/qnotables20/ - ===Q Notables 2020===

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9561486 (101644ZJUN20) Notable: Peter Dutton vows to hunt down ‘depraved’ pedophiles to combat child exploitation during the COVID-19 pandemic, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Home_Affairs_Minister_Peter_Dutton_says_the_AFP_has_continued_to_combat_child_exploitation.jpg

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Dutton vows to hunt down ‘depraved’ pedophiles

Peter Dutton has warned “depraved” pedophiles that they will be hunted down, flagging law reform to give security agencies the powers they need to protect children.

Speaking in parliament, the Home Affairs Minister said the Australian Federal Police and AUSTRAC were detecting “more and more people” using the dark web and encrypted devices who “deserve to be caught” and “punished”.

Mr Dutton said the AFP had continued to combat child exploitation during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has triggered an increase in online crime.

“It is the reality that many pedophiles have been targeting our children online as they’re spending more time at home. Studying, talking to their friends, messaging, visiting websites,” Mr Dutton told parliament.

Citing the success of Operation Arkstone, which has charged nine men in three states and protected at least 14 children from harm, Mr Dutton said “depraved individuals” were communicating on the dark web and “remitting money to other parts of the world”, including the Philippines and Thailand.

Mr Dutton said in some cases it was “impossible for the police and the intelligence agencies to determine who these people are” if they used the dark web and encrypted devices.

“The government’s been determined for a long time under the Prime Minister’s leadership to make sure that we can reform the laws wherever they’re needed so that our policing agencies can protect children,” he said.

“If we’re unable to act and we’re unable to discover the messages, the ordering of services — which is what takes place in many of these transactions — we can’t save those children here and abroad.”

Mr Dutton also referenced the arrest of a 57-year-old man in Sydney on Tuesday, describing the allegations against him as “serious”.

“If people think that they can act online in an anonymous way they are sadly mistaken.”

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said Labor endorsed Mr Dutton’s comments and recent child sex abuse arrests.

“Child sex crime is something that is beyond comprehension and it’s something that should be stamped out and we will assist in any way possible,” Mr Albanese said.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/dutton-vows-to-hunt-down-depraved-pedophiles/news-story/a09013225bf7979b48c40513ef8a946e

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9561541 (101651ZJUN20) Notable: Labor to back bill on minimum sentencing for child sex offenders, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Labor_legal_affairs_spokesman_Mark_Dreyfus.jpg

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>>177243

Labor to back bill on minimum sentencing for child sex offenders

Labor is prepared to defy its national platform and support a government bill that introduces mandatory minimum sentences for the most serious child-sex ­offences, as Anthony Albanese says his party “will assist in any way possible” to stop the crime.

The Morrison government has tried to wedge Labor over the Sexual Crimes Against Children Bill, which was a 2019 election promise and legislates minimum terms of five to seven years for the worst child-sex crimes.

Recidivist child-sex offenders would also face minimum sentences from one to four years.

While Labor’s national platform states that the party “opposes­ mandatory sentencing”, opposition legal affairs spokesman Mark Dreyfus said on Wednesday there was “a lot that this bill gets right”.

“There is nothing more sickening than child sexual abuse,’’ Mr Dreyfus said. “Children are the most precious and vulnerable members of our community. Labor has no tolerance for these crimes or the people who commit them. We want to see pedophiles locked up.

“Labor will work with MPs and senators from all sides to strengthen our laws to protect our children. Nothing should get in the way of this objective.

“Labor will be moving amendments to the bill but, regardless of the outcome, we will be supporting the legislation.”

Labor’s amendments would remove mandatory minimum sentences from the bill and include a statutory review of commonwealth sentencing practices in two to three years to ensure child-sex offenders were being sentenced in line with community standards and expectations.

Opposition senators have warned that minimum mandat­ory sentencing would have perverse unintended consequences, was ineffective in reducing crime and conflicted with the role of the judiciary as an independent arm of government.

But caucus agreed this week to support the bill and the party’s proposed amendments ahead of debate resuming on Thursday, guaranteeing its success.

The Opposition Leader told question time on Wednesday: “Child-sex crime is something that is beyond comprehension and it’s something that should be stamped out and we will assist in any way possible.”

The bill also includes a new maximum penalty for child-sex offences of life imprisonment and a presumption against bail, to keep offenders in custody while they face trial.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton warned on Wednesday “depraved” pedophiles using the dark web and encrypted devices would be hunted down.

Citing the success of Operation Arkstone, which has charged nine men in three states and protected at least 14 children from harm, Mr Dutton said there were individuals online communic­ating and remitting money to other parts of the world but the Australian Federal Police and AUSTRAC were detecting “more and more people”. The government is also consid­ering giving security agencies new powers to access encr­ypted content on social media.

Attorney-General Christian Porter said 39 per cent of convicted commonwealth child-sex offenders did not spend a single day in prison last financial year, while victims were left to face the trauma for the rest of their lives.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/labor-to-back-bill-on-minimum-sentencing-for-child-sex-offenders/news-story/a3149316b524828f7924b5d95c4d4505

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9570883 (110547ZJUN20) Notable: Q Post #4450 - Do Anons understand what is about to be unleashed?, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Q_4450.jpg

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Q Post #4450

Jun 10 2020 20:10:38 (EST) NEW

Do Anons understand what is about to be unleashed?

Q

https://qanon.pub/#4450

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9571385 (110658ZJUN20) Notable: If Senator Graham doesn’t press on the Australian’s involvement...the senate will never understand the origins of the spying scandal, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: GP_224.jpg

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George Papadopoulos Tweet

If Senator Graham doesn’t press on the Australian’s involvement in recording my convos in April and May 2016, and the unmaskings against Flynn and me during those months, the senate will never understand the origins of the spying scandal. Might be left up to Durham at this point

https://twitter.com/GeorgePapa19/status/1270757690638168064

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9571710 (110832ZJUN20) Notable: Mike Pompeo promises probe into beating of Australian journalists, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Network_Seven_cameraman_Tim_Myers_and_reporter_Amelia_Brace_as_they_were_assaulted_by_police_officers_while_covering_protests_in_Washington_USA.jpg, Secretary_of_State_Mike_Pom.jpg

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>>177211

>>177232

Mike Pompeo promises probe into beating of Australian journalists

Seven Network's Amelia Brace and Tim Myers were beaten and hit by rubber bullets as police cleared a park outside the White House for US President Donald Trump.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the State Department will do its best to investigate the police beating of a Seven Network reporter and cameraman outside the White House.

Amelia Brace and Tim Myers were broadcasting live back to Australia last week when US Park Police aggressively cleared demonstrators out of Washington DC's Lafayette Square so US President Donald Trump could pose for photos outside a church holding a bible.

Ms Brace was struck with a truncheon, Tim Myers was punched and hit with a riot shield and both were hit with rubber bullets and tear gas.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison had asked the Australian Ambassador to the US, Arthur Sinodinos, to look into what took place.

"I know there have been concerns from some countries of their reporters having been treated inappropriately here," Mr Pompeo told reporters in Washington DC on Wednesday.

"We've seen some of those allegations come into the State Department.

"You should know, those countries should know, we will handle them in a completely appropriate way.

"We will do our best to investigate them to the extent the State Department is capable of doing that and we will address them in a way that is appropriate to try to address any concerns those nations may have about their journalists, who we, too, do our level best to protect."

Two US Park Police officers have been placed on administrative leave while an investigation takes place.

Lafayette Square was packed with demonstrators following the police custody death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Mr Pompeo rejected comparisons between American authorities' tough tactics with media members to tactics used by China in Hong Kong.

Seven's director of news and public affairs Craig McPherson described the police actions as "nothing short of wanton thuggery".

But the White House has previously defended the police treatment of the Seven Network crew, saying authorities had "a right to defend themselves".

"No tear gas was used and no rubber bullets were used," Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said.

"The officers had no other choice than, in that moment, to act and make sure that they were safe and that the perimeter was pushed back," she said.

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/mike-pompeo-promises-probe-into-beating-of-australian-journalists

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9571744 (110849ZJUN20) Notable: Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton Tweet: We're catching more and more depraved individuals who access child abuse material online, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: PD_3.jpg

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>>177228

>>177243

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton Tweet

We're catching more and more depraved individuals who access child abuse material online. Keeping kids safe from sexual predators is one of my highest priorities.

https://twitter.com/PeterDutton_MP/status/1270840679413846016

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9571762 (110854ZJUN20) Notable: Black Lives Matter protests 'completely unacceptable', Scott Morrison says in call for demonstrators to be charged, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Mr_Morrison_said_further_protests_would_be_completely_unacceptable_.jpg

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Black Lives Matter protests 'completely unacceptable', Scott Morrison says in call for demonstrators to be charged

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has demanded an end to further Black Lives Matter protests, saying some protests have been hijacked by left-wing movements and demonstrators at future events should be charged.

Mr Morrison has previously urged Australians not to attend the mass protests against Indigenous incarceration rates and deaths in custody, citing the risk of COVID-19.

Today he ramped up his rhetoric, saying developments overseas, where protesters have torn down statues of historical figures deemed responsible for atrocities such as slavery and genocide, showed the Black Lives Matter movement had been "taken over by much more politically driven left-wing agendas".

"We've got to be honest about our history, we've also got to respect our history as well," he said.

"This is not a licence for people to go nuts on this stuff."

He accused protesters of setting back efforts to lift coronavirus restrictions.

"Certainly any further action on this front would be absolutely unacceptable," he said.

"The double standards that [protesters] allowed themselves to perpetrate by turning up has offended, rightly I think, Australians right across the country.

"The way that it was done and the suggestion that they might do it again risks public support for even the issue they raise."

Mr Morrison said protesters who attended rallies in breach of public health orders should face charges.

"I really do think they should, you can't have a double standard here," he said.

"I think the issues last weekend were very difficult, but I think people carrying it on now, it's not about that."

His comments came hours before authorities in Victoria announced one person who attended a rally in Melbourne had tested positive for COVID-19.

Doctors said the man may have been infectious at the protest, but was unlikely to have contracted the virus there.

A rally is being planned for tomorrow evening in Sydney, to protest against the number of black deaths in custody in Australia.

The protest is being opposed by police on public health grounds, as is another planned protest on the rights of refugees.

Mr Morrison said while the issue of Indigenous incarceration was one worthy of protest, it was not appropriate for advocates to gather en masse during a pandemic.

"The rally last weekend is the only legitimate real blocker to [easing restrictions further] at the moment, because we actually don't know whether those rallies on the weekend may have caused outbreaks," he said.

"It just puts a massive spanner in the works."

One of the organisers for tomorrow's protest, Raul Bassi, said he would "wait and see" before deciding whether the rally would go ahead.

"Yes the virus is a big problem," he said.

"But we think there is another virus going around, and we have to respond now.

"That virus is the virus based in racism. It's a virus that kills Aboriginal people."

Mr Morrison's calls were echoed by crossbench senator Jacqui Lambie, who said the risk of a second wave of coronavirus was too great.

"I just find this really, really reckless," she said.

"If Black Lives Matter so much then why are you putting them at risk?"

PM's comments labelled 'contentious and antagonistic'

Yesterday, four Labor MPs were sent home from Parliament and told to get tested for COVID-19 "as an abundance of caution", after attending rallies over the weekend.

Two have since returned negative tests.

Shadow minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney labelled the Prime Minister's rhetoric inflammatory.

"What's absolutely crucial is people make their decisions after they consider the health advice," she said.

"The last thing we need at the moment are statements such as the Prime Minister's, which are quite contentious and antagonistic.

"What's required right now is strong political leadership and understanding that people are very serious about deaths in custody."

Labor leader Anthony Albanese, whose multicultural affairs spokesman is calling for a national action plan to combat racism, backed the Prime Minister's calls for protesters to stay home.

"Listen to the health advice, simple as that," he said.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-11/black-lives-matter-protests-morrison-calls-for-charges/12342762

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9583910 (120757ZJUN20) Notable: Senate Judiciary authorizes subpoenas for Obama officials amid Russia probe review, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Senate_Judiciary_authorizes_subpoenas_for_Obama_officials_amid_Russia_probe_review.jpg

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Senate Judiciary authorizes subpoenas for Obama officials amid Russia probe review

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday approved subpoenas for documents and testimony from top Obama administration officials as part of the panel’s investigation into the origins of the Russia probe during the 2016 presidential election.

The committee voted Thursday to approve a measure giving broad authority to Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., to subpoena more than 50 mostly former Obama administration officials as part of its investigation.

The subpoenas apply to former FBI Director James Comey, former national security adviser Susan Rice and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and others.

"McCabe...Comey...their day is coming," Graham said.

The panel rejected a call by Democrats to subpoena those associated with President Trump or the Trump campaign. The Democrats sought subpoenas for George Papadopoulos, Michael Cohen, Roger Stone and former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, among others.

