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Australia

No new gas connections for ACT homes and businesses from 2023 under plan to phase out fossil fuels

Cooking on a gas stove

Canberra homes and businesses will be unable to install a gas connection from next year under the ACT government’s plan to ditch fossil fuels by 2045.

Households are already leading the way, as natural gas prices convince them to switch to electricity to save money.

And Canberra’s new suburbs have already been designed without gas connections.

However, the government tabled legislation today to end all connections to new builds — including in older suburbs — as of January 1.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the transition — far ahead of the rest of the country’s schedule — would be “gradual and gentle.”

He said cutting off new gas connections was the only way to meet the ACT’s target of eliminating greenhouse-gas emissions.

“The days of cheap gas in Australia appear to be over,” Mr Barr said.

“Renewable electricity is now the cheapest and cleanest way to power our homes and businesses.”

An aerial view of houses with solar panels on their rooftops.
About two-thirds of Canberra homes have a gas connection, though the number has been shrinking.(Supplied: ACT government)

About two-thirds of Canberra homes use natural gas — for heating, water systems or cooking — and the fuel accounts for about 20 per cent of the ACT’s emissions.

The ACT already buys more electricity from renewable sources than it uses: it reached its 100 per cent target three years ago.

Most remaining emissions come from transport, and the government revealed plans last month to phase out petrol and diesel engines.

Mr Barr said the government would help Canberrans to turn off their gas entirely by 2045.

“We know we need to make this transition in a responsible and considered manner — a way that provides certainty to households and businesses but also supports them during the transition,” he said.

Market forces already encouraging Canberrans to switch

A tradesman in bright yellow working on a power meter.
Each year, about one in 50 ACT households year switches from gas to electricity.(Supplied: ACT government)

Even before the Ukraine war worsened the global energy crisis, prices had been driving Canberrans to disconnect from mains gas.

In the two decades to 2020, gas costs for ACT households doubled after accounting for inflation.

They are expected to rise a further 19 per cent over the coming decade — about $220 a year more for a typical home.

Meanwhile, electricity prices are predicted to fall 3 per cent.

As a result of these pressures and environmental concerns, about 2 per cent of Canberra households each year have been cutting off their gas supply.

The government now expects that to increase to 2.5 per cent a year.

Its modeling also suggests that, without any policy interventions, market forces alone would reduce Canberra’s gas use by almost 60 per cent by 2045.

Change-over costs the biggest barrier: survey

Photo from above a person's head as they pour seeds into a pan sitting on a flat, black induction cook top.
Shane Rattenbury says induction electric cooktops are preferred even by chefs.(Unsplash: Conscious Design)

The government says a range of incentives will help people and businesses change over.

These include the existing interest-free household loans of up to $15,000 to improve energy efficiency or switch to electricity.

Lower-value homes are also eligible for direct subsidies of up to $5,000.

Climate Change Minister Shane Rattenbury said disconnecting from mains gas was a longer-term goal, and there was no need to hurry, though it made sense to avoid the annual connection fees.

“As your current gas devices come to the end of their life, our advice to you is: make your next one electric,” he said.

“As you go to replace your hot water or heating system, don’t put another gas one in: choose an electric one today.

“It’s better for the environment and it’ll be better for your bank account — and we’ll help you make that transition over the coming years.”

A recent government survey found cost was the biggest barrier preventing Canberrans from switching to electricity.

At present, removing a gas meter and supply pipes costs about $800 per household.

The government said it would work with the Australian Energy Regulator to reduce or abolish that charge.

Mr Rattenbury said the ACT gas network would be switched off in 2045, but the government would not stop people from buying gas in LPG tanks if they wanted to.

“But I would say to those people: those new induction cooktops perform like gas, and the chefs we’ve talked to who’ve tried it love it.”

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Australia

Canberrans to have access to free abortions under new ACT government commitment

Anonymous woman lies in a bed with heart rate monitor clipped on finger at the Marie Stopes clinic in Melbourne.

