/qnotables25/ - ===Q Notables 2025===

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22645579 (240938ZFEB25) Notable: Video: Fake terror, real fear, and hunt for puppetmaster behind anti-Semitic attacks - All 14 of the alleged offenders arrested over a streak of anti-Semitic crimes have now been charged after it was revealed an organised crime kingpin directed a cabal of Australia-based criminals to orchestrate a raft of attacks now labelled a “fabricated terror plot”. On Monday, the 14 alleged offenders were arrested after eleven simultaneous police raids, with five people charged from the outset. By Tuesday morning, all had been charged with a total of 65 alleged offences, though the supposed kingpin behind the scheme is believed to have evaded arrest so far. The alleged mastermind “pulled the strings” on a spate of Sydney’s anti-Semitic attacks from “afar”, understood to be while based on foreign soil, and had sought to leverage information about an abandoned explosives-laden caravan with police to secure leniency in a separate criminal case. The charges came after dawn raids by NSW Police and Australian Federal Police, who arrested 14 people in relation to a string of the anti-Semitic vandalism and firebombing attacks - bringing the total number of people arrested under state police’s hate-crimes unit to 29 with a total of 143 charges laid. NSW Premier Chris Minns had first labelled the caravan as a potential “mass-casualty event” and “terrorism”. Police have now called it a “criminal con job” and “fabricated terror plot” in a foiled attempt for criminals to use as a bartering tool to reduce their sentences or drop charges. It follows a summer of rising anti-Semitism in NSW, but with police now alleging that the most severe cases had their roots in the sophisticated criminal plot.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>>/qresearch/22225665 (pb)

>>>/qresearch/22617503 (pb)

Sheik Ibrahim Dadoun says Mossad ‘manufactured’ Australia’s anti-Semitism crisis

ALEXI DEMETRIADI - 23 February 2025

1/2

A prominent Sydney sheik has claimed there was a real possibility Australia’s violent wave of anti-Semitism had been “manufactured” by Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad.

The claim by Sheik Ibrahim Dadoun – until recently a director at the country’s peak Muslim body – comes after ASIO director-general Mike Burgess warned about hostile foreign states operating in Australia and said he had “grave concerns” that anti-Semitism was a hatred that defied logic and was likely to get worse.

“When will the ASIO boss tell Australians if the Mossad had anything to do with the wave of manufactured anti-Semitic attacks conducted by known criminals,” the sheik told his supporters on the weekend.

“If it (the attacks) were Iran, it would have been plastered all over the news. If it was China we would have known about it.”

The sheik also claimed Mr Burgess believed the “hostile states” could be allies or friends to Australia who wanted to intervene in domestic politics and “affect social cohesion”.

“Given that Israel is seen as a ‘friend’ to Australia, it is highly likely, in fact plausible, and a real possibility that Mossad manufactured (the) wave of anti-Semitic attacks,” Sheik Dadoun said.

Although far-left pro-Palestine activists and radical fringe preachers have told their social media followers Australia’s anti-Semitic attacks were co-ordinated by Israel, it is the first time a relatively mainstream Muslim leader has made that claim.

Despite having no intelligence to back up his Mossad claim, Sheik Dadoun called on Mr Burgess to “disclose” what he knew about the anti-Semitic attacks.

“For now, it is highly likely that this (Mossad’s ‘manufactured’ anti-Semitic attacks) is the scenario authorities are dealing with in Australia,” he said.

The sheik was a director at the Australian National Imams Council until late 2024, but still works for the United Muslims of Australia, which The Australian revealed had until 2023 enlisted the services of a prominent Hizb ut-Tahrir activist, a group Sheik Dadoun has himself been associated with.

The sheik’s Mossad comments come after Mr Burgess last week said “hostile nations” could be using domestic criminals to advance their own strategic interests, amid a possible overlap with recent anti-Semitic attacks and after the Australian Federal Police said in January it was investigating information that led to a similar belief.

Speaking to The Australian on Friday, the ASIO chief said anti-Semitism was a form of hate that defied logic, was un-Australian and likely to get worse, and on Wednesday said: “ASIO investigations have identified at least three different countries plotting to physically harm people living in Australia. In a small number of cases, we held grave fears for the life of the person being targeted.”

Although Mr Burgess said ASIO was targeting foreign interference, he did not suggest “friendly nations” had been behind Australia’s violent anti-Semitism wave.

The Australian revealed in January how two men arrested by NSW Police’s anti-Semitism strike force for a botched arson attack in Bondi last year had been paid and co-ordinated by an Australia-based criminal known only as “James Bond”.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22645621 (240958ZFEB25) Notable: Video: Monique Ryan, husband apologise after he is filmed removing Liberal sign - Teal MP Monique Ryan and her husband Peter Jordan have apologised after he was filmed removing a sign backing local Liberal candidate Amelia Hamer, marking the highest profile incident in a tit-for-tat signage war in the battleground seat of Kooyong. Videos obtained by this masthead show two youths slashing a Liberal sign to “humiliate” a homeowner while Ryan posters have been defaced with markers as the increasingly intense contest defies the affluent east Melbourne seat’s genteel character and some incidents end up in court. Ryan, who campaigned on restoring integrity to politics, and her husband both apologised for his behaviour on Saturday. “I unreservedly apologise for removing the sign,” Jordan said in a statement after video of the encounter was revealed by The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald on Monday. “It was a mistake. I believed the sign was illegally placed but should have reported my concerns to council.” The footage of Jordan shows the MP’s husband walking briskly away with Hamer’s placard under his arm down a street in Camberwell as the person filming asks a series of questions. “I’m taking the sign down,” Jordan says in the video. When asked why, he says: “it’s on public land”. Jordan is asked repeatedly who he is by the man filming, who notes Jordan is wearing a teal shirt underneath his jumper. “I’m not saying who I am,” Jordan responds. At one point, the man attempts to take the sign away from Jordan on the basis that it remains his property. Jordan pulls it back, saying: “if it goes back up, it’ll be taken down again”. “It’s an illegally put up sign, anyone can take [it] down because it’s illegal.” Jordan, who is an executive at a medical device company, eventually surrenders the sign. Ryan echoed her husband’s apology for removing the sign. “It should not have happened,” she said. “All concerns around signage should be reported to council.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dutton leads, Labor on course for election defeat according to shock poll

David Crowe - February 23, 2025

1/2

Voters have lifted Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to a significant new lead in the race for power at the federal election, backing him as a strong leader while slashing their core support for Labor to a new low of 25 per cent.

The shift has taken the Coalition to a lead of 55 per cent in two-party terms when Australians are asked how they would allocate their preferences on their ballot papers, driving Labor to just 45 per cent and putting it on course for defeat.

In a warning sign for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, an exclusive survey also shows that 59 per cent of voters say the good news for the government last week – when the Reserve Bank cut interest rates – will not change their vote.

The survey, conducted for this masthead by research company Resolve Strategic, finds that 43 per cent of voters consider Albanese and Labor to be weak, while 22 per cent say the same for Dutton and the Coalition.

Asked which side offered strong leadership, 37 per cent name Dutton and the Coalition while 24 per cent name Albanese and Labor, a turnaround from when the prime minister led on this question one year ago.

The Opposition Leader also has a significant lead when voters are asked to name the party and leader who was best able to deal with United States President Donald Trump, with 34 per cent preferring Dutton and the Coalition compared to 18 per cent who favour Albanese and Labor.

Dutton leads as preferred prime minister for the second consecutive month, ahead by 39 per cent to 35 per cent against Albanese, although 26 per cent of voters are undecided on this question.

Resolve director Jim Reed said the two-party result suggested the Coalition was in a stronger position to win the election in its own right, or by gaining support in a hung parliament.

“I think the swing is on, with both the declining primary vote and preference flows for Labor reflecting where people are at right now,” he said.

“The public mood has lifted after the rate cut, but it has not led to any increase in support for the government.”

The Resolve Political Monitor surveyed 1506 eligible voters from Tuesday to Sunday, a period that included the Reserve Bank decision and Labor’s rescue package for steelworkers in Whyalla, although most of the survey was completed before the government announced $8.5 billion for Medicare on Sunday – a move quickly matched by the Coalition.

Core support for the Greens was unchanged at 13 per cent, while support for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation rose from 7 to 9 per cent and the independents slipped from 10 to 9 per cent. The results have a margin of error of 2.5 percentage points.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22651767 (250758ZFEB25) Notable: Video: NSW Minister Jodie Harrison apologises for Iran event in which Fatima Payman praised regime - NSW Minister for Women Jodie Harrison has apologised for taking part in an Iranian event featuring rogue senator Fatima Payman as a star guest, admitting her decision was “ill considered” after the WA senator used the platform to defend the hardline Islamist regime. Ms Harrison delivered a recorded speech to the event in Sydney on Saturday, which was organised by the Benevolent Iranian Women Association to mark International Women’s Day and included supporters of the Iranian government. In a news segment by Iranian state-owned network PressTV, Senator Payman described Iran as an “incredible” place for women and dismissed criticisms of the regime’s treatment of women as “propaganda”. “The incredible place that Iran is, allowing for women to participate in the workforce to ensure that they have a voice, that their voices are heard, that their (voices) involved in a democratic process - realities that we’re not privy to living here and listening to the propaganda that we receive from very single-sided organisations with specific agenda,” Senator Payman told PressTV. But late on Monday night, Ms Harrison sought to distance herself from the event, telling The Australian she did not share the views of the panellists and regretted her involvement. “I have heard the concerns raised and sincerely apologise for my participation in this event, for the message it sent which is incongruent with the view of myself and of the New South Wales government, and the distress I know it has caused for many,” Ms Harrison said. “I do not share the views expressed by the panellists at this event. The decision to provide a video message was ill-considered and I should not have provided a video message for the event.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50707

NSW Minister Jodie Harrison apologises for Iran event in which Fatima Payman praised regime

MOHAMMAD ALFARES - 24 February 2025

NSW Minister for Women Jodie Harrison has apologised for taking part in an Iranian event featuring rogue senator Fatima Payman as a star guest, admitting her decision was “ill considered” after the WA senator used the platform to defend the hardline Islamist regime.

Ms Harrison delivered a recorded speech to the event in Sydney on Saturday, which was organised by the Benevolent Iranian Women Association to mark International Women’s Day and included supporters of the Iranian government.

In a news segment by Iranian state-owned network PressTV, Senator Payman described Iran as an “incredible” place for women and dismissed criticisms of the regime’s treatment of women as “propaganda”.

“The incredible place that Iran is, allowing for women to participate in the workforce to ensure that they have a voice, that their voices are heard, that their (voices) involved in a democratic process — realities that we’re not privy to living here and listening to the propaganda that we receive from very single-sided organisations with specific agenda,” Senator Payman told PressTV.

But late on Monday night, Ms Harrison sought to distance herself from the event, telling The Australian she did not share the views of the panellists and regretted her involvement.

The full clip of Ms Harrison’s recorded message was not provided, but it’s understood she spoke of women’s rights in Iran.

“I have heard the concerns raised and sincerely apologise for my participation in this event, for the message it sent which is incongruent with the view of myself and of the New South Wales government, and the distress I know it has caused for many,” Ms Harrison said.

“Those of us who are privileged to hold public office have a responsibility to promote equality and to create a better New South Wales which does not minimise or undermine the experiences of others.

“I do not share the views expressed by the panellists at this event.

“The decision to provide a video message was ill-considered and I should not have provided a video message for the event.”

Iran’s record on women’s rights has been widely condemned, with hundreds of women arrested in recent years for defying strict dress codes and protesting against the regime’s oppressive laws.

Senator Payman, who quit the Labor Party in June last year over her support for Palestine, later defended her remarks, saying she wanted to “correct the record” on Iran.

“The organisation aimed to correct the narrative they felt was single-sided. To which I advised they should create spaces to educate and share their version of events with politicians and representatives. As a leader, it’s important for me to keep an open mind and listen to both sides,” she said.

Other speakers at the event included Sydney imam Abdul Qudoos Al-Azhari and Islamic Friendship Association founder Keysar Trad.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/iran-an-incredible-place-for-women-fatima-payman-claims/news-story/476a4b25d23222d6dcf32f84358436d7

https://x.com/PressTV/status/1893514873998348680

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22651774 (250805ZFEB25) Notable: Fatima Payman tells Iran regime backers to lobby politicians over women’s rights ‘propaganda’ - Former Labor senator Fatima Payman has encouraged Australian-Iranians sympathetic to the Islamist regime in Tehran to “lobby” politicians about Western “propaganda” on women’s rights, declaring “there’s two sides to every coin”. On Monday, footage surfaced of Senator Payman speaking at a Sydney event hosted by the Benevolent Iranian Women Association, during which she appeared to dismiss global criticism of the Iranian regime’s treatment of women as “single-sided” fake news. In an interview with The Australian after attending the pro-Iran Women’s Day gathering, Senator Payman said she would keep an “open mind” when asked if she had changed her position on the regime. She said the event was “interesting” and suggested that it was her first time as a senator to hear from supporters of the Iranian regime. “I think it was really interesting, and I think I attended the event to just keep an open mind and listen to both sides because I’d heard of one side … I definitely hadn’t heard of the Benevolent Iranian Women’s Association side,” she said. “I think my key advice to them was, look, if this is your narrative and you want people to hear it, I encourage you to create a space for yourself to lobby and talk to your politicians and representatives.” Asked if she believed Australia was one of the Western nation’s allegedly spreading misinformation on Iran, Senator Payman said: “When I referred to propaganda (in the Press TV clip), I specifically mentioned it came from certain organisations with a single-sided view … and there’s two sides of every coin.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50707

>>50710

Fatima Payman tells Iran regime backers to lobby politicians over women’s rights ‘propaganda’

MOHAMMAD ALFARES - 25 February 2025

1/2

Former Labor senator Fatima Payman has encouraged Australian-Iranians sympathetic to the Islamist regime in Tehran to “lobby” politicians about Western “propaganda” on women’s rights, declaring “there’s two sides to every coin”.

On Monday, footage surfaced of Senator Payman speaking at a Sydney event hosted by the Benevolent Iranian Women Association, during which she appeared to dismiss global criticism of the Iranian regime’s treatment of women as “single-sided” fake news.

In an interview with The Australian after attending the pro-Iran Women’s Day gathering, Senator Payman said she would keep an “open mind” when asked if she had changed her position on the regime.

She said the event was “interesting” and suggested that it was her first time as a senator to hear from supporters of the Iranian regime.

“I think it was really interesting, and I think I attended the event to just keep an open mind and listen to both sides because I’d heard of one side … I definitely hadn’t heard of the Benevolent Iranian Women’s Association side,” she said.

“I think my key advice to them was, look, if this is your narrative and you want people to hear it, I encourage you to create a space for yourself to lobby and talk to your politicians and representatives.”

Asked if she believed Australia was one of the Western nation’s allegedly spreading misinformation on Iran, Senator Payman said: “When I referred to propaganda (in the Press TV clip), I specifically mentioned it came from certain organisations with a single-sided view … and there’s two sides of every coin.

“If this is your way of wanting to correct the narrative, if you think there’s propaganda out there, empower yourself and do what you want and use the fact that we’re living in a democracy.”

Despite the bizarre remarks she made over the weekend, Senator Payman conceded she did not know what the situation was like for women in Iran.

“I haven’t been to Iran. I don’t know what the situation is like and, frankly speaking, as an Australian senator, I have a lot more pressing matters to be across and to represent my constituents here,” she said.

“Whether I agree with people or not, I’m very open to having a discussion and hearing their side. I would think that now I’ve heard both sides, which I think is helpful to any leader.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22651785 (250818ZFEB25) Notable: Video: Muslim Vote convener warned by his education department employer over comments made on Sydney nurses - Muslim Vote convener and public servant Sheikh Wesam Charkawi has been ordered to work from home for allegedly breaching the NSW Education Departments' social media policy and code of ethics. In an Instagram post on February 16, Sheikh Wesam, commented on the two Sydney nurses threatening harm to Israeli patients in a video. He criticised Australian politicians, branding their response as "selective moral outrage". The Western Sydney Imam is a support officer at Granville Boys High School and a well-established youth leader in the Muslim community. He is also a prominent figure at the helm of the "teal-style" Muslim Vote movement, aiming to unseat Labor frontbenchers like Jason Clare and Tony Burke in the fast-approaching federal election. In an accompanying video in his Instagram post, Sheikh Wesam said the nurses' comments were "never meant to be literal or intended to be a threat to patient care", and that "in current times, in which genocide is unfolding live on our screens, emotions can sometimes get the better of anybody". He criticised the "hypocrisy" of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Health Minister Ryan Park for remaining "silent (or) hesitant when confronted with the most egregious acts of violence committed by Israel. We refuse to accept a political a media landscape when Muslims are only visible when they are being condemned but invisible when they are being killed."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50707

Muslim Vote convener warned by his education department employer over comments made on Sydney nurses

Nabil Al-Nashar - 24 February 2025

Muslim Vote convener and public servant Sheikh Wesam Charkawi has been ordered to work from home for allegedly breaching the NSW Education Departments' social media policy and code of ethics.

In an Instagram post on February 16, Sheikh Wesam, commented on the two Sydney nurses threatening harm to Israeli patients in a video.

He criticised Australian politicians, branding their response as "selective moral outrage".

The Western Sydney Imam is a support officer at Granville Boys High School and a well-established youth leader in the Muslim community.

He is also a prominent figure at the helm of the "teal-style" Muslim Vote movement, aiming to unseat Labor frontbenchers like Jason Clare and Tony Burke in the fast-approaching federal election.

In an accompanying video in his Instagram post, Sheikh Wesam said the nurses' comments were "never meant to be literal or intended to be a threat to patient care", and that "in current times, in which genocide is unfolding live on our screens, emotions can sometimes get the better of anybody".

He criticised the "hypocrisy" of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Health Minister Ryan Park for remaining "silent (or) hesitant when confronted with the most egregious acts of violence committed by Israel".

Neither the Prime Minister nor Mr Park's offices wished to comment on Sheikh Wesam's video.

The Prime Minister had described the video of the nurses as "disgusting, sickening and shameful" and later said the nurses did not deserve sympathy.

Sheikh Wesam said "the speed, intensity and coordination of the response from figures that have been otherwise largely indifferent, weak or outright complicit and enabling in the face of mass atrocities", was evidence of a "calculated double-standard".

Mr Park had called the video of the nurses "one of the most vile, shocking and appalling videos I have ever seen".

Sheikh Wesam said: "In Gaza, Muslim professionals have been deliberately targeted, bombed, executed while treating the wounded … where were the health ministers to comment about this?"

In his post he described the response of politicians and media as, "an orchestrated model framework where outrage is not dictated by the severity of an action, but by the one who commits it".

"We refuse to accept a political a media landscape when Muslims are only visible when they are being condemned but invisible when they are being killed."

The NSW Department of Education directed Sheikh Wesam to take down the post from his Instagram and TikTok accounts.

At the time of publishing this article, the Instagram post remained up.

Public servants warned

Simon Draper secretary of the NSW Premier's Department and Kathrina Lo the NSW Public Service Commissioner addressed a letter to all public sector employees a day after Sheikh Wesam's video was published.

The letter read: "You have a duty to uphold the reputation of your department and the government sector as apolitical, impartial and professional."

The letter said this duty extended to employees in a "private capacity in public forums, on social media, or when engaging in political or social issues".

It also said: "You have a right to express your views and support causes, but always with a mind to how it might impact on your role as a public servant."

In a statement, a spokesperson for the department said staff had been made aware of their responsibilities.

"All NSW Department of Education employees have been reminded of their duty to uphold the reputation of the department as apolitical and impartial."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-24/sydney-sheikh-wesam-charkawi-to-work-from-home-nurses-comments/104974798

https://www.instagram.com/wesamcharkawi/reel/DGIV78rSbbb/

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22651808 (250838ZFEB25) Notable: Australian defence force officer stripped of security clearance over loyalty to Israel - An officer in the Australian army has been stripped of his security clearance because ASIO believes he is more loyal to Israel than Australia, and at risk of being exploited by the Mossad. The man told ASIO interviewers he did not view Israel as a foreign government and that he would share classified information with the Israel Defense Forces if they asked for it. ASIO said the officer, who is Jewish and served 19 years in the Australian military, withheld information from Australian officials about training courses he had undertaken in Israel - where he is not a citizen – which included self-defence, security and firearms training. In a decision published by the administrative review tribunal last week, ASIO said the officer, anonymised as HWMW in tribunal documents, was not of “appropriate character and trustworthiness to hold any security clearance”. “By virtue of HWMW’s demonstrated poor judgement, poor security practices, failure to comply with the obligations of a security clearance holder, his vulnerability to influence or coercion by the Israeli Intelligence Services, and HWMW’s demonstrated loyalty to Israel above the Australian government, ASIO assesses if HWMW were to continue to hold any level of security clearance, he would pose an unacceptable and avoidable risk to security.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50707

>>50709

Australian defence force officer stripped of security clearance over loyalty to Israel

ASIO believed the man, anonymised as HWMW, was at risk of being exploited by the Mossad

Ben Doherty - 24 Feb 2025

1/3

An officer in the Australian army has been stripped of his security clearance because ASIO believes he is more loyal to Israel than Australia, and at risk of being exploited by the Mossad.

The man told ASIO interviewers he did not view Israel as a foreign government and that he would share classified information with the Israel Defense Forces if they asked for it.

ASIO said the officer, who is Jewish and served 19 years in the Australian military, withheld information from Australian officials about training courses he had undertaken in Israel – where he is not a citizen – which included self-defence, security and firearms training.

In a decision published by the administrative review tribunal last week, ASIO said the officer, anonymised as HWMW in tribunal documents, was not of “appropriate character and trustworthiness to hold any security clearance”.

“By virtue of HWMW’s demonstrated poor judgement, poor security practices, failure to comply with the obligations of a security clearance holder, his vulnerability to influence or coercion by the Israeli Intelligence Services, and HWMW’s demonstrated loyalty to Israel above the Australian government, ASIO assesses if HWMW were to continue to hold any level of security clearance, he would pose an unacceptable and avoidable risk to security.”

ASIO said it considered lowering the man’s security clearance level, to restrict his access to sensitive information, but said “due to HWMW’s demonstrated loyalty to Israel and poor judgement by withholding security-relevant information during the security clearance process, no such conditions could adequately mitigate the risk of Mossad exploitation to enable acts of espionage or foreign influence”.

HWMW joined the Australian defence force in 2004. In 2008, he obtained a negative vetting 1 security clearance – allowing access up to classified resources up to Secret. This was upgraded to negative vetting 2 – Top Secret access – in 2010.

He joined a Sydney community security group (CSG) as a volunteer between 2014 and 2023. The CSG is a community organisation that provides security and intelligence services to the Jewish community.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22651829 (250857ZFEB25) Notable: Video: Senator Lidia Thorpe calls on Indigenous Australians to ‘decolonise’ by planting Aboriginal flags and charging white people rent -Turncoat senator Lidia Thorpe has urged Indigenous Australians to plant the Aboriginal flag on land and make white people pay to visit, to “assert sovereignty’’ over ­Australia. The former Greens senator, who defected to sit as an Independent, spoke of her ambition to run Blak Sovereign candidates in every state and territory, and outlined her provocative plans to “f*ck the colony” in a closed-door address to an anti-racism symposium organised by the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Brisbane. “We have to organise and strategise and take over our land like they did,’’ the Victorian senator said to applause from the ­audience. “We need to start putting our own flags into our own land and f*ck the colony.’’ Senator Thorpe outlined her plan to seek re-election when her term expires in three years - and then hand her seat to the Blak Sovereign movement by creating a casual vacancy in the Senate. “I have three years left but I’m gonna run again,’’ she said in a recording of her speech to the QUT academic symposium on January 23, obtained by The Australian on Tuesday. “The media don’t know that. I don’t want be there for another six years. The only reason I’m going to run again is to win it back for the Blak Sovereign movement and then I’m gonna hand it to the next generation.’’

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50714

Senator Lidia Thorpe calls on Indigenous Australians to ‘decolonise’ by planting Aboriginal flags and charging white people rent

NATASHA BITA - 25 February 2025

1/2

Turncoat senator Lidia Thorpe has urged Indigenous Australians to plant the Aboriginal flag on land and make white people pay to visit, to “assert sovereignty’’ over ­Australia.

The former Greens senator, who defected to sit as an Independent, spoke of her ambition to run Blak Sovereign candidates in every state and territory, and outlined her provocative plans to “f*ck the colony” in a closed-door address to an anti-racism symposium organised by the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Brisbane.

“We have to organise and strategise and take over our land like they did,’’ the Victorian senator said to applause from the ­audience. “We need to start putting our own flags into our own land and f*ck the colony.’’

Hailing the academic conference as a “safe space’’, Senator Thorpe ridiculed “white Karen’’ supporters of the voice referendum, claimed that police were launching daily raids on Nazis threatening to kill her, and declared that her ancestors had spoken through her to “tell off’’ King Charles.

“The death threats are every day, every day an AFP (Australian Federal Police) officer is raiding some Nazi that wants to kill me,’’ she said.

Senator Thorpe outlined her plan to seek re-election when her term expires in three years – and then hand her seat to the Blak Sovereign movement by creating a casual vacancy in the Senate.

“I have three years left but I’m gonna run again,’’ she said in a recording of her speech to the QUT academic symposium on January 23, obtained by The Australian on Tuesday.

“The media don’t know that. I don’t want be there for another six years.

“The only reason I’m going to run again is to win it back for the Blak Sovereign movement and then I’m gonna hand it to the next generation.’’

Senator Thorpe said Blak Sovereign candidates could win the “bottom senate seat everywhere … we can have (the) balance of power.’’

Senator Thorpe, who earns a base salary of $233,660, told the symposium how much she hates going to work in Parliament House.

“It is a very violent workplace that I have to go to, every parliament sitting,’’ she said.

“I hate going there, I hate dealing with the people I’ve got to deal with, but I have to do it for my people and for all our ancestors that are watching down on us.’’

Senator Thorpe blamed her ancestors for her heckling of King Charles during his visit to Australia last year, when she shouted “You are not my king’’ and “f*ck the colony’’, after he addressed the Great Hall of Parliament last ­October.

“It was my ancestors that threw me out into the middle there and told that king off, it was my ancestors that done that,’’ she said.

“I am just the body, I am just the mechanism.’’

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22651843 (250907ZFEB25) Notable: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to address super summit - US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will address the inaugural Australian Super Summit in Washington this week in a diplomatic win for Australia, as the Albanese government works to leverage Sydney as the next financial services centre for the Indo-Pacific region. The super summit is part of a key diplomatic initiative by the Albanese government - nine months in the making – aimed at unlocking greater returns for Australians by developing stronger investment partnerships and opportunities in the US economy. The push by the Albanese government to unlock opportunities for super funds in the US and potentially expand investment by tens of billions of dollars comes as it ramps up the diplomatic campaign to secure an exemption from Donald Trump’s planned 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium. Jim Chalmers arrived in Washington on Sunday night, local time, and is due to hold his own meeting with Mr Bessent, where the Treasurer will raise the case for tariff exemptions, before delivering his own address to the Super Summit at the Australian embassy in Washington on Tuesday.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>>/qresearch/22551697 (pb)

>>>/qresearch/22558955 (pb)

>>>/qresearch/22638543 (pb)

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to address super summit

JOE KELLY - February 24, 2025

1/2

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will address the inaugural Australian Super Summit in Washington this week in a diplomatic win for Australia, as the Albanese government works to leverage Sydney as the next financial services centre for the Indo-Pacific region.

The super summit is part of a key diplomatic initiative by the Albanese government – nine months in the making – aimed at unlocking greater returns for Australians by developing stronger investment partnerships and opportunities in the US economy.

The push by the Albanese government to unlock opportunities for super funds in the US and potentially expand investment by tens of billions of dollars comes as it ramps up the diplomatic campaign to secure an exemption from Donald Trump’s planned 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium.

Jim Chalmers arrived in Washington on Sunday night, local time, and is due to hold his own meeting with Mr Bessent, where the Treasurer will raise the case for tariff exemptions, before delivering his own address to the Super Summit at the Australian embassy in Washington on Tuesday.

Australia has the fastest-growing pool of retirement savings in the world, with super funds increasingly looking to expand their investments in the US in a bid to deliver greater returns and diversification for members.

Anthony Albanese discussed the size of Australia’s $4 trillion pool of retirement savings with the US President in his February 10 phone call, during which Mr Trump agreed to consider Australia’s request for an exemption from the planned tariffs that are scheduled to commence from March 12.

Mr Bessent’s attendance at the summit is a positive sign Australia is engaging the Trump administration at the highest levels amid a period of heightened uncertainty as the US upends the global trading system.

Earlier this month, Mr Bessent travelled to Kyiv where he tried to secure an agreement with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky for the US to take a key share in the nation’s mineral wealth as part of the broader push for a negotiated settlement to end the hostilities in Eastern Europe.

The Super Summit will include a range of US federal and state officials, leading figures from the US investment community and the chairs and chief executives of Australia’s leading super funds. It will also feature representatives from the venture capital, private equity, infrastructure and innovation eco­systems.

The summit – sponsored by Macquarie Group – will be hosted for two days at the Australian embassy in Washington DC on February 24 and 25 before shifting to the Australian Consulate-General in New York on February 26 and 27.

Australia’s US ambassador Kevin Rudd will open the summit and moderate a discussion with Mr Bessent. Dr Chalmers is scheduled to deliver an address as well as Mr Bessent, Macquarie Group chief executive Shemara Wikramanayake and IFM Investors chair Cath Bowtell.

Dr Chalmers said the Super Summit was about delivering “stronger returns for Australians from stronger ties with the American economy”.

“Australia’s super funds are global leaders in long-term investment, and this summit strengthens their access to the best opportunities in the world’s largest economy,” he said.