All amendments and authorizations were approved or tabled on party-line votes.

The committee last week was slated to vote on whether to give Graham the power to issue those subpoenas, but after hours of debate last week, the panel decided to wait to vote on the matter Thursday amid concerns raised by Democrats on the committee.

The subpoena authorization approved Thursday would also cover any documents, communications and testimony “related to any aforementioned matter” from current and former officials, including former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, former Attorney General Loretta Lynch, former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates, former ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power, former FBI officials Lisa Page, Peter Strzok, James Baker and Bill Priestap, as well as former DOJ official Bruce Ohr, among others.

The authorizations would also cover individuals involved in the Steele Dossier, including Fusion GPS founder Glenn Simpson and Nellie Ohr.

"I have to do this this way if I want to get to the bottom of what happened," Graham said, adding to his Democratic colleagues that "I promise you that you will get your say."

Under committee rules, Graham cannot unilaterally issue a subpoena. The committee chairman can only issue a subpoena with the consent of the ranking member, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., or by a committee vote.

Feinstein, during the business meeting to consider the subpoenas last week, slammed Graham's proposal to authorize the subpoenas, saying if approved, it would give him "unbridled authority to go after Obama era officials," something, she said, she could not support.

Feinstein on Thursday said that if the committee is going to engage in a deeper investigation into the origins of the Russia probe, that Democrats would like former Special Counsel Robert Mueller to appear for testimony before the committee - a request she and Democrats on the committee made to Graham last year.

Graham agreed to Feinstein's request, saying "I told you, we’ll have Mr. Mueller or a designee come to the committee at the appropriate time to talk about the investigation."

He added: "Mr. Mueller had plenty of time to look at these people and we're going to start looking at the people who did the investigation."

It is unclear whether anybody from Mueller's team would be subpoenaed to appear for testimony, or would appear voluntarily.

Graham announced last month that his investigation would specifically focus on unmasking, abuses of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, and the appointment Mueller as special counsel in May 2017.

Graham plans to hold “multiple, in-depth congressional hearings regarding all things related to Crossfire Hurricane” beginning this month.

Crossfire Hurricane was the FBI’s internal code name for the investigation into whether members of the Trump campaign were coordinating with Russia during the 2016 presidential election. Mueller's team eventually announced that it found no evidence of coordination.

The first phase of the panel’s investigation “will deal with the government’s decision to dismiss” the case against former national security adviser Michael Flynn, as well as “an in-depth analysis of the unmasking requests made by Obama Administration officials against Gen. Flynn.”

Meanwhile, Graham said the second area of inquiry for the committee would take place later this summer and would be focused on FISA abuses outlined by Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz. Graham said that part of his investigation would focus on the FISA warrants obtained against Page.

Graham added that the committee will also look at "whether Robert Mueller should have ever been appointed as special counsel.”

(continued)

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/senate-judiciary-authorizes-subpoenas-for-obama-officials-amid-russia-probe-review

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9583963 (120806ZJUN20) Notable: Australia and the UK (two countries whose diplomats openly mocked him and privately to me in meetings) to keep “secrets.”, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: GP_225.jpg, GP_226.jpg, GP_227.jpg, GP_228.jpg

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>>177250

George Papadopoulos Tweets

Very simple question for the upcoming subpoenaed witness, Bill Priestap, what were you doing in London on the same exact days Alexander Downer, and his handler, Erika Thompson, began to record Papadopoulos’ conversations? Don’t let this guy off the hook. He was Strzok’s boss.

https://twitter.com/GeorgePapa19/status/1271120469538689024

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Witnesses the senate forgot about:

1) Azra Turk (Halper’s handler)

2) Stefan Halper

3) Joseph Mifsud

4) Alexander Downer

5) Erika Thompson (Downer’s handler)

6) Terrence Dudley (DIA)

7) Gregory Baker (DIA)

8) Tobias Ellwood

9) Christian Cantor

10) LCILP (law firm London)

https://twitter.com/GeorgePapa19/status/1271151243327451136

—

Doesn’t it sound bizarre that the FBI and Democrats are sticking to the debunked Australia Downer “meeting” for “sparking” an investigation when I reported that same Australian to the FBI and Mueller (who ironically confirmed the Australian was recording my convo)? Who sent him?

https://twitter.com/GeorgePapa19/status/1271185058280304640

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I understand if the President is being pressured by Australia and the UK (two countries whose diplomats openly mocked him and privately to me in meetings) to keep “secrets.” However, doing so, risks tainting history and this election. This was a global effort to sabotage him

https://twitter.com/GeorgePapa19/status/1271187112583299072

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9584018 (120818ZJUN20) Notable: 'This is not Trump's America': ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr hits back at PM's call to arrest protesters, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Greens_Senator_Janet_Rice_at_a_protest_in_Melbourne_last_weekend_attended_by_someone_who_was_later_diagnosed_with_coronavirus.jpg

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'This is not Trump's America': Barr hits back at PM's call to arrest protesters

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called on state authorities to arrest people who turn up to protests at the weekend, prompting a sharp rebuke from ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr.

Mr Barr said arrests were not practical and would put people at more risk by bringing them into close contact. It was better to rely on "collective goodwill and respect for the public health situation we find ourselves in", he said, describing the NSW police response to the lockdowns as "very strange" and very aggressive.

He accused Mr Morrison of double standards, after Mr Morrison said "it's a free country" when asked about anti-lockdown protests.

"This example in Victoria highlights the risks associated with large public gatherings so that should serve as a timely reminder to everyone," Mr Barr said. "But of course in a liberal democracy we do retain the right of citizens to protest. This is not Trump's America or Putin's Russia. We do not seek authoritarian responses in this country to people protesting."

In Melbourne, a protester tested positive a day after attending a rally last Saturday, prompting Janet Rice, a Greens Senator at the same event to stay away from the Senate chamber on Thursday. Four Labor MPs who attended separate protests were tested this week, all negative.

Mr Morrison said protesters who defied rules banning mass gatherings this weekend should be arrested.

"You can't have a double standard here," he said. "... People who would turn up to a rally this weekend would be showing great disrespect to their neighbours."

Mr Morrison will push hard for states to reopen their borders when the national cabinet meets on Friday, saying he is frustrated they haven't named a firm timetable.

Border restrictions are still in place in Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.

"Hotels have to be provisioned. Planes have to be fuelled. They have to be ready to get back in the air and crews have to be brought back and training has to be done on COVIDSafe operating environments," Mr Morrison said. "There's a lot of work to do. So nominate the date and let's get on with it."

An OECD report on Thursday showed the Australian economy performing well compared with other countries, with its GDP predicted to fall 5 per cent this year, or 6.3 with a second wave of infections and lockdowns. That is better than any other OCED country bar Korea, and compares with New Zealand (8.9 per cent, down, or 10 per cent with a new lockdown), and Britain (11.5 per cent or 14 per cent).

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said it was critically important that Australia maintain momentum.

"Closed borders cost jobs," he said. "There is no clear medical reason as to why domestic borders should be closed."

It is unclear whether Black Lives Matter protests will go ahead this weekend, and plans for a refugee protest in Sydney on Saturday are back in court. No protest has been confirmed for Canberra.

But Mr Morrison said last week's protests had "put the whole track back to recovery at risk" and any more protests would be "absolutely unacceptable on any terms". It would be at least a week before it was clear whether coronavirus infections had spread at the rallies, he said.

"It just puts a massive spanner in the works. And that's why it's so frustrating."

Health Minister Greg Hunt said people were protesting for 'the most noble of causes", but mass gatherings were dangerous.

"There are no safe mass gatherings, please do not go," he said.

But Greens Leader Adam Bandt said if the government didn't want people to protest it should tackle Aboriginal deaths in custody and institutionalised racism. The issue should be on the national cabinet agenda on Friday and at every national cabinet, Mr Bandt said, accusing Mr Morrison of being in denial about racism and trying to whitewash history.

Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi accused the government of "myopic and reactionary malice". The protests were a chance to upend the system that had failed indigenous Australians, she said.

"Police brutality and systemic violence against black people is not a thing over there, it is happening right here in our own country, it's a reality that indigenous people live with every day," she said, citing the death of Aboriginal man David Dungay who also said "I can't breathe" as he died in custody in 2015.

(continued)

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6790220/this-is-not-trumps-america-barr-hits-back-at-pms-call-to-arrest-protesters

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9584183 (120905ZJUN20) Notable: Former Jeffrey Epstein companion Ghislaine Maxwell seeks to keep court records under seal

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Former Jeffrey Epstein companion Ghislaine Maxwell seeks to keep court records under seal

The files may "inappropriately influence potential witnesses," her lawyer said.

Attorneys for Ghislaine Maxwell, the former companion of deceased sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein, are asking a federal judge to keep a batch of court records under seal, arguing that public interest in the documents is outweighed by privacy considerations and the potential impact a release of the documents could have on an ongoing criminal investigation into alleged accomplices of Epstein.

"Ms. Maxwell … is aware that investigations surrounding the alleged conduct of Mr. Epstein survive his death. It is unclear who are witnesses or targets of any investigation," Maxwell's attorney, Jeffrey Pagliuca, wrote Wednesday in a filing objecting to unsealing certain documents. "The sealed testimony or summaries may inappropriately influence potential witnesses or alleged victims."

The sealed court filings in the case - a now-settled civil defamation lawsuit filed against Maxwell in 2015 by Virginia Roberts Giuffre – are said to contain the names of hundreds of people, some famous and some not, who socialized, traveled or worked with Epstein over the span of more than a decade. The late financier has previously been linked to a coterie of high-profile business leaders, scientists, royalty and politicians.

Epstein, a convicted sex offender, was found dead in an apparent suicide in prison while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges that he denied.

Among the records now being considered for release is a 418-page transcript of one of Maxwell's multi-hour depositions in the case, which Maxwell's attorneys argue were given under an expectation of confidentiality that had been agreed to by both sides in the dispute, according to Maxwell's court filing.

"This series of pleadings concerns [Giuffre's] attempt to compel Ms. Maxwell to answer intrusive questions about her sex life," Pagliuca wrote. "The subject matter of these [documents] is extremely personal, confidential, and subject to considerable abuse by the media."

The collection of documents now being reviewed for potential release by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Loretta Preska represents just a small subset of the thousands of pages of documents that must be reviewed for potential release, a process that could drag on for many months.

Giuffre has accused Maxwell of facilitating and participating in Epstein's abuse of minor girls. Maxwell has denied Giuffre's allegations. When the defamation case was settled in 2017, a substantial portion of the court docket remained sealed or redacted. The sealed records include the identities of people who provided information in the case under an expectation of confidentiality, plus the names of alleged victims and individuals accused of enabling Epstein or participating in the abuse.

Maxwell attorneys argue that the bulk of the sealed documents and exhibits should stay sealed, contending that they "were gratuitous and served no legitimate purpose" when they were submitted by Giuffre's attorneys and because many of the documents contain the names of dozens of non-parties who have yet to receive notice that the records could be made public.

An attorney for Giuffre did not respond to a request for comment on Maxwell's court filing.

Giuffre, now a 36-year-old mother living in Australia, alleges she was sexually abused as a teenager by Epstein and Maxwell between 2000 and 2002. She also claims to have been directed to have sex with some of their prominent friends, including Britain's Prince Andrew. She filed the action against Maxwell in September 2015, alleging that the former British socialite defamed her when her publicist issued a statement referring to Giuffre's allegations as "obvious lies."

For the next year and a half, attorneys for the two women engaged in an acrimonious duel of pre-trial arguments, much of which took shape in heavily redacted or sealed court filings. The case settled just before a trial was set to begin in May 2017. A year later, the Miami Herald newspaper filed an ultimately successful motion to unseal at least some portions of the undisclosed record of the case.

Lawyers representing Giuffre, Maxwell, the Herald, and an anonymous individual who intervened to assert privacy interests, have been haggling for the last several months over their favored approaches to unsealing the records. The arguments over the protocols alone amounted to more than 50 additional entries on the court docket before Judge Preska arrived at the final procedure.

(continued)

https://abcnews.go.com/US/jeffrey-epstein-companion-ghislaine-maxwell-seeks-court-records/story?id=71199611

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9584326 (120947ZJUN20) Notable: Hundreds more customers drawn into Westpac child exploitation scandal, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Westpac_Bank_has_uncovered_potential_child_exploitation_activity_by_hundreds_more_customers.jpg, AUSTRAC_litigation_update.jpg

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>>177223

Hundreds more customers drawn into Westpac child exploitation scandal

Westpac confronts the possibility financial crimes regulator Austrac will amend its damning Federal Court action against the bank, which would see it include additional matters relating to potential child exploitation by as many as 272 customers.

In another blow to Westpac, the bank made clear on Friday it was dealing with further issues beyond those covered in an explosive case against the bank started by Austrac last year.

