had a retrospective permit application rejected after the council received 67 objections from neighbours.
Key points:
The future of an airstrip in West Gippsland hangs in the balance after a council refuses retrospective approval
Council received almost 70 objections to the Drouin South airfield application
Its owner is considering taking the matter to VCAT
While the owner of the airfield on Yuulong Road, Terry Williamson described the airstrip as a community asset, opponents complained to the council about noise from small aircraft and potential biosecurity issues for neighboring farmland from people retrieving recreationally launched rockets.
“I thought I was doing a good thing and a few years ago, I thought the community all were for it — but times change,” Mr Williamson said.
Baw Baw Shire Council has been trying to manage conflict between airstrip users and neighbours, and last week was considering whether it could retrospectively approve some of the modifications made to the airstrip.
Mr Williamson said he has submitted the planning application at the council’s request.
He said the permit was initially for an authorized landing area, which was amended by council to an airfield.
The council’s director of planning and development Leanne Hurst said no planning permit had ever been issued to use the land for either an airfield, airstrip or authorized landing area.
Last week councillors unanimously voted against the application.
The application was refused on a number of grounds including failing to respond to the purpose of the farm zone and failing to provide sufficient information in the application.
Pilot David Hooke says the airstrip is not used often.(Supplied: David Hooke)
Neighbors say they’ve suffered for years
Dairy farmer Jennifer Clough told the council the plans using the airstrip were so noisy if you were outside you would often have to stop conversations.
She told the meeting the Victorian Rocketry Association’s use of the airstrip also caused issues on her farm.
“They have GPS [on the rockets] and the owners come looking for them with no regard for privacy or security or WorkSafe issues … in this current climate security on dairy farms is of paramount importance,” Ms Clough said.
Some residents told councillors plans would take off and land at 15 minute intervals on a clear day.(Supplied: Jane Moss)
Another resident Jane Moss told the meeting some residents had sold their houses and moved away because of the airfield.
“It’s been years of us objecting and years of the emotion, with us putting up with the impact on our livelihoods for somebody’s hobby,” she said.
‘We did everything they asked’
Mr Williamson, who is not a pilot himself, said he may appeal the council’s decision at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
“We did everything that they [the council planners] asked [in the planning application process]. We got new sound reports,” Mr Williamson said.
“The whole idea of an airfield is good for community, for the whole region, that argument was left behind [at the meeting].”
Pilot David Hooke, who owns a hangar at the airfield, said the argument about the number of plane movements had been overblown.
David Hooke (left) with the co-owner of his aerobatics plane. (Supplied: David Hooke)
“There would be only five of us who regularly fly our aircraft, and when I say regularly, once a month, once a week, once a fortnight what [the objectors] were saying about multiple aircraft coming and going all day every day is patently false,” Mr Hooke said.
He said pilots must fly certain circuits set down by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to practice take-offs and landings.
“In many ways, there’s nothing much we can do differently to appease the neighbours,” he said.
Council’s concerns
Baw Baw Shire Mayor Michael Leaney told last week’s meeting he was concerned the site had changed and was not meeting existing use rights.
Councilors heard that Mr Williamson was paid $40 a week to store Mr Hooke’s plans.
Michael Leaney says the community has been concerned about the airfield for a long time.(Landline)
“I remember some years ago, when this was before council previously, we were told that there … was no money changing hands at all,” Mr Leaney said at the meeting.
Mr Williamson said the money collected from plane owners goes to hangar insurance and maintenance on the grounds.
“The money we collect is virtually the cost of running that airfield, there’s no real profit,” Mr Williamson said.
The father of a young Adelaide boy whose death is being investigated by police has spoken of the “saddest day” he laid his son to rest.
Key points:
The boy, aged seven, died in February after he was rushed to hospital
Police are investigating whether his death was a result of criminal neglect
This is the second child death in recent weeks that a special police taskforce is investigating
WARNING: This story contains content that some readers may find upsetting.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains the name of a person who has died.
Kaurna-Narungga boy Makai, aged seven, died on February 10 but police yesterday revealed they have been investigating his death — the second suspected neglect case brought before the taskforce in less than a month.
