/qnotables/ - ===Q Notables===

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21642659 (230954ZSEP24) Notable: Women to be induced from 28 weeks instead of getting abortions under proposed SA law changes - People who want to terminate their pregnancy after 28 weeks could be required to instead deliver their baby alive under proposed changes to laws in South Australia that decriminalised abortion three years ago. Liberal MP Ben Hood will introduce a bill in the SA upper house on Wednesday so that people pregnant for more than 27 weeks and six days would be induced instead of getting an abortion. Under SA legislation passed in 2021, a pregnant person can get a late-term abortion after 22 weeks and six days if medically appropriate and with the approval of two doctors. "What my amendments hope to do, is balance the choice of the mother with the rights of the child," Mr Hood said. "This importantly balances and does not impinge upon the rights of a mother to choose a termination. "When that child is born alive it will receive neonatal care - and then, if it is the choice of the mother - that baby will be put up for adoption." Mr Hood said the "unintended consequences" of the current legislation were 45 babies being aborted after 22 weeks and six days over an 18-month period. The South Australian Abortion Reporting Committee reported eight late-term terminations in 2022 and 37 in 2023 because of a risk to the physical or mental health of the pregnant person. The reports do not make clear how many of those were beyond 28 weeks.

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>>240920

>>240921

Women to be induced from 28 weeks instead of getting abortions under proposed SA law changes

Josephine Lim and Evelyn Leckie - 23 September 2024

People who want to terminate their pregnancy after 28 weeks could be required to instead deliver their baby alive under proposed changes to laws in South Australia that decriminalised abortion three years ago.

Liberal MP Ben Hood will introduce a bill in the SA upper house on Wednesday so that people pregnant for more than 27 weeks and six days would be induced instead of getting an abortion.

Under SA legislation passed in 2021, a pregnant person can get a late-term abortion after 22 weeks and six days if medically appropriate and with the approval of two doctors.

"What my amendments hope to do, is balance the choice of the mother with the rights of the child," Mr Hood said.

"This importantly balances and does not impinge upon the rights of a mother to choose a termination.

"When that child is born alive it will receive neonatal care – and then, if it is the choice of the mother – that baby will be put up for adoption."

Mr Hood said the "unintended consequences" of the current legislation were 45 babies being aborted after 22 weeks and six days over an 18-month period.

The South Australian Abortion Reporting Committee reported eight late-term terminations in 2022 and 37 in 2023 because of a risk to the physical or mental health of the pregnant person.

The reports do not make clear how many of those were beyond 28 weeks.

SA Abortion Action Coalition's Brigid Coombe said she was disappointed with Mr Hood's proposed amendments.

"Those changes remove the basis of informed consent and they don't recognise at all the complexity of the circumstances that people are in when they need an abortion at those gestations," she said.

"It is not an uncommon feature – people who are opposed to abortion or want to paint women in a light that is practically misogynistic, that these bills would be brought forward."

Ms Coombe said the coalition has always placed importance on the person who is pregnant.

"You can't say that you're going to force somebody to do something against their will [and] at the same time say, 'That you're going to find that balance between choice,'" she said.

"It disregards all the very serious decision-making that goes into these circumstances, and really makes light of it."

What about women's rights?

In 2021, the historic bill that moved abortion from the Criminal Law Consolidation Act into healthcare legislation passed parliament after members of parliament were granted a conscience vote.

The changes brought South Australia into line with most jurisdictions in the country, with then attorney-general Vickie Chapman stating the move was about "giving women choice".

Currently, late-term abortions will only be approved if there is a threat to the life of the pregnant person or another fetus, or if there is a significant risk of serious fetal anomalies associated with the pregnancy.

Terminations will also be approved if the continuation of the pregnancy would involve a significant risk of injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant person.

University of Adelaide Professor of Law Joanna Howe said the proposed changes do not infringe on women's rights.

"[The bill] allows termination of pregnancy throughout all nine months, all it does is after 28 weeks, the baby is delivered alive rather than stillborn," she said.

"At that point, they are treated like any other South Australian baby who's born prematurely … if the baby is not going to survive because they've got a condition like anencephaly, the palliative care would be given to that child and they would be made comfortable until they passed.

"But if that baby is healthy … they'd be rushed to the NICU, they'd be given life-sustaining treatment and they would survive.

"Unless the pro-choice mantra is 'my baby, my choice', I don't think you can mount a pro-choice argument against this bill."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-23/liberal-mp-pushes-changes-to-sa-abortion-laws/104384176

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21648220 (241015ZSEP24) Notable: Melbourne woman arrested in Turkey is human rights activist, not terrorist, says local councillor - A Melbourne woman arrested in Turkey over alleged connections to a Kurdish nationalist group has been described as a “human rights activist, not a terrorist” by a local councillor and friend in Australia. Turkish media reported Cigdem Aslan, who also goes by Lenna Aslan, was arrested by the country’s National Intelligence Organisation and police at Istanbul Airport last week before she could return to Australia. The 51-year-old was reportedly detained on suspicion of conducting activities for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, also known as the PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organisation in Turkey and Australia. Merri-bek councillor Sue Bolton, who has known Aslan for more than a decade, said the mother of two was an active member of the Melbourne Kurdish community and passionate about ending discrimination against and oppression of Kurds. “She’s a good friend of mine,” Bolton, who is from the Socialist Alliance, said. “She is a salt-of-the-earth humanitarian. She is a human rights activist. She is not a terrorist.” Bolton said she was deeply worried about Aslan, an experienced nurse who she said had serious health issues. Turkish media said Aslan co-chaired a Kurdish organisation linked to the PKK and alleged she had participated in Australian protests against Turkish raids on Kurdish forces in Iraq. Turkish pro-government newspaper The Daily Sabah also reported Aslan had Australian-based links to the PKK. The newspaper alleged she had been tracked by Turkish intelligence “for a long time” and had been in contact with “high-level members of the terror group”. Bolton said she did not believe this was true. She said Aslan’s friends and the Australian Kurdish community were lobbying politicians to help bring her home.

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Melbourne woman arrested in Turkey is human rights activist, not terrorist, says local councillor

Melissa Cunningham - September 24, 2024

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A Melbourne woman arrested in Turkey over alleged connections to a Kurdish nationalist group has been described as a “human rights activist, not a terrorist” by a local councillor and friend in Australia.

Turkish media reported Cigdem Aslan, who also goes by Lenna Aslan, was arrested by the country’s National Intelligence Organisation and police at Istanbul Airport last week before she could return to Australia.

The 51-year-old was reportedly detained on suspicion of conducting activities for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, also known as the PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organisation in Turkey and Australia.

Merri-bek councillor Sue Bolton, who has known Aslan for more than a decade, said the mother of two was an active member of the Melbourne Kurdish community and passionate about ending discrimination against and oppression of Kurds.

“She’s a good friend of mine,” Bolton, who is from the Socialist Alliance, said. “She is a salt-of-the-earth humanitarian. She is a human rights activist. She is not a terrorist.”

Bolton said she had learnt a few days ago that Aslan had been detained.

She said she was deeply worried about Aslan, an experienced nurse who she said had serious health issues.

“This is an urgent situation,” Bolton said.

It was her understanding that Aslan had travelled back to Turkey to visit family.

Since Aslan’s arrest, she had heard from the Melbourne Kurdish community that another person from the same community had also been arrested recently at Istanbul airport on their way back to Australia, Bolton said.

“This was someone who’s not involved in any kind of organising at all in the Kurdish community in Melbourne,” she said. “They went to the odd event, but not all the events. Cigdem [Aslan] is a lot more active in the Kurdish community, but she is not a terrorist.

“She is a really wonderful, warm human being, and she is a full-on supporter of the human rights of anyone who is oppressed.”

Bolton said Aslan was also a passionate activist for the rights of Indigenous Australians and felt there were parallels with the Kurdish struggle.

The Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health in Melbourne has listed Aslan as a bilingual health educator on its website.

Her online biography says she came to Australia 25 years ago as a Kurdish migrant from Turkey. It says she has worked as a registered nurse, including for six years as a drug and alcohol nurse at St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne. It describes her as a single mother of two daughters who is passionate about human rights, community volunteering and advocating for minorities.

Turkish media said Aslan co-chaired a Kurdish organisation linked to the PKK and alleged she had participated in Australian protests against Turkish raids on Kurdish forces in Iraq.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21648253 (241028ZSEP24) Notable: Defending nation’s sovereignty is not ‘appeasement’ - a response to Alexander Downer - "Could the Alexander Downer who accuses me and Paul Keating of appeasement possibly be the same Alexander Downer who recently wrote in this newspaper that if he had a vote in the US presidential election it would be for Donald Trump? That same Donald Trump whose willingness to accommodate Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine makes Chamberlain’s behaviour in Munich in 1938 seem almost Churchillian. And could this Downer, who now tells us the West is facing “an existential threat from the alliance of Russia, Iran and China”, possibly be the same Downer whose enthusiastic embrace of George W. Bush’s fanciful “axis of evil” (Iran, Iraq and North Korea) led us to blindly follow the US in its invasion of Iraq in 2003, with consequences resonating catastrophically ever since? I would normally ignore being offensively lectured to and misrepresented by a former foreign minister whose only memorable achievement in nearly 12 years in that office was longevity, but his latest contribution is so wrongheaded and at odds with Australia’s national interests as to demand a response. It is not appeasement to demand that those who beat the drums of war justify their fearmongering with more than rhetoric. And it is not appeasement to believe that Australia’s national interests - as for others in our region trying to navigate a course between the US and China – lie in maintaining close and mutually beneficial relations with both the neighbourhood giants, not becoming either’s patsy, and working diplomatically to encourage détente between them. While China’s behaviour certainly justifies push-back, much of it is no more than what we can and should expect of a rapidly, economically rising, hugely trade-dependent regional superpower, which is wanting to claim its own strategic space, and to generally reassert some of its historical greatness after more than a century of wounded national pride. It is not unreasonable to think much of China’s assertiveness would be significantly moderated were the US to step back from demanding recognition of America’s continued primacy, with Washington now seeing just about every arena as a zero-sum struggle for dominance." - Gareth Evans, Australia’s foreign minister from 1988-96 and president of the International Crisis Group from 2000-09 - theaustralian.com.au

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>>240825

>>241027

>>241041

Defending nation’s sovereignty is not ‘appeasement’ - a response to Alexander Downer

GARETH EVANS - 24 September 2024

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Could the Alexander Downer who accuses me and Paul Keating of appeasement (“Labor elders now just weak ‘appeasers’ on AUKUS”, 23/9) possibly be the same Alexander Downer who recently wrote in this newspaper that if he had a vote in the US presidential election it would be for Donald Trump (“The vulgar v the divisive: I know who I’d vote for”, 29/7)?

That same Donald Trump whose willingness to accommodate Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine makes Chamberlain’s behaviour in Munich in 1938 seem almost Churchillian.

And could this Downer, who now tells us the West is facing “an existential threat from the alliance of Russia, Iran and China”, possibly be the same Downer whose enthusiastic embrace of George W. Bush’s fanciful “axis of evil” (Iran, Iraq and North Korea) led us to blindly follow the US in its invasion of Iraq in 2003, with consequences resonating catastrophically ever since?

I would normally ignore being offensively lectured to and misrepresented by a former foreign minister whose only memorable achievement in nearly 12 years in that office was longevity, but his latest contribution is so wrongheaded and at odds with Australia’s national interests as to demand a response.

It is not appeasement to demand that those who beat the drums of war justify their fearmongering with more than rhetoric. And it is not appeasement to believe that Australia’s national interests – as for others in our region trying to navigate a course between the US and China – lie in maintaining close and mutually beneficial relations with both the neighbourhood giants, not becoming either’s patsy, and working diplomatically to encourage détente between them.

As I have repeatedly acknowledged in public, there are legitimate grounds for concern about China’s recent international behaviour. They include its international law-defying territorial ambition in, and militarisation of, the South China Sea. And its repeatedly stated determination to unify Taiwan with the mainland – not excluding the use of force – in a context where its repressive actions in Hong Kong have made reunification on a “one country, two systems” basis a nonstarter.

Add to this China’s continued assertiveness on other territorial fronts with Japan and India, and its efforts to increase its presence and influence over smaller but strategically significant regional players, including Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste. It has transitioned from a bystander to a regular spoiler role in the UN Security Council and other multilateral contexts. And, above all, the very significant expansion and modernisation of its military, including nuclear capability. But none of this suggests China is hellbent on territorial conquest in Southeast Asia, the Pacific or anywhere else, especially of the kind there was in the past, including with the rise of Hitler’s Germany, and now with Putin’s irredentism in Europe.

Taiwan is a flourishing democracy, which we should be appalled to see crushed by force, but it must be recognised as a special case; not recognised by any significant country as a separate sovereign entity like Ukraine or Kuwait.

While China’s behaviour certainly justifies push-back, much of it is no more than what we can and should expect of a rapidly, economically rising, hugely trade-dependent regional superpower, which is wanting to claim its own strategic space, and to generally reassert some of its historical greatness after more than a century of wounded national pride.

It is not unreasonable to think much of China’s assertiveness would be significantly moderated were the US to step back from demanding recognition of America’s continued primacy, with Washington now seeing just about every arena as a zero-sum struggle for dominance.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21648303 (241046ZSEP24) Notable: Women to be induced from 28 weeks instead of getting abortions under proposed SA law changes - People who want to terminate their pregnancy after 28 weeks could be required to instead deliver their baby alive under proposed changes to laws in South Australia that decriminalised abortion three years ago. Liberal MP Ben Hood will introduce a bill in the SA upper house on Wednesday so that people pregnant for more than 27 weeks and six days would be induced instead of getting an abortion. Under SA legislation passed in 2021, a pregnant person can get a late-term abortion after 22 weeks and six days if medically appropriate and with the approval of two doctors. "What my amendments hope to do, is balance the choice of the mother with the rights of the child," Mr Hood said. "This importantly balances and does not impinge upon the rights of a mother to choose a termination. "When that child is born alive it will receive neonatal care - and then, if it is the choice of the mother - that baby will be put up for adoption." Mr Hood said the "unintended consequences" of the current legislation were 45 babies being aborted after 22 weeks and six days over an 18-month period. The South Australian Abortion Reporting Committee reported eight late-term terminations in 2022 and 37 in 2023 because of a risk to the physical or mental health of the pregnant person. The reports do not make clear how many of those were beyond 28 weeks.

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>>240920

>>240921

>>241042

‘World-first’ bill sparks new debate on abortion in South Australia

JOE KELLY - 24 September 2024

A national debate on abortion law reform has been ignited in South Australia where there is a fresh legislative push requiring mothers seeking terminations after 28 weeks to deliver their babies alive – allowing the child to be put up for adoption.

Touted by its supporters as a “world-first”, a private member’s bill will be introduced in the state parliament on Wednesday by Liberal frontbencher Ben Hood aimed at ensuring pregnancy terminations after 27 weeks and six days are achieved through the early induction of labour.

The push has divided the South Australian Liberals, with new Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia making clear the bill did not reflect Liberal policy and the party agreeing on Monday night to grant a conscience vote to MPs.

Supporters of the legislative shake-up to late-term abortion also said about 1500 people were expected to attend a rally on the steps of state parliament on Wednesday afternoon to coincide with the introduction of the bill.

The husband of a midwife, Mr Hood said his legislation would amend an existing 2021 state law that had allowed for terminations in limited circumstances after 22 weeks and 6 days, subject to the approval of two doctors.

Mr Hood told The Australian his bill would address an “unintended consequence” of the 2021 law given that – between July 2022 and December 2023 – the reason given for 45 out of 57 terminations beyond the 22 week and 6 day threshold was for the “physical or mental health of the pregnant person”.

This represents nearly 80 per cent of late-term abortions conducted over the 18-month period. No terminations were performed beyond the 22 week and six day threshold in order to save the life of the mother, while 12 late-term abortions were performed because of foetal anomalies.

“This bill aims to carefully balance the rights of both pregnant women and the child, particularly after 28 weeks of gestation,” Mr Hood told The Australian. “This bill provides a responsible and considered compromise – protecting the child’s right to life while respecting the mother’s choice to end her pregnancy.”

South Australian Labor Premier Peter Malinauskas said earlier this week that it was only “six weeks into Vincent Tarzia’s leadership and the only policy we’re seeing is a policy to revisit their internal problems over an abortion debate.”

Law professor at the University of Adelaide Joanna Howe helped draft Mr Hood’s live births bill and told The Australian it would strike an “effective balance between the competing interests of a mother and her viable child through ensuring that foeticide is banned and the child is delivered alive.”

Foeticide is a procedure performed by ultrasound specialists who administer an intracardiac injection, which causes the heart of the unborn child to stop beating. The child is then delivered stillborn.

Professor Howe said after 28 weeks, babies could be delivered alive instead of stillborn.

“For SA babies in the third trimester who are at a gestation where they can feel pain and would have a 96 per cent chance of survival if born alive, the injection of potassium chloride is brutal, barbaric and wholly unnecessary,” she said.

Professor Howe said the bill was drafted by a team of eight women who were “legal and medical experts, including with specialities in neonatology and obstetrics”.

Abortion advocate and retired obstetrician Brian Peat said babies born alive at 28 weeks would need to be given care and would represent a “great impost on the system”.

“A baby born at 28 weeks doesn’t go home until it’s about the due date or sometimes even longer,” he said.

Dr Peat attacked the bill, saying its true purpose was to encourage mothers to carry a child to term. “Of course, that’s what would happen in practice,” he said. “They’d be forced to go to full term because no one would want to be involved in a process which would put a baby in intensive care … It’s saying one thing, but its trying to get people to do a different thing.”

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/sa-liberal-mp-ben-hood-in-push-for-worldfirst-abortion-reform/news-story/8946f973f0c587a861e8dc7aa1be2e59

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21648351 (241101ZSEP24) Notable: Victims warned WA’s worst serial sex predator could be released - Victims of WA’s worst serial sex predator Dennis John McKenna are reeling after being told the child abuser could be released from prison in two months. Department of Justice letters have been sent to a number of men preyed upon by McKenna, while they boarded as students at St Andrew’s Hostel in Katanning some time between 1975 and 1990. “I am writing to offer you the opportunity to discuss any concerns or queries you may have about future contact with an offender,” the letter reads. “The Prisoners Review Board is required to consider Mr McKenna for possible release on parole. I would like to speak with you regarding your thoughts on this matter. The offender’s date of parole eligibility is 17 November, 2024.” Those notified of the parole date can now make a written submission to the department’s Victim offender Mediation Unit. Since 1991, McKenna has been handed jail sentences on three occasions after police investigations highlighted more victims from his reign of terror as the hostel’s warden. When combined, McKenna was sentenced to 22 years behind bars for 65 offences against 29 boys. The most recent punishment came in 2013, when the now 79-year-old was convicted of a further 34 child sex crime offences. His systemic abuse at the Katanning facility, used to accommodate the children of farming families attending the town’s high school, resulted in a 2012 inquiry and report titled St Andrew’s Hostel: How the System and Society Failed our Children. But those who survived McKenna’s molestation never want to see him free again. “He’s a rapist, he’s a paedophile, and there’s no way he should be let out,” survivor Michael Hilder told Radio 6PR.

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Victims warned WA’s worst serial sex predator could be released

Gary Adshead - September 24, 2024

Victims of WA’s worst serial sex predator Dennis John McKenna are reeling after being told the child abuser could be released from prison in two months.

Department of Justice letters have been sent to a number of men preyed upon by McKenna, while they boarded as students at St Andrew’s Hostel in Katanning some time between 1975 and 1990.

“I am writing to offer you the opportunity to discuss any concerns or queries you may have about future contact with an offender,” the letter reads.

“The Prisoners Review Board is required to consider Mr McKenna for possible release on parole.

“I would like to speak with you regarding your thoughts on this matter. The offender’s date of parole eligibility is 17 November, 2024.

“Those notified of the parole date can now make a written submission to the department’s Victim offender Mediation Unit.

Since 1991, McKenna has been handed jail sentences on three occasions after police investigations highlighted more victims from his reign of terror as the hostel’s warden.

When combined, McKenna was sentenced to 22 years behind bars for 65 offences against 29 boys.

The most recent punishment came in 2013, when the now 79-year-old was convicted of a further 34 child sex crime offences.

His systemic abuse at the Katanning facility, used to accommodate the children of farming families attending the town’s high school, resulted in a 2012 inquiry and report titled St Andrew’s Hostel: How the System and Society Failed our Children.

But those who survived McKenna’s molestation never want to see him free again.

“He’s a rapist, he’s a paedophile, and there’s no way he should be let out,” survivor Michael Hilder told Radio 6PR.

“The feelings run so deep, if I saw him down the street again, I don’t know, I don’t know.

“This is something we’ve faced for 40 years, and it’s still going on … we were 12 and 13 and now here we are, I’m nearly 60, and it’s still in the memories, and these things still keep on coming up.”

Survivors of years of abuse at St Andrew’s recently won a hard-fought battle to convince the state government to demolish the abandoned buildings in the Great Southern town.

They will now fight to ensure McKenna stays behind bars, with Hilder claiming he was aware of 14 people from the hostel who had taken their own lives in the wake of McKenna’s abuse.

“It would be nice to think that we could have a group session with multiple victims and all have our say on why he shouldn’t be released because everyone’s got a different story,” Hilder said.

“We just don’t forget.”

Maggie Dawkins, a whistleblower and long-time advocate of the survivors, has prepared an eight-page submission arguing that McKenna’s abuse was responsible for several suicides.

“The prisoner may not have been tried for murder, but it is irrefutable that his offending has killed innocent young men who were sexually abused as children,” she wrote.

“I raise this serious issue with the board and ask that you consider the possible effect McKenna’s early release may have on his victims and their families. The board cannot, with absolute certainty, predict that McKenna’s early release will not cause a victim of this prisoner to take his life.”

Before his crimes were finally exposed, McKenna was so highly regarded in Katanning that he was made citizen of the year on one occasion.

“The prisoner has always had a cunning ability and ruthlessness to get whatever he wants,” Dawkins, the wife of former federal treasurer John Dawkins, wrote in her submission.

“McKenna wants to be released early. He will do whatever he can to achieve his desire. Don’t be hoodwinked. He has done it before.”

The department’s letter to those abused by McKenna warned that even if the paedophile is refused parole, his prison sentence completion date is November 17, 2026.