From mid-2023, Canberra residents will have access to free medical and surgical abortions up to 16 weeks’ gestation.

The ACT government said the decision to remove out-of-pocket costs for abortion services ensured that Canberrans who became pregnant could “make decisions about their healthcare based on what [was] best for them and their bodies.

“This means that individuals will be supported to make a choice about having an abortion without being influenced by financial barriers,” ACT Minister for Women Yvette Berry said.

“It also means that having an abortion can occur in a time-sensitive manner without being delayed due to an inability to pay.”

These services will be accessible to people without a Medicare card and all those who use abortion services will also be eligible to receive free, long-lasting, reversible contraceptives at the time of abortion, which the government said had been shown to reduce demand for abortions in the future.

The initiative to remove out-of-pocket costs will cost the government $4.6 million over four years and aims to improve access to affordable, accessible health services as part of the ACT Women’s Plan 2016-26.

Ms Berry said it was the latest in a string of actions to improve access to safe, accessible abortion services after the procedure was decriminalized in the ACT in 2002.

One more-recent change included banning protesters outside abortion clinics in 2016.

ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said she was proud of the latest commitment from the government.

“With one in three women estimated to experience an unexpected pregnancy in their lifetime, it is essential that these services are safe, affordable and accessible, regardless of how much money you have,” she said.

Free services to be available by mid-2023

Women’s Health Matters chief executive Lauren Anthes welcomed the funding initiative to provide access to free surgical abortions within the ACT’s existing gestational limits.

“Timely access is vital as services become more expensive and harder to access over time,” she said.

“This funding will help people access surgical abortion as soon as possible.”

The ACT government said it would work with service providers on the specific arrangements to cover the out-of-pocket costs for accessing abortion services in the territory.

It said this consultation work was expected to be completed during the first half of 2023.

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Australia

Canberra drug dealer alleges he was shot three times due to rumors he was a ‘kiddie fiddler’

Canberra drug dealer alleges he was shot three times due to rumors he was a 'kiddie fiddler'

A Canberra drug dealer who was shot in the face during a home invasion last year says he was targeted by people who thought he was a paedophile.

The ACT Supreme Court has heard the man had been accused of being a “kiddie fiddler” before being shot three times at a home in Spence in Canberra’s north on March 11, 2021.

The man said he had been at a friend’s house in the early hours of the morning after “catching up with people for drug deals.”

He said Sugimatatihuna Bernard Gabriel Mena, 24, Bradley Joe Roberts, 24, and Rebecca Dulcie Parlov, 25, had then all stormed his friend’s home to “whack” him.

Mr Mena has been charged with attempted murder while Mr Roberts and Ms Parlov were each charged with aggravated burglary.

They have all pleaded not guilty.

The man told the court he had armed himself with a knife for protection and had been prepared to “knuckle on” with the trio when they appeared at the home.

“I was going to stab them,” he said, before adding that he at no point used or attempted to use the knife on any of the three.

He alleged it was Mr Mena who had pulled the trigger, shooting him three times and injuring his face, stomach and arm.

He also told the court Mr Mena, Mr Roberts, and Ms Parlov were all known to him through his drug deals.

Once wounded, the man said he had retreated to the bathroom to call a friend to drive him to Calvary Hospital’s emergency department.

The friend he had called was Ms Parlov’s brother.

Defense says finger was wrongly pointed

During cross examination, defense barristers showed the court text message conversations between the victim and his partner at the time.

The messages showed the man had asked the woman for $750, telling her he had to pay off bikes otherwise they would harm him.

The defense put to the man that the reason he presented to the hospital instead of calling police when he was shot was that he was “frightened of the bikies.”

“No, I don’t like police,” the man replied.

He then confessed that the messages he had sent to his ex-partner had been lies.

“I made up whatever I wanted to get the money out of her because I’m a fiend,” he said.