“The US market offers scale, diversification and strong returns, helping Australian’s retirement savings keep working to their full potential. This is another demonstration of the ­mutual benefits in the Australia-US economic relationship.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22651858 (250914ZFEB25) Notable: Trump aide’s fresh attack on tech taxes ahead of Australian trade summit - A top Trump trade adviser has fired a fresh broadside at US allies who levy additional taxes on American tech companies, in a sign Australia’s latest plans to force social media giants to pay for news may antagonise the new administration. The comments came as Treasurer Jim Chalmers arrived in Washington for meetings with his American counterpart amid concerted efforts to convince the Trump administration to exempt Australia from planned tariffs. Peter Navarro, who encouraged tariffs on Australia during US President Donald Trump’s first term, criticised countries for targeting American technology firms with digital services taxes to prop up their own industries. “What these countries are doing is discriminating against our biggest tech companies,” Navarro told CNN. “They do it in a way [that] only applies to the very largest companies, and it’s always the American companies. “Meanwhile, they use them to promote their own national champions inside the country. Effectively, they steal our tax revenues from us. It’s just outrageous.” While Australia does not have such a tax and was not named by Navarro, analysts say the federal government’s plan to compel social media giants to fund Australian news outlets, or face a new tax, would be regarded by the White House as discriminatory. “The media bargaining code is implicitly a tax on disproportionately US-based tech companies in order to fund Australian media,” said Steven Hamilton, a former Australian Treasury official and now assistant professor of economics at George Washington University in Washington.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50716

Trump aide’s fresh attack on tech taxes ahead of Australian trade summit

Michael Koziol - February 25, 2025

1/2

Washington: A top Trump trade adviser has fired a fresh broadside at US allies who levy additional taxes on American tech companies, in a sign Australia’s latest plans to force social media giants to pay for news may antagonise the new administration.

The comments came as Treasurer Jim Chalmers arrived in Washington for meetings with his American counterpart amid concerted efforts to convince the Trump administration to exempt Australia from planned tariffs.

Peter Navarro, who encouraged tariffs on Australia during US President Donald Trump’s first term, criticised countries for targeting American technology firms with digital services taxes to prop up their own industries.

“What these countries are doing is discriminating against our biggest tech companies,” Navarro told CNN. “They do it in a way [that] only applies to the very largest companies, and it’s always the American companies.

“Meanwhile, they use them to promote their own national champions inside the country. Effectively, they steal our tax revenues from us. It’s just outrageous.”

While Australia does not have such a tax and was not named by Navarro, analysts say the federal government’s plan to compel social media giants to fund Australian news outlets, or face a new tax, would be regarded by the White House as discriminatory.

“The media bargaining code is implicitly a tax on disproportionately US-based tech companies in order to fund Australian media,” said Steven Hamilton, a former Australian Treasury official and now assistant professor of economics at George Washington University in Washington.

The latest comments from Navarro came as former Trump chief of staff Mick Mulvaney told a conference in Canberra that Australia should be concerned about Navarro’s increased influence in the administration and a Republican Party that is more protectionist than it was a decade ago.

“You’re right to worry about Peter, he’s a lot more influential now. He went to jail for the president. That counts in that White House,” Mulvaney said, referring to Navarro’s time in prison for violating a subpoena over the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol. “I always thought Peter Navarro was crazy, but that’s just me. But you’re right to worry about it.”

Chalmers was set to meet his US counterpart, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, in Washington overnight, along with the director of Trump’s National Economic Council, Kevin Hassett.

Chalmers declined to comment on the news bargaining incentive. Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones, through a spokesperson, indicated the matter was being discussed with the Americans.

“The Australian government continues to work constructively with the US government across a range of issues including the news bargaining incentive,” the spokesperson said.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22651877 (250928ZFEB25) Notable: Inside the Trump-loving gathering that wants to save ‘Austrailia’ - “Look at these crazy Australians, who let them in?” Benny Johnson joked as he took to the stage, gesturing to a rowdy group of fans up the front of the ballroom. “They’re from Australia, they escaped the concentration camps in Australia. The COVID camps. They got out, good for them … We’re going to save Australia.” Johnson, a charismatic, fast-talking media personality with 2.7 million YouTube subscribers and 3.5 million followers on X, is typical of the guests you will find at the Conservative Political Action Conference, the world’s largest gathering of its kind, held annually just outside Washington. What started in the 1970s with a keynote address by Ronald Reagan has morphed into a massive vehicle for Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again movement, and the 2025 edition was a full-blown celebration. From across the country and the world, they flocked to the massive Gaylord National Resort and Convention Centre in National Harbor to declare victory over the “woke” left and “deep state”, to pray at the altar of Trump and to plan the American revolution they have in mind for the next four years - and beyond. A contingent of up to 40 Australians was present, including mining magnate Gina Rinehart and her lieutenant, Teena McQueen, a former Liberal Party vice-president. This correspondent saw no Australian MPs, although 28-year-old Queensland farmer Lachlan Lade, who is running for the Senate, was there in a “Make Australia Great Again” cap. CPAC Australia co-founder Andrew Cooper and chairman Warren Mundine spoke on stage during the Friday morning session, in front of an electronic sign that misspelled the country’s name as “Austrailia”. The tiny but vocal crowd audience cheered as Mundine explained the defeat of the Voice referendum.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Inside the Trump-loving gathering that wants to save ‘Austrailia’

Michael Koziol - February 23, 2025

1/2

National Harbor, Maryland: “Look at these crazy Australians, who let them in?” Benny Johnson joked as he took to the stage, gesturing to a rowdy group of fans up the front of the ballroom.

“They’re from Australia, they escaped the concentration camps in Australia. The COVID camps. They got out, good for them ... We’re going to save Australia.”

Johnson, a charismatic, fast-talking media personality with 2.7 million YouTube subscribers and 3.5 million followers on X, is typical of the guests you will find at the Conservative Political Action Conference, the world’s largest gathering of its kind, held annually just outside Washington.

What started in the 1970s with a keynote address by Ronald Reagan has morphed into a massive vehicle for Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again movement, and the 2025 edition was a full-blown celebration.

From across the country and the world, they flocked to the massive Gaylord National Resort and Convention Centre in National Harbor to declare victory over the “woke” left and “deep state”, to pray at the altar of Trump and to plan the American revolution they have in mind for the next four years – and beyond.

On stage, you were just as likely to see a cabinet secretary or White House official as an alt-right podcaster or foreign dignitary. In the crowd, among the sea of Trump hats and shirts, was a woman dressed as a turquoise Statue of Liberty, a man in a MAGA Indian headdress and a Frenchman who wandered around the convention centre with a tabby cat sitting on his shoulders.

In the exhibition hall, attendees could watch breakout sessions, have their photo taken at a mock “deportation centre”, or fire a bow-and-arrow at targets marked “DEI”, “illegal immigration”, “government spending” and “forever wars”.

A contingent of up to 40 Australians was present, including mining magnate Gina Rinehart and her lieutenant, Teena McQueen, a former Liberal Party vice-president. This correspondent saw no Australian MPs, although 28-year-old Queensland farmer Lachlan Lade, who is running for the Senate, was there in a “Make Australia Great Again” cap.

CPAC Australia co-founder Andrew Cooper and chairman Warren Mundine spoke on stage during the Friday morning session, in front of an electronic sign that misspelled the country’s name as “Austrailia”. The tiny but vocal crowd audience cheered as Mundine explained the defeat of the Voice referendum.

“What we knew was that Australian people had been so beat up, had been so crushed by the wokes and the cancel culture, that they were scared about voting [No],” he said. “Within four to five months, we flipped it. We gave Australians a voice that they could stand up against this cancel culture … and we won.”

The newly confident MAGA movement wants to export itself overseas to the UK, Europe, Korea and Australia. Within these circles, Australia is best known for its strict response to the pandemic as well as new hate speech laws and the Australian government’s tendency to refuse visas to people who may be planning to utter controversial statements on Australian soil.

Many attendees regarded Australia as something verging on an island prison. “I think Australia’s reputation is permanently damaged from their COVID response,” podcaster and online personality Elijah Schaffer said. They are also critical of Australia’s attempts to legislate against hate speech.

“Nobody’s shocked. It’s just, ‘Australia, they don’t have rights there’,” said Schaffer, who has lived in Australia for periods since 2018. “While it’s not fully true, it’s the general perception: the Australian government is seen as a proto fascist police state that does not care about the rights of their own citizens.”

Schaffer made similar remarks at CPAC Australia in 2023 despite reports he was struck from the speaking list after interviewing an Australian neo-Nazi on his show.

Just as he threatens to overshadow the Trump presidency, billionaire Elon Musk stole the show on day one when he received a chainsaw from Argentina’s right-wing populist president Javier Milei and waved it around on stage.

Wearing a black MAGA cap, gold bling and dark sunglasses, Musk spoke haltingly about his political transition to the right, his plans to inspect the country’s gold deposits at Fort Knox, the war in Ukraine (which he called “the biggest graft machine I’ve ever seen in my life”) and his lack of sleep.

“My mind is a storm,” Musk said, before seguing awkwardly to his childhood. “I grew up in South Africa but my morality was informed by America. I read comic books, I played Dungeons and Dragons and I watched American TV shows. It seemed like America cared about being the good guys, about doing the right thing. That’s actually pretty unusual.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22657742 (260816ZFEB25) Notable: Sydney nurse charged over alleged antisemitic threats in online video - A Sydney nurse has been charged over an antisemitic video in which she and a male colleague allegedly threatened to kill Israeli patients and refuse them treatment. Earlier this month, Sarah Abu Lebdeh appeared alongside Ahmad Rashad Nadir in a video filmed on chat site Chatruletka and posted online by Israeli influencer Max Veifer, who described it as his “mission” to expose their antisemitic views. In the video, Abu Lebdeh had said “it’s Palestine’s country, not your country, you piece of shit” and claimed she “won’t treat” Israeli patients and would “kill them”. Ahmad Rashad Nadir, who falsely claimed he was a doctor, said he had “literally sent” Israel patients to “jahannam” (hell). Abu Lebdeh, 26, was arrested at Sutherland Police Station at about 7.30pm on Tuesday. She was charged with three offences, including threatening violence to a group, using a carriage service to threaten to kill, and using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend. NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb commended Strike Force Pearl detectives for their “exhaustive” investigation. Abu Lebdeh was granted conditional bail and is due to appear in the Downing Centre Local Court on March 19. Speaking in Hobart, Webb said Abu Lebdeh was banned from using social media and from going to a point of departure from Australia.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>>/qresearch/22569145 (pb)

>>>/qresearch/22569170 (pb)

>>>/qresearch/22604514 (pb)

Sydney nurse charged over alleged antisemitic threats in online video

Paul Karp and Lucy Slade - Feb 26, 2025

A Sydney nurse has been charged over an antisemitic video in which she and a male colleague allegedly threatened to kill Israeli patients and refuse them treatment.

Earlier this month, Sarah Abu Lebdeh appeared alongside Ahmad Rashad Nadir in a video filmed on chat site Chatruletka and posted online by Israeli influencer Max Veifer, who described it as his “mission” to expose their antisemitic views.

In the video, Abu Lebdeh had said “it’s Palestine’s country, not your country, you piece of shit” and claimed she “won’t treat” Israeli patients and would “kill them”. Ahmad Rashad Nadir, who falsely claimed he was a doctor, said he had “literally sent” Israel patients to “jahannam” (hell).

Abu Lebdeh, 26, was arrested at Sutherland Police Station at about 7.30pm on Tuesday. She was charged with three offences, including threatening violence to a group, using a carriage service to threaten to kill, and using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb commended Strike Force Pearl detectives for their “exhaustive” investigation.

“Strike Force Pearl detectives must be commended for acting swiftly under enormous pressure and public expectation,” Webb said. “These charges have been laid following a lot of hard work and legal advice, received yesterday from the Commonwealth DPP.

“Detectives have overcome obstacles and jurisdictional challenges to get where we are today. This is the fourteenth arrest under Strike Force Pearl, with a total of 76 charges laid, which demonstrates the commitment of strike force detectives investigating these offences.”

Abu Lebdeh was granted conditional bail and is due to appear in the Downing Centre Local Court on March 19.

Speaking in Hobart, Webb said Abu Lebdeh was banned from using social media and from going to a point of departure from Australia.

Asked why Abu Lebdeh was charged under Commonwealth laws, she said that “the alleged offenders were in NSW” but “the person that they engaged with was overseas and the Commonwealth law best applies to those situations”.

Asked about possible charges for Nadir, Webb said that “the matters are ongoing and there will be further charges down the track”. She confirmed he is yet to be interviewed. Nadir has admitted himself to hospital.

The two nurses have been stood down from their positions at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital in Sydney’s south-west. Both NSW Premier Chris Minns and Health Minister Ryan Park have said the nurses will be sacked.

Minns has previously condemned “a summer of rolling hatred” in which Sydney has been rocked by incidents of antisemitic graffiti, firebombings and the discovery of explosives at Dural for a possible mass casualty attack.

On Wednesday, federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton told reporters in Sydney that the video was “horrific” but he didn’t have any further comment to make about the charges because the matter was before the courts.

“I was at the Central Synagogue only last week, speaking with people from the Jewish community – they’re living in fear at the moment,” he said.

“They’re worried about when the next attack will take place. Holocaust survivors are talking about being fearful and unsafe in this country for the first time since 1945 – it’s a horrible period.”

https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affairs/sydney-nurse-charged-over-alleged-antisemitic-threats-in-online-video-20250226-p5lf88

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22657750 (260829ZFEB25) Notable: Dreyfus seeks help from Israel as Sydney nurse charged over antisemitic video - Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has sought help from Israel in the investigation of two Sydney nurses who allegedly threatened to kill Israeli patients and refuse them treatment, taking steps this week to ensure crucial video evidence will be admissible in court. Dreyfus has approached the Israeli government to ensure the evidence will comply with Australian and Israeli law after one of the Bankstown Hospital nurses was charged with threatening violence. The legal step is aimed at overcoming any doubts about the use of a video of the two nurses captured on the live chat platform Chatruletka and shared by Israeli social media influencer Max Veifer. While NSW Police have obtained the video from Veifer, the federal move aims to make sure the video evidence is supplied by the state of Israel and does not encounter any questions in court about its provenance The request was sent to Israeli justice authorities this week and was confirmed on Wednesday by the attorney-general’s office. “The attorney-general has made a request to the State of Israel seeking evidence in support of an investigation by the NSW Police force under ‘Strike Force Pearl’ relating to alleged antisemitic threats,” a spokesman said. “The request is made in accordance with our established international crime cooperation arrangements. We cannot make any further comment.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50707

>>50719

Dreyfus seeks help from Israel as Sydney nurse charged over antisemitic video

David Crowe - February 26, 2025

1/2

''Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has sought help from Israel in the investigation of two Sydney nurses who allegedly threatened to kill Israeli patients and refuse them treatment, taking steps this week to ensure crucial video evidence will be admissible in court.

Dreyfus has approached the Israeli government to ensure the evidence will comply with Australian and Israeli law after one of the Bankstown Hospital nurses was charged with threatening violence.

The legal step is aimed at overcoming any doubts about the use of a video of the two nurses captured on the live chat platform Chatruletka and shared by Israeli social media influencer Max Veifer.

While NSW Police have obtained the video from Veifer, the federal move aims to make sure the video evidence is supplied by the state of Israel and does not encounter any questions in court about its provenance

The request was sent to Israeli justice authorities this week and was confirmed on Wednesday by the attorney-general’s office

“The attorney-general has made a request to the State of Israel seeking evidence in support of an investigation by the NSW Police force under ‘Strike Force Pearl’ relating to alleged antisemitic threats,” a spokesman said.

“The request is made in accordance with our established international crime cooperation arrangements. We cannot make any further comment.”

Sarah Abu Lebdeh, 26, was on Tuesday night charged with one count each of the Commonwealth offences of threatening violence to a group, using a carriage service to threaten to kill, and using a carriage service to menace, harass and offend.

But NSW Police Strike Force Pearl detectives have been unable to speak to the second nurse, Ahmad Rashad Nadir, since he was taken to Liverpool Hospital following a concern for welfare call about 9pm on February 13, the day before police raided his Bankstown home.

Police Commissioner Karen Webb said further charges would be laid over the video once Nadir, who remains in hospital, was interviewed.

“That’s out of my control but when there’s a suitable time, he will be interviewed,” Webb said.

In the now-viral video Abu Lebdeh allegedly threatens Israeli patients and tells Veifer: “One day, your time will come, and you will die the most horrible death.”

When asked what would happen if an Israeli patient came into the hospital, Abu Lebdeh allegedly says: “I won’t treat them; I will kill them.”

Abu Lebdeh, who was arrested and charged after attending Sutherland police station with her lawyer about 7.30pm on Tuesday, was granted conditional police bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on March 19.

She is banned from using social media and is required to surrender her passport as part of her bail conditions. She is also prohibited from entering any international airport.

In the video, Nadir allegedly tells Veifer: “You have no idea how many [Israelis] came to this hospital, and I sent them to Jahannam [the Islamic equivalent of the underworld].”

Nadir and Abu Lebdeh have been stood down by NSW Health pending an internal investigation but are expected to be fired from their positions at the hospital.

Both have had their registration suspended by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of NSW, and neither can work as a nurse anywhere in Australia.

They have also been suspended by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, the national watchdog.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22657759 (260839ZFEB25) Notable: Video: Kids chant ‘Allahu Akbar’ in rally outside Sydney school after nurse charge - Dozens of schoolchildren joined in chants of “Allahu Akbar” (God is the greatest) outside a Sydney public school as tensions rose in the aftermath of police charging nurse Sarah Abu Lebdeh over an anti-Semitic video. Ms Abu Lebdeh and her colleague Ahmad Rashad Nadir, who has not been charged, allegedly threatened to kill Israeli patients and refuse to treat them. On Wednesday morning protesters at Granville Boys High School, in southwest Sydney, demanded the return to school of support officer Sheik Wesam Charkawi, who was ordered by the NSW Education Department to work from home after defending the two nurses in an Instagram post. Palestinian and Lebanese flags were waved during the protest as older men led the chants through loudhailers. Some students in uniform appeared to join the chants, while others gathered behind the school fence also joined in. The protest was organised by Teachers and School Staff for Palestine NSW, which celebrated the “spirited turnout of students, teachers, community for Sheik Wesam”. A spokesperson for the NSW Department of Education said employees had “been reminded of their duty to uphold the reputation of the department as apolitical and impartial.” “Any student who did not follow directions from staff will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.” NSW Jewish Board of Deputies vice-president David Ossip said: “These are incredibly troubling scenes. It is outrageous, scandalous and sad that children at a taxpayer-funded school were exploited as props at a divisive political rally.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50707

>>50712

>>50719

Kids chant ‘Allahu Akbar’ in rally outside Sydney school after nurse charge

STEPHEN RICE - 26 February 2025

1/2

Dozens of schoolchildren joined in chants of “Allahu Akbar” (God is the greatest) outside a Sydney public school as tensions rose in the aftermath of police charging nurse Sarah Abu Lebdeh over an anti-Semitic video.

Ms Abu Lebdeh and her colleague Ahmad Rashad Nadir, who has not been charged, allegedly threatened to kill Israeli patients and refuse to treat them.

On Wednesday morning protesters at Granville Boys High School, in southwest Sydney, demanded the return to school of support officer Sheik Wesam Charkawi, who was ordered by the NSW Education Department to work from home after defending the two nurses in an Instagram post.

Palestinian and Lebanese flags were waved during the protest as older men led the chants through loudhailers. Some students in uniform appeared to join the chants, while others gathered behind the school fence also joined in.

The protest was organised by Teachers and School Staff for Palestine NSW, which celebrated the “spirited turnout of students, teachers, community for Sheik Wesam”.

In his Instagram video, Sheik Charkawi said the nurses’ comments were “never meant to be literal or intended to be a threat to patient care” and criticised the “hypocrisy” of Anthony Albanese and NSW Health Minister Ryan Park for remaining silent “when confronted with the most egregious acts of violence committed by Israel”.

The Muslim Vote convener was ordered to take down the posts and work from home for allegedly breaching the department’s social media policy and code of ethics. Sheik Charkawi has since removed the video.

An Australian National Imams Council member, Sheik Charkawi came to public prominence after establishing The Muslim Vote campaign to take on Labor at the federal election.

On Wednesday the ANIC declared it is “deeply concerned and disappointed by the targeting of Muslim and Pro-Palestinian professionals and staff and most recently one of its own member Imams”.

“Such actions set a dangerous precedent that threatens the principles of fairness, freedom of speech and democracy in Australia.”

A spokesperson for the NSW Department of Education said employees had “been reminded of their duty to uphold the reputation of the department as apolitical and impartial.”

“Any student who did not follow directions from staff will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.”

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies vice-president David Ossip said: “These are incredibly troubling scenes. It is outrageous, scandalous and sad that children at a taxpayer-funded school were exploited as props at a divisive political rally.

“Serious questions need to be asked about how this was allowed to proceed. How were radicals allowed to stand outside the school gates and whip students into a fervour? How could any student or staff member who doesn’t share the views of the demonstrators feel safe in that environment?”

NSW Education Minister Prue Car has been asked for comment.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22657762 (260845ZFEB25) Notable: Why antisemitism has become spy chief’s No. 1 worry - The surge in antisemitism has become Australia’s number one security concern for threats to life, the nation’s spy chief has claimed. Australian Security Intelligence Organisation director-general Mike Burgess told a Senate committee that while antisemitism had long festered, he worried anti-Jewish hatred had become normalised in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel, given international protests over its military response. Synagogues have been set on fire and high-profile outbreaks of anti-Israel and anti-Jewish graffiti sprees have blighted neighbourhoods with significant Jewish populations. “We have seen a number of worrying things that were threatening and intimidating and when that goes left unchecked in society that may well create an environment where it gives violence more permission,” Burgess told estimates in response to questions from opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson. “There is also something that I am on the public record talking about. Again for me, it defies logic, that people can hold Jewish Australians to account for the actions of the Israeli state. It beggars belief that they hold state and territory and federal governments to account for the actions of another sovereign nation.” The explosion in antisemitic incidents has sparked a welter of criticism from the opposition, Jewish Australians and the Israeli government that the Albanese government moved too slowly to stamp it out.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50707

>>50709

Why antisemitism has become spy chief’s No. 1 worry

Andrew Tillett - Feb 25, 2025

The surge in antisemitism has become Australia’s number one security concern for threats to life, the nation’s spy chief has claimed.

Australian Security Intelligence Organisation director-general Mike Burgess told a Senate committee that while antisemitism had long festered, he worried anti-Jewish hatred had become normalised in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel, given international protests over its military response.

Synagogues have been set on fire and high-profile outbreaks of anti-Israel and anti-Jewish graffiti sprees have blighted neighbourhoods with significant Jewish populations.

“We have seen a number of worrying things that were threatening and intimidating and when that goes left unchecked in society that may well create an environment where it gives violence more permission,” Burgess told estimates in response to questions from opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson.

“There is also something that I am on the public record talking about. Again for me, it defies logic, that people can hold Jewish Australians to account for the actions of the Israeli state. It beggars belief that they hold state and territory and federal governments to account for the actions of another sovereign nation.

“But some people have those views and they have very strong views that might drive a small number of those to think that violence is acceptable, especially if you have got this deep-seated view that you’re antisemitic and the environment and the conditions have given antisemites an excuse to go into the open in ways which we all agree are unacceptable.”

The explosion in antisemitic incidents has sparked a welter of criticism from the opposition, Jewish Australians and the Israeli government that the Albanese government moved too slowly to stamp it out.

Federal Police have established a taskforce to investigate antisemitic crimes while the government buckled to the Coalition’s demands for mandatory minimum sentences in new hate crimes laws passed earlier this month.

Burgess said there were no indications antisemitism had plateaued but hoped a strong police response would see a reduction.

“In terms of threats to life, it’s my agency’s number one priority because of the weight of incidents we’re seeing play out in this country,” Burgess said.

Paterson asked when ASIO would have ever said a form of racism was the number one security concern.

“I don’t believe we have done that in our history. It is the volume of incidents we are dealing with,” Burgess said.

The spy chief said he did not believe the wave of antisemitism was being driven by one foreign actor but was keeping an open mind that foreign interference was involved.

https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/why-antisemitism-has-become-spy-chief-s-no-1-worry-20250225-p5lf40

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22657775 (260909ZFEB25) Notable: Video: Captain Cook vandals ‘are criminals, not protesters’ - Police are investigating an ­attempt to decapitate a Captain Cook statue in East Melbourne, saying those responsible will be treated as “criminals, not ­protesters”. Police said a security patrol alerted officers to three people ­attempting to sever the head of the statue and using red paint on Captain Cook’s cottage in Fitzroy Gardens about 2am on Tuesday. The statue was reinstalled just over two weeks ago after it was cut off at its feet in a similar protest in February last year, with the repairs costing $13,000. The City of Port Phillip also ­repaired a Captain Cook statue in St Kilda last year, after it was toppled in the lead up to January 26. Detective Inspector Martin McLean said the force did not view the act as a protest and said offenders will be caught if they don’t hand themselves in. “The community has a pretty dim view on people who behave in this manner,” he said. “I don’t see them as protesters, I see them as criminals and that’s how we’ll deal with them.” He said there had been a strong security presence at the sites given the number of similar acts in recent years, with new security measures being installed at Fitzroy Gardens. “It’s clearly a targeted attack,” he said. CCTV footage shows three hooded figures using what police believe is an angle grinder in an ­attempt to cut the head off the statue before fleeing. The statue was left with slash marks on its neck. The graffiti, which police described as “anti-Cook comments”, was removed swiftly by the council on Tuesday morning.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>>/qresearch/22427841 (pb)

>>>/qresearch/22427866 (pb)

>>>/qresearch/22427961 (pb)

Captain Cook vandals ‘are criminals, not protesters’

AMELIA SWAN - February 25, 2025

Police are investigating an ­attempt to decapitate a Captain Cook statue in East Melbourne, saying those responsible will be treated as “criminals, not ­protesters”.

Police said a security patrol alerted officers to three people ­attempting to sever the head of the statue and using red paint on Captain Cook’s cottage in Fitzroy Gardens about 2am on Tuesday.

The statue was reinstalled just over two weeks ago after it was cut off at its feet in a similar protest in February last year, with the repairs costing $13,000.

The City of Port Phillip also ­repaired a Captain Cook statue in St Kilda last year, after it was toppled in the lead up to January 26.

Detective Inspector Martin McLean said the force did not view the act as a protest and said offenders will be caught if they don’t hand themselves in.

“The community has a pretty dim view on people who behave in this manner,” he said. “I don’t see them as protesters, I see them as criminals and that’s how we’ll deal with them.”

He said there had been a strong security presence at the sites given the number of similar acts in recent years, with new security measures being installed at Fitzroy Gardens. “It’s clearly a targeted attack,” he said.

CCTV footage shows three hooded figures using what police believe is an angle grinder in an ­attempt to cut the head off the statue before fleeing.

The statue was left with slash marks on its neck. The graffiti, which police described as “anti-Cook comments”, was removed swiftly by the council on Tuesday morning.

“I don’t believe they had enough time to be successful,” ­Inspector McLean said. “They come back at their own peril.”

The council condemned the act, saying taxpayers were the ones who ended up paying for the repairs.

“While there are a range of views on statues and memorials, each time a monument is damaged, it’s ultimately the ratepayer footing the bill,” lord mayor Nicholas Reece said.

The protest follows a similar act in Ballarat in January, where the heads from statues of Paul Keating and Kevin Rudd were severed and stolen.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/captain-cook-vandals-are-criminals-not-protesters/news-story/dde9ef43f1669ffaf3cc2e806d696099

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22657800 (260933ZFEB25) Notable: Video: US treasury chief says tariffs are needed to rebuild America - US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has defended tariffs at the Australian embassy in Washington as a crucial tool to reindustrialise America, generate government revenue and bring about a broad economic rebalancing to strengthen US economic security. After giving the keynote speech at the inaugural Australian Super Summit, Mr Bessent washed his hands of any final decision over whether Canberra would be granted an exemption from Donald Trump’s proposed 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium - due to begin from March 12. “We’ll know more about that from USTR (the United States Trade Representative) and Commerce (Secretary),” he said leaving the building. “It’s not really a Treasury issue.” During his remarks, Mr Bessent sketched out the Trump Administration’s expectations for American allies to contribute more towards collective security arrangements and restructure their economies to reduce any imbalances that hollowed out vital US industries. He acknowledged that, on trade, there was “very little friction between the US and Australia” but made clear the Trump Administration was pushing ahead with its reciprocal tariff agenda from early April. He said that on April 2 the Commerce Department and USTR were “going to issue an expansive report” looking at the full spectrum of trade barriers. This would include a thorough examination of tariffs levied against the US as well as the use of non-tariff trade barriers, currency manipulation and fines - including those targeting US digital and tech companies.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50716

>>50725

US treasury chief says tariffs are needed to rebuild America

JOE KELLY - 26 February 2025

1/2

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has defended tariffs at the Australian embassy in Washington as a crucial tool to reindustrialise America, generate government revenue and bring about a broad economic rebalancing to strengthen US economic security.

After giving the keynote speech at the inaugural Australian Super Summit, Mr Bessent washed his hands of any final decision over whether Canberra would be granted an exemption from Donald Trump’s proposed 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium – due to begin from March 12.

“We’ll know more about that from USTR (the United States Trade Representative) and Commerce (Secretary),” he said leaving the building. “It’s not really a Treasury issue.”

During his remarks, Mr Bessent sketched out the Trump Administration’s expectations for American allies to contribute more towards collective security arrangements and restructure their economies to reduce any imbalances that hollowed out vital US industries.

He acknowledged that, on trade, there was “very little friction between the US and Australia” but made clear the Trump Administration was pushing ahead with its reciprocal tariff agenda from early April.

He said that on April 2 the Commerce Department and USTR were “going to issue an expansive report” looking at the full spectrum of trade barriers.

This would include a thorough examination of tariffs levied against the US as well as the use of non-tariff trade barriers, currency manipulation and fines – including those targeting US digital and tech companies.

Domestic industrial production priority

Mr Bessent said the Covid-19 pandemic and Ukraine conflict had triggered a supply chain crisis exposing the urgent need to “prioritise domestic industrial production at scale” – with tariffs playing a central role in achieving this objective.

The US Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, was expected to address the Super Summit on Tuesday night local time as the Albanese government hopes to leverage the prospect of tens of billions in extra investment from Australian super funds being funnelled into the US economy as part of its diplomatic drive to obtain the tariff exemption.

Jim Chalmers, who met Mr Bessent and US ­National Economic Council ­director Kevin Hassett on Tuesday morning local time, said it was “clear to us before the meeting, during the meeting and after the meeting that this call will be made by President Trump on the advice of senior figures in his administration”.

He was “able to continue but not conclude the discussions” over tariff exemptions.

“I was able to make the case for Australia,” the Treasurer said.

