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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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Release of NSW Broderick report into toxic culture was dehumanizing, advocate for sexual assault survivors says

a woman wearing glasses standing outdoors in a park

The release of the report into the workplace culture in NSW Parliament was “dehumanizing” and “frustrating”, a former Liberal staffer and advocate for sexual assault survivors says.

Dhanya Mani, who publicly aired allegations of indecent assault against a colleague in 2019, said the report had been handed down with no survivors present.

Conducted by former sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick, the investigation lifted the lid on a “toxic” culture in state parliament.

It found one in three staff had experienced bullying or sexual harassment in the past five years.

Three men and two women reported they had been subjected to an actual or attempted sexual assault at work.

“The optics of this report being released, showed MPs controlling the conversation with survivors completely omitted from that picture,” Ms Mani said.

“It was just something that was very dehumanizing and frustrating. If anything it feeds into these troubling power dynamics that Broderick and her team spoke about in their reports.

“Where they said the power imbalance between staff and MPs was a leading driver that underpins the causes for misconduct.”

a woman walking up a set of stairs
Almost 450 people working at the NSW Parliament responded to a survey.(AAP: Bianca De Marchi)

Hearing their experiences being addressed would have been a first for many survivors, Ms Mani said, and leaders of political parties missed an opportunity to stand with them.

As the only survivor advocate representative on the parliamentary advisory group into sexual harassment, bullying and misconduct, she felt particularly aggrieved with the political leaders.

“I’m mystified that neither leader reached out to me in my capacity in that role, to consult on their statements or the way in which they wanted to approach their responses to this report being handed down,” she said.

“To feel that, even when I’m here that I’m not being seen, that my expertise isn’t really been utilized, just makes me also feel really traumatized.”

Almost 450 people working at the NSW parliament responded to a survey which found widespread bullying and everyday sexism.

The report found the human cost of the abuse was high with staff describing the impact on their mental health, their relationships and their career as “devastating”.

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NSW Labor frontbencher Walt Secord issues ‘unreserved apology’ in wake of Broderick report

a man talking

Senior NSW Labor frontbencher Walt Secord has “unreservedly apologized” for his conduct, after a review into workplace culture at NSW parliament.

Mr Secord has acknowledged that he can be “too blunt and too direct in a fast-paced workplace”, especially with “strict deadlines and highly-stressful situations”.

“If any parliamentary staff members feel that my conduct in the workplace was unprofessional and caused offense or distress and was unacceptable, I unreservedly apologise,” he said in a statement.

Mr Secord’s statement followed an ABC investigation, in which several of Mr Secord’s current and former colleagues named him as having engaged in bullying behaviour.

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NSW parliament’s culture of bullying and sexual harassment revealed by investigation

NSW parliament's culture of bullying and sexual harassment revealed by investigation

Allegations of sexual assault, harassment and bullying have been uncovered in a landmark investigation into the workplace culture at NSW’s parliament house.

One in three respondents said they had experienced sexual harassment or bullying in the past five years, according to the review conducted by former sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick.

The report found 52 per cent of bullying incidents were allegedly perpetrated by members of parliament.

Two per cent of workers indicated they had experienced actual or attempted sexual assault and almost 10 per cent said they had heard about or witnessed at least one sexual assault.

“Both women and men reported experiences of actual or attempted sexual assault,” the report found.

The NSW Parliamentary Executive Group announced the engagement of Ms Broderick to lead the independent review in July last year.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the culture in parliament had become “toxic” in many instances and the report demonstrated the need for change.

“It is sobering, confronting and unacceptable,” he said.

“Every workplace across our state should be free from harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault but this is not the case in the NSW parliament.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.
‘Sobering and confronting’: NSW Premier vows to end workplace harassment in Parliament

“If parliamentarians cannot lead and provide an environment where the workplace is safe, what hope do we have for other workplaces across our great state?”

Almost 450 people, representing 27.7 per cent of all NSW parliamentary workers, participated in the review.

There were more than 100 one-on-one interviews, seven confidential group listening sessions, and 58 confidential written submissions.

The review found bullying was significant across parliamentary workplaces, describing it as “systemic” and “multi-directional”.

Workers have low confidence in structural or cultural protections to prevent bullying or to stop it once it occurs, the report said.

Some offices were described as “well-known hotspots” characterized by high rates of staff turnover related to harmful behaviours.

A woman with a red skirt walks up the front steps of NSW Parliament
Workers told the review they had low confidence that bullying would stop if reported.(Supplied: Parliament of NSW)

About half of the reported incidents occurred at parliament house with the remainder occurring at electorate offices, during work-related travel, at work-related social functions and online.

Alcohol was considered to be a contributing factor.

Mr Perrottet said the report only marked the beginning of cultural reform in the NSW parliament and pledged to follow through on its recommendations.

