Australia – Page 2 – Michmutters

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Scott Morrison is the gift that keeps on giving… to Labor

Scott Morrison is the gift that keeps on giving... to Labor

“It was unbecoming, it was cynical and it was just weird that this has occurred, and Australians will be scratching their heads.”

Admittedly, this style of attack requires some revision of Labor’s constant criticism of the former prime minister for not taking enough responsibility, weaponized by relentlessly repeating Morrison’s lamentable excuse about “not holding a hose” after taking holidays during the bushfire crisis.

“We all know Scott Morrison had trouble doing the job he had. Perhaps it was because of the jobs we didn’t know he had,” Albanese said.

It gives Albanese another opportunity to denounce ‘tinpot activity’ rather than the traditional cabinet government he intends to lead.

But Labor MPs are not the only ones sounding shocked at such prime ministerial intervention. According to Simon Benson and Geoff Chambers, the authors of Plagued and journalists at Australianthe then-prime minister didn’t inform most colleagues about having himself appointed in 2020 to multiple portfolios including health minister, finance minister – and a year later – resources minister.

An outraged sounding Albanese said he would get advice on “trashing of the Westminster system” before making further decisions as – unlike the Morrison government – ​​his government would operate in an orderly, transparent way. The former prime minister, clearly, is the political gift who keeps on giving when it comes to Labor’s ability to keep blaming the failures and misjudgments of his predecessor.

But Coalition MPs are also expressing dismay and disapproval. The secrecy involved undermines the obvious rationale for the prime minister to ensure it was not only Greg Hunt with absolute authority over new emergency health measures.

The authors write Morrison believed more checks and balances were needed before any single minister could wield such powers, as well as allowing an alternative source of authority if the minister were incapacitated by COVID-19.

The solution agreed on with then-attorney-general Christian Porter was to swear in Morrison alongside Hunt as a back-up but also as a countervailing power if required. It wasn’t.

But at least the former health minister was aware of Morrison’s extra portfolio. Mathias Cormann was apparently not informed he was also sharing his finance ministry responsibilities.

political insurance

Nor was Keith Pitt, then-minister for resources, aware until several months later that in April 2021, Morrison had also been sworn in by the governor-general as industry, science, energy and resources minister. This seems to have been far less to do with a pandemic response and more a matter of political insurance against the prospect of a pro-development Nationals minister wanting to approve gas exploration licenses off the coast of NSW.

Any such development was bitterly opposed by NSW MPs already threatened by campaigns by Labor and independents demanding more action on climate change. Ahead of the election, Morrison announced the offshore gas exploration would not proceed.

“What’s very clear is that this was a sign of no confidence by Scott Morrison in the Morrison government,” Albanese said mockingly, “… because he didn’t allow ministers to do their job.

“We do have a non-presidential system of government in this country. But what we had from Scott Morrison is a centralization of power, this overriding of ministerial decisions and all done in secret.”

The controversy has already dragged on Governor-General David Hurley. He issued a statement saying he was following normal process in acting on the advice of the prime minister, stating it was not uncommon for ministers to be appointed to administer departments other than their portfolio responsibility.

But, Hurley noted pointedly, questions about making and publicizing such appointments were up to the government of the day.

Unlike Morrison, the Liberal ministers involved – Hunt, Cormann and Porter – are no longer in parliament. Nationals leader David Littleproud is making plain his view of Morrison’s “pretty ordinary” behavior and lack of respect for cabinet process.

Albanese will be keen to pursue Liberal leader Peter Dutton, instantly demanding explanations of what he and other continuing members of the Coalition ministry knew about the arrangements.

The obvious attack lines write themselves.

“Australians knew during the election campaign that I was running a shadow ministry,” Albanese argued. “What they didn’t know was that Scott Morrison was running a shadow government. A shadow government that was operating in the shadows.”

The consequences were less damaging in practice than this suggests, given Morrison didn’t actually take over running health and finance. But even if the result is legal, it’s hardly politically smart. It gives Albanese another useful opportunity to denounce “tinpot activity” rather than the traditional cabinet government he intends to lead.

To the public, it just looks odd – another unpopular, unnecessary legacy of an overly self-confident prime minister always convinced he knew best.

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Victorian Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation telehealth obstacle prevents house-bound from accessing service

Victorian Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation telehealth obstacle prevents house-bound from accessing service

On his heyday, Alan Clark was a gun centre-forward who left everything on the field.