“I was a druggo… I lied to her.”

The defense also put to the victim that he had falsely accused Mr Mena of being the gunman as it was easier than having to point the finger elsewhere.

But the man said: “No, I saw him do it … I saw him come through the door”, referring to Mr Mena.

The trial is set to run for seven days.

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Australia

ACT Independent senator David Pocock delivers maiden speech in Senate, welcomes deaf community in Auslan

ACT Independent senator David Pocock delivers maiden speech in Senate, welcomes deaf community in Auslan

ACT Independent senator David Pocock has delivered his maiden speech to federal parliament, during which he welcomed the deaf community using Auslan.

In preparing to make his first speech, Senator Pocock asked last week if he could have an Auslan interpreter alongside him on the floor of the Senate.

But Senator Pocock said both major parties denied his request – a decision he labeled “disappointing.”

Instead, as Senator Pocock delivered his first speech to the chamber, Auslan interpreter Mandy Dolejsi appeared on a large TV behind him and was also broadcast translating his words for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

“When I was asked by people in our community to have this first speech live-translated into Auslan I didn’t hesitate to say yes,” Senator Pocock said.

“So, thank you, Mandy, for being here today and translating my words.”

But Senator Pocock said the compromise that had been struck to have Ms Dolejsi in a studio and not on the chamber floor was “the difference between accessibility and inclusion”.

“Today we have achieved the former but not the latter. In future, I hope we can achieve both,” he said.

In a message to further demonstrate what he said was his intention to make Australia’s parliament more inclusive, Senator Pocock himself signed a short welcome to the deaf community, though the Senate cameras were too far away to effectively capture it.

New senator doubles down on action on climate change, restoring territory rights

David Pocock speaking in the Senate chamber.
Senator Pocock says he hopes the latest attempt to restore territory rights will be successful.(ABC News: Ian Cutmore)

Senator Pocock made history on the night of the federal election when he became the first territory senator who was not from a major party.

One of the so-called “teal independents”, he had campaigned on a range of issues, including action on climate change and territory rights.

In addressing the chamber, Senator Pocock solidified his support for the issues, saying he wanted “to be a peace broker in the 47th parliament.”

“There is no challenge greater than facing up to the climate and biodiversity crises we face,” he said.

“Today, the systems that sustain life on earth are at the brink of collapse. The climate as we know it is breaking down and the impacts are now being felt with distressing regularity.

“The challenges facing us are so important. I want to be part of making sure we don’t just end the climate wars, we win them.”

Senator Pocock on Monday threw his support behind a bill introduced to parliament by Canberra MP Alicia Payne and her Northern Territory colleague Luke Gosling.

If successful, the bill would repeat the 1996 ban on the territories debating voluntary assisted dying laws.

“It is time for us to restore the right of the territories to make decisions for themselves. To ensure that our Legislative Assembly here in the ACT gets to make decisions about the future of Canberrans, not MPs from around the country whose own constituents already enjoy these same rights,” Senator Pocock said.

“This is not the first time the parliament has tried to repeal the Andrews Bill. But I hope it will be the last.”

ACT ‘no longer a safe seat’, senator says

Telstra Tower in the foreground overlooking Lake Burley Griffin with the sun setting over mountains.
Senator Pocock says “for too long we have been neglected, ridiculed, looked down on or flat out ignored.”(ABC My Photo: @outdooraus)

In concluding his speech, Senator Pocock vowed to use his power as an independent senator and crossbencher “in the best interests of the people of the ACT.”

“For too long we have been neglected, ridiculed, looked down on or flat out ignored,” he said.

“We’re the nation’s capital. I want this to once again be a source of great pride.

“No longer are we a safe seat … The days of the ACT getting less than a quarter of our share of infrastructure funding by head of population are over.

“And so finally, I would like to say thank you to the people of the ACT. Whether you voted for me or not, I will work on your behalf for the next three years.