In an ASX statement, Westpac noted it had self-reported a spate of additional issues to Austrac following the start of Federal Court action in November by the regulator. The initial case alleged 23 million breaches of the law, the bulk of which the bank has admitted.

Most of the 23 million alleged breaches of the law related to Westpac not reporting international payment instructions, and a small number were linked to facilitating payments by 12 customers that were likely to have been used to fund child exploitation material in Asia.

The case led Westpac to undertake a more detailed assessment of its past reporting to Austrac.

The bank conducted a "lookback" of files in December, using the latest typology screening for potential criminal activity, which saw it disclose more suspicious matter reports to Austrac "in relation to potential child exploitation".

"Westpac has now been informed by Austrac that it is further investigating these matters and has notified Westpac it may amend its statement of claim to include allegations arising from these investigations," Westpac said in the statement.

"Austrac has requested further information from Westpac on these matters, including in relation to the TTR (threshold transaction report) issues and 272 customers, many of which were the subject of SMRs (suspicious matter reports) previously filed as part of the lookback. Further updates on this matter will be provided as required."

Additional threshold transaction reports – that were not submitted to Austrac – were disclosed in Westpac's half-year results. The accounts showed Westpac was late in reporting 17,870 threshold transaction reports and as many as 90,000 that were not reported to the regulator at all.

When asked about the bank’s statement on Friday an Austrac spokeswoman said: “As the Westpac matter is before the Federal Court, it would not be appropriate for Austrac to comment”.

The regulator classifies a “threshold transaction” as the transfer of funds of $10,000 or more. Austrac specifies that entities must report these transfers in a threshold transaction report within 10 business days.

Westpac has already set aside $900m for a financial crimes penalty despite the regulator pushing for about $1.5bn. It’s understood, given the stalemate on a financial settlement, Westpac’s legal team had anticipated Austrac may extend the initial legal statement of claim to ramp up its push for a bigger penalty.

The additional potential monitoring issues Westpac has identified throw into question the current case and penalty negotiations.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/financial-services/hundreds-more-customers-drawn-into-westpac-child-exploitation-scandal/news-story/1c62772030e60605574aed8253e45dfb

https://www.westpac.com.au/about-westpac/media/media-releases/2020/12-june/

https://www.westpac.com.au/content/dam/public/wbc/documents/pdf/aw/media/AUSTRAC_litigation_update.pdf

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9584367 (120957ZJUN20) Notable: Secretive arm of China’s Communist Party working to influence every aspect of Aussie life, from politics to business - ASPI report

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From General Research thread #12266

CHYNAAAA Downunda

https://www.news.com.au/finance/economy/australian-economy/china-is-infiltrating-australia-on-multiple-fronts-from-politics-to-business-via-its-powerful-and-covert-united-front-agency/news-story/9318c7799e540164dd0b985b9e8969c2#.3knv9

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9584446 (121020ZJUN20) Notable: AFP charges Sydney man for possession of extreme child abuse material, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Op_Macrinus.jpg

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AFP charges Sydney man for possession of extreme child abuse material

A 68-year-old Lakemba man is due to face court today (Friday, 12 June) over allegations he transmitted the most serious category of child abuse material online.

The Australian Federal Police’s NSW Child Protection Operations Team launched an investigation following a report from the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in the United States.

The report alleged an Australian internet user had uploaded abuse images involving children online, categorised as involving the torture and sexual abuse of children. A 68-year-old Lakemba man was identified as the suspected user of this online account.

Yesterday (Thursday, 11 June), the AFP executed a search warrant at the man’s property.

Investigators seized a number of devices, which they allege contain child abuse material, and a digital forensic examination is ongoing. It will be alleged in court the man had obtained the child abuse material from the dark web.

The man was taken to Campsie Police Station where he was charged with possessing child abuse material accessed via a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).

He faces a potential 15 years’ imprisonment if convicted.

He is due to appear before Parramatta Local Court today (Friday, 12 June) via video link.

AFP Commander ACCCE and Child Protection Operations, Jamie Strauss, said these investigations reveal a sad reality about the demand for child abuse material in our communities.

“In homes across Sydney, we unfortunately have people who are seeking to view the most depraved acts of abuse committed against children,” Cmdr. Strauss said.

“We will not stop in our pursuit to bring this type of offending from the anonymity of the online world and before the courts.”

The Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation is committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and is at the centre of a collaborative national approach to combatting organised child abuse.

The Centre brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into child sexual abuse and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.

Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.

You can also make a report online by alerting the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation via the Report Abuse button at www.accce.gov.au/report

Note to media:

USE OF TERM 'CHILD ABUSE' MATERIAL, NOT 'CHILD PORNOGRAPHY'

Use of the phrase "child pornography" benefits child sex abusers because it:

* indicates legitimacy and compliance on the part of the victim and therefore legality on the part of the abuser; and

* conjures images of children posing in 'provocative' positions, rather than suffering horrific abuse.

Every photograph captures an actual situation where a child has been abused. This is not "pornography".

Editor’s note: arrest footage from this operation is available for download here:

https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/J0tH5OcQyE/bWVkaWFAYWZwLmdvdi5hdQ==

https://www.afp.gov.au/news-media/media-releases/afp-charges-sydney-man-possession-extreme-child-abuse-material

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9595454 (130807ZJUN20) Notable: This Australian agent came to my home with a bogus number and a fake story to try and enter my home and to do who knows what, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: GP_229.jpg, GP_230.jpg, GP_231.jpg, GP_232.jpg

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George Papadopoulos Tweets

An Australian man, likely an agent, just walked up to my wife trying to barge into my home to “see George,” showing her a fake number with one digit off of mine saying he has been talking to me. I have been vocal about Australia’s involvement in spygate. The police are involved

https://twitter.com/GeorgePapa19/status/1271525114459222016

—

Updates coming soon on this Australian agent who came and tried to enter my home today

https://twitter.com/GeorgePapa19/status/1271577241420365824

—

As this Australian agent was speaking to my wife “and texting me” showing her that it was “me” whom he was speaking to, I was texting her to call the police. She ended up taking a pic of his phone and the fake number he used to try to trick her into letting him in the house.

https://twitter.com/GeorgePapa19/status/1271604425950326784

—

This Australian agent came to my home with a bogus number and a fake story to try and enter my home and to do who knows what. This comes days after my interview on @MariaBartiromo explaining Australia’s involvement in spygate and the declassified information beginning to come out

https://twitter.com/GeorgePapa19/status/1271615233887367168

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9595463 (130811ZJUN20) Notable: Gets more strange by the minute. The Australian agent was texting with a “landline” number to try and enter my home while I was away

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>>177257

Simona Mangiante Papadopoulos Tweets

Scary. I took a screenshot of the false conversation he was showing me to get me to give me access to the house . The number was a set up number

https://twitter.com/simonamangiante/status/1271525770993692672

—

Here the screenshot

https://twitter.com/simonamangiante/status/1271621488378908672

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Megan Slocum Tweet

Paid for a People search…name seems from a clown organization. Also interesting it was a landline listed number. Recognize this name?

https://twitter.com/MeganSlocum5/status/1271646591099772928

—

George Papadopoulos Tweet

Gets more strange by the minute. The Australian agent was texting with a u201clandlineu201d number to try and enter my home while I was away.

https://twitter.com/GeorgePapa19/status/1271675054242164736

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9595630 (130843ZJUN20) Notable: Hawkish, Gov’t Funded Think Tank Behind Twitter Decision to Delete Thousands of Chinese Accounts - Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), MISSING MEDIA/FILES: 12272_1.jpg, 12272_2.jpg, 12272_3.jpg, 12272_4.jpg, 12272_5.jpg

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Repost from Q Research General #12272

>>64397 (pb)

Hawkish, Gov’t Funded Think Tank Behind Twitter Decision to Delete Thousands of Chinese Accounts

Twitter’s decision came after close collaboration with a deeply controversial U.S. and Australian government-funded think tank that has been denounced by Australia’s former ambassador in Beijing as “the architect of the China threat theory in Australia.”

Social media giant Twitter announced yesterday that it had shut down over 170,000 accounts favorable to the Chinese Communist Party, as well as more than 1,000 Russian and 7,340 Turkish accounts it claimed were parroting Putin and Erdogan propaganda. Is this evidence of massive Chinese infiltration and control over Western social media? Not quite. Not making the headlines was the fact that virtually all the accounts communicated in Chinese dialects exclusively and the vast majority (95 percent) had fewer than eight followers, with nearly four in five having no followers whatsoever.

Twitter accused the accounts of “spreading geopolitical narratives favorable to the Communist Party of China,” pushing “deceptive narratives” on the Hong Kong protests, praising China’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and “antagonizing” the U.S. If this is the basis for removal, it sets a potentially very dangerous precedent.

Despite the impression given in mainstream media, the medical community has effusively lauded Beijing’s “leadership” and “commitment to transparency,” in the World Health Organization’s words. “I have never seen the scale and commitment of an epidemic response at this level in terms of all of government,” said the organization’s Chief Executive Director for Health Emergencies, Michael Ryan, “The challenge is great, but the response has been massive and the Chinese government deserve huge credit.” Likewise, the editors of The Lancet, the world’s most prestigious medical journal, published a statement saluting the “diligent,” “effective” and “rapid” Chinese response and “strongly condemn conspiracy theories” pushed by U.S. officials like Senator Tom Cotton, that the virus’ origin was man-made. Likewise, only around 58 percent of Hong Kong residents support the protests, with that number being far lower in Mainland China. Is taking a different line on the protests or China’s COVID response to the Trump administration a violation of the rules? In the case of Facebook and Instagram and the killing of General Qassem Soleimani, the platforms explicitly said it was, and deleted a great number of posts and accounts.

Pushing “a new Cold War with China”

Twitter worked closely with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) in making yesterday’s decision. ASPI is a deeply controversial U.S. and Australian government-funded think tank based in Canberra, and was denounced by Australia’s former ambassador in Beijing as “the architect of the China threat theory in Australia.” Senator Kim Carr claimed ASPI was working hand-in-hand with Washington, trying to push “a new Cold War with China.” Former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Bob Carr (no relation), agreed, saying it pushed a “one-sided, pro-American view of the world.” This certainly seems to be the case, judging by their website, which appears uniformly dedicated to demonizing China.

Perhaps most notable, however, is that ASPI is also funded by a myriad of weapons companies, including Raytheon Australia, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin, all of whom would greatly benefit from a war with China. And as The Grayzone’s Ajit Singh pointed out, ASPI is headed by ultra-hawkish defense official Peter Jennings, who defended the Iraq War, supports regime change in other Middle Eastern states, and argued that “the West is setting the bar for military response too high”.

https://www.mintpressnews.com/hawkish-think-tank-twitter-decision-delete-chinese-accounts/268524/

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9601522 (132107ZJUN20) Notable: The Australian agent was texting with a “landline” number (with a digit separated from my real number) to try to lie to my wife, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: GP_234.jpg

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>>177258

George Papadopoulos Tweet

Gets more strange by the minute. The Australian agent was texting with a “landline” number (with a digit separated from my real number) to try to lie to my wife about communications with “me” for a “visit” he had scheduled to see me and enter my home. Police are involved

https://twitter.com/GeorgePapa19/status/1271835524873859073

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9602231 (132150ZJUN20) Notable: The Sacking of Gough Whitlam and the Royal Intention Behind the Five Eyes, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: 12287_1.jpg, 12287_2.jpg, 12287_3.jpg, 12287_4.jpg

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Repost from Q Research General #12287

>>64888 (pb)

The Sacking of Gough Whitlam and the Royal Intention Behind the Five Eyes

An important reckoning with a great historical injustice is underway in Australia which presents the world with a rare opportunity to look into the darker corners of the corridors of power too often ignored by even the most ardent truth seekers among us.

This reckoning has taken the form of a four-year, hard fought legal battle which a lone crowd funded Australian historian named Jenny Hocking waged in the highest courts of her nation to win the right on May 30, 2020 to make 211 secret letters held within Australia’s National Archives public for the first time since they were deposited in 1978.

These palace letters were written between the Queen of England (via her personal secretary) and her Governor General in Australia Sir Philip Kerr during the latter’s tenure as official Head of State during the interim of 1974-1978 and until last week’s court ruling, were intended to be kept hidden until December 8, 2037.

What makes these letters such a point of national controversy is that they contain information which will undoubtedly shed light upon the active role of the Queen herself in carrying out an act which essentially amounted to a modern coup d’état of November 11, 1975. During this sad period, Kerr made history by not only sacking the elected Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, but also revealed the scope and nature of the British Monarchy’s very real powers in our modern age.

These are bizarre god-like prerogative powers which those forces controlling today’s globally extended empire would much rather keep concealed from public view.