If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline (13 11 14), the Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467), Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636) and Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800).

https://www.1800respect.org.au/

https://www.lifeline.org.au/

https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

https://www.kidshelpline.com.au/

https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/victims-warned-wa-s-worst-serial-sex-predator-could-be-released-20240924-p5kd02.html

https://aussiesexoffenders.wordpress.com/2012/05/16/neil-mckenna-and-dennis-mckenna-2-disgusing-paedophile-brothers/

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21653844 (250951ZSEP24) Notable: Convicted pedophile, Olympic swim coach Dick Caine dead at 78 -Convicted pedophile Dick Caine, the former Sydney swimming coach found to have raped six students under his care, has died in hospital following a terminal cancer diagnosis. Caine, 78, was spared jail and deemed unfit to appear physically in court due to his poor health following his arrest in June 2022. His ongoing trial was kept under wraps by a gag order, prompted by fears among Caine’s legal representation he would attempt suicide if the details of the trial were widely reported. The order was lifted upon his conviction. He was found to have sexually abused six girls aged 10 to 16 in the 1970s through to the 1980s during his career as an Olympic and world champion swim coach at Carss Park swimming pool in Sydney’s south. All 39 charges brought against Caine were proven in a hearing before Judge Paul McGuire at the Downing Centre District Court between June and August this year. Caine’s next hearing remains listed for December 6, though a District Court representative said they anticipated the matter would be relisted in the wake of his death. His six victims were due to provide victim impact statements. He died on Wednesday morning, having reportedly survived past a prior prognosis anticipating he would be dead in the months following his 2022 arrest. In court, his wife Jennifer alleged he had lung and throat cancer for which he was in palliative care with “maybe six months” to live. Caine also suffered from dementia, with his defence arguing further public scrutiny placed him at risk of stroke and heart attack. He was released on bail following charges. In Caine’s judge-only trial, he was found to have raped his victims in the pool’s sauna, office and bathrooms, also sexually assaulting his victims at a hotel, in his car and at his home.

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>>240952

>>240980

Convicted pedophile, Olympic swim coach Dick Caine dead at 78

JAMES DOWLING - 25 September 2024

Convicted pedophile Dick Caine, the former Sydney swimming coach found to have raped six students under his care, has died in hospital following a terminal cancer diagnosis.

Caine, 78, was spared jail and deemed unfit to appear physically in court due to his poor health following his arrest in June 2022.

His ongoing trial was kept under wraps by a gag order, prompted by fears among Caine’s legal representation he would attempt suicide if the details of the trial were widely reported. The order was lifted upon his conviction.

He was found to have sexually abused six girls aged 10 to 16 in the 1970s through to the 1980s during his career as an Olympic and world champion swim coach at Carss Park swimming pool in Sydney’s south.

All 39 charges brought against Caine were proven in a hearing before Judge Paul McGuire at the Downing Centre District Court between June and August this year.

Caine’s next hearing remains listed for December 6, though a District Court representative said they anticipated the matter would be relisted in the wake of his death. His six victims were due to provide victim impact statements.

He died on Wednesday morning, having reportedly survived past a prior prognosis anticipating he would be dead in the months following his 2022 arrest. In court, his wife Jennifer alleged he had lung and throat cancer for which he was in palliative care with “maybe six months” to live.

Caine also suffered from dementia, with his defence arguing further public scrutiny placed him at risk of stroke and heart attack. He was released on bail following charges.

In Caine’s judge-only trial, he was found to have raped his victims in the pool’s sauna, office and bathrooms, also sexually assaulting his victims at a hotel, in his car and at his home.

Through the trial Caine denied the allegations against him and was not made to appear under cross-examination.

Police began an investigation into his pedophilia following allegations from a victim in January 2021, with more victims coming forward through the investigation and subsequent trial.

Caine worked at Carss Park and Cronulla swimming pool for more than 40 years, retiring in 2018. He trained 17 swimmers who went on to become world and Olympic champions.

He is survived by his wife, Jennifer.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/convicted-pedophile-olympic-swim-coach-dick-caine-dead-at-78/news-story/b934014a12b646ffe0b02cfd17a8d02f

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21653886 (251002ZSEP24) Notable: Assange to give first public address since prison release - Controversial WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange plans to break his post-prison silence in an address to the Council of Europe next week, his organisation said Wednesday. WikiLeaks said the 53-year-old would travel from his native Australia to Strasbourg on October 1 to testify before a parliamentary legal committee investigating his case. Assange was released from a British prison in June, after serving time for publishing hundreds of thousands of confidential US government documents from 2010. The trove included searingly frank US State Department descriptions of foreign leaders, accounts of extrajudicial killings and intelligence gathering against allies. Assange spent most of the last 14 years holed up in the Ecuadoran embassy in London while trying to avoid arrest or locked up at Belmarsh Prison. WikiLeaks said that “on October 1, Julian Assange will arrive in Strasbourg to give evidence before the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights”. The Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly is scheduled to debate a report about his case on October 2. The Council of Europe is an international organisation that brings together the 46 signatory states of the European Convention on Human Rights. Assange supporters have long called for him to receive a full US presidential pardon. President Joe Biden, who is likely to issue a slew of pardons before leaving office next January, has previously described Assange as a “terrorist”.

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>>240999

>>241017

Assange to give first public address since prison release

AFP - 25-09- 2024

SYDNEY: Controversial WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange plans to break his post-prison silence in an address to the Council of Europe next week, his organisation said Wednesday.

WikiLeaks said the 53-year-old would travel from his native Australia to Strasbourg on October 1 to testify before a parliamentary legal committee investigating his case.

Assange was released from a British prison in June, after serving time for publishing hundreds of thousands of confidential US government documents from 2010.

The trove included searingly frank US State Department descriptions of foreign leaders, accounts of extrajudicial killings and intelligence gathering against allies.

Assange spent most of the last 14 years holed up in the Ecuadoran embassy in London while trying to avoid arrest or locked up at Belmarsh Prison.

Supporters hail him as a champion of free speech and investigative journalism who was persecuted by authorities and unfairly imprisoned.

Detractors see him as a reckless blogger whose decision to publish ultra-sensitive documents uncensored put lives at risk and fundamentally jeopardised US security.

He was released on 25 June and returned to Australia after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to obtain and disseminate national defence information.

Since then Assange has not publicly commented on his legal woes or his years behind bars.

He has been seen infrequently, appearing at a court in the Marianas Islands, reuniting with his wife on arrival at a Canberra airport and spending time with his family on a quiet beach in Australia.

WikiLeaks and his wife Stella Assange have occasionally offered updates about his well-being.

“Julian Assange is still in recovery following his release from prison,“ the organisation said on Wednesday.

The group said Assage would attend the Council of Europe “session in person due to the exceptional nature of the invitation.”

WikiLeaks said that “on October 1, Julian Assange will arrive in Strasbourg to give evidence before the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights”.

The Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly is scheduled to debate a report about his case on October 2.

The Council of Europe is an international organisation that brings together the 46 signatory states of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Assange supporters have long called for him to receive a full US presidential pardon.

His case remains deeply contentious, effectively opening the door to the possibility that journalists could in future be prosecuted under the US Espionage Act.

Chelsea Manning, the army intelligence analyst who leaked the documents to Assange, had her 35-year sentence commuted by then-president Barack Obama in 2017.

President Joe Biden, who is likely to issue a slew of pardons before leaving office next January, has previously described Assange as a “terrorist”.

https://thesun.my/world/assange-to-give-first-public-address-since-prison-release-PB13039978

https://x.com/Stella_Assange/status/1838682234708193569

https://x.com/wikileaks/status/1838609231681065144

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21655824 (251831ZSEP24) Notable: "Where we go one, we go all":Dentons chief Doug Stipanicev denies QAnon town hall reference- The local chief of the world’s largest law firm once ended an all-staff town hall with a slogan associated with the far-right QAnon movement, a leaked video has revealed, amid allegations he sent anti-vax and anti-Semitic material to a former partner at the firm. In the video, stood-aside Dentons Australasia CEO and Australian chair Doug Stipanicev is seen telling employees to “maintain that rage” that came following the Covid-19 pandemic to increase the firm’s size and client contact. He then says a motto that is used by extremist conspiracy group QAnon - “where we go one, we go all” - and tells employees it is time for afternoon tea. It is not clear whether Mr Stipanicev was aware of QAnon’s use of the slogan. Mr Stipanicev told The Australian it was not his intention for the slogan to refer to QAnon, but rather related to a 1996 film in which teenage boys and their captain learn about life and loyalty sailing a boat through a deadly storm. “The slogan was in a sailing movie called White Squall,” Mr Stipanicev told The Australian. “I thought it was apt for a law firm - we work as a team and succeed together - and is meant to foster collaboration and team effort and belonging.” The motto may have been used to encourage employees of the firm to continue to grow and develop following the pandemic. The Australian understands Mr Stipanicev’s address to the all-staff meeting occurred around June 2022, just after many Covid-19 restrictions had eased. “We set out at the beginning of Covid to be stronger on the other side. We are stronger on the other side. We are significantly stronger on the other side,” Mr Stipanicev said in a video snippet of the address, obtained by this masthead. “We have our focus now on scale, connect and innovate. We propose to maintain that rage to continue to increase the size of this firm, increase our client contact, increase our people. We will do it together. Where we go one, we go all.” A former Dentons employee, who was in the room at the time, said “several employees” understood the slogan was associated with QAnon.

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Dentons chief Doug Stipanicev denies QAnon town hall reference

ELLIE DUDLEY - 25 September 2024

The local chief of the world’s largest law firm once ended an all-staff town hall with a slogan associated with the far-right QAnon movement, a leaked video has revealed, amid allegations he sent anti-vax and anti-Semitic material to a former partner at the firm.

In the video, stood-aside Dentons Australasia CEO and Australian chair Doug Stipanicev is seen telling employees to “maintain that rage” that came following the Covid-19 pandemic to increase the firm’s size and client contact.

He then says a motto that is used by extremist conspiracy group QAnon – “where we go one, we go all” – and tells employees it is time for afternoon tea.

It is not clear whether Mr Stipanicev was aware of QAnon’s use of the slogan.

Mr Stipanicev told The Australian it was not his intention for the slogan to refer to QAnon, but rather related to a 1996 film in which teenage boys and their captain learn about life and loyalty sailing a boat through a deadly storm.

“The slogan was in a sailing movie called White Squall,” Mr Stipanicev told The Australian. “I thought it was apt for a law firm – we work as a team and succeed together – and is meant to foster collaboration and team effort and belonging.”

The motto may have been used to encourage employees of the firm to continue to grow and develop following the pandemic.

The video comes one day after The Australian revealed Dentons and Mr Stipanicev are being sued in the Federal Court by former property partner Guy Albeck, over allegations, detailed in a statement of claim, that Mr Stipanicev emailed him a report written by a US doctor containing “conspiratorial and anti-Semitic” material.

The report allegedly included claims Covid-19 vaccines contain toxins that allow “thoughts and feelings to be inserted into the mind by communication with 5G telecommun­ication networks” and argued a “criminal network of satanists”, including a well-known Jewish banking family, “rule the world”.

Mr Albeck in the statement of claim said Mr Stipanicev “appeared to endorse the views ­expressed” within the report, including claims that while the corona­virus could be effectively treated with medicines including ivermectin, governments “were shutting down doctors who successfully used these treatments”.

Mr Albeck also accused Mr Stipanicev of forcing him to resign after he made complaints of bullying against a former Dentons board member. Mr Albeck claims this was despite an HR investigation upholding his complaints.

Dentons on Tuesday night announced Mr Stipanicev had “decided to stand aside” while an independent investigator examined the report he allegedly sent to Mr Albeck.

The firm is defending itself against the claims, and filed a cross-claim against Mr Albeck on September 13. Mr Stipanicev filed a separate defence and cross-claim against Mr Albeck on Wednesday.

Mr Stipanicev also issued a statement in relation to the lawsuit on Wednesday, saying “claims by a former colleague attempting to link me with comments made by an author I have never met, nor endorsed, are absurd”.

“In July 2022, the former colleague asked me at a work event to share with him an article that made commentary on the issue of Covid vaccinations which were the subject of significant public and medical discussion at the time,” he said. “The act of sharing the article does not mean I endorsed the comments made in the article, but it does mean I do believe in reading widely to be properly informed on all subjects. I had not read all 55 pages of the article I shared, and regret that I hadn’t because I later discovered the article contained offensive comments by the author. Those comments were outrageous and I abhor them.”

Mr Stipanicev said “in accordance with good governance” he voluntarily stood down “while this issue was investigated”.

The Australian understands Mr Stipanicev’s address to the all-staff meeting occurred around June 2022, just after many Covid-19 restrictions had eased.

“We set out at the beginning of Covid to be stronger on the other side. We are stronger on the other side. We are significantly stronger on the other side,” Mr Stipanicev said in a video snippet of the address, obtained by this masthead.

“We have our focus now on scale, connect and innovate. We propose to maintain that rage to continue to increase the size of this firm, increase our client contact, increase our people.

“We will do it together. Where we go one, we go all.”

A former Dentons employee, who was in the room at the time, said “several employees” understood the slogan was associated with QAnon.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/legal-affairs/dentons-chief-doug-stipanicev-denies-qanon-town-hall-reference/news-story/cd948b8fa1a55fc8330bfb6b44adaf43

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21660354 (261227ZSEP24) Notable: Jim Chalmers takes economic charm offensive to China - Jim Chalmers has warned that further deterioration in China’s slowing economy would wreak havoc on Australia, with a drop of one percentage point in Chinese GDP growth projected to inflict about $6bn in lost domestic output. Amid global concerns over the rapid slowdown in China and as President Xi Jinping met his top comrades to discuss their enormous economic challenges, the Treasurer arrived in Beijing on Thursday to meet National Development and Reform Commission chair Zheng Shanjie, who oversees China’s five-year economic plans and the country’s foreign investment regime. Dr Chalmers, who late on Thursday co-chaired with Mr Zheng the first meeting of the ­Australia-China Strategic Economic Dialogue since 2017, said there were “consequences for us” if the Communist nation’s economic slowdown and structural challenges worsened. Writing for The Australian to mark the first visit to Beijing by a treasurer in seven years, Dr Chalmers said Australia’s resilience and prosperity were closely connected to China’s economy and the global economy, which is “why we monitor the Chinese economy so closely”. Hours before Dr Chalmers met his Chinese counterparts, China’s politburo - led by Mr Xi – pledged a new stimulus package to ­implement better “the driving role of government investment”.

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>>241005

Jim Chalmers takes economic charm offensive to China

GEOFF CHAMBERS and WILL GLASGOW - 26 September 2024

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Jim Chalmers has warned that further deterioration in China’s slowing economy would wreak havoc on Australia, with a drop of one percentage point in Chinese GDP growth projected to inflict about $6bn in lost domestic output.

Amid global concerns over the rapid slowdown in China and as President Xi Jinping met his top comrades to discuss their enormous economic challenges, the Treasurer arrived in Beijing on Thursday to meet National Development and Reform Commission chair Zheng Shanjie, who oversees China’s five-year economic plans and the country’s foreign investment regime.

Dr Chalmers, who late on Thursday co-chaired with Mr Zheng the first meeting of the ­Australia-China Strategic Economic Dialogue since 2017, said there were “consequences for us” if the Communist nation’s economic slowdown and structural challenges worsened.

Writing for The Australian to mark the first visit to Beijing by a treasurer in seven years, Dr Chalmers said Australia’s resilience and prosperity were closely connected to China’s economy and the global economy, which is “why we monitor the Chinese economy so closely”.

Hours before Dr Chalmers met his Chinese counterparts, China’s politburo – led by Mr Xi – pledged a new stimulus package to ­implement better “the driving role of government investment”.

“We should increase the intensity of counter-cyclical adjustment of fiscal and monetary policies,” state news agency Xinhua cited officials as saying, after the politburo meeting.

Officials pledged action to make the real estate market “stop declining”, although details of the stimulus package remained vague.

China’s CSI 300 Index jumped by 4.2 per cent on the news, erasing losses for the year.

Speaking late on Thursday in Beijing, Dr Chalmers told his ­Chinese counterparts he was looking forward to “hearing more about efforts to boost growth” in China’s economy.

Mr Zheng struck a positive tone at the opening of the dialogue, thanking Dr Chalmers for “coming from afar”.

“The intrinsic feature of our ­relationship is mutual benefit and our development represents ­opportunities rather than challenges,” Mr Zheng said.

Their discussion ranged over the global economic outlook, their respective foreign-investment ­regimes and ways to “expand co-operation in green and low-carbon development”.

Dr Chalmers’ trip comes as China’s steelmakers, by far the largest customer for Australian iron ore miners, endure their worst crisis since 2015.

“Treasury is forecasting China to grow below 5 per cent for the next three years,” Dr Chalmers writes in The Australian. “This would be the weakest period of growth since China began opening up in the late 70s.

“To put that in perspective, a one-percentage-point drop in China’s GDP growth roughly costs Australia a quarter of a percentage point of our growth, or about $6bn in lost output. Softer demand for iron ore, weighed down by the slowing China economy, is also a threat to the budget bottom line. In one of the Treasury’s scenarios, a faster fall in iron ore and metallurgical coal prices could cost the budget $4.5bn.”

Ahead of announcements overnight, Dr Chalmers flagged a strengthening in ties around new industries and products tied to the net-zero-emissions transition and boosted co-operation on decarbon­ising steel supply chains and certifying green products and investments.

Chinese government officials were expected to acknowledge the weakness in their economy while insisting Beijing was responding with targeted measures.

The Chinese government this week released stimulus measures including cuts to its benchmark ­interest rate, support for the struggling Chinese sharemarket and more aid for the troubled real ­estate sector as policymakers try to enliven an economy struggling to meet its annual 5 per cent target

Closer economic and diplomatic links are being managed carefully alongside geostrategic flashpoints in the Indo-Pacific, with the federal government tightening security, national-interest and foreign-investment rules and strengthening partnerships with the US, Japan, India, the Philippines and other ASEAN nations.

Dr Chalmers’ Chinese counterparts were expected to raise Canberra’s regulatory process for investment from China, a source of frustration and anger since 2017.

“It will be one of their top talking points,” said a source familiar with preparatory discussions before the dialogue.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21660373 (261233ZSEP24) Notable: China-Australia relations see more high-level exchanges, conducive to avoid amplifying difference: experts - "China-Australia relations have seen positive progress with more recent high-level exchanges, and observers noted that strengthened communication between the two sides can effectively avoid amplifying differences. The two countries' top diplomats met on Tuesday, meanwhile the fourth China-Australia Strategic Economic Dialogue is scheduled to be held in Beijing. According to Xinhua News Agency on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with his Australian counterpart, Penny Wong, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, told Wong that both sides should continue to build a more mature, stable, and fruitful comprehensive strategic partnership. Both sides should properly handle the issues in bilateral exchanges and not define China-Australia relations from the perspective of differences, Wang said, hoping Australia joins hands with China to ensure that bilateral relations go on the right track and achieve more results. Wong said Australia is ready to work with China to strengthen economic and trade cooperation, engage in constructive communication on issues of differences, and promote the stable development of bilateral relations. The Australian side's adherence to the one-China policy has not changed, Wong said." - Xu Keyue - globaltimes.cn

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>>240781

China-Australia relations see more high-level exchanges, conducive to avoid amplifying difference: experts

Xu Keyue - Sep 25, 2024

China-Australia relations have seen positive progress with more recent high-level exchanges, and observers noted that strengthened communication between the two sides can effectively avoid amplifying differences. The two countries' top diplomats met on Tuesday, meanwhile the fourth China-Australia Strategic Economic Dialogue is scheduled to be held in Beijing.

According to Xinhua News Agency on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with his Australian counterpart, Penny Wong, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, told Wong that both sides should continue to build a more mature, stable, and fruitful comprehensive strategic partnership.

Both sides should properly handle the issues in bilateral exchanges and not define China-Australia relations from the perspective of differences, Wang said, hoping Australia joins hands with China to ensure that bilateral relations go on the right track and achieve more results.

Wong said Australia is ready to work with China to strengthen economic and trade cooperation, engage in constructive communication on issues of differences, and promote the stable development of bilateral relations. The Australian side's adherence to the one-China policy has not changed, Wong said.

Chen Hong, executive director of the Asia Pacific Studies Center at East China Normal University, spoke positively of the meeting, stressing that during the gradual improvement of China-Australia relations, increased high-level communication between the two sides has been beneficial in steering the overall direction of their relationship, highlighting the importance both parties place on enhancing ties.

With the US election due in November and an Australian federal election next year, shifts in the political landscape may lead to policy uncertainties especially when it comes to China policy, making it even more crucial for China and Australia to deepen and strengthen high-level dialogue, as it can help avoid misunderstandings and misjudgments, Chen noted.

Analysts have also set high expectations for Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers' upcoming visit to China.

On Wednesday, China's National Development and Reform Commission announced that according to the agreement between China and Australia, Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers will visit China from Thursday to Friday. During this visit, Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, will co-chair the fourth China-Australia Strategic Economic Dialogue with Chalmers.

As the treasurer, Chalmers oversees Australia's economic direction, Chen pointed out.

His visit to China is expected to not only promote bilateral economic and trade relations but also to enhance the overall bilateral relationship, Chen noted.

Additionally, there may be opportunities for breakthroughs in cooperation between the two nations in new areas, particularly in addressing climate change and clean energy initiatives, Chen said.

However, experts also warned that the recent negative dynamics in the Quad leaders' summit regarding China are not conducive to the steady and healthy development of China-Australia relations.

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202409/1320359.shtml

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21660409 (261238ZSEP24) Notable: Morrison pushes for stronger Quad to counter aggressive China - Scott Morrison has warned Quad leaders to not allow their “focus and agenda to become diluted and distracted” in a new era of globalised strategic rivalry pitting western powers against aggressive and coercive autocracies led by China, Russia, Iran and North Korea. Following criticism about the substance of the Quad leaders’ dialogue meeting in Joe Biden’s home state of Delaware last weekend, Mr Morrison said the pact between Japan, Australia, the US and India must be maintained and strengthened as a key pillar in deterring the “arc of autocracy”. Speaking at the Yomiuri International Economic Security Symposium in Tokyo on Thursday, the former prime minister launched a defence of his former government’s “strident position” towards Xi Jinping’s People’s Republic of China. “We can peacefully coexist, but only with the right safeguards in place. We must do so with our eyes wide open and with the good sense to put a sufficient deterrent in place to counterbalance the growing power and influence of autocracies,” Mr Morrison said. “The objective of such a deterrent is simple, to ensure that when President Xi (Jinping) wakes up every morning and thinks about Taiwan, he concludes ‘not today’.” Ahead of Jim Chalmers meeting with Chinese counterparts in Beijing on Thursday, marking the first visit to the Communist nation by an Australian treasurer in seven years, Mr Morrison explained why he had pushed-back against the PRC. “I believed this was necessary to counter the PRC’s deliberate strategy to test Australia’s will and to split us off from our allies and partners. I believed that pretending to share values and interests with an autocracy seeking to bully and coerce us, while they undermined the very rules and norms that afforded us our freedom, got us where we are today. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.”

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>>241037

Morrison pushes for stronger Quad to counter aggressive China

GEOFF CHAMBERS - 26 September 2024

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Scott Morrison has warned Quad leaders to not allow their “focus and agenda to become diluted and distracted” in a new era of globalised strategic rivalry pitting western powers against aggressive and coercive autocracies led by China, Russia, Iran and North Korea.