ABC has spoken to Makai’s family and has obtained permission to use his name.
In a social media post, Makai’s father wrote the boy has been laid to rest in the new Kaurna Repatriation area at Smithfield Memorial Park in March.
“My son, Makai, will be the first Kaurna person to be laid to rest in a new location, designated for the Kaurna People,” he wrote.
“What an historic moment this will be and yet it will be the saddest day for me.”
In an earlier post, I thanked close family and friends who supported him and his child through “difficult and challenging time”.
“No father should watch his son die. Wouldn’t wish this on anyone. Not even my worst enemy,” the father wrote.
“The system I put my faith and trust in, failed me and my son,” he wrote in a separate post.
“I miss him so much, I wish he was here with me. I LOVE HIM,” he wrote on a different day.
Makai’s heart stopped three times
Makai’s relatives have claimed on a fundraising page that the Craigmore boy had suffered stomach pains in his final days.
The primary school student visited a doctor and had x-rays after complaining of stomach pains on February 7.
His doctor reviewed the x-ray results the next day and prescribed Makai laxatives.
Former police commissioner Mal Hyde will lead a government review into the agencies’ interactions with Charlie and Makai’s families.(abcnews)
However, Makai took a turn for the worse the following day, where he could not move and started to hallucinate, his relatives wrote on the fundraising page.
On February 10, Makai — with a swollen belly — was rushed to the Lyell McEwin Hospital by his father.
His heart stopped beating and he went into cardiac arrest twice, and doctors were able to revive him.
Makai underwent emergency surgery and was placed into an induced coma to be transferred to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
During the ambulance trip, Makai’s father was told the boy might not survive the journey to the hospital.
After arriving, Makai’s heart stopped for a third time and doctors were not able to resuscitate him.
The coroner’s report released the following week showed the seven-year-old had died from pneumonia in both lungs, sepsis and the MRSA superbug, a drug-resistant form of golden staph.
Police are investigating the death of Charlie for suspected neglect.(Supplied)
Makai’s relatives wrote the diagnosis was “a shock”, because pneumonia was not picked up at the Lyell McEwin Hospital nor by radiology.
The boy’s death is being investigated by Taskforce Prime, which was set up last month to investigate the death of six-year-old Charlie.
A government review — led by former police commissioner Mal Hyde — is underway to examine the interactions that agencies had with both children’s families and to identify any gaps in the child protection system.
The boss of travel company Flight Center has predicted more “pain” for domestic travellers, explaining airport chaos will continue for some time yet.
Flight Center’s Managing Director Graham Turner said travelers will need to exercise “patience” as airlines navigate inexperienced staff and absenteeism due to the latest COVID-19 wave.
Crowds at Sydney Airport have become a regular fixture as IT glitches, wild weather and COVID-19 staff shortages take its toll. (Louis Kennerley)
“It is a tough period,” Turner said, adding inexperienced staff are also contributing to the issues being felt.
“I will improve, but it is going to take some time.
“I would suggest six or eight weeks before all of this really settles down and there is going to be pain for domestic travelers in that time.
“Domestically, it will improve and we predict certainly by October/November, assuming the Omicron does settle down, it will be much better off, we think.”
Flight Center’s Managing Director Graham Turner told Today domestic delays should improve by October, November. (Today)
With borders now open, the state of Australia’s airports is garnering worldwide attention.
Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport has been ranked among the worst 10 airports for flight delays globally.
CNN used FlightAware data from May 26 to July 19 to determine 34.2 per cent of flights out of the facility were delayed over the survey period.
The worst 10 airports for flight delays around the world
This marked a decline of 24.6 per cent, compared to the corresponding period in 2019.
Sydney Airport CEO Geoff Culbert said the number of passengers was creating issues within the facility.
“The increasing demand for travel is encouraging but it’s clearly creating challenges for an industry that is still trying to rebuild operationally.
“With the June long weekend and school holiday peak behind us, we will continue to work on our operational recovery alongside our airline partners and each of the 800 organizations across the airport.”
More warning signs at a popular lookout spot in Victoria’s west could have prevented a woman’s death, a coroner has found.