Gough Whitlam: An Intolerable Threat to the Empire

It is admittedly difficult for some westerners to contemplate how a white Commonwealth prime minister could suffer a coup in our modern times… are not coups usually something reserved for Asiatic, Latin American, or African revolutionary leaders?

When one looks upon a list of coups during the Cold War period, that has certainly tended to be the general rule… but like every rule, exceptions are always to be found.

By reviewing the nature of Whitlam’s political struggle, his policy reforms and greater vision for Australia, it becomes clear what sort of enemy he made and why the highest powers of the Five Eyes and Global Empire ousted him.

https://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2020/06/13/sacking-gough-whitlam-and-royal-intention-behind-five-eyes/

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9608613 (140735ZJUN20) Notable: Prince Andrew admits BBC Newsnight interview over Jeffrey Epstein is a ‘source of regret’, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Screen_grab_from_BBC_Newsnight_of_Prince_Andrew_being_interviewed_by_Emily_Maitlis_over_his_friendship_with_Jeffrey_Epstein.jpg, BBC_Newsnight_s_Emily_Maitlis_grills_Prince_Andrew_The_Duke_of_York_over_his_friendship_with_Jeffrey_Epstein.jpg

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Prince Andrew admits BBC Newsnight interview over Jeffrey Epstein is a ‘source of regret’

Prince Andrew the Duke of York has admitted for the first time that the BBC Newsnight interview that led to his humiliating fall from grace is a “source of regret”.

It can also be revealed that he will not co-operate with the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein unless US authorities offer him “an olive branch”.

Prince Andrew, 60, was reported to have told his mother Queen Elizabeth the interview, conducted by the Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis, was “a great success”. And while he continues to insist the decision to do the interview was correct, he is said to concede that his failure to apologise to Epstein’s victims was an error.

A source close to the duke said: “I don’t think he regrets the intention behind the interview, which was to clear the air for his family, the royal family and the institution. But the fact he was unable to appropriately or sufficiently convey his sympathy for the victims of Epstein, is of course a source of regret.”

After a war of words between Prince Andrew’s legal team and the FBI prosecutor leading the case into the late billionaire paedophile, the duke is unwilling to assist investigators unless they “rebuild trust” in the legal process.

Such an approach is likely to enrage Epstein’s victims, some of whom were as young as 14 when they claim to have been sexually assaulted.

Last week, each side branded the other liars after it emerged that the US Department of Justice (DoJ) made a request to the Home Office for help to question Andrew. The duke’s legal team issued a statement accusing the DoJ of “breaching their own confidentiality rules”, insisting he had “offered his assistance as a witness to the DoJ” at least three times this year.

Geoffrey Berman, the lead federal prosecutor in New York, responded: “Prince Andrew yet again sought to falsely portray himself to the public as eager and willing to co-operate . . . the prince has not given an interview to federal authorities, has repeatedly declined our request to schedule such an interview, and . . . informed us unequivocally . . . that he would not come in for such an interview.” A source close to the duke said: “The duke is not going any further in the co-operation process until the DoJ begin to behave honourably . . . unless they have given him some signal acknowledging there has been a significant breach of trust, and offering some kind of olive branch to rebuild trust.

“I don’t think there’s a legal team on the planet that would encourage any client to co-operate with a judicial authority that has been demonstrably leaking confidential information. The ball is now firmly in the DoJ’s court.”

One of Epstein’s victims, Virginia Giuffre, has claimed that she had sex with Prince Andrew on three occasions when she was 17, an allegation he has consistently denied. The prince withdrew from public duties six months ago after the Newsnight program.

A royal source said: “Andrew’s team have to find an appropriate way for him to share his experiences and just get it done, rather than pick fights with the feds. Even if down the line, all the criminal and civil cases are over and Andrew is completely exonerated, the stain will always be there, with the suspicion he was party to what went on. Those photos [with Epstein and Giuffre] will always exist.”

The Queen is understood to be resigned to her second son’s permanent removal from public life.

But the duke believes he can undertake royal duties in the future. “It is still his intention to resume a public role,” said a source close to Andrew. “He knows he has to resolve the noise around the matter. The duke sees the situation now as a working sabbatical from his duties. He’s very conscious of the impact it’s had on the reputation of the royal family, his own family and the country.”

The Queen has been privately supportive of Andrew, but is acutely aware of the public mood on the matter. After the Newsnight interview, she was photographed riding with the duke in a show of support. But although she has continued to ride regularly at Windsor, it is understood she has not seen Andrew, who lives nearby at Royal Lodge, opting instead to go for socially distanced rides with her head groom Terry Pendry.

(continued)

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/the-times/prince-andrew-admits-bbc-newsnight-interview-over-jeffrey-epstein-is-a-source-of-regret/news-story/36f7a2d53b9468f0a773224a3d83da85

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9618265 (150539ZJUN20) Notable: Cardinal Pell talks of ordeal to students - Christianity “helped me to survive”, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Australian_Cardinal_George_Pell_is_pictured_in_Rome_May_8_2014.jpg

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Cardinal talks of ordeal to students

Christianity “helped me to survive” says Cardinal Pell

Cardinal George Pell has urged university students from across Australia to reflect on the Christian teaching on suffering, offering advice for those experiencing what he called “moments of extremity”.

Patron of the Australian Catholic Students’ Association for close to 20 years, the Cardinal addressed the students at an online retreat held over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.

Referring to his own 13 months imprisonment, he said there is a lot of goodness in prisons and many others go through much greater suffering than what he experienced.

“My ordeal was difficult and unpleasant,” the Cardinal said, “but it was far from the worst… My suffering was not like that, for example, of parents who have lost children.”

However, prison had confirmed for him the importance of the importance of the Christian understanding on suffering.

“I’m still teaching the same Christian message,” he said, “and I’m here simply to say to you that it works. Not in the sense that I was acquitted, but that this Christian teaching helped me survive.”

Cardinal shares tips for coping with suffering

He offered five basic rules for anyone going through times of grief, loss or other suffering.

They included setting a fixed time to rise each day, ensuring a fixed number of hours to sleep each night, eating regularly because it is easy for a person to neglect nourishment when they are in shock, avoiding excessive consumption of alcohol, and ensuring regular exercise every day.

For him, walking had been therapeutic, he said. He also encouraged the students to cultivate good habits while they are young, in order to prepare well for future suffering.

“Good habits of mind and habits of practice encourage you in the right direction whereas if you’ve been sloppy and ill-disciplined and selfish all your life, it makes it so much harder to rise to the challenge,” he said.

The retreat included talks accessible via Zoom, and Masses, Holy Hours and Rosaries livestreamed directly to Facebook.

Other speakers included ACSA chaplain Father Paul Rowse OP, Monash University chaplain Father Robert Krishna OP, Professor Tracey Rowland and the Sisters of the Immaculata.

ACSA President Alex Kennedy said that the students were honoured the Cardinal made the retreat one of his first appearances after his release from prison.

“His humility, strength, and good humour were unchanged. We are greatly inspired by his example,” Mr Kennedy said.

“We found the Cardinal’s words of suffering applicable not just to his own testimony, but to this current episode in the life of the Church and the nation. His love for our university students immediately became apparent, as he gave us his wise counsel and eloquent testimony.”

https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/cardinal-talks-of-ordeal-to-students/

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9618367 (150554ZJUN20) Notable: Julian Assange indictment fails to mention WikiLeaks video that exposed US 'war crimes' in Iraq, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: A_still_from_Collateral_Murder_the_WikiLeaks_video_showing_an_Apache_helicopter_gunning_down_a_group_of_Iraqi_civilians_US_prosecutors_have_failed_to_mention_the_shocking_footage_in_their_indictment_against_Julian_Assange.jpg

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Julian Assange indictment fails to mention WikiLeaks video that exposed US 'war crimes' in Iraq

‘Shameful’ Collateral Murder footage shows Apache helicopter mowing down 11 civilians – including two Reuters journalists – in Baghdad

US prosecutors have failed to include one of WikiLeaks’ most shocking video revelations in the indictment against Julian Assange, a move that has brought accusations the US doesn’t want its “war crimes” exposed in public.

Assange, an Australian citizen, is remanded and in ill health in London’s Belmarsh prison while the US tries to extradite him to face 18 charges – 17 under its Espionage Act – for conspiracy to receive, obtain and disclose classified information.

The charges relate largely to the US conduct of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, including Assange’s publication of the US rules of engagement in Iraq.

The prosecution case alleges Assange risked American lives by releasing hundreds of thousands of US intelligence documents.

One of the most famous of the WikiLeaks releases was a video – filmed from a US Apache helicopter, Crazy Horse 1-8, as it mowed down 11 people on 12 July 2007 in Iraq. The video starkly highlights the lax rules of engagement that allowed the killing of men who were neither engaged with nor threatening US forces.

Two of those Crazy Horse 1-8 killed in east Baghdad that day were the Reuters photographer Namir Noor-Eldeen, 22, and a driver/fixer, Saeed Chmagh, 40.

Their Baghdad bureau chief at the time, Dean Yates, said the US military had repeatedly lied to him – and the world – about what happened, and it was only when Assange released the video (which WikiLeaks posted with the title Collateral Murder) in April 2010 that the full brutal truth of the killings was exposed.

“What he did was 100% an act of truth-telling, exposing to the world what the war in Iraq looks like and how the US military lied … The US knows how embarrassing Collateral Murder is, how shameful it is to the military – they know that there’s potential war crimes on that tape,” Yates said.

The Australian barrister Greg Barns is legal adviser to the Australian Assange Campaign, which works closely with Assange’s UK representatives, including his legal team. The campaign lobbies Australia’s federal government to both press its closest ally, the US, to withdraw the charges and to push Britain to ensure Assange’s safety.

He said while the US indictment against Assange did not “explicitly mention Collateral Murder … it is very much part of the broader prosecution case [because of what it illustrates about the US rules of engagement] and it is one of the many reasons to oppose what is happening to Assange”.

“Collateral Murder shows unlawful killing by Australia’s closest ally,” Barns said. “It is something we deserve to know about. Its publication was, and remains, clearly in the public interest.”

The Tasmanian Greens senator Peter Whish Wilson, a founding member of the multi-party Parliamentary Friends of the Bring Julian Assange Home Group, said: “The omission of the leaked Collateral Murder footage from the indictment surprised me, but on reflection of course it’s not in the US Government’s interests to highlight their own injustices, deceit and war crimes.

“The US prosecution’s case is focused on indicting and extraditing Julian for putting US or Coalition lives at risk, but what about the many lives they put at risk through their supposed rules of engagement?

“Collateral Murder exposed the loss of innocent lives at the hands of the US military, and the coverups, lies and deceit that refused to acknowledge this fact.”

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/jun/15/julian-assange-indictment-fails-to-mention-wikileaks-video-that-exposed-us-war-crimes-in-iraq

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9618629 (150642ZJUN20) Notable: Why does Twitter think Tom Hanks is dead? Conspiracy started with Instagram post from Kirsten Dunst during COVID-19 lockdown

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Why does Twitter think Tom Hanks is dead?

The u2018Tom Hanks is deadu2019 conspiracy seems to have started with an Instagram post during the COVID-19 lockdown from actress Kirsten Dunst.

Itu2019s an innocent photo of a childu2019s doll lying face down on the carpet, in what looks to be a living room. The doll is Woody from Toy Story and Dunst gives no explanation for the post apart from indicating the photo was taken in Auckland on April 20, 2020.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_MDx3qJj9j/

But itu2019s the huge number of comments underneath the Woody photo which truly raises eyebrows. Thousands of comments such as, u2018Tom Hanks is dead!!u2019 (@castro_304), u2018Tom RIPu2019 (@lorenacamahom), u2018Hanks is downu2019, (@jedi.elsa) and u2018Guess there was a snake in his boot after allu2026u2019 (@lamisma_morena_11)

Is this an in-joke? Could the picture of Woody lying face down symbolise something? Why are so many people commenting that Tom Hanks is dead when heu2019s very much alive?

Further digging on Twitter reveals thereu2019s a corner of online conspirators who believe that this u2018theoryu2019 dates back further to March this year when Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson were in Australia. Hanks was one of the first high-profile celebrities to publicly state that he tested positive for the Coronavirus and was subsequently quarantined on the Gold Coast.

Hanks was in Australia to shoot the Baz Luhrmann biopic Elvis, playing the character of Colonel Tom Parker, but the virus meant the production was shut down before filming could begin. The Hollywood actor and his wife spent a fortnight in isolation before heading back to the United States.

Photos of the couple were released when they touched down on American soil. However, the conspirators believe Hanks never returned to the United States at all, but u2018died from lethal injection in Australiau2019 or u2018He died in Guantanamo Bay after being unexpectedly being arrested in Australiau2019 u2013 WTF?