“When it comes to the exemption that we seek from tariffs on steel and aluminium, Australia has a different case to make than other countries.”

“The Americans run a very substantial trade surplus with Australia … That trade surplus is 2 to 1. At the same time, Australia’s got a free floating currency. We don’t manipulate our currency,” Dr Chalmers said.

“We’ve got a very productive relationship between the steel and aluminium sectors in both countries. Our products are often an input into domestic production here.”

The Treasurer said Australia was a “very willing and longstanding defence partner” while the economic relationship was “full of mutual benefits, shared interests and big opportunities”.

Asked whether the US was still as reliable an economic and strategic partner as in the past, he replied: “I’ve got no reason to believe otherwise.”

On superannuation, Dr Chalmers said it was a “public policy miracle” that Australia had amassed the “fourth biggest pool of pension funds”, with more than a trillion in funds soon to be invested in the American economy.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22663947 (270807ZFEB25) Notable: Payman sorry for attending pro-Iran event as more details emerge - Independent Senator Fatima Payman has apologised for attending a pro-Iran “propaganda” event after copping heavy backlash, declaring her comments at the event did not reflect the “realities” of women who suffered violence at the hands of the hardline Islamist regime. In a statement, the former Labor Senator said she acknowledged that the Iranian community was not homogenous, adding that individuals had different lived experiences. Senator Payman had taken part in an interview with Press TV at the gathering, which is a state-backed media organisation that was sanctioned by the Australian government last year after broadcasting the forced confessions of Iranians detained and tried under politically motivated judicial procedures. On Thursday, she conceded to not having any knowledge of Press TV and their political affiliations. “At the event, I listened to Australian-Iranian women share their personal experiences, describing life in Iran in positive terms,” Senator Payman said. “However, I recognise that my comments (with Press TV) did not reflect the realities of women who have suffered violence, brutality, and severe human rights abuses. My intention was never to downplay or minimise their pain. If my words caused hurt, I sincerely apologise. I have consistently condemned injustices and human rights abuses, both in Parliament and at public events, including the deaths of Mahsa Amini and Zomi Frankcom.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50707

>>50710

>>50711

Women treated better in Iran than in the West, Sydney pro-Iran ‘propaganda’ event hears

MOHAMMAD ALFARES - 27 February 2025

1/2

Independent Senator Fatima Payman has apologised for attending a pro-Iran “propaganda” event after copping heavy backlash, declaring her comments at the event did not reflect the “realities” of women who suffered violence at the hands of the hardline Islamist regime.

The apology comes after The Australian revealed Senator Payman had encouraged Australian-Iranians sympathetic to the regime in Tehran to “lobby” politicians about Western propaganda on women’s rights.

In a statement on Thursday, the former Labor Senator said she acknowledged that the Iranian community was not homogenous, adding that individuals had different lived experiences.

Senator Payman had taken part in an interview with Press TV at the gathering, which is a state-backed media organisation that was sanctioned by the Australian government last year after broadcasting the forced confessions of Iranians detained and tried under politically motivated judicial procedures.

On Thursday, she conceded to not having any knowledge of Press TV and their political affiliations.

“At the event, I listened to Australian-Iranian women share their personal experiences, describing life in Iran in positive terms,” Senator Payman said.

“However, I recognise that my comments (with Press TV) did not reflect the realities of women who have suffered violence, brutality, and severe human rights abuses.

“My intention was never to downplay or minimise their pain. If my words caused hurt, I sincerely apologise.

“I have consistently condemned injustices and human rights abuses, both in Parliament and at public events, including the deaths of Mahsa Amini and Zomi Frankcom.”

The apology comes after the founder of a peak Islamic body, who spoke at the event in Sydney, declared that Jews were being killed for “American expansionism.”

Founder of the Islamic Friendship Association of Australia Keysar Trad, who in 2017 came under fire for saying said men should only hit women as a “last resort”, described the gathering as constructive and praised Iran’s regime for its treatment of women.

Speaking with The Australian, Mr Trad said the event was meaningful, adding it was important to keep hosting events that offered a “different” perspective to that of Western democracies.

Mr Trad, the former CEO of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, claimed women’s rights in Gaza were not being spoken of, telling the crowd women and men were being “raped and tortured” in Israeli prisons.

“I raised a number of issues that take priority in relation to women. For example, the large number of women that were killed in Gaza. Or those who were in Israeli prison who get raped and tortured... We even have stories of Palestinian men getting raped inside the Israeli prisons. The rapists were treated like heroes,” Mr Trad said.

“Israel is, in fact, an American military base, and Jews are getting killed for the sake of American expansionism and imperial designs.

“The sooner the Jewish people realise that, the sooner they’ll be able to pay more of their lives, perhaps, to the Palestinian people, the Palestinian people who welcomed them.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22677028 (010015ZMAR25) Notable: Sheikh Wesam Charkawi returns to Granville Boys High after student protest - School support officer and The Muslim Vote founder Wesam Charkawi, who was ordered to work from home after defending two nurses who allegedly threatened to kill Israeli patients and refuse to treat them, has been “cleared by the department to return” to work. It followed a protest at Granville Boys High School, where students and staff demanded the return of Sheik Charkawi, who was ordered by the NSW Education Department to work from home following his response to the now-viral video of the two nurses. The NSW Department of Education said in a statement that it had “counselled” Sheik Charkawi over his actions and “reminded of his obligations as a department employee”. In an Instagram video posted on February 16, Sheik Charkawi said the nurses’ comments were “never meant to be ­literal or intended to be a threat to patient care” and criticised the “hypocrisy” of Anthony Albanese and NSW Health Minister Ryan Park for remaining silent “when confronted with the most egregious acts of violence committed by Israel”. The NSW Education Department told The Australian Sheik Charkawi’s Instagram post supporting the nurses had been taken down, but on Thursday it reappeared on the Instagram page Unseat Jason Clare, an account run by Sheik Charkawi and targeting the minister in the traditionally safe Labor seat. The Instagram page Teacher for Palestine NSW, wrote: “Sheikh Wesam Charkawi has been reinstated!!!! Huge protest win!!! We can defeat repression. Palestine will be free from the river to the sea”. Some members of Teachers for Palestine attended the rally at Granville.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50707

>>50712

>>50722

Sheikh Wesam Charkawi returns to Granville Boys High after student protest

JOANNA PANAGOPOULOS - February 28, 2025

School support officer and The Muslim Vote founder Wesam Charkawi, who was ordered to work from home after defending two nurses who allegedly threatened to kill Israeli patients and refuse to treat them, has been “cleared by the department to return” to work.

It followed a protest at Granville Boys High School, where students and staff demanded the return of Sheik Charkawi, who was ordered by the NSW Education Department to work from home following his response to the now-viral video of the two nurses.

The NSW Department of Education said in a statement on Friday morning that it had “counselled” Sheik Charkawi over his actions and “reminded of his obligations as a department employee”.

One of the nurses in the anti-Semitic video Sarah Abu Lebdeh has been charged with three offences including threaten violence to a group and use carriage service to threaten to kill. Her colleague Ahmad Rashad Nadir has not been charged.

In an Instagram video posted on February 16, Sheik Charkawi said the nurses’ comments were “never meant to be ­literal or intended to be a threat to patient care” and criticised the “hypocrisy” of Anthony Albanese and NSW Health Minister Ryan Park for remaining silent “when confronted with the most egregious acts of violence committed by Israel”.

He also criticised “selective outrage”, saying “We refuse to accept a political and media landscape where Muslims are only visible when are being condemned, but invisible when they are being killed”.

The Muslim Vote convener was ordered to take down the posts and work from home for allegedly breaching the department’s social media policy and code of ethics.

The NSW Education Department told The Australian Sheik Charkawi’s Instagram post supporting the nurses had been taken down, but on Thursday it reappeared on the Instagram page Unseat Jason Clare, an account run by Sheik Charkawi and targeting the minister in the traditionally safe Labor seat.

In a statement on Friday morning, the Department of Education said: “Following meetings with senior officials, Mr Charkawi has been cleared by the department to return to work as a school learning support officer.”

“He has been counselled over his actions and reminded of his obligations as a department employee. Mr Charkawi has removed the social media video and agreed to adhere to the Code of Ethics and Conduct.”

Section 5.13 of the Code of Ethics and Conduct notes that employees are able to participate in public debate on political or social issues, but must not act in a way that casts doubt on their ability or the ability of the department to act impartially, apolitically and professionally.

Charkawi’s lawyer, Majed Kheir, has previously said his client did not breach the department’s social media policy.

“Our feeling was that there’s a level of ambiguity and uncertainty in what is required of public servants and that the department has capitalised upon that level of ambiguity and uncertainty to place pressure on the sheikh to remain silent in this instance,” Mr Kheir told The Guardian.

The Instagram page Teacher for Palestine NSW, wrote: “Sheikh Wesam Charkawi has been reinstated!!!! Huge protest win!!! We can defeat repression. Palestine will be free from the river to the sea”. Some members of Teachers for Palestine attended the rally at Granville.

In the caption, the group wrote: “The very strong response from the community has put pressure on the government to back off and reinstate him. This is how we fight the anti-Palestine witch hunts”.

On Thursday, senior NSW Education Department officials addressed students at Granville Boys High School, warning they would be reviewing video footage from the protest. Anyone found to have flouted directions from school staff would be subject to disciplinary action, the students were told.

The Department issued comments by Acting Principal Maina Ram, where she said on Thursday afternoon, without making mention of the Sheikh’s reinstatement.

“Students are here to learn and the expectation is that they behave in an appropriate manner,” Acting Principal Ram said.

“This school has worked tirelessly over the past decade to be a leading educational facility in the region and the boys here understand that yesterday went too far.”

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/sheikh-wesam-charkawi-reinstated-to-granville-boys-high-after-student-protest/news-story/b0a785d8b568efb352262796a2c82415

https://www.instagram.com/teachers4palestine_nsw/p/DGkVPz-TQcX/

https://www.instagram.com/unseatjasonclare

https://unseatjasonclare.com/

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22680085 (011123ZMAR25) Notable: ‘Standing up to a bully’: Australia reaffirms Ukraine support - Australia says it will continue to support Ukraine against Russia “who has acted like a bully” but refuses to comment on the tense scenes between the American and Ukraine leaders. During a fiery conference in front of the world’s media the Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump exchanged barbs at each other after the two men came together peace in Eastern Europe. Back home in Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese refused to directly answer reporters’ questions about the confrontation between the two leaders. When asked if JD Vance and Mr Trump were bullying Mr Zelensky, Mr Albanese simply said he would stick up for Australia. “What we will do is stand up for Australia’s national interest and Australia has an interest in the international rule of law being upheld, and that is what the people of Ukraine are fighting for,” the Prime Minister said. During the press conference, the Prime Minister was forced to defend our relations with both the US and Ukraine. “What we will do is determine Australia’s position and Australia stand with Ukraine, and there are many of course in the Ukrainian community here as well that I have engaged with for a long period of time now, they are going through, including people who have fled the conflict, the people of Ukraine have suffered greatly in defence of their nation,” he said. “Russia has acted like a bully, a big country seeking to invade and to take over territory from another sovereign nation in this case, Ukraine,” he said. “And like the rest of, overwhelmingly, countries around the world, we have stood with Ukraine and we will continue to do so.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50729

‘Standing up to a bully’: Australia reaffirms Ukraine support

CAMERON MICALLEF - 1 March 2025

Australia says it will continue to support Ukraine against Russia “who has acted like a bully” but refuses to comment on the tense scenes between the American and Ukraine leaders.

During a fiery conference in front of the world’s media the Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump exchanged barbs at each other after the two men came together peace in Eastern Europe.

Back home in Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese refused to directly answer reporters’ questions about the confrontation between the two leaders.

When asked if JD Vance and Mr Trump were bullying Mr Zelensky, Mr Albanese simply said he would stick up for Australia.

“What we will do is stand up for Australia’s national interest and Australia has an interest in the international rule of law being upheld, and that is what the people of Ukraine are fighting for,” the Prime Minister said.

During the press conference in Marrickville which was supposed to be about the Albanese government freezing the indexation on beer taxes for two years, the Prime Minister was forced to defend our relations with both the US and Ukraine.

“What we will do is determine Australia’s position and Australia stand with Ukraine, and there are many of course in the Ukrainian community here as well that I have engaged with for a long period of time now, they are going through, including people who have fled the conflict, the people of Ukraine have suffered greatly in defence of their nation,” he said.

“Russia has acted like a bully, a big country seeking to invade and to take over territory from another sovereign nation in this case, Ukraine,” he said.

“And like the rest of, overwhelmingly, countries around the world, we have stood with Ukraine and we will continue to do so.”

The call from Australia’s Prime Minister comes as Mr Trump ordered Mr Zelensky and his team to leave the White House on Friday night (US time) telling the Ukraine President he was “not ready” for peace with Russia.

In an incredible verbal scene between the two leaders in front of the world’s media, the US President said Zelensky was being “disrespectful”, warning the Ukrainian leader he is gambling with World War Three.

The two leaders continued to speak over each other with Mr Trump saying Mr Zelensky is in no position to dictate terms.

Mr Trump posted on social media: “He can come back when he is ready for peace.”

The argument between the two leaders is a huge blow to Mr Trump’s election promise to broker a peace settlement to end the war in Eastern Europe.

The White House cancelled a planned joint press conference scheduled for later in the day.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-news/standing-up-to-a-bully-australia-reaffirms-ukraine-support/news-story/6295b037d352cafed5fdbeab5bd5bdb5

https://x.com/AlboMP/status/1895648078801334654

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22685517 (020749ZMAR25) Notable: Defending Ukraine is in Australia’s national interest: Albanese - Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has linked Ukraine’s war against Russia directly to upholding the rule of international law and Australia’s national interest while leaving the door open to providing more financial and military support to the war-torn nation. Amid the global fallout from the extraordinary heated argument in the White House between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump, Albanese described Zelensky as a hero leading a brave and courageous nation. The Oval Office argument turned into a lecture as Trump and his Vice-President J.D Vance berated Zelensky, who Trump accused of “gambling with World War Three” and of not wanting an end to the conflict that has killed at least 43,000 Ukrainians and an estimated 100,000 Russian soldiers. Albanese, campaigning in western Sydney on Sunday, said the survival of Ukraine from Russia’s aggression was important both to the entire international order and to Australia. “They have shown great bravery, and President Zelensky has shown leadership. He has provided leadership at an extraordinarily difficult time,” he said. “Ukraine is defending its national sovereignty, but it’s also defending the international rule of law, and that is why Australia has a national interest in providing support.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50729

>>50730

>>50731

Defending Ukraine is in Australia’s national interest: Albanese

Shane Wright - March 2, 2025

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has linked Ukraine’s war against Russia directly to upholding the rule of international law and Australia’s national interest while leaving the door open to providing more financial and military support to the war-torn nation.

Amid the global fallout from the extraordinary heated argument in the White House between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump, Albanese described Zelensky as a hero leading a brave and courageous nation.

The Oval Office argument turned into a lecture as Trump and his Vice-President J.D Vance berated Zelensky, who Trump accused of “gambling with World War Three” and of not wanting an end to the conflict that has killed at least 43,000 Ukrainians and an estimated 100,000 Russian soldiers.

Albanese, campaigning in western Sydney on Sunday, said the survival of Ukraine from Russia’s aggression was important both to the entire international order and to Australia.

“They have shown great bravery, and President Zelensky has shown leadership. He has provided leadership at an extraordinarily difficult time,” he said.

“Ukraine is defending its national sovereignty, but it’s also defending the international rule of law, and that is why Australia has a national interest in providing support.”

One of the reasons behind Trump’s argument with Zelensky is the cost of the ongoing war. Trump claims America has delivered $US350 billion in support while most independent analysts put it at closer to $US120 billion.

At the weekend, the British government announced a £2.26 billion ($4.6 billion) bilateral loan agreement with Ukraine, with the money coming from Russian assets frozen by Britain soon after the start of the war.

Albanese said Australia had so far provided $1.5 billion in support, of which $1.3 billion was for military and defence resources.

He signalled more could be provided.

“We examine support on an ongoing basis,” he said.

During the White House meeting, Vance – who has never visited Ukraine – accused Zelensky of using visiting international leaders as part of a “propaganda” campaign to win support for his country. The accusation of propaganda trips has been used extensively by Russian media since the war began.

Albanese, who visited the devastated Ukraine towns of Bucha and Irpin soon after his election in 2022, defended the trip.

“I was welcomed there by President Zelensky. I regarded it as an honour to represent Australia during that visit,” he said.

The Coalition’s home affairs spokesman, James Paterson, said despite the “spectacular theatre” of the White House argument, America would play an important role in securing a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.

“It’s very hard to see how peace can be durable if there isn’t American leadership, if there isn’t an American security guarantee,” he told the ABC.

“That does seem to be something that is part of the negotiations between Zelensky and Trump, and we’re all hopeful that that is able to be achieved.”

Shadow defence spokesman Andrew Hastie said the White House incident highlighted the change in America’s approach to diplomatic relations.

“I think what we saw yesterday in the Oval Office is a very different US approach to security and trade. I think President Trump is rebalancing the terms of trade and security, and that has implications for Australia,” he told Sky News.

“We need to demonstrate a strong hand. President Trump studies your cards very closely, and I think he wants to know that his allies have a strong hand.”

https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/defending-ukraine-is-in-australia-s-national-interest-albanese-20250302-p5lg8x.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22685574 (020813ZMAR25) Notable: Tariff carve-out risk rises as Trump trade adviser slams Australia - Donald Trump’s trade adviser Peter Navarro has accused Australia of dumping subsidised, below-cost aluminium into the United States and drawn comparisons to the behaviour of Russia and China, amid rising concern the Albanese government will fail to secure an exemption from tariffs. Just days after Treasurer Jim Chalmers visited Washington to plead the government’s case for a carve-out from 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium, the staunch protectionist whose goal is to bolster American manufacturing said ending country-specific exemptions “sends a clear message”. “The era of unchecked imports undermining American industry is over. The United States will no longer be a dumping ground for heavily subsidised and unfairly traded aluminum,” he wrote in the USA Today article that was later shared by the White House. Navarro went on to claim it was not “just strategic competitors like China and Russia” that had exploited exemptions. “Nations considered US allies also have been a big part of the problem,” he said. “Consider Australia. Its heavily subsidised smelters operate below cost, giving them an unfair dumping advantage, while Australia’s close ties to China further distort global aluminum trade.” In the piece, Navarro said “voluntary restraint agreements” made by the former Coalition government after it won an exemption from tariffs in Trump’s first term initially kept exports in check. But they surged during the Biden term, he said.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50716

>>50717

Tariff carve-out risk rises as Trump trade adviser slams Australia

Ronald Mizen - Mar 2, 2025

Donald Trump’s trade adviser Peter Navarro has accused Australia of dumping subsidised, below-cost aluminium into the United States and drawn comparisons to the behaviour of Russia and China, amid rising concern the Albanese government will fail to secure an exemption from tariffs.

Just days after Treasurer Jim Chalmers visited Washington to plead the government’s case for a carve-out from 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium, the staunch protectionist whose goal is to bolster American manufacturing said ending country-specific exemptions “sends a clear message”.

“The era of unchecked imports undermining American industry is over. The United States will no longer be a dumping ground for heavily subsidised and unfairly traded aluminum,” he wrote in the USA Today article that was later shared by the White House.

Navarro went on to claim it was not “just strategic competitors like China and Russia” that had exploited exemptions.

“Nations considered US allies also have been a big part of the problem,” he said. “Consider Australia. Its heavily subsidised smelters operate below cost, giving them an unfair dumping advantage, while Australia’s close ties to China further distort global aluminum trade.”

In the piece, Navarro said “voluntary restraint agreements” made by the former Coalition government after it won an exemption from tariffs in Trump’s first term initially kept exports in check. But they surged during the Biden term, he said.

As The Australian Financial Review revealed last month, the lift in aluminium exports to the US began in 2022 after Russia was hit with 35 per cent tariffs on the commodity following the illegal invasion of Ukraine. The Biden administration welcomed the alternative source of supply.

“In 2024, Australian capacity utilisation hit 90 per cent even as American capacity utilisation plummeted to nearly 50 per cent,” Navarro wrote.

The opinion piece included a link to news reports of the government’s recent $2 billion support package to help Australia’s four aluminium smelters move to more renewable electricity to bolster green steel.

Alcoa has also received hundreds of millions in bailouts from the Victorian and federal governments over recent decades. In 2017, it received $230 million from both governments to stay open until 2021. Then, in late 2020, it received a further commitment of up to $150 million.

Navarro noted that Alcoa and Rio Tinto, which dominate both Canadian and Australian aluminum markets, have strategically shifted exports to the US for “the two countries to maximise profits”. He then said that Rio Tinto’s biggest shareholder was China. The state-owned Chinalco owns 10.3 per cent of the miner.

Before the Ukraine war, Russia was the third-biggest supplier of aluminium to the US after Canada and Mexico.

The US imported $US673 million ($1.07 billion) of Russian aluminium products in 2022, but sales plummeted to $US50.8 million ($80.8 million) in 2023 and just $US2.32 million ($3.7 million) last year, according to the United Nations’ COMTRADE database on international trade. In contrast, Australian exported $US600 million worth to the US in 2023.

‘No illusions it will be hard’

Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Sunday played down the prospect of Australia getting an exemption following a meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington last week.

“We’re under no illusions it will be hard,” Chalmers told Sky News. “I think, as Penny Wong has pointed out before, this is a big hill to climb. It will be harder this time than last time.

“But I was really grateful to Secretary Bessent and also [director of Trump’s National Economic Council Kevin] Hassett for making the time for us to run through the arguments for an Australian exemption.

“I was able to make the case, and our case is compelling when it comes to why Australia is different than some of the other countries.”

Chalmers said he told his counterparts that the US had a trade surplus with Australia, while local superannuation funds have hundreds of billions of dollars of investment flowing into their states.

“We’ve got a lot to offer. This is a relationship of mutual economic benefit.”

https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/tariff-carve-out-risk-rises-as-trump-trade-adviser-slams-australia-20250302-p5lg7w

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22685587 (020822ZMAR25) Notable: Opinion: Trump tariffs will save American jobs and level the playing field - "In 2018, President Donald Trump implemented Section 232 tariffs on aluminum and steel to protect American producers from a flood of unfairly priced imports threatening our national security. The impact of the Trump tariffs was immediate: Century Aluminum, America’s largest producer, restarted idle production lines; Alcoa expanded operations; U.S. aluminum production surged; and a key industry undergirding our national security was reborn. Enter President Joe Biden: He handed out a complex web of exemptions for other countries and alternative trade arrangements that severely weakened the effectiveness of the Trump tariffs. Predictably, imports once again surged, and by 2024, U.S. aluminum capacity utilization had plummeted to a dangerous 52%, with smelters shutting down and American jobs disappearing. Now, President Trump is taking bold action once again. He has raised the aluminum tariff from 10% to 25% while eliminating all country-specific exemptions. This decisive move sends a clear message: The era of unchecked imports undermining American industry is over. The United States will no longer be a dumping ground for heavily subsidized and unfairly traded aluminum. Predictably, foreign nations are complaining about the new Trump aluminum tariffs. Yet, history needs to be our guide because every one of the countries that benefitted from exemptions or alternatives to the tariff abused the privileges America granted them. Consider Australia. Its heavily subsidized smelters operate below cost, giving them an unfair dumping advantage, while Australia’s close ties to China further distort global aluminum trade. Initially, voluntary restraint agreements in lieu of the Trump tariff kept Australian exports in check. However, once Biden took office, exports surged. In 2024, Australian capacity utilization hit 90% even as American capacity utilization plummeted to nearly 50%. President Trump is now writing a new story for the United States. With one stroke of Trump's pen, the Biden era of idled smelters and declining capacity utilization will come to an end as a golden age of American aluminum production regains its rightful place as a pillar of national security and economic strength. This is far more than a trade battle. It’s a fight for the survival of an essential American industry." - Peter Navarro, White House senior counselor for trade and manufacturing - usatoday.com

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50716

>>50717

>>50734

Opinion: Trump tariffs will save American jobs and level the playing field

President Donald Trump's tariffs on aluminum imports is about far more than a trade battle. It's a fight for the survival of an essential American industry.

Peter Navarro, Opinion contributor - Feb. 28, 2025

1/2

In 2018, President Donald Trump implemented Section 232 tariffs on aluminum and steel to protect American producers from a flood of unfairly priced imports threatening our national security.

The impact of the Trump tariffs was immediate: Century Aluminum, America’s largest producer, restarted idle production lines; Alcoa expanded operations; U.S. aluminum production surged; and a key industry undergirding our national security was reborn.

Enter President Joe Biden: He handed out a complex web of exemptions for other countries and alternative trade arrangements that severely weakened the effectiveness of the Trump tariffs. Predictably, imports once again surged, and by 2024, U.S. aluminum capacity utilization had plummeted to a dangerous 52%, with smelters shutting down and American jobs disappearing.

Now, President Trump is taking bold action once again. He has raised the aluminum tariff from 10% to 25% while eliminating all country-specific exemptions.

This decisive move sends a clear message: The era of unchecked imports undermining American industry is over. The United States will no longer be a dumping ground for heavily subsidized and unfairly traded aluminum.

Predictably, foreign nations are complaining about the new Trump aluminum tariffs. Yet, history needs to be our guide because every one of the countries that benefitted from exemptions or alternatives to the tariff abused the privileges America granted them.

Imports from US allies have flooded American market

It’s not just strategic competitors like China and Russia that have exploited exemptions and loopholes and flooded the U.S. aluminum market. Nations considered U.S. allies also have been a big part of the problem.

Consider Australia. Its heavily subsidized smelters operate below cost, giving them an unfair dumping advantage, while Australia’s close ties to China further distort global aluminum trade.

Initially, voluntary restraint agreements in lieu of the Trump tariff kept Australian exports in check. However, once Biden took office, exports surged. In 2024, Australian capacity utilization hit 90% even as American capacity utilization plummeted to nearly 50%.

As for Canada, with a massive overcapacity of more than 3.3 million metric tons, Canada has historically exported the bulk of its aluminum to the United States.

The consequences of Canada’s cascade of aluminum have been severe: Alcoa was forced to idle its Intalco smelter in Washington state, and other U.S. smelters have struggled to remain profitable – even as the Canadian arm of Alcoa has prospered.

Meanwhile, Alcoa and Rio Tinto, which dominate both Canadian and Australian aluminum markets, have strategically shifted exports to the United States between the two countries to maximize profits. (China is the largest Rio Tinto shareholder.)

While Australia and Canada represent frontal assaults on our aluminum markets, Mexico does not have a primary aluminum industry of its own. Yet it has become a critical entry, transshipment and tariff evasion point for foreign aluminum producers looking to bypass U.S. trade restrictions.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22685602 (020828ZMAR25) Notable: Jewish, Hindu and Iranian groups call out Labor hypocrisy - A collection of grassroots minority groups have banded together to call out Labor’s lack of action over rising anti-Semitism and racism ahead of the federal election through a new advertising campaign. The Minority Impact Coalition - a collaboration between the Queensland Jewish Collective, Iranian Novin Party and Hindus of Australia – launched the project last week, which will target Labor-held Sydney, Melbourne and southeast Queensland. The campaign urges Australian voters not to be “fooled” by Labor, with the group claiming the government is “playing both sides” of politics by calling out social division while also preferencing the Greens, who are stoking anti-Semitism. While the federal election has not been called, the ad series will be displayed on billboards, trucks and social media in the coming weeks. Community members feature in several advertisements, including Sydney midwife Sharon Stoliar, who has previously spoken about anti-Semitism in the healthcare system. MIC spokeswoman Hava Mendelle said there has been a “massive breakdown” in social cohesion across the country under Labor, which needs to be called out. “We were called the lucky country once,” she said. “It doesn’t feel so lucky any more.” Ms Mendelle, a Jewish first-generation Australian, said she no longer recognises the country she grew up in. “Politicians aren’t doing enough to really ensure that we are cohesive and that we are a community,” she said. “That’s what Australia Day is about. Instead, you’ve got people out there who are saying, ‘death to Australia’. Are you kidding me? People have come here because they want a better life; that’s the Australian dream. “The Greens have been at the forefront of this anti-Australia rhetoric and Labor is just sitting idly by on their hands not doing anything. Call out the Greens, preference them last.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50708

Jewish, Hindu and Iranian groups call out Labor hypocrisy

MACKENZIE SCOTT - 2 March 2025

A collection of grassroots minority groups have banded together to call out Labor’s lack of action over rising anti-Semitism and racism ahead of the federal election through a new advertising campaign.

The Minority Impact Coalition – a collaboration between the Queensland Jewish Collective, Iranian Novin Party and Hindus of Australia – launched the project last week, which will target Labor-held Sydney, Melbourne and southeast Queensland.

The campaign urges Australian voters not to be “fooled” by Labor, with the group claiming the government is “playing both sides” of politics by calling out social division while also preferencing the Greens, who are stoking anti-Semitism.

While the federal election has not been called, the ad series will be displayed on billboards, trucks and social media in the coming weeks. Community members feature in several advertisements, including Sydney midwife Sharon Stoliar, who has previously spoken about anti-Semitism in the healthcare system.

MIC spokeswoman Hava Mendelle said there has been a “massive breakdown” in social cohesion across the country under Labor, which needs to be called out.

“We were called the lucky country once,” she said. “It doesn’t feel so lucky any more.”

Ms Mendelle, a Jewish first-generation Australian, said she no longer recognises the country she grew up in.

“Politicians aren’t doing enough to really ensure that we are cohesive and that we are a community,” she said.

“That’s what Australia Day is about. Instead, you’ve got people out there who are saying, ‘death to Australia’. Are you kidding me? People have come here because they want a better life; that’s the Australian dream.

“The Greens have been at the forefront of this anti-Australia rhetoric and Labor is just sitting idly by on their hands not doing anything. Call out the Greens, preference them last.”

The campaign will target five to seven Labor-held electorates in Queensland, Sydney and Melbourne.

One such seat is the Ipswich seat of Blair, west of Brisbane, which long-serving MP Shayne Neumann holds on a margin of 5.2 per cent.

Midwife Ms Stoliar migrated with her family from Sri Lanka when she was a child and has always voted Labor.

But she plans to vote for the Coalition for the first time as she believes it is the “safest bet” for her children, my family, Australian values and peace.

“I’ve always voted Labor because they favoured nursing, working-class people and migrants,” Ms Stoliar said.