Rosy Loomba was taking a photo with her husband at the Grampians’ Boroka Lookout in December 2020 when she fell to her death.
The 38-year-old was trying to walk back from the “selfie rock” ledge to her children and friends but lost her balance and fell 30 meters, Deputy State Coroner Jacqui Hawkins found.
Watch the latest News on Channel 7 or stream for free on 7plus >>
Loomba died from multiple injuries, including skull fractures and a dislocated spine.
While the lookout spot is fenced off, Hawkins said it was common for people to climb over the “easily scaled” wire fence to take photos on the rock ledge.
A coroner recommends more warning signs at a Grampians lookout after a woman died taking a photo. (Pablo Mena/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP
At the time of Loomba’s death, there were 30 other people waiting to take their photos.
Hawkins recommended Parks Victoria install extra signage in the area that expressly stated people have died and been seriously injured at the location.
“I note that adventurers and park attendees may continue to climb fences to access lookouts in order to get a photo or for their own curiosity,” the coroner said in her findings.
“Mrs Loomba’s death is a reminder of the dangers associated with ignoring signage and fencing which is put in place to keep people safe.”
Rosie Loomba. Credit: Herald Sun
The coroner’s report noted Parks Victoria installed additional infrastructure and signage at Boroka Lookout this year.
Parks Victoria will provide a written response to the coroner within three months, setting out how the recommendations will be addressed.
“We’re reviewing the existing signage at the Boroka Lookout, including reviewing the recommendations from the Coroner’s Court,” a spokesperson told AAP in a statement.
New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet says he is expecting an independent review into the appointment of former deputy premier John Barilaro to a lucrative trade role in New York “very shortly”.
Mr Perrottet initiated the review in late June and it has been conducted alongside one by the parliament.
The Premier has cited the review — which could be delivered as early as this week — was a key reason why he was not commenting about details from a series of papers that have raised more questions about the recruitment process, including what involvement was had by the Trade Minister, Stuart Ayres.
Another candidate was recommended ahead of Mr Barilaro before he was later ranked higher, documents released yesterday revealed.
While Mr Perrottet’s stance created “politically challenging circumstances” for his cabinet colleagues, he said the review would be comprehensive.
New regulator can fine casinos
A new regulator will have the power to fine casino operators up to $100 million and hold individual board members and executives liable for serious wrongdoing.
Under legislation set to be introduced to Parliament next week, the NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) will be given tough controls to target money laundering and other criminal activity.
Minister for Hospitality and Racing, Kevin Anderson, said the reforms will deliver on all 19 recommendations from the Bergin Inquiry into Sydney’s Crown Casino.
“The NICC will have scope to deal appropriately with serious misconduct of the type uncovered by various recent inquiries,” he said.
Mr Anderson said the regulator would continue assessing Crown Sydney’s suitability to hold a casino license.
Additional measures to strengthen casinos’ compliance requirements, including the phase out of cash transactions over $1000, will also be introduced.
Pork barreling could be ‘corrupt’ behavior
The report found politicians and their advisers “do not have an unfettered discretion to distribute public funds.”(ABC NEWS)
The state’s corruption watchdog has found politicians who engage in pork barreling could be found to be corrupt, under existing NSW laws.
A report by the Independent Commission Against Corruption founds politicians who pressure public servants or use grant programs for personal or political gain would be engaging in serious misconduct.
The report found politicians and their advisers “do not have an unfettered discretion to distribute public funds” and that the use of ministerial discretion is subject to the rule of law.
The ‘Report on Investigation into Pork Barrelling in NSW’ found politicians who allocate public funds for personal or political gain would be in breach of the ministerial standards or even in breach of the criminal offense of misconduct in public office.
The report follows an investigation into the NSW Government’s $250 million Stronger Communities Fund, in which 96 per cent of grants went to projects in Coalition-held seats.
Varroa mite spreads
The destructive varroa mite has been found in a further three beehive sites north of Newcastle.
NSW Department of Primary Industries says the new detections were in the Port Stephens area, at Butterwick and Salt Ash.
They fall within the existing eradication zone but the boundary will be pushed slightly west due to the detection at Butterwick.