“I’m committed to being accessible and transparent and I certainly know that you will hold me to account.”

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Australia

Wondering what the ACT budget means for you? Here are the five key takeaways

Wondering what the ACT budget means for you? Here are the five key takeaways

The ACT government has today released its 2022-23 budget, setting out its spending for the coming year.

There are few surprises enclosed in the documents, with major announcements for health and housing already made in the past week.

But what the papers do reveal is an ACT economy that is thriving, despite outside forces continuing to threaten Canberrans’ hip pockets.

1. Things are better than we thought

First, the good news: the territory is faring better than expected.

In October last year, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr delivered an economic update. An outbreak of the Delta variant of COVID-19 had forced a lengthy lockdown, leading to a $951.5 million deficit.

But, according to the budget papers released today, that position has improved, with the deficit now sitting at $580.4 million.

“The ACT economy has outperformed expectations, demonstrating resilience and flexibility in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and other adverse global and national events,” the budget papers state.

Today, Mr Barr, who is also the ACT’s Treasurer, credited that improved economic position largely to a surging population.

“Revenue has driven that improved situation, which is largely a reflection of the territory’s increased population,” he said.

A main street lined with trees and greenery.
The ACT economy’s recovery from the effects of lockdowns has been stronger than expected.(ABC News: Ian Cutmore)

But it’s not all good news — that boom in people also has a downside.

“The fact that our population has grown by nearly 90,000 people demonstrates that people want to live in Canberra,” Mr Barr said.

“And that explains why we have seen such strong demand for housing, such strong enrollments in our schools and pressure on our health system.”

And it’s that growth and demand that has guided much of the budget spending announced today.

2. Costs are going up, but the government says we can afford it

Close-up of Australian currency on leather handbag with keys and face mask to the right
Some costs are expected to increase, including parking fees and gas bills.(ABC Everyday: Fiona Purcell)

Over the past two years, many costs have been mitigated or put on pause by the government to ease financial pressures brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

But those measures are gradually ending.

A pause on an increase to government paid parking is set to end, which means Canberrans will notice a jump in prices.

Home owners will also notice an increase in household rates of 3.75 per cent on average.

For homes, that means $111 more per year and, for units, an extra $67.

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Australia

ACT budget 2022: Winners and losers

ACT budget 2022: Winners and losers

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr has released the details of his 11th budget as Treasurer — his third since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Here are some of the ways the budget may affect you and Canberra.

Winner: Home owners

An illustration of a house with a Hill's Hoist washing line beside it.

Hang on: don’t rising interest rates make home owners with mortgages losers?

Maybe, but the ACT government doesn’t have much to say about interest rates.

It does set household rates bills, though. And, while these will still increase, this year’s rate rises for Canberrans who own homes will be much gentler than in recent years.

The average bill is set to increase by 2.5 per cent — or $111 per year — in 2022-23.

That’s well below inflation and comes after a decade in which rates typically rose by 6 to 7 per cent a year.

Loser: Unit owners

An illustration of skyscrapers in the city.

Canberrans who own units and townhouses face much steeper rate rises than owners of houses.

The average bill for these properties will increase by 9.9 per cent — or $67 per year — in 2022-23.

These owners had been spared some of the very large hikes that house owners had borne in previous years.

But as the value of units and townhouses rises, their owners’ taxes will increase, too.

Winner:Economy

Illustration of pile of coins increasing in height

If you looked at Canberra’s economic indicators and nothing else, you might well conclude: “The pandemic must be over.”

The ACT economy is hurtling along, fueled by a relatively fast-growing population. The federal government has played a big part, employing more staff and consultants.

State final demand (the size of the economy) grew by 3.2 per cent last year after accounting for inflation. Residents and businesses are spending significantly more than they were.

And while rising electricity prices are weighing down other jurisdictions, the ACT has been largely spared due to its long-term renewable energy contracts.

All this has left the ACT budget hundreds of millions of dollars better off than was expected a year ago.