Following criticism about the substance of the Quad leaders’ dialogue meeting in Joe Biden’s home state of Delaware last weekend, Mr Morrison said the pact between Japan, Australia, the US and India must be maintained and strengthened as a key pillar in deterring the “arc of autocracy”.

Speaking at the Yomiuri International Economic Security Symposium in Tokyo on Thursday, the former prime minister launched a defence of his former government’s “strident position” towards Xi Jinping’s People’s Republic of China.

“We can peacefully coexist, but only with the right safeguards in place. We must do so with our eyes wide open and with the good sense to put a sufficient deterrent in place to counterbalance the growing power and influence of autocracies,” Mr Morrison said.

“The objective of such a deterrent is simple, to ensure that when President Xi (Jinping) wakes up every morning and thinks about Taiwan, he concludes ‘not today’.”

Ahead of Jim Chalmers meeting with Chinese counterparts in Beijing on Thursday, marking the first visit to the Communist nation by an Australian treasurer in seven years, Mr Morrison explained why he had pushed-back against the PRC.

“I believed this was necessary to counter the PRC’s deliberate strategy to test Australia’s will and to split us off from our allies and partners. I believed that pretending to share values and interests with an autocracy seeking to bully and coerce us, while they undermined the very rules and norms that afforded us our freedom, got us where we are today. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.”

“This does not mean we do not engage diplomatically with China or even trade and seek co-operation on global challenges like climate change, human trafficking and organised crime.”

In retaliation against the Morrison government’s defence of Australia’s national interests, Beijing imposed diplomatic freezes and trade sanctions, while ramping-up cyber attacks and foreign interference.

Last week’s Quad meeting attended by Anthony Albanese was overshadowed by Mr Biden’s decision to not run in November’s US election, the imminent retirement of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and speculation about Narendra Modi’s long-term commitment to the security pact.

Reflecting on the quad meeting, Mr Morrison said the most valuable comment at the summit was Mr Biden’s “candid ‘hot mic’ admission about the PRC and Xi Jinping seeking to test rivals”.

“This sends a clear signal about what is really at stake. It has the ability to galvanise action,” he said.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21660461 (261245ZSEP24) Notable: New AUKUS treaty with UK to keep $368bn nuclear-powered submarine program on track - Australia and the United Kingdom are to negotiate a separate bilateral treaty “at pace and with high priority” to keep the $368bn AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine program on target. The new treaty, which will be negotiated in confidence, is supplementary to the broader 2021 trilateral AUKUS deal between the UK, Australia and the United States. Ministers believe having a new strategic and operational bilateral framework between just Australia and the United Kingdom will help the two countries focus on the core elements of the submarine, and will accelerate the design, build and delivery of SSN-AUKUS. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles met UK Defence Secretary John Healey, and the US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin in central London on Thursday. Mr Marles was expected to discuss the skilling up of local workers for submarine manufacture with his AUKUS partners. Last year it was announced SSN-AUKUS would be based on the United Kingdom’s next-generation design, using nuclear power technology from the United States and other new technologies from all three nations. The timetable has been for Australia and the UK to begin building SSN-AUKUS in local shipyards “within this decade” and that SSN-AUKUS will be the submarines used by the UK at the end of the 2030s and Australia will use them by early 2040s.

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>>240825

New AUKUS treaty with UK to keep $368bn nuclear-powered submarine program on track

JACQUELIN MAGNAY - 26 September 2024

Australia and the United Kingdom are to negotiate a separate bilateral treaty “at pace and with high priority” to keep the $368bn AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine program on target.

The new treaty, which will be negotiated in confidence, is supplementary to the broader 2021 trilateral AUKUS deal between the UK, Australia and the United States.

Ministers believe having a new strategic and operational bilateral framework between just Australia and the United Kingdom will help the two countries focus on the core elements of the submarine, and will accelerate the design, build and delivery of SSN-AUKUS.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles met UK Defence Secretary John Healey, and the US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin in central London on Thursday.

Earlier this week Mr Marles was in Norway to consolidate the $850m contract with Norwegian company Kongsberg to manufacture and service missiles in Newcastle.

“The Albanese government has been working closely with Kongsberg and the Norwegian government to see Australia both acquire and start manufacturing key missile technology here at home, and as a result securing hundreds of Australian jobs,” said Mr Marles.

Mr Marles was expected to discuss the skilling up of local workers for submarine manufacture with his AUKUS partners on Thursday.

Last year it was announced SSN-AUKUS would be based on the United Kingdom’s next-generation design, using nuclear power technology from the United States and other new technologies from all three nations.

The timetable has been for Australia and the UK to begin building SSN-AUKUS in local shipyards “within this decade” and that SSN-AUKUS will be the submarines used by the UK at the end of the 2030s and Australia will use them by early 2040s.

Just last month a new AUKUS trilateral treaty was announced in Washington which allows for the three AUKUS partners to continue to share submarine naval nuclear propulsion information between each other. It also allows the UK and the US to transfer material and equipment to Australia required for the safe and secure construction, operation and sustainment of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS partnership. The Australian has also reported how there had been secret agreements for the transfer of nuclear reactors and nuclear material.

However the Australian government says that its legal framework with the US is necessarily different in nature to its legal framework with the UK as they relate to different activities within AUKUS.

Specifically the new UK-Australia treaty will establish the operating framework to deliver the submarine under the Optimal Pathway plan, the government said.

Australian military personnel have already begun various rotations with the US Navy and the Royal Navy for training and development, while and other Australians have begun working on submarine industrial bases to develop skills to bring back home.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/defence/new-aukus-treaty-with-uk-to-keep-368bn-nuclearpowered-submarine-program-on-track/news-story/8a30b9152d9831364c6e4b6a4abcae45

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21660526 (261254ZSEP24) Notable: Back to Camelot:Caroline Kennedy set to leave Australia in months- Caroline Kennedy, the US ambassador to Australia, is planning to wrap up her Canberra posting within months regardless of whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris wins November’s presidential election. Kennedy, the daughter of late president John F. Kennedy, arrived in Australia in July 2022 with much fanfare owing to her status as a member of America’s most storied political dynasty. The widespread expectation in diplomatic circles is that Kennedy will end her high-profile posting by the time of the presidential inauguration on January 20, in line with American diplomatic conventions. She was definitive about her plans in an April interview with a Perth FM radio station that went under the radar at the time. “I’ll be finished up next January,” Kennedy told Nova 93.7 when asked whether she had a set term in Australia. Asked whether she would consider a diplomatic posting somewhere else, Kennedy said: “It couldn’t get better than this.” She is close to President Joe Biden and told this masthead in an extended interview last year that she lobbied him to send her to Australia. When Kennedy was appointed, Australia’s former US ambassador, Joe Hockey, said: “It says so much about the strong relationship between the US and Australia that President Biden is sending someone from Democratic Party royalty to represent him in Australia.”

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>>240875

Back to Camelot: Caroline Kennedy set to leave Australia in months

Matthew Knott - September 26, 2024

Caroline Kennedy, the US ambassador to Australia, is planning to wrap up her Canberra posting within months regardless of whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris wins November’s presidential election.

Kennedy, the daughter of late president John F. Kennedy, arrived in Australia in July 2022 with much fanfare owing to her status as a member of America’s most storied political dynasty.

The widespread expectation in diplomatic circles is that Kennedy will end her high-profile posting by the time of the presidential inauguration on January 20, in line with American diplomatic conventions.

She was definitive about her plans in an April interview with a Perth FM radio station that went under the radar at the time.

“I’ll be finished up next January,” Kennedy told Nova 93.7 when asked whether she had a set term in Australia.

Asked whether she would consider a diplomatic posting somewhere else, Kennedy said: “It couldn’t get better than this.”

She is close to President Joe Biden and told this masthead in an extended interview last year that she lobbied him to send her to Australia.

When Kennedy was appointed, Australia’s former US ambassador, Joe Hockey, said: “It says so much about the strong relationship between the US and Australia that President Biden is sending someone from Democratic Party royalty to represent him in Australia.”

Kennedy’s Republican predecessor, Arthur Culvahouse, who was appointed by Donald Trump, ended his term on January 19, 2021, the day before Biden’s inauguration.

Kennedy previously served as US ambassador to Japan under Barack Obama from 2013 to 2017.

She could possibly agree to a request by Kamala Harris to extend her time in Australia, but this is a hypothetical scenario.

It is seen as extremely unlikely Kennedy would agree to serve under Trump, given their political differences.

A spokesman for the US embassy said: “At the end of US presidential terms, all political ambassadors customarily submit resignation letters.

“That is the typical practice as they are representatives of the current administration.”

Kennedy landed with impact in Australia in 2022, chiding a male journalist for speaking over a female reporter at her arrival press conference.

She has worked behind the scenes to secure congressional support to pass legislation to loosen US export rules to Australia and the transfer of nuclear-powered submarines.

In terms of public diplomacy, she has focused on projecting soft power by presenting a friendly image of the US rather than delivering hard-edged policy speeches.

Michael Fullilove, executive director of the Lowy Institute international affairs think tank, said last year that he had been impressed by Kennedy’s “understated manner, her conscientiousness and her curiosity”.

“And of course, she has the ultimate ambassadorial superpower: the ability to get the president of the United States on the line,” he said.

Kennedy told an Asia Society event last week that her Australian posting, like her previous stint in Japan, had an “enormous personal dimension” for her.

She drove across the outback this year as part of a “shitbox rally” to raise money for cancer research and travelled to Solomon Islands with her son, Jack Schlossberg, in 2023 to recreate part of the famous 1.2-kilometre swim her father made in 1943 when his navy ship was rammed and sunk by a Japanese destroyer.

https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/back-to-camelot-caroline-kennedy-set-to-leave-australia-in-months-20240925-p5kdab.html?js-chunk-not-found-refresh=true

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21660654 (261317ZSEP24) Notable: Fallen US Marines honoured -US marines killed in Tiwi Islands Osprey crash honoured at emotional healing ceremony in Darwin- Three US marines killed in a Northern Territory military aircraft crash last year have been honoured at a Tiwi and Larrakia healing ceremony in Darwin, where their families were formally adopted by Tiwi leaders. In August last year, an MV-22B Osprey carrying 23 US marines crashed on Melville Island, one of the two Tiwi Islands north of Darwin, during routine training for Exercise Predator's Run. Captain Eleanor LeBeau, 29, Corporal Spencer Collart, 21, and Major Tobin Lewis, 37, were killed in the crash. More than a year later, on Thursday, the US marines and their families were honoured in a series of ceremonies in Darwin attended by hundreds of people. The families, and members of the US Marine Rotational Force - Darwin, were welcomed with a Larrakia smoking ceremony, and adopted by Tiwi leaders, on whose homelands the crash occurred. Tiwi-Mantiyupwi leader Jennifer Ullungura Clancy said the crash had left the Tiwi people grieving for the loss of life on their country. "The day it happened, it was very hard for my people to move on, to be happy the next day," she said. "We can do [ceremony] and grieve our own way, to let go." Ms Ullungura said it was important for the American families to be adopted by Tiwi people. "When they come, they can do their grieving on their own, and then we do it together as one," she said. "Now we are family. Like we told them, we are family."

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>>240948

US marines killed in Tiwi Islands Osprey crash honoured at emotional healing ceremony in Darwin

Oliver Chaseling - 26 September 2024

Three US marines killed in a Northern Territory military aircraft crash last year have been honoured at a Tiwi and Larrakia healing ceremony in Darwin, where their families were formally adopted by Tiwi leaders.

In August last year, an MV-22B Osprey carrying 23 US marines crashed on Melville Island, one of the two Tiwi Islands north of Darwin, during routine training for Exercise Predator's Run.

Captain Eleanor LeBeau, 29, Corporal Spencer Collart, 21, and Major Tobin Lewis, 37, were killed in the crash.

More than a year later, on Thursday, the US marines and their families were honoured in a series of ceremonies in Darwin attended by hundreds of people.

The families, and members of the US Marine Rotational Force — Darwin, were welcomed with a Larrakia smoking ceremony, and adopted by Tiwi leaders, on whose homelands the crash occurred.

Tiwi-Mantiyupwi leader Jennifer Ullungura Clancy said the crash had left the Tiwi people grieving for the loss of life on their country.

"The day it happened, it was very hard for my people to move on, to be happy the next day," she said.

"We can do [ceremony] and grieve our own way, to let go."

Ms Ullungura said it was important for the American families to be adopted by Tiwi people.

"When they come, they can do their grieving on their own, and then we do it together as one," she said.

"Now we are family. Like we told them, we are family."

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21666281 (271146ZSEP24) Notable: ‘Utterly untrue’: Keating berates Marles over AUKUS defence - Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has slapped down former prime minister Paul Keating and other senior Labor critics of the AUKUS defence pact, as the government looks to rein in the controversy before it threatens to sap public support. Standing beside the American and British defence secretaries at a press conference in London, Mr Marles said AUKUS was now rolling inexorably forward, and had the strong backing of the Australian public. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin also weighed in: he rejected one of Mr Keating’s central claims, telling journalists that AUKUS would not compromise Australia’s ability to make sovereign defence and security decisions in its own national interest. Mr Keating ridiculed these comments, saying Australia would only remain in charge of its own security until the prime minister and defence minister took a call from the US president, seeking to mobilise Australia’s submarines. “Wherein, both would click their heels in alacrity and agreement. The rest of us would read about it in some self-serving media statement afterwards,” Mr Keating said in a statement. The $368 billion plan to bring nuclear-powered submarines to Australia has come under increasing fire from Labor grandees, including Mr Keating and former foreign ministers Bob Carr and Gareth Evans. They have argued it will be too expensive and potentially undeliverable and will yoke Australia into military and geopolitical dependency on the US. The debate has not frayed the bipartisan support for AUKUS in Canberra, but could spur concern among observers in Britain and the US about the solidity of Australia’s commitment.

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>>240825

>>241053

‘Utterly untrue’: Keating berates Marles over AUKUS defence

Hans van Leeuwen and Matthew Cranston - Sep 27, 2024

London | Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has slapped down former prime minister Paul Keating and other senior Labor critics of the AUKUS defence pact, as the government looks to rein in the controversy before it threatens to sap public support.

Standing beside the American and British defence secretaries at a press conference in London, Mr Marles said AUKUS was now rolling inexorably forward, and had the strong backing of the Australian public.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin also weighed in: he rejected one of Mr Keating’s central claims, telling journalists that AUKUS would not compromise Australia’s ability to make sovereign defence and security decisions in its own national interest.

Mr Keating ridiculed these comments, saying Australia would only remain in charge of its own security until the prime minister and defence minister took a call from the US president, seeking to mobilise Australia’s submarines.

“Wherein, both would click their heels in alacrity and agreement. The rest of us would read about it in some self-serving media statement afterwards,” Mr Keating said in a statement.

The $368 billion plan to bring nuclear-powered submarines to Australia has come under increasing fire from Labor grandees, including Mr Keating and former foreign ministers Bob Carr and Gareth Evans. They have argued it will be too expensive and potentially undeliverable and will yoke Australia into military and geopolitical dependency on the US.

The debate has not frayed the bipartisan support for AUKUS in Canberra, but could spur concern among observers in Britain and the US about the solidity of Australia’s commitment.

Britain is keen for an AUKUS fillip to its manufacturing jobs and exports, while the US sees the tripartite pact as shoring up its military posture against China. The three defence ministers were holding an AUKUS summit in London, which included the announcement of an Australia-UK treaty to ensure the submarine program stays on track.

Mr Austin tackled Mr Keating’s earlier criticism head-on. “We are creating capability. And we are committed to making sure that Australia has what it needs to have, going forward. And [Australia] will make its own sovereign decisions about what it will do in the future. We fully expect that,” he said.

Mr Marles said Mr Keating was “perfectly entitled to the view that he holds”, but argued that the logic behind AUKUS matched that of the former prime minister when he committed to the Collins-class submarine program in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

“As a nation that is positioned where we are – which is ocean-going, which is so connected to the world for our sea lines of communication – we have to have a top-of-the-line, first-rate, long-range submarine capability. And the only way we achieve that is through a nuclear-powered submarine capability,” Mr Marles said.

“So to be able to have the same capability in the future that in Mr Keating’s time that he was planning for with the Collins-class submarines, we must walk down this path.”

Mr Keating rejected that argument on Friday as “utterly untrue”, saying the Collins-class were defensive submarines, designed to keep an enemy away from Australia and never designed to operate as far as China. “This is an argument unbecoming of any defence minister,” he said.

Despite Mr Keating’s comments, Mr Marles said there had been demonstrable support for AUKUS from the Labor Party’s own conference last year, and also from the Coalition and the Australian public.

“There is support for AUKUS in Australia,” he said. “That is where the public debate stands,” he said. “There will, of course, be other voices – this happens in a democracy, and that is important. But this is a program that enjoys bipartisan support in Australia. And it is happening.”

https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/deputy-pm-slaps-down-keating-over-aukus-doubts-20240927-p5kdw8

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21666329 (271200ZSEP24) Notable: Keating, Marles exchange fire over pact to buy US submarines - Former prime minister Paul Keating has berated the Labor government for claiming the AUKUS alliance will follow a similar path to his defence policy from three decades ago, escalating his attacks by calling the defence pact an act of “sublimation” to America. Keating accused Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles of misleading Australians over the plan to build a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, arguing the outcome would sacrifice Australian sovereignty. His blistering comments about “flogging a dead seahorse” came after Marles met his United States and United Kingdom counterparts in London on Thursday and recommitted to the plan to buy several US submarines before building a new fleet of AUKUS submarines. “The fact is, the Albanese government, through this program and the ambitious basing of American military forces on Australian soil is doing nothing other than abrogating Australia’s sovereign right to command its own continent and its military forces,” Keating said. Marles launched a passionate defence of the strategy by vowing there was no turning back on the $368 billion nuclear submarines deal, speaking alongside UK Defence Secretary John Healey and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin at Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich on Thursday. “We have to have a top-of-the-line, first-rate, long-range submarine capability,” Marles said, drawing a parallel between the current plan and the Keating government’s decision to build the Collins-class submarine in the 1990s. “So to be able to have the same capability in the future that in Mr Keating’s time he was planning for with the Collins-class submarines, we must walk down this path.”

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>>240825

>>241053

>>241057

Keating, Marles exchange fire over pact to buy US submarines

David Crowe and Rob Harris - September 27, 2024

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Former prime minister Paul Keating has berated the Labor government for claiming the AUKUS alliance will follow a similar path to his defence policy from three decades ago, escalating his attacks by calling the defence pact an act of “sublimation” to America.

Keating accused Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles of misleading Australians over the plan to build a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, arguing the outcome would sacrifice Australian sovereignty.

His blistering comments about “flogging a dead seahorse” came after Marles met his United States and United Kingdom counterparts in London on Thursday and recommitted to the plan to buy several US submarines before building a new fleet of AUKUS submarines.

“The fact is, the Albanese government, through this program and the ambitious basing of American military forces on Australian soil is doing nothing other than abrogating Australia’s sovereign right to command its own continent and its military forces,” Keating said.

Marles launched a passionate defence of the strategy by vowing there was no turning back on the $368 billion nuclear submarines deal, speaking alongside UK Defence Secretary John Healey and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin at Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich on Thursday.

“We have to have a top-of-the-line, first-rate, long-range submarine capability,” Marles said, drawing a parallel between the current plan and the Keating government’s decision to build the Collins-class submarine in the 1990s.

“So to be able to have the same capability in the future that in Mr Keating’s time he was planning for with the Collins-class submarines, we must walk down this path.”

Marles argued that Australia had to commit to nuclear-powered submarines to continue the approach taken with the Collins-class diesel-powered vessels in the past, while he acknowledged the big leap in technical capability with the future fleet.

“It is not lost on us the significance of the step that we are taking,” Marles said. “But this is utterly essential for Australia’s future and the strategic imperative of that remains unchanged, irrespective of what Mr Keating says.

“We are really comfortable and confident about the way in which that argument is being received. There will, of course, be other voices, which happens in a democracy, and that is important, but this is a program which enjoys bipartisan support in Australia, and it is happening.”

Keating took issue with that argument and said Labor members were against AUKUS.

“Richard Marles says ‘there has been demonstrable support for AUKUS within the Labor Party’. This may be true at some factionally, highly managed national conference – like the last one – but it is utterly untrue of the Labor Party’s membership at large – which he knows,” Keating said in a statement after the Greenwich meeting.

“The membership abhors AUKUS and everything that smacks of national sublimation. It does not expect these policies from a Labor government.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21666439 (271224ZSEP24) Notable: Pierside accident: -China’s Newest Nuclear Submarine Sank, Setting Back Its Military Modernization- China’s newest nuclear-powered attack submarine sank in the spring, a major setback for one of the country’s priority weapons programs, U.S. officials said. The episode, which Chinese authorities scrambled to cover up and hasn’t previously been disclosed, occurred at a shipyard near Wuhan in late May or early June. It comes as China has been pushing to expand its navy, including its fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. The Pentagon has cast China as its principal long-term “pacing challenge,” and U.S. officials say that Beijing has been using political and military pressure to try to coerce Taiwan, a separately governed island that Beijing claims as part of its territory. China says its goal in building a world-class military is to deter aggression and safeguard its overseas interests. A spokesman for the Chinese embassy didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. The U.S. doesn’t know if the sub was carrying nuclear fuel at the time it sank, but experts outside the U.S. government said that was likely. The Zhou-class vessel that sank is the first of a new class of Chinese nuclear-powered subs and features a distinctive X-shaped stern, which is designed to make the vessel more maneuverable. The sub was built by China State Shipbuilding Corp., a state-owned company, and was observed alongside a pier on the Yangtze River in late May when it was undergoing its final equipping before going to sea. After the sinking, large floating cranes arrived in early June to salvage the sub from the river bed, according to satellite photos of the site.

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>>240825

China’s Newest Nuclear Submarine Sank, Setting Back Its Military Modernization

Pierside accident came as Beijing attempts to expand its navy

Michael R. Gordon - Sept. 26, 2024

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WASHINGTON - China’s newest nuclear-powered attack submarine sank in the spring, a major setback for one of the country’s priority weapons programs, U.S. officials said.

The episode, which Chinese authorities scrambled to cover up and hasn’t previously been disclosed, occurred at a shipyard near Wuhan in late May or early June.

It comes as China has been pushing to expand its navy, including its fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.

The Pentagon has cast China as its principal long-term “pacing challenge,” and U.S. officials say that Beijing has been using political and military pressure to try to coerce Taiwan, a separately governed island that Beijing claims as part of its territory.

China says its goal in building a world-class military is to deter aggression and safeguard its overseas interests. A spokesman for the Chinese embassy didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

The U.S. doesn’t know if the sub was carrying nuclear fuel at the time it sank, but experts outside the U.S. government said that was likely.

Undersea technology has long been an area of U.S. advantage, but China has been pushing hard to narrow the gap.