Footy was in his blood. He earned best and fairest accolades at almost every suburban club he played for and as a player-coach proudly led the Frankston reserves to a gritty grand final showdown in 1971.

They lost to the boys from Brunswick that day and the outcome still stings.

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Somerton Man photo search focuses on Swinburne junior football snap from 1921

Swinburne football team

Amateur sleuthing has produced potentially tantalizing new evidence in the hunt for a photo depicting the mysterious Somerton Man when he was alive.

A 1921 snap of the under-16 football team from Swinburne Technical College — the forerunner of today’s Swinburne University of Technology — lists a “C. Webb” among the players.

Late last month, researcher Derek Abbott declared he and US forensic genealogy expert Colleen Fitzpatrick had solved the mystery, identifying the Somerton Man as Carl “Charles” Webb, a 43-year-old engineer and instrument maker from Melbourne.

Since that time, a veritable “face race” has ensued — enthusiasts across the globe have assiduously sought to discover a photo of Webb when he was alive, in order to compare it with the posthumous photos of the Somerton Man.

While the Swinburne photo, which has been published on Somerton Man online forums including Nick Pelling’s Cipher Mysteries and Professor Abbott’s Facebook group, falls considerably short of such a breakthrough, there are several facts in its favour.

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Amneh al-Hazouri was sole provider for Lebanon family, sister says

Amneh al-Hazouri was sole provider for Lebanon family, sister says

The family of a woman who died after being shot by an unknown gunman in south-west Sydney on Saturday night says she was the innocent victim of a dispute in which she had no involvement, and had been the sole provider for her family in Lebanon.

Hairdresser Amneh al-Hazouri, 39, known as Amy, and mother-of-two, Lametta Fadlallah, 48, were gunned down inside a silver four-wheel drive in Panania. Two others were in the vehicle – a 20-year-old man and a 16-year-old girl – but were unharmed and are assisting police.

The Bankstown workplace of hairdresser Amneh al-Hazouri, known as Amy, who died after being shot on Saturday night.

The Bankstown workplace of hairdresser Amneh al-Hazouri, known as Amy, who died after being shot on Saturday night. Credit:Nick Moir, Supplied

Police believe Fadlallah, who had links to the crime world, was the target of the shooting and that al-Hazouri happened to be at the Panania house doing the older woman’s hair before a night out.

A woman saying she was al-Hazouri’s sister said the hairdresser was the sole provider for her family in Lebanon, where the economy has collapsed and there are dire shortages of food, fuel and medicine. The family is raising money for her funeral costs.

“Amy Hazouri was my beautiful sister, who was an innocent party who was murdered,” Manal Raunegger wrote in an internet post. “Amy was the sole provider for our family in Lebanon that is currently struggling with the economic crisis in Lebanon.

“We require urgent funds to carry out funeral services and transfer her body to Lebanon to lay at rest. Our mother is not well and cannot travel to Australia to see her daughter.

Mother-of-two Lametta Fadlallah, 48, and Amneh al-Hazouri, 39, died after a shooting targeting Fadlallah on Saturday night.

Mother-of-two Lametta Fadlallah, 48, and Amneh al-Hazouri, 39, died after a shooting targeting Fadlallah on Saturday night.Credit:Nine News

“We are asking family, friends and the community to donate what they can and share this page around as we require urgent funds during this time as we cannot afford this service. Every dollar and support us appreciated. May her soul rest in peace.”

The 39-year-old was remembered in a social media tribute from her workplace on Sunday. “We are shattered, our heart is broken, you left us too soon, may your memory be eternal GOD bless your soul. Till we meet again,” the post read.

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BOM warns wet spring and summer could see more Queensland floods

Flood water in Main street of Laidley in the Lockyer Valley in Queensland

Queenslanders are being warned to expect spring and summer conditions similar to the La Niña event that brought widespread flooding to parts of the state in February.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) today briefed cabinet on the seasonal conditions ahead.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it was likely the state would see a mild bushfire season but above average rainfall was set to continue.

“The good news is we’re not expecting a big bushfire season, but we are expecting a wetter than normal spring,” she said.

“These conditions could be similar to the conditions over the summer of this year.”

Ms Palaszczuk said the government would ensure councils across the state were prepared for more wet weather and were implementing recommendations from the last flooding event.