“I’ve been very disappointed and let down at their lack of addressing any of the rising anti-Semitism and the racism and lack of protecting people who need to be protected. I’m disgusted by them allowing terrorism to just flourish in this country.

“I can’t donate huge amounts like other people can to the Liberal campaign, so this is my way of doing whatever I can to help change the perception of Labor in immigrant areas and help immigrant communities who might be set on voting Labor to question why a brown woman of colour is on a poster saying that ‘racism flourishes under Labor’.”

The Australian understands Ms Mendelle has been encouraged to apply for Liberal preselection to run for the Greens-held seat of Griffith in Brisbane, which is comfortably held by Max Chandler-Mather.

The Queensland Jewish Collective ran a similar and successful campaign against the Greens at the state election in October.

The party lost one of its two seats, and support for the remaining sitting member, Michael Berkman, slipped 7.4 per cent on first preferences.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/jewish-hindu-and-iranian-groups-call-out-labor-hypocrisy/news-story/8860e7e727459496b5b9a9fe235a9579

https://www.dontbefooled.au/

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22685634 (020835ZMAR25) Notable: Khaki election: Dutton vows to buy more F-35s if Coalition wins office - Australia would get an extra 28 F-35 joint strike fighters under a Coalition government, with Peter Dutton vowing to boost the RAAF’s stealth jet fleet to 100 aircraft if he becomes prime minister after this year’s election. In the first major defence commitment in what looms a khaki-tinged election race, the Opposition Leader pledged to reverse Labor’s decision not to proceed with a fourth squadron of F-35s. The Coalition would provide an initial $3bn in additional Defence Department funding for the jets, with the aim of securing the first of the jets within five years. “I will strengthen our Australian Defence Force with the funding and the capabilities they require to keep Australians safe and secure,” Mr Dutton said. “Australia has long assessed the F-35A as the most capable fighter jet to meet Australia’s defence air power needs. “This investment will bolster our air force and give it the ability to rapidly respond with flexible air combat options across large distances - enhancing access across the Indo-Pacific.” He said Labor’s response to recent live-fire drills by Chinese warships off Australia’s coast had “clearly demonstrated the Prime Minister’s inability to stand up for Australia’s national interests”. The pledge comes as the Trump administration piles pressure on the US’s allies to lift military spending - something both sides of Australian politics will have to grapple with in the coming election campaign.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50708

>>>/qresearch/22647135

>>>/qresearch/22657813

Khaki election: Dutton vows to buy more F-35s if Coalition wins office

BEN PACKHAM - 1 March 2025

Australia would get an extra 28 F-35 joint strike fighters under a Coalition government, with Peter Dutton vowing to boost the RAAF’s stealth jet fleet to 100 aircraft if he becomes prime minister after this year’s election.

In the first major defence commitment in what looms a khaki-tinged election race, the Opposition Leader pledged to reverse Labor’s decision not to proceed with a fourth squadron of F-35s.

The Coalition would provide an initial $3bn in additional Defence Department funding for the jets, with the aim of securing the first of the jets within five years.

“I will strengthen our Australian Defence Force with the funding and the capabilities they require to keep Australians safe and secure,” Mr Dutton said.

“Australia has long assessed the F-35A as the most capable fighter jet to meet Australia’s defence air power needs.

“This investment will bolster our air force and give it the ability to rapidly respond with flexible air combat options across large distances – enhancing access across the Indo-Pacific.”

He said Labor’s response to recent live-fire drills by Chinese warships off Australia’s coast had “clearly demonstrated the Prime Minister’s inability to stand up for Australia’s national interests”.

The pledge comes as the Trump administration piles pressure on the US’s allies to lift military spending – something both sides of Australian politics will have to grapple with in the coming election campaign.

The Coalition has declared it would spend more on defence than Labor, but is yet to provide any further details of the commitment.

Labor says it would increase the defence budget to “over 2.3 per cent” of GDP by 2033-34, after initially pledging to get it to 2.4 per cent.

Opposition defence spokesman Andrew Hastie said with Saturday night’s announcement: “Despite repeatedly warning that Australia is facing the most strategic circumstances since the end of the Second World War, Labor has spent three years dithering and delaying.

“As an island nation in an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific region, it is essential that we are able to defend ourselves and protect our nation’s interests. Increasing our F-35 capability is an effective way we can do so.”

The RAAF has 72 F-35s, which the aircraft’s manufacturer Lockheed Martin bills as “the most lethal, survivable and connected fighter jet in the world”.

But Donald Trump’s close confidant Elon Musk has lashed the aircraft as “obsolete in the age of drones”, and an “expensive and complex Jack of all trades, master of none”.

The Albanese government axed plans to purchase a fourth squadron of F-35s for at least a decade as part of a $72bn cost-cutting exercise last year to find money for the AUKUS submarine program and new warships and missiles.

It said the aircraft weren’t needed because it had decided to keep the RAAF’s workhorse F/A-18F Super Hornets in service longer than originally planned.

The move followed an earlier $7.8bn worth of cuts to planned procurements, for a total of $80bn in defence budget “reprioritisations” during the Labor government’s first term.

Labor argues the Coalition underfunded Defence by $42bn by “over-programming” the department’s budget by up to 40 per cent.

“That means that for every $100 Defence had to spend it was planning to spend $140. Or in other words, more than a quarter of what Defence had planned to buy or deliver, it had no money for,” Defence Minister Richard Marles said last year.

A federal poll must be held by May 17, but speculation is mounting that Anthony Albanese could pull the election trigger within days for an April 5 or April 12 election.

Labor has been on the backfoot over its handling of the Defence portfolio after it emerged the ADF learned of a live-fire drill by Chinese warships in the Tasman Sea 40 minutes after the exercise window opened thanks to a warning relayed by a Virgin Australia pilot.

New Zealand passed on a second warning 50 minutes later from one of its frigates that Australia was relying on to monitor the Chinese vessels.

The revelations, from Defence officials, contradicted Mr Albanese, who had said China provided notice of the drill “in accordance with practice”, and the two warnings came through “at about the same time”.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/defence/khaki-election-dutton-vows-to-buy-more-f35s-if-coalition-wins-office/news-story/b5686446b2946ccc892103e3d1002666

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22691979 (030912ZMAR25) Notable: Harmony Day ‘hides racism’, says government watchdog - Australia’s racism watchdog has warned schools celebrating Harmony Day that the popular event “hides systemic racism’’, and it has produced a classroom lesson plan replete with trigger warnings. The Australian Human Rights Commission wants schools to rename their annual multicultural festivities on March 21 the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Many childcare centres and schools have embraced Harmony Day as a way for children to learn about different cultures by sharing food, dressing in traditional costumes, learning songs and dances, and enjoying visits from family members and Indigenous elders. But the AHRC complains that Australia’s decision to rename IDERD as Harmony Day in 1999 has “turned the day from a protest against racial discrimination into a celebration’’. “The renaming of this day hides the longstanding systemic racial discrimination many people have faced in Australia,’’ the AHRC states in a new “fact sheet for schools’’. “Calling this commemoration Harmony Day/Week causes harm to our collective anti-racism journey by undermining efforts to identify and address the harm experienced by communities because of racism.’’ Despite the AHRC’s scolding, federal Education Minister Jason Clare defended schools’ ­celebration of Harmony Day. “Harmony Week is all about breaking down barriers and increasing understanding,’’ Mr Clare told The Australian, adding: “That’s a good thing.’’

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Harmony Day ‘hides racism’, says government watchdog

NATASHA BITA - 2 March 2025

1/2

Australia’s racism watchdog has warned schools celebrating Harmony Day that the popular event “hides systemic racism’’, and it has produced a classroom lesson plan replete with trigger warnings.

The Australian Human Rights Commission wants schools to rename their annual multicultural festivities on March 21 the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Many childcare centres and schools have embraced Harmony Day as a way for children to learn about different cultures by sharing food, dressing in traditional costumes, learning songs and dances, and enjoying visits from family members and Indigenous elders.

But the AHRC complains that Australia’s decision to rename IDERD as Harmony Day in 1999 has “turned the day from a protest against racial discrimination into a celebration’’.

“The renaming of this day hides the longstanding systemic racial discrimination many people have faced in Australia,’’ the AHRC states in a new “fact sheet for schools’’.

“Calling this commemoration Harmony Day/Week causes harm to our collective anti-racism journey by undermining efforts to identify and address the harm experienced by communities because of racism.’’

Despite educators’ concerns about an overcrowded curriculum, the AHRC has produced a lesson plan for teachers to instruct teenagers in years 9 and 10 about interpersonal and systemic racism and discrimination, in line with the national curriculum. The lesson plan contains a trigger warning that “the content may be distressing for students, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and other students negatively impacted by racism’’.

It advises teachers to “consider additional classroom support” and to prepare strategies to support students’ emotional and social wellbeing.

Students would discuss articles from the ABC and SBS, including one about the Sharpeville Massacre in South Africa on March 21, 1960, when white police killed 69 unarmed black protesters and injured hundreds more, on a day the UN commemorated as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Despite the AHRC’s scolding, federal Education Minister Jason Clare defended schools’ ­celebration of Harmony Day.

“Harmony Week is all about breaking down barriers and increasing understanding,’’ Mr Clare told The Australian, adding: “That’s a good thing.’’

Australian Childcare Alliance vice-president Nesha Hutchinson said many young children enjoyed celebrating Harmony Day.

“Lots of kids like it, particularly in multicultural centres,’’ she said. “It’s a day we use to celebrate everybody’s culture.

“Sometimes we get people from different families to come in and talk about their culture.

“Adults can talk about structural and systemic racism, but it’s not for young children.’’

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22697689 (040755ZMAR25) Notable: Albanese and Dutton have little appetite for sending troops to Ukraine - More than two decades after Australia joined the US-led “coalition of the willing” in Iraq, there is little enthusiasm among the nation’s political leaders for a similarly-billed deployment to Ukraine that even America is steering clear of. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer proposed the peacekeeping coalition to European leaders on Monday AEDT, saying the UK would work with France and a small number of other countries to develop a ceasefire plan that would be backed by “boots on the ground, and planes in the air”. But just weeks out from a federal election, neither side of Australian politics is prepared to commit troops to such a mission. Peter Dutton lavished praise on Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday following his bruising Oval Office encounter last week with Donald Trump, describing the Ukrainian President as a “modern day hero” for standing up to the “murderous dictator” Vladimir Putin. But, like Mr Trump, he said European nations needed to “step up” and deal with the security threat on their eastern frontier. “There’s no need for Australia to send troops, but we should continue our support for Ukraine,” Mr Dutton said. Anthony Albanese said Australia’s longstanding support for Ukraine, including $1.3bn in military equipment, was about “doing what’s right, but also what is in Australia’s national interest”. “The brave people of Ukraine, led so extraordinarily by President Zelensky, are fighting not just for their national sovereignty and for their democracy,” the Prime Minister said as he opened a cabinet meeting. “They are fighting for the international rule of law. And it is an easy choice that Australia has made.” But with memories still fresh of the brutal Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns, Labor is not contemplating another high-risk military deployment. “We will consider the details of any proposal, but the deployment of Australian troops to support peacekeeping forces in Ukraine is not under consideration at this time,” a government spokeswoman said.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50729

>>50730

>>50731

Albanese and Dutton have little appetite for sending troops to Ukraine

BEN PACKHAM and JACQUELIN MAGNAY - 3 March 2025

1/2

More than two decades after Australia joined the US-led “coalition of the willing” in Iraq, there is little enthusiasm among the nation’s political leaders for a similarly-billed deployment to Ukraine that even America is steering clear of.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer proposed the peacekeeping coalition to European leaders on Monday AEDT, saying the UK would work with France and a small number of other countries to develop a ceasefire plan that would be backed by “boots on the ground, and planes in the air”.

But just weeks out from a federal election, neither side of Australian politics is prepared to commit troops to such a mission.

Peter Dutton lavished praise on Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday following his bruising Oval Office encounter last week with Donald Trump, describing the Ukrainian President as a “modern day hero” for standing up to the “murderous dictator” Vladimir Putin.

But, like Mr Trump, he said European nations needed to “step up” and deal with the security threat on their eastern frontier.

“There’s no need for Australia to send troops, but we should continue our support for Ukraine,” Mr Dutton said.

“The European nations, particularly the bigger nations, can’t continue to rely for financial support or military support from the United States. They need to chip in themselves.”

Anthony Albanese said Australia’s longstanding support for Ukraine, including $1.3bn in military equipment, was about “doing what’s right, but also what is in Australia’s national interest”.

“The brave people of Ukraine, led so extraordinarily by President Zelensky, are fighting not just for their national sovereignty and for their democracy,” the Prime Minister said as he opened a cabinet meeting.

“They are fighting for the international rule of law. And it is an easy choice that Australia has made.”

But with memories still fresh of the brutal Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns, Labor is not contemplating another high-risk military deployment.

“We will consider the details of any proposal, but the deployment of Australian troops to support peacekeeping forces in Ukraine is not under consideration at this time,” a government spokeswoman said.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott offered a lone voice of support for a direct role for Australia in Ukraine under the Starmer plan.

“If we expect British help under the AUKUS deal – such as rotating a Royal Navy sub through Perth – we’ve got to step up too,” Mr Abbott told The Australian. “We’ve long been helping to train Ukrainian infantry and should certainly be prepared to make a significant commitment to policing any ceasefire.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22697695 (040800ZMAR25) Notable: Anthony Albanese now open to having troops as peacekeepers in Ukraine - Anthony Albanese says he is open to sending Australian troops to serve as peacekeepers in Ukraine, in a surprise pre-election statement after the government appeared to reject the idea. The move places Labor at odds with the Coalition just weeks out from a federal poll on the sensitive issue of sending personnel overseas, and comes as Donald Trump piles further pressure on Kyiv by ordering an indefinite pause on US aid to Ukraine. The Prime Minister declared unprompted on Tuesday that he would consider any request for Australia to join a British-led “coalition of the willing” to provide a security guarantee to Ukraine. “There’s a discussion at the moment about potential peacekeeping and from my government’s perspective, we’re open to consideration of any proposals going forward,” he said. “Australia has historically played an important role in areas including in Africa, in Cyprus, in a range of peacekeeping areas. “We want to see peace in Ukraine, but we want to make sure that the illegal, immoral actions of Russia are not rewarded and that Vladimir Putin and his designs, which are imperialistic, not just on Ukraine but on other countries, are not rewarded or encouraged.” His comment, in answer to a question on Australia purchasing fuel refined from Russian oil, came just a day after Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy appeared to rule out putting Australian boots on the ground in Ukraine. “We’re not envisaging that sort of commitment, but we stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, and we are proud to be the biggest dominant non-NATO contributor,” Mr Conroy said.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50729

>>50731

>>50739

Anthony Albanese now open to having troops as peacekeepers in Ukraine

BEN PACKHAM - 4 March 2025

Anthony Albanese says he is open to sending Australian troops to serve as peacekeepers in Ukraine, in a surprise pre-election statement after the government appeared to reject the idea.

The move places Labor at odds with the Coalition just weeks out from a federal poll on the sensitive issue of sending personnel overseas, and comes as Donald Trump piles further pressure on Kyiv by ordering an indefinite pause on US aid to Ukraine.

The Prime Minister declared unprompted on Tuesday that he would consider any request for Australia to join a British-led “coalition of the willing” to provide a security guarantee to Ukraine.

“There’s a discussion at the moment about potential peacekeeping and from my government’s perspective, we’re open to consideration of any proposals going forward,” he said.

“Australia has historically played an important role in areas including in Africa, in Cyprus, in a range of peacekeeping areas.

“We want to see peace in Ukraine, but we want to make sure that the illegal, immoral actions of Russia are not rewarded and that Vladimir Putin and his designs, which are imperialistic, not just on Ukraine but on other countries, are not rewarded or encouraged.”

His comment, in answer to a question on Australia purchasing fuel refined from Russian oil, came just a day after Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy appeared to rule out putting Australian boots on the ground in Ukraine.

“We’re not envisaging that sort of commitment, but we stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, and we are proud to be the biggest dominant non-NATO contributor,” Mr Conroy said.

A government spokeswoman also played down the idea. “We will consider the details of any proposal, but the deployment of Australian troops to support peacekeeping forces in Ukraine is not under consideration at this time,” she told The Australian.

On Monday, Peter Dutton rejected the idea of sending Australian troops to Ukraine, saying European nations needed to “step up” and deal with the security threat on their eastern frontier.

“There’s no need for Australia to send troops, but we should continue our support for Ukraine,” Mr Dutton said.

“The European nations, particularly the bigger nations, can’t continue to rely for financial support or military support from the United States. They need to chip in themselves.”

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer proposed the European-backed peace plan after crisis talks in London, amid horror on the continent at the US President’s treatment of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House last week, and his expressions of trust in Vladimir Putin.

Meanwhile, West Australian Premier Roger Cook prompted laughter at a business breakfast on Tuesday by labelling US Vice-President JD Vance a “knob”.

Engaging in a question-and-answer session in Perth after his speech, Mr Cook was asked to complete the sentence “JD Vance is a …”.

“Knob,” Mr Cook replied. He added: “You’ve got to have one unprofessional moment don’t you.”

His comment came amid speculation Mr Vance ambushed Mr Zelensky in front of the media in the Oval Office on Friday.

US media reported Mr Trump’s freeze in US aid to Ukraine on Tuesday AEDT. The move came after the President escalated his row with Mr Zelensky, claiming he “doesn’t want there to be peace as long as he has America’s backing”.

Senior Defence Department officials told CNN, Bloomberg and Fox News the pause would last until the President determined that Ukraine’s leaders had demonstrated a “good faith” commitment to peace.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/anthony-albanese-now-open-to-having-troops-as-peacekeepers-in-ukraine/news-story/ba6369ef88bc02e5fe0fb09e7ba3bef2

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22697700 (040805ZMAR25) Notable: WA premier calls JD Vance a ‘knob’ - West Australian Premier Roger Cook on Tuesday called J.D. Vance a “knob” in an off-hand remark to business leaders, days after the US vice president played a central role in a White House meltdown with Ukraine and as Canberra tries to fend of US sanctions. Cook, the Labor leader of the iron ore export-dependent state for nearly two years and who strongly criticised Donald Trump before he was re-elected as president, made the remark at the end of a breakfast function in Perth where he had just completed a speech. At the end of a question and answer session, Cook was asked to provide a short reaction to a series of names and issues. When prompted about Vance, Cook replied: “Knob.” The response drew laughs and applause from the crowd, which included a host of local business leaders and Cook’s predecessor as premier, Mark McGowan. “Sorry, you’ve got to have one unprofessional moment on stage and that was it,” Cook said. At a press conference later on Tuesday, Cook apologised for any offence the comment might have caused. “It was a light-hearted unprofessional moment and I didn’t mean any offence by it,” Cook said. “When I made the comments there was a lot of applause around the room, so perhaps some people enjoyed the fun that came with it, other people may have been offended, and I apologise if there was any offence.” Asked separately about Cook’s remark, federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers told reporters he would have chosen “different words”.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>>/qresearch/22657835

>>50729

>>50740

WA premier calls JD Vance a ‘knob’

Tom Rabe - Mar 4, 2025

West Australian Premier Roger Cook on Tuesday called J.D. Vance a “knob” in an off-hand remark to business leaders, days after the US vice president played a central role in a White House meltdown with Ukraine and as Canberra tries to fend of US sanctions.

Cook, the Labor leader of the iron ore export-dependent state for nearly two years and who strongly criticised Donald Trump before he was re-elected as president, made the remark at the end of a breakfast function in Perth where he had just completed a speech.

At the end of a question and answer session, Cook was asked to provide a short reaction to a series of names and issues.

When prompted about Vance, Cook replied: “Knob.” The response drew laughs and applause from the crowd, which included a host of local business leaders and Cook’s predecessor as premier, Mark McGowan.

“Sorry, you’ve got to have one unprofessional moment on stage and that was it,” Cook said.

At a press conference later on Tuesday, Cook apologised for any offence the comment might have caused.

“It was a light-hearted unprofessional moment and I didn’t mean any offence by it,” Cook said.

“When I made the comments there was a lot of applause around the room, so perhaps some people enjoyed the fun that came with it, other people may have been offended, and I apologise if there was any offence.”

Asked separately about Cook’s remark, federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers told reporters he would have chosen “different words”.

Western Australia is a key state in the multibillion-dollar agreement between Australia, the US and Britain to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines and a key base for travelling US navy assets.

A US nuclear-powered Virginia-class submarine is berthed in waters off Perth as part of an AUKUS defence deal training program.

Vance was key to last week’s Oval Office meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky going off the rails on camera, accusing the war leader of showing disrespect to the US for its support against invader Russia. The breakdown between Ukraine and Washington has reverberated through international relations.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government is a major donor of aid and military equipment to Zelensky’s administration, and is also trying to convince the White House to give Australia an exemption to Trump’s planned blanket 25 per cent tariff on US steel and aluminium imports.

Cook’s assessment of Vance was not the state leader’s first foray into criticism of team Trump.

Before the US election, he warned a Trump victory would be a worrying result for WA, which was uniquely exposed to a trade war with China given the amount of iron ore the state sells.

In an interview with The Australian Financial Review last month, Cook said he did not regret picking a side ahead of the US poll, despite his state’s involvement in the AUKUS deal, in which American and Australian submarines will be maintained in waters south of Perth.

“One of [Trump’s] key modus operandi is to be disruptive. So we just have to be ready to understand what those shocks to the system are going to be, and be in a position to respond,” he said in the interview.

Cook said the US election result was a key example of why WA needed to diversify its economy away from iron ore, to insulate itself from global shocks or trade wars.

“One of the best ways we can do that is not to be so reliant on resources, and not to be so reliant on single resources.”

McGowan echoed Cook’s sentiment after the event, telling reporters: “I thought Roger was entirely accurate … he answered the question honestly. [Vance] is.”

Labor is widely tipped to win a third term at the state election on Saturday.

https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/wa-premier-labels-us-vice-president-a-knob-20250304-p5lgtm

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22697717 (040819ZMAR25) Notable: Video: Roger Cook apologises for calling US Vice-President JD Vance a 'knob' - WA Premier Roger Cook says he didn't mean to cause offence when he called US Vice President JD Vance a "knob" during a leadership forum in Perth earlier today, insisting it was a "lighthearted" comment. Cook, who is in the final week of the state election campaign that culminates on Saturday, made the remark to a journalist during a rapid-fire "finish the sentence" game in front of an audience of hundreds of people. "JD Vance is a … ?", the journalist asked. "Knob," Cook responded, sparking laughter and applause. The remarks come during the fallout of Donald Trump and Vance's contentious meeting with Ukraine President Vladimir Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday. Leaders in Australia have been tempered in their response to the incident, largely declining to comment on the approach taken by Trump and Vance, but re-affirming support for Ukraine. Questioned by reporters at a press conference later about whether the comment was damaging to the AUKUS relationship, Cook said he didn't believe the White House would have been listening. "I don't think the people in the Oval Office are listening to a sub-jurisdictional CEO in Western Australia," Cook said. "It was a light moment in a formal function and I hope it was taken in the spirit in which it was intended. "It was a light-hearted and unprofessional moment and I didn't mean any offence by it."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>>/qresearch/22657835

>>50729

>>50741

Roger Cook apologises for calling US Vice-President JD Vance a 'knob'

Andrea Mayes - 4 March 2025

WA Premier Roger Cook says he didn't mean to cause offence when he called US Vice President JD Vance a "knob" during a leadership forum in Perth earlier today, insisting it was a "lighthearted" comment.

Cook, who is in the final week of the state election campaign that culminates on Saturday, made the remark to a journalist during a rapid-fire "finish the sentence" game in front of an audience of hundreds of people.

"JD Vance is a … ?", the journalist asked.

"Knob," Cook responded, sparking laughter and applause.

The remarks come during the fallout of Donald Trump and Vance's contentious meeting with Ukraine President Vladimir Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday.

Leaders in Australia have been tempered in their response to the incident, largely declining to comment on the approach taken by Trump and Vance, but re-affirming support for Ukraine.

'Lighthearted' but 'unprofessional'

Questioned by reporters at a press conference later about whether the comment was damaging to the AUKUS relationship, Cook said he didn't believe the White House would have been listening.

"I don't think the people in the Oval Office are listening to a sub-jurisdictional CEO in Western Australia," Cook said.

"It was a light moment in a formal function and I hope it was taken in the spirit in which it was intended.

"It was a light-hearted and unprofessional moment and I didn't mean any offence by it."

However, he noted that the remark had been applauded by many in the room.

"There was a lot of applause around the room, so perhaps some people enjoyed the fun that came with it," he said.

"Other people might have been offended and I apologise if there was any offence,' the premier said.

He said that apology extended to JD Vance.

"If any offence was caused to the vice-president or anyone who heard those comments, I do apologise," he said.

'No judgement': Chalmers

Asked about Cook's comments, Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers trod a delicate path.

"It's up to Roger Cook to choose his own words. I mean [he's an] absolutely outstanding premier," he said.

"I would chose different words. But that doesn't … I'm not making any judgements about the words that Roger chose."

But former WA Premier Mark McGowan, who was also in attendance at today's forum, supported Cook's remarks.

"I thought Roger was entirely accurate," he said when asked by reporters.

"He answered a question honestly."

Trump's 'dark road'

It's not the first time Cook has been critical of Trump and his team.

In November last year, on the last day of campaigning in the US election, Cook labelled Trump an economic threat to WA and warned of the "dark road" ahead if he was elected.

"Beware of any politicians promoting hatred, division and fear in the community." Cook said.

He later told reporters Trump wanted to destroy trade between the US and China, which would have significant implications for WA.

"China depends upon Western Australian iron ore … so in the event we have a Trump government that's obviously a very concerning development," he said at the time.

Asked at today's forum whether he still thought Trump represented a "dark road", Cook responded "well I certainly think he represents an uncertain one".

WA Liberal leader Libby Mettam said Cook's comments showed he had his focus wrong.

"They are foolish comments from a premier who has got his priorities all wrong," she said.

"The premier needs to focus on his job of fixing our broken health system, ensuring our lights stay on [and] addressing law and order issues across the community.”

But director of international and security affairs at think tank the Australia Institute, Emma Shortis, said many people probably agreed with the premier.

"Many Australians are feeling pretty perplexed and concerned about what the Trump administration is doing, particularly what JD Vance did in the Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian president Zelenskyy," she said.

"So maybe while it [Cook's comment] was a little bit unfiltered, I suspect that there are a few people in Australia and around the world as well who might share his feelings."

Dr Shortis said this was reinforced by a recent survey undertaken by the institute which found Australians thought Trump was more of a threat to national security than Russian president Vladimir Putin or Chinese president Xi Jinping.

AUKUS implications

WA is set to play a key role in AUKUS, the joint security partnership between Australia, the US and the UK.

The nuclear-powered submarines at the centre of the deal will be maintained in Perth, a project that will create thousands of jobs and see US personnel stationed in Perth.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-04/wa-premier-roger-cook-calls-us-vp-jd-vance-a-knob-/105007706

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22697730 (040833ZMAR25) Notable: Cyclone Alfred looks to be final barrier to Anthony Albanese calling April 12 election - Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has all but settled on triggering an April 12 election on Sunday or Monday, but now faces several days of uncertainty caused by potential devastation from Cyclone Alfred hitting south-east Queensland. Government sources said deliberations on whether to go sooner - rather than in May - hinged on whether the storm became too disruptive for the prime minister to justify taking the country to the polls within the next week. The potential weather turmoil comes as preparations for the campaign reach fever pitch. On Monday, Liberal Party director Andrew Hirst wrote to Labor secretary Paul Erickson asking for four debates between the prime minister and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton. The last-minute negotiations coincide with considerable scepticism inside Labor that the government will bring down a budget, currently scheduled for March 25. "I can't see us going to a budget", said one senior figure. They said the choice was now between an April 12 date or waiting for the storm and its impacts to become clear, which could set Mr Albanese up to unleash a longer official campaign that takes the country to an election in early May. Another source said the chance of an election starting this weekend stood at "about 50 per cent", with much consideration being given to the fallout from the cyclone. However, they said the government was "fully ready" to begin campaigning at any moment, with key staff already moved to Labor's campaign headquarters in the Sydney CBD.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50708

Cyclone Alfred looks to be final barrier to Anthony Albanese calling April 12 election

Jacob Greber - 3 March 2025

1/2

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has all but settled on triggering an April 12 election on Sunday or Monday, but now faces several days of uncertainty caused by potential devastation from Cyclone Alfred hitting south-east Queensland.

Government sources said deliberations on whether to go sooner - rather than in May - hinged on whether the storm became too disruptive for the prime minister to justify taking the country to the polls within the next week.

The potential weather turmoil comes as preparations for the campaign reach fever pitch.

On Monday, Liberal Party director Andrew Hirst wrote to Labor secretary Paul Erickson asking for four debates between the prime minister and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.

They would be hosted by the ABC's David Speers, as well as Channel Nine, Channel Seven and Sky News, Mr Hirst said in a letter sent to the ABC.

The last-minute negotiations coincide with considerable scepticism inside Labor that the government will bring down a budget, currently scheduled for March 25.

"I can't see us going to a budget", said one senior figure.

They said the choice was now between an April 12 date or waiting for the storm and its impacts to become clear, which could set Mr Albanese up to unleash a longer official campaign that takes the country to an election in early May.

Another source said the chance of an election starting this weekend stood at "about 50 per cent", with much consideration being given to the fallout from the cyclone.

However, they said the government was "fully ready" to begin campaigning at any moment, with key staff already moved to Labor's campaign headquarters in the Sydney CBD.

It is understood that the prime minister has not told colleagues of his plans, but the rising threat from the cyclone has thrown a last-minute leg spinner at the government's tactical decision-making.

The Bureau of Meteorology late on Monday night said Tropical Cyclone Alfred was expected to develop into a category two storm off the Queensland coast by Tuesday morning.

Gales of up to 120 kilometres per hour are expected to develop along a broad swathe of the coast between K'gari (Fraser Island) and the Queensland-NSW border, an area that includes some of the nation's most heavily populated cities.

Mr Albanese had been scheduled to fly to Brisbane on Thursday, but that is now likely to coincide with when the storm is predicted to cross the coast, late on Thursday or Friday.

The potential timing of the landfall means the full impact of the cyclone, which may be the first of its kind to strike so far south in almost half a century, would not become apparent for days.