China has been moving to diversify the production of nuclear-powered submarines. Production has been centered in the northeastern city of Huludao, but China is now moving to manufacture nuclear-powered attack submarines at the Wuchang Shipyard near Wuhan.

Beijing had 48 diesel-powered attack subs and six nuclear-powered attack subs at the end of 2022, according to a Pentagon report issued last year on China’s military power,

That report said that China’s aim in developing new attack submarines, surface ships and naval aircraft is to counter efforts by the U.S. and its partners to come to Taiwan’s aid during a conflict and to achieve “maritime superiority” within the first island chain, a string of territory from the Japanese archipelago through Taiwan and the Philippines to the South China Sea.

The Zhou-class vessel that sank is the first of a new class of Chinese nuclear-powered subs and features a distinctive X-shaped stern, which is designed to make the vessel more maneuverable.

The sub was built by China State Shipbuilding Corp., a state-owned company, and was observed alongside a pier on the Yangtze River in late May when it was undergoing its final equipping before going to sea.

After the sinking, large floating cranes arrived in early June to salvage the sub from the river bed, according to satellite photos of the site.

“The sinking of a new nuclear sub that was produced at a new yard will slow China’s plans to grow its nuclear submarine fleet,” said Brent Sadler, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a Washington think tank, and a retired U.S. Navy nuclear submarine officer. “This is significant.”

Neither the People’s Liberation Army, as the Chinese military is known, nor local authorities, have acknowledged the episode.

“It’s not surprising that the PLA Navy would try to conceal the fact that their new first-in-class nuclear-powered attack submarine sank pierside,” said a senior U.S. defense official. “In addition to the obvious questions about training standards and equipment quality, the incident raises deeper questions about the PLA’s internal accountability and oversight of China’s defense industry, which has long been plagued by corruption.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21687977 (011021ZOCT24) Notable: Aftab Malik appointed as Islamophobia special envoy - The newly appointed special envoy to combat Islamophobia, Aftab Malik, has vowed to advocate against hate directed at Muslim community and anti-Semitism, amid concerns the conflict in the Middle East is undermining social cohesion in Australia. Mr Malik, an internationally recognised Muslim scholar and public servant, said Islamophobia and anti-Semitism could often be found “lurking” together, stressing that “no form of hatred is more important than another”. His appointment comes two months after Anthony Albanese unveiled former lawyer and business leader Jillian Segal as the nation’s special envoy on anti-Semitism in July, when he said a counterpart to address Islamophobia would be announced “shortly”. As the escalation of attacks over the Israel-Lebanon border threatens to engulf the region in a wider conflict, Mr Malik said the fight against hate was “more important today than it’s ever been”. “Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia are not mutually exclusive. Where there is one, you most likely will find the other, lurking,” Mr Malik said. “I don’t intend to use this role to advocate that one form of hatred is more important than another: both anti-Semitism and Islamophobia are unacceptable.” Mr Malik, who spent almost a decade in the NSW Premier’s Department promoting social cohesion and countering hate and extremism, said he would work closely with Ms Segal on how to bring their communities together. “As such, I look forward to engaging with my counterpart, Jillian Segal, to share insights and exchange ideas on how we can fortify social cohesion, and bring our communities together on a common ground, rooted in dignity for all,” he said.

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>>240743

>>240911

Aftab Malik appointed as Islamophobia special envoy

RHIANNON DOWN - 30 September 2024

The newly appointed special envoy to combat Islamophobia, Aftab Malik, has vowed to advocate against hate directed at Muslim community and anti-Semitism, amid concerns the conflict in the Middle East is undermining social cohesion in Australia.

Mr Malik, an internationally recognised Muslim scholar and public servant, said Islamophobia and anti-Semitism could often be found “lurking” together, stressing that “no form of hatred is more important than another”.

His appointment comes two months after Anthony Albanese unveiled former lawyer and business leader Jillian Segal as the nation’s special envoy on anti-Semitism in July, when he said a counterpart to address Islamophobia would be announced “shortly”.

As the escalation of attacks over the Israel-Lebanon border threatens to engulf the region in a wider conflict, Mr Malik said the fight against hate was “more important today than it’s ever been”.

“Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia are not mutually exclusive. Where there is one, you most likely will find the other, lurking,” Mr Malik said.

“I don’t intend to use this role to advocate that one form of hatred is more important than another: both anti-Semitism and Islamophobia are unacceptable.”

Mr Malik, who spent almost a decade in the NSW Premier’s Department promoting social cohesion and countering hate and extremism, said he would work closely with Ms Segal on how to bring their communities together.

“As such, I look forward to engaging with my counterpart, Jillian Segal, to share insights and exchange ideas on how we can fortify social cohesion, and bring our communities together on a common ground, rooted in dignity for all,” he said.

The appointment of Mr Malik comes as tensions within the community over the Middle East conflict deepen after anti-Israel protests erupted on Sunday, where demonstrators were seen brandishing portraits of slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Mr Malik has also been recognised by the UN Alliance of Civilisations as a global expert on Muslim affairs, and has been an outspoken critic of Islamic extremism.

“Each of us can play a part in making sure that violence and hatred have no place in our communities,” he said.

“We can do this by valuing and strengthening the bonds between us, and by calling out discrimination and being allies to those who experience it.”

Immigration and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said Mr Malik’s appointment will bolster the government’s $90m investment in initiatives to address the impacts of the Israel-Hamas war on Australian communities.

“Bigotry is always wrong,” Mr Burke said.

“You should be able to live safely and freely in Australia, regardless of who you are or what you believe.”

When Mr Malik steps into the role on October 14, his focus will be to engage with the Muslim community, religious discrimination experts and all levels of government to ascertain pathways to combat Islamophobia.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/aftab-malik-appointed-as-islamophobia-special-envoy/news-story/141ac3f0ae0fb212950a9232bd7da9a1

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21687984 (011024ZOCT24) Notable: ‘Let us stop gagging … and killing each other’: Assange breaks his silence - Julian Assange says he is only free because he pleaded guilty to being a journalist and admits his personal transition from years confined in a maximum security prison to freedom has been a “profound and a surreal shift” with which he is still struggling. The 53-year-old WikiLeaks founder, released in June after five years in a British prison after plea deal with the US government, said it was important to remember he was not free because the legal system worked, but only because he chose it over “an unrealisable justice”. “I am free today after years of incarceration because I pleaded guilty to journalism; pleaded guilty to seeking information from sources; I pleaded guilty to obtaining information from a source and I pleaded guilty to inform the public,” Assange said, in his first public comments since his release from prison. Speaking at the Council of Europe legal affairs and human rights committee in Strasbourg, France, on Wednesday, Assange stressed the US “insisted” on him agreeing not to file a case at the European Court of Human Rights against it in return for the plea deal. Wearing a navy-blue suit and a maroon tie, Assange coughed regularly through his 45-minute address to the council, occasionally stumbling over his words. He admitted he found it difficult to talk about his lengthy experience behind bars.

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>>240999

>>241017

‘Let us stop gagging … and killing each other’: Assange breaks his silence

Rob Harris - October 1, 2024

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Strasbourg: Julian Assange says he is only free because he pleaded guilty to being a journalist and admits his personal transition from years confined in a maximum security prison to freedom has been a “profound and a surreal shift” with which he is still struggling.

The 53-year-old WikiLeaks founder, released in June after five years in a British prison after plea deal with the US government, said it was important to remember he was not free because the legal system worked, but only because he chose it over “an unrealisable justice”.

“I am free today after years of incarceration because I pleaded guilty to journalism; pleaded guilty to seeking information from sources; I pleaded guilty to obtaining information from a source and I pleaded guilty to inform the public,” Assange said, in his first public comments since his release from prison.

Speaking at the Council of Europe legal affairs and human rights committee in Strasbourg, France, on Wednesday, Assange stressed the US “insisted” on him agreeing not to file a case at the European Court of Human Rights against it in return for the plea deal.

Wearing a navy-blue suit and a maroon tie, Assange coughed regularly through his 45-minute address to the council, occasionally stumbling over his words. He admitted he found it difficult to talk about his lengthy experience behind bars.

“The experience of isolation for years in a small cell is difficult to convey,” he said. “It strips away one’s sense of self, leaving only the raw essence of existence. I am yet not fully equipped to speak about what I have endured, the relentless struggle to stay alive, both physically and mentally.”

“Isolation has taken its toll, which I am trying to unwind and expressing myself in this setting is a challenge.”

The Australian citizen was released after he was convicted of obtaining and publishing US military secrets in the deal with US Justice Department prosecutors that concluded a drawn-out legal saga. A judge sentenced him to the five years he had already spent behind bars in a high-security UK prison while fighting extradition to the US.

Before his time in prison, he had spent seven years in self-imposed exile in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, where he claimed asylum on the grounds of political persecution, and fought extradition to Sweden over sexual assault allegations.

He returned to Australia in late June. At the time his wife, Stella, said he needed time to recuperate before speaking publicly.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21687992 (011027ZOCT24) Notable: Julian Assange, WikiLeaks founder, speaks in his first appearance since his release from prison - Julian Assange is back on European soil. When last here, he was behind bars. On Tuesday, he gave evidence about his years of incarceration in a high-security UK prison, after the United States charged him under the Espionage Act. It's his first public appearance since being released from prison and returning to Australia. In an at times scathing address, he criticised the United States and its allies in their handling of his case. "I am not here today because the system worked, I am free today after years of incarceration because I pleaded guilty to journalism," Assange told Europe's leading human rights organisation, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) at Strasbourg, France, which is investigating his detention and conviction. The appearance of the WikiLeaks founder at PACE was a tightly controlled affair, international media faced extensive restrictions, and Assange did not give interviews. Assange told the ABC ahead of the hearing he was "pleased to be here." Flanked by his wife, Stella, and the WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson, Mr Assange said legal protections "only existed on paper." "I eventually chose freedom over unrealisable justice after being detained for years…. With no effective remedy," he said. "Justice for me is now precluded because the US government insisted … that I cannot file in the European Court of Human Rights or a Freedom of Information request." Speaking of his 5 years in a UK prison, Assange said it was a "relentless struggle to stay alive, physically and mentally." "It strips away one's sense of self," he said. "Isolation has taken its toll. The transition from years of confinement in a max-security prison to being here before the reps of 46 nations is a profound and surreal shift." The emotional address included some light moments too, with Assange thanking his wife for looking after his children while he was in prison. The packed auditorium broke into laughter when he went on to describe how he is getting used to having a mother-in-law.

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>>241061

Julian Assange, WikiLeaks founder, speaks in his first appearance since his release from prison

Henry Zwartz and Mazoe Ford - 1 October 2024

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Julian Assange is back on European soil. When last here, he was behind bars.

On Tuesday, he gave evidence about his years of incarceration in a high-security UK prison, after the United States charged him under the Espionage Act.

It's his first public appearance since being released from prison and returning to Australia.

In an at times scathing address, he criticised the United States and its allies in their handling of his case.

"I am not here today because the system worked, I am free today after years of incarceration because I pleaded guilty to journalism," Assange told Europe's leading human rights organisation, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) at Strasbourg, France, which is investigating his detention and conviction.

The appearance of the WikiLeaks founder at PACE was a tightly controlled affair, international media faced extensive restrictions, and Assange did not give interviews.

Assange told the ABC ahead of the hearing he was "pleased to be here."

'Isolation has taken its toll'

Flanked by his wife, Stella, and the WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson, Mr Assange said legal protections "only existed on paper."

"I eventually chose freedom over unrealisable justice after being detained for years…. With no effective remedy," he said.

"Justice for me is now precluded because the US government insisted … that I cannot file in the European Court of Human Rights or a Freedom of Information request."

Speaking of his 5 years in a UK prison, Assange said it was a "relentless struggle to stay alive, physically and mentally."

"It strips away one's sense of self," he said.

"Isolation has taken its toll.

"The transition from years of confinement in a max-security prison to being here before the reps of 46 nations is a profound and surreal shift."

The emotional address included some light moments too, with Assange thanking his wife for looking after his children while he was in prison.

The packed auditorium broke into laughter when he went on to describe how he is getting used to having a mother-in-law.

In his address, Assange focused heavily on the theme of freedom of speech.

"Freedom of expression and all that comes with it is at a dark crossroads," he said.

"The criminalisation of news gathering activities is a threat to investigative journalism everywhere.

"I was convicted, by a foreign power, for asking for, receiving and publishing truthful information, about that power while I was in Europe.

"Journalists should not be prosecuted for doing their jobs. Journalism is not a crime, it is a pillar of a free and informed society."

Handling of Assange case blasted

Assange is giving evidence after a PACE report into his case recently concluded he was a political prisoner.

That report called for Britain to hold an inquiry into whether he had been exposed to "inhumane treatment."

"While some of WikiLeaks' disclosures, especially those released in un-redacted form, could have posed a threat to the personal safety of informers, intelligence sources, and secret service personnel, despite the significant lapse of time, no evidence has emerged to suggest that anyone has been harmed as a result of them," PACE noted.

PACE said it considered the charges brought against Assange by the United States under the Espionage Act to be "disproportionate" and "severe."

"For their part, the UK authorities failed to effectively protect Assange's freedom of expression and right to liberty, exposing him to lengthy detention in a high-security prison despite the political nature of the most severe charges against him," PACE said.

"His detention far exceeded the reasonable length acceptable for extradition."

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21695329 (021043ZOCT24) Notable: Video: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange blames British legal system, banks and oil giants for detention during speech in Strasbourg - Julian Assange has blamed 14 years of his detention on a compliant British legal establishment in hock to keeping important British-American interests intact, such as arms manufacturer BAE, various banks, and oil companies such as BP and Shell. Assange spoke for the first time since arriving at a plea deal with the US, addressing the Council of Europe parliamentarians in Strasbourg on Tuesday that it “was good to be among friends” and thanking “all the people who understood my liberation was their own liberation”. He said he had expected “harassment and legal processes” when he solicited, obtained and then published US information back in 2010 and 2011 but he had been prepared to fight for that to reveal US war crimes. Assange on Tuesday said at that time he believed his basic rights would have been protected under European law and in the US no publisher had been prosecuted for publishing information, domestically or internationally. “My naivety was believing in the law,’’ he said during a 45-­minute address to the parliamentarians, adding that “when push comes to shove, the laws are reinterpreted for public expediency’’. He said he had angered one of the constitutional powers of the US - the intelligence sector. “It was powerful enough to push for a reinterpretation of the US constitution … and yes, perhaps ultimately if I had gotten to Supreme Court of the US, and I was still alive, I might have won, depending on the make-up of the US judges in the system. “In the meantime, I had lost 14 years, the house arrest, the embassy siege, the incarnation in Belmarsh … It is an important lesson that when a major power wants to reinterpret the law … it doesn’t care too much about what is legal, that’s something for a much later date; and in the meantime there is a deterrent effect, a retribution effect.”

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>>241061

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange blames British legal system, banks and oil giants for detention during speech in Strasbourg

JACQUELIN MAGNAY - 1 October 2024

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Julian Assange has blamed 14 years of his detention on a compliant British legal establishment in hock to keeping important British-American interests intact, such as arms manufacturer BAE, various banks, and oil companies such as BP and Shell.

Assange spoke for the first time since arriving at a plea deal with the US, addressing the Council of Europe parliamentarians in Strasbourg on Tuesday that it “was good to be among friends” and thanking “all the people who understood my liberation was their own liberation”.

He said he had expected “harassment and legal processes” when he solicited, obtained and then published US information back in 2010 and 2011 but he had been prepared to fight for that to reveal US war crimes.

Assange on Tuesday said at that time he believed his basic rights would have been protected under European law and in the US no publisher had been prosecuted for publishing information, domestically or internationally.

“My naivety was believing in the law,’’ he said during a 45-­minute address to the parliamentarians, adding that “when push comes to shove, the laws are reinterpreted for public expediency’’.

He said he had angered one of the constitutional powers of the US – the intelligence sector.

“It was powerful enough to push for a reinterpretation of the US constitution … and yes, perhaps ultimately if I had gotten to Supreme Court of the US, and I was still alive, I might have won, depending on the make-up of the US judges in the system.

“In the meantime, I had lost 14 years, the house arrest, the embassy siege, the incarnation in Belmarsh … It is an important lesson that when a major power wants to reinterpret the law … it doesn’t care too much about what is legal, that’s something for a much later date; and in the meantime there is a deterrent effect, a retribution effect.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21700837 (031049ZOCT24) Notable: Sall Grover appeals landmark transgender discrimination win - Sall Grover is challenging a controversial Federal Court ruling that “sex is changeable” after a judge found excluding a transgender woman from the women’s-only social media app Giggle for Girls amounted to indirect discrimination. In August, transgender woman Roxanne Tickle won a landmark case against Giggle for Girls when Justice Robert Bromwich found Ms Grover had indirectly, but not directly, discriminated against Ms Tickle when she removed her from the app because she did not look sufficiently female. Ms Grover was ordered to pay the Ms Tickle $10,000, as well as her legal costs. In his ruling, Justice Bromwich found that “sex is changeable” and non-binary, saying the “concept of sex has broadened over the 30 years since the SDA”. In a statement on Thursday, Giggle for Girls and Ms Grover said they would argue the court “misinterpreted the legal definition of ‘sex’ under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth), expanding it beyond biological realities, which could undermine protections meant for women and girls.” The “appeal challenges a declaratory judgment that wrongfully finds our actions constituted ‘unlawful indirect discrimination’ based on gender identity”, the statement said. Indirect discrimination is the imposition of a condition, requirement or practice that is likely to disadvantage a person relative to another person who has a different gender identity. Ms Grover will also argue the app serves as a special measure, which is “aimed at fostering equality between men and women”. Under the Sex Discrimination Act, special measures are actions that promote equality for disadvantaged groups. “By providing a dedicated space for women, we are not just protecting their rights but championing the values of fairness and safety for all,” the statement said. “The recent ruling of Justice Bromwich in the Federal Court of Australia … misinterprets the fundamental rights of women and girls, and the principles of single-sex spaces essential for their safety and dignity.”

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>>240869

>>240929

Sall Grover appeals landmark transgender discrimination win

JOANNA PANAGOPOULOS - 3 October 2024

Sall Grover is challenging a controversial Federal Court ruling that “sex is changeable” after a judge found excluding a transgender woman from the women’s-only social media app Giggle for Girls amounted to indirect discrimination.

In August, transgender woman Roxanne Tickle won a landmark case against Giggle for Girls when Justice Robert Bromwich found Ms Grover had indirectly, but not directly, discriminated against Ms Tickle when she removed her from the app because she did not look sufficiently female. Ms Grover was ordered to pay the Ms Tickle $10,000, as well as her legal costs.

In his ruling, Justice Bromwich found that “sex is changeable” and non-binary, saying the “concept of sex has broadened over the 30 years since the SDA”.

In a statement on Thursday, Giggle for Girls and Ms Grover said they would argue the court “misinterpreted the legal definition of ‘sex’ under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth), expanding it beyond biological realities, which could undermine protections meant for women and girls.”

The “appeal challenges a declaratory judgment that wrongfully finds our actions constituted ‘unlawful indirect discrimination’ based on gender identity”, the statement said.

Indirect discrimination is the imposition of a condition, requirement or practice that is likely to disadvantage a person relative to another person who has a different gender identity.

Ms Grover will also argue the app serves as a special measure, which is “aimed at fostering equality between men and women”. Under the Sex Discrimination Act, special measures are actions that promote equality for disadvantaged groups.

“By providing a dedicated space for women, we are not just protecting their rights but championing the values of fairness and safety for all,” the statement said.

“The recent ruling of Justice Bromwich in the Federal Court of Australia … misinterprets the fundamental rights of women and girls, and the principles of single-sex spaces essential for their safety and dignity.”

Ms Tickle underwent gender-affirming surgery in 2019 and is now designated as female on her Queensland birth certificate.

She was accepted into the app in February 2021 after an analysis of a “selfie” by Giggle’s third-party artificial intelligence tool but later blocked when Ms Grover surveyed the image herself.

Ms Tickle said she was “very disappointed” that Ms Grover had “decided to appeal the judge’s ruling that she discriminated against me because I’m a trans woman”.

“Post-gender transition should be the most joyous years of my life. I had my new life ahead of me, and now I am being dragged back to court for who knows how long. All because of a very small group of people who are committed to making the lives of people they’ve never met very difficult,” Ms Tickle said.

“Trans and gender diverse people exist. Our legal system recognises this. Society at large recognises this. I shouldn’t have to spend years of my life in court to either prove I exist or to have my existing legal rights upheld.”

The statement from Giggle for Girls said “this is not an act of unkindness or bigotry; rather, it is a stand for fairness, honesty and truth, acknowledging the unique experiences and challenges faced by women and girls.”

There were mixed reactions to the Justice Bromwich’s judgment, handed down in August.

Some legal experts said the ruling made it “clear cut that you cannot have spaces designated as women-only, where what you mean is cisgender women-only”. Others said discrimination law no longer offered women the protection it was once legislated to guarantee.

In response to the appeal, Equality Australia said: “Every woman should be able to participate in public life on equal terms and feel part of a society that treats them with respect.”

Experienced silk Stuart Wood AM KC has been brought onto the Giggle team, alongside Bridie Nolan, Anca Costin and Katherine Deves.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/sall-grover-appeals-landmark-transgender-discrimination-win/news-story/8268abfb20ea13ad02d01ef643a978be

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21706984 (041328ZOCT24) Notable: Peter Dutton calls for Iranian ambassador to be expelled after tweet praising slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah - Iran's ambassador to Australia should be expelled from the country over his comments praising Hezbollah's slain leader, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says. Mr Dutton this morning called for Iranian ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi's expulsion following his comments on social media labelling assassinated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah a martyr and "unparalleled leader". He made the remarks late last month, the day Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli air strike. Mr Dutton said Mr Sadeghi should not remain in Australia. "I think the comments from the Iranian ambassador are completely and utterly at odds with what is in our country's best interests and the prime minister and the foreign minister should show the strength of character and expel him from our country," Mr Dutton said. The ABC understands the Iranian ambassador has been called into the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade over the social media post. It is understood Mr Sadeghi was spoken to by government officials today, and reminded of his obligation to respect Australian law and to stay out of domestic affairs.

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>>240783

>>240797

Peter Dutton calls for Iranian ambassador to be expelled after tweet praising slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah

Jake Evans - 4 October 2024

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Iran's ambassador to Australia should be expelled from the country over his comments praising Hezbollah's slain leader, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says.

Mr Dutton this morning called for Iranian ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi's expulsion following his comments on social media labelling assassinated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah a martyr and "unparalleled leader".

He made the remarks late last month, the day Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli air strike.

Mr Dutton said Mr Sadeghi should not remain in Australia.

"I think the comments from the Iranian ambassador are completely and utterly at odds with what is in our country's best interests and the prime minister and the foreign minister should show the strength of character and expel him from our country," Mr Dutton said.