Twitter runs deep with further accusations

u201cI believe heu2019s dead. His brother has impersonated him on and off for years. Hanks once stated it in an interview.u201d @beth22774385

u201cHey @ritawilson, can you please post a video of you and your husband together. Just so I can shut up a few friends. There is some crazy conspiracy going around that Tom Hanks is dead.u201d @zai85479761

u201cGo to his Insta and tell me the last time you have actually seen a picture of his face outside of his houseu2026 house arrest or shit dead, itu2019s right there but no one talks about it.u201d @ArianaaGracia11

Interestingly, as of mid-May, Hanks closed all public commenting on his personal Instagram account. The posts prior to this date show many bizarre and twisted wisecracks from an online posse who wonu2019t give the guy, (who is often touted the nicest man in Hollywood), a break.

Elsewhere on Twitter, many digital u2018sleuthsu2019 tie in a video post from Ellen Degeneres dated March 20, 2020 to Hanks.

In the video Ellen is attempting to perfect a card trick shown to her by magician David Blaine. She attempts to turn a five of spades card into a 4 of hearts by shaking it, but ultimately fails. u2018David, it doesnu2019t work. I canu2019t do it,u2019 she says in the video.

Check out Ellen in the jumper which sent the u2018Hanks is deadu2019 believers into overdrive:

https://twitter.com/TheEllenShow/status/1240746519646609408

The public comments on this particular post mostly focus on the windcheater Ellen is wearing. It looks to say, u2018Run Forestu2019 and this has the u2018Hanks is deadu2019 believers into overdrive:

u201cEllen, why does your sweatshirt say u2018Run Forest?u2019, I mean I know, but do those who still adore you know the truth?u201d @Zgrl888

u201cYes, sheu2019s signalling Tom Hanks but thereu2019s nowhere to run to!u201d @happyjack225

(And just to clarify, we here at Tone Deaf reckon the shirt says u2018Rain Forestu2019)

On YouTube, the peculiar story continues with a man called Frank Romanez Jr presenting a twenty-something part series called u2018Tom Hanks is Missingu2019.

Romanez analyses everything from Hanksu2019 social media posts, (many of which feature lost shoes, gloves and socks), his recent guest hosting of SNL to Rita Wilsonu2019s appearances on talk TV.

It cobbles together what he believes is a decode which indicates Hanks is in hiding. Nothing of course is backed with facts or sources but if anything, Romanez Jru2019s arguments provide some amusing conspiracies.

Romanez even goes on to suggest that somebody else is posting on Hanku2019s social media accounts.

(continued)

https://thebrag.com/why-does-twitter-think-tom-hanks-is-dead/

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9618689 (150651ZJUN20) Notable: Disgraced former NSW Labor minister Milton Orkopoulos charged with 15 historic sexual assault offences, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Former_Labor_NSW_minister_Milton_Orkopoulos_leaving_Waverley_Local_Court_in_Sydney_in_January.jpg

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Disgraced former NSW Labor minister Milton Orkopoulos charged with 15 historic sexual assault offences

Disgraced former NSW Labor minister and convicted sex offender Milton Orkopoulos has been charged with 15 historic sexual assault offences.

NSW Police said detectives from Lake Macquarie Police District attended Silverwater Jail at about 11am on Monday and arrested the 62-year-old over fresh allegations of historical sex offences.

Police will allege Orkopoulos sexually and indecently assaulted two juvenile boys known to him on separate occasions in the 1990s at locations in Lake Macquarie and on the NSW mid north coast.

The new charges include allegations that Orkopoulos forced a child under the age of 14 to participate in child prostitution and five counts of aggravated sexual assault on a victim under the age of 16.

The former Swansea MP has already spent 11 years in jail after he was convicted of 30 child sex, drug and child porn offences in 2008, including having sex with a male between 10-18, possessing child pornography and indecent assault.

He was granted parole in December 2019. He was, however, arrested again in January after he allegedly set up an Instagram account and failed to tell police within the required seven days.

He had his parole revoked in February after Corrective Services NSW officers told police he had used the mobile phone of a fellow resident at the Malabar halfway house where he lives.

He was charged with two counts of failing to comply with his reporting obligations under the Child Protection (Offenders Registration) Act.

He served in parliament from 1999 to 2006, and was a Lake Macquarie councillor for four years.

Orkopoulos has been refused bail and will appear at Newcastle Local Court on Tuesday.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/disgraced-former-nsw-labor-minister-milton-orkopoulos-charged-with-15-historic-sexual-assault-offences/news-story/457882f0212d9d490b2c36e74fb599d2

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9619053 (150749ZJUN20) Notable: Alexander Downer accused of spying by US Republicans in Mueller probe | 7NEWS.com.au - 25 July 2019, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: GP_235.jpg

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George Papadopoulos Tweet

Alexander Downer accused of spying by US Republicans in Mueller probe | 7NEWS.com.au

https://twitter.com/GeorgePapa19/status/1272240939210178566

—

Alexander Downer accused of spying by US Republicans in Mueller probe

25 July 2019

The former Trump staffer at the heart of allegations into Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election has taken to Twitter to attack the former Australian foreign affairs minister and ambassador to the UK.

George Papadopoulos has accused Alexander Downer of being a "Clinton errand boy and a wannabe spy", after former US Special Counsel Robert Mueller was grilled in a congressional hearing in Washington DC on Wednesday.

The questioning centred on a now-infamous meeting at a London bar in May 2016 between Downer, who was then Australia's high commissioner to the UK, and Papadopoulos, who was working on Donald Trump's presidential campaign at the time.

The final report into Mueller's investigation into whether anyone on the Republican Trump team conspired with Russia to discredit his Democrat opponent - and whether Trump himself then sought to obstruct justice by hindering the investigation - named the meeting in the London bar as the catalyst for an FBI investigation into alleged Russian interference that was launched two months later.

Over gin and tonics at the swank Kensington Wine Rooms in London, Downer says Papadopoulos told him Russia was sitting on damaging material the could derail Hillary Clinton's campaign.

Papadopoulos, who was subsequently convicted of lying to the FBI, has consistently denied this allegation made by his nemesis, who he dubs "the Devil from Downunder" in his memoir Deep State Target.

Papadopoulos claims he was set up by Downer, who was acting for Australian, UK and US intelligence agencies, a claim the former Australian ambassador says is "a little bit sad".

Twitter taunt

On Tuesday, Downer appeared to be goading Papadopoulos on Twitter, by revisiting the Kensington Wine Rooms with his daughter Georgina and tagging the former Trump aide.

"With @GeorginaDowner at Kensington Wine Rooms. I’m spying on her for CIA, FBI, MI6, ASIS, ASIO and many more!!! Another fantastic conspiracy theory is born! @GeorgePapa19"

On Wednesday, Republicans peppered Mueller with questions about whether Downer had been sent to spy on Papadopoulos.

Ohio Republican Jim Jordan listed Downer and an Australian official, Erika Thompson, who was working with him at the time, as two of four "human sources" the FBI used to "swirl around" Papadopoulos.

"In one of these meetings, Mr Papadopoulos is talking to a foreign diplomat (Downer) and he tells the diplomat, 'Russians have dirt on Clinton'," Jordan said.

"That diplomat then contacts the FBI and the FBI opens an investigation based on that fact."

Russian connections

Papadopoulos, a 31-year-old from Chicago, pleaded guilty last year and was sentenced to 14 days' prison for lying to the FBI about his contact with Russian nationals and an inscrutable Maltese identity called Joseph Mifsud, who is believed to have high-level connections within the Russian government.

Papadopoulos claims it was Mifsud who told him Russia had dirt on Trump's presidential rival Clinton.

Devin Nunes, the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, suggested Downer was acting as an informant for the FBI.

"So Downer conveys a rumour he supposedly heard about a conversation between Papadopoulos and Joseph Mifsud," Nunes said to Mueller at Wednesday's hearing.

"(Former FBI director) James Comey has publicly called Mifsud a Russian agent.

"Yet your report does not refer to Mifsud as a Russian agent.

"Misfud has extensive contacts with Western governments and the FBI.

"For example, there was a recent photo of him standing next to Boris Johnson, the new prime minister of Great Britain.

"What we are trying to figure out here, Mr Mueller, is if our NATO allies or Boris Johnson have been compromised."

The hearing was shown a photo of Mifsud standing with Johnson.

Trump has claimed the Mueller report completely exonerated him from all allegations of Russian collusion and interference in the investigation.

In his congressional testimony on Wednesday, Mueller said he had not exonerated Trump of obstruction of justice.

But he said charges were never considered because he received legal advice that a sitting president was constitutionally immune from indictment and criminal prosecution.

However, Mueller agreed there was no legal impediment to a president being charged with a crime after leaving office.

https://7news.com.au/politics/world-politics/alexander-downer-accused-of-spying-by-us-republicans-in-mueller-probe-c-365172

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9629859 (160605ZJUN20) Notable: Bill for child-sex mandatory sentences passes Senate, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Home_Affairs_Minister_Peter_Dutton.jpg, Government_Services_shadow_minister_Bill_Shorten.jpg

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>>177243

>>177244

Bill for child-sex mandatory sentences passes Senate

The Morrison government bill that introduces mandatory minimum sentences for the most serious child sex crimes has passed the Senate, after senior cabinet ministers attacked Labor for trying to carve out the controversial measure.

Labor attempted to amend the bill on Monday night so that it did not contain mandatory minimum sentencing but after the government refused to the amendment it let the legislation go through.

While Labor last night voted for the Bill, it teamed with the Greens, the Centre ­Alliance and Tasmanian independent Jacqui Lambie in using a procedural motion to block provisions that would have imposed minimum terms of five to seven years for the worst offences.

The move prompted condemnation from Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, who accused Labor of backing “pedophiles over Australian kids”.

“It is one of the worst acts I have seen in my 20 years in parliament,” Mr Dutton said. “Anthony Albanese needs to look parents in the eye and explain his betrayal of them. Labor has backed pedophiles over Australian kids.”

The government had vowed to send the bill back to the senate, but Labor bowed to public pressure on Tuesday morning, with shadow government services minister Bill Shorten saying the party “would not stop this law getting through”.

“If the government doesn’t want to accept the senate amendment, Labor will not oppose the Bill again when it comes back up to the senate,” Mr Shorten told Channel 7’s Sunrise.

“We think, the Labor people think, that this improves the Bill. If the government says ‘no, we don’t agree with your amendment’, I just want to say to Australians watching the show that Labor will support the Bill when it returns to the Senate, in the event that the government doesn’t agree with our amendments.”

The sentencing provisions were a 2019 election commitment but are opposed by groups including the Law Council, whose president Pauline Wright on Monday described mandatory terms as ­“abhorrent to the whole notion of sentencing”.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/outrage-as-labor-blocks-mandatory-terms-for-pedophiles/news-story/5b1acedfe679001653892bae58667480

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9641761 (170759ZJUN20) Notable: 'We need to guillotine it': AUSTRAC given deadline for new Westpac claims, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: AUSTRAC_has_until_mid_August_to_propose_to_Westpac_any_amendments_it_wants_to_make_in_its_case_against_the_bank.jpg

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>>177254

>>177274

'We need to guillotine it': AUSTRAC given deadline for new Westpac claims

Financial crimes watchdog AUSTRAC has two months to add any new allegations to its blockbuster case against Westpac, as it investigates suspicious transactions from 272 customers who may have been involved in paedophilia.

Federal Court Justice Jonathan Beach ordered the deadline on Wednesday ahead of a potential trial early next year, saying there was a need to draw a line under the claims against the bank so the legal matters could be resolved.

Westpac was last year thrown into turmoil when AUSTRAC accused the bank of more than 23 million breaches of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) laws, including failing to properly vet thousands of suspicious payments potentially involving child exploitation.

As AUSTRAC considers expanding its case against the bank, Justice Beach said he agreed with Westpac's barrister that it was time to finalise aspects of the case against the bank, so that the parties could move to a short trial and a discussion of penalties.

"We do need to guillotine it at some stage," Justice Beach said, adding that the boundaries of the case needed to be set.

AUSTRAC's bombshell claim last year threw Westpac into crisis, sparking an executive shake-up and prompting the bank to this year set aside $900 million to cover the record-breaking fine it is likely to face. It has admitted to the vast majority of AUSTRAC's allegations, including failing to properly vet 12 customers who made transactions fitting the pattern of payments for child exploitation.

However, the two sides have not agreed on a penalty, they disagree on whether Westpac had a compliant AML/CTF program, and last week it emerged AUSTRAC could amend its statement of claim after the bank reported 272 additional customers who made suspicious payments.

AUSTRAC's barrister, Wendy Harris QC, told the online court hearing the latest reports from Westpac had similarities to the allegations regarding the 12 customers where Westpac had admitted inadequate vetting. "There is a real prospect that the AUSTRAC CEO will complete an investigation and say we need to bring forward some additional allegations," Ms Harris said.