Speculation about election campaign starts has long centred on this coming Sunday, March 9, which would set up a five-week contest.

However, if the prime minister decides he cannot launch his re-election bid as planned, the timing of Easter and ANZAC holidays means the next likely election dates will be Saturday May 3 or a week later on May 10. The last possible date is May 17.

Mr Albanese has until 6pm on Monday to call an election for April 12.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22697743 (040841ZMAR25) Notable: Anthony Albanese to adopt ‘less is more’ strategy with Jacinta Allan during election campaign - Anthony Albanese is expected to distance himself from Jacinta Allan and her embattled state Labor government as the federal ALP attempts to avert a voter backlash in its traditional heartland state of Victoria. The Australian understands while Labor plans for the Prime Minister to bask in the glow of popular Labor premiers Peter Malinauskas in South Australia and Roger Cook in Western Australia, the party concedes it has no option but to adopt a minimalist strategy when it comes to the ­Victorian Premier. Federal Labor - which holds 24 of Victoria’s 39 lower house electorates – senses the ALP brand is on the nose in Victoria, forcing it to mount a defensive campaign to save as many seats as possible. Central to this strategy is keeping Albanese-Allan double acts during the campaign to a bare minimum but stopping short of putting the Premier in the freezer and risk fuelling an image of ­internal division. With multiple polls showing as many as eight Labor seats in Victoria - Aston, Casey, Chisholm and Corangamite among them – in danger of being lost, a less-is-more Allan strategy has strong support among federal Labor MPs. “I haven’t heard someone say we’re avoiding the Premier … but clearly we want people focusing more on the federal campaign and the federal competition more so than the state government,” one Labor MP said. “It’s obvious that our position in Victoria is not what it was at the height of Daniel Andrews’ powers.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>>/qresearch/22544347 (pb)

>>>/qresearch/22544363 (pb)

>>50708

Anthony Albanese to adopt ‘less is more’ strategy with Jacinta Allan during election campaign

DAMON JOHNSTON - 3 March 2025

Anthony Albanese is expected to distance himself from Jacinta Allan and her embattled state Labor government as the federal ALP attempts to avert a voter backlash in its traditional heartland state of Victoria.

The Australian understands while Labor plans for the Prime Minister to bask in the glow of popular Labor premiers Peter Malinauskas in South Australia and Roger Cook in Western Australia, the party concedes it has no option but to adopt a minimalist strategy when it comes to the ­Victorian Premier.

Federal Labor – which holds 24 of Victoria’s 39 lower house electorates – senses the ALP brand is on the nose in Victoria, forcing it to mount a defensive campaign to save as many seats as possible.

Central to this strategy is keeping Albanese-Allan double acts during the campaign to a bare minimum but stopping short of putting the Premier in the freezer and risk fuelling an image of ­internal division.

With multiple polls showing as many as eight Labor seats in Victoria – Aston, Casey, Chisholm and Corangamite among them – in danger of being lost, a less-is-more Allan strategy has strong support among federal Labor MPs.

“I haven’t heard someone say we’re avoiding the Premier … but clearly we want people focusing more on the federal campaign and the federal competition more so than the state government,” one Labor MP said.

“It’s obvious that our position in Victoria is not what it was at the height of Daniel Andrews’ powers.”

Concern among federal Labor MPs that they could be punished at the forthcoming election by voters angry at the Allan Labor government have intensified in the wake of last month’s by-election thrashing in Werribee.

Labor’s primary vote crashed 16 per cent in the once safe outer western suburban electorate, leaving the Allan government clinging to the seat as voters vented their anger.

“The Liberals didn’t win Werribee, but we’re the ones who lost 16 per cent of our primary vote so if we’re not humble about that, we’re insane,” one Labor MP said.

“People have done it tough, so therefore how can you be surprised that people are looking for more help and more answers, and if people don’t feel like we’ve done enough they’re going to look ­elsewhere.”

The collapse of the party’s primary vote, albeit in a state by-election, sent shockwaves through federal Labor in Victoria, sparking concerns the party faces a revolt in outer-suburban seats.

One Labor MP said the party was “very worried” about the ­federal seats that share a similar profile to Werribee, such as Hawke, Bruce and Holt.

Fuelling tensions between federal and state Labor in Victoria has been a standoff over funding for the $35bn first stage of the Suburban Rail Loop, which the Albanese government has only committed about $2bn towards.

The Allan government has unsuccessfully lobbied the Albanese government to throw billions more at the proposal, but instead of doing that Mr Albanese last month announced another $2bn in funding for the Allan government’s less-favoured airport rail link.

Labor’s federal-state tensions erupted last month when Labor’s federal MP for Gellibrand, Tim Watts, went public in his opposition to an Allan government level crossing proposal that has sparked strong opposition among locals in the western suburbs.

In an open letter, Mr Watts called on the Allan government to “pause” the controversial level crossing removal at Champion Road and urged state colleagues to consult the community.

“During this time I’ve listened to our community’s concerns about the project and reflected them in my discussions with the state government,” he stated in an open letter.

“I have reached the view that the Champion Road level crossing removal should not proceed in its current form … given this, I wrote to the Premier and Minister for Transport Infrastructure some time ago asking them to pause the project.”

Mr Watts, whose electorate borders the state electorate of Werribee, said the Allan government needed to conduct “further community consultations” and called on it to release a traffic study of the impact of the project on a local road: “Given the significant costs of this project as currently designed, and the absence of any offsetting benefits for commuters, I support our community’s call to pause the project until these issues can be addressed.”

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/when-it-comes-to-jacinta-less-is-more-for-pm/news-story/3ab432b538a4cf6a196debe7e0614aed

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22697753 (040846ZMAR25) Notable: Albanese, Dutton name terms for campaign debate broadcasts - Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has agreed to debate Anthony Albanese on the ABC, overcoming his criticisms of the public broadcaster as the parties propose up to four verbal sparring matches during the election campaign. Labor has sought to get ahead of the traditional dispute over when and where debates are held, offering National Press Club debates between ministers and opposition shadows in foreign affairs, treasury, health, industrial relations, energy and home affairs. Media executives played down the prospect of minister-level debates, with one saying they “couldn’t sell a debate” involving lower-profile brawlers. With an election likely to be called imminently for an April 12 election, both leaders are keen to be seen as up for the fight. Labor Party national secretary Paul Erickson last week wrote to the press club, which helps co-ordinate debates, saying one debate should be held at the press club, a “respected, neutral platform”. Erickson also suggested an ABC debate and at least one other. Liberal federal director Andrew Hirst on Monday sent a letter to Erickson saying the opposition would be comfortable with four debates in line with those networks’ requests: a Sky News/Daily Telegraph people’s forum in Sydney hosted by Sky’s Kieran Gilbert; a debate hosted by Channel Nine, which has the same owner as this masthead, moderated by Karl Stefanovic or Allison Langdon; a Channel 7 debate in Perth hosted by Mark Riley; and an ABC debate, moderated by David Speers at the ABC’s western Sydney studios.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50708

Albanese, Dutton name terms for campaign debate broadcasts

Paul Sakkal and Calum Jaspan - March 3, 2025

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has agreed to debate Anthony Albanese on the ABC, overcoming his criticisms of the public broadcaster as the parties propose up to four verbal sparring matches during the election campaign.

Labor has sought to get ahead of the traditional dispute over when and where debates are held, offering National Press Club debates between ministers and opposition shadows in foreign affairs, treasury, health, industrial relations, energy and home affairs.

Media executives played down the prospect of minister-level debates, with one saying they “couldn’t sell a debate” involving lower-profile brawlers.

With an election likely to be called imminently for an April 12 election, both leaders are keen to be seen as up for the fight.

Labor Party national secretary Paul Erickson last week wrote to the press club, which helps co-ordinate debates, saying one debate should be held at the press club, a “respected, neutral platform”. Erickson also suggested an ABC debate and at least one other.

Liberal federal director Andrew Hirst on Monday sent a letter to Erickson saying the opposition would be comfortable with four debates in line with those networks’ requests: a Sky News/Daily Telegraph people’s forum in Sydney hosted by Sky’s Kieran Gilbert; a debate hosted by Channel Nine, which has the same owner as this masthead, moderated by Karl Stefanovic or Allison Langdon; a Channel 7 debate in Perth hosted by Mark Riley; and an ABC debate, moderated by David Speers at the ABC’s western Sydney studios.

Prime-time debates rarely turn elections, and TV ratings for such events are not what they once were. But the tightness of current polling, which shows Labor on track to lose its majority, has put a premium on the campaign performance of the two leaders.

Former US president Joe Biden’s stumbles in a disastrous debate against Donald Trump in June demonstrated the potential damage of a bad debate performance.

The Coalition’s decision to agree to an ABC debate is a change from 2022 when Scott Morrison rejected the national broadcaster, prompting the ABC to call for legislation to ensure it held a debate each election.

The ABC’s news boss Justin Stevens said the ABC had proposed a debate between Albanese and Dutton, to be moderated by Insiders host David Speers.

“We are flexible with timing and location,” Stevens said.

None of the networks have been confirmed as debate hosts. Nine and Sky are both keen to host the first debate, according to industry sources not authorised to speak publicly.

Industrial Relations Minister Murray Watt has challenged his counterpart Michaelia Cash, while the prime minister is keen on a showdown between Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen and counterpart Ted O’Brien.

“Can I just say, at a time where shares are in the media, can I say this: get some popcorn shares because Chris Bowen versus Ted O’Brien in a debate is something I’ll be sitting down having some popcorn on watching,” Albanese said.

https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/albanese-dutton-name-terms-for-campaign-debate-broadcasts-20250303-p5lgjk.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22706018 (050835ZMAR25) Notable: Second nurse charged over anti-Semitic video - Police have charged the second nurse over a viral anti-Semitic video allegedly broadcast from a hospital in Bankstown Hospital. Nurse Rashad Nadir, who was captured on the video, telling Israeli influencer Max Veifer he “had no idea” the number of Israelis who had attended Bankstown Hospital he had sent to “hell”, has been charged with a Commonwealth offence. The 27-year-old was arrested at Sutherland Police Station about 7.30pm on Tuesday and charged with using a carriage service to menace/harass/offend threaten to menace, harass or cause offence. He was also charged with possessing a prohibited drug. The other nurse in the video, Sarah Abu Lebdeh, was charged last week, after saying she would not treat Israeli patients but “kill them”, telling Mr Veifer he would “die the most disgusting death”. “One day, your time will come, and you will die the most horrible death,” she said. Ms Abu Lebdeh, 26, was charged with three offences: threaten violence to group, use carriage service to threaten to kill, and use carriage service to menace/harass/offend. Both nurses were immediately sacked and banned from practising as nurses after the video was circulated online. Ms Abu Lebdeh and Mr Nadir will both appear at Downing Centre Local Court later this month.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>>/qresearch/22569145 (pb)

>>>/qresearch/22569170 (pb)

>>50719

Second nurse charged over anti-Semitic video

JOANNA PANAGOPOULOS - 5 March 2025

Police have charged the second nurse over a viral anti-Semitic video allegedly broadcast from a hospital in Bankstown Hospital.

Nurse Rashad Nadir, who was captured on the video, telling Israeli influencer Max Veifer he “had no idea” the number of Israelis who had attended Bankstown Hospital he had sent to “hell”, has been charged with a Commonwealth offence.

The 27-year-old was arrested at Sutherland Police Station about 7.30pm on Tuesday and charged with using a carriage service to menace/harass/offend threaten to menace, harass or cause offence.

He was also charged with possessing a prohibited drug.

The other nurse in the video, Sarah Abu Lebdeh, was charged last week, after saying she would not treat Israeli patients but “kill them”, telling Mr Veifer he would “die the most disgusting death”.

“One day, your time will come, and you will die the most horrible death,” she said.

Ms Abu Lebdeh, 26, was charged with three offences: threaten violence to group, use carriage service to threaten to kill, and use carriage service to menace/harass/offend.

Both nurses were immediately sacked and banned from practising as nurses after the video was circulated online.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said Strike Force Pearl detectives have now arrested 15 people and laid a total of 78 charges.

“I must commend the work Strike Force Pearl detectives are doing to investigate, charge and put these individuals before the courts.

“There is a tremendous amount of dedication and hard work going into all these investigations.

“Detectives have overcome many challenges – including huge public expectation – to put these individuals before the court,” Commissioner Webb said.

Ms Abu Lebdeh and Mr Nadir will both appear at Downing Centre Local Court later this month.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/second-nurse-charged-over-antisemitic-video/news-story/20dac8f4ec64ede3bf443ab1ddcd9763

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22706025 (050840ZMAR25) Notable: WA teen arrested after ‘heinous’ threat to carry out ‘Christchurch 2.0’ attack on new Sydney mosque - A teenager from Western Australia has been arrested after a “heinous” threat was allegedly made to a newly opened southwest Sydney mosque, where he allegedly vowed to “christ church 2.0 this joint” just as Australian Muslims prepared for the holy month of Ramadan. The threat, posted by an Instagram account onto The Australian Islamic House’s page on Monday, vowed to carry out an atrocity akin to the 2019 Christchurch massacre, where Australian-born man Brenton Tarrant opened fire on worshippers at the Al-Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre, killing 51 people. That account allegedly wrote on the organisation’s Instagram page: “I’m about to christ church 2.0 this joint”. On Tuesday evening NSW Police said the 16-year-old had been arrested in WA following the alleged threat just before 5pm local time and that the teenager was assisting police. “Following a referral from the New South Wales Police Force to the Western Australia Police Force, just before 5.00pm (Western Australia local time), a 16-year-old boy was arrested at Eaton, in south-west Western Australia,” a spokesperson for NSW Police said. “There are no ongoing threats to the community,” the spokesperson said. The teenager is in custody and no charges have been laid.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50707

>>50723

WA teen arrested after ‘heinous’ threat to carry out ‘Christchurch 2.0’ attack on new Sydney mosque

ALEXI DEMETRIADI and LIAM MENDES - March 04, 2025

A teenager from Western Australia has been arrested after a “heinous” threat was allegedly made to a newly opened southwest Sydney mosque, where he allegedly vowed to “christ church 2.0 this joint” just as Australian Muslims prepared for the holy month of Ramadan.

The threat, posted by an Instagram account onto The Australian Islamic House’s page on Monday, vowed to carry out an atrocity akin to the 2019 Christchurch massacre, where Australian-born man Brenton Tarrant opened fire on worshippers at the Al-Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre, killing 51 people.

That account allegedly wrote on the organisation’s Instagram page: “I’m about to christ church 2.0 this joint”.

On Tuesday evening NSW Police said the 16-year-old had been arrested in WA following the alleged threat just before 5pm local time and that the teenager was assisting police.

“Following a referral from the New South Wales Police Force to the Western Australia Police Force, just before 5.00pm (Western Australia local time), a 16-year-old boy was arrested at Eaton, in south-west Western Australia,” a spokesperson for NSW Police said.

“There are no ongoing threats to the community,” the spokesperson said.

The teenager is in custody and no charges have been laid.

On Tuesday, as news of the threat broke, NSW Premier Chris Minns confirmed that police were conducting a “major police investigation”.

“This (the threat) is very distressing, particularly as Muslims right across the state are participating in prayer during the month of Ramadan,” Mr Minns said.

Anthony Albanese condemned the threat as “abhorrent”, saying it had “no place in Australia”.

“The authorities have my full support as they investigate this matter … Those responsible must face the full force the law,” the Prime Minister said.

The Australian Islamic House runs the Al-Bayt Al-Islami Mosque in Edmondson Park, southwest Sydney, where the organisation’s leaders believe the threat was aimed at.

Australian Islamic House president Mazhar Hadid said the organisation and community was “profoundly concerned” and took the threat with the “utmost seriousness”.

“Our community deserves to feel safe and protected, just like any other citizen of this country,” Mr Hadid said, who was a 16-year Liberal councillor on Liverpool council until September.

“We call on the authorities to treat this matter with the highest urgency and to ensure that all places of worship are safeguarded against such acts of hatred and violence.”

A respected figure, Mr Hadid was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2024, and has criticised attacks targeting the Jewish community, but also comments from his own party that appeared to speak disparagingly of southwest Sydney Muslims.

The mosque’s leaders said it was initially concerned with the safety of its congregation at the daily night prayers during Ramadan, but that it had been reassured by NSW Police of an increased presence after the threat and was comfortable to open its doors.

The new mosque was decades in the making, only formally opening its doors last week, where 5000 worshippers prayed on the first night of Ramadan.

Multiculturalism Minister Steve Kamper called the threat “heinous”, saying the government and law enforcement would support the community to ensure its safety.

“This threat to our Muslim brothers and sisters is incredibly concerning,” he said.

“Acts designed to intimidate and divide have no place in our society. Importantly, places of worship should always be a safe haven for our community.

“No matter your ethnicity, religion, or country of birth, we are all bound – first and foremost – by our common commitment to each other as Australians.”

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip called the threat “appalling” and “bigoted”, saying it sought to incite fear within the Muslim community.

“A bigoted attack or threat targeted at any group of Australians is an attack on us all,” he said, adding he’d spoken with the Australian National Imams Council to convey his community’s condemnation.

NSW Police said officers from its Liverpool command commenced an investigation on Tuesday when it received a report of Monday’s threat, but that there were “no ongoing threats” and the source of the “christ church 2.0” vow was “interstate”.

“Increased taskings will be conducted by officers as part of Strike Force Pearl,” the police’s statement said.

“It is important that the community and police continue to work together to make NSW a safer place for everyone.”

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/heinous-threat-to-carry-out-christchurch-20-attack-on-new-sydney-mosque/news-story/1b5ae8156e5962d2292b65937965533d

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22706035 (050848ZMAR25) Notable: Ukraine peacekeeping offer exposes 'serious' defence capacity limits, experts warn - Australia's ability to help European allies with potential Ukrainian peacekeeping efforts is "looking pretty thin", say military and United Nations operational experts who caution the prime minister's surprise offer to Kiev means the defence budget will need to expand dramatically. Following a top-level National Security Committee meeting with senior ministers on Monday morning, Anthony Albanese on Tuesday unexpectedly opened the door to sending Australian troops to Ukraine. A growing group of European and other nations have formed a "coalition of the willing" to work on a peace plan to present to the United States and Russia. Australia stands "ready to assist" the war-torn nation, Mr Albanese said. "There's a discussion at the moment about potential peacekeeping and from my government's perspective, we're open to consideration of any proposals going forward." While it is understood that a peacekeeping mission to Ukraine is not currently under consideration, it would involve significant additional resources and personnel. "I think it's a seriously bad idea to be sending peacekeeping troops from Australia to Ukraine," said former army chief and University of Canberra professor Peter Leahy. "Operational and tactical issues" as well as the fact that such a mission would be outside Australia's region means its forces would be exposed to threats, including drones. "Our troops would be seriously in peril should we commit them there," he said. "I do see it as out of our region and I do see it as Europe's business."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50729

>>50731

>>50740

Ukraine peacekeeping offer exposes 'serious' defence capacity limits, experts warn

Jacob Greber and Isobel Roe - 5 March 2025

1/2

Australia's ability to help European allies with potential Ukrainian peacekeeping efforts is "looking pretty thin", say military and United Nations operational experts who caution the prime minister's surprise offer to Kiev means the defence budget will need to expand dramatically.

Following a top-level National Security Committee meeting with senior ministers on Monday morning, Anthony Albanese on Tuesday unexpectedly opened the door to sending Australian troops to Ukraine.

A growing group of European and other nations have formed a "coalition of the willing" to work on a peace plan to present to the United States and Russia.

Australia stands "ready to assist" the war-torn nation, Mr Albanese said.

"There's a discussion at the moment about potential peacekeeping and from my government's perspective, we're open to consideration of any proposals going forward."

The prime minister's remarks follow growing worldwide alarm over a spectacular personal rift between US President Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week.

However, Mr Albanese's offer has also raised fresh doubts about Australia's capacity to assist with a major new military deployment.

While it is understood that a peacekeeping mission to Ukraine is not currently under consideration, it would involve significant additional resources and personnel.

"I think it's a seriously bad idea to be sending peacekeeping troops from Australia to Ukraine," said former army chief and University of Canberra professor Peter Leahy.

"Operational and tactical issues" as well as the fact that such a mission would be outside Australia's region means its forces would be exposed to threats, including drones.

"Our troops would be seriously in peril should we commit them there," he said.

"I do see it as out of our region and I do see it as Europe's business.

"I also see it as the business of the United States, and that's a disappointment at the moment with what the United States government has chosen to do."

PM's remarks a 'new departure'

Mr Albanese's offer to support Ukraine has crystallised a split between the government and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, who on Monday ruled out deployment of Australian "boots on the ground".

The prime minister's decision to escalate his solidarity with Europe is a "new departure" that goes beyond his past "pretty cautious and limited" support for Ukraine, said Strategic Analysis Australia director and former senior defence official Peter Jennings.

"More could have been done, but let's put that to one side: if Albanese is prepared to offer more going forward, I think that's a good thing," Mr Jennings said.

"It reflects, ultimately, a key position for Australia, which is that we need to support democracies if they are attacked by autocratic regimes, and so it's entirely sensible for Australia to be supporting Ukraine at this point."

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22706098 (050930ZMAR25) Notable: Marine officer honored for leadership in aftermath of chaotic Osprey crash - After waking an unconscious Marine inside the flaming wreckage of their MV-22 Osprey, Capt. Joshua C. Watson rallied his Marines and called for accountability. His team had been in the rear of the twin-propeller Osprey as it approached a landing at a remote airfield near Darwin, Australia, when it plummeted to the ground after a near-mid-air collision. As Watson yelled to his Marines to get out, fuel spread and immediately ignited, making the crash site an inferno. Pulling his Marines together, he found that one was in critical condition, another needed immediate care and three were missing. And, Watson realized, his ankle was broken. Watson was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal last week, the Department of the Navy’s highest non-combat award for heroism, for his actions in the 2023 Osprey crash in Australia that killed three. Watson received the award at a ceremony at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. The crash came Aug. 23, 2023, as Watson’s Lima Company prepared to practice seizing two airfields at once. Lima’s commander would lead a force of about 70 Marines on one airfield, while Watson, the company’s executive officer, would lead a smaller force of 38 to take Pickertaramoor Airfield on Melville Island, about 45 miles north of Darwin, Australia. Training in Darwin is a regular rotation for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Marine officer honored for leadership in aftermath of chaotic Osprey crash

Capt. Joshua C. Watson rallied his Marines after a 2023 Osprey crash, accounting for those missing and evacuating the wounded despite a broken ankle.

MATT WHITE - 5 March 2025

1/2

After waking an unconscious Marine inside the flaming wreckage of their MV-22 Osprey, Capt. Joshua C. Watson rallied his Marines and called for accountability.

His team had been in the rear of the twin-propeller Osprey as it approached a landing at a remote airfield near Darwin, Australia, when it plummeted to the ground after a near-mid-air collision. As Watson yelled to his Marines to get out, fuel spread and immediately ignited, making the crash site an inferno.

Pulling his Marines together, he found that one was in critical condition, another needed immediate care and three were missing.

And, Watson realized, his ankle was broken.

Top non-combat award

Watson was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal last week, the Department of the Navy’s highest non-combat award for heroism, for his actions in the 2023 Osprey crash in Australia that killed three. Watson received the award at a ceremony at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.

The crash came Aug. 23, 2023, as Watson’s Lima Company prepared to practice seizing two airfields at once. Lima’s commander would lead a force of about 70 Marines on one airfield, while Watson, the company’s executive officer, would lead a smaller force of 38 to take Pickertaramoor Airfield on Melville Island, about 45 miles north of Darwin, Australia, according to an after action report Watson wrote that was published on The Connecting File substack. Training in Darwin is a regular rotation for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. For the infil, Watson’s 38 Marines were split between two Ospreys.

But as the two aircraft approached the remote airfield, the lead Osprey rapidly slowed down, nearly causing the second plane to run into it in mid-air. The pilots of Watson’s plane veered their Osprey away from the collision but the maneuver, combined with a strong tailwind and the added weight of Watson’s Marines, made the plane uncontrollable and it rapidly fell from the sky.

Watson was one of 19 Marines and one Navy sailor squeezed in the rear of the second Osprey. As the plane began to fall, the crew gave the hand signal to the Marines to “brace,” or lean forward in their seats to absorb a coming impact.

Watson passed the signal and yelled the order to his Marines, but realized that his radio operator was not responding. As the plane descended, Watson grabbed the Marine and shoved him into a brace position.

Then the plane hit.

“Anything that was not strapped down became a projectile flying from the rear to front of the aircraft,” Watson wrote in his report. “I could not see the Marine seated five feet across from me, nor could I see out of the rear ramp of the aircraft. Heavy flames, thick smoke, spraying fluid, dirt, dust, gear, and aircraft wreckage made visibility extremely poor.”

Almost immediately, a fuel leak ignited the ground around the plane.

“The heat from the fire was overwhelming,” Watson wrote. “The only light piercing through the smoke came from the rear of the aircraft and this soon became the primary exit.”

In the shock of the moment, many of the Marines did not immediately move.

“After noticing that nobody was really moving, I directed the Marines to ‘leave everything and get out the back of the aircraft,’” Watson said in a Marine Corps news release.

As the platoon began to pile out of the rear of the plane, Watson saw that his radio operator was not moving. He shook him until he awoke and got him moving towards the exit.

“As I unstrapped and untangled myself, I began to pass off my radio operator to another Marine towards the rear exit,” Watson said. Then, alone, he checked the rest of the burning plane, looking under the troop seats, for others who might have been out cold.

“I went to ensure no one remained trapped,” he said.

As he left, though, he encountered a remarkable sight: one of the Osprey’s crew chiefs was pinned under the plane’s ramp as flames rapidly engulfed the wreckage.

“Still standing at the rear of the aircraft from which the fire was rapidly spreading, I witnessed the rear member of the aircrew who was pinned underneath the fuselage of the plane and severely injured, being cut free and buddy dragged to safety by my Marines who had come back to his rescue,” Watson wrote in the report.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22712510 (060833ZMAR25) Notable: Anti-woke warrior Alex Antic welcomes Liberals’ step to the right - The world has reached “peak woke” and the times now suit conservatives who put their views with pride, Liberal senator Alex Antic has declared on his ascent to the No.1 position on the South Australian Senate ticket. Long dismissed by detractors as a political fringe-dweller and polarising force, the rise of Antic is a powerful demonstration of the changing face of the South Australian Liberal Party. With the sudden resignation of veteran minister and moderate Simon Birmingham, Antic is now the most prominent federal Liberal in SA after successfully rolling opposition frontbencher Anne Ruston for the top spot in a preselection battle last year. His elevation confirms the new complexion of the SA Liberal Party as no longer the moderate stronghold of figures such as Birmingham, former defence minister Christopher Pyne, one-term Liberal premier Steven Marshall and his deputy and attorney-general Vickie Chapman. Indeed, it was the small-l liberal ethos of the Marshall government that helped drive a surge in grassroots conservative membership, many of them people with faith-based backgrounds outraged by Liberal support for euthanasia and late-term abortion. Antic is reluctant to re-prosecute past wars with the party’s Left, but says the broadening of the party’s membership base has the SA division in what he describes as “great shape”. “What we are doing is bringing Liberals back to the Liberal Party,” Antic told The Australian. “We have seen over the last five years really true Liberals coming back to the party in droves. The party is in the best shape it’s been in years.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50708

Anti-woke warrior Alex Antic welcomes Liberals’ step to the right

DAVID PENBERTHY - 5 March 2025

1/2

The world has reached “peak woke” and the times now suit conservatives who put their views with pride, Liberal senator Alex Antic has declared on his ascent to the No.1 position on the South Australian Senate ticket.

Long dismissed by detractors as a political fringe-dweller and polarising force, the rise of Antic is a powerful demonstration of the changing face of the South Australian Liberal Party.

With the sudden resignation of veteran minister and moderate Simon Birmingham, Antic is now the most prominent federal Liberal in SA after successfully rolling opposition frontbencher Anne Ruston for the top spot in a preselection battle last year.

His elevation confirms the new complexion of the SA Liberal Party as no longer the moderate stronghold of figures such as Birmingham, former defence minister Christopher Pyne, one-term Liberal premier Steven Marshall and his deputy and attorney-general Vickie Chapman.

Indeed, it was the small-l liberal ethos of the Marshall government that helped drive a surge in grassroots conservative membership, many of them people with faith-based backgrounds outraged by Liberal support for euthanasia and late-term abortion.

Antic is reluctant to re-prosecute past wars with the party’s Left, but says the broadening of the party’s membership base has the SA division in what he describes as “great shape”.

“What we are doing is bringing Liberals back to the Liberal Party,” Antic told The Australian.

“We have seen over the last five years really true Liberals coming back to the party in droves. The party is in the best shape it’s been in years. Social conservatives and libertarians are joining for the reasons Menzies intended – having passionate, energetic people determined to have the Liberal Party thrive.

“What we are seeing is a real injection of enthusiasm, as much as anything else. The age demographic is coming down. We are engaging with families who are concerned about social issues, and younger people who are concerned about economic issues. Overall, it’s an incredibly positive thing for the party.”

Antic, 50, is a married father of two and former lawyer who came to politics through local government, serving as an Adelaide City councillor, where he was outspoken in defence of January 26 as Australia Day.

He faced calls from some moderates for his expulsion from the party during the Morrison government when he and four other Liberals sided with One Nation against vaccination mandates.

He was bailed up by SA Health officials and police at Adelaide Airport in 2021 after refusing to reveal his vaccination status, spending 14 days in a medi-hotel where he filmed a video saying he would not be coerced into answering questions by “bureaucratic overlords”.

But with one eye on Washington, Antic said he felt the world had changed significantly and quickly, and that people wanted politicians to stand up to bureaucracy and big government.

“We have reached peak woke and are now coming out the other side,” he said.

“When people can’t pay their mortgages and are being yelled at by the establishment that they have to use paper straws, the tide is going to turn.