There have now been 59 detections of the mite since it was first identified at the Port of Newcastle in late June.
The mite weakens and kills European honey bee colonies, which are vital to Australia’s honey and farming industries.
Well-known Indigenous organization to close
The NCIE looks set to close after lengthy negotiations to keep it doors open failed. (Supplied: NCIE)
An Indigenous non-for-profit in Redfern is set to close after the two parties involved its transition process failed to reach agreement on the organisation’s future.
The National Center of Indigenous Excellence could close its doors by next Monday after the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation failed to find a suitable arrangement with new owners, the NSW Aboriginal Land Council.
It follows a two-year due diligence process in which the Land and Sea Corporation divested the site to the land council.
The center provides programs and services to the local Indigenous community to improve wellbeing.
Up to 50 staff are expected to lose their jobs.
Police officer assaulted
Three boys have been arrested after allegedly assaulting an off-duty police officer with a bike seat pole in Sydney’s west yesterday.
The boys were allegedly behaving in an offensive manner at Rooty Hill Railway Station around 4:25am and abusing passengers and railway staff.
A chief inspector attached to a command within the North West Region placed one of the boys under arrest, however, it is alleged the boy resisted before verbally abusing and assaulting the officer.
It’s alleged the officer was struck multiple times to the head with a bike seat pole.
Further police from Mt Druitt police area command attended and arrested the boys.
NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the officer at the scene before he was taken to Blacktown Hospital with head injuries. He was treated and later released.
The boys — aged 14, 13 and 12 — were refused bail and will appear at the Children’s court today.
Vet care in Victoria would become free or subsidized under proposed new laws to introduce a Medicare system for animals dubbed “Veticare”, to make seeing a vet more affordable and accessible.
Australia is experiencing a national vet shortage and combined with an increase in pet ownership during the pandemic, it has resulted in some vets closing their doors, particularly in rural and regional areas.
In response to the issue, the Animal Justice Party will introduce a motion into the Victorian parliament which includes establishing public vet hospitals, upskilling vet nurses and setting up a bulk-billing model for vet care.
It remains to be seen how many supporters the minor party will be able to win over with its bold new plan — but here’s how it says it would work.
Why has it been introduced?
Pets and wildlife are not getting the care they need because animal owners and rescuers simply cannot afford it, according to the Animal Justice Party leader Andy Meddick.
“Victoria has a vet shortage crisis, and it is not just creating animal welfare issues, it is driving up prices and placing unimaginable pressure on vets to work overtime, unsupported,” Mr Meddick said.
“Just like we can visit our doctor with a Medicare card, Veticare creates public clinics allowing for free or low-cost appointments.”
Penny Hocking has been a vet for more than three decades and said Veticare could make a huge difference, particularly in rural and regional areas.
Vet Penny Hocking says free veterinary care would help ease the burden on animal rescue groups.(Supplied: Animal Justice Party)
“Some people are driving hours to get vet care in regional Victoria, because there is very limited after-hours services there and in the cities it can be very expensive,” she said.
“When people cannot afford vet care, not only does the animal not get adequate care but often they can be euthanized or surrendered to a rescue group who are burdened with the vet expenses.”
What would it cover and how would it work?
The system would cover everything from companion animals needing minor care, including a yearly check-up and injections, to more serious operations.
People who have domestic animals would pay an annual fee and receive a Veticare card.
The Veticare card means pet owners would pay a scheduled fee (as with Medicare) and depending on an owners financial situation, they would be charged a gap fee.
The ‘Veticare’ system would cover a range of procedures from yearly vaccinations to serious operations.(abcnews)
The laws would also introduce government-funded public veterinary hospitals which would be bulk-billed with no over-the-counter fees.
Vet clinics are privately owned and there are currently no public clinics in Victoria.
Who would be eligible?
Every Victorian pet owner would be eligible to have the scheduled fee covered for their vet appointment, but the gap fee would differ based on a person’s financial situation.
Concession, pension and healthcare cardholders would have the entire costs covered, receiving the same benefits as Medicare, for their pets through Veticare.
Animal rescuers and carers would be provided with a Veticare card but would not have to pay an annual fee, to recognize the contribution they make to protect animals.