Westpac's barrister, John Sheahan, QC said AUSTRAC's latest claims would require the bank to handover tens of thousands of documents, adding that some of the customers were in a "quite different category" to the 12 people included in the initial case.

“This has to come to an end at some point," Mr Sheahan said. "We understand the regulator continues to regulate, but there has to come a point where new issues stop being loaded into this existing proceeding."

Justice Beach ordered AUSTRAC to propose any amendments to its statement of claim to Westpac by mid-August and file an amended statement of claim with the Court by early September. Both parties were working towards a trial in early 2021 on any outstanding points of disagreement, he said.

The key disagreement so far has been over whether the bank had a sufficient AML/CTF compliance program, and Justice Beach questioned if a trial on this issue could take place later this year. Westpac and AUSTRAC instead supported a slower timetable that could result in a trial next year.

The scandal at Westpac also sparked investigations from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) over potential breaches of laws these agencies enforce.

APRA on Wednesday said that to avoid these probes overlapping, it had delegated enforcement powers to ASIC, so that ASIC could seek fines or banning orders if there were breaches of the Banking Executive Accountability Regime.

https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/we-need-to-guillotine-it-austrac-given-deadline-for-new-westpac-claims-20200617-p553gd.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9641790 (170804ZJUN20) Notable: Federal Labor MP Anthony Byrne cooperating with authorities on Somyurek investigation, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Labor_MP_Anthony_Byrne_says_corruption_has_no_place_in_the_party_he_loves_and_has_welcomed_the_investigation.jpg

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Federal Labor MP Anthony Byrne cooperating with authorities on Somyurek investigation

The deputy chair of Federal Parliament's powerful intelligence committee, Labor MP Anthony Byrne, is assisting police and anti-corruption authorities after his office was used to secretly record alleged "industrial-scale" branch-stacking by a state Labor party colleague.

On Sunday, the Nine Network's 60 Minutes and The Age newspaper published explosive allegations of misconduct against Victorian Labor MP Adem Somyurek, prompting Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews to kick him out of State Cabinet and Mr Somyurek to quit the ALP.

The Premier referred the matter to Victoria Police and the state's Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) for investigation.

Mr Somyurek denies the allegations.

The covert recordings were filmed in the Melbourne electorate office of long-serving federal member for Holt, Anthony Byrne — a factional ally of Mr Somyurek.

In a statement, Mr Byrne said there had been "misinformation circulating" about the matter.

"I want to make clear that I take the matters raised recently seriously and have been in touch with authorities to offer my full assistance," he said.

"I welcome investigations into corruption, which has no place in the party I love.

"Because I do not want to cross over or impede any investigations that may be occurring, I'm unable to comment further at this point in time."

Mr Byrne is the deputy chair of Federal Parliament's Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS), which is in charge of scrutinising some of the most sensitive national security matters and legislation.

The explosive recordings published by Nine detail comments by Mr Somyurek, saying he was "protecting" Mr Byrne.

Federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese told Melbourne radio station 3AW on Wednesday morning he had not spoken to Mr Byrne about the situation, and initially did not recognise the office in the recordings.

Attorney-General Christian Porter scoffed at that suggestion in Parliament.

"The Leader of the Opposition must be the only keen political observer in Australia who missed both the map for the federal division of Holt, and missed the back of the poster with the members name on it in the relevant footage!" Mr Porter said during Question Time.

"That does sound quite remarkable, don't you think?"

In the wake of the videos being made public, one state Labor MP demanded an investigation by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and domestic spy agency ASIO into how the cameras ended up in Mr Byrne's office.

"That is a great concern for our Commonwealth and our national security," state MP Tim Richardson said, noting Mr Byrne's committee position.

The federal security committee’s chairman, Liberal MP Andrew Hastie, described Mr Byrne as a "great patriot" who "loves his country".

"He would never compromise our national interest," Mr Hastie told Sky News.

"Whatever his involvement may be — and that's not established yet — I feel confident that he wouldn't do anything to compromise [Australia's national interest]."

The story has rocked Labor to the core, with the federal party launching an intervention and taking over the state party while investigations are underway.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-17/federal-labor-anthony-byrne-adem-somyurek-investigation/12364790

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9642037 (170855ZJUN20) Notable: Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne calls out China over ‘false’ facts and ‘climate of fear’, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Australian_Foreign_Affairs_Minister_Marise_Payne.jpg, Foreign_Minister_Marise_Payne_shakes_hands_with_her_Chinese_counterpart_Wang_Yi.jpg, Foreign_Minister_Marise_Payne_speaks_at_a_news_conference_with_China_s_Foreign_Minister_Wang_Yi_in_Beijing_in_2018.jpg

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Payne calls out China over ‘false’ facts and ‘climate of fear’

Marise Payne has warned Chinese “disinformation” is undermining democracy and creating a “climate of fear”, as she committed the nation to a new global push to strengthen international rule-making bodies which are vital to Australia’s security.

In a strident speech, the Foreign Affairs Minister pointed the finger at China and Russia for spreading false information during the pandemic to shore up their authoritarian systems.

The move came as Chinese soldiers clashed with Indian troops in the Himalayas in a “violent face-off” between the countries that reportedly left casualties on both sides.

The fatalities, including the deaths of at least three Indian soldiers, were the first along the contested border in 45 years, and raised fears of a more serious conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

Just days after Scott Morrison declared Australia had “done nothing to injure” the nation’s relationship with China, Senator Payne told the ANU’s National Security College on Tuesday that China’s claims its students and tourists were at risk of racism in Australia were unfounded.

She declared Australia would stand against the use of disinformation “to foment violence and divide communities”, countering it with “facts and transparency”.

She cited a European Commission report last week that found China and Russia had used the pandemic to “exacerbate social polarisation”; and Twitter’s suspension of 32,000 accounts linked to Chinese, Russian and Turkish propaganda operations.

“It is troubling that some countries are using the pandemic to undermine liberal democracy and promote their own, more authoritarian models,” Senator Payne said.

She pushed back forcefully at China’s warning of a “significant increase” in racist attacks on Asian people in Australia, saying the government had been “very clear in rejecting (the claim) as disinformation”.

“The disinformation we have seen contributes to a climate of fear and division when what we need is co-operation and understanding,” Senator Payne said.

She revealed Australia had signed a Latvian-led statement with 131 other countries vowing to tackle an “infodemic” that had arisen during the COVID crisis marked by “disinformation, fake news and doctored videos”.

In a move flagged by The Australian last week, Senator Payne said Australia would step up its engagement with multilateral institutions such as the United Nations, to help “shape a safer world and make us safer at home”.

Australia will prioritise participation in bodies that protect sovereignty and “curb excessive use of power”, advance human rights, and set standards in health, transport and communications.

The move follows an audit of Australia’s involvement in 100 multilateral organisations, which warned Australia should intensify its engagement to counter Chinese efforts to set the global agenda.

“Australia’s interests are not served by stepping away and leaving others to shape the global order for us,” Senator Payne said.

“Isolationism would also cut us off from the world on which we are so dependent for our security and prosperity in the world’s most dynamic region – the Indo-Pacific.

“We must stand up for our values and bring our influence to bear in these institutions to protect and promote our national interests, and to preserve the open character of international institutions based on universal values and transparency.”

The Prime Minister announced the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade audit of ­“global institutions and rule-making processes” in an October speech in which he warned of the dangers of “negative globalism” and declared Australia would put its own sovereignty first in its dealings with multilateral institutions.

Opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong said Senator Payne had “cleaned up” Mr Morrison’s criticism of international bodies.

“International co-operation through effective multilateral bodies has always been a key Australian interest,” Senator Wong tweeted.

The Coalition’s embrace of multilateralism comes as US President Donald Trump increasingly cuts ties with global bodies, including his controversial decision to withdraw from the World Health Organisation at the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

It follows the government’s successful marshaling of international support for an independent inquiry at last month’s World Health Assembly in a resolution that was ultimately co-sponsored by 145 nations.

China was initially infuriated by the proposal, but eventually supported the resolution and attacked Australia for suggesting it had got its way.

(continued)

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/chinese-disinformation-undermining-democracy-payne-warns/news-story/c9b9233a3698eefd28ebce57e13b0993

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9642090 (170906ZJUN20) Notable: Mysterious green glow seen shooting across Australian night sky in Port Hedland, Western Australia, was an asteroid, Scientists say

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Mysterious green glow seen shooting across Australian night sky in Port Hedland, Western Australia, was an asteroid, Scientists say

Experts had confirmed a bright green glow which shot across the sky in WA was likely a meteor.

Video filmed by locals in Port Hedland, in the state's Pilbara region, showed the sky lit up with the ominous green object.

The ominous glow was also seen by people in parts of Victoria and South Australia.

Renee Sayers from Curtain University, which runs the meteor research group, Desert Fireball Network, believed it was only a small asteroid.

"It was a beautiful blazing fireball and we probably expect it about the size of a washing machine or a chair up in the upper atmosphere," she told 9News.

She added that researchers see them every night - though larger ones are only spotted a couple of times a year.

Earlier today, other astronomers said they believed it could have been Asteroid 2002 NN4, which was scheduled to pass Earth about 11.20pm yesterday.

That asteroid is estimated to be the size of six football fields, with estimated diameter of up to 570 metres, according to the Centre for Near Earth Object Studies.

Despite being clearly visible, the asteroid was about 5.2 million kilometres away from our planet, 13 times further away than the moon, NASA says, so there was no risk of it hitting the Earth.

NASA say these kinds of occurrences are pretty normal, with an asteroid estimated to be about the same size as 2002 NN4 passing us just last August, and experts at the time called it moderately sized.

The biggest known asteroid that orbits the sun is a whopping 33 kilometres long, Lindley Johnson of NASA's Planetary Defence Coordination Office told CNN last year.

Still, the probability of an asteroid actually hitting Earth is pretty slim – occurring once every two or three centuries, Mr Johnson said at the time.

In 2013, a meteor just 17 metres in diameter broke through the Earth's atmosphere over Russia. The meteor didn't actually make impact with the planet, but the blast still injured more than 1000 people.

Being millions of kilometres away, that wasn't the case with 2002 NN4.

The next time 2002 NN4 will be anywhere near this close to the Earth will be in June 2029.

https://www.9news.com.au/world/wa-asteroid-green-glow-captured-on-camera-as-2002-nn4-asteroid-passes-the-earth/0821475c-7120-4b9a-a35e-9d4d71fc9a77

>SKY Event.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9668321 (190747ZJUN20) Notable: Prime Minister Scott Morrison reveals malicious 'state-based' cyber attack on governments, industry, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Prime_Minister_Scott_Morrison_has_revealed_details_of_a_major_cyber_attack.jpg

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>>>/qresearch/9663634

>>>/qresearch/9666783

Morrison reveals malicious 'state-based' cyber attack on governments, industry

Australian governments and industry are being targeted by major cyber attacks that could put pressure on critical infrastructure and public services, with China understood to be a likely source of the threat.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison revealed the "malicious" attacks on Friday morning after briefing state premiers as well as Labor leader Anthony Albanese on Thursday night, saying the threat showed a level of sophistication that could only come from a state-based actor.

"Based on advice provided to me by our cyber experts, Australian organisations are currently being targeted by a sophisticated state-based cyber actor," Mr Morrison said.

"This act is targeting Australian organisations across a range of sectors including all levels of government, industry, political organisations, education, health, essential service providers and operators of other critical infrastructure."

Asked whether the attack came from China, Mr Morrison did not name the foreign state but emphasised the level of sophistication of the intrusion.

"What I can confirm, with confidence, based on the advice, the technical advice that we have received, is that this is the action of a state-based actor with significant capabilities," he said.

"There aren't too many state-based actors who have those capabilities."

Mr Morrison raised the attacks with United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday night and also sought co-operation from Australia's Five Eyes intelligence partners, the United States, Canada, New Zealand as well as the UK.

Others who were aware of the attacks named China as a likely source. Government sources say the attack bore many similarities to a cyber attack on Parliament House's computer system in February 2019, which security agencies attributed to China.

While Mr Morrison called the Friday morning press conference to warn about the problem, his office later said there was no specific incident this week and that the concerns were about a growing trend over recent months.

Mr Morrison used a prepared statement to say that Australian governments and businesses were "currently being targeted" but this was a reference to the broader trend.

The Australian Signals Directorate said it was aware of the "sustained targeting of Australian governments and companies by a sophisticated state-based actor".

It said links to fake websites designed to steal users' details, links to malicious files, and use of email tracking services to identify when users were opening emails were being used by the sophisticated actor.

"The actor has been identified leveraging a number of initial access vectors, with the most prevalent being the exploitation of public-facing infrastructure," the intelligence organisation said.

The Australian Cyber Security Centre was working with the organisations subject to the malicious cyber attack.