“That’s never more apparent than it is at the moment. We saw the defeat of the voice referendum in 2023. That was a definitive moment in Australian history. It showed that no matter how much government, big business, sporting codes, local councils, universities and even the media support an issue, mainstream Australia supports the values of fairness and democracy that have defined the nation.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22722935 (080225ZMAR25) Notable: Video: Accused Woollahra anti-Semite arson and graffiti attacker Thomas Stojanovski out on bail - A man alleged to have committed an arson and vandalism attack in which anti-Semitic slurs were graffitied on vehicles and restaurants in a prominent Jewish neighbourhood in Sydney had less to say when released on bail on Thursday. Thomas Stojanovski, 20, appeared to smirk when asked questions about his alleged involvement in the “racially motivated” attack where a large number of cars at Woollahra, in Sydney’s east, were spray-painted with the words “f*k Israel” and “PKK is coming”, causing an estimated $100,000 worth of damage. It is the first time an individual before the court, alleged to be behind one of several anti-Semitic attacks that have hit Sydney’s eastern suburbs and have struck fear into the hearts of Jewish Australians across the country, has been questioned about their alleged actions. After spending more than three months in custody on remand, Mr Stojanovski was granted bail on Wednesday by Supreme Court Justice Julia Lonergan, with conditions including that he abide by house arrest, but he was released on Thursday. Escorted by his father from the maximum security section of Parklea correctional centre in Sydney’s northwest, Mr Stojanovski said he would not comment on what has been described as a “racially motivated hate crime”.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>>/qresearch/22416604 (pb)

>>50707

Accused Woollahra anti-Semite arson and graffiti attacker Thomas Stojanovski out on bail

LIAM MENDES - March 06, 2025

A man alleged to have committed an arson and vandalism attack in which anti-Semitic slurs were graffitied on vehicles and restaurants in a prominent Jewish neighbourhood in Sydney had less to say when released on bail on Thursday.

Thomas Stojanovski, 20, appeared to smirk when asked questions about his alleged involvement in the “racially motivated” attack where a large number of cars at Woollahra, in Sydney’s east, were spray-painted with the words “f*k Israel” and “PKK is coming”, causing an estimated $100,000 worth of damage.

It is the first time an individual before the court, alleged to be behind one of several anti-Semitic attacks that have hit Sydney’s eastern suburbs and have struck fear into the hearts of Jewish Australians across the country, has been questioned about their alleged actions.

After spending more than three months in custody on remand, Mr Stojanovski was granted bail on Wednesday by Supreme Court Justice Julia Lonergan, with conditions including that he abide by house arrest, but he was released on Thursday.

Escorted by his father from the maximum security section of Parklea correctional centre in Sydney’s northwest, Mr Stojanovski said he would not comment on what has been described as a “racially motivated hate crime”.

Dressed in the same music festival tank top and shorts he was wearing at the time of his arrest in November 2024 and clutching a Bible, Mr Stojanovski refused to answer questions, including whether he was behind the attacks, was an anti-Semite or hated the state of Israel.

He was arrested at his Arncliffe home in southern Sydney a week after the attack and charged with 21 offences, including 14 counts of destroying or damaging property, three counts of entering land with intent to commit an indictable offence and two counts of destroying property using fire.

Video from the evening, obtained by The Australian at the time, appeared to show two hooded figures at the scene with one appearing to be carrying a bag or jerry can.

On Wednesday the Crown prosecution argued that Mr Stojanovski was one of two men captured on separate CCTV footage during the attack and could be identified by a cast on his left wrist, NCA NewsWire reported.

At the time of his arrest he had a cast on his left arm but it has since been removed.

The court heard Mr Stojanovski and an accomplice allegedly arrived in a vehicle that they abandoned and departed in an Uber, and one man could be seen spray-painting their targets while another held a torch and acted as a lookout.

Justice Lonergan said she was satisfied that the risks posed by Mr Stojanovski could be addressed by strict bail conditions.

She noted his case might not be finalised for nine to 18 months, and his representatives said the case was weak.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/accused-woollahra-antisemite-arson-and-graffiti-attacker-thomas-stojanovski-out-on-bail/news-story/e220edec19197a25278dd93d3158ba77

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22723069 (080257ZMAR25) Notable: Burgertory owner Hash Tayeh charged for pro-Palestine rally chants - Burgertory restaurant chain owner Hash Tayeh has been charged with using insulting words in public for a chant at a pro-Palestine rally in the CBD last year. Tayeh, who has become a prominent leader of the protest movement after the Hamas attacks in Israel on October 7, 2023, and Israel’s 15-month war on Gaza, repeatedly said “all Zionists are terrorists”. On Friday, police charged Tayeh with four counts of “using insulting words in public” for uttering the statement four times during a May rally. The punishment is up to two months in prison for a first offence and six months for three or more offences. It is believed to be the first time that potential political speech has been deemed a criminal offence that breached the “insulting” law. The charges are normally levied for using abusive or obscene language against police officers. Tayeh told The Age he would “fight these charges with everything I have”. “I have never supported the harming or killing of men, women, and children - no matter their faith or background,” he said. “Standing against the loss of innocent lives is not just a political stance; it is a moral obligation. No innocent person deserves to die, and I will fight these charges with everything I have. I will take this battle as far as necessary because speaking out against injustice is not just a right - it is a duty. Criticising a regime that commits acts of terror is not a crime. It is a fundamental right, a cornerstone of democracy, and political censorship has no place in Australia.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>>/qresearch/22604566 (pb)

>>50707

Burgertory owner Hash Tayeh charged for pro-Palestine rally chants

Chris Vedelago - March 7, 2025

Burgertory restaurant chain owner Hash Tayeh has been charged with using insulting words in public for a chant at a pro-Palestine rally in the CBD last year.

Tayeh, who has become a prominent leader of the protest movement after the Hamas attacks in Israel on October 7, 2023, and Israel’s 15-month war on Gaza, repeatedly said “all Zionists are terrorists”.

On Friday, police charged Tayeh with four counts of “using insulting words in public” for uttering the statement four times during a May rally.

The punishment is up to two months in prison for a first offence and six months for three or more offences.

It is believed to be the first time that potential political speech has been deemed a criminal offence that breached the “insulting” law. The charges are normally levied for using abusive or obscene language against police officers.

Tayeh told The Age he would “fight these charges with everything I have”.

“I have never supported the harming or killing of men, women, and children – no matter their faith or background,” he said. “Standing against the loss of innocent lives is not just a political stance; it is a moral obligation.

“No innocent person deserves to die, and I will fight these charges with everything I have. I will take this battle as far as necessary because speaking out against injustice is not just a right – it is a duty.

“Criticising a regime that commits acts of terror is not a crime. It is a fundamental right, a cornerstone of democracy, and political censorship has no place in Australia.”

Last year, Tayeh was arrested but not charged over allegations of “incitement” of hatred against Jewish people that violated the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act during the weekly protests, which were wound back to monthly rallies after 71 straight weeks.

There has been a growing push to criminalise the phrase “All Zionists are terrorists”.

Federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has said: “The label Zionist is used, not in any way, accurately. When critics use that word, they actually mean Jew. They’re not really saying Zionist, they’re saying Jew because they know that they cannot say Jew, so they say Zionist or words [such as] Zeo or Zio.”

Zeddy Lawrence, executive director of Zionism Victoria, said: “Given the overwhelming majority of Jews in Victoria, Australia and, indeed, the world would identify as Zionists, besmirching the latter is akin to painting a target on the former. And tragically the spike in antisemitism on these shores, which has shamed Australia globally, is indicative of where misrepresenting the truth about Zionism can lead.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22723254 (080351ZMAR25) Notable: Video: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese won’t call election for April 12 as Cyclone Alfred approaches - Anthony Albanese has ruled out calling an election this weekend as Tropical Cyclone Alfred causes havoc in northern NSW and southeastern Queensland, with voters to go to the polls in May. Before the onset of Alfred, the Prime Minister had been expected to call the election this weekend for April 12, straight after Saturday’s Western Australian state election. In an interview on 7.30 on Friday night, host Sarah Ferguson asked Mr Albanese if he was “categorically” ruling out calling the election on Sunday or Monday. “That’s correct,” he said. “I have no intention of doing anything that distracts from what we need to do. This is not a time for looking at politics. My sole focus is not calling an election, my sole focus is on the needs of Australians, that is my sole focus.” Mr Albanese has been asked a number of times over the week whether he would delay calling the election due to the cyclone. He had batted away the questions saying he was focused on the government’s response to Alfred. The decision not to go ahead with an election on April 12 means the federal budget will now be handed down as scheduled on March 25. It is understood the PM on Friday finalised decided on the change of plans and to go ahead with the budget in just over two weeks.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50708

>>50743

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese won’t call election for April 12 as Cyclone Alfred approaches

Anthony Albanese says now is not the time for politics as millions face the onslaught of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, ending speculation he will call the election this weekend.

Joanne Williamson - March 7, 2025

Anthony Albanese has ruled out calling an election this weekend as Tropical Cyclone Alfred causes havoc in northern NSW and southeastern Queensland, with voters to go to the polls in May.

Before the onset of Alfred, the Prime Minister had been expected to call the election this weekend for April 12, straight after Saturday’s Western Australian state election.

In an interview on 7.30 on Friday night, host Sarah Ferguson asked Mr Albanese if he was “categorically” ruling out calling the election on Sunday or Monday.

“That’s correct,” he said.

“I have no intention of doing anything that distracts from what we need to do.

“This is not a time for looking at politics.

“My sole focus is not calling an election, my sole focus is on the needs of Australians, that is my sole focus.”

Mr Albanese has been asked a number of times over the week whether he would delay calling the election due to the cyclone.

He had batted away the questions saying he was focused on the government’s response to Alfred.

The decision not to go ahead with an election on April 12 means the federal budget will now be handed down as scheduled on March 25.

It is understood the PM on Friday finalised decided on the change of plans and to go ahead with the budget in just over two weeks.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has consistently said work had been proceeding on the budget, despite expectations of an election being called beforehand.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton had this week said the Prime Minister would “have to have a tin ear” to begin campaigning during a natural disaster.

Mr Dutton, whose outer northern Brisbane electorate of Dickson could be hit with 130km/h winds and storm surges, said he would be surprised if the Prime Minister called the election this weekend.

“There will be people waiting for waters to recede, there will be swift water rescues, there will be people cleaning out their houses or their businesses, and some people will have lost everything,” Mr Dutton told Brisbane radio station 4BC on Wednesday.

“That’s the reality of these weather events, and to go to election at that stage, at that time, I think the Prime Minister would have a tin ear to do that.”

The Easter and Anzac Day long weekends rule out April 19 and April 26 as prospective election dates.

Mr Albanese has just three election dates to choose from – May 3, May 10 or May 17, the latest possible day the government can hold a general election.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is now not expected make landfall around Brisbane until midmorning Saturday, with the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Gold Coast and northern NSW to be hit.

The category 2 storm is already causing high winds, heavy rains, huge swells and flooding in many areas, with the expectation of ongoing flooding over many areas over the next week.

Mr Albanese has described the situation as “very serious”.

“When you speak about a tropical cyclone crossing over and hitting land where over four million Australians live, then that’s pretty serious,” he told 7.30.

“That’s why we’re doing everything possible and mobilising every level of support that we can, both civil and military.”

https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/prime-minister-anthony-albanese-wont-call-election-for-april-12-as-cyclone-alfred-approaches/news-story/04c3d05d025982a361cef71e08af7493

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-07/federal-government-to-hand-down-budget/105024394

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22723272 (080356ZMAR25) Notable: Video: Monique Ryan, husband apologise after he is filmed removing Liberal sign - Teal MP Monique Ryan and her husband Peter Jordan have apologised after he was filmed removing a sign backing local Liberal candidate Amelia Hamer, marking the highest profile incident in a tit-for-tat signage war in the battleground seat of Kooyong. Videos obtained by this masthead show two youths slashing a Liberal sign to “humiliate” a homeowner while Ryan posters have been defaced with markers as the increasingly intense contest defies the affluent east Melbourne seat’s genteel character and some incidents end up in court. Ryan, who campaigned on restoring integrity to politics, and her husband both apologised for his behaviour on Saturday. “I unreservedly apologise for removing the sign,” Jordan said in a statement after video of the encounter was revealed by The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald on Monday. “It was a mistake. I believed the sign was illegally placed but should have reported my concerns to council.” The footage of Jordan shows the MP’s husband walking briskly away with Hamer’s placard under his arm down a street in Camberwell as the person filming asks a series of questions. “I’m taking the sign down,” Jordan says in the video. When asked why, he says: “it’s on public land”. Jordan is asked repeatedly who he is by the man filming, who notes Jordan is wearing a teal shirt underneath his jumper. “I’m not saying who I am,” Jordan responds. At one point, the man attempts to take the sign away from Jordan on the basis that it remains his property. Jordan pulls it back, saying: “if it goes back up, it’ll be taken down again”. “It’s an illegally put up sign, anyone can take [it] down because it’s illegal.” Jordan, who is an executive at a medical device company, eventually surrenders the sign. Ryan echoed her husband’s apology for removing the sign. “It should not have happened,” she said. “All concerns around signage should be reported to council.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50708

>>50743

>>50754

Labor sets up energy bill relief in March budget for May election

David Crowe - March 7, 2025

1/2

A surprise revenue gain is giving Labor more options to help households in the federal budget to be delivered on March 25, creating room for a new round of energy bill relief before an election that will be held in May.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed the budget date and election plan after top cabinet ministers signed off on major policies, intensifying a contest on economic policy with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.

Albanese and senior colleagues decided on Friday to confirm the government’s stated plan to release the budget on March 25 and head to the election in the first weeks of May, after Cyclone Alfred ruled out the option of an earlier election.

The prime minister went public with the plan on the 7.30 program on the ABC on Friday night when host Sarah Ferguson asked him if he was “categorically” ruling out calling the election on Sunday or Monday.

“That’s correct,” he said. “I have no intention of doing anything that distracts from what we need to do, and what we need to do is look after each other at this difficult time. This is not a time for looking at politics.”

Federal cabinet’s expenditure review committee has completed most of its work on the budget policies, which have been subjected to full Treasury costings, so Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher have authority to finalise the measures with Albanese.

Independent economist Chris Richardson has estimated the revenue gains will be worth $24.3 billion over two years, but this is strongly disputed within the government because Treasury has a more cautious outlook and is yet to adjust its forecasts.

The federal energy subsidy – which gave every household $300 for electricity bills over this financial year – is a key issue for the campaign because millions of voters would receive a final $75 payment at the end of June if the government does not extend the $3.5 billion package.

The cabinet decisions clear the way for another round of assistance, but the government is yet to decide whether the energy package will be the centrepiece of the budget or held for an announcement during the election campaign.

Chalmers has named the energy bill relief as a major reason for voters to reject the Coalition at the ballot box, given the Liberals and Nationals voted against it when parliament approved the package.

The moves follow a flurry of Labor measures since the start of the year, including an $8.5 billion boost to bulk-billing through Medicare, the funding of 50 urgent-care clinics to ease pressure on hospitals, more than $7 billion for public schools and decisions to fund major roads.

Dutton has cited the spending as a reason for voters to throw Labor out of office, saying the Coalition would cut government waste and improve the budget bottom line.

An election in May could be costly for Labor, as television and radio advertising has been booked and some staff have paid for four weeks of accommodation around the Sydney office where the party’s election headquarters are based.

Media advertising buyers who book slots for Labor are actively talking about changing the dates of Labor’s advertising bookings as a contingency if the election is in May rather than April, according to advertising industry and political sources.

Senior figures believe the government’s position is improving because Albanese and Chalmers can point to good news on four economic factors: the recent cut to official interest rates; lower inflation; good unemployment results; and the economic growth revealed on Wednesday.

A YouGov poll published on Friday showed Labor was in front of the Coalition, mirroring Labor research that showed the party gaining ground following a rate cut and an $8.5 billion Medicare announcement. Coalition sources disputed any significant rise for Labor in recent weeks, while the Resolve Political Monitor in this masthead showed last month that the Coalition was up 52 to 48 per cent in two-party terms.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22723834 (080639ZMAR25) Notable: Don Farrell’s US trade mission shelved as Labor eyes election - Trade Minister Don Farrell has put on hold a planned US trip to seek an exemption from Donald Trump’s steel and aluminium tariffs as Labor prepares to shift into election mode, leaving Australia’s ambassador Kevin Rudd to plead the nation’s case. Dr Rudd was due to meet Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick early on Saturday morning AEDT, but Australia’s hopes for a carve-out were dealt a blow when President Trump declared his metals tariffs were on track to be implemented on Wednesday without modification. Mr Trump issued the warning as he delivered another reprieve for Canada and Mexico, exempting imports that comply with the United States-Mexico-Canada-agreement from his threatened 25 per cent tariffs until at least April 2. Mr Farrell had said he would travel to the US for talks with Mr Lutnick after his counterpart’s appointment was confirmed by the Senate, which happened more than a fortnight ago. But the planned trip was sidelined by Senate estimates hearings in the last week of February, and Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ recent visit to Washington, when he urged US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to spare Australian steel and aluminium exporters from the planned 25 per cent duties. It’s understood Mr Farrell will see what comes of Mr Lutnick’s meeting with Dr Rudd before deciding whether to make the trip. Opposition trade spokesman Kevin Hogan said he was disappointed neither Mr Farrell nor the Prime Minister had travelled to travelled to Washington to make Australia’s case.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50708

>>50755

>>50725

Don Farrell’s US trade mission shelved as Labor eyes election

BEN PACKHAM and JOE KELLY - March 07, 2025

1/2

Trade Minister Don Farrell has put on hold a planned US trip to seek an exemption from Donald Trump’s steel and aluminium tariffs as Labor prepares to shift into election mode, leaving Australia’s ambassador Kevin Rudd to plead the nation’s case.

Dr Rudd was due to meet Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick early on Saturday morning AEDT, but Australia’s hopes for a carve-out were dealt a blow when President Trump declared his metals tariffs were on track to be implemented on Wednesday without modification.

Mr Trump issued the warning as he delivered another reprieve for Canada and Mexico, exempting imports that comply with the United States-Mexico-Canada-agreement from his threatened 25 per cent tariffs until at least April 2.

It came as Anthony Albanese accused the Coalition of undermining the national interest with “nonsense and cheering against Australia’s position”.

He levelled the charge after opposition foreign affairs spokesman David Coleman argued Australia had an even stronger case to secure a tariff exemption than it did in 2018, when Malcolm Turnbull secured a carve-out from Mr Trump’s first-term steel and aluminium levies.

Mr Coleman said the nation’s investments in American military hardware under AUKUS and its substantial trade deficit with the US should secure special treatment for Australia.

Mr Trump previously declared he would give “great consideration” to an exemption for Australia.

Mr Farrell had said he would travel to the US for talks with Mr Lutnick after his counterpart’s appointment was confirmed by the Senate, which happened more than a fortnight ago.

But the planned trip was sidelined by Senate estimates hearings in the last week of February, and Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ recent visit to Washington, when he urged US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to spare Australian steel and aluminium exporters from the planned 25 per cent duties.

It’s understood Mr Farrell will see what comes of Mr Lutnick’s meeting with Dr Rudd before deciding whether to make the trip.

Opposition trade spokesman Kevin Hogan said he was disappointed neither Mr Farrell nor the Prime Minister had travelled to travelled to Washington to make Australia’s case.

President Trump’s latest change to his tariff settings came just days after he granted the big three American automakers – Stellantis, Ford and General Motors – a one-month exemption from his 25 per cent tariffs on Mexico and Canada, which commenced on March 4.

The vast majority of goods exported to the United States by Canada and Mexico fall under the USMCA. The April 2 expiration date for the exemption is significant because it also marks the start date for Mr Trump’s broader reciprocal tariff regime.

The carve-outs announced by Mr Trump failed to quell the markets, which have plunged on concerns over his tariff plans.

The Nasdaq Composite fell by more than 2.6 per cent on Thursday local time, and the S & P 500 dropped by nearly 1.8 per cent, with Mr Trump blaming the trend on “globalist companies” that stood to lose out under his policies.

Speaking at the White House, Mr Trump said his decision to provide an exemption for goods under the USMCA had “nothing to do with the market. I’m not even looking at the market”.

“We’ve been treated very unfairly as a country. We protect everybody. We do everything for all these countries and a lot of these are globalist in nature,” Mr Trump said on Friday AEDT. “We have globalist companies that have been ripping us off that won’t be able to rip us off any longer.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22723852 (080644ZMAR25) Notable: Rudd’s crunch talks on tariffs as Trump sows more trade chaos - Australia’s ambassador to the United States, Kevin Rudd, will make a last-ditch personal plea to Donald Trump’s Commerce Secretary to spare Australian steel and aluminium producers from tariffs, despite the president’s insistence the 25 per cent duties will go ahead. Trump reiterated that the tariff on all steel and aluminium imported into the US would come into effect on March 12, even as he sparked fresh confusion by delaying the start of sweeping tariffs on some Mexican and Canadian exports. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday that Australia would continue to lobby the US government to be exempted from the steel and aluminium tariffs. He accused the Opposition of “not cheering for Australia” and undermining efforts to secure a carve-out by criticising the government’s approach. “We’ll continue to put our case to our friends in the United States,” Albanese said at a press conference as he insisted his immediate focus was on the response to Cyclone Alfred. Rudd was due to meet US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick overnight, the second meeting the pair have had in the past fortnight. To bolster Australia’s lobbying efforts, the government has also dispatched its top trade bureaucrat, George Mina, to Washington to join the talks.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50708

>>50725

>>50756

Rudd’s crunch talks on tariffs as Trump sows more trade chaos

Andrew Tillett and Jessica Sier - Mar 7, 2025

1/2

Australia’s ambassador to the United States, Kevin Rudd, will make a last-ditch personal plea to Donald Trump’s Commerce Secretary to spare Australian steel and aluminium producers from tariffs, despite the president’s insistence the 25 per cent duties will go ahead.

Trump reiterated that the tariff on all steel and aluminium imported into the US would come into effect on March 12, even as he sparked fresh confusion by delaying the start of sweeping tariffs on some Mexican and Canadian exports.

The president’s flip-flopping on tariffs spooked investors globally, with a sell-off on Wall Street, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index fell below 8000, its lowest level in six months, after shedding 1.3 per cent.

“I’m not even looking at the market, because long term, the United States will be very strong with what’s happening here,” Trump said.

Trump is unleashing a global trade war through the use of tariffs, which he argues will revive US manufacturing, boost US tax revenue and stop foreign countries “ripping off” the US by running trade surpluses.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday that Australia would continue to lobby the US government to be exempted from the steel and aluminium tariffs. He accused the Opposition of “not cheering for Australia” and undermining efforts to secure a carve-out by criticising the government’s approach.

“We’ll continue to put our case to our friends in the United States,” Albanese said at a press conference as he insisted his immediate focus was on the response to Cyclone Alfred.

Rudd was due to meet US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick overnight, the second meeting the pair have had in the past fortnight. To bolster Australia’s lobbying efforts, the government has also dispatched its top trade bureaucrat, George Mina, to Washington to join the talks.

Trump increased the tariff on Chinese goods by 20 per cent this week, and slugged a 25 per cent rate on Canadian and Mexican exports, triggering retaliatory duties and heightening fears of a global rush to protectionism.

But in the fast-moving world of the Trump White House, the president on Thursday (Friday AEDT) signed an executive order granting a month-long stay on imposing tariffs on goods covered by the three-way North American free trade pact. That affects about half of exports from Mexico and a third from Canada.

The pause is in place until April 2, when Trump has threatened to impose across-the-board tariffs on a wider range of trading partners.

China warned on Friday of further retaliation against Trump’s “arbitrary tariffs” and accused Washington of being “two-faced” in trying to develop its relationship with China.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi also accused Washington of “meeting good with evil” on the sidelines of the country’s annual parliamentary session, as relations between the two superpowers took a sharp turn for the worse.

Wang told a press conference in Beijing that China’s efforts to help the US contain its fentanyl crisis have been met with punitive tariffs, which are straining the ties between the countries.

“No country should fantasise that it can suppress China and maintain good relationship with China at the same time,” Wang said. “Such two-faced acts are not good for the stability of bilateral relations or for building mutual trust.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22723901 (080659ZMAR25) Notable: NT Police Association calls for commissioner Michael Murphy to resign following ICAC findings - The Northern Territory police union is calling for Police Commissioner Michael Murphy to resign after he revealed himself as the subject of an anti-corruption commission finding. In late February, the NT's Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC) made a finding of improper and unsatisfactory conduct against an unnamed senior public official, who the ICAC said had mismanaged a conflict of interest. "I found that the conduct involved negligence and incompetence," ICAC delegate Patricia Kelly SC said. The ICAC report revealed that in early 2024, the unnamed public officer had helped a good friend get a senior position within their department, and sat on the panel that hired him. Commissioner Murphy revealed himself as the senior public officer on Thursday, releasing a statement explaining his actions. "I accept that I should have dealt better with a conflict of interest, a friendship and a referee report in relation to an appointee," he said. "On reflection, I should have managed the friendship and the conflict of interest to a higher standard and on at least one occasion should have recused myself from the appointment process in order to ensure community confidence." The ABC understands the person who applied and won the job is Assistant Commissioner Peter Kennon.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

NT Police Association calls for commissioner Michael Murphy to resign following ICAC findings

Jack Hislop and Matt Garrick - 7 March 2025

1/2

The Northern Territory police union is calling for Police Commissioner Michael Murphy to resign after he revealed himself as the subject of an anti-corruption commission finding.

In late February, the NT's Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC) made a finding of improper and unsatisfactory conduct against an unnamed senior public official, who the ICAC said had mismanaged a conflict of interest.

"I found that the conduct involved negligence and incompetence," ICAC delegate Patricia Kelly SC said.

The ICAC report revealed that in early 2024, the unnamed public officer had helped a good friend get a senior position within their department, and sat on the panel that hired him.

Commissioner Murphy revealed himself as the senior public officer on Thursday, releasing a statement explaining his actions.

"I accept that I should have dealt better with a conflict of interest, a friendship and a referee report in relation to an appointee," he said.

"On reflection, I should have managed the friendship and the conflict of interest to a higher standard and on at least one occasion should have recused myself from the appointment process in order to ensure community confidence."

The ABC understands the person who applied and won the job is Assistant Commissioner Peter Kennon.

The ABC is not suggesting any wrongdoing by Assistant Commissioner Kennon.

The Northern Territory Police Association (NTPA) has since called for Commissioner Murphy to resign.

"The entire executive board of the Northern Territory Police Association is unanimously calling upon the Commissioner to tender his resignation," NTPA president Nathan Finn said in a statement.

"The trust of our members in this commissioner is now destroyed.

"Our members will not forget this betrayal and question his ability to continue."

Mr Finn said the ICAC report had "triggered deep anger and frustration" within the NTPA membership.

"[It] brings into disrepute the whole police force," he said.

"Our members are fed up with the lack of integrity shown and question the commissioner's ability to remain in his position.

"We are calling out the commissioner's integrity with his involvement in not only this executive appointment, but for all of the other executive appointments referred to in the commissioner's broadcast of [Thursday]."

In his statement on Thursday, Commissioner Murphy said almost 30 high-level NT police appointments made in the last 12 months had been "awarded to the most meritorious and best candidates".

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22723970 (080723ZMAR25) Notable: Geelong police work to unmask Nazi saluting soccer fans - Geelong leaders have slammed a group of local soccer fans who performed the Nazi salute at a Bell Park venue on the weekend, as the club distances itself from their confronting actions. The shocking image, allegedly of North Geelong Warriors Football Club supporters, was taken at the Croatian Club on Separation St and emerged on social media Tuesday evening. A group of men, all wearing black, posed in the venue’s smoking area. The majority of those pictured were performing the illegal gesture, while all had their faces covered digitally with a logo featuring the Croatian flag. North Geelong Warriors promptly issued a statement via social media condemning the behaviour, while president Tom Pausak further distanced the club from the actions. “I want to be clear that these people are not our supporters,” he said. “It’s not who we are, or what we stand for. It will be dealt with by Victoria Police.” Deputy Prime Minister and Corio MP Richard Marles condemned the behaviour, which he said was “not a representation of Geelong as we all know it”. “The North Geelong Warriors have been swift in their condemnation of this group, rightly calling out this appalling behaviour,” he said.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>>/qresearch/22521601 (pb)

>>50707

Geelong police work to unmask Nazi saluting soccer fans

Geelong Police have received CCTV footage which could be key in unmasking soccer fans who performed Nazi salutes in Bell Park.

Will Keech - February 13, 2025

Geelong leaders have slammed a group of local soccer fans who performed the Nazi salute at a Bell Park venue on the weekend, as the club distances itself from their confronting actions.

The shocking image, allegedly of North Geelong Warriors Football Club supporters, was taken at the Croatian Club on Separation St and emerged on social media Tuesday evening.

A group of men, all wearing black, posed in the venue’s smoking area.

The majority of those pictured were performing the illegal gesture, while all had their faces covered digitally with a logo featuring the Croatian flag.

North Geelong Warriors promptly issued a statement via social media condemning the behaviour, while president Tom Pausak further distanced the club from the actions.

“I want to be clear that these people are not our supporters,” he said.

“It’s not who we are, or what we stand for.

“It will be dealt with by Victoria Police.”

Football Victoria are understood to be investigating the matter but did not respond to questions before deadline, despite multiple attempts.

Deputy Prime Minister and Corio MP Richard Marles condemned the behaviour, which he said was “not a representation of Geelong as we all know it”.

“The North Geelong Warriors have been swift in their condemnation of this group, rightly calling out this appalling behaviour,” he said.

The image was posted on the Facebook page of Suburban Ultras Australia, which said the photo was taken prior to the club’s game against Geelong Soccer Club at Stead Park on Saturday night.

Geelong councillors Anthony Aitken, Eddy Kontelj and mayor Stretch Kontelj, as well as Lara MP Ella George, were all in attendance.

Mr Aitken, who left at half time, said the game was mostly conducted in good spirit.

“Flares were set off, and the risk of that type of behaviour is that people can get injured, so it is unacceptable,” he said.

“Apart from that, I had no reason to feel unsafe, I was actually enjoying the match, the rivalry is very amicable.”

Mr Aitken said of the salutes prior to the match: “It’s certainly not behaviour the council or the two clubs accept, all of us jointly condemn it.”

Stretch Kontelj said there was “no place” for the gesture, describing it as “very ignorant, stupid actions”.

“I don’t believe there is any place for that at all, in any city, not only Geelong,” he said.

Ms George said “there is no place for behaviour like this at sporting events or anywhere in our community”.

Anti-Defamation Commission chair Dvir Abramovich welcomed the club’s swift rejection of “this filth”.

“There is no place for this kind of anti-Semitism, hatred and violence we’ve seen recently,” he said.