But, can it last?

Winner: Workers

An illustration of a man with a builders hat in front of a brick wall.

Make hay, Canberra workers: now, more than any other time in living memory, is the moment to ask for a pay rise or find a new job.

Treasury officials note there are consistently more job vacancies in the ACT than there are workers. They also expect new employment opportunities to continue to outpace population growth.

This hasn’t yet contributed to real pay rises; inflation is hitting everyone.

But salaries are already rising in Canberra, mostly in the private sector. The Albanese government has also ditched the 2 per cent a year ceiling on public servants’ pay rises.

Wage growth is forecast to reach about 3.5 per cent within a year, while inflation is expected to drop well below that.

Neutral: Employers

Illustration of person at desk writing

Job vacancies in Canberra are at record highs and under-employment is at a record low, and that’s not great news for employers.

The budget papers cite the lack of skilled workers as a significant risk to the economy. The COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have also led to shortages of a range of materials.

Nonetheless, consumer confidence in Canberra is high. Household spending and business investment are buoyant, too.

The current shortages are a challenge to businesses, but the ACT has more than its share of market opportunities to make up for that.

Neutral: Homebuyers

Illustration of piggy bank and money notes on ground.

The ACT is continuing to phase out stamp duty in favor of land taxes, which will make housing cheaper than it would otherwise be.

Stamp duty will fall this coming year for properties priced below $1.5 million.

The budget also details plans for 30,000 extra dwellings in Canberra over the next five years.

Nonetheless, that’s what’s needed to house the ACT’s growing population.

There’s no quick fix — at least, not in this budget — for the ongoing crisis in housing affordability and rental availability.

Winner: Schools

An illustration of a school hat on top of a pile of books.

Canberra is growing quickly, and the city needs either new or expanded schools to cope with the influx, particularly in northside suburbs.

This budget confirms funding for a new early childhood and primary school in Whitlam, as well as a new high school in Taylor.

Majura Primary, in Watson, and Margaret Hendry School, also in Taylor, will be expanded to take on more students.

The government has also set aside money to install shades, improve ventilation and hire more cleaners for schools across Canberra.

Loser: Gambling

It’s about getting a little harder to make a profit from gambling.

The ACT’s betting operations tax — paid by casinos and businesses that run pokies, lotteries or betting games — is rising from 15 to 20 per cent.

The government says the increase will improve both the economy and Canberrans’ wellbeing.

Winner: Recycling

Illustration of 3 arrows going around in a circle

It’ll cost 1.75 per cent more to dump household, business or industrial waste at the tip.

That’s on top of the usual increase that’s part of the government’s indexation for fees and charges.

Tip fees had been frozen during the pandemic, but the government says it wants people to try to recycle more and reduce their waste.

Loser: Fossil fuels

Illustration of pollution in the form of smoke

The ACT already buys enough renewable electricity to cover 100 per cent of what it uses.

The government is now focused on cutting fossil fuels used for heating and transport.

Government offices that use gas will switch to electricity, and poorer Canberrans will be funded to replace gas appliances and install insulation.

Canberra’s gas and diesel buses will be replaced, gradually, with electric ones.

This budget also begins to fund incentives for electric vehicles, such as free registration and exemption from stamp duty.

Last year, 5 per cent of new motor vehicles in the ACT were electric. The government wants that to be as high as 90 per cent by 2030.

Neutral: Healthcare

An illustration of a hospital bed.

Healthcare is the giant of every ACT budget, accounting for about 30 cents of every dollar spent.

This budget significantly increases health spending — mostly for the expansion of the Canberra Hospital and to buy new clinical equipment.

However, many of the ACT’s ongoing healthcare problems stem not from a lack of facilities but from the perennial challenge of recruiting skilled staff.

That problem will continue to hang over the health system, and will likely worsen as a result of the ACT’s tight labor market.

Winner: Visitors

Line drawing of people waiting for airplane.