The ACSC named "copy-paste compromises" as part of the state-based actor's "heavy use of proof-of-concept exploit code, web shells and other tools" to enable the attacks.

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said companies should "patch" their internet-facing devices promptly to make sure any web or email servers are fully updated with the latest software and ensure they used multi-factor authentication to secure any internet access.

The government has seen an increase in threat activity in recent months in a trend that has overlapped with Australia's tensions with the Chinese government over an investigation into the source of the COVID-19 virus in the Chinese city of Wuhan.

Former National Cyber Security Adviser Alastair MacGibbon said the threat was "likely a campaign by a sophisticated state-based actor" and part of a wider trend.

"It is an affront to our national interest and sovereignty that such events occur," said Mr MacGibbon, who is now chief strategy officer at CyberCX after a long career in public policy including as head of the ACSC.

"And that's why the Prime Minister has stood up to make a statement."

The US Department of Homeland Security and the FBI warned last month that hackers based in China were using cyber attacks and "cyberthefts" to steal intellectual property in the field of vaccines and healthcare.

The US warning was followed by an Australian alert from the ACSC within days telling critical infrastructure providers to do more to protect themselves from cyber attack when key staff were working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Federal Parliament revealed in February last year that malware had made its way into the parliamentary computer network via several politicians' computers.

(continued)

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/federal/morrison-reveals-malicious-state-based-cyber-attack-hitting-several-sectors-20200619-p5545z.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9668352 (190754ZJUN20) Notable: US looks at digital economy trade deal with Australia, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: US_trade_ambassador_Robert_Lighthizer_was_asked_about_potential_trade_deals_including_with_Australia_at_a_hearing_of_the_Congressional_Ways_and_Means_Committee.jpg

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US looks at digital economy trade deal with Australia

Washington | The Trump administration is looking at a groundbreaking digital economy trade deal with Australia that would supercharge the 21st century's main growth engine while bolstering co-operation to compete with China's more insular system.

While the discussions are at the exploratory stage, the US imagines a deal similar to the one Australia signed in March with Singapore, and which lowers barriers to digital trade by allowing both countries to integrate their online economies more seamlessly.

The US Trade Representative's office has begun sounding out Congress about pursuing digital trade agreements with Canberra and Singapore. In both instances they would be added as new chapters to existing free trade agreements.

Just as container shipping transformed the global economy from the 1950s, digital trade is accelerating at breakneck speed, putting pressure on governments to update the "rules of the road" and remove avoidable barriers.

The potential opportunities are vast, even if often poorly quantified.

Trade statistics do not capture the commercial value of cross-border flows of digital services such as email, videoconferencing and social media, because they are free to consumers.

However, McKinsey has estimated that Facebook, YouTube and WeChat together generate as much as $US8.3 trillion ($12 trillion) a year. Were that calculated in traditional tallies of services commerce it would boost estimated overall global trade flows by about 20 per cent, McKinsey said.

Another catalyst for greater digital "inter-operability" are the pandemic shutdowns and resulting booms in e-commerce, real-time Amazon deliveries, videoconferencing and home-working more broadly.

These changes in worker and consumer habits have accelerated developing trends while revealing fresh business opportunities, as many countries adopt to the "new normal" of social distancing.

There are hopes that a digital deal between the US and Australia would particularly benefit small- and medium-sized Australian tech companies trying to sell digital goods and services into America's vast market.

Its benefits could include establishing clear protocols for data access and investment, and address nuts-and-bolts issues such as payment systems integration and sharing of e-documents.

Rush of 'skinny deals'

Even more importantly, with big data often dubbed the "new crude oil", countries are increasingly pushing to create common standards. And unlike China, which demands data be stored in servers on Chinese soil, Australia, the US and other like-minded countries aim to ensure companies are free to choose where they go as long as they meet regulatory requirements.

That might mean, for instance, that while Australian medical data can only be held onshore, for other applications such as Facebook information the goal would be to avoid creating any restrictions.

Preparatory calls on a deal between Canberra and Washington have already been made to some members of Congress.

At a hearing on Wednesday (Thursday AEST) before the US House of Representatives' Ways and Means Committee, US trade ambassador Robert Lighthizer was challenged over whether he would seek approval from Congress for any upcoming deals that might be negotiated before the November 3 presidential elections.

Alabama lawmaker Terri Sewell revealed during the hearing that a new agreement with Australia may be in the works.

She asked Mr Lighthizer about a series of so-called "skinny deals" being hammered out between the United States Trade Representative (USTR) team and US allies. The term refers to trade agreements that don't require congressional approval. The US signed such an arrangement last September with Japan.

"It appears that his administration is doubling down on this skinny deal strategy as the USTR rushes to negotiate politically expedient deals with India and Brazil, and potentially with Australia and Singapore," she said.

The digital economy agreement sought by Washington is expected to mirror many of the provisions Australia and others have already negotiated under the 2018 Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Minister for Trade Simon Birmingham signed a Digital Economy Agreement with Singapore on March 23 that, once approved by Australia's Parliament, would halt unnecessary restrictions on the transfer and location of business data, including in the financial sector.

The agreement also provides better protection for source code, as well as a "new commitment to improve the accessibility of publicly available, anonymised government information, for the purpose of economic, social and research benefit".

(continued)

https://www.afr.com/world/north-america/us-looks-at-digital-economy-trade-deal-with-australia-20200618-p553ti

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9668485 (190824ZJUN20) Notable: WA man accused of possessing child abuse videos

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WA man accused of possessing child abuse videos

A 35-year-old Canning Vale man is expected to face Perth Magistrates Court today (Friday, 19 June 2020) for allegedly possessing child abuse material, including videos of infants being sexually abused.

The Australian Federal Police Child Protection Triage Unit (AFP CPTU) launched an investigation after a report from the United Statesu2019 National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

The report alleged an internet user in Australia had uploaded several digital media files depicting children being abused to an online social media platform.

The 35-year-old man was identified as the person suspected of transmitting the material.

On 28 May 2020, Western Australia Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (WA JACET) officers executed a search warrant at the manu2019s home and seized multiple electronic devices which they allege contain child abuse material.

The man has been charged with one count of possessing child abuse material contrary to s474.22A Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) and faces a potential 15 yearsu2019 imprisonment if convicted.

A digital forensic examination of the seized devices is ongoing and police have not ruled out laying further charges.

AFP Sergeant Joel Van Den Brun, from WA JACET, said it is distressing to think of any child being abused to satisfy an adultu2019s depraved sexual impulses, but for infants to be violated is particularly horrifying.

u201cIf you view and share this type of abhorrent material online, you are complicit in the physical and emotional abuse of children u2013 itu2019s as simple as that,u201d Sergeant Van Den Brun said.

u201cChild sexual abuse causes irreparable trauma and we will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of anyone who is involved in exploiting or hurting children, online and offline.

u201cWhile we have seen an alarming increase in the appetite for child exploitation material, todayu2019s outcome is a reminder to the community that your online behaviour is not anonymous and the law will catch up with you.u201d

The WA JACET comprises members of the Western Australia Police Force and AFP.

The AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation, which is head-quartered in Brisbane, is at the centre of a collaborative national approach to combatting organised child abuse.

Reports to the ACCCEu2019s Child Protection Triage Unit increased from 776 per month on average between October 2018 and March 2019, to 1731 per month between October 2019 and March 2020.

The ACCCE brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into child sexual abuse and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.

Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.

You can also make a report online by alerting the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation via the Report Abuse button at www.accce.gov.au/report

Editoru2019s Note: Arrest footage and an image are available here https://spaces.hightail.com/space/cW002zxy0H

Note to media: USE OF TERM 'CHILD ABUSE' MATERIAL, NOT 'CHILD PORNOGRAPHY'

Use of the phrase "child pornography" benefits child sex abusers because it:

* indicates legitimacy and compliance on the part of the victim and therefore legality on the part of the abuser; and

* conjures images of children posing in 'provocative' positions, rather than suffering horrific abuse.

Every photograph captures an actual situation where a child has been abused. This is not "pornography".

https://www.afp.gov.au/news-media/media-releases/wa-man-accused-possessing-child-abuse-videos

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9668525 (190834ZJUN20) Notable: Queensland man charged for alleged online sexual abuse of up to 50 Philippines children, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: handcuffs_1.jpg

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Queensland man charged for alleged online sexual abuse of up to 50 Philippines children

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A 57-year-old Queensland man faced court today on 75 new charges including the online child sexual abuse of up to 50 victims in the Philippines, following an investigation by the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

The man was initially charged and taken into custody in November 2019 by the Australian Border Force (ABF) who allegedly found child abuse material on his phone as he entered Australia from the Philippines in October 2019.

The ABF subsequently referred the matter to the AFP Brisbane Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (JACET) and transferred a number of electronic devices to the AFP for further investigation.

With the assistance of the AFP’s Brisbane Digital Forensic Team, JACET Investigators conducted a full forensic review of the devices which police will allege revealed extensive evidence of offending.

In June this year, Brisbane JACET provided information via AFP Manila Post to Philippine authorities regarding the man’s victims and facilitators. This led to the rescue of three of the man’s child victims by Philippine authorities who also arrested a Philippine national who is an alleged facilitator of the abuse.

The AFP laid the 75 new charges against the man on 5 June 2020, highlighting the seriousness of the alleged offending.

AFP Child Protection Operations Detective Superintendent Paula Hudson stressed that child sexual abuse offences committed online have real-world consequences for both perpetrators and victims.

“Our message to the community is clear - if you commit child sexual abuse offences online, you are complicit in the physical and emotional harm of children,” Detective Superintendent Hudson said.

“No child anywhere in the world should have to be victimised for the perverted desires of some people in our community.

“This outcome is another example that our officers are relentless in hunting down perpetrators and ensuring they face the full force of the law.”

Detective Superintendent Hudson also acknowledged the work of the Philippines authorities and the importance of cross-border collaboration to stop the abuse of children.

“This is an international problem and needs an international solution,” Detective Superintendent Hudson said.

“We will continue to work closely with the Philippine National Police to identify further victims and remove them from harm.”

ABF Commander Investigations, Graeme Grosse, said the arrest and rescues were a powerful reminder of why the ABF works closely with both domestic and international stakeholders.

“Law enforcement agencies around the world are just as dedicated as we are to strongly combatting this type of activity, which has no place in any society. It is only when we work together that the most effective outcomes can be achieved, and the ABF continues to work tirelessly to detect, investigate and refer these types of abhorrent cases,” Commander Grosse said.

The matter was heard in the Brisbane Magistrates Court today. The man did not seek bail and was remanded in custody.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9672657 (191850ZJUN20) Notable: Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton Tweet: The global pandemic has highlighted the value of this vital intelligence and security partnership, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: PD_4.jpg, Eaxt1TpUEAEpEsb.jpg

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Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton Tweet

Today I spoke with our Five Eyes counterparts from Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. The global pandemic has highlighted the value of this vital intelligence and security partnership. @BillBlair @AndrewLittleMP @pritipatel @HomelandKen @TheJusticeDept

https://twitter.com/PeterDutton_MP/status/1273525687173804032

—

Home Secretary chairs virtual ‘Five Eyes’ security summit

Key allies met and agreed joint action to tackle emerging security threats during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Published 18 June 2020

From: Home Office and The Rt Hon Priti Patel MP

Ministers from the ‘Five Eyes’ partnership all agreed to work together to tackle the increasing global threats caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, in a virtual meeting co-chaired by Home Secretary Priti Patel today (Wednesday 17 June).

At the meeting of Home Affairs, Interior and Security Ministers from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the US, they discussed a range of threats including the increased risk of online child sexual abuse, disinformation and hostile state activity.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said:

These are unprecedented times and now more than ever it is important we continue to work with our closest allies to protect our citizens.

I was pleased to speak with my ‘Five Eyes’ colleagues yesterday to discuss the shared threats we are facing and how we will work together to tackle them.

Ministers raised the persistent threat of hostile state activity as well as the spread of disinformation during the pandemic which is putting lives at risk. The nations agreed to share best practice and work together to counter these threats and ensure that the public can access reliable information to protect themselves.

The Home Secretary raised concerns about the increased risk to children online during the pandemic and welcomed the recent announcement by the Tech Coalition on tackling online child abuse. This builds on the Voluntary Principles to Counter Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, the landmark blueprint to keeping children safe online.

But the Five Country partners were clear that technology companies need to work quickly and go further to address the issues that continue to leave children vulnerable to predators online.

The Home Secretary said the threat of online child abuse and terrorism would increase if companies like Facebook continued with plans for end-to-end encryption across their platforms. Ministers agreed that tech companies should work closely with governments to ensure their plans do not damage efforts to keep the public safe.

Ministers also raised the issue of cyber criminals exploiting the pandemic through ransomware, malware and phishing attacks. Ministers agreed on the need to share intelligence around these kinds of scams and work closely to stop them.