The ABC understands the Iranian ambassador has been called into the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade over the social media post.

It is understood Mr Sadeghi was spoken to by government officials today, and reminded of his obligation to respect Australian law and to stay out of domestic affairs.

The ABC has contacted Foreign Minister Penny Wong for comment.

Speaking to reporters, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the ambassador's remarks but declined to say he should be expelled.

"The government condemns any support for terrorist organisations such as Hezbollah. We condemn the ambassador's comments," Mr Albanese said.

"We have maintained a relationship with Iran since 1968 which is continuous. Not because we agree with the regime but because it is in Australia's national interest.

"It has never been an endorsement of the regime, but a channel to protect Australia's interests and to communicate our views and the views of our allies, like-minded countries."

But Shadow Foreign Minister Simon Birmingham said Australia should also take steps to ensure Iran's leadership was limited in their ability to "promote hatred" within Australia.

"We have seen multiple instances now, including just in the last week, of Iran's ambassador to Australia engaging in hate speech, undertaking statements that, were they to be said by an individual speaking at a rally in Australia, or a preacher in a place of worship, may well actually instigate legal proceedings against them," Senator Birmingham said.

"Whilst [diplomatic immunity] may prevent him from being charged, it does warrant the case and necessitate why we believe he should be withdrawn from that diplomatic right within Australia."

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21710722 (050132ZOCT24) Notable: Video: Revealed - Iranian Arashi Rahbari behind pro-Hezbollah rally calls Australia ‘a tyrannical terrorist regime’ - A pro-Hezbollah activist who led a march through Melbourne last weekend waving the terrorist group’s flag and chanting pro-Hamas and pro-Houthi slogans can be identified as an Iranian national who believes Australia is a pathetic “tyrannical terrorist regime”. The Australian has confirmed Arashi Rahbari was one of the leaders of the provocative pro-Hezbollah rally staged to mourn the loss of slain terrorist Hassan Nasrallah. Mr Rahbari, who lives in Melbourne and is an Iranian national, was spotted on Sunday wearing a shirt with Hezbollah’s paraphernalia while waving the terrorist flag, strapped to another Iranian flag. The emergence of an Iranian national as a local pro-Hezbollah leader underlines the challenge facing Australia in dealing with the fallout from the October 7 terrorist attack in Israel and the war that has since erupted. As Mr Rahbari was identified, the Australian Federal Police’s Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Command Centre established Operation Ardvarna to look into the prohibited display of symbols in public spaces by nine individuals in Melbourne at the weekend rally.

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>>240783

>>240797

Revealed: Iranian Arashi Rahbari behind pro-Hezbollah rally calls Australia ‘a tyrannical terrorist regime’

MOHAMMAD ALFARES - October 03, 2024

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A pro-Hezbollah activist who led a march through Melbourne last weekend waving the terrorist group’s flag and chanting pro-Hamas and pro-Houthi slogans can be identified as an Iranian national who believes Australia is a pathetic “tyrannical terrorist regime”.

The Australian has confirmed Arashi Rahbari was one of the leaders of the provocative pro-Hezbollah rally staged to mourn the loss of slain terrorist Hassan Nasrallah.

Mr Rahbari, who lives in Melbourne and is an Iranian national, was spotted on Sunday wearing a shirt with Hezbollah’s paraphernalia while waving the terrorist flag, strapped to another Iranian flag. The emergence of an Iranian national as a local pro-Hezbollah leader underlines the challenge facing Australia in dealing with the fallout from the October 7 terrorist attack in Israel and the war that has since erupted.

As Mr Rahbari was identified, the Australian Federal Police’s Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Command Centre established Operation Ardvarna to look into the prohibited display of symbols in public spaces by nine individuals in Melbourne at the weekend rally.

The probe comes as one of the Hezbollah flag-bearing activists revealed by The Australian as Yousif Tiba declared he was “not scared of police” while celebrating the terror group as a “resistance organisation”.

Mr Rahbari attended the violent Land Forces protest in September and was filmed by The Australian chanting “Hamas, Houthis, Hezbollah, Mashallah” and “Labayka ya Khomeini”, meaning “I’m at your service, ­Khomeini” or “Here I am, Khomeini”. He was wearing a white cap with a picture of a Hamas terrorist and a white shirt of the former supreme leader of Iran, Ruhollah Khomeini.

In a conversation with The Australian at the Land Forces protest, Mr Rahbari identified himself as an Iranian national but declined an interview.

Khomeini was the architect of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which was founded on his vision of governance rooted in Shia Islam, known as “Velayat-e Faqih” (Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist). After the revolution, he became Iran’s supreme leader, the highest political and religious authority, and held this position until his death in 1989. He was not a listed terrorist in Australia.

In an image Mr Rahbari shared on social media featuring a protest where several men were holding a yellow Hezbollah flag, Mr Rahbari called Australia a “pathetic tyrannical terrorist regime”. Another caption he wrote states: “I will not bow down to Australian terrorist regime! Get fd mate!! Mashallah Hezbollah labaik ya Nasrallah.”

It’s unclear whether Mr Rahbari is a visa-holder or an Australian citizen.

The department of Home Affairs would not disclose any information on individual residents, citing privacy reasons.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21710776 (050140ZOCT24) Notable: NSW Police abandon bid to stop October 6 protest in Sydney despite ‘tinder box’ warning - Police have dropped a bid to stop a rally in Sydney’s CBD on Sunday - the eve of the anniversary of Hamas’s attack on Israel – after the route of the march was changed, while a pro-Palestinian candlelight vigil on October 7 will also go ahead. It followed three hours of hearings in the NSW Supreme Court on Thursday, and backroom discussions between the Commissioner of NSW Police and pro-Palestine protest organiser Palestine Action Group about the route of the march. After initiating the proceedings in the Supreme Court to put an end to the planned protest ending at Hyde Park, NSW police indicated they did not object to a new path, submitted late in the day by PAG, that would avoid the Great Synagogue between Elizabeth and Castlereagh streets by an extra block. PAG said they expected 5000 people to attend Sunday’s protest but police estimate numbers closer to 15,000 given escalating tensions in Lebanon. The group has held protests each week for 51 weeks.

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>>240783

>>240784

NSW Police abandon bid to stop October 6 protest in Sydney despite ‘tinder box’ warning

JOANNA PANAGOPOULOS and ALEXI DEMETRIADI - October 03, 2024

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Police have dropped a bid to stop a rally in Sydney’s CBD on Sunday – the eve of the anniversary of Hamas’s attack on Israel – after the route of the march was changed, while a pro-Palestinian candlelight vigil on October 7 will also go ahead.

It followed three hours of hearings in the NSW Supreme Court on Thursday, and backroom discussions between the Commissioner of NSW Police and pro-Palestine protest organiser Palestine Action Group about the route of the march.

After initiating the proceedings in the Supreme Court to put an end to the planned protest ending at Hyde Park, NSW police indicated they did not object to a new path, submitted late in the day by PAG, that would avoid the Great Synagogue between Elizabeth and Castlereagh streets by an extra block.

PAG said they expected 5000 people to attend Sunday’s protest but police estimate numbers closer to 15,000 given escalating tensions in Lebanon. The group has held protests each week for 51 weeks.

NSW police had also attempted to obtain a prohibition order for a public assembly on October 7, but earlier in the day PAG withdrew a court order for that event, saying they never needed police permission to hold a vigil and notified authorities only “in good faith”.

Outside court, PAG organisers said they still intended to hold the candlelight vigil on October 7, potentially at Town Hall, in which they expect 200 people but said “the bigger the better” because it meant “more people are coming to mourn the lives of Palestinians”.

“The main protest we’re building is the October 6 protest … The vigil on Monday was only ever intended to be a small candlelight vigil as a milestone, we don’t need a Form 1 for that,” organiser Josh Lees said outside court. A Form 1 is the paperwork required to hold an authorised public assembly.

Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna said police “felt a different undertone within the protest group” at the weekend amid a large “uptake” of the Lebanese community to the protests, with 4500 in attendance compared with about 500 in previous weeks.

“It is described to me by the police on the ground as a more aggressive feeling at the moment and we’re very concerned by it,” he said.

“Not the least was last weekend when we were dealing with a number of people carrying prohibited articles and flags and I know when the police had to interject at times there, it became quite aggressive to the point that a number of officers were surrounded by young men and … OC spray had to be sprayed.”

He also said the protection afforded to the protesters who had a Form 1, meaning their protest was authorised, would leave police “with less control and reduced ability to intervene” such as utilising move-on directions or threatening charges.

McKenna told the court 10 people were warned by police at the Sunday’s protest about the display of Hezbollah flags.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21710825 (050147ZOCT24) Notable: Anthony Albanese and NSW Police at odds as October 7 ‘outrage’ rally gets green light - Anthony Albanese and NSW Police have become divided over whether an “outrage” rally orchestrated by extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir should be allowed to go ahead on the anniversary of Hamas’ October 7 attacks. The state’s police force confirmed on Friday it had green-lit the rally in southwest Sydney, confirming officers were working with the organiser and saying the force “respected the right” of peaceful and lawful assembly. This came in spite of the Prime Minister publicly condemning Hizb ut-Tahrir and criticising pro-Palestine protests planned to coincide with the anniversary of the horrific terror event. The prospect of Hizb ut-Tahrir’s rally comes after a protracted negotiation and court process between police and the Palestine Action Group, who will host a separate Sydney CBD rally on Sunday and forge ahead with an unauthorised vigil on Monday. Although Hizb ut-Tahrir are not banned in Australia, unlike in the United Kingdom, the organisation has been heavily criticised for promoting extremism and celebrating Hamas’ October 7 attacks. On Friday, Mr Albanese “condemned” Hizb ut-Tahrir, saying Monday should be a “solemn day” to recognise the anniversary’s “horrors”, believing any rally with their involvement should be cancelled.

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>>240783

>>240784

Anthony Albanese and NSW Police at odds as October 7 ‘outrage’ rally gets green light

ALEXI DEMETRIADI - 4 October 2024

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Anthony Albanese and NSW Police have become divided over whether an “outrage” rally orchestrated by extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir should be allowed to go ahead on the anniversary of Hamas’ October 7 attacks.

The state’s police force confirmed on Friday it had green-lit the rally in southwest Sydney, confirming officers were working with the organiser and saying the force “respected the right” of peaceful and lawful assembly.

This came in spite of the Prime Minister publicly condemning Hizb ut-Tahrir and criticising pro-Palestine protests planned to coincide with the anniversary of the horrific terror event.

The prospect of Hizb ut-Tahrir’s rally comes after a protracted negotiation and court process between police and the Palestine Action Group, who will host a separate Sydney CBD rally on Sunday and forge ahead with an unauthorised vigil on Monday.

Although Hizb ut-Tahrir are not banned in Australia, unlike in the United Kingdom, the organisation has been heavily criticised for promoting extremism and celebrating Hamas’ October 7 attacks.

On Friday, Mr Albanese “condemned” Hizb ut-Tahrir, saying Monday should be a “solemn day” to recognise the anniversary’s “horrors”, believing any rally with their involvement should be cancelled.

“I have no time (for) and condemn that organisation… (the rally) won’t be sanctioned,” he said.

“I believe very strongly that those planning any events on October 7 should recognise that that is not the time…”

NSW Police assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna said there appeared to be “goodwill” from the organisers and he hoped there’d be no issues, but that if people arrived with the “wrong intentions” and committed any offence police would take “appropriate action”.

“I wouldn’t speak for the prime minister, I’ll speak for myself as a police leader… I’m apolitical and (the police) are there for public safety,” he said.

On Thursday, a Hizb ut-Tahrir front, Stand for Palestine, advertised its “rally for Palestine and Lebanon”, taking place outside Sydney’s Lakemba Mosque on Monday.

The rally would send a “defiant message”, the group said, who are also suggesting it’s endorsed by about 40 Islamic organisations, including the Lebanese Muslim Association and the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, two of Australia’s largest and most influential.

Sheiks and community leaders will address the rally, and there’ll also be a form of Islamic prayer for people killed.

The Muslim Vote, a new political group aiming to topple Labor and which is now co-ordinating pro-Palestine independent Ziad Basyouny’s campaign, are also listed as rally partners.

It’s convener, Sheikh Wesam Cherkawi, is billed to speak at the event alongside Amer al-Wahwah, a regular Hizb ut-Tahrir speaker and administrator of its Stand for Palestine WhatsApp group.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said while he and police knew of the rally he had not been aware of Hizb ut-Tahrir’s involvement, standing firm in his belief of its “inappropriateness”.

“To hold a rally on the day when people were massacred is grossly insensitive, in my opinion,” he said, adding of most concern remained the CBD rallies due to their proximity to “sensitive areas”.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21710884 (050200ZOCT24) Notable: Court rules against X Corp over Australian child abuse safety notice issued to Twitter - The Federal Court has ruled X Corp has to comply with an Australian child sexual abuse transparency notice issued to the social media giant while it was still called Twitter. The Australian eSafety commissioner took the matter to the Federal Court after X Corp challenged a $610,500 fine in September 2023. The fine stemmed from an infringement notice issued by eSafety because X Corp had not provided information about how it was meeting the basic online safety expectations in relation to child sexual exploitation and abuse material and activity on Twitter. But X Corp argued the notice did not apply because the company did not exist when the notice was issued. The notice was given to Twitter in February 2023, and X Corp came into being in March 2023. In a 30-second hearing at the Federal Court in Melbourne on Friday, Justice Michael Wheelahan dismissed the proceeding and order X Corp to pay eSafety’s legal costs.

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>>241013

Court rules against X Corp over Australian child abuse safety notice issued to Twitter

BLAIR JACKSON - 5 October 2024

The Federal Court has ruled X Corp has to comply with an Australian child sexual abuse transparency notice issued to the social media giant while it was still called Twitter.

The Australian eSafety commissioner took the matter to the Federal Court after X Corp challenged a $610,500 fine in September 2023.

The fine stemmed from an infringement notice issued by eSafety because X Corp had not provided information about how it was meeting the basic online safety expectations in relation to child sexual exploitation and abuse material and activity on Twitter.

But X Corp argued the notice did not apply because the company did not exist when the notice was issued. The notice was given to Twitter in February 2023, and X Corp came into being in March 2023.

In a 30-second hearing at the Federal Court in Melbourne on Friday, Justice Michael Wheelahan dismissed the proceeding and order X Corp to pay eSafety’s legal costs.

The court has published its reasons online.

This case is separate from the court matter concerning a video of a stabbing in a Sydney church. X Corp argued against an eSafety take-down notice concerning that video, and the commission withdrew the legal case in June.

X and eSafety have several ongoing disputes in both the Federal Court and the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

After Elon Musk acquired Twitter Inc, it was merged with X Corp.

In his decision, Justice Wheelahan says in the digital era where childrens’ access to the internet is ubiquitous, the Online Safety Act is an important piece of Commonwealth legislation.

The Online Safety Act notice was provided to Twitter 21 days before it merged with X and ceased to exist.

That notice required explanation of how the company had complied with specified applicable basic online safety expectations from January 2022 to January 2023.

The commission argued the report it received back was absent of various responses, incomplete, or inaccurate.

“In some areas, data is not available or is impacted by other limitations, however Twitter welcomes follow up and engagement that may help elucidate approaches or commitments to safety and service in ways meaningful to the Commission and users in Australia,” an executive wrote back to the eSafety Commission.

Follow up questions were sent to the social media company, but the company replied saying it wanted an extension, and also saying Twitter “has ceased to exist as a legal entity”.

The Commission granted two extensions.

A proceeding X Corp response referred to an attached “final submissions from X Corp. (successor in interest to Twitter, Inc.)”.

But a month later eSafety issued the infringement notice; an itemised fine for various claimed contraventions of the Online Safety Act, totalling $610,500.

Justice Wheelahan assessed the structure of Delaware laws - where Twitter was incorporated - and Nevada laws - where X is registered - in making his decision.

He also found X Corp had breached the terms of the original notice’s reporting deadline.

Secondly, the court found the eSafety infringement notice had failed to identify a “place” where the infringements occurred.

X Corp argued that invalidated the notice, but Justice Wheelahan said the mistake “must be discerned as the result of a process of statutory construction”, and ruled against X Corp in the “place” aspect.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-news/court-rules-against-x-corp-over-australian-child-abuse-safety-notice-issued-to-twitter/news-story/11e41d0f804f13dee10def088b1634f5

https://www.judgments.fedcourt.gov.au/judgments/Judgments/fca/single/2024/2024fca1159

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21711060 (050229ZOCT24) Notable: ‘It empowers others’: Former Australian under-19s captain speaks out on abuse allegation - A former juniors Australian captain who is suing Cricket Australia over a historical allegation of sexual abuse says he has come forward “to call out both those who take advantage of the vulnerable and the organisations who protect them”. Dean Reynolds led Australia on the 1985 under-19s tour to India and Sri Lanka, where he has alleged he was sexually touched by the coach Bob Bitmead. He filed a statement of claim in the Queensland Supreme Court in July that seeks damages of more than $4 million from CA. Bitmead has previously denied the allegation. CA has lodged its defence, denying all of Reynolds’ claims. CA’s defence denies that Bitmead abused Reynolds and then says: “The claim is excessive and has no proper regard to the evidence; and, any injury resulting from the subject incident (which is denied) has resolved.” CA’s defence also argues that “the nature and extent of any duty of care owed by the defendant (CA), or by Bitmead, which is not admitted, is a question of law to be determined by trial”. The case is set down for mediation on November 14. Now 57, Reynolds was interviewed as part of a 2022 investigation of the tour by the ABC, an episode that led him to reconsider his own experiences in 1985 and afterwards. “I am sharing my story now because I seek closure and feel it is important to demonstrate bravery in speaking out against authority figures who have acted wrongly,” Reynolds told this masthead. “I know I am not the first or the last, but it’s important to call out both those who take advantage of the vulnerable and the organisations who protect them, either directly or by choosing to look the other way.”

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‘It empowers others’: Former Australian under-19s captain speaks out on abuse allegation

Daniel Brettig - October 4, 2024

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A former juniors Australian captain who is suing Cricket Australia over a historical allegation of sexual abuse says he has come forward “to call out both those who take advantage of the vulnerable and the organisations who protect them”.

Dean Reynolds led Australia on the 1985 under-19s tour to India and Sri Lanka, where he has alleged he was sexually touched by the coach Bob Bitmead. He filed a statement of claim in the Queensland Supreme Court in July that seeks damages of more than $4 million from CA.

Bitmead has previously denied the allegation. CA has lodged its defence, denying all of Reynolds’ claims.

CA’s defence denies that Bitmead abused Reynolds and then says: “The claim is excessive and has no proper regard to the evidence; and, any injury resulting from the subject incident (which is denied) has resolved.” CA’s defence also argues that “the nature and extent of any duty of care owed by the defendant (CA), or by Bitmead, which is not admitted, is a question of law to be determined by trial”.

The case is set down for mediation on November 14.

Now 57, Reynolds was interviewed as part of a 2022 investigation of the tour by the ABC, an episode that led him to reconsider his own experiences in 1985 and afterwards.

“I am sharing my story now because I seek closure and feel it is important to demonstrate bravery in speaking out against authority figures who have acted wrongly,” Reynolds told this masthead.

“I know I am not the first or the last, but it’s important to call out both those who take advantage of the vulnerable and the organisations who protect them, either directly or by choosing to look the other way.”

A CA spokesperson declined to comment as the matter is before the courts.

Reynolds was one of Australian cricket’s best and brightest. He was captured in a picture with his father, the Queensland Sheffield Shield stalwart Raymond Reynolds, in November 1985. Dean’s steely eye, Australian Cricket Board shirt and Symonds Super Tusker bat all look destined for Test matches in the future.

This was, after all, a time when Australian cricket was crying out for new talent. The retirements of Greg Chappell, Dennis Lillee and Rod Marsh were followed by bans imposed on 16 players for choosing to play in apartheid South Africa that summer.

Reynolds appeared to be near the front of the queue of aspiring young players.

In his statement of claim, Reynolds has alleged that after falling ill during a match in Mumbai, he was confined to his hotel room, administered with drugs by team doctor Malcolm McKenzie that left him in “a groggy and semi-conscious state”, and then sexually abused by Bitmead.

McKenzie died in 1998.

After the tour, Reynolds can remember discussing problems from the tour with its manager, Jack Bennett, once their return flight landed in Sydney.

Reynolds made a formal complaint to Bennett about Bitmead, but was never contacted for follow-up by the then Australian Cricket Board.

“Under Australian law, sporting bodies can bear vicarious liability for the conduct of their officials, including coaches and doctors,” Reynolds’ lawyer, Travis Schultz, told this masthead.

“They owe a duty of care to their players, and in Dean’s case, it is alleged that this extended to undertaking appropriate background checks and ensuring proper supervision.”

In its defence, CA has argued that by the “then prevailing community standards”, there was nothing more that could have been done to protect Reynolds.

“There was no act, step or precaution, whether by means of a reasonable system of supervision, inspection and monitoring of the children on tour, which would have protected and avoided the risk of harm alleged of sexual abuse as alleged in paragraph 7 of the Statement of Claim (which are not admitted), or risk of harm of that nature or type in such a way or such a time, to have avoided the harm allegedly occasioned to the Plaintiff.”

Bitmead did not coach at elite junior level again, and resigned as senior coach of the Richmond cricket club during the following season.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21718353 (060912ZOCT24) Notable: Thousands gather at pro-Palestine demonstrations around the country as October 7 anniversary approaches - Thousands of Pro-Palestine demonstrators have taken to the streets in cities across Australia on the eve of the anniversary of the October 7 attacks, repeating calls for ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon. The protests come as the war in Middle East intensifies and concerns continue to grow over a wider conflict in the region. Demonstrators on Sunday gathered at the State Library of Victoria in Melbourne's CBD, waving flags and joining together in chants. At the start of the rally, protesters laid thousands of small paper kites in front of the library. They said each one represented the life of a child killed in Gaza during the war. "We just want to show that enough is enough, and also just to mourn the dead like we are," youth worker Lucas Li, who organised the kite display, said. "These were children. They were playful. They were bright, they were curious. We want people to understand that this child in Gaza is just like a child anywhere else in the world." In Sydney, demonstrators gathered at Hyde Park before marching through the city. Josh Lees from Palestine Action Group Sydney said protesters were taking a stand against the "ongoing genocide" in Gaza. Israel has strenuously denied allegations of genocide. Mr Lees said the demonstrations being held today were more crucial than ever. "This war on Lebanon that Israel is beginning, now they're threatening a regional war with Iran potentially too, so there's more reason than ever we need to get out and protest," he said.

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>>240783

>>240784

Thousands gather at pro-Palestine demonstrations around the country as October 7 anniversary approaches

abc.net.au - 6 October 2024

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Thousands of Pro-Palestine demonstrators have taken to the streets in cities across Australia on the eve of the anniversary of the October 7 attacks, repeating calls for ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon.