The borders have reopened, which means the battle for tourists is on.

The ACT government is bolstering two annual drawcards — Floriade and Enlighten — to attract interstate visitors.

Money has also been set aside to help secure blockbuster art exhibitions.

The budget continues to fund the redevelopment and expansion of the Canberra Theater Centre, though that will take years to complete.

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Australia

Former Canberra Rebels bikie boss Ali Bilal jailed over expletive-laden threatening phone calls

Former Canberra Rebels bikie boss Ali Bilal jailed over expletive-laden threatening phone calls

The former boss of the Canberra Rebels bikie club has been jailed over a series of phone conversations, riddled with expletives, during which he threatened to hurt several people.

Ali Bilal, 50, pleaded guilty to five charges relating to using a carriage service to harass or threaten serious harm after the conversations were captured in telephone intercepts.

In one conversation played to the ACT Magistrates Court, he told a woman he was trying to contact someone and wanted her to arrange the meeting, ignoring the woman’s pleas to listen to her.

“Get him to meet me. That’s it,” Bilal screamed into the phone.

“I’m gonna f*** him, his mother, his father. I’m not gonna leave anybody tonight,” Bilal told her.

In another conversation, Bilal asked a man who had angered him where he was.

“We’ll just come to you now,” he said.

“Forget the bulls***.

“We’ll come to the site where you are now and we’ll deal with you in public in front of everybody to finally make a statement in this town.

“I’m happy to go to jail for it. Let’s not f*** around anymore.”

Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker said the conversations revealed a grandiose and alarming attitude and displayed “manipulative aggression”.

But she noted Bilal had said he never intended to carry out the threats.

Chief Magistrate Walker said Bilal had also expressed some remorse in his pre-sentence report, although she said that he should be qualified.

“He has not demonstrated contrition in any practical sense,” she said.

The court heard that Bilal had left the Rebels, although Chief Magistrate Walker said that news was also “received with some skepticism” given Bilal’s long association with gangs.

Chief Magistrate Walker said some of the conversations may have been driven by some kind of perverted form of moral authority.

But she said there was no other option but to send him to jail.

Bilal has been sentenced to 13 months in prison, but that will be suspended after four months.

He will also have to sign an 18-month supervision order.

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Australia

Canberra man denied bail after ACT police charge him with drugging, raping and robbing his Grindr date

Canberra man denied bail after ACT police charge him with drugging, raping and robbing his Grindr date

A Canberra man has been refused bail after he allegedly drugged, raped and robbed another man he met via the dating app Grindr.

Shae Elliott, 22, was arrested after he handed himself in to police.

The ACT Magistrates Court denied him bail today after hearing how the alleged victim was afraid because Mr Elliott knew where he lived.

Police said the pair made contact on Grindr and met late last month, when they had sex and took drugs, including methamphetamine.

The alleged victim told police he allowed Mr Elliott to put on some of his clothes. He also posted photos of himself with Mr Elliott on Facebook.

Unidentified male hands holding smartphone with dating app Grindr logo on screen.
The pair met via the gay dating app Grindr.(Pixabay/ABCNews)

But court documents say the situation turned when Mr Elliott brought drugs, including GHB, to the alleged victim’s home.

The alleged victim said he agreed to take some GHB with Mr Elliott but was given a higher dose than he expected and passed out.

He contacted police when he woke up, discovered he had been allegedly raped and found his belongings had been stolen.

Police allege Mr Elliott took $400 in cash, a jacket, two pairs of shoes, a watch and perfume, and also wiped the alleged victim’s phone.

Prosecutors urged the court to deny bail, saying there was a risk Mr Elliott would not turn up to face his charges.

They noted the alleged crimes displayed escalation in his behaviour.

Magistrate Glenn Theakston refused bail, saying he was concerned about Mr Elliott’s history of violence and re-offending.

The case will return to court later this month.