‘Remove a bit of flooding’ expected

BOM meteorologist Laura Boekel said the outlook applied to the whole state, and could not be pinpointed more specifically.

“All of Queensland should be aware that we are expecting an increased chance of above average rainfall this season,” she said.

“If we couple what we have seen in the winter, which is a lot more moisture and grounds remaining wet and not drying up, with the forecast of an above average season, that means we could see quite a bit of flooding across Queensland.

“All of Queensland should be across the fact that we are expecting to see quite a bit of rainfall.”

A controlled fire is burning next to green grass trees with a vehicle in the background
Queenslanders living in regional areas should expect “significant grassfire activity” over spring and summer months.(Supplied: Lydall Scobell)

‘Significant grass fire activity’

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Greg Leach said while the bushfire season is expected to be normal, those in regional parts of the state need to be prepared for grassfire.

“Our modeling still shows that we’re likely to experience a normal bushfire season,” he said.

“While we’re unlikely to see the extensive bushfires such as we saw in 2018/19, we are going to see significant grassfire activity in some parts of the state.

“The recent rain we’ve had has brought on a significant amount of grass load growth through western, central and southern parts of Queensland, and the frosts that we’ve seen in recent weeks has dried off much of that vegetation.”

He said rural brigades had mobilized to complete 133 hazard reduction burns totaling nearly 60,000 hectares.

Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan urged those in regional Queensland to be prepared for grassfires.

“For people in the north, and central and west, there is still a significant chance for you to experience grassfire… you need to be prepared for that season.”

Flood cameras and sirens to be installed across Ipswich

Ipswich City Council Mayor Teresa Harding said her council was conducting its own flood review which will begin at the end of this month.

“It’s obviously quite emotional to hear of this [outlook],” she said.

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NRL player Manase Fainu taken into custody after being found guilty of stabbing

On Monday, Judge Nanette Williams granted a detention application by crown prosecutors, rejecting a bid by Fainu to remain out on bail until a sentence hearing on October 7.

Defense barrister Margaret Cunneen SC argued that the 24-year-old should temporarily retain his freedom for reasons including the mental health impacts of the trial, his desire to financially support his family and the significant media attention of the case.

Manase Fainu has been taken into custody after being found guilty of a stabbing. (APA)

However, the judge found these did not amount to circumstances that were special or exceptional enough to prevent incarceration in a situation where jail time was all but confirmed.

“I’m not satisfied that special or exceptional circumstances exist to refuse or dismiss the detention application,” Judge Williams said.

Last week, the eleven rising NRL star was found guilty of stabbing church youth leader Faamanu Levi in ​​a brawl outside a dance in Wattle Grove, Sydney late at night on October 25, 2019.

He pleaded not guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm in the attack, but the jury took just two hours to deliver its guilty verdict.

In arguing for Fainu’s release, Ms Cunneen told the court her client had experienced severe mental illness including depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts because of the trial and verdict.

She said he had been considered a highly promising rugby league player who was on track to earn a massive salary to support his parents and eight siblings.

Manase Fainu has been taken into custody. (APA)

Thanks to the National Rugby League’s no fault stand down policy, this was all stripped away once he was charged and arrested, the court heard.

“This is a man who has suffered a most enormous downfall, an unthinkable downfall in what he may have expected in 2019,” Ms Cunneen said.

“This is a case of a young man whose life changed forever over a spontaneous, foolish, terrible thing that happened without premeditation.”

Fainu’s counselor Jan Earl of Elite Athlete Wellbeing Services spoke of the footballer’s decline in mental health after losing not only his spot on the Manly team but also his role as family breadwinner.

Earl pointed to the no fault stand down policy as being partially responsible for this.

“You are shunned like a black cat. There is no money, there is no assistance and this caused great distress to Manese and his family,” she said.

NRL Manly player Manase Fainu, centre, departs Parramatta Courthouse during a lunch break.
NRL Manly player Manase Fainu, centre, departs Parramatta Courthouse during his trial. (SMH)

Cunneen argued that the significant media attention to the case had prevented her client from seeking psychiatric help in public settings where he could be recognized.

“It’s not fun we would submit. It’s horrible. He’s not a showy, flashy man. He’s a humble man… And it’s made it immeasurably harder.”

The court also heard that Fainu had not once breached the onerous bail conditions placed on him, including a curfew and limitations on who he could go outside with.