These include strengthening internal policies and codes of conduct, reducing alcohol use, increasing support services and monitoring those “well-known hotspots” for bullying.

“Today, change will happen. This report will not be the end. This report will be the beginning,” he said.

Minister for Women and Mental Health Bronnie Taylor told MPs and parliamentary staff they need to set the example for behavior in the parliament.

“For those particular people that may be reading this report today, you know who you are, and my very strong advice to you is that you do not belong in the Parliament of NSW,” she said.

“I ask you to think very long and hard about this, and I ask you to make sure that if this is you that is mentioned, get the help that you need and please leave the NSW parliament.”

A man walks in NSW Parliament
The Opposition Leader said the review paints a “dark picture” on both sides of politics.(Supplied: NSW Parliament)

Opposition Leader Chris Minns said the review “paints a really dark picture” for all sides of politics.

“We all need to do better, reach across the aisle, and make sure that we’re making every possible effort to make the NSW parliament a safe workplace.”

He said the report showed there was no real avenue for people to make complaints in the workplace and he supports calls for an independent complaint process to deal with allegations against politicians, MPs and ministerial staff.

“[Currently the] only avenue is to make a complaint to somebody, potentially from the same political party, who has an in-built apprehended bias, a perceived bias or actual bias.”

Independent MP Alex Greenwich said the report painted an unacceptable and unsafe workplace at NSW parliament.

“The experience of women and LGBTIQA+ staff is harrowing, we should set the standard, not be beyond the pale,” Mr Greenwich said.

“Workplaces that welcome and support LGBTIQA+ staff are safer workplaces for everyone, and the NSW parliament has a lot of work to do in this regard.”

The review, commissioned by former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian, said ministerial offices were “unique workplaces”, where staff were under intense public scrutiny and employment protections for ministers were “vastly greater” than those of their staff.

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Dungowan Dam’s $1.3 billion price tag more than three times economic benefit, Greens MP says

Dungowan Dam: TRC

A new dam slated for north-west NSW would cost more than three times the economic benefit it would produce, according to a NSW Greens MP.

Cate Faehrmann said she had seen a summary of the business case for the proposed Dungowan Dam near Tamworth, which the government has refused to release publicly.

Ms Faehrmann said the document showed the dam would only produce 27 cents of benefit for every dollar invested.

“The business case that the government has produced just shows it doesn’t stack up,” she said.

“They cannot show there is enough benefit to the community to justify what is going to be upwards of $1.3 billion.”

The cost of the dam has blown out from $484 million when it was first announced at the height of the last drought in 2019.

The previous federal government committed to fund half the project’s costs, but the new Labor government has not yet announced a position.

A woman with short blonde hair, wearing a blue top, is speaking. She is surrounded by trees
Cate Faehrmann chaired an inquiry into new dam projects across NSW, and was critical of the Dungowan project.(Supplied: David Lowe)

Ms Faehrmann said the business case revealed the government considered, but decided against, other options to improve water security.

They include an increased reserve in the city’s main water storage, Chaffey Dam, for critical town needs, and a pipeline to Tamworth from the nearby Keepit Dam.

“To be honest, I feel it was very cursory. I don’t think a full options analysis has been undertaken,” Ms Faehrmann said.

government undeterred

Water Minister and Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson disputed the claims, and said it was impossible to put a price on water security for Tamworth and the wider region.

“The summary business case clearly shows that this city would run out of water again if we would go back to a 2019-2020 drought,” he said.

A man standing in front of a shopfront in a shopping plaza.
NSW Water Minister Kevin Anderson argues the dam is the best option for town, agricultural, and industry needs.(ABC New England North West: Patrick Bell)

“They’re putting a cost on that, and I think back to 2019 when we were on level-five water restrictions.”

“I think it’s disgraceful.”

He also rebuffed claims the dam was the best option for irrigators, rather than for human needs.

“This rubbish that this dam is for irrigators only is exactly that,” he said.

“It clearly says it needs water for the city, it needs water for agriculture and it needs water for industry.”

Ms Faehrmann said she would continue to push for the release of the full business case.

Extracts are expected to be made publicly available in the project’s Environment Impact Statement, which is due for release by the end of the year.

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Parliamentary flood report finds SES and Resilience NSW failed Lismore, northern NSW communities

People in a boat rescue another man in the water

A parliamentary inquiry has found the government agencies in charge of preparing for and responding to major flooding in New South Wales this year failed affected communities.

Seven people died and thousands of people were displaced or cut off when floodwaters devastated the Northern Rivers region twice since late February.

Despite calls from authorities to stand down, residents took to boats and jet skis to rescue each other from rooftops, and took with them axes and other equipment to cut open roof cavities in which people were stuck.