‘Veticare’ would work in a similar way to Medicare, with scheduled fee coverage but gaps would be based on a person’s financial situation.(abcnews)
“Vets are often under stress because they have to attend to wildlife and use resources at their clinics they are not reimbursed for, we want to make sure they get that reimbursement,” Mr Meddick said.
As part of the laws, dedicated wildlife hospitals would also be set up in regional areas with wildlife-skilled vets to reduce the burden on other clinics, with the first hospital to be located on the Great Ocean Road near the Surf Coast.
“There is currently no wildlife vet or specialty service for the entire area of western Victoria,” Mr Meddick said.
Is there anywhere else in the world that does it?
The proposal is an Australian first, and could be the first in the world.
“The idea sprung from the question how do we fix the vet crisis?” Mr Meddick said.
“We had to find a way to alleviate pressure on vets and their mental stress, alleviate financial stress on people who want their animals to be seen and the burden wildlife rescuers are placing on vets and vet nurses, so we looked to the health system and Medicare.”
Victorian Animal Justice Party MP Andy Meddick believes his bold vision will attract some support in parliament.(Supplied: Andy Meddick)
What about the issue of vet shortages?
Vets are leaving the industry in record numbers because of increasing stress and patient load.
The proposed laws would supply extra training and upskilling for vet nurses to become technicians and nurse practitioners.
In human medicine, nurse practitioners and technicians are allowed to do minor surgical procedures and the same principles would apply in the animal healthcare sector to reduce the patient load and burden on vets and enable more animals to be cared for.
Vet nurses would also be able to assess wildlife in a bid to free up time for vets to take on other appointments and improve access and encourage them to stay in the industry.
Vet Dr Dana Kolosky says many veterinarians have left the industry during the pandemic.(Supplied: Animal Justice Party)
Last year the Victorian government introduced vet nursing as a free TAFE course to help address the shortage.
Vet Dana Kolosky said since the pandemic the industry had lost a lot of staff.
“It is busier than ever, a huge amount of staff have left and the public has gone out and taken a lot more animals,” Dr Kolosky said.
“We experience a lot of stress and fatigue, it is not the well-paid, easy job that people perceive it to be, we take a lot of stress home and emotional blackmail is a huge issue – people say to us things like ‘if you don’t do this our animal will die’.”
“People look at vet care and think it is very expensive, but they are comparing it to a heavily subsidized human system.”
What happens next?
Today, the Animal Justice Party’s sole MP, Andy Meddick, is introducing the motion into the Victorian Parliament’s Upper House, where the state government does not have a majority.
Mr Meddick argues his proposal would make access to vet care more equitable.(abcnews)
Mr Meddick said he had some crossbench support and he had been discussing the plan with the government.
“I would like to see it up and running within 12 months, but I can appreciate the government might want to spend more time on this,” Mr Meddick said.
As for the cost?
“I would be lying if I said it was going to be cheap, I would expect it to be over $10 million,” Mr Meddick said.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says it looks like the state may have already faced the worst of the current wave of COVID-19.
The forecast winter wave of combined COVID-19 and flu has been seen in hospitals struggling around the country.
“We had modeling done, quite comprehensive modeling, that showed the end of August would be our peak,” Palaszczuk told Today.
“However, what we have seen over the last couple of days is a decline in the hospitalizations of people going into hospital, of course with COVID and with flu.
“So look, we are going to monitor that over the next couple of days and fingers crossed, we may have been through the worst of it, but time will tell. We just need a few more days to get a handle on those numbers.
“The premier said hospital pressures were being felt right across the country, and defended her decision to sink $220 million into a dedicated quarantine facility that Queensland Health now says is unnecessary.
“At the time we had to build it, it absolutely was (a good investment) because we knew that there were pressures on our hotel quarantine,” she said.
She said the government had spent $9.75 billion in its latest budget on building three new hospitals and expanding health facilities throughout the state.
“It is the largest hospital boost ever,” she said.
Joe Dietz has loved trains ever since riding the railways of Europe on family holidays as a child.
As a young man now living in Cairns, he has turned his boyhood passion into a unique career on and off the tracks.
