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Sydney news: ‘Proactive NSW policing’ in place after two women fatally shot

Sydney news: 'Proactive NSW policing' in place after two women fatally shot

Here’s what you need to know this morning.

‘Proactive policing’ in place after double homicide

Detectives say “proactive policing” is underway to prevent retaliation attacks after a double murder in Sydney’s south-west.

Two women, aged 48 and 39, were killed when their car was sprayed with bullets in Revesby on Saturday night.

Yesterday, Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said the case had been allocated with significant resources, including officers from gangs squad, Strike Force Raptor.

“And it’s always concerning: What’s the repercussions of all this? But we’re going to be doing our best to try [to] suppress that,” he said.

Police say the older woman was known to them and believe she was targeted because of her “past relationships with other known identities.”

A 16-year-old girl and a 20-year-old man, who were also in the car during the attack, were uninjured and are cooperating with police.

Detectives are working to determine if several burnt-out cars found nearby are linked and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

NSW Labor leader did not investigate bullying allegations

a man standing outside and talking
The Opposition Leader says Labor has an independent complaints-handling system.(Facebook: Chris Minns)

Opposition Leader Chris Minns did not investigate allegations of workplace bullying by his frontbencher, Walt Secord, saying that’s in line with the Labor Party’s complaints-handling policy.

On Friday, Mr Secord “unreservedly apologized” for his conduct and stated that he could be “too blunt and too direct”, after an ABC investigation revealed several of his current and former colleagues alleged he had engaged in bullying behaviour.

The Opposition Leader says the Labor Party has an independent complaints-handling system.

“It is critical that the process remains independent and, therefore, above the review of any parliamentary or party official,” Mr Minns said.

“Any grievances pursued outside this risks supplanting the independent process and the objectives for which it was designed: to protect complainants and to handle their complaints with care, respect and without prejudice.”

The allegations leveled at Mr Secord coincided with the release of the Broderick Review, which found bullying is systemic in the New South Wales parliament.

Barilaro internal review into appointment due today

John Barilaro gestures with his hand
John Barilaro was due to front the inquiry again on Friday but was unable due to sickness. (AAP: Bianca De Marchi)

An internal review into John Barilaro’s controversial appointment to a lucrative trade role in New York is expected to be released today.

That review — by New South Wales Public Service Commissioner Graeme Head — was announced by the Premier, Dominic Perrottet, in late June and is separate to the parliamentary inquiry into the appointment.

The Head review has already led to the resignation of Stuart Ayres from cabinet and as leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party after it “raised concerns” about his conduct around Mr Barilaro’s appointment.

Calls for more visas for Afghans

Two men stand in the tray of a green ute labeled POLICE. They are holding weapons and watching the street
Today marks the one-year anniversary of the fall of Kabul to the Taliban.(Reuters: Ali Khara)

A Sydney human rights lawyer is calling on the federal government to provide 20,000 emergency humanitarian visas for people trapped in Afghanistan.

Today marks one year since the capital, Kabul, fell to the Taliban.

In that time, scores of civilians have been killed or injured, women’s rights have been scaled back and food insecurity has risen, according to a recent Amnesty International report.

Refugee Advice and Casework Service’s Arif Hussein said that increased protections needed to be prioritized.

“Allowing people, refugees from Afghanistan currently in Australia living on temporary visas, to remain here permanently, and allowing for family reunification visas to be processed quicker,” he said.

City2Surf a boost for businesses

people dressed up in costumes taking part in a run
About 60,000 people took part in this year’s City2Surf, which returned to Sydney’s streets after a two-year COVID-19 hiatus.(ABC News: Helena Burke)

The greater Waverley in Sydney’s east is hopeful this year’s City2Surf has given the local economy a boost.

About 60,000 people took part in the 14-kilometre fun run, which has been held virtually for the past two years.

People traveled from around Australia to take part in the event.

Mayor Paula Masselos said Bondi businesses were bouncing back.

“The cafes, the shops were absolutely packed. It really was fabulous to see the vibe that was there,” she said.

“It was happy. It was positive. COVID has had a significant impact. The City2Surf and other events like this are really important in helping the local economy.”

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Australia

John Barilaro warned to prepare for inquiry grilling over girlfriend’s job at Investment NSW

John Barilaro warned to prepare for inquiry grilling over girlfriend's job at Investment NSW

Former deputy premier John Barilaro has been told to prepare for a grilling about his girlfriend’s job at Investment NSW later this week, as the saga into his appointment to a lucrative trade position continues.

Yesterday, Mr Barilaro faced a parliamentary inquiry into his appointment as the state’s Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner to the Americas — a prestigious job based in New York which he has since withdrawn from.

During his evidence yesterday, Mr Barilaro said he had spoken to Premier Dominic Perrottet, then-trade minister Stuart Ayres and Treasurer Matt Kean about how he wanted the $500,000-a-year role.

He also told the inquiry he recommended his former media advisor, and girlfriend, Jennifer Lugsdin, for a role at Investment NSW last year.