The protests come as the war in Middle East intensifies and concerns continue to grow over a wider conflict in the region.

The Gaza conflict began after Hamas terrorists attacked southern Israeli settlements on October 7, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

The Gazan Health Ministry says more than 41,000 Palestinians have since been killed during the Israeli offensive that followed the attack.

In Lebanon, more than 1,900 people have been killed and over 9,000 wounded in almost a year of cross-border fighting, with most of the deaths occurring during the past two weeks, according to Lebanese government statistics.

Thousands rally in Melbourne

Demonstrators on Sunday gathered at the State Library of Victoria in Melbourne's CBD, waving flags and joining together in chants.

At the start of the rally, protesters laid thousands of small paper kites in front of the library.

They said each one represented the life of a child killed in Gaza during the war.

"We just want to show that enough is enough, and also just to mourn the dead like we are," youth worker Lucas Li, who organised the kite display, said.

"These were children. They were playful. They were bright, they were curious.

"We want people to understand that this child in Gaza is just like a child anywhere else in the world."

Educator and political analyst Noura Mansour from the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network spoke to the crowd.

She said it had been "a difficult 12 months" for Palestinian communities.

"We now watch the Israeli violence spill over to the entire region as it targets our brothers and sisters and families in Lebanon," she said.

After hearing speeches, protesters made their way through Melbourne's CBD to Flinders Street Station, with organisers leading chants through megaphones as police officers monitored the crowd.

Victoria Police said four arrests were made during the protests in the city among about 7,000 attendees.

"There were no major issues of note reported to police, however, four people were arrested for public order-related matters," a Victoria Police spokesperson said.

"Overall, police were pleased with the behaviour of attendees.

"There were no displays of prohibited symbols at today's protest."

On Sunday morning, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said Victoria Police were well-prepared to react to any incidents at the scheduled protests.

"There is a right to peacefully protest but with that right comes a responsibility to do so respectfully and understand what the grief and trauma is being experienced by others in our community," Ms Allan said.

"It should be a day of understanding. We need to pause and see that conflict in the Middle East should not bring conflict to the streets of Melbourne or Victoria."

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21718392 (060931ZOCT24) Notable: Video: Australia starts evacuating nationals from Lebanon via Cyprus - Australia started evacuating its nationals from Lebanon via Cyprus on Saturday, in the first large-scale operation to get citizens out of the country amid an Israeli onslaught on Iran-backed Hezbollah. Some 229 people arrived on the east Mediterranean island, which lies a 40 minute flight time from Beirut, on a commercial airline chartered by Australia. A second flight is scheduled later in the day. More evacuation flights could be expected based on demand, Australian and Cypriot officials said. At Cyprus's Larnaca airport, civilians of all ages transferred from the aircraft into a terminal and then escorted onto waiting coaches. Children helped themselves to red apples and water provided by Australian military staff. "They are exhausted, exceptionally happy to be here but heartbroken because they left family behind," said Fiona McKergow, the Australian High Commissioner (Ambassador) to Cyprus. Some of those evacuated on Saturday said they did not think they would ever return to Lebanon. "Never, ever. I was traumatised, my kids were traumatised. Its not a safe country, I wont be back," said Dana Hameh, 34. She added: "I feel very sad leaving my country but I'm very happy to start a new life in Sydney. Life goes on. I wish the best for everyone."

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>>240750

>>240751

>>240779

Australia starts evacuating nationals from Lebanon via Cyprus

Miguel Pereira and Yiannis Kourtoglou - October 6, 2024

LARNACA, Cyprus Oct 5 (Reuters) - Australia started evacuating its nationals from Lebanon via Cyprus on Saturday, in the first large-scale operation to get citizens out of the country amid an Israeli onslaught on Iran-backed Hezbollah.

Some 229 people arrived on the east Mediterranean island, which lies a 40 minute flight time from Beirut, on a commercial airline chartered by Australia. A second flight is scheduled later in the day.

More evacuation flights could be expected based on demand, Australian and Cypriot officials said.

At Cyprus's Larnaca airport, civilians of all ages transferred from the aircraft into a terminal and then escorted onto waiting coaches. Children helped themselves to red apples and water provided by Australian military staff.

"They are exhausted, exceptionally happy to be here but heartbroken because they left family behind," said Fiona McKergow, the Australian High Commissioner (Ambassador) to Cyprus.

More and more countries are using close hubs like Cyprus to assist in evacuations from Lebanon. Israel has sharply escalated attacks on Hezbollah in recent weeks, with a barrage of airstrikes and a ground operation in the south of the country, after nearly a year of lower-level cross-border conflict waged in parallel with Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza.

In the past week, Cyprus assisted evacuations by China, Greece, Portugal and Slovakia. Britain and the United States have also moved personnel to Cyprus to assist in military evacuations, if necessary.

Cyprus had been used to evacuate close to 60,000 people from Lebanon in the last serious escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006.

Some of those evacuated on Saturday said they did not think they would ever return to Lebanon.

"Never, ever. I was traumatised, my kids were traumatised. Its not a safe country, I wont be back," said Dana Hameh, 34.

She added: "I feel very sad leaving my country but I'm very happy to start a new life in Sydney. Life goes on. I wish the best for everyone."

https://www.reuters.com/world/australia-starts-evacuating-nationals-lebanon-via-cyprus-2024-10-05/

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21718402 (060936ZOCT24) Notable: Darwin Port increases 'friendly cooperation' with China in new deal - The Chinese-controlled Port of Darwin has signed a "friendly cooperation" agreement with Shenzhen Port in southern China, a city that controversially entered a "strategic partnership" with the Northern Territory capital five years ago. Representatives from both ports last month conducted a signing ceremony in China's Guandong Province to establish the non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which aims to increase trade links between both strategic maritime gateways. Details of the "friendly port relationship" do not appear to have been announced locally in Australia, but according to official Chinese statements both parties will soon carry out "all-round in-depth exchanges and cooperation". In a brief statement, Darwin Port CEO Peter Dummett confirmed to the ABC that he had travelled to China to sign the agreement with Shenzen representatives on September 23. "Darwin Port and Shenzhen Port have entered into a friendly non-binding MOU in order to establish a closer relationship between both ports and to further understand potential business opportunities for trade and development." In 2015 the CLP Northern Territory government signed a $506 million deal with Chinese-owned Landbridge Group to lease Darwin Port for 99 years, sparking security concerns at the highest levels of Australia's defence department and in the United States. Last year, the Albanese government announced it would not cancel the controversial lease after a review by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet found there was "a robust regulatory system in place to manage risks to critical infrastructure". Both the federal government and Northern Territory government are yet to respond to requests for comment about the recent "friendly cooperation agreement" struck between Darwin Port and Shenzhen Port.

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Darwin Port increases 'friendly cooperation' with China in new deal

Andrew Greene - 6 October 2024

The Chinese-controlled Port of Darwin has signed a "friendly cooperation" agreement with Shenzhen Port in southern China, a city that controversially entered a "strategic partnership" with the Northern Territory capital five years ago.

Representatives from both ports last month conducted a signing ceremony in China's Guandong Province to establish the non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which aims to increase trade links between both strategic maritime gateways.

Details of the "friendly port relationship" do not appear to have been announced locally in Australia, but according to official Chinese statements both parties will soon carry out "all-round in-depth exchanges and cooperation".

In a brief statement, Darwin Port CEO Peter Dummett confirmed to the ABC that he had travelled to China to sign the agreement with Shenzen representatives on September 23.

"Darwin Port and Shenzhen Port have entered into a friendly non-binding MOU in order to establish a closer relationship between both ports and to further understand potential business opportunities for trade and development."

"The MOU was signed by Darwin Port CEO Peter Dummett and Ms Cai Zheng from Shenzhen Port," Mr Dummett said.

Chinese officials have hailed the deal with Australia's "gateway to Asia" by highlighting the maritime voyage between Port of Darwin to the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area takes only 7 days.

The Port of Shenzhen, situated on the Guandong coastline, is considered one of the busiest and fastest-growing in the world and is home to dozens of shipping companies and over 100 international container routes.

In 2015 the CLP Northern Territory government signed a $506 million deal with Chinese-owned Landbridge Group to lease Darwin Port for 99 years, sparking security concerns at the highest levels of Australia's defence department and in the United States.

Last year, the Albanese government announced it would not cancel the controversial lease after a review by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet found there was "a robust regulatory system in place to manage risks to critical infrastructure".

Former Labor NT chief minister Michael Gunner completed a "strategic partnership" agreement between Darwin and Shenzhen after a Global Smart City Forum held in the Chinese city in May 2019.

Both the federal government and Northern Territory government are yet to respond to requests for comment about the recent "friendly cooperation agreement" struck between Darwin Port and Shenzhen Port.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-06/port-of-darwin-signs-cooperation-agreement-with-shenzhen/104437204

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21718411 (060941ZOCT24) Notable: Former Marist College student preparing to sue over alleged canings and other corporal punishments in 1970s - A former Canberra Marist College student is preparing to sue over the canings and other corporal punishments he allegedly received as a young student in the early 1970s. The case against the Trustees of the Marist Brothers has been lodged with the ACT Supreme Court. In his statement of claim, the now 67-year-old described extraordinary incidents including being repeatedly struck on the hand with a metal ruler, caned on his hands until the cane broke, and caned on the back of the legs. He also alleged one teacher instructed him to hold out his hand while the teacher stood on the edge of a podium, raised the cane above his head and leapt off with all his weight to strike the student's hand. The man, who was first enrolled at the school as a 12-year-old and attended from 1970 to 1972, is being represented by Shine Lawyers. His statement of claim also alleges a sexual assault after a school play at the Canberra Theatre when he said he was left alone in a room with a man he did not know. In their submissions, the Trustees of the Marist Brothers questioned that allegation, saying there was no record of the school holding a production at the Canberra Theatre at the time. The man's lawyers have not mentioned any figures but said they were claiming negligence, saying the operators of the school owed the boy a duty of care to avoid the risks of harm. The claim suggests those running the school should have had a system for students to report misconduct, should have removed abusive teachers and staff from the school, and put a mandatory reporting system in place as well as ensuring students were not put in a position where they would be assaulted or be in fear of assault.

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Former Marist College student preparing to sue over alleged canings and other corporal punishments in 1970s

Elizabeth Byrne - 1 October 2024

A former Canberra Marist College student is preparing to sue over the canings and other corporal punishments he allegedly received as a young student in the early 1970s.

The case against the Trustees of the Marist Brothers has been lodged with the ACT Supreme Court.

In his statement of claim, the now 67-year-old described extraordinary incidents including being repeatedly struck on the hand with a metal ruler, caned on his hands until the cane broke, and caned on the back of the legs.

He also alleged one teacher instructed him to hold out his hand while the teacher stood on the edge of a podium, raised the cane above his head and leapt off with all his weight to strike the student's hand.

The man, who was first enrolled at the school as a 12-year-old and attended from 1970 to 1972, is being represented by Shine Lawyers.

His statement of claim also alleges a sexual assault after a school play at the Canberra Theatre when he said he was left alone in a room with a man he did not know.

In their submissions, the Trustees of the Marist Brothers questioned that allegation, saying there was no record of the school holding a production at the Canberra Theatre at the time.

The man's lawyers have not mentioned any figures but said they were claiming negligence, saying the operators of the school owed the boy a duty of care to avoid the risks of harm.

The claim suggests those running the school should have had a system for students to report misconduct, should have removed abusive teachers and staff from the school, and put a mandatory reporting system in place as well as ensuring students were not put in a position where they would be assaulted or be in fear of assault.

Lawyers for the man said those operating the school failed to enact any of the steps when, as a student of the school, the boy was in a "position of vulnerability".

"The position of the abusive teachers was one of almost complete authority over the Plaintiff in the circumstances and whose duties included the care, control and supervision of the Plaintiff," submissions to the court said.

The statement of claim argued those who were running the school were vicariously liable given the alleged abuse occurred in the course of the abusive teacher's employment.

The 67-year-old is also claiming exemplary damages, saying the conduct of the school "fell so far short of acceptable standards" it represented a "disregard for the Plaintiff's rights and a violation of his personal and bodily integrity".

One of the issues in the case is that the man was not able to name many of the teachers, although he did name someone called Brother Kevin.

In their submissions, the Trustees of the Marist Brothers said brother Kevin Herlihy did work at the school in the early 70s, but had since died.

"[The] allegations against unnamed individuals … [do] not enable a proper, fair and specific response," the trustees said.

Their submissions also denied the allegations spelled out in the man's court documents were unlawful at the time, and suggested even if they were, the school would be able to rely on a defence of lawful chastisement.

The trustees said they did not believe the man was entitled to any damages or costs.

It is an unusual case because of its focus on corporal punishment. There are at least two similar cases targeting corporal punishment in NSW, but they are yet to be resolved.

A civil trial in the case will begin later this month.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-01/former-marist-college-student-alleged-corporal-punishment/104415194

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21718431 (060952ZOCT24) Notable: Australian Bishop Christopher Saunders pleads ‘not guilty’ to abuse charges - Bishop Christopher Saunders appeared in Australian court Monday to enter a plea of not guilty to 28 criminal charges, including allegations of sexual assault and indecent dealings with a minor. The former bishop of the Diocese of Broome stands accused of a long slate of alleged crimes of grooming and abusing young Aboriginal men over a period of eight years, beginning in 2008. Saunders, 74, confirmed to the court that he understood the charges and entered a plea of not guilty on all counts. He is due back in court for the next hearing in the case in January, having last appeared in June as his lawyer argued against a petition to change the bishop’s bail conditions. The bishop also faces several separate firearms charges, including illegal possession of a weapon. He did not enter a plea on those charges during the Sept. 30 hearing. Saunders was arrested in February of this year, following a January police raid on his former residence in the Diocese of Broome, carried out by Child Abuse Squad detectives. The bishop led the Diocese of Broome in Western Australia until 2021, when he resigned citing “ill health” amid allegations of sexual misconduct and grooming against young Aboriginal men. The bishop’s resignation followed a decision to step back from governance of the diocese in 2020, after accusations surfaced that he had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars of Church funds on gifts for vulnerable young men, including cash, phones, alcohol, and travel. The police investigation which led to the raid and the bishop’s arrest came after Church authorities handed over a 200-page investigation conducted into Saunders alleged misconduct, ordered by the Vatican in 2022, after a separate police investigation had been closed the previous year due to lack of evidence. In a statement at the time of Saunders’ arrest, Australian bishops’ conference president Archbishop Timothy Costelloe of Perth said that “It is right and proper, and indeed necessary, that all allegations be thoroughly investigated,” and promised that the Church would “cooperate fully with police and take every necessary step to avoid any actions which may compromise the integrity and autonomy of the police investigation.” Saunders now faces 28 criminal charges related to alleged sexual abuse, including two counts of rape and 14 counts of unlawful and indecent assault related to alleged victimization of young Aboriginal men in towns throughout the diocese between 2008 and 2016.

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Australian bishop pleads ‘not guilty’ to abuse charges

THE PILLAR - October 1, 2024

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Bishop Christopher Saunders appeared in Australian court Monday to enter a plea of not guilty to 28 criminal charges, including allegations of sexual assault and indecent dealings with a minor.

The former bishop of the Diocese of Broome stands accused of a long slate of alleged crimes of grooming and abusing young Aboriginal men over a period of eight years, beginning in 2008. Saunders, 74, confirmed to the court that he understood the charges and entered a plea of not guilty on all counts.

He is due back in court for the next hearing in the case in January, having last appeared in June as his lawyer argued against a petition to change the bishop’s bail conditions.

The bishop also faces several separate firearms charges, including illegal possession of a weapon. He did not enter a plea on those charges during the Sept. 30 hearing.

Saunders was arrested in February of this year, following a January police raid on his former residence in the Diocese of Broome, carried out by Child Abuse Squad detectives.

The bishop led the Diocese of Broome in Western Australia until 2021, when he resigned citing “ill health” amid allegations of sexual misconduct and grooming against young Aboriginal men.

The bishop’s resignation followed a decision to step back from governance of the diocese in 2020, after accusations surfaced that he had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars of Church funds on gifts for vulnerable young men, including cash, phones, alcohol, and travel.

The police investigation which led to the raid and the bishop’s arrest came after Church authorities handed over a 200-page investigation conducted into Saunders alleged misconduct, ordered by the Vatican in 2022, after a separate police investigation had been closed the previous year due to lack of evidence.

In a statement at the time of Saunders’ arrest, Australian bishops’ conference president Archbishop Timothy Costelloe of Perth said that “It is right and proper, and indeed necessary, that all allegations be thoroughly investigated,” and promised that the Church would “cooperate fully with police and take every necessary step to avoid any actions which may compromise the integrity and autonomy of the police investigation.”

Saunders now faces 28 criminal charges related to alleged sexual abuse, including two counts of rape and 14 counts of unlawful and indecent assault related to alleged victimization of young Aboriginal men in towns throughout the diocese between 2008 and 2016.

In April, Saunders’ former secretary told The Pillar that she had been ordered by the bishop to make “hush money” payments to the bishop’s alleged victims during her time working for him.

“There was a list of names on the wall in the secretary's office with victims, potential victims, and their bank account details,” Cherrille Quilty told The Pillar. “It was so urgent that I pay them. It wasn't for odd jobs, I can tell you that now. It was hush money. One of the first victims that came forward was the one that I paid most frequently and it was to shut him up.”

“You didn't dare ask why [Saunders] was paying them. Didn't dare,” Quilty said. “He wasn't the sort of person you would ever cross or ask him anything.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21723584 (070836ZOCT24) Notable: Hezbollah expresses support for Australian protesters on the anniversary of October 7 Hamas attacks - Hezbollah has applauded Australian protesters following large demonstrations across the country on the eve of the October 7 Hamas attacks. Despite criticism from political leaders, thousands of people rallied in multiple capital cities on Sunday with further events to take place on Monday evening. Authorities arrested four people in Melbourne for “public order related matters” and a man in Sydney was arrested and charged for the display of a swastika. The controversial protesters have since been praised by the Iran-backed terrorist organisation Hezbollah. Hezbollah’s news website Al-Ahed News posted pictures of the rallies in Australia to its account on the social media platform Telegram. “From Australia to the world: Stop the 'Israeli' aggression on Lebanon,” Hezbollah declared in the post. The caption was accompanied by images of protest marches in Sydney and Melbourne depicting people waving Palestinian and Lebanese flags. Many protesters voiced outspoken support for Hezbollah while some have also displayed signs depicting elements of banned terrorist symbols. Previous protests in September saw at least six individuals investigated for the display of banned terror symbols - including the Hezbollah flag. While the flag has been banned under counter-terrorism laws, at least one person displayed a modified Hezbollah banner, featuring Ned Kelly, on Sunday. Another man in Sydney was arrested and charged for displaying a placard bearing a swastika which said, “Stop Nazi Israel”.

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>>241072

Hezbollah expresses support for Australian protesters on the anniversary of October 7 Hamas attacks

The Iran-backed terrorist organisation Hezbollah has praised protesters in Australia following rallies on the eve of the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks.

Oscar Godsell - October 7, 2024

Hezbollah has applauded Australian protesters following large demonstrations across the country on the eve of the October 7 Hamas attacks.

Despite criticism from political leaders, thousands of people rallied in multiple capital cities on Sunday with further events to take place on Monday evening.

Authorities arrested four people in Melbourne for “public order related matters” and a man in Sydney was arrested and charged for the display of a swastika.

The controversial protesters have since been praised by the Iran-backed terrorist organisation Hezbollah.

Hezbollah’s news website Al-Ahed News posted pictures of the rallies in Australia to its account on the social media platform Telegram.

“From Australia to the world: Stop the 'Israeli' aggression on Lebanon,” Hezbollah declared in the post.

The caption was accompanied by images of protest marches in Sydney and Melbourne depicting people waving Palestinian and Lebanese flags.

Many protesters voiced outspoken support for Hezbollah while some have also displayed signs depicting elements of banned terrorist symbols.

Previous protests in September saw at least six individuals investigated for the display of banned terror symbols – including the Hezbollah flag.

While the flag has been banned under counter-terrorism laws, at least one person displayed a modified Hezbollah banner, featuring Ned Kelly, on Sunday.

Another man in Sydney was arrested and charged for displaying a placard bearing a swastika which said, “Stop Nazi Israel”.

Hezbollah has made several more posts to recognise pro-Palestine rallies around the world, including in the United States, India and Indonesia.

“Protesters in Los Angeles flood the streets urging a ceasefire to the 'Israeli' aggression on Lebanon and Gaza,” one post said.

Another read: “Indonesia protesters condemn the 'Israeli' barbaric aggression on Lebanon.”

Hezbollah has repeatedly encouraged its supporters to fight against “Israeli enemy forces” in the “name of Allah the most beneficent”.

In response to the ongoing situation, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese released a statement on Monday honouring the victims of October 7.

“We unequivocally condemn all prejudice and hatred. There is no place in Australia for discrimination against people of any faith,” Mr Albanese said.

“October 7 is a day that carries terrible pain. Over 1,200 innocent Israelis died: the largest loss of Jewish life on any single day since the Holocaust.

“We unequivocally condemn Hamas’ actions on that day.”

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton also issued a statement on the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attacks.

“Together today, we pay our respects to the memories of the 1,200 innocent people murdered on October 7,” Mr Dutton said.

“Israel was at the epicentre of Hamas’s evil on October 7 last year, but the shockwaves of the terrorist attack resonated around the world.”

https://www.skynews.com.au/world-news/global-affairs/hezbollah-expresses-support-for-australian-protesters-on-the-anniversary-of-october-7-hamas-attacks/news-story/ea8588f10cc94f428d787d9251742136

https://t.me/s/Eng_ahed/62608

https://x.com/AlboMP/status/1843014648486064360

https://x.com/PeterDutton_MP/status/1843042481417630006

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21723594 (070845ZOCT24) Notable: Labor powerless amid pro-Palestine tide as Muslim Vote predicts ‘horse has bolted’ - Labor operatives are concerned the ALP may be heading towards election defeat given the anger over Palestine, as leaders behind the Muslim vote movements said politics would “never be the same again”. It comes as hundreds of protesters chanted “f..k you Albo (and) Tony Burke” at Sunday’s Sydney rally, and The Muslim Vote and Muslim Votes Matter told The Australian that Labor should be prepared for a “long-lasting” political shift. “The horse has bolted … things (politics) will never be the same again,” Sheik Wesam Charkawi, The Muslim Vote’s convener, said. About 10,000 people descended onto the Sydney CBD in pro-Palestine rallies replicated across state capitals, ahead of more protests planned for the one-year anniversary of Hamas’s ­October 7 attacks on Monday. Hezbollah praised the protests, posting pictures from the rallies on its Telegram channel with the caption: “From Australia to the world.” Labor figures, present at Sydney’s rally, said the palpable anger was striking, with many now believing that the party was heading for federal election defeat next year, such was the visceral vexation with the government’s stance and handling of the conflict. The Muslim Vote is supporting candidates in “key electorates” it hopes to topple Labor, particularly in Mr Burke’s Western Sydney seat of Watson, where the organisation is co-ordinating independent Ziad Basyouny’s campaign. Sheik Charkawi said there had been “emphatic” support for Mr Basyouny’s candidacy, saying it provided an opportunity to “challenge” Labor, who had “let down” the community.