His day job is driving locos during the far north Queensland sugarcane crushing season, which stretches from May to November.
Joe Dietz has been driving cane trains, or locos, in far north Queensland since finishing high school.(Supplied: Joe Dietz)
Mr Dietz, aka Lego Joe, says winding his way through the neighborhoods and farmlands on the cane train tracks of far north Queensland is a dream job.
“I’ve just always had a thing for trains,” he says.
“I’ve always wanted to work on the railways.”
Mr Dietz’s family moved to the region when he was in high school.
“I was just lucky that, after graduating, I ended up getting a gig on the cane locos,” he says.
“You get the best of the city life, but you also have the countryside too and making connections with the farmers and the community in those areas is something unique.
“I’m living the best of two worlds.”
Mr Dietz is also living in two worlds when it comes to train driving — the real world and the online world.
Joe Dietz says driving trains is his dream job.(Supplied: Joe Dietz)
During the other half of the year, he drives miniature Lego trains on intricate tracks around his family home, and millions upon millions of people watch him do it.
Seven years ago, I started the YouTube channel TrainGuy 659.
His unique work-life balance has allowed him to build a massive audience and become a professional YouTuber.
“When I first started, I wasn’t getting paid or anything from YouTube, so every season, I go back [to the cane trains],” Mr Dietz says.
“The YouTube audience grows every year because I have that time off, so I’m just lucky to work six months on, six months off.
“The YouTube thing pays the bills but isn’t something I can live off independently… but there is more potential.”
Massive miniature feats of engineering
Mr Dietz became an internet sensation when he began producing his annual Christmas Lego train videos, all of which have attracted audiences in the tens of millions.
loading
These involve constructing about 120 meters of Lego train track around his parents’ home, across obstacles including the backyard swimming pool, and even through the neighbours’ yard.
Joe Dietz’s train videos involve constructing around 120 meters of Lego train track through various obstacles.(Supplied: Joe Dietz)
Mr Dietz says it is a painstaking process that can be up to a month of work.
“It’s like building an actual railroad but in miniature,” he says.
“It takes three to four weeks to set up. It takes about a week or two to film, and it’s packed up within three days.
“There’s a lot of trial and error, and you do a lot of testing too. There’s a lot of time that goes into it.”
Mr Dietz says there is no shortage of derailments during the shoots, which have resulted in some highly entertaining blooper reels, usually featuring cameo appearances from the family pets.
The Dietz family’s dog, Matilda, has been responsible for numerous Lego train derailments, which appear in the TrainGuy 659 blooper videos.(Supplied: Joe Dietz)
“We’ve got a blue heeler, and you know what cattle dogs are like… they go after the train… [in one video] she’s nipping at it, she’s knocking it over,” he says.
“They actually end up doing better than the main video — everyone loves bloopers.
“There’s one time the train accidentally fell in a pool, which was like, ‘Oh no!'”
loading
He says the odd, stray Lego piece also poses hazards for his supportive but long-suffering family.
“The amount of sore toes around the house during Christmas and New Year’s, it’s not funny,” Mr Dietz says.
The secret building blocks of internet stardom
Mr Dietz’s YouTube channel has amassed 660,000 subscribers, while his combined views are in the tens of millions.
Joe Dietz is a professional YouTuber having attracted an audience in the tens of millions who watch his Lego train videos online.(Supplied: Joe Dietz)
He’s often asked what the secret is to becoming internet famous. His answer to it is relatively simple.
“Find something that’s unique that hasn’t been done before,” he says.
“And if you’re doing something that’s already out there, find what makes you stand out to make it different to the others.”
In addition to his annual Christmas specials, Mr Dietz began producing a series of Lego train road trip videos.
“I started doing these tunnels with some PVC pipe, the Lego train goes through this, and it’d transition to a different scene,” he says.
“I did this one around Australia, and that really took off.”
loading
The initial concept film in 2019 was well-received, attracting 10 million views, but his grand plans were ultimately derailed by COVID-19.
Now that national and international borders have re-opened, Mr Dietz says he’s planning to get his Lego train road trip dream back on track with plans to take his train set through Europe during the crushing is over next season.