A Victoria Police spokesman said authorities were aware of the image.

“No official complaints have been received in relation to the matter and as such we are uncertain when and where the incident has occurred,” he said.

The Victorian government introduced laws in 2023 that made it an offence to perform the Nazi salute, with the maximum penalty 12 months imprisonment and a $23,000 fine.

Anyone with information on the matter is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

https://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/news/geelong/north-geelong-warriors-football-club-distances-itself-from-alleged-nazi-salute/news-story/e8ede13f9ce2a1d0337f5a1e90047ec5

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1162931652415108

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22724198 (080826ZMAR25) Notable: Oscar Cosic and Luka Jurkovic among those charged with Nazi salute - At least two soccer players from the Geelong region are among seven men who will front court later this year after being charged with performing a Nazi gesture. Oscar Cosic, who recently re-signed with the North Geelong Warriors, is among six names that appear on the Geelong Magistrates’ Court list for May 6. It’s understood Mr Cosic has been stood down by the club, with all mention of him on its online channels deleted. The club was contacted for comment, but has remained tight lipped as to whether the removal of his name from club media is in relation to the police investigation. Also among the names listed was Luka Jurkovic, who played for the Surf Coast Football Club in 2024. Surf Coast posted on its Facebook page in February that Mr Jurkovic had re-signed, however, the club said he had not officially registered and was therefore not an official member. The club reaffirmed this point in an online post Monday morning. “Surf Coast Football Club is aware of an article mentioning individuals who previously played for our club and are now involved in a police investigation,” it said. “These individuals are not members of our club in 2025 and have no current affiliation with us.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50759

Oscar Cosic and Luka Jurkovic among those charged with Nazi salute

At least two Geelong region soccer players will face court over an alleged Nazi salute.

Will Keech and Chelsea Bunting - March 3, 2025

At least two soccer players from the Geelong region are among seven men who will front court later this year after being charged with performing a Nazi gesture.

Oscar Cosic, who recently re-signed with the North Geelong Warriors, is among six names that appear on the Geelong Magistrates’ Court list for May 6.

It’s understood Mr Cosic has been stood down by the club, with all mention of him on its online channels deleted.

The club was contacted for comment, but has remained tight lipped as to whether the removal of his name from club media is in relation to the police investigation.

Also among the names listed was Luka Jurkovic, who played for the Surf Coast Football Club in 2024.

Surf Coast posted on its Facebook page in February that Mr Jurkovic had re-signed, however, the club said he had not officially registered and was therefore not an official member.

The club reaffirmed this point in an online post Monday morning.

“Surf Coast Football Club is aware of an article mentioning individuals who previously played for our club and are now involved in a police investigation,” it said.

“These individuals are not members of our club in 2025 and have no current affiliation with us.”

Mr Jurkovic is also a former North Geelong Warriors player.

Another name on the list is Liam Saric, who appeared in another image of the group at the same venue at a different time and has links to the Warriors.

In that image, which was shared on a social media account bearing Mr Saric’s name with Nazi skull images known as Totenkopfs covering people’s faces, was at least one other North Geelong senior player sitting next to Mr Saric.

The unobscured image has been seen by the Geelong Advertiser.

Nicholas Volarevic, Luka Volarevic and Christopher Jurkovic are also named on the court list.

On Tuesday, police confirmed seven men had been charged with displaying Nazi gestures at the Croatian Club in Bell Park earlier this month.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of 12 months’ jail and a fine of almost $24,000.

Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dvir Abramovich welcomed the charges.

“The days of getting away with this poison are over,” Dr Abramovich said.

“This isn’t just a charge, it’s a reckoning.

“These men raised their arms to hate, and now they will be dragged before the courts to answer for it.

“Every salute they threw up was a slap in the face to Holocaust survivors – well, now the law is slapping back.”

A police spokesman said the charges came after an “extensive investigation into an image circulating online which depicted a group of men performing the prohibited gesture”.

“There is absolutely no place in our society for anti-Semitic, racist or hate-based behaviour and such activity will not be tolerated,” he said.

Football Victoria was contacted for comment.

https://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/news/geelong/oscar-cosic-and-luka-jurkovic-among-those-charged-with-nazi-salute/news-story/59ae4eb1a0c313bca45e7eb96aa64f9c

https://www.instagram.com/surfcoastfc/p/DFgtP30TLZG/?img_index=4

https://www.instagram.com/surfcoastfc/p/DGtlb9dzPCW/

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22724258 (080843ZMAR25) Notable: Seven men charged with performing Nazi salute in Geelong - Seven men have been charged after they allegedly performed a Nazi salute inside a venue in regional Victoria on their way to a football match. An image that quickly began circulating online shows a group of fans of the North Geelong Warriors Football Club allegedly performing a Nazi salute on February 8 at the Croatian Club in Geelong. The photograph shows men dressed in mostly black clothing with their faces covered using hidden stickers featuring the Croatian flag. “North Geelong Warriors fans pre-game away to Geelong on Saturday night,” the online post read. Police retrieved CCTV footage from the venue as part of their “extensive” inquiries. Seven men have been charged on summons for public display or performance of Nazi symbols or gestures. The Victorian government made the act of displaying or performing symbols and gestures used by the Nazi Party - including the Nazi salute – illegal in October 2023. “Victoria Police stresses there is absolutely no place in our society for anti-Semitic, racist or hate-based behaviour and such activity will not be tolerated,” a police statement read.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50759

>>50760

Seven men charged with performing Nazi salute in Geelong

ALEXANDRA FEIAM - February 27, 2025

Seven men have been charged after they allegedly performed a Nazi salute inside a venue in regional Victoria on their way to a football match.

An image that quickly began circulating online shows a group of fans of the North Geelong Warriors Football Club allegedly performing a Nazi salute on February 8 at the Croatian Club in Geelong.

The photograph shows men dressed in mostly black clothing with their faces covered using hidden stickers featuring the Croatian flag.

“North Geelong Warriors fans pre-game away to Geelong on Saturday night,” the online post read.

Police retrieved CCTV footage from the venue as part of their “extensive” inquiries.

Seven men have been charged on summons for public display or performance of Nazi symbols or gestures.

Those charged are two 20-year-old men from Newtown, a 25-year-old man from Williams Landing, a 19-year-old man from East Geelong, a 22-year-old man from Lara, a 22-year-old man from North Geelong and a 23-year-old man from Geelong.

The Victorian government made the act of displaying or performing symbols and gestures used by the Nazi Party – including the Nazi salute – illegal in October 2023.

“Victoria Police stresses there is absolutely no place in our society for anti-Semitic, racist or hate-based behaviour and such activity will not be tolerated,” a police statement read.

The maximum penalty for the offence is a fine of $23,710, 12 months’ jail or both.

All seven men are due to appear at Geelong Magistrates’ Court on May 6.

A North Geelong Warriors spokesperson condemned the image when it first began circulating, issuing a statement on the club’s official social media page.

“North Geelong Warriors FC strongly condemns any behaviour that is disruptive, offensive, antagonistic or goes against the spirit of the game,” the statement read.

“The club has no direct affiliation with individuals or groups who engage in such conduct, and we do not support any narratives that promote behaviour contrary to our values.

“We are working closely with Football Victoria to address this matter and will take decisive action against anyone who brings NGWFC and the game of football into disrepute.

“To be clear – this type of behaviour is not welcome at Elcho Park or any other football venue.”

A Croatian Club spokesperson said they were “absolutely disgusted in this behaviour”.

“We are … extremely disappointed that an incident like this has occurred on our establishment,” they told NewsWire.

“Had we been aware of this incident at the time, all individuals would have been removed from the premises.”

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-news/seven-men-charged-with-performing-nazi-salute-in-geelong/news-story/b0ff3648aaf502aad6ac34a30dbf172f

https://www.facebook.com/ngwfc/posts/1021047986511985

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22729760 (091238ZMAR25) Notable: Labor’s emphatic WA win sets up Anthony Albanese to hold onto key federal seats in May election - West Australian Labor has won a state election victory that could set the party up for another two terms and Anthony Albanese has been given hope in his difficult task to hold on to key seats at the May federal poll, after Premier Roger Cook won a historic third landslide. Mr Cook’s iron-clad grip over all corners of Perth saw him sitting on a two party preferred vote of more than 58 per cent on Saturday night and win at least 40 seats, in what was set to be one of the ALP’s biggest election wins in its history nationwide and only overshadowed by his predecessor Mark McGowan’s record-breaking landslide in 2021. As he counted Mr McGowan among his thanks in his victory speech, Mr Cook said his government would be focused on housing, health and dealing with the cost-of-living crisis. “West Australians have voted for a future that is made in WA,” Mr Cook told his supporters in Kwinana. The WA Liberals fell flat in many of the former stronghold seats that they were expected to regain, with the party set to fail to win seats such as South Perth, Scarborough, Riverton and Bateman, all of which had been touted as all but certain to be reclaimed. While Labor had been expected to win easily, the Liberals had been wanting to reclaim a series of heartland seats to rebuild its parliamentary presence, to give it a real shot at winning government in 2029 and build up resources for the federal campaign starting next month. But Labor’s primary vote statewide dropped 18 per cent on Saturday’s counting from the last state election, with a particularly strong swing against it in WA’s regions where anger over a botched attempt at revamping cultural heritage laws and the Albanese government’s live sheep export ban saw support for the ALP recede.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>>/qresearch/22521553 (pb)

>>50742

Labor’s emphatic WA win sets up Anthony Albanese to hold onto key federal seats in May election

PAUL GARVEY - March 08, 2025

1/2

West Australian Labor has won a state election victory that could set the party up for another two terms and Anthony Albanese has been given hope in his difficult task to hold on to key seats at the May federal poll, after Premier Roger Cook won a historic third landslide.

Mr Cook’s iron-clad grip over all corners of Perth saw him sitting on a two party preferred vote of more than 58 per cent on Saturday night and win at least 40 seats, in what was set to be one of the ALP’s biggest election wins in its history nationwide and only overshadowed by his predecessor Mark McGowan’s record-breaking landslide in 2021.

As he counted Mr McGowan among his thanks in his victory speech, Mr Cook said his government would be focused on housing, health and dealing with the cost-of-living crisis.

“West Australians have voted for a future that is made in WA,” Mr Cook told his supporters in Kwinana.

“While we celebrate tonight, we are humble. We do not take that trust for granted. We will work to repay this trust every single day.”

The WA Liberals fell flat in many of the former stronghold seats that they were expected to regain, with the part set to fail to win seats such as South Perth, Scarborough, Riverton and Bateman, all of which had been touted as all but certain to be reclaimed.

While Labor had been expected to win easily, the Liberals had been wanting to reclaim a series of heartland seats to rebuild its parliamentary presence, to give it a real shot at winning government in 2029 and build up resources for the federal campaign starting next month.

But Labor’s primary vote statewide dropped 18 per cent on Saturday’s counting from the last state election, with a particularly strong swing against it in WA’s regions where anger over a botched attempt at revamping cultural heritage laws and the Albanese government’s live sheep export ban saw support for the ALP recede.

Fremantle MP and ALP frontbencher Simone McGurk was also on track to lose to independent candidate Kate Hulett, in one of the first national instances of a Teal-inspired community independent ousting a Labor MP.

The Prime Minister had been due to announce his own federal election date of April 12 on the back of the expected landslide in WA, but he switched to his contingency plan of a March 25 federal budget and a May election in the face of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred.

State results on Saturday showed Labor holding up in electorates that sit in the must-win federal seats of Tangney and Pearce.

The Liberals had only secured one extra seat on Saturday night’s count, with even star candidate Basil Zempilas leading in a too-close-to-call contest in the former blue-ribbon seat of Churchlands.

WA Liberal leader Libby Mettam is now vulnerable to a stalking leadership campaign from the Perth Lord Mayor should he get into parliament after all, given the disappointing result.

Ms Mettam said it would be up to her colleagues to decide if she continues in the role after she led the party to a third straight horror election result.

After giving her concession speech in Cottesloe on Saturday night, Ms Mettam said she would consider her future after speaking to her colleagues over the coming days.

“That will ultimately be a decision of the parliamentary Liberal Party, and I will respect whatever decision they make,” Ms Mettam said.

She acknowledged that the result had not gone the way she had expected.

“Quite clearly, this is not the result that we wanted,” she said.

“I feel I gave it my all, and there will be much reflection on what made the overall result and we will obviously take that into account.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22729807 (091247ZMAR25) Notable: Teal independent Kate Hulett poised to win safe WA Labor seat - The teal independent behind the likely shock defeat of a WA Labor minister in one of the party’s heartland seats says her win should be a warning to federal ­Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek. Fashion store owner Kate ­Hulett was on track to claim the seat of Fremantle from Cook government Water Minister Simone McGurk, in what was perhaps the biggest upset of the WA election. The seat has almost always been held by Labor and Ms McGurk enjoyed a margin of more than 15 per cent going into the weekend’s election. But she had been the target of a concerted and well-funded campaign that was highly critical of the Cook government’s environmental record, and in particular its perceived support for the state’s major miners and oil and gas producers. The Cook government late last year formally approved Woodside Energy’s extension of the North West Shelf gas project out to 2070, triggering fury among environmentalists, and successfully lobbied Anthony Albanese to kill off Ms Plibersek’s proposed nature positive laws. Ms Hulett had received significant financial support from Simon Holmes a Court’s Climate 200 as well as the broader community, leaving her with a six-figure war chest. Speaking on Sunday, Ms Hulett said her apparent victory should be a reminder to Ms Plibersek that voters expected the government to work for them, and not for gas companies.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50762

Teal independent Kate Hulett poised to win safe WA Labor seat

PAUL GARVEY - 9 March 2025

The teal independent behind the likely shock defeat of a WA Labor minister in one of the party’s heartland seats says her win should be a warning to federal ­Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek.

Fashion store owner Kate ­Hulett was on track to claim the seat of Fremantle from Cook government Water Minister Simone McGurk, in what was perhaps the biggest upset of the WA election.

The seat has almost always been held by Labor and Ms McGurk enjoyed a margin of more than 15 per cent going into the weekend’s election.

But she had been the target of a concerted and well-funded campaign that was highly critical of the Cook government’s environmental record, and in particular its perceived support for the state’s major miners and oil and gas producers.

The Cook government late last year formally approved Woodside Energy’s extension of the North West Shelf gas project out to 2070, triggering fury among environmentalists, and successfully lobbied Anthony Albanese to kill off Ms Plibersek’s proposed nature positive laws.

Ms Plibersek is due to decide later this month whether to ­approve the North West Shelf extension, although she has the ability to again delay her decision.

Ms Hulett had received significant financial support from Simon Holmes a Court’s Climate 200 as well as the broader community, leaving her with a six-figure war chest. Speaking on Sunday, Ms Hulett said her apparent victory should be a reminder to Ms Plibersek that voters expected the government to work for them, and not for gas companies.

“Tanya Plibersek and the government need to consider the citizens and the citizens of the future when making these decisions,” she said. “That the nature positive laws were overturned because of the West Australian government is an embarrassment, and I think a deep shame for us West Australians, ­because that doesn’t represent what we want.”

The shock loss of a safe Labor seat due to the Cook government’s environmental record will stoke concerns among other inner-city Labor MPs around the country.

Ms Hulett said she had no doubt that the Cook government’s decision to approve the North West Shelf had helped her campaign. She said the government’s decision to wave the project through was “a crazy thing to do”.

Her win could come despite the Liberals deciding to direct their preferences in the seat to Labor.

WA Premier Roger Cook said it would be very disappointing to lose Ms McGurk, who he ­described as a friend and an important member of his team.

He defended his government’s environmental record, noting it had been responsible for banning native logging and single-use plastics, and had committed to phasing out coal-fired power in the state.

But he said he stood by the government’s decisions around oil and gas. “We’ll stand up for WA jobs, we’ll stand up for the WA economy and we’ll keep the economy strong,” he said.

“Government is tough. You have to make tough decisions. You have to make decisions in the best interests of the entire state. That sometimes disappoints some people, but you need to make sure that you provide strong government, and that’s what the WA public ­endorsed yesterday, the strong government that we’ve provided to the people of this state.”

Greens resources spokeswoman Dorinda Cox had said the party would push Labor to block the North West Shelf in the event of a minority government. Federal teal independent Kate Chaney has repeatedly called for Ms Plibersek to block the project, but now says she is comfortable for it to go ahead if sufficient conditions are imposed. The federal government has repeatedly said the decision on the North West Shelf will be made only according to law.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/teal-independent-poised-to-snatch-safe-labor-seat-in-wa/news-story/a586a2ce9c8a3d867f99fcff3ac1fc8d

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22729868 (091256ZMAR25) Notable: COMMENTARY: Anthony Albanese will be wishing he called an April poll after all following this dream result in WA - "The Liberal Party’s disastrous showing in the Western Australian election is a nightmare result for Peter Dutton and a dream outcome for Anthony Albanese. The Prime Minister may be regretting his decision to postpone his calling of the election after Premier Roger Cook and Labor delivered an emphatic result across metropolitan Perth, with the Liberals failing to claw back ground in former stronghold seats. We thought the Liberals would never deliver a worse result than we saw in Western Australia in 2021. We may have been wrong. The Liberals should emerge with more seats than the two they held in the 2021 bloodbath, but this is arguably a much worse result for the party. Unlike 2021, there’s no Mark McGowan. There’s no Covid. The 2021 vote was almost a war-time election, with West Australians behind their closed border smitten with the government that they believed were keeping them safe. Most worrying for the Coalition, the state seats corresponding with the marginal Labor-held Federal electorate of Tangney - Bateman, Bicton and Riverton - all set to remain in Labor hands. Western Australia has shaped as a key battleground dederally since Labor’s gains in the state in 2022 helped Anthony Albanese secure a majority government. The Coalition realistically needs to win at least three more Federal seats to claim government No-one privately expected the Liberals to win. But there was an expectation that the Liberals would gain enough seats to become a viable opposition and maybe be in a position to challenge the Labor behemoth in 2029. That now looks like wishful thinking." - Paul Garvey - theaustralian.com.au

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50708

>>50755

>>50762

COMMENTARY: Anthony Albanese will be wishing he called an April poll after all following this dream result in WA

PAUL GARVEY - 8 March 2025

The Liberal Party’s disastrous showing in the Western Australian election is a nightmare result for Peter Dutton and a dream outcome for Anthony Albanese.

The Prime Minister may be regretting his decision to postpone his calling of the election after Premier Roger Cook and Labor delivered an emphatic result across metropolitan Perth, with the Liberals failing to claw back ground in former stronghold seats.

We thought the Liberals would never deliver a worse result than we saw in Western Australia in 2021. We may have been wrong.

The Liberals should emerge with more seats than the two they held in the 2021 bloodbath, but this is arguably a much worse result for the party.

Unlike 2021, there’s no Mark McGowan. There’s no Covid. The 2021 vote was almost a war-time election, with West Australians behind their closed border smitten with the government that they believed were keeping them safe.

This time, the Liberals were up against a Labor government seeking a third term, which was running a groaning health system, in the middle of a cost of living crisis, and with a deeply unpopular Labor government in Canberra. The Liberals didn’t repeat the mistake of Zak Kirkup four years ago when he conceded the election weeks ahead of the vote.

Yet one after another, the former Crown Jewel seats that were expected to turn blue again have stayed red.

Most worrying for the Coalition, the state seats corresponding with the marginal Labor-held Federal electorate of Tangney - Bateman, Bicton and Riverton - all set to remain in Labor hands.

Those results will encourage Labor MP for Tangney Sam Lim that he can defend that marginal seat.

The next-most marginal Labor-held seat in WA, Pearce, has similarly enjoyed a strong result for Labor. The state seats within Pearce, namely Butler, Wanneroo, Mindarie and Joondalup, have all been comfortably retained by the Cook government.

There are also mixed signals out of the seats within the new Federal electorate of Bullwinkel, which is also considered a must-win for the Coalition. Labor enjoys a strong lead in Swan Hills, Kalamunda is too close to call, and Central Wheatbelt has been comfortably retained by the Nationals.

There has been some better news for the coalition in Curtin, although the results in the blue-ribbon state seats within the electorate have not been as emphatic as many Liberals had expected.

Western Australia has shaped as a key battleground dederally since Labor’s gains in the state in 2022 helped Anthony Albanese secure a majority government.

The Coalition realistically needs to win at least three more Federal seats to claim government

On a state level, Churchlands, Nedlands, Bateman, Carine, South Perth, Kalamanda, Mount Lawley, Hillarys, Dawesville, Murray-Wellington, Jandakot and Scarborough had all been firmly Liberal seats before they were lost over the course of 2017 and 2021.

Only Carine has been confirmed as a Liberal gain so far. The Liberals won’t win Bateman, South Perth, Mount Lawley, Hillarys, Dawesville, Jandakot or Scarborough.

No-one privately expected the Liberals to win. But there was an expectation that the Liberals would gain enough seats to become a viable opposition and maybe be in a position to challenge the Labor behemoth in 2029.

That now looks like wishful thinking.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/anthony-albanese-will-be-wishing-he-called-an-april-poll-after-all-following-this-dream-result-in-wa/news-story/79dd6480c061ae81f04ab46f825443c1

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22729914 (091310ZMAR25) Notable: UK says Australia ‘considering’ joining group to protect Ukraine peace - Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is considering joining a group of countries prepared to protect an eventual ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war, according to the UK’s prime minister. Britain and France have been leading efforts to form the so-called “coalition of the willing”, with the US’ long-term commitment to Europe’s security now in doubt under President Donald Trump. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer “spoke to the Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese this morning,” the UK leader’s office said on Saturday. “He welcomed Prime Minister Albanese’s commitment to consider contributing to a Coalition of the Willing for Ukraine and looked forward to the Chiefs of Defence meeting in Paris on Tuesday.” European countries have been rushing to boost support for Ukraine as Mr Trump pursues direct talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin to end Moscow’s three-year-long invasion of Ukraine. Key details about the “coalition of the willing” have not been specified, but the grouping was mentioned by Mr Starmer during a summit of European leaders in London last Sunday aimed at guaranteeing “lasting peace” in Ukraine. Earlier this week, Mr Albanese told journalists that Australia was “ready to assist” Ukraine. “There’s discussion at the moment about potential peacekeeping,” he said. “From my government’s perspective, we’re open to consideration of any proposals going forward.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50731

>>50740

>>50748

UK says Australia ‘considering’ joining group to protect Ukraine peace

Britain’s PM has revealed what Anthony Albanese told him on a Saturday phone call about his plan for Australia’s potential involvement in protecting Ukraine from Russia.

AFP / news.com.au - March 9, 2025

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is considering joining a group of countries prepared to protect an eventual ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war, according to the UK’s prime minister.

Britain and France have been leading efforts to form the so-called “coalition of the willing”, with the US’ long-term commitment to Europe’s security now in doubt under President Donald Trump.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer “spoke to the Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese this morning,” the UK leader’s office said on Saturday.

“He welcomed Prime Minister Albanese’s commitment to consider contributing to a Coalition of the Willing for Ukraine and looked forward to the Chiefs of Defence meeting in Paris on Tuesday.”

European countries have been rushing to boost support for Ukraine as Mr Trump pursues direct talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin to end Moscow’s three-year-long invasion of Ukraine.

Several European states have said they would be willing to deploy troops to Ukraine as a “security guarantee”.

Key details about the “coalition of the willing” have not been specified, but the grouping was mentioned by Mr Starmer during a summit of European leaders in London last Sunday aimed at guaranteeing “lasting peace” in Ukraine.

British officials have held talks with around 20 countries interested in being part of the group, a UK official said on Thursday.

The official refused to name the nations but said they were “largely European and Commonwealth partners”.

Earlier this week, Mr Albanese told journalists that Australia was “ready to assist” Ukraine.

“There’s discussion at the moment about potential peacekeeping,” he said. “From my government’s perspective, we’re open to consideration of any proposals going forward.”

https://www.news.com.au/world/middle-east/uk-says-australia-considering-joining-group-to-protect-ukraine-peace/news-story/7f1ed13c52e0192ff0f793d5c37f8c6e

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-call-with-prime-minister-albanese-of-australia-8-march-2025

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22730031 (091336ZMAR25) Notable: NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy to be sacked after 'incompetent' ICAC finding - Northern Territory Police Commissioner Michael Murphy has been stood down after an NT ICAC probe found he engaged in "incompetent" conduct by recruiting a close friend to a high-ranking police position. NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro announced late on Saturday that Commissioner Murphy's position was "untenable". "Today, I informed Commissioner Murphy he has lost the confidence of the government," she said. "I gave Commissioner Murphy the opportunity to resign. The police commissioner was asked to go on leave effective immediately. I have now begun the process to terminate the appointment of the police commissioner." Ms Finocchiaro's announcement came just over a week since she was first made aware of the findings against Commissioner Murphy, with his name initially kept anonymous by the ICAC. The ICAC report revealed that the unnamed senior executive, later revealed as Commissioner Murphy, had in early 2024 helped his good friend get a high-placed job in the public service, and sat on the panel that hired him. On Thursday, Commissioner Murphy publicly revealed himself to be the subject of that anti-corruption probe. Following his revelation, the entire executive board of the NT Police Association called for Commissioner Murphy to tender his resignation over the integrity breach. Commissioner Murphy's departure marks the second NT police commissioner to leave the force suddenly within two years, after Jamie Chalker was forced to retire during a period of escalating crime concerns in 2023.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50758

NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy to be sacked after 'incompetent' ICAC finding

Matt Garrick - 8 March 2025

Northern Territory Police Commissioner Michael Murphy has been stood down after an NT ICAC probe found he engaged in "incompetent" conduct by recruiting a close friend to a high-ranking police position.

NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro announced late on Saturday that Commissioner Murphy's position was "untenable".

"Today, I informed Commissioner Murphy he has lost the confidence of the government," she said.

"I gave Commissioner Murphy the opportunity to resign.

"The police commissioner was asked to go on leave effective immediately.

"I have now begun the process to terminate the appointment of the police commissioner."

Ms Finocchiaro's announcement came just over a week since she was first made aware of the findings against Commissioner Murphy, with his name initially kept anonymous by the ICAC.

The ICAC report revealed that the unnamed senior executive, later revealed as Commissioner Murphy, had in early 2024 helped his good friend get a high-placed job in the public service, and sat on the panel that hired him.

On Thursday, Commissioner Murphy publicly revealed himself to be the subject of that anti-corruption probe.

Following his revelation, the entire executive board of the NT Police Association called for Commissioner Murphy to tender his resignation over the integrity breach.

Commissioner Murphy's departure marks the second NT police commissioner to leave the force suddenly within two years, after Jamie Chalker was forced to retire during a period of escalating crime concerns in 2023.

Ms Finocchiaro said Commissioner Murphy will receive six months' pay once his employment is terminated.

"This process requires natural justice to Michael Murphy, and involves cabinet, executive council and advice to the Administrator on termination," she said in her statement.

"The terms and conditions of his appointment in 2023 requires payment of six months remuneration upon termination."

Current Deputy Commissioner Martin Dole will stand in as acting commissioner for now.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-09/nt-police-commissioner-michael-murphy-to-be-sacked/105028270

https://www.facebook.com/LiaFinocchiaroMLA/posts/1072518891365208

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22730053 (091345ZMAR25) Notable: Hunt for new NT top cop after Michael Murphy axed - The NT government is being urged to look outside the Territory to replace ousted police commissioner Michael Murphy, who was dramatically axed just two days after admitting he was the unnamed officer in a jobs-for-mates scandal. On Saturday night, Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro issued a statement saying Mr Murphy’s position was “untenable” following revelations he chaired a panel that appointed a close friend to a senior position in the force, resulting in a finding by the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption of improper conduct. Ms Finocchiaro said she had informed the commissioner he had lost the confidence of the government, but it appears Mr Murphy’s termination is not effective immediately. “I gave Commissioner Murphy the opportunity to resign,” Ms Finocchiaro said, noting that he had been “asked to go on leave”, effective immediately. Deputy Commissioner Martin Dole, a 28-year veteran of the force, has been appointed Acting Police Commissioner but is considered unlikely to score the permanent role. Current and former senior NT police told The Australian that most of the other potential candidates from within the force were tainted, even if only by association with previous scandals or involvement in racist conduct. “The job description should read: only those outside the Territory need apply,” one former senior officer told The Australian. “There are just too many skeletons in the cupboard. They need a senior officer with a record of ­integrity and strong leadership - even someone retired – to take on the job for the next 12 months while they find the right person for the next 10 years.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50758

>>50766

Hunt for new NT top cop after Michael Murphy axed

STEPHEN RICE - 9 March 2025

The NT government is being urged to look outside the Territory to replace ousted police commissioner Michael Murphy, who was dramatically axed just two days after admitting he was the unnamed officer in a jobs-for-mates scandal.

On Saturday night, Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro issued a statement saying Mr Murphy’s position was “untenable” following revelations he chaired a panel that appointed a close friend to a senior position in the force, resulting in a finding by the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption of improper conduct.

Ms Finocchiaro said she had informed the commissioner he had lost the confidence of the government, but it appears Mr Murphy’s termination is not effective immediately.

“I gave Commissioner Murphy the opportunity to resign,” Ms Finocchiaro said, noting that he had been “asked to go on leave”, effective immediately.

Deputy Commissioner Martin Dole, a 28-year veteran of the force, has been appointed Acting Police Commissioner but is considered unlikely to score the permanent role.

Current and former senior NT police told The Australian that most of the other potential candidates from within the force were tainted, even if only by association with previous scandals or involvement in racist conduct.

“The job description should read: only those outside the Territory need apply,” one former senior officer told The Australian.

“There are just too many skeletons in the cupboard. They need a senior officer with a record of ­integrity and strong leadership – even someone retired – to take on the job for the next 12 months while they find the right person for the next 10 years.”

The recruitment search should extend overseas, if necessary, to countries such as New Zealand, the former officer said.

“That person has to be able to do something about the ever-­increasing crime levels here, but doing things that are community based, managing really vulnerable groups in a way Murphy was never able to do.”

Mr Murphy’s tenure as the Territory’s top cop had been marred by controversy, with bitter division between the force’s top brass and rank-and-file members culminating last year in his resignation from the NT Police Association days after apologising to Aboriginal people of the Territory for decades of systemic racism within the force.

ICAC revealed in February that an investigation into an unnamed senior officer had uncovered “improper conduct” in the management of his conflicts of interest, calling it “negligent” and “incompetent”.