Investment NSW was, initially, the government body charged with hiring for the New York job, as well as several similar posts around the globe.

Investment NSW CEO Amy Brown, who returned to the inquiry yesterday for a third time, said she remembered a call from Mr Barilaro in which he said Ms Lugsdin was looking for new opportunities.

“He heard we were building out our media and communications … I said to him she is welcome to apply for such opportunities and my head of media and communications is making arrangements,” Ms Brown said.

She said Mr Barilaro didn’t make any comments about his relationship with Ms Lugsdin, and, she was awarded a contract with Investment NSW in August 2021.

Mr Barilaro told the inquiry he was not in a relationship with her while he was deputy premier, or in cabinet.

It was also revealed that Ms Lugsdin had advanced warning of when the New York job was going to be advertised.

She was included in an email chain sent on December 9 which stated Mr Ayres — who was a trade minister at the time — was keen for the US role to be advertised “this year”.

It was formally advertised on December 17.

Mr Barilaro was told to prepare for questioning about Ms Lugsdin’s employment when hearings resume on Friday.

“Someone you were in a relationship with… was clearly aware of the various processes associated with the advertising and the nature of [the US trade] position,” Labor’s Penny Sharpe told him at yesterday’s hearing.

Mr Barilaro said Ms Lugsdin wasn’t working at Investment NSW when he applied for the job in January 2022 as her short-term contract ended in December 2021.

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John Barilaro says trade role saga is a “personal hell”

Last week, Mr Ayres resigned from his portfolios and leadership position after a separate review into the appointment raised concerns about his potential role.

I have denies wrongdoing.

Today, Liberal MPs are set to determine who will become the party’s new deputy leader.

Transport Minister David Elliott yesterday announced he would not contest the position, after a discussion with the Premier, who “laid down his demand for unity.”

“Dominic [Perrottet] said to me that he’d prefer not to have a ballot, he certainly didn’t tell me to withdraw,” he said.

“I think it’s in Dominic [Perrottet’s] best interests for us to have some unity for the parliament over the course of the next eight months as we go to an election.

“Yes, I’m disappointed. Yes, I’ve had to eat humble pie … I’ve had to say to the Premier, you’re the boss.”

a man standing on stairs smiling
Matt Kean is the only declared candidate for the job of deputy leader of the NSW Liberals.(AAP: Dan Himbrechts)

Mr Elliott’s withdrawal leaves Treasurer Matt Kean as the only declared candidate for the deputy role after he confirmed his intentions yesterday.

“I’ll be sticking my hand up and it’s up to colleagues to determine whether or not they think I’ve got the credentials to support our leader and to support our party at this time,” Mr Kean said.

“I welcome other candidates putting themselves forward.”

Mr Kean also ruled out any leadership challenge to the Premier.

“I want to go to an election where Dom Perrottet takes forward the Liberal Party and our strong, positive plan for the future up against [Opposition Leader] Chris Minns,” he said.

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Categories
Australia

Sydney news: Former NSW deputy premier John Barilaro to face US trade role inquiry

a man standing in front of a steel gate

Here’s what you need to know this morning.

Barilaro due to give evidence

Former NSW deputy premier John Barilaro will appear today before the inquiry created to investigate his appointment as NSW’s trade commissioner to the Americas.

Mr Barilaro has withdrawn from the $500.00-a-year job based in New York after a public outcry but he will be expected to answer “many questions” in his first appearance at the inquiry.

“You want to understand his role in the creation of these positions, his role in the changing nature of the way in which these positions were appointed,” leader of the opposition in the upper house, Penny Sharpe, said yesterday.

“And any of the discussions that he had with either Minister [Stuart] Ayres or… [NSW Premier Dominic] Perrottet, or indeed anyone else in the government, as he applied for and was eventually offered that job.”

Ms Sharpe also said Labor would seek to expand the inquiry’s terms of reference to include all international senior trade appointments after alleged reports the Premier had offered to create a parliamentary trade role for Transport Minister David Elliott, and had also spoken to him about the agent- general position in London.

In the afternoon, the inquiry will again hear from Investment NSW chief executive Amy Brown in her third appearance before the committee.

Plan to tackle high suicide rate

The NSW opposition has announced a plan to help reduce high rates of suicide.

The proposed legislation includes a specialized suicide-prevention council and mandatory suicide-prevention plans in state government departments.

Opposition Mental Health Spokesman Ryan Park said the legislation would be based on successful government programs in other countries.

“This is above politics,” Mr Park said.

“This is an issue that all of us as legislators have got to work with health experts, education experts, and community experts, as well as those with lived experience, from those with loved ones who have taken their own life, about what we can do in this area.”

NRL great weighs into oval upgrade debate after railing collapses

people standing on a stand as it collapses and they fall
Spectators fell after a railing gave way at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday.(Twitter: Ryan Fitzgerald)

Tigers legend Benny Elias says the collapse of a railing at Sydney’s Leichhardt Oval on Saturday shows why the ground needs an urgent upgrade.