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Australia

Family of five-year-old who died at Canberra Hospital still waiting for answers as they grieve

Family of five-year-old who died at Canberra Hospital still waiting for answers as they grieve

From a room filled with unopened birthday presents, to framed photos and videos on phones, the Spadafora family’s home is filled with sweet and painful reminders of the little girl they lost.

For the mother of five-year-old Rozalia Spadafora, who died earlier this month at the Canberra Hospital, bedtime is the worst.

“I sleep with the little pajamas that she had on at hospital because that’s the only thing I have,” Katrina Spadaford said.

“My son, he doesn’t even want to come out of his bedroom… he’s just distraught.”

‘No help ever came’

In the days before her fifth birthday, Rozalia became unwell with what the doctor at first thought was an ear infection.

A young girl with pigtails plays on the sand at the beach.
It was initially believed Rozalia Spadafora had an ear infection.(Supplied)

“It was just like a thing that many kids have been through before: a fever, sore throat,” Katrina said.

“With antibiotics, within a couple of days she was back to almost her normal self.”

But the weekend before her birthday she took a turn for the worse.

She awoke pale and lethargic with a swollen face.

On the recommendation of a doctor, Katrina and her mother took Rozalia to the Canberra Hospital’s emergency department.

What followed was a long order, through which Rozalia was left waiting for hours with what the family described as only the most cursory of examinations.

Even when Rozalia began throwing up, Katrina said their calls for help weren’t answered.

“No help ever came,” she said.

“My mother went to find more bed linen and blankets.”

Emergency helicopter diverted to airport

A photo of a young girl with pigtails, framed sits on a table.
Rozalia’s family say they want to know more about how and why she died.(ABC News: Harry Frost)

Eventually the family were told Rozalia had Influenza A, and there was swelling around her heart.

However, because no pediatric cardiologist was available, she would need to be flown to Sydney.

It took several more hours for a helicopter to arrive and, even then, the family were told it wasn’t able to land at the hospital because the “tarmac was damaged” and it was diverted to the airport.

Katrina said medical staff struggled to get monitoring equipment to work so Rozalia could be driven to the airport.

But by then it was too late. Rozalia went into cardiac arrest.

“Her eyes rolled back and I could tell that that was it,” Katrina said.

“They rushed me, my mom and my dad out of the room.

“They came to give updates while they were doing [cardio pulmonary resuscitation] — giving us false hope. I knew it was false hope.

“They tried for about an hour but they couldn’t bring her back — she passed away.”

Katrina said they had around 20 minutes with Rozalia’s body before police arrived to take statements.

A young girl poses with her hand on her hip.
Rozalia was too unwell to open her birthday presents, and died the day after her birthday.(Supplied)

The family were left in shock, but Katrina said they weren’t contacted by the hospital until the day that ABC News reported a coronial investigation was underway.

Katrina said the family has serious concerns about Rozalia’s treatment in the lead-up to her death.

“I want to know what exactly happened,” Katrina said.

“When did they know my daughter was that sick and why wasn’t I told?”

“And I want to know why we don’t have the equipment here to deal with these problems.

“Why do we need to go to Sydney?

“We’re in the nation’s capital – this is a joke.

“No other family should have to go through this.

Canberra too small for some specialized services, Chief Minister says

Ambulance outside Canberra Hospital emergency department
An investigation has been launched into the circumstances surrounding Rozalia’s death at the Canberra Hospital.(ABC News: Penny McLintock)

Speaking on ABC Canberra on Friday, Chief Minister Andrew Barr said attracting and maintaining specialist medical services to the capital was difficult, given the ACT’s population, compared to that of Sydney and Melbourne.

“That is a reality of a city of 450,000 people as opposed to a city of five million people,” Mr Barr said.

“The range of health services is always going to be larger [in bigger cities].

“There are certain things where even Australia, with 26 million people, is too small to be able to sustain really highly specialized services for very rare health conditions.