Led by Labor’s Walt Secord, the parliamentary committee took evidence at a series of hearings across the state’s north as well as Western Sydney, where floods also became deadly.

“The committee found that the [State Emergency Service and Resilience NSW] failed to provide leadership and effective coordination in the community’s greatest time of need,” Mr Secord told parliament as he tabled the report.

A man with an "I Survived Lismore 2022" shirt at a flood meeting inquiry.
The NSW Parliamentary Flood Inquiry held hearings on the north coast in May.(ABC North Coast: Bruce MacKenzie)

The report found that information from the State Emergency Service (SES) and Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) was “incorrect and out of date”, leaving the community with “no other option but to ignore government advice and save lives”.

It made 37 recommendations, including that the SES, the state’s lead agency in a flood event, undergo a restructure to harness local knowledge and employ more salaried staff.

It urged the weather bureau to review its rain data infrastructure and flood modeling tools.

The report found the state agencies and BOM were “not prepared for, nor did they comprehend the scale” of the floods and that “some agencies were criticized for treating it as a nine to five business operation”.

Lismore resident Billy Curry was one of many in the “tinny army” who took it upon themselves to rescue people the day his home town went under.

He agreed there did not seem to be enough resources to assess and respond to the situation, and that without the impromptu volunteers “the community would have been in a lot of trouble”.

“There were scenes there where you were ducking under power lines and street lights in a boat,” he said.

“We lifted 64 older people from an elderly aged care place into a boat, so that’s something you don’t forget.”

Man in gray t-shirt, curly blond hair, unsmiling
Billy Curry wants a database created to better manage willing and able volunteers.(ABC North Coast: Bruce MacKenzie)

Mr Curry said he wanted the State Emergency Service to adopt a database of volunteers who had lifesaving skills and equipment such as jet skis, who could be quickly briefed via SMS in an emergency.

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NSW Trade Minister Stuart Ayres reflects on involvement in John Barilaro’s recruitment to lucrative New York role

NSW Trade Minister Stuart Ayres reflects on involvement in John Barilaro's recruitment to lucrative New York role

NSW Trade Minister Stuart Ayres has conceded that he should have advised former deputy premier John Barilaro not to apply for an overseas trade role.

Mr Ayres has told Nine Radio that Mr Barilaro’s application for Trade Commissioner to the Americas came too soon after he left parliament, and that he should have advised him not to apply for the role.

“If I had my time again, I would have said to him: ‘The time frame between the end of your parliamentary career and you applying for this job will be too politically sensitive and you should not consider doing the role’,” Mr Ayres said.

He accepted his job was on the line and he would be unable to continue as trade minister if the review found he acted improperly.

“I am confident that all of my actions have been in the best interests of the public and I think that’s what that review will show,” Mr Ayres said.

“If the [Graham] Head review shows that I have not done the right thing, then I don’t think my position would be tenable, but I don’t believe that’s the case.”

Mr Ayres has confirmed he texted a copy of the job advertisement to Mr Barilaro when it was first advertised after Mr Barilaro expressed an interest in the role.

But Mr Ayres has denied he had any role in Mr Barilaro’s subsequent appointment to the role.

“Of course, I undertake my own reflections on my course of action, but everything I’ve done as a minister has been about making sure we deliver the best outcomes for the people of New South Wales,” Mr Ayres said.

“I’ve always acted in the interests of the public.

“I’ve always undertaken my ministerial duties with the highest level of integrity and I’ve always wanted to make decisions in the best interests of the public.”

Mr Barilaro was announced as the successful candidate in June.

The position is based in New York and comes with a $500,000 salary package.

Mr Barilaro later withdrew from the position, saying it had become untenable.

Mr Ayres said Premier Dominic Perrottet had not asked him to stand aside over the matter but admitted it had been a “challenging” few weeks.

“[Mr Perrottet] has been really supportive through this whole exercise,” Mr Ayres said.

“He’s made it pretty clear that he’s put in place the independent review that’s been conducted by Graham Head, a former public service commissioner, and he wants to wait until that review’s completed and he’ll make his decisions after that.”

Deputy Premier and Nationals leader Paul Toole refused to comment directly on whether he supported Mr Ayres but said public confidence in ministers was critical.

“As the leader of the National Party and as the Deputy Premier I have very high standards and I have very clear expectations of my ministers,” he said.

“I expect them to be acting with honesty and integrity at all times.”

Leaked emails last week revealed Mr Ayres put forward a name to be added to a shortlist of candidates for the role, but he maintains that name was not John Barilaro’s.

Documents released yesterday revealed another candidate was recommended ahead of Mr Barilaro before he was later ranked higher.

Mr Perrottet said he was expecting the independent review into Mr Barilaro’s appointment “very shortly”.

Mr Perrottet initiated the review in late June and it has been conducted alongside a parliamentary inquiry.

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