An Australian tourist has made international headlines and was labeled a “barbarian” after he was arrested for riding through a UNESCO world heritage site in Italy.
The male tourist, aged 33, was charged with “unauthorized access” by police after he drove a moped for almost two kilometers through the ancient ruins of Pompeii in the country’s south.
Italian police allege the Aussie man rode through the world-famous archaeological park via a service gate following the entry of cars from construction companies.
An Australian tourist was captured on CCTV scooting through Pompeii. Supplied Credit: NCA NewsWire
Security and guards apprehended the man before any damage was done to the 2000 year old site following a series of CCTV footage.
“The route taken is a dirt road outside the ancient city walls, used by site vehicles for excavation works,” the park said in a statement.
“It is safe, restored, and not accessible to the public. So there was no danger for either visitors or for the archaeological heritage at any point.”
The man claimed he was unaware he drove through the ancient site – which was destroyed in 79AD following a volcanic eruption.
The UNESCO world heritage site does not allow tourist vehicles to drive through.
No parts of the ancient city were accessed or damaged by the tourist, however Italian media has slammed the man, labeling him as a “barbarian”.
Qantas has responded to an announcement that more than 700 aircraft engineers from Qantas and Jetstar are planning to stop work for “one-minute” in August.
The Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers’ Association(ALAEA) federal secretary Steve Purvinas told members in a meeting on Wednesday the majority had voted in favor of industrial action.
Airline engineers are asking their employer for a 12 per cent pay rise to make up for stagnant wages the last four years.
The union’s first action will be a one-minute stoppage across all airlines sometime in late August.
Qantas engineering executive manager Scott McConnell has said the airline is “disappointed” in the union’s decision to strike and is putting contingency plans in place to deal with disruptions.
Airline engineers from Qantas and Jetstar will stop work for one-minute in August. NCA NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia
“It’s extremely disappointing the union has taken this step towards industrial action,” Mr McConnell said.
“The union has repeatedly said that any industrial action won’t impact customers’ travel plans and, while we hope they stick to their word, we’re also putting in place contingency plans in case they don’t.
“The entire aviation sector is still recovering from the impact of Covid, and the threat of industrial action is the last thing travelers need.”
“The first action will be a token one,” Mr Purvinas told members.
“A one-minute stoppage of course is not going to harm any airline and also demonstrates our willingness to negotiate in good faith and not try and harm the airline.”
Airports across the country have reported massive queues, flight cancellations and missing luggage. NCA NewsWire / David Crosling Credit: News Corp Australia
Mr Purvinas said the token stoppage aimed to give the airlines an opportunity to come to the table.
“We do want to give some time for resolution of these matters before we have to do anything that may even be close to disrupting the public,” he said.
The strikes come at a difficult time for Australia’s national flag carrier, as the aviation industry struggles with staff shortages that have led to flight cancellations, delays and missing luggage.
If the stoppage does not motivate negotiations, the union plans to notify the airline of more work stoppages.
During these stoppages, the union has offered to provide “alternative labor provisions” to the airline.
ALAEA federal secretary Steve Purvinas says the stoppage isn’t designed to ‘harm’ travellers. Ray Strange Credit: News Corp Australia
“We want to assure the public that we won’t be harming their services,” Mr Purvinas said.
“Our target is the airlines who are not negotiating in good faith.”
ALAEA members voted against using overtime bans to avoid “exacerbating” already challenging conditions in the industry.
A Qantas spokesman told the NCA NewsWire in July that the 12 per cent pay rise was something the airline “simply can’t afford”.
They said Qantas had a policy of 2 per cent annual increases for all employees across the Group.
The airline has a history of not holding back when it comes to dealing with union industrial action.
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce infamously grounded the airline during a dispute with the ALAEA and two other unions back in 2011, leaving 200,000 passengers stranded without notice.
A young family reported missing to police between Queensland and NSW on Monday have been found safe after two days of searching between three states.
Darian Aspinall, 27, her children Winter Bellamy, 2, and Koda Bellamy, 4, along with their grandmother Leah Gooding, 50, were traveling from the Noccundra Hotel in Queensland to a planned destination of Packsaddle in far west NSW on Sunday.
The children’s father Linny Bellamy told of his family’s actions to ensure they’d survive while stuck alone in the outback for two straight days.
He said they relied on roadside puddles for sustenance and used a mirror to attract the attention of a police search aircraft.
“I can’t believe they managed to stay as strong as they did,” Mr Bellamy said.
“They looked after each other and just tried to ration everything out.”
He said other than looking tired, his family seemed themselves.
The family had made plans to travel to Adelaide, where they were originally from, police were told.
Darian Apsinall went missing with her family in the NSW outback before being located by police helicopter on Tuesday. NSW Police Credit: News Corp Australia
But when the four never arrived at their planned location in NSW and were unable to be contacted, Barrier police were alerted and the investigation into their whereabouts began.
The family, who were traveling in a Hyundai Tucson, were found inside their vehicle, off track, about 4.15pm on Tuesday afternoon by helicopter.
The aircraft confirmed it was the missing family, and they were assessed by an on-board paramedic.
They were then flown to Tibooburra for further assessment and care.
“Could not feel more relief,” Mr Bellamy said in a Facebook post sharing the good news.
“My family has been found safe.”
Police officers involved extended their thanks to the community for their support and assistance.
The man accused of shooting three people dead on remote farmland in North Queensland had his gun license revoked by police more than a decade ago, court documents reveal.
But Bogie resident Darryl Young, who is charged with murdering Maree and Mervyn Schwarz and Graham Tighe, successfully appealed the police decision the same year his license was cancelled, claiming he needed it for his “business”.
Documents from the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) reveal Mr Young was first granted a gun license in 1992.
Documents from the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal reveal accused triple-murderer Darryl Young had his gun license revoked by police in 2010, but he successfully appealed the decision. Credit: Supplied
It allowed him to hold four rifles and two shotguns.
In 2010 Queensland Police refused his bid to renew the licence. They argued it was “not in the public interest” for him to hold a license.
In Mr Young’s appeal, he claimed he needed the guns to control feral animals on a property in Gladstone.
“There is no were (sic) in the laws of the gun laws that I have broken to stop me having a gun license,” Young says in his application.
“I need my gun license for my business. I hope the Tribunal over turns (sic) the decision so I can have my license.”
Mr Young is alleged to have murdered Maree and Mervyn Schwarz (pictured) at farmland in Bogie last week. Credit: SuppliedGraham Tighe was also allegedly shot dead by Mr Young. Credit: Supplied
The court ruled in favor of Mr Young, rejecting police arguments to refuse the renewal.
Last week, in an unrelated matter, Mr Young was charged with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
Police allege the 59-year-old killed the Schwarzes and Mr Tighe at a property in Bogie, near Bowen, during an arranged meeting at the boundary line.
Ross Tighe survived the incident and drove injured to alert police. Credit: Supplied
Graham’s brother Ross Tighe was also shot in the stomach but survived, alerting police to what had occurred.
Mr Young, who has been remanded in custody, briefly appeared before Proserpine Magistrates Court on Monday.