Dozens of spectators fell several meters onto concrete at a schoolboys’ rugby match when a railing at the aging ground gave way.

Leichhardt is one of several suburban ovals the NRL wants the state government to pay to upgrade, threatening to take the grand finale elsewhere if it does not happen.

Mr Elias, who has watched and played many NRL games at the Tigers’ spiritual home, said it was for more than just rugby league.

In a statement, Sport Minister Alister Henskens said the government was committed to upgrading suburban stadiums.

“However, following recent natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, it is appropriate that further investment … is staged,” he said.

The council is investigating the accident.

Foster children feel excluded, report finds

A report has found children and young people in out-of-home care in NSW feel excluded from critical decisions affecting their lives.

The NSW Advocate for Children and Young People report surveyed about 100 people aged from six to 24 years.

Spokesperson Zoe Robinson said the organization had made 19 recommendations to the government to ensure young people felt heard in the foster care system.

Monkeypox vaccine rollout

a person holding a vial of vaccine and injection
More than 5,000 doses of the Jynneos smallpox vaccine will be administered to targeted groups.(abcnews)

NSW’s monkeypox vaccine program starts today, with authorities targeting those deemed to be at the highest risk of contracting the virus.

NSW Health will supply 5,500 doses of the Jynneos smallpox vaccine to targeted groups.

There have been 33 confirmed cases in NSW, with the majority of those picked up overseas.

Men who have sex with men are considered most at risk of contracting monkeypox, which spreads through skin-to-skin contact.

Gay and bisexual men and men who have sex with men who are homeless, sex workers or have significant drug issues which impair their judgment are among the specific groups to receive the first doses.

Crown Sydney casino opens today

the outside of a tall building
Crown was granted a conditional license in June.(Facebook: Crown Sydney)

Crown Sydney casino will open its doors today, less than two years after it was deemed unfit to hold a gaming license.

The casino will be officially opened at an invitation-only event at Barangaroo tonight, with members and guests able to use the facilities on Tuesday.

A public inquiry into Crown revealed allegations of criminal activity and money laundering, and the company was deemed unfit to hold a gaming license.

However, in June the NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority granted Crown a conditional licence, saying it would closely monitor initial operations.

Newmarch inquest entering third week

An inquest into 19 COVID-19 deaths in a Sydney aged care facility is entering its third week.

Deputy state coroner Derek Lee is investigating a two-month outbreak that resulted in 19 deaths at Newmarch House, Kingswood, in 2020.

The inquest has heard some workers refused to look after residents who had tested positive, and at one point there were no staff to serve meals.

It has heard there was intense pressure on staff, and some external staff replacements were so unskilled they were of no benefit.

Families and friends have raised concerns about why residents with COVID-19 were not transferred to hospital.

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Categories
Australia

Barilaro US job inquiry set to probe all NSW trade appointments in wake of claims against Premier

a composite image of two men one wearing glasses

All overseas senior trade roles are set to be investigated by the inquiry looking into the appointment of NSW former deputy premier John Barilaro to the US job.

Labor will seek to get the inquiry’s terms of references expanded and comes ahead of Mr Barilaro’s appearance on Monday.

And as reports emerge in Nine newspapers claiming Premier Dominic Perrottet had offered to create a new parliamentary trade role for Transport Minister David Elliott.

The report also claims the Premier spoke to Mr Elliott about the agent-general position in London as compensation following manoeuvres that could have seen him removed from cabinet. But that didn’t happen.

Leader of the Opposition in the upper house Penny Sharpe said the allegations against the Premier were very serious.

“We already know that there has been significant meddling in these positions for a long time,” she said.

“The Premier can’t hide behind an inquiry. This goes directly to his involvement and he needs to answer those questions straight away.

“I can indicate today that we will be seeking to expand the terms of reference of that inquiry to include all appointments for the senior Trade and Investment Commission role, obviously, including the UK agent-general.”

a woman wearing glasses standing outdoors speaking
Ms Sharpe says recent allegations against the Premier are very serious.(abcnews)

Mr Perrottet did not hold any press conferences today but the ABC put specific questions to his office asking if he “offered to create a parliamentary trade role” or “discussed the agent general position” with David Elliott.

A spokesperson responded in a statement: “Whoever the Premier considers appointing to his ministry is a matter for the Premier alone.”

The same questions were put to David Elliott but were not directly addressed.

“I’m committed to delivering the NSW government’s infrastructure pipeline, which is helping transform our state, and ensuring our public transport delivers first-class services for the people of NSW,” he said in a statement.

“I have no interest in working overseas again.”

The Premier has declined to appear before the inquiry, according to the opposition but they say it’s time for him “to come clean”.

“We would expect that he’d want to provide information to the public,” Ms Sharpe said.

“It flies in the face of everything the Premier has said for the last seven weeks, that these are arm’s length positions… that have absolutely nothing to do with him.

“And in fact, I think the Premier has said that it would be illegal for him to even interfere in these.”

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