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>>240768

>>240772

>>241072

Labor powerless amid pro-Palestine tide as Muslim Vote predicts ‘horse has bolted’

ALEXI DEMETRIADI - 7 October 2024

1/2

Labor operatives are concerned the ALP may be heading towards election defeat given the anger over Palestine, as leaders behind the Muslim vote movements said politics would “never be the same again”.

It comes as hundreds of protesters chanted “f..k you Albo (and) Tony Burke” at Sunday’s Sydney rally, and The Muslim Vote and Muslim Votes Matter told The Australian that Labor should be prepared for a “long-lasting” political shift.

“The horse has bolted … things (politics) will never be the same again,” Sheik Wesam Charkawi, The Muslim Vote’s convener, said.

About 10,000 people descended onto the Sydney CBD in pro-Palestine rallies replicated across state capitals, ahead of more protests planned for the one-year anniversary of Hamas’s ­October 7 attacks on Monday.

Hezbollah praised the protests, posting pictures from the rallies on its Telegram channel with the caption: “From Australia to the world.”

Labor figures, present at Sydney’s rally, said the palpable anger was striking, with many now believing that the party was heading for federal election defeat next year, such was the visceral vexation with the government’s stance and handling of the conflict.

The Muslim Vote is supporting candidates in “key electorates” it hopes to topple Labor, particularly in Mr Burke’s Western Sydney seat of Watson, where the organisation is co-ordinating independent Ziad Basyouny’s campaign.

Sheik Charkawi said there had been “emphatic” support for Mr Basyouny’s candidacy, saying it provided an opportunity to “challenge” Labor, who had “let down” the community.

He claimed that the days of Labor attempting to “buy” votes or lean on “relationships” were over, revealing announcements would be made in the “near future” on other target seats.

“This is a long-term vision,” he said. “Whether now or in subsequent elections, change will happen. A new trajectory is being traversed.”

Sheik Charkawi wouldn’t be drawn into commenting on the community “counter movements” to The Muslim Vote, saying people were entitled to their own views and that it was important that ­respect was “maintained”, but that there was “outrage” with Mr Burke and federal Education Minister Jason Clare.

When Hezbollah flags and pictures of its slain leader, Hassan Nasrallah, were displayed at rallies last week, Mr Burke was quick to condemn, promising action.

Sheik Charkawi pointed to the Home Affairs Minister’s quick condemnation and firm stance, even threatening some with the prospect of deportation – a stance he said was missing in support of the community.

“He took a firm stand and condemned the action,” he said.

“However, the community has not seen such a stance for Palestinians, Arabs, Lebanese or Muslims. This point is not about the issue of symbols or flags but about the firm stance. There is no illusion about what the community is seeing.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21723603 (070858ZOCT24) Notable: Iran Summons Australian Envoy over Canberra’s ‘Biased’ Stances - "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran summoned the Australian Ambassador to Tehran in protest at his government’s unjustified and biased positions on the regional situation. Following the repeated biased positions of the Australian government, which are deemed to be contrary to the principles of international law regarding the recent regional developments, Ian McConville, the Australian ambassador to Tehran, was summoned to the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the Director General for Asia and Oceania of the ministry. The Iranian official expressed strong objection to the unjustified and biased positions of the Australian government regarding regional developments and the adventurism of the Zionist regime in escalating regional tensions -including the assassination of the political bureau chief of the Hamas movement in Tehran, the secretary general of Hezbollah in Lebanon, and IRGC General Nilforoushan who was a senior Iranian military advisor in Beirut. Mohammadi condemned Australia’s double standards concerning regional developments and its silence regarding the repeated aggressions of the Zionist regime against Gaza and Lebanon, the Foreign Ministry’s website reported. He referred to the inherent right of Iran to legitimate self-defense in response to the repeated aggressions of the Zionist regime against the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iran, as well as the attacks on Iranian nationals and interests. Mohammadi described the missile operations by the armed forces of Iran as a lawful and responsible action, essential for safeguarding the national security of the Iranian people and the stability of the region." - tasnimnews.com

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>>240797

>>241065

Iran Summons Australian Envoy over Canberra’s ‘Biased’ Stances

tasnimnews.com - October, 07, 2024

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran summoned the Australian Ambassador to Tehran in protest at his government’s unjustified and biased positions on the regional situation.

Following the repeated biased positions of the Australian government, which are deemed to be contrary to the principles of international law regarding the recent regional developments, Ian McConville, the Australian ambassador to Tehran, was summoned to the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the Director General for Asia and Oceania of the ministry.

The Iranian official expressed strong objection to the unjustified and biased positions of the Australian government regarding regional developments and the adventurism of the Zionist regime in escalating regional tensions -including the assassination of the political bureau chief of the Hamas movement in Tehran, the secretary general of Hezbollah in Lebanon, and IRGC General Nilforoushan who was a senior Iranian military advisor in Beirut.

Mohammadi condemned Australia’s double standards concerning regional developments and its silence regarding the repeated aggressions of the Zionist regime against Gaza and Lebanon, the Foreign Ministry’s website reported.

He referred to the inherent right of Iran to legitimate self-defense in response to the repeated aggressions of the Zionist regime against the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iran, as well as the attacks on Iranian nationals and interests.

Mohammadi described the missile operations by the armed forces of Iran as a lawful and responsible action, essential for safeguarding the national security of the Iranian people and the stability of the region.

The Iranian diplomat reiterated the urgent need for an immediate cessation of the genocide in Gaza and the aggressions of the occupying Zionist regime against Lebanon. He also called for responsible action from Australia and other Western countries supporting Israel.

He emphasized that unilateral and biased approaches to regional developments, coupled with a self-serving interpretation of international rules and norms, do not contribute to de-escalation in the region, but rather embolden the aggressor.

For his part, McConville outlined the Australian government’s efforts to establish a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, stating that he would convey Iran’s official protest to Canberra.

https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2024/10/07/3173081/iran-summons-australian-envoy-over-canberra-s-biased-stances

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21723608 (070904ZOCT24) Notable: Government 'makes no apology' for its views on Iran missile strikes after Australian ambassador summoned - The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) says it "makes no apology" for Australia's comments on Iran's "reckless" missile strikes on Israel, after the Australian ambassador was summoned for a meeting with the Iranian government. Iranian news agency Tasnim on Monday, local time, reported that ambassador Ian McConville was called in by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs over what it described as the "unjustified and biased positions of the Australian government". In response, a DFAT spokesperson said in a statement that "Australia makes no apology for the views it has expressed about Iran's actions or the actions of its Ambassador to Australia". The spokesperson also condemned Iran's strikes on Israel, describing them as "reckless" and "a dangerous escalation" that "increased the risks of a wider regional war". It is the second time in just over a month Mr McConville has been summoned by the Iranian government. In September the ambassador was called in over an Instagram post on the embassy's official page marking "Wear It Purple Day", which celebrates LGBTQ+ young people.

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>>240797

>>240771

>>241079

Government 'makes no apology' for its views on Iran missile strikes after Australian ambassador summoned

Maani Truu - 7 October 2024

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) says it "makes no apology" for Australia's comments on Iran's "reckless" missile strikes on Israel, after the Australian ambassador was summoned for a meeting with the Iranian government.

Iranian news agency Tasnim on Monday, local time, reported that ambassador Ian McConville was called in by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs over what it described as the "unjustified and biased positions of the Australian government".

In response, a DFAT spokesperson said in a statement that "Australia makes no apology for the views it has expressed about Iran's actions or the actions of its Ambassador to Australia".

The spokesperson also condemned Iran's strikes on Israel, describing them as "reckless" and "a dangerous escalation" that "increased the risks of a wider regional war".

It is the second time in just over a month Mr McConville has been summoned by the Iranian government.

In September the ambassador was called in over an Instagram post on the embassy's official page marking "Wear It Purple Day", which celebrates LGBTQ+ young people.

Iranian ambassador called into DFAT last week

The meeting came just days after Iran's ambassador to Australia, Ahmad Sadeghi, was called into DFAT over comments praising Hezbollah's assassinated leader.

Mr Sadeghi described Hassan Nasrallah, the former Hezbollah leader, as a martyr and an "unparalleled leader" in a post on social media.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the post but resisted Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's calls for the ambassador to be kicked out of the country.

Mr Dutton argued that Mr Sadeghi's statements were "completely and utterly at odds with what is in our country's best interests" and urged the government to expel him from Australia.

The prime minister said Australia had maintained a continuous relationship with Iran since 1986 "not because we agree with the regime but because it is in Australia's national interest".

"It has never been an endorsement of the regime, but a channel to protect Australia's interests and to communicate our views and the views of our allies, like-minded countries," he said.

The Iranian ambassador was also called into the foreign department in August, that time for a tweet that called for removing Israelis from the "holy lands of Palestine … no later than 2027".

At the time, Mr Albanese described the ambassador's remarks as "abhorrent".

Earlier this month Iran fired hundreds of ballistic missiles towards Israel, following the killing of members of the Islamic Republic's Revolutionary Guard, and senior Hamas and Hezbollah leaders.

On Monday, a DFAT spokesperson said the government "continues to call on all parties to exercise restraint and de-escalate".

"The destructive cycle of violence in the region must stop," they said.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-07/australian-ambassador-summoned-by-iran/104439588

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21729793 (080950ZOCT24) Notable: ‘Professional protester’: Chris Minns hits out at serial activist as costs pass $5m - Police could soon have the power to reject protests that stretch over months, as a clearly frustrated NSW Premier Chris Minns decried the more than $5m spent on controlling pro-Palestine rallies and attacked the leader of the protest movement as a “professional demonstrator”. The move came after hundreds of police were deployed at rallies and vigils in Sydney on Sunday and Monday on the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas atrocities in Israel. The protests were largely peaceful after police issued strong warnings not to bring the flag of the Hezbollah terrorist group, but two men were arrested for displaying swastikas superimposed on the Israeli flag. The Premier hit out at Josh Lees, a leading member of the Palestine Action Group who has lodged weekly applications for the past year to march in Sydney since the October 7 Hamas atrocities in Israel, agreeing with the description of the activist as a “professional protester”. Mr Lees writes for Red Flag, the outlet of Socialist Alternative, which declares itself “Australia’s largest Marxist group”, and regularly calls for the overthrow of capitalism. He was also a leader of the Lockdown to Zero movement, demanding that the then- Berejiklian government maintain strict Covid-19 lockdowns and branding the loosening of restrictions as “an offensive against the working class” by “the rich and powerful”. Mr Lees has also been spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition, organising protests at the 2011 ALP National Conference against then-prime minister Julia Gillard’s asylum-seeker policies. The former University of Sydney tutor was arrested during the “Occupy Sydney” movement that camped outside the Reserve Bank in Martin Place in 2011, clashing with police during a Hyde Park rally and at the Martin Place encampment.

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>>240795

>>240796

‘Professional protester’: Chris Minns hits out at serial activist as costs pass $5m

STEPHEN RICE - 8 October 2024

Police could soon have the power to reject protests that stretch over months, as a clearly frustrated NSW Premier Chris Minns decried the more than $5m spent on controlling pro-Palestine rallies and attacked the leader of the protest movement as a “professional demonstrator”.

The move came after hundreds of police were deployed at rallies and vigils in Sydney on Sunday and Monday on the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas atrocities in Israel.

The protests were largely peaceful after police issued strong warnings not to bring the flag of the Hezbollah terrorist group, but two men were arrested for displaying swastikas superimposed on the Israeli flag.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke is considering cancelling the visa of US-based academic Khaled Beydoun in the aftermath of the protests, after the Arizona State University law professor declared at Monday’s Hizb ut-Tahrir-associated rally in Sydney’s southwest that the October 7 terrorist attacks were “a good day” for Palestinian people.

“Today is not a day that is full of mourning, today is a day that marks celebration,” Mr Beydoun said.

Late on Monday evening, Mr Burke announced that “as soon as I heard about these comments I asked my department to conduct a visa check”.

Mr Minns backed the visa review as “completely appropriate”, while contemplating changes to the way such events are approved and revealing the $5.4m bill for policing the protests to date.

“The cost is huge … so I’m going to have a review into the resourcing that police put into these marches, and it’s my view that police should be able to deny a request for a march due to stretched police resourcing,” he said.

Police were burnt out and tired, he added, and other important work had had to be sidelined.

“I think taxpayers should be in a position to say we would prefer that money spent on roadside breath testing, domestic violence investigations, knife crimes, rather than the huge resources that’s going into the city and the community.”

“Our resources are being stretched; it costs millions of dollars to police and marshal these protests and it’s completely reasonable for the police to take that into consideration when Form 1 applications are lodged with the courts,” Mr Minns said.

“Ultimately, this is a huge drain on the public purse”.

The Premier hit out at Josh Lees, a leading member of the Palestine Action Group who has lodged weekly applications for the past year to march in Sydney since the October 7 Hamas atrocities in Israel, agreeing with the description of the activist as a “professional protester”.

Mr Lees writes for Red Flag, the outlet of Socialist Alternative, which declares itself “Australia’s largest Marxist group”, and regularly calls for the overthrow of capitalism.

He was also a leader of the Lockdown to Zero movement, demanding that the then- Berejiklian government maintain strict Covid-19 lockdowns and branding the loosening of restrictions as “an offensive against the working class” by “the rich and powerful”.

Mr Lees has also been spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition, organising protests at the 2011 ALP National Conference against then-prime minister Julia Gillard’s asylum-seeker policies.

The former University of Sydney tutor was arrested during the “Occupy Sydney” movement that camped outside the Reserve Bank in Martin Place in 2011, clashing with police during a Hyde Park rally and at the Martin Place encampment.

After police broke up the protest, Mr Lees claimed police brutality. “I woke to see about 200 riot police surrounding our protest camp … physically removing people, using painful wrist-locks, and occasionally throwing punches, one of which left a protester in front of me bleeding”, he said. Charges against Mr Lees and other protesters were later dropped.

Mr Minns emphasised he was not seeking changes that would affect union protests or industrial disputes, but police should be in a position to deny repeat applications for marches through Sydney if they didn’t have the resources to deal with it.

“If you were putting on a rock concert on the weekend, you would have to pay NSW police to keep the public safe – this all comes from NSW taxpayers’ back pockets.”

NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman called on Mr Minns to immediately implement a user-pays system for serial protesters, with a general rule against authorisation if organisers of repeat protests failed to meet the costs.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/professional-protester-chris-minns-hits-out-at-serial-activist-as-costs-pass-5m/news-story/0988faa286c60a3e8e03184ba9958a3b

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21729841 (081014ZOCT24) Notable: Video: Jacob Hersant: First man charged after Victoria banned Nazi salute found guilty - The first man charged after Victoria banned public Nazi salutes has been found guilty after a court tossed out his argument the law was constitutionally invalid. Jacob Hersant, 25, was charged with performing the banned gesture in October last year just days after the state outlawed the public demonstration. The young father had attended the County Court for an unrelated criminal matter on October 27, throwing his arm up in front of media and saying: “Australia for the white man, heil Hitler.” The footage, which was played in court, showed Hersant raising his right arm at about a 90-degree angle before quickly pulling it down. “Oh, nearly did it, it’s illegal now isn’t it,” he said. On Tuesday, Hersant returned before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court supported by his mother where magistrate Brett Sonnet found him guilty of the salute. Outside of court, Hersant was unrepentant, saying people can be offended by his actions but he has a “right to express myself politically”. “I don’t feel shame for giving a political salute because those are my beliefs,” he said. “I do give the Nazi salute and I am a Nazi.” Hersant told media he was not worried about the prospect of jail, saying if he had to “suffer” for his cause he was willing. But he also flagged he may appeal the ruling. “I continue to be a national socialist, I’ll continue to give the salute but hopefully police officers don’t see it,” he said.

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>>240842

Jacob Hersant: First man charged after Victoria banned Nazi salute found guilty

LIAM BEATTY - 8 October 2024

The first man charged after Victoria banned public Nazi salutes has been found guilty after a court tossed out his argument the law was constitutionally invalid.

Jacob Hersant, 25, was charged with performing the banned gesture in October last year just days after the state outlawed the public demonstration.

The young father had attended the County Court for an unrelated criminal matter on October 27, throwing his arm up in front of media and saying: “Australia for the white man, heil Hitler.”

The footage, which was played in court, showed Hersant raising his right arm at about a 90-degree angle before quickly pulling it down.

“Oh, nearly did it, it’s illegal now isn’t it,” he said.

On Tuesday, Hersant returned before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court supported by his mother where magistrate Brett Sonnet found him guilty of the salute.

The court was told Hersant’s lawyer, Tim Smart, had disputed that his client actually performed a Nazi salute and raised a secondary argument that the law was invalid.

He argued the law infringed the implied right for free political communication.

Both arguments were struck down by Mr Sonnet who found Hersant intentionally performed the salute and the purpose of the law, to protect minority groups, did not manifestly outweigh the impact on political communication.

“In short the act captured plainly demonstrates the gesture so clearly resembling a Nazi salute,” he said.

“As a result your client has been found guilty.”

Mr Sonnet only read out a brief summary of his 184 page judgement, which he said would be published online later this week.

Hersant will return to court on Wednesday for a plea hearing and faces a maximum penalty of 12 months imprisonment and a $23,000 fine.

Outside of court, Hersant was unrepentant, saying people can be offended by his actions but he has a “right to express myself politically”.

“I don’t feel shame for giving a political salute because those are my beliefs,” he said.

“I do give the Nazi salute and I am a Nazi.”

Hersant told media he was not worried about the prospect of jail, saying if he had to “suffer” for his cause he was willing.

But he also flagged he may appeal the ruling.

I continue to be a national socialist, I’ll continue to give the salute but hopefully police officers don’t see it,” he said.

Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dr Dvir Abramovich, who campaigned for criminal penalties for the Nazi salute, hailed the judgement as a “historic and thundering day for justice and decency”.

This verdict is a blow to the solar plexus of a resurgent and dangerous neo-Nazi movement in Australia,” he said.

“The Magistrate’s Court has sent the unmistakable message that the Nazi salute must never return to our streets, and this decision means that no one in this state should have to live in fear of seeing this expression of absolute inhumanity.”

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/jacob-hersant-first-man-charged-after-victoria-banned-nazi-salute-found-guilty/news-story/2b15205bca50045e7f0d0102c4569021

https://qresear.ch/?q=Jacob+Hersant

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21729862 (081024ZOCT24) Notable: Video: First person found guilty of Nazi salute as court upholds Victoria’s new ban - The first Victorian charged with performing the Nazi salute has been found guilty after a magistrate rejected his argument that the case was constitutionally invalid. Magistrate Brett Sonnet shot down 25-year-old Jacob Hersant’s bid for immunity after he was captured on news cameras performing a version of the Nazi salute outside the County Court just days after legislation banning the act took effect. “Australia for the white man, heil Hitler, heil Hitler,” Hersant was captured saying after the act. Outside court, an unrepentant Hersant vowed to continue performing the Nazi salute, and told the media he was prepared to go to jail to further his political views. Hersant said he felt no regret or shame for performing the salute in public, and revealed he performed the gesture at home every day. He also flagged the possibility of an appeal against his conviction. Other men have since been charged with the same offence, including neo-Nazi Nathan Bull, who is accused of performing the Nazi salute at Carlton’s Cinema Nova on March 9. During a hearing for Bull last month, the court heard the future of his prosecution would likely ride on the magistrate’s decision in Hersant’s case. In June, a NSW magistrate convicted three Croatian soccer fans who made a Nazi salute during the 2022 Australia Cup final. Magistrate Joy Boulos found beyond reasonable doubt that the three men had “deliberately and intentionally” performed the Nazi salute in rejecting their arguments the hand gesture was a symbol of Croatian national pride. The men were each fined $500 and convicted after being found guilty of one count of publicly displaying a Nazi symbol without reasonable excuse.

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>>241083

First person found guilty of Nazi salute as court upholds Victoria’s new ban

Erin Pearson - October 8, 2024

The first Victorian charged with performing the Nazi salute has been found guilty after a magistrate rejected his argument that the case was constitutionally invalid.

Magistrate Brett Sonnet shot down 25-year-old Jacob Hersant’s bid for immunity after he was captured on news cameras performing a version of the Nazi salute outside the County Court just days after legislation banning the act took effect.

“Australia for the white man, heil Hitler, heil Hitler,” Hersant was captured saying after the act.

Outside court, an unrepentant Hersant vowed to continue performing the Nazi salute, and told the media he was prepared to go to jail to further his political views.

Hersant said he felt no regret or shame for performing the salute in public, and revealed he performed the gesture at home every day. He also flagged the possibility of an appeal against his conviction.

“I don’t feel shame for giving a political salute, no. Those are my beliefs. I am a national socialist, I will remain a national socialist,” Hersant said.

“I’ll still continue to give the salute … hopefully police officers won’t see it.”

Hersant was the first Victorian charged with performing a Nazi salute, six days after it was outlawed in October 2023, in a test case for the new legislation.

Hersant fronted Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday where Sonnet found he had performed the act with the requisite intention.

During the hearing, the Nazi salute was compared to hailing a taxi or raising a hand in a classroom by lawyers.

Defence lawyer Timothy Smartt has argued the offence was constitutionally invalid as the Nazi salute was a legitimate form of political expression.

Sonnet found Hersant performed the Nazi gesture or an act that resembled it, intentionally, and altered the gesture in an attempt to avoid a criminal charge.

Sonnet said the legislation banning the act was legally valid and designed to protect minority groups from harm.

He said the salute was intertwined with Nazi ideology and its banning was compatible with the constitution.

Others in court included lawyers for police and the Victorian attorney-general’s office.

Hersant, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, sat in the front row of the courtroom on Tuesday next to his mother.

Other men have since been charged with the same offence, including neo-Nazi Nathan Bull, who is accused of performing the Nazi salute at Carlton’s Cinema Nova on March 9.

During a hearing for Bull last month, the court heard the future of his prosecution would likely ride on the magistrate’s decision in Hersant’s case.

In June, a NSW magistrate convicted three Croatian soccer fans who made a Nazi salute during the 2022 Australia Cup final.

Magistrate Joy Boulos found beyond reasonable doubt that the three men had “deliberately and intentionally” performed the Nazi salute in rejecting their arguments the hand gesture was a symbol of Croatian national pride.

The men were each fined $500 and convicted after being found guilty of one count of publicly displaying a Nazi symbol without reasonable excuse.

Premier Jacinta Allan, speaking from a school in Mount Waverley as Sonnet’s judgment was handed down, said Hersant’s conviction demonstrated that her government and the entire parliament had taken “very, very strong action” to outlaw the Nazi salute.