“We’re all very, very sad about that news [of Rozalia’s death] and obviously we’ll take any recommendations from a coroner with the utmost seriousness.”

Health Minister Rachel Stephen Smith also offered condolences this week and said staff involved in the incident were being supported.

Katrina said her family had received no direct correspondence from the government.

In the aftermath, they are left with the birthday presents Rozalia was too unwell to open, the day before her death.

“I have to live with this and I’m not getting any support. I didn’t receive a phone call,” she said.

An investigation by the ACT Coroner has been launched.

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Categories
Sports

Child sexual abuse survivors struggle for justice as small sporting organizations are slow to sign up to the National Redress Scheme

Girl wearing softball glove and a cap.

Karen* was a dynamo on the softball field.

A happy child, who loved the game and her teammates, and was “totally focused on winning a gold medal.”

So, when she was singled out and made to feel special about her ability by a coach, she didn’t see anything but encouragement.

“I had no clue grooming was a thing,” Karen said.

“I was completely oblivious.

“I didn’t see anything wrong in what was happening.”

Karen was 14 years old when she first met the person she says groomed her over several years, before the situation turned sexual.

She’d been flattered by phone calls and letters and encouraged to move interstate for her sport.

But then she found herself under someone else’s control, and was even forced to lie to her parents about the situation.

“It was almost as though a switch was turned off and from that moment any relationship with anybody … was just wrong because there was this lie,” she said.

‘They said they didn’t have insurance for that’

Karen eventually found her way out of the situation and built a new life, but the anguish of the grooming and abuse resurfaced when her own child began playing softball.

And that’s when she says she struck a brick wall.

Karen says the person who abused her was an Australian softball coach, and she believes Softball Australia is liable.

Softball Australia was not part of the National Redress Scheme set up after the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, so she sought help from lawyers for a civil claim.

But she has accused the organization of stonewalling.

“They were approached and they pretty much denied any responsibility,” she said.

“They said they didn’t have insurance for these sorts of things and there was nothing they could really do.”

Woman wearing glasses and a blue top.
Karen says she was blocked in her bid for redress when she approached Softball Australia. (ABC News: Nickoles Coleman)

The National Redress Scheme says Softball Australia is now in the process of joining and has been included in a list of hundreds of others who’ve lodged an interest in being part of the scheme.

But lawyer Simon Brook from KnowMore, who works with survivors of child sexual abuse who are trying to get access to the scheme, says it remains a problem that some of the smaller sports have not signed up until now.

“Unfortunately, it is a serious issue and it does seem to be widespread across a number of sports,” he said.

He has suggested there could be some encouragement.

“The Australian government could consider further options for encouraging sport institutions to sign up to the National Redress Scheme,” he said.

‘Zero tolerance’ for behavior that puts young people at risk

But while Softball Australia is still working its way forward to join the redress scheme, it has taken other steps to deal with any contemporary allegations.

In a statement, the organization says it has zero tolerance for any behavior that puts the wellbeing of children and young people at risk.

“Softball Australia has a dedicated senior staff member to handle member complaints, and any complaint – whether historical or contemporary – must be treated in a timely and sensitive manner,” the statement outlined.

The organization also says it has adopted the National Integrity Framework, which aims to protect children in sport and is run through Sport Integrity Australia.

Sport Integrity Australia is better known for its drug monitoring, but now has a child protection policy, which includes a court system.

Girl holding a softball bat.
Karen says a softball coach started grooming her when she was just 14. (Supplied)

For Karen, nothing can change the past, but she says some things could make a difference.

“An apology would be amazing, for myself and my family, my parents,” she said.

“So I could move forward.”

And she has a message for any young players and their families about the warning signs to watch out for.

“That special attention [or] being singled out, especially in a team kind of environment,” she said.

“If it doesn’t feel right and if someone is telling you to lie about something.

“It’s something that is very difficult to get out of, once it’s started.”

* Karen has chosen not to include her surname in this story.

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