Ministers of the ‘Five Eyes’ nations agreed to continue to keep in regular contact during the pandemic and to meet in person for the next Five Country Ministerial event in New Zealand when possible.

Ministers in attendance were:

* Home Secretary Priti Patel (co-chair)

* New Zealand’s Minister for Justice Andrew Little (co-chair)

* Australian Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton

* Canadian Minister for Public Safety Bill Blair

* US Attorney General William Barr

* US Acting Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Ken Cuccinelli

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/home-secretary-chairs-virtual-five-eyes-security-summit

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9672700 (191854ZJUN20) Notable: Treasurer Josh Frydenberg Tweet: Today Australia hosted the first call with Finance Ministers of the "Five Eyes" nations to discuss COVID-19, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: JF_1.jpg, Ea11_6ZVAAAZue0.jpg

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Treasurer Josh Frydenberg Tweet

Today Australia hosted the first call with Finance Ministers of the "Five Eyes" nations to discuss COVID-19 and the road to economic recovery.

Read our statement here: https://joshfrydenberg.com.au/latest-news/treasurer-media-release-joint-call-of-finance-ministers-covid-19/

https://twitter.com/JoshFrydenberg/status/1273804190117052416

—

Treasurer – Media Release – Joint Call of Finance Ministers COVID-19

Date : 18 June 2020

Author: The Hon Josh Frydenberg MP

Today Australia hosted a call with the Finance Ministers of the “Five Eyes” nations – Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom and the United States.

It was the first of what will be regular calls among the countries to discuss the economic issues associated with COVID-19.

The world is in the midst of a once in a century pandemic and the economic implications for each of our countries are profound.

In addition to the many multilateral and bilateral discussions we are engaged in, this grouping provides a welcome opportunity for further collaboration on key economic matters.

During the call, we exchanged views on the various policy responses underway and lessons learnt.

We will continue to work together towards ensuring global financial stability and a strong and sustainable economic recovery.

THE HON JOSH FRYDENBERG MP

Treasurer, Australia

THE HON BILL MORNEAU

Minister for Finance, Canada

HON GRANT ROBERTSON

Minister for Finance, New Zealand

THE RT HON RISHI SUNAK MP

Chancellor of the Exchequer, United Kingdom

THE HON STEVEN MNUCHIN

Secretary of the Treasury, United States

https://joshfrydenberg.com.au/latest-news/treasurer-media-release-joint-call-of-finance-ministers-covid-19/

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9678697 (200451ZJUN20) Notable: Scott Morrison clear on China threat: John Bolton, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Former_US_National_Security_Adviser_John_Bolton.jpg

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Scott Morrison clear on China threat: John Bolton

Donald Trump’s former national security adviser John Bolton has praised Australia’s understanding of the cyber threat posed by China, saying Scott Morrison is “clear-eyed” about Beijing’s bad ­intentions.

News of Mr Bolton’s comments in his new book, The Room Where It Happened, coincided with a major cyber attack on Australia on Friday, suspected of being orchestrated by China.

In his book, Mr Bolton, who was national security adviser from April 2018 to September last year, says the US struggled to warn its allies about the threat China posed through its Belt and Road Initiative and its use of the telecommunications giant Huawei for cyber espionage. But he said Australia was one of the few US allies that agreed with Washington on the true nature of the China threat.

“We ran into obstacles internationally as we sought to alert our allies to Huawei’s threat and that of other state-controlled Chinese firms,” Mr Bolton writes in his yet-to-be-released book, a copy of which has been obtained by The Weekend Australian.

He said Britain did not understand the threat but “Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison was clear-eyed, seeing Huawei pretty much the way I did”.

The views of Mr Bolton, a known hawk on China, are consistent with those of others in the Trump White House, which sees Australia as having played a bold role in standing up to Beijing on ­issues from foreign interference to Huawei to a call for an inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo recently condemned China for threatening economic punishment of Australia in response to Mr Morrison’s call for a coron­a­virus inquiry.

Mr Bolton contrasted Australia’s hardline position on Huawei, which saw the Chinese telco banned from participation in 5G networks on national security grounds, with the weaker stance of countries in Europe.

“In Europe many countries had done so much business with Huawei, they found it hard to disentangle themselves,” Mr Bolton writes.

“With the UK, for example, discussions were very difficult … it was hard slogging because of the high level of dependence on Huawei that Britain had built up over an extended period.

“These legitimate worries should have led us to focus on rapidly getting new entrants into 5G markets, not how we would mitigate the consequences of continuing to patronise Huawei.

“We had to admit we were all late to realise the full extent of ­Huawei’s strategy, but that was not an excuse to compound our earlier mistakes.”

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/scott-morrison-clear-on-china-threat-john-bolton/news-story/c05a981ed6d0249a7e385442983511da

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9678914 (200512ZJUN20) Notable: The secret trial that could turn pear-shaped for the government, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Former_foreign_minister_Alexander_Downer_This_is_a_matter_before_the_courts_I_have_not_been_following_it_.jpg

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>>177288

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However, it is fair to point out that Australian intelligence operatives had already gathered information that painted an alarming picture of growing Chinese influence on a small group of powerful Timor-Leste politicians.

Through an early exercise in Beijing’s now ubiquitous debt diplomacy, these intelligence operatives reasoned the Chinese would be the ultimate beneficiaries of a favourable Timor Sea continental shelf deal negotiated by Timor-Leste.

But this significant factor does not explain the level of official determination to silence Collaery and Witness K.

Collaery had not just acted as a lawyer for Witness K in an employment dispute with ASIS, but also for the Timor-Leste government. This means he was “working for the bugger and the buggee,” as legal writer Richard Ackland puts it.

Now 75, Collaery says his practice has collapsed since the government pressed charges, and likens the secrecy surrounding the court proceedings to the Stalinist era in Moscow.

After acknowledging the legitimate need of the state to maintain secrecy about some foreign activities, the matter still highlights the issue of whether secretly administered justice can, in fact, be just.

As Professor Fernandes puts it: “The difference between the core fact of espionage and the ancillary fact of Collaery revealing and Witness K disclosing that information [means] it’s absurd that they might be convicted on the basis of the ancillary facts being true while the prosecution refuses to admit the core facts are true."

Veteran defence strategist Hugh White, who has a long record in government dealing with security agencies, does not resile from “the proposition that governments need to keep secrets, including the operations of intelligence services”.

[But] I do have a problem with secret trials. Justice has to be done in public. It’s legitimate to conceal some aspects of a trial, [but] they need to be very clearly defined," he says.

"We don’t know if the government’s orders are intended to protect the secrets we already know, or whether there’s other stuff we don’t know about.

“I would not give the government the benefit of the doubt. It does seem to be very serious and unwarranted for the government to go after Collaery in the way it has. It’s very unclear why the government has taken such a punitive approach.”

The way things are going, we may never find out.

https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affairs/the-secret-trial-that-could-turn-pear-shaped-for-the-government-20200618-p553ym

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9679033 (200527ZJUN20) Notable: More than 7.4 million images of child abuse circulating in Victoria, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Child_sexual_abuse_investigators_Detective_Senior_Constable_Jason_Regan_and_Detective_Senior_Constable_Emma_O_Rourke.jpg

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More than 7.4 million images of child abuse circulating in Victoria

The trafficking and production of child abuse material has exploded during the coronavirus lockdown in Victoria amid concerns paedophiles are also turning to online games and social media platforms to groom isolated children.

New figures from Victoria Police show the number of child abuse images and videos being traded online in Victoria has more than doubled in the last year.

At least 7.4 million files of child abuse material were detected circulating on peer-to-peer networks in the state in May 2020 - a number that police believe is likely to be a significant under-estimate of the true level of activity.

“While there’s been a lot of talk about a decline in the overall crime rate during isolation, one of the crime types that has taken off is child exploitation,” said Detective Superintendent Jane Welsh, head of the Victorian Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team.

“We're seeing a lot more traffic for IP addresses, a lot more activity in the dark web, a lot more activity in the white web.

“This kind of offending is almost 100 per cent reliant on online activity so the environment has been perfect. We've got people isolated at home, in front of their computers and other devices. They're a captive audience, frankly.”

Police software cannot detect whether one file is actually composed of multiple compressed files, which suggests the volume of materials could be substantially larger.

But the number of computers trading child abuse material tracked back to Victorian IP addresses has spiked 34 per cent over the year, suggesting supply and demand in the illegal marketplace is growing at a substantial pace.

In April, police arrested and charged a Melbourne-man and rescued several children, aged 3-5 years, after evidence revealed they had been victims of “contact offending” by someone who was already on bail for child abuse-related offences.

Investigators were also recently able to identify three young Victorian boys who appeared in a child abuse video uploaded to a website five years ago that was found in the possession of a UK-based offender.

In a series of interviews with The Age, investigators and senior officers from JACET - a joint operation with the Australian Federal Police that targets online child abuse - said the law enforcement community has detected a number of other disturbing trends.

“The most worrying is seeing the increase in violent images. And the willingness (of offenders) to view younger children,” Ms Welsh said.

The prolonged lockdown period and increased time children are spending online has also raised warning flags for JACET, which has been using covert operatives to infiltrate social media and encrypted chat groups to target groomers.

Other officers have been investigating complaints about suspect behaviour in online games such as Fortnite and Minecraft.

JACET said many parents were unaware that their children could be exposed to predators through Xbox and Playstation consoles that have text and audio chat functions.

“Children can be groomed in a matter of minutes – these offenders are often master manipulators – and their operations can be quite sophisticated,” Ms Welsh said.

Paedophiles are also increasingly accessing live-streamed, pay-per-view child abuse video sites hosted from overseas locations.

The AFP and JACET teams nationwide have recently been involved in investigations where numerous children exploited on behalf of Australian offenders have been rescued from abusers.

On Friday, a Queensland man was charged by AFP investigators with facilitating the online abuse of up to 50 child victims in the Philippines. Three victims were rescued from his alleged co-conspirator in that country in May.

Westpac is also currently being prosecuted by anti-money laundering authority AUSTRAC over allegations its international payment systems have been used to facilitate acts of abuse in the international child sex trade.

Detective Inspector Marty Allison said online exploitation was a “borderless crime”.

“The offender may very well be Victoria, but the victim may well be in Germany or Cambodia. It could be happening anywhere.”

Operations with the AFP and Australian Border Force have also been seizing child-like sex dolls that are manufactured in China and shipped into Australia from Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan disguised as toys.

The ABF has seized 75 child-like sex dolls this year to date, compared to 35 in the last financial year.

(continued)

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/more-than-7-4-million-images-of-child-abuse-circulating-in-victoria-20200619-p554dy.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9692709 (210633ZJUN20) Notable: Appeal for donations to publish Cardinal Pell's prison diary, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Cardinal_George_Pell_leaves_prison_near_Melbourne_in_April.jpg

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Appeal for donations to publish Cardinal Pell's prison diary

A 1,000-page journal written by Australian Cardinal George Pell during his time behind bars is set to be released by a US-based Catholic publisher that is appealing for donations to help fund the project.

Pell, a former Vatican treasurer, spent more than a year in prison on child sex abuse charges before he was acquitted and freed by Australia's High Court in April.

Ignatius Press said it will now publish the "extraordinary" diary, which was written in solitary confinement, and appealed to supporters to help fund an advance to Pell - who would use it to cover outstanding legal fees.

In a letter to subscribers posted on the company's website, editor Father Joseph Fessio said he had read the first half of the tome and predicted it was "going to be a spiritual classic".

"The entire journal is about 1,000 pages, so we will print it in three or four volumes," he said.

"With your help, we can proceed with this project and offer Cardinal Pell appropriate advances on these volumes, which he can then use to remove much of the worry he now has about his legal debts."

Fessio said his "good friend" Pell was still dealing with the "ongoing challenge of meeting the many legal expenses which were necessary to right the terrible injustice done to him".

"This is not just about Cardinal Pell. His victory was not just a victory for one man. It was a victory for the Church," Fessio added.

"And not just the Church in Australia. It revealed to all the world just how far the Church's enemies will go and how deceitful they will be to discredit her."

Pell, 79, was convicted in December 2018 of sexually abusing two choirboys in the 1990s when he was the archbishop of Melbourne.

He strenuously denied the charges and the High Court later overturned his conviction after hearing his second appeal.

However, Pell is still facing a civil suit brought by the father of one choirboy after the latter died in 2014.

A report released in May after a top-level Australian inquiry said Pell was aware of child sexual abuse by Catholic clergy in Australia as far back as the 1970s and failed to seek the removal of accused priests.

Pell has said he was "surprised" by the inquiry's findings, which he said were "not supported by evidence".

https://au.news.yahoo.com/appeal-donations-publish-cardinal-pells-prison-diary-025303955–spt.html