He felt great shame and remorse over what had occurred and required time to work as a laborer to financially support his family and help pay his legal bills, the judge was told.

In granting the detention application, Judge Williams found Fainu had been reluctant to seek psychiatric help or stick to the prescribed medication. She also found he could still get this assistance while in prison.

The judge also found Fainu had plenty of time to prepare mentally and financially since being charged in 2019.

Readers seeking support and information about mental health or suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.

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Coronial inquest into three Indigenous women’s deaths linked to rheumatic heart disease in Doomadgee continues in Cairns

Alec Doomadgee and Weenie George outside Cairns Courthouse after giving evidence at Rheumatic Heart Disease inquest

A coronial inquest examining the deaths of three Indigenous women in the north-western Queensland town of Doomadgee has begun its next stage in Cairns today, with family members saying “systematic, ingrained racism” was a contributing factor.

The three young women, whose families requested they be referred to as Kaya, Ms Sandy and Betty, died in 2019 and 2020 from complications associated with rheumatic heart disease (RHD).

The inquest was triggered after an ABC Four Corners program revealed the women died after being sent away from the Doomadgee Hospital.

Last month the inquest began in Doomadgee, where family members told the court the women were not properly examined and said the town needed more doctors who live long-term in the community.

During questioning, Counsel Assisting the Coroner, Melina Zerner, told the court that between August 2021 and 2022, only 4 per cent of RHD patients in Doomadgee were receiving all of their prescribed injections.

Kaya’s mother, Weenie George described the years her daughter lived with RHD, and the painful injections she endured.

She told the court Kaya regularly took her medication and brought it with her when she went to boarding school and on a holiday to the Northern Territory, just before she became ill.

Ms George described first seeing her daughter in the NT, after several weeks being stuck because of border closures.

“She wasn’t looking good at all… swollen, short of breath,” she said.

Alec Doomadgee, who was a father figure to Kaya, said she was very responsible with her health and he was sure systemic racism played a part in the women’s deaths.

He said when he spoke to Kaya in June 2020, after she had visited her boyfriend in the NT, he could tell something was wrong.

“She said: ‘I’m not well Dad’.”

‘I had faith in the system’

He said after being discharged from Alice Springs Hospital, Kaya was taken to a clinic in Doomadgee.

“I thought they’d fly her out… I was pretty comfortable, I had faith in the system,” he said.

Mr Doomadgee became choked up and wept while describing the following weeks where he said he had to fight for Kaya to be transported to Mt Isa, Townsville and then Brisbane hospitals, where she underwent several surgeries but never recovered.

He said he’d like to see a “guardian angel” system established in health systems, where someone independent from the health service could advocate for Indigenous patients.

He said this could help address the imbalance of power inherent in health systems, especially in Indigenous communities.

“It’s systemic, ingrained racism that our country is built on… white people are the authority figures in the community,” he said.

The former acting manager of the RHD register, and registered nurse Kylie McKenna, told the court diagnosis and treatment were both challenging in Indigenous communities.

Nurse Kylie McKenna leave court after giving evidence at the Rheumatic Heart Disease inquest
Nurse Kylie McKenna gave evidence about the difficulty of getting people in Indigenous communities treatment for rheumatic heart disease.(ABC News: Brendan Mounter)

She said while there were clear guidelines to diagnose RHD, symptoms weren’t uniform, and some tests could only be done when the person was symptomatic.

“It’s a lot of criteria to be met… a lot [of cases] are probable or possible,” she said.

Ms McKenna also described the pain and burden of the only available treatments for RHD: monthly bicillin injections or twice daily oral penicillin — both could be given for a minimum of five years or for a person’s entire life if required.

She said injections were the most common form of treatment but could be extremely uncomfortable.

“It’s like getting toothpaste administered through a very large needle,” she said.

Ms McKenna said it was crucial for staff to be well trained and known in the community to make sure treatments were administered regularly.

“You need people who understand it’s a painful injection,” she said.

She said staff also needed to be trained in pain reduction techniques as well as cultural issues around shame and the other life commitments many patients have.