“It should be prosecuted. It has been. We have the powers and tools here in Victoria to stamp out that hateful behaviour,” Allan said.

Dvir Abramovich, the chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission, said the magistrate’s decision was a “historic and thundering day for justice and decency”.

“I am moved beyond words and filled with a profound sense of relief. Today, Victoria shines a little brighter,” Abramovich said.

“This is not just a legal victory – it is a moral triumph that belongs to every individual who has suffered under the weight of oppression, and it belongs to every person who has ever felt threatened and targeted by this vile display of hate.”

In Victoria, the offence carries maximum penalties of more than $23,000 or 12 months’ jail, or both, for anyone who intentionally displays or performs a Nazi symbol or gesture in public.

Hersant is yet to be sentenced and will return to court on Wednesday.

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/nazi-salute-ban-upheld-after-court-fight-20241008-p5kgk2.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21734026 (090952ZOCT24) Notable: Indigenous leaders slam ‘disrespectful’ Fatima Payman’s choice of party name, Australia’s Voice - Furious Indigenous leaders have slammed Fatima Payman for claiming and rebadging the voice for her own political brand, as the former Labor senator refused to outline policies or reveal candidates. Senator Payman’s announcement on Wednesday that she would lead a breakaway political party named Australia’s Voice has angered some of Australia’s most distinguished Indigenous figures, who are in solemn reflection over the defeat of the voice referendum a year ago on Monday. Uluru Dialogue co-chair Megan Davis, a Cobble Cobble woman and constitutional expert who worked on the voice process for 12 years, described Senator Payman’s announcement on Wednesday as “curious timing given it’s the anniversary of the referendum and many of our people are still grieving”. Four months since she crossed the floor to vote for Palestinian statehood, the West Australian senator launched the Australia’s Voice party in Canberra where she saying her policy platforms would “come with time”. In a later interview on ABC, she described Palestinian recognition as overdue. Indigenous entrepreneur Sean Gordon, who joined fellow political conservatives in supporting the Indigenous voice through the Uphold & Recognise collective, said he saw the name of the new party as part of persistent and wrong-headed efforts to link the Indigenous rights movement with pro-Palestinian activism. “The use of the term ‘voice’ by Fatima Payman for her new political party is a further attempt by the pro-Palestinian movement to leverage of the back of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Mr Gordon said. “This is no different to the pro-Palestinian movement who drowned out our voices on Australia Day early this year.”

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>>241085

Indigenous leaders slam ‘disrespectful’ Fatima Payman’s choice of party name, Australia’s Voice

PAIGE TAYLOR and NOAH YIM - 9 October 2024

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Furious Indigenous leaders have slammed Fatima Payman for claiming and rebadging the voice for her own political brand, as the former Labor senator refused to outline policies or reveal candidates.

Senator Payman’s announcement on Wednesday that she would lead a breakaway political party named Australia’s Voice has angered some of Australia’s most distinguished Indigenous figures, who are in solemn reflection over the defeat of the voice referendum a year ago on Monday.

Uluru Dialogue co-chair Megan Davis, a Cobble Cobble woman and constitutional expert who worked on the voice process for 12 years, described Senator Payman’s announcement on Wednesday as “curious timing given it’s the anniversary of the referendum and many of our people are still grieving”.

Four months since she crossed the floor to vote for Palestinian statehood, the West Australian senator launched the Australia’s Voice party in Canberra where she saying her policy platforms would “come with time”. In a later interview on ABC, she described Palestinian recognition as overdue.

Indigenous entrepreneur Sean Gordon, who joined fellow political conservatives in supporting the Indigenous voice through the Uphold & Recognise collective, said he saw the name of the new party as part of persistent and wrong-headed efforts to link the Indigenous rights movement with pro-Palestinian activism.

“The use of the term ‘voice’ by Fatima Payman for her new political party is a further attempt by the pro-Palestinian movement to leverage of the back of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Mr Gordon said.

“This is no different to the pro-Palestinian movement who drowned out our voices on Australia Day early this year.

“The only day that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have to advocate our issues which are broadcasted locally, nationally and internationally.

“I’m not surprised by the lack of respect shown by Fatima Payman toward Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by using the term ‘voice’, this is no different to the NSW Minerals Council who also used the term ‘voice for mining’ for their 2024 campaign, which was a play on the Voice Referendum Campaign for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples recognition.”

Edward Synot, a Wemba Wemba man and senior member of the Uluru Dialogue, said the name of the new party “ smacks of political opportunism”.

Mr Synot said his group – the custodians of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and its call for an Indigenous voice – were not consulted about the new party or its name.

Senator Payman refused to apologise on Wednesday over criticism that her new party’s name invoked the landmark call by Indigenous Australians for a constitutionally enshrined advisory body.

Senator Payman pledged to sit between the Greens and Labor and build a movement for “all Australians”.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21734044 (091000ZOCT24) Notable: Far-right extremist Jacob Hersant to be jailed for Nazi salute but length of sentence still to be determined - The first person found guilty of performing the Nazi salute in Victoria will be sentenced to jail. Far-right extremist Jacob Hersant was found guilty on Tuesday of performing the gesture last year, after a magistrate rejected his argument the laws were constitutionally invalid. The 25-year-old was the first Victorian charged with performing the Nazi salute in October 2023, just six days after new legislation banning the gesture came into effect. This morning, Magistrate Brett Sonnet found the only "appropriate sentencing order" was a term of imprisonment, but said he was not yet in a position to determine the length of the sentence. The offence carries a maximum penalty of $24,000 or 12 months' jail. Hersant walked from court today after the magistrate allowed him to remain in the community until sentencing in four weeks' time. Outside the court, Hersant told reporters he had no regrets about the conviction. His associates, including prominent neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell, made anti-Semitic comments as they left. During today's hearing, Prosecutor Daniel Gurvich KC argued Hersant's prospects of rehabilitation were "poor to non-existent", and said his performance of the Nazi salute was "calculated to achieve maximum impact". "Public expression of Nazi symbols are an assault against human dignity and representative of hatred and prejudice that have no place in Victoria," Mr Gurvich said.

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>>241083

>>241084

Far-right extremist Jacob Hersant to be jailed for Nazi salute but length of sentence still to be determined

Leanne Wong - 9 October 2024

The first person found guilty of performing the Nazi salute in Victoria will be sentenced to jail.

Far-right extremist Jacob Hersant was found guilty on Tuesday of performing the gesture last year, after a magistrate rejected his argument the laws were constitutionally invalid.

The 25-year-old was the first Victorian charged with performing the Nazi salute in October 2023, just six days after new legislation banning the gesture came into effect.

This morning, Magistrate Brett Sonnet found the only "appropriate sentencing order" was a term of imprisonment, but said he was not yet in a position to determine the length of the sentence.

The offence carries a maximum penalty of $24,000 or 12 months' jail.

Hersant walked from court today after the magistrate allowed him to remain in the community until sentencing in four weeks' time.

Outside the court, Hersant told reporters he had no regrets about the conviction.

His associates, including prominent neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell, made anti-Semitic comments as they left.

During today's hearing, Prosecutor Daniel Gurvich KC argued Hersant's prospects of rehabilitation were "poor to non-existent", and said his performance of the Nazi salute was "calculated to achieve maximum impact".

"Public expression of Nazi symbols are an assault against human dignity and representative of hatred and prejudice that have no place in Victoria," Mr Gurvich said.

But Hersant's defence lawyer Timothy Smartt argued his client was a "supportive partner" and "fantastic father" to his two-year-old son.

He told the court Hersant enjoyed writing poetry — even taking part in a recent poetry competition.

Mr Smartt denied the poetry involved far-right themes, after being asked by the magistrate.

"So in a sense your client is a modern-day version of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde," Magistrate Sonnet said.

Lawyers for Hersant seek fine instead of jail

Mr Smartt acknowledged Hersant's views were "seriously concerning" but argued he was better than his "worst deeds".

"He's not the first young person to have extreme political views and he's not the last," Mr Smartt said.

He requested the court impose a $1,500 fine.

But during today's hearing, Magistrate Sonnet said "powerful" mitigating factors for Hersant's sentence were missing, citing his lack of remorse, his absence of guilty plea and his criminal history.

On Tuesday, after being found guilty, Hersant told reporters he would continue to perform the Nazi salute – just not in front of police.

Hersant was outside the County Court last year, having just been sentenced for another offence, when he raised his arm and made a salute in front of journalists.

He quickly lowered his arm and said: "Oh, nearly did it, it's illegal now isn't it?"

As he walked away, Hersant called out: "Australia for the white man, heil Hitler."

On Tuesday after finding Hersant guilty, Magistrate Sonnet said Hersant knowingly performed the salute, which he described as "an inherently political act" intertwined with Nazi ideology.

The magistrate said laws were necessary to protect vulnerable minority communities.

In a summary read out to the court, the magistrate said he rejected arguments from Hersant's lawyers that the laws were in breach of the constitution.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-09/jacob-hersant-nazi-salute-sentence/104448256

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21739533 (100814ZOCT24) Notable: Chinese trade restrictions on Australian lobsters to be lifted before Chinese New Year - Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he has secured a promise from China's Premier Li Qiang to lift a ban on Australian rock lobsters by the end of the year. The news will be welcomed by the rock lobster industry, which has struggled since being locked out of the lucrative market, and which had been growing increasingly frustrated by the delay to restoring the trade. Mr Albanese met with Premier Li today on the sidelines of the ASEAN meeting in Laos, and emerged saying China's second most senior leader had agreed on a "timetable" to let lobsters back by the end of this year, in time for Chinese New Year in early 2025. "This will be welcomed by the people engaged in the live lobster industry in places like Geraldton and South Australia and Tasmania and so many parts of particularly regional Australia," he said. Australian rock lobster exports to China were worth some $700 million a year before Beijing locked them out as part of a broader campaign of economic punishment against Australia in 2020 and 2021, when the bilateral relationship hit its nadir. China has already removed tariffs and barriers on a host of other Australian products - including wine, coal and barley – leaving lobsters as the last major industry that remained frozen out of the massive market. Mr Albanese told journalists in Vientiane that Premier Li's promise had once again vindicated the government's approach to China. "With our patient, calibrated and deliberate approach, we've restored Australian trade with our largest export market, and today we discussed restarting exports of Australian live rock lobsters," Albanese said in Laos.

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Chinese trade restrictions on Australian lobsters to be lifted before Chinese New Year

Stephen Dziedzic - 10 October 2024

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he has secured a promise from China's Premier Li Qiang to lift a ban on Australian rock lobsters by the end of the year.

The news will be welcomed by the rock lobster industry, which has struggled since being locked out of the lucrative market, and which had been growing increasingly frustrated by the delay to restoring the trade.

Mr Albanese met with Premier Li today on the sidelines of the ASEAN meeting in Laos, and emerged saying China's second most senior leader had agreed on a "timetable" to let lobsters back by the end of this year, in time for Chinese New Year in early 2025.

"This will be welcomed by the people engaged in the live lobster industry in places like Geraldton and South Australia and Tasmania and so many parts of particularly regional Australia," he said.

Australian rock lobster exports to China were worth some $700 million a year before Beijing locked them out as part of a broader campaign of economic punishment against Australia in 2020 and 2021, when the bilateral relationship hit its nadir.

China has already removed tariffs and barriers on a host of other Australian products – including wine, coal and barley – leaving lobsters as the last major industry that remained frozen out of the massive market.

Mr Albanese told journalists in Vientiane that Premier Li's promise had once again vindicated the government's approach to China.

"With our patient, calibrated and deliberate approach, we've restored Australian trade with our largest export market, and today we discussed restarting exports of Australian live rock lobsters," Albanese said in Laos.

Industry relieved, with biggest customer set to return

Lobster fisher Clint Moss from Lancelin, north of Perth, said it was a relief to hear the industry's biggest customer may be back buying crayfish within the next few months.

"If the big guys have got together and signed on the dotted line, I'm more than happy with that," he told the ABC.

"We could start building business plans and futures for our families and other fishermen as well.

"Chinese New Year was always a fantastic time for us … in the past when the stars align we have really big catches and really high prices, so that could be unbelievably good news for a lot of fishers, that's for sure."

Mr Moss said when the market was closed, beach prices went from $73 to $15 per kilo for lobster, and about 50 boats had left the WA fishing fleet, unable to remain in the industry with a long period of depressed prices.

"I'm very relieved, I've been sitting on massive debt for a long time … I've been fingernails holding on, hoping."

China banned the lobsters on the grounds they detected heavy metals contamination – an allegation the government and the industry have always denied.

Andrew Ferguson, managing director of lobster retailer and exporter Ferguson Australia, told the ABC that Mr Albanese's announcement was a bittersweet moment.

"It's been terribly difficult, the last four years, I can tell you," he said.

"While I'm excited and very pleased to hear this, for the industry's sake, we certainly can't lose sight of what happened over the last four years, and be prepared."

Before the ban, the business exported around 95 per cent of their products to China, and have since had to find other domestic and international markets for Southern Rock Lobster.

"One thing is for sure I'm not going to be going back into this blindly, I'll be hanging on to all the good work we've done in our diversification," Mr Ferguson said.

But despite the industry's best efforts, replacement markets could not compare to the demand and prices from Chinese customers.

Mr Ferguson also said the industry would have to do "a lot of work" to regain its market share, and predicted China wouldn't be as lucrative for fishers as it was before.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-10/china-to-lift-trade-restrictions-on-australian-lobsters/104457368

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21739558 (100836ZOCT24) Notable: Beaumaris Primary School sexual abuse survivor reaches record $8 million settlement with Victorian government - A survivor of "shocking" sexual abuse at a Melbourne primary school has received what his lawyer has called "the biggest publicly known payment to an abuse survivor in Australia" in an extraordinary $8 million settlement with the Victorian Education Department. The man, who was sexually abused by notorious paedophile Darrell Ray, was among a generation of students who suffered abuse in the 1960s and 70s at Beaumaris Primary School in bayside Melbourne. The man's lawyer, Michael Magazanik of Rightside Legal, said his client had been fighting for justice for most of his adult life and settled the claim a week before it was set to reach Victoria's Supreme Court. "He's been on this path for decades, first pushing for a criminal prosecution for lots of Ray's victims, and then his own fight for proper compensation," Mr Magazanik said. "Of course, it's been a rocky road for him and life hasn't been easy because he's been dealing with entrenched damage. Now he's got what he deserves and we're proud to have fought for him. It's the biggest publicly-known payment to an abuse survivor in Australia. It represents the shocking damage the abuse did and the cost of starting to repair my client's life, starting to put him back in the position he might have been in had the school kept him safe." Speaking to ABC Investigations, the man said he hoped his legal victory would inspire survivors who have lost faith in the justice system. "I'd strongly recommend that victims of sexual abuse get themselves a lawyer and not go down the National Redress path," the man said. "That's the main thing I'd want to get across to other survivors. Trust your lawyer and get what you deserve, not what the government wants to give you. For me, personally, an apology was never going to give me any closure. I was offered twice and said no. Other people might get closure from an apology, but I won't. And the money does not give me closure either - I will never get closure. I wouldn't still be here were it not for finding my faith. And that's not for everyone either. But I had to become a Christian to even have a remote chance of surviving and finding a better way of life."

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>>>/qresearch/21049488 (pb)

Beaumaris Primary School sexual abuse survivor reaches record $8 million settlement with Victorian government

Russell Jackson - 10 October 2024

A survivor of "shocking" sexual abuse at a Melbourne primary school has received what his lawyer has called "the biggest publicly known payment to an abuse survivor in Australia" in an extraordinary $8 million settlement with the Victorian Education Department.

The man, who was sexually abused by notorious paedophile Darrell Ray, was among a generation of students who suffered abuse in the 1960s and 70s at Beaumaris Primary School in bayside Melbourne.

The man's lawyer, Michael Magazanik of Rightside Legal, said his client had been fighting for justice for most of his adult life and settled the claim a week before it was set to reach Victoria's Supreme Court.

"He's been on this path for decades, first pushing for a criminal prosecution for lots of Ray's victims, and then his own fight for proper compensation," Mr Magazanik said.

"Of course, it's been a rocky road for him and life hasn't been easy because he's been dealing with entrenched damage.

"Now he's got what he deserves and we're proud to have fought for him.

"It's the biggest publicly-known payment to an abuse survivor in Australia.

"It represents the shocking damage the abuse did and the cost of starting to repair my client's life, starting to put him back in the position he might have been in had the school kept him safe."

Speaking to ABC Investigations, the man said he hoped his legal victory would inspire survivors who have lost faith in the justice system.

"I'd strongly recommend that victims of sexual abuse get themselves a lawyer and not go down the National Redress path," the man said.

"That's the main thing I'd want to get across to other survivors.

"Trust your lawyer and get what you deserve, not what the government wants to give you.

"For me, personally, an apology was never going to give me any closure. I was offered twice and said no.

"Other people might get closure from an apology, but I won't. And the money does not give me closure either — I will never get closure.

"I wouldn't still be here were it not for finding my faith. And that's not for everyone either. But I had to become a Christian to even have a remote chance of surviving and finding a better way of life."

'A bunch of adults in charge turned a blind eye'

Mr Magazanik said the abuse epidemic at Beaumaris Primary was a "shocking and monumental failure" and a microcosm of an education system that repeatedly failed to protect children.

"It only happened because a bunch of adults in charge turned a blind eye and the price tag for that blindness is enormous and growing," Mr Magazanik said.

The man's abuser, Darrell Ray, died in November 2023 while awaiting trial on 26 charges of indecent assault upon a male, which followed a lengthy investigation by Victoria Police.

In 2001, Ray pleaded guilty to 27 counts of indecently assaulting 18 male students at Beaumaris Primary School and the Tucker Road Primary School in Moorabbin between 1967 and 1976 and was sentenced to 44 months in prison with a minimum term of 17 months.

The rampant sexual abuse perpetrated by Ray and three other former Beaumaris Primary teachers gained greater attention in 2021 when former AFL star Rod Owen told the ABC his story of abuse by Ray at Beaumaris and in St Kilda's Little League team.

In 2023, Ray and three other paedophile teachers were the focus of the Victorian government's Board of Inquiry into sexual abuse of schoolchildren at Beaumaris Primary and 23 other government schools.

It revealed decades of glaring failures and a "culture that prioritised the reputation of the education system over the safety of children".

In June, responding to the findings of the Beaumaris inquiry, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allen announced a $48 million "truth-telling" process and acknowledged the state's "serious and systematic" failure to protect children in government schools.

"We failed to keep these children safe," Ms Allan said at the announcement.

"We failed to listen when they spoke out. We failed to act to ensure that it did not happen again."

"What should have been a happy place became a place of horror for these victim-survivors."

The government's truth-telling process, which will include the first systematic review of the Victorian Education Department's failings, will be open to survivors of sexual abuse at all government schools and is expected to conclude in 2026.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-10/victorian-government-to-pay-record-sum-to-sexual-abuse-survivor/104448654

https://qresear.ch/?q=Darrell+Ray

https://qresear.ch/?q=Beaumaris

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21739573 (100858ZOCT24) Notable: Video: British YouTuber and rapper Yung Filly extradited to Perth to face allegations of rape - He is accused of assaulting a woman in a hotel room on September 28th 2024. In 2021 Yung Filly was also accused of meeting and texting 17 year old girls when he was 26 and recently he was also seen biting women outside clubs (Allegedly). UPDATE: Yung Filly has been granted bail of $122,000, with conditions that require him to stay in Western Australia until his court appearance in December. He must also report to the police three times a week.

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https://x.com/IBZDRAGON/status/1844275444608074029

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21746614 (111625ZOCT24) Notable: ASIO chief Mike Burgess tells social media summit of 'disturbing resurgence' in youth terror cases - In a sobering warning about the impact of social media on ideological radicalisation among children, ASIO's director-general has expressed concern that artificial intelligence will "accelerate the acceleration" of extremism. At a summit examining the harmful effects of online platforms on young people, Mike Burgess spoke in broad terms about the ways in which social media and digital technologies were fuelling threats to national security. But Mr Burgess was emphatic that the problem was an especially pressing one for policymakers focused on education and child safety, pointing out that "all" of the nation's most recent terror cases "were allegedly perpetrated by young people", including one as young as 14. "The internet was a factor in every single one of these incidents, albeit to different degrees and in different ways," he said. Mr Burgess said that, during a COVID peak, teenagers "represented around 50 per cent" of ASIO's counter-terrorism caseload - a figure that declined before a more recent "disturbing resurgence". "Around 20 per cent of our priority counter-terrorism cases involve minors," he said. "In one generation, we have allowed our children full access to alleyways, content and people that they would not be able to access in the physical world." Mr Burgess said that ASIO involvement in a case of youthful extremism was "usually" a sign that it was "too late" for other forms of intervention. "As a nation, we need to reflect on why some teenagers are hanging Nazi flags and portraits of the Christchurch killer on their bedroom walls, and why others are sharing beheading videos in the schoolyard and, more concerningly, why there are young Australians willing to kill in the name of their beliefs," he said.

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>>240897

>>240987

ASIO chief Mike Burgess tells social media summit of 'disturbing resurgence' in youth terror cases

abc.net.au - 11 October 2024

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In a sobering warning about the impact of social media on ideological radicalisation among children, ASIO's director-general has expressed concern that artificial intelligence will "accelerate the acceleration" of extremism.

At a summit examining the harmful effects of online platforms on young people, Mike Burgess spoke in broad terms about the ways in which social media and digital technologies were fuelling threats to national security.

But Mr Burgess was emphatic that the problem was an especially pressing one for policymakers focused on education and child safety, pointing out that "all" of the nation's most recent terror cases "were allegedly perpetrated by young people", including one as young as 14.

"The internet was a factor in every single one of these incidents, albeit to different degrees and in different ways," he said.

Mr Burgess said that, during a COVID peak, teenagers "represented around 50 per cent" of ASIO's counter-terrorism caseload — a figure that declined before a more recent "disturbing resurgence".

"Around 20 per cent of our priority counter-terrorism cases involve minors," he said.

"In one generation, we have allowed our children full access to alleyways, content and people that they would not be able to access in the physical world."

Mr Burgess said that ASIO involvement in a case of youthful extremism was "usually" a sign that it was "too late" for other forms of intervention.

"As a nation, we need to reflect on why some teenagers are hanging Nazi flags and portraits of the Christchurch killer on their bedroom walls, and why others are sharing beheading videos in the schoolyard and, more concerningly, why there are young Australians willing to kill in the name of their beliefs," he said.

While the ASIO chief expressed reluctance to become involved in social media policymaking, and wanted to keep his remarks within "ASIO's lane — the national security implications", he said the agency was working with its security partners on a paper on the subject of terrorism and young people.

"Any proposal to regulate social media must, of course, balance free speech, free choice and [the] free market, and we need more research," he said.

"[But] no form of technology, no corner of the internet, should be above the rule of law. Social media cannot be without a social licence."

(continued)