Three women sit at a table and chairs outside a brick hospital building. The photo is taken between the bars of the fence.
Family members told the court the women were not properly examined at Doomadgee Hospital.(Four Corners: Louie Eroglu ACS)

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Woman faces court charged with child abduction as Darwin girl Grace Hughes, 5, and mother remain missing

Woman faces court charged with child abduction as Darwin girl Grace Hughes, 5, and mother remain missing

A woman charged with child abduction in relation to the disappearance of five-year-old Grace Hughes has faced court, as police continue to search for the Darwin girl.

Juliet Oldroyd, 50, was charged yesterday with one count of abducting a child under 16 and one count of attempting to abduct a child under 16.

She was interviewed at a property in Anula last week, with police saying she was later arrested for allegedly refusing to provide information about Grace and her mother’s whereabouts.

Police allege Grace was taken without permission by her mother Laura Hinks, also known as Laura Bolt, during a supervised parental visit on the afternoon of August 7.

During her first court appearance today, Ms Oldroyd told Judge Thomasin Opie she would not be seeking legal aid, but had no current representation other than her husband, Craig Oldroyd.

A woman and a young girl smile into the camera. The photo is in black and white.
Laura Hinks and her daughter Grace Hughes remain missing. (Supplied: NT Police)

Mr Oldroyd told the court he did not have any legal qualifications, but later told media outside court that he had contacted an “international human rights lawyer”.

The accused was supported in court by a group of people who stood and applauded after she was escorted back to the cells when the case was adjourned.

Judge Opie had to instruct members of the public in the courtroom to sit down and “show courtesy to allow the court to proceed uninterrupted.”

A man with a beard and wearing a tie holds a bundle of papers and speaks into two microphones.
Juliet Oldroyd’s husband Craig Oldroyd said he will act on behalf of his wife in court. (ABC News: Melissa Mackay)

Search for Grace continues

A young girl of age five smiles into the camera.
Police are appealing for public information to find Grace. (Supplied: NT Police)

Police said in a statement yesterday they were using “all resources necessary” to find Grace, who has now been missing for more than a week.

They also said Grace and her mother may have traveled interstate.

Anyone with information on the pair’s whereabouts are being urged to contact police.

Ms Oldroyd’s matter will return to court on August 22.

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Woman found dead in Bluewater bushland was in relationship with man arrested over her death, Queensland police say

Police tape near a quad bike on a sandy track

Detectives say a man arrested over the death of a woman in north Queensland had been in a relationship with the victim for several months.

Mother of four Tania Trickey, 44, was killed at Bluewater, near Townsville, some time on Saturday morning.

A group of teenagers riding quad bikes discovered the body on a sandy track in bushland that afternoon.

Police arrested a 38-year-old Deeragun man at a service station in Proserpine around 8:30pm on Sunday after his car was spotted by patrolling officers.

“Police were basically able to take him by surprise,” Detective Inspector Jason Shepherd said.

Police have seized the man’s vehicle, which will be subject to forensic examination.

“We hope to obviously find evidence that will link our person of interest and the vehicle to the crime scene [at Bluewater],” Detective Inspector Shepherd said.

Pair allegedly drove to remote area together

Witches hats line a sandy path at the crime scene
Police believe the woman died on Saturday.(ABC News: Lily Nothling)

Police said the man and Ms Trickey had been in a relationship for a few months.

The pair allegedly drove to the remote area at Bluewater together on Saturday where the woman was later found dead.

Detective Inspector Shepherd said they were able to identify the man after his vehicle was captured on dash-cam footage near the scene.

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Fears person and dog were swept away in flooded Victorian creek

Police are calling for the public’s help following a report a person and a dog were swept away in a flooded creek in Victory‘s east early this morning.

A person and a small dog were seen walking down Whittakers Road in Traralgon about 5.30am, before the person appeared to stop to roll up their trousers near the banks of the swollen Traralgon Creek, according to police.

A witness has told police they believe the pair were then swept away in the creek.

Police want to identify this person and dog over fears they could have been swept away in a creek. (Nine)

The creek is at ‘minor flood levels’ after heavy rainfall in Gippsland.

Police have searched the area and have investigated sightings of the person and the dog and have been unable to confirm whether the pair was swept away.

Police have also not received any reports of people missing in the area, but are concerned about what may have happened to the person and the dog.

Victoria Police are trying to identify this person and their dog. (Nine)

Officers have released CCTV and images of the pair in the hope someone will come forward and help confirm their identity.

Police are also calling for the person themselves to contact police to let officers know they are okay.

It is believed the person may be wearing slippers and may have a slight limp.