ICAC delegate Patricia Kelly SC found that the officer had ­declared the prior relationship but ought to have recused himself after giving the candidate a copy of a prior job application and acting as a referee for him. On Thursday Mr Murphy outed himself as the unnamed officer but did not apologise and refused to resign over the scandal.

“I accept that I should have dealt better with a conflict of interest, a friendship and a referee report in relation to an ­appointee,” Mr Murphy said in a statement.

“On reflection, I should have managed the friendship and the conflict of interest to a higher standard and on at least one ­occasion should have recused myself from the appointment process in order to ensure community confidence.”

Last week Ms Finocchiaro ­described Mr Murphy’s conduct simply as “unsatisfactory” and “disappointing” but did not call for his resignation.

On Saturday night she said the process of terminating Mr Murphy’s appointment required natural justice to him and involved cabinet, executive council and ­advice to the administrator on termination.

“I make no apologies for ­working through this methodically in the interests of Territorians,” she said.

The terms and conditions of his appointment in 2023 required payment of six months’ remuneration upon termination, she said.

The NT Police Association had demanded Mr Murphy’s resignation and questioned his integrity, saying the trust of its members in the commissioner was “destroyed”.

“This has triggered deep anger and frustration amongst our members and brings into dis­repute the whole police force,” NTPA president Nathan Finn said.

“Our members will not forget this betrayal and question his ability to continue as the commissioner of police.”

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/nt-top-cop-michael-murphy-axed-after-jobformate-scandal/news-story/c32d12b746e21ed3e72bdcab6a4df678

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22734109 (100804ZMAR25) Notable: Roger Cook vows to help Anthony Albanese after latest WA landslide - West Australian Premier Roger Cook will use his massive election victory, his booming personal popularity and the increasingly strong resources of WA Labor to help Anthony Albanese sandbag crucial federal seats in the state. As bruised Liberal strategists try to digest what their latest disastrous campaign would mean for the push to reclaim former Coalition seats at the federal election, Mr Cook declared he would swing behind the Prime Minister’s bid to return to power. Speaking on Sunday morning after leading his party to the second-biggest win in state history, and Labor’s third consecutive landslide in the west, Mr Cook said he expected Mr Albanese to make a pitch to voters similar to the one that helped his government secure an overwhelming majority. “I think Anthony Albanese has the similar vision for the country as we have for the state,” the re-elected Premier said. “That is to make sure that manufacturing and great jobs based upon a strong manufacturing sector is part of what we want to achieve for the state. It’s part of what he wants to achieve for the country.” The Liberals so far have secured only seven of 59 seats in WA’s lower house, falling well short of their internal target of returning to the 13 seats they had before Mark McGowan’s history-making 2021 triumph. The dismal result looks all but certain to cost Libby Mettam her leadership, although the party will have only a handful of MPs with no prior parliamentary experience from which to choose her replacement. Peter Dutton on Sunday acknowledged the “mixed” results in the state and tried to drive a wedge between Mr Cook and Mr Albanese, highlighting the Premier’s opposition to several Albanese government positions.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50762

Roger Cook vows to help Anthony Albanese after latest WA landslide

PAUL GARVEY - 9 March 2025

1/2

West Australian Premier Roger Cook will use his massive election victory, his booming personal popularity and the increasingly strong resources of WA Labor to help Anthony Albanese sandbag crucial federal seats in the state.

As bruised Liberal strategists try to digest what their latest disastrous campaign would mean for the push to reclaim former Coalition seats at the federal election, Mr Cook declared he would swing behind the Prime Minister’s bid to return to power.

Speaking on Sunday morning after leading his party to the second-biggest win in state history, and Labor’s third consecutive landslide in the west, Mr Cook said he expected Mr Albanese to make a pitch to voters similar to the one that helped his government secure an overwhelming majority.

“I think Anthony Albanese has the similar vision for the country as we have for the state,” the re-elected Premier said.

“That is to make sure that manufacturing and great jobs based upon a strong manufacturing sector is part of what we want to achieve for the state. It’s part of what he wants to achieve for the country.”

The Liberals so far have secured only seven of 59 seats in WA’s lower house, falling well short of their internal target of returning to the 13 seats they had before Mark McGowan’s history-making 2021 triumph. The dismal result looks all but certain to cost Libby Mettam her leadership, although the party will have only a handful of MPs with no prior parliamentary experience from which to choose her replacement.

Mr Cook has had a tense relationship with federal Labor at times, campaigning against Tanya Plibersek’s Nature Positive laws, criticising the live sheep export ban and blaming Canberra for the pressures in WA’s health system.

Peter Dutton on Sunday acknowledged the “mixed” results in the state and tried to drive a wedge between Mr Cook and Mr Albanese, highlighting the Premier’s opposition to several Albanese government positions.

“Roger Cook has made a number of decisions that were in WA’s best interest whereas Anthony Albanese and Tanya Plibersek make decisions that will hurt WA, and that’s why Roger Cook has spoken out against some of the decisions around Nature Positive, which is an anti-mining bill,” Mr Dutton said.

But Mr Cook said he would be closely involved in Mr Albanese’s campaigning in the battleground state.

Federal Labor successfully leveraged off the popularity of Mr McGowan in 2022, featuring the then premier in almost all of its election materials and advertising on its way to its best-ever result in the west.

Holding on to those gains in WA is central to Mr Albanese’s hopes of retaining majority government.

“Prime Minister Albanese has provided great leadership for this country, they’ve stabilised the economy, they’ve continued to create jobs, and they’ve got a vision for the country similar to ours with regards to manufacturing,” Mr Cook said.

“I’m very much looking forward to working on the hustings, doing my bit to see the re-election of an Albanese Labor government.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22734118 (100816ZMAR25) Notable: Don Farrell won’t travel to Washington for talks on Donald Trump’s trade war despite tariff uncertainty - Trade Minister Don Farrell has ruled out an eleventh-hour trip to Washington DC after Kevin Rudd failed to secure an Australian carve-out from Donald Trump’s 25 per cent steel and aluminium tariffs with just days to go until the duties are slapped on exporters to the US. Senator Farrell said Dr Rudd had been unable to achieve a breakthrough in a Saturday morning meeting with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, though it remained unclear whether Australian companies would be hit when the details of the tariffs plan were unveiled on Thursday AEDT. “They’re continuing to engage in discussions. Hopefully we get a satisfactory outcome,” he said. Senator Farrell said while Australian officials would continue to press the nation’s case, he was not planning a last-ditch trip to the US to try and sway the outcome. “I certainly won’t be going in the next three days,” Senator Farrell told The Australian. “I’m watching intently what’s going to happen over the next three days and then we’ll make some decisions.” Anthony Albanese has also indicated he will not travel to the US ahead of the election to try and seek an exemption from the tariffs, saying his focus ahead of the March 25 budget would be the aftermath of Cyclone Alfred.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50725

>>50756

Don Farrell won’t travel to Washington for talks on Donald Trump’s trade war despite tariff uncertainty

BEN PACKHAM - 10 March 2025

Trade Minister Don Farrell has ruled out an eleventh-hour trip to Washington DC after Kevin Rudd failed to secure an Australian carve-out from Donald Trump’s 25 per cent steel and aluminium tariffs with just days to go until the duties are slapped on exporters to the US.

Senator Farrell said Dr Rudd had been unable to achieve a breakthrough in a Saturday morning meeting with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, though it remained unclear whether Australian companies would be hit when the details of the tariffs plan were unveiled on Thursday AEDT.

“They’re continuing to engage in discussions. Hopefully we get a satisfactory outcome,” he said.

Senator Farrell said while Australian officials would continue to press the nation’s case, he was not planning a last-ditch trip to the US to try and sway the outcome.

“I certainly won’t be going in the next three days,” Senator Farrell told The Australian.

“I’m watching intently what’s going to happen over the next three days and then we’ll make some decisions.”

Anthony Albanese has also indicated he will not travel to the US ahead of the election to try and seek an exemption from the tariffs, saying his focus ahead of the March 25 budget would be the aftermath of Cyclone Alfred.

As the Coalition prepares to seize on any failure by the government to secure a tariff carve-out, Senator Farrell warned Labor was ready to hit back.

“They were the group that you know, left us with the $20 billion worth of trade impediments with China, the last of which we managed to remove just before Christmas,” he said.

“Remember this – from the time that Trump originally announced the tariffs on steel and aluminium the last time, it was nine months before we got a formal exemption,” he said.

“And it took us three years to get everything back into China.

“These are not easy discussions. Countries are making decisions based on what they think is in their national interest. What we’ve got to do is make decisions that are based on our national interests. And our national interest right now is ensuring those tariffs don’t get applied. That’s what we’re trying to do.”

Mr Trump said he would give “great consideration” to a potential exemption for Australia from his looming steel and aluminium tariffs.

But senior US officials including the President’s trade adviser Peter Navarro have accused Australia of dumping subsidised steel and aluminium on the US market.

Senator Farrell said no one could say for sure which way the tariff decision would go.

“Anybody who tells you they know what’s going on is pulling your leg,” he said.

“These are not ordinary times. They’re not ordinary negotiations. And all Australia can do is put our best foot forward, propose no tariffs, and keep pushing for that until we get the result we want.”

Senator Farrell had said he would travel to the US for talks with Mr Lutnick after his counterpart’s appointment was confirmed by the Senate, which happened about three weeks ago.

But the planned trip was sidelined by Senate estimates hearings in the last week of February, a US trip by Treasurer Jim Chalmers, and preparations for a now-deferred April election.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/farrell-to-stay-put-despite-tariff-uncertainty/news-story/d2f3c66bb02aabe8fbd406d869dac3c0

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22734120 (100825ZMAR25) Notable: Trump's Turnbull Truth:Trump slams Turnbull as ‘weak and ineffective’ before call on tariffs- US President Donald Trump has lashed former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull in a late-night social media post as he prepares to decide whether to exempt Australia from tariffs on steel and aluminium imports. Trump was scathing of Turnbull on Truth Social, a social media platform owned by the president, on Sunday evening (Monday AEDT). “Malcolm Turnbull, the former prime minister of Australia who was always leading that wonderful country from ‘behind’, never understood what was going on in China, nor did he have the capacity to do so,” Trump wrote. “I always thought he was a weak and ineffective leader and, obviously, Australian’s [sic] agreed with me.” Turnbull had just appeared on Bloomberg television in the US, speaking about the planned tariffs and arguing Trump was playing into China’s hands. In his Bloomberg appearance, Turnbull said he expected Chinese President Xi Jinping to take “massive advantage” of Trump’s presidency. “Where Trump is chaotic, he will be consistent. Where Trump is rude and abusive, he’ll be respectful,” Turnbull said. “And what that will do is build trust with countries, and there will be many countries looking at China on one hand, Trump on the other, [that] will prefer China.” Turnbull also said Trump “wasn’t really prepared” to govern in his first term because he didn’t expect to win the 2016 election but was much more determined now and was surrounded by loyalists who would implement his agenda. Asked to respond to Trump’s social media barb, Turnbull said: “I’m a quivering leaf.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50725

Trump slams Turnbull as ‘weak and ineffective’ before call on tariffs

Michael Koziol and Matthew Knott - March 10, 2025

Washington: US President Donald Trump has lashed former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull in a late-night social media post as he prepares to decide whether to exempt Australia from tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.

Trump was scathing of Turnbull on Truth Social, a social media platform owned by the president, on Sunday evening (Monday AEDT).

“Malcolm Turnbull, the former prime minister of Australia who was always leading that wonderful country from ‘behind’, never understood what was going on in China, nor did he have the capacity to do so,” Trump wrote.

“I always thought he was a weak and ineffective leader and, obviously, Australian’s [sic] agreed with me.”

Turnbull had just appeared on Bloomberg television in the US, speaking about the planned tariffs and arguing Trump was playing into China’s hands.

In his Bloomberg appearance, Turnbull said he expected Chinese President Xi Jinping to take “massive advantage” of Trump’s presidency.

“Where Trump is chaotic, he will be consistent. Where Trump is rude and abusive, he’ll be respectful,” Turnbull said.

“And what that will do is build trust with countries, and there will be many countries looking at China on one hand, Trump on the other, [that] will prefer China.”

Trump’s on-again, off-again tariff threats were “bad for business” and could drive the US into recession, Turnbull added.

“Trump seems to have a view that America can prosper at the expense of everyone else, but that’s not going to work,” he said.

Turnbull also said Trump “wasn’t really prepared” to govern in his first term because he didn’t expect to win the 2016 election but was much more determined now and was surrounded by loyalists who would implement his agenda.

Asked to respond to Trump’s social media barb, Turnbull said: “I’m a quivering leaf.”

Trump’s attack came just hours after Turnbull sent out invitations for an all-day conference he is organising at the National Press Club in Canberra on March 31 to rethink the future of the US-Australia alliance and the AUKUS pact in the age of Trump.

“With the arrival of Trump mark II, we have seen him effectively switch sides in the war in Ukraine and inflict extraordinary economic damage on allies like Canada, but both sides of politics are trying to pretend that nothing has happened,” Turnbull said.

“It’s bipartisan gaslighting. It’s long overdue for Australia to have a proper conversation about our place in the world and how we defend ourselves. It’s clear we cannot rely on the United States.”

Turnbull said he had invited about 100 “leading defence and foreign policy thinkers” to the on-the-record event, and that a broad spectrum of political opinions would be represented.

“It is more likely than not we will never get a Virginia-class submarine from the US, but where is the plan B?” Turnbull asked. “This is completely unacceptable.”

The invitation to participants says: “The breakneck speed at which the second Trump administration is challenging and overturning assumptions about the international order compels close allies to re-examine the fundamentals of their foreign and defence policies. This is happening in the capitals of Europe, in Ottawa and elsewhere, but not in Canberra ... I ask you to join me in this conversation with one goal in mind: the sovereignty and security of our continent.”

Earlier in the day, Trump flew to Washington from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, and did not answer when asked whether he would exempt Australia from the tariffs.

He previously said he would give it great consideration, but in recent days Trump’s top economic adviser, Kevin Hassett, said he doubted any exemptions would be granted.

https://www.theage.com.au/world/north-america/trump-slams-turnbull-as-weak-and-ineffective-before-call-on-tariffs-20250310-p5life.html

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114135887529701366

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22734151 (100904ZMAR25) Notable: Q Post #910 - Do not focus on the call details. We knew it would leak. We knew certain areas of the WH were bugged. We knew certain people would leak. Focus - why AUS? Q - https://qanon.pub/#910

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50774

2/2

Trump’s counter-attack was typically over the top, saying, “I always thought he was a weak and ineffective leader and, obviously, Australian’s (sic) agreed with me” – suggesting he didn’t know Turnbull was toppled by his own Liberal Party rather than voters.

Trump also said Turnbull “never understood what was going on in China, nor did he have the capacity to do so”. This is wrong. Turnbull had many failings as prime minister, but China was not one of them.

The Turnbull government significantly toughened its policies towards China, angering Beijing by banning the Chinese telco Huawei on security grounds and then introducing foreign interference laws.

I was living in Washington as The Australian’s US correspondent at that time and saw first-hand how the Trump administration watched and admired Australia’s tougher approach to Beijing. Australia became a template for Trump’s tougher policy towards China.

Even without the new Trump-Turnbull spat, the chances of Australia winning another exception to steel and aluminium tariffs, as it did in 2018, is looking less likely by the day. Trump initially said he would give “great consideration” to a potential exemption for Australia, but the President’s trade adviser, Peter Navarro, then accused Australia of dumping subsidised steel and aluminium into the US market.

In recent days, Rudd was unable to achieve a breakthrough in a meeting with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, while Trump’s top economic adviser, Kevin Hassett, said he doubted any exemptions would be granted.

Trade Minister Don Farrell has ruled out an 11th-hour trip to Washington for now because the prospects of an exemption seem grim. Anything is possible with Trump, so there is still a small hope of a last-gasp escape. But Trump Mark II seems to like his tariffs even more than Trump Mark I did.

The Turnbull spat makes it even less likely that America’s emperor will raise his thumb to spare our steel and aluminium industries from what will be an unjust and unwarranted tax.

Cameron Stewart is the Chief International Correspondent at The Australian, combining investigative reporting on foreign affairs, defence and national security with feature writing for the Weekend Australian Magazine. He was previously the paper’s Washington Correspondent covering North America from 2017 until early 2021.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/donald-trumps-tonguelashing-for-malcolm-turnbull-leaves-no-hope-on-tariffs/news-story/f1e454990ddfcb0ee95cc3ca8f15dafc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvYvR27zENs

https://x.com/TurnbullMalcolm/status/929231984160673792

—

Q Post #479

Jan 6 2018 16:03:28 (EST)

How much did AUS donate to CF?

How much did SA donate to CF?

Compare.

Why is this relevant?

What phone call between POTUS and X/AUS leaked?

List the leadership in AUS.

IDEN leadership during Hussein term.

IDEN leadership during POTUS' term.

Who controls AUS?

Who really controls AUS?

UK?

Why is this relevant?

Q

https://qanon.pub/#479

—

Q Post #908

Mar 10 2018 12:33:37 (EST)

Which conversation leaked?

POTUS & AUS?

Why that specific conversation?

Signal?

We (they) hear what you are saying?

Threat to AUS?

Why?

What do they know?

Trapped?

Forced?

Blood.

Q

https://qanon.pub/#908

—

Q Post 910

Mar 10 2018 12:47:35 (EST)

Do not focus on the call details.

We knew it would leak.

We knew certain areas of the WH were bugged.

We knew certain people would leak.

Focus - why AUS?

Q

https://qanon.pub/#910

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22740317 (110923ZMAR25) Notable: Video: Fake terror, real fear, and hunt for puppetmaster behind anti-Semitic attacks - All 14 of the alleged offenders arrested over a streak of anti-Semitic crimes have now been charged after it was revealed an organised crime kingpin directed a cabal of Australia-based criminals to orchestrate a raft of attacks now labelled a “fabricated terror plot”. On Monday, the 14 alleged offenders were arrested after eleven simultaneous police raids, with five people charged from the outset. By Tuesday morning, all had been charged with a total of 65 alleged offences, though the supposed kingpin behind the scheme is believed to have evaded arrest so far. The alleged mastermind “pulled the strings” on a spate of Sydney’s anti-Semitic attacks from “afar”, understood to be while based on foreign soil, and had sought to leverage information about an abandoned explosives-laden caravan with police to secure leniency in a separate criminal case. The charges came after dawn raids by NSW Police and Australian Federal Police, who arrested 14 people in relation to a string of the anti-Semitic vandalism and firebombing attacks - bringing the total number of people arrested under state police’s hate-crimes unit to 29 with a total of 143 charges laid. NSW Premier Chris Minns had first labelled the caravan as a potential “mass-casualty event” and “terrorism”. Police have now called it a “criminal con job” and “fabricated terror plot” in a foiled attempt for criminals to use as a bartering tool to reduce their sentences or drop charges. It follows a summer of rising anti-Semitism in NSW, but with police now alleging that the most severe cases had their roots in the sophisticated criminal plot.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50707

>>50769

Fake terror, real fear, and hunt for puppetmaster behind anti-Semitic attacks

ALEXI DEMETRIADI - March 10, 2025

1/3

All 14 of the alleged offenders arrested over a streak of anti-Semitic crimes have now been charged after it was revealed an organised crime kingpin directed a cabal of Australia-based criminals to orchestrate a raft of attacks now labelled a “fabricated terror plot”.

On Monday, the 14 alleged offenders were arrested after eleven simultaneous police raids, with five people charged from the outset.

By Tuesday morning, all had been charged with a total of 65 alleged offences, though the supposed kingpin behind the scheme is believed to have evaded arrest so far.

The alleged mastermind “pulled the strings” on a spate of Sydney’s anti-Semitic attacks from “afar”, understood to be while based on foreign soil, and had sought to leverage information about an abandoned explosives-laden caravan with police to secure leniency in a separate criminal case.

The charges came after dawn raids by NSW Police and Australian Federal Police, who arrested 14 people in relation to a string of the anti-Semitic vandalism and firebombing attacks – bringing the total number of people arrested under state police’s hate-crimes unit to 29 with a total of 143 charges laid.

More than 250 investigators from NSW Police and the AFP carried out 11 search warrants on Monday.

NSW Premier Chris Minns had first labelled the caravan as a potential “mass-casualty event” and “terrorism”. Police have now called it a “criminal con job” and “fabricated terror plot” in a foiled attempt for criminals to use as a bartering tool to reduce their sentences or drop charges.

It follows a summer of rising anti-Semitism in NSW, but with police now alleging that the most severe cases had their roots in the sophisticated criminal plot.

The plot appears to span as far back as an anti-Semitic vandalism attack in Woollahra in December to the discovery of the explosives-laden caravan in Dural, in northwest Sydney, on January 19.

The nine alleged criminals were aged between 18 and 41, with police set to argue their offences ranged from carrying out arson attacks to preparing the cars that ferried vandals across Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

Two men who were already incarcerated - aged 23 and 37 - were taken to Riverstone Police Station where they were arrested and charged. The 27-year-old is accused of: “participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, destroy/damage property intend criminal activity of group¸ drive conveyance taken w/o consent of owner, supply prohibited drug - indictable and possess prohibited drug”.

He is alleged to have carried out a vandalism attack in Queens Park on January 11, while the 37-year-old is alleged to have carried out the Maroubra childcare attack - police also found an unregistered firearm in his storage facility.

“A 31-year-old man was arrested at a Camperdown unit and taken to Newtown Police Station where he was charged with knowingly direct activities of criminal group, five counts of accessory before the fact to malicious damage in company, damage property in company use fire, two counts of destroy property in company use fire and break and enter in company destroy property,” the statement reads.

“Police will allege in court the man was involved in the preparation and staging of motor vehicles and provisioning them with equipment necessary for the commission of the offences.”

He will front Downing Centre Local Court on April 3.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22740362 (110936ZMAR25) Notable: Video: Former Nomad chief Sayed Moosawi allegedly Bondi firebombing ringleader ‘James Bond’ - A former high-ranking bikie boss was the alleged mysterious “James Bond” who directed criminals for hire to firebomb a Bondi brewery they appeared to mistake for a Jewish kosher deli. After they realised they hit the wrong target, police allege, former Nomad leader Sayed Moosawi - known to his alleged guns-for-hire as “James Bond” – allegedly took matters into his own hands and destroyed the deli himself. Moosawi denies the allegations and intends to fight the charges. It comes as NSW Police and the Australian Federal Police arrested and charged 14 people on Monday linked to Sydney’s recent anti-Semitic attacks, allegedly at the behest of an unknown mastermind - who is not Moosawi – and remains at large. After Monday’s dawn raids and revelations, NSW Police confirmed that all 14 people arrested during that operation had been charged, totalling 65 alleged offences across different anti-Semitic attacks since December. One of those is former Nomads Parramatta chapter president Moosawi, 32, who police allege directed the October brewery firebombing and carried out the deli attack, both in Bondi.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>>/qresearch/22416549 (pb)

>>50707

>>50769

Former Nomad chief Sayed Moosawi allegedly Bondi firebombing ringleader ‘James Bond’

ALEXI DEMETRIADI, JAMES DOWLING and JOANNA PANAGOPOULOS - 11 March 2025

1/2

A former high-ranking bikie boss was the alleged mysterious “James Bond” who directed criminals for hire to firebomb a Bondi brewery they appeared to mistake for a Jewish kosher deli.

After they realised they hit the wrong target, police allege, former Nomad leader Sayed Moosawi – known to his alleged guns-for-hire as “James Bond” – allegedly took matters into his own hands and destroyed the deli himself.

Moosawi denies the allegations and intends to fight the charges.

It comes as NSW Police and the Australian Federal Police arrested and charged 14 people on Monday linked to Sydney’s recent anti-Semitic attacks, allegedly at the behest of an unknown mastermind – who is not Moosawi – and remains at large.

After Monday’s dawn raids and revelations, NSW Police confirmed that all 14 people arrested during that operation had been charged, totalling 65 alleged offences across different anti-Semitic attacks since December.

One of those is former Nomads Parramatta chapter president Moosawi, 32, who police allege directed the October brewery firebombing and carried out the deli attack, both in Bondi.

The Australian previously revealed how two of the arsonists – Craig Bantoft and Guy Finnegan – had carried out orders for cash to destroy the Curley Lewis Brewery at the direction of a man they simply called “James Bond”, in what appeared to be a case of mistaking the business with a nearby kosher deli sharing a similar name.

NSW Police apprehended Moosawi on Monday and charged him with directing a criminal group, and two charges of destroying both the Curley Lewis Brewery and Lewis’ Continental Kitchen.

In the case of the beer house, Moosawi’s charge relates to directing Bantoft and Finnegan to carry out the attack on October 17, whereas he himself is accused of destroying Lewis’ Kitchen, a kosher deli, a few days later.

After Bantoft and Finnegan torched the brewery – they poured petrol under its front door, before then throwing lit paper, which set it alight – they conversed on encrypted messaging chat Signal, revealing they had taken the orders from the unknown man under the alias “James Bond”.

“James Bond” had told Finnegan and Bantoft that they’d “f*cked it up”, and that the target was barely burnt.

“Use f*cked the whole thing now... If use f*cking couldn’t do it from the start then why did use even went there for f*ck me – its not even done 2% burned f*ck me dead (sic),” Bond said.

Bantoft asked Finnegan whether “(James Bond) is paying us or nah”, who responded: “I’m starting to think he has sent us to the wrong place lol.”

Moosawi was refused bail and his matter was briefly mentioned at Waverley Local Court on Tuesday, where his solicitor entered not guilty pleas on his client’s behalf, The Daily Telegraph reported. The solicitor told media outside the court that Moosawi denied the allegations and would fight the charges.

Finnegan and Bantoft pleaded guilty for their involvement in the brewery. Two other men are before the courts accused of also carrying out that second Bondi arson attack.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22740404 (110944ZMAR25) Notable: ‘We won’t be intimidated’: Wong hits back at Russia over ‘boots on the ground’ warning - The Albanese government has insisted it will not be intimidated by hostile rhetoric from Vladimir Putin’s regime after Russia has warned of grave consequences if Australia contributes to an international peacekeeping force in Ukraine. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has applauded Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for being willing to contribute to a “coalition of the willing” in Ukraine, while Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has argued it would be against the national interest to send Australian troops to eastern Europe. The Russian embassy in Canberra said in a statement provided to this masthead: “For Australia joining the so-called coalition of the willing would entail grave consequences. “Once again, Western boots on the ground are unacceptable for Russia, and we will not remain passive observers. To those inclined to construe the above as a threat: it is not; it is a warning. “Russia has no intention to harm Australians, and Canberra can easily avoid trouble by simply refraining from irresponsible adventurism in the zone of the special military operation.” A spokesperson for Foreign Minister Penny Wong said: “Our message to Russia is: end your illegal invasion of Ukraine. We won’t be intimidated from working towards a just peace for the people of Ukraine.” The spokesperson said Australia “has a proud tradition of supporting peace through 80 years of contributions to international peacekeeping missions. Such a mission does not yet exist in Ukraine, where Russia continues its brutal and unjustified war,” the spokesperson said. “Australia has said that if we receive a request to support a peacekeeping mission, we’ll consider it.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50731

>>50740

>>50765

‘We won’t be intimidated’: Wong hits back at Russia over ‘boots on the ground’ warning

Matthew Knott - March 10, 2025

1/2

The Albanese government has insisted it will not be intimidated by hostile rhetoric from Vladimir Putin’s regime after Russia has warned of grave consequences if Australia contributes to an international peacekeeping force in Ukraine.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has applauded Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for being willing to contribute to a “coalition of the willing” in Ukraine, while Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has argued it would be against the national interest to send Australian troops to eastern Europe.

The Russian embassy in Canberra said in a statement provided to this masthead: “For Australia joining the so-called coalition of the willing would entail grave consequences.

“Once again, Western boots on the ground are unacceptable for Russia, and we will not remain passive observers. To those inclined to construe the above as a threat: it is not; it is a warning.

“Russia has no intention to harm Australians, and Canberra can easily avoid trouble by simply refraining from irresponsible adventurism in the zone of the special military operation.”

A spokesperson for Foreign Minister Penny Wong said: “Our message to Russia is: end your illegal invasion of Ukraine.

“We won’t be intimidated from working towards a just peace for the people of Ukraine.”

The spokesperson said Australia “has a proud tradition of supporting peace through 80 years of contributions to international peacekeeping missions”.

“Such a mission does not yet exist in Ukraine, where Russia continues its brutal and unjustified war,” the spokesperson said.

“Australia has said that if we receive a request to support a peacekeeping mission, we’ll consider it.”

Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, urged Australia to ignore the Russian warning.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has made empty threats, including of using nuclear weapons, since the war began to try to scare foreign nations from helping Ukraine, Myroshnychenko said.

“Russia is a rogue state and they simply want everybody to give up on helping Ukraine,” he said.

The Russian embassy said: “Russia has repeatedly made it clear that foreign military presence in Ukraine is totally unacceptable.

“Canberra remains firmly on the side of war along with those in Europe who are betting on continuing and escalating the conflict despite encouraging shifts towards peace negotiations.”

The Russian embassy accused Australia of “lavishly” spending $1.5 billion to “enable Zelensky to send his fellow citizens to an endless and senseless slaughter”.

The embassy statement did not acknowledge that Russia was the aggressor in the war and invaded Ukraine’s sovereign territory in February 2022.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22740487 (111004ZMAR25) Notable: Backlash over Clive Palmer’s Trumpet of Patriots gender advertisements - Clive Palmer’s Trumpet of Patriots party has pledged to spend more than the record $100 million that his previous political party spent at the 2022 federal election, as transgender advocacy groups voice outrage over a series of political ads published in major newspapers. Transgender Victoria has called on Palmer’s party to retract the “dangerous and hateful ad” that ran in several newspapers on Tuesday, including The Australian, and to apologise, warning of the history of self-harm caused by transphobic comments. The Age, owned by Nine Entertainment, is running the ad on Wednesday. The print ad says in large font: “There are only two genders - male and female.” It then warns, “we must stop confusing children in schools” and give them a “normal, safe” environment to grow up in. “Trumpet of Patriots should retract this campaign and apologise - or acknowledge they will have our blood on their hands,” Transgender Victoria chief executive Son Vivienne told this masthead. The ads were designed to do nothing more than stoke division and provoke outrage “from a fringe political actor desperately looking for attention”, Equality Australia CEO Anna Brown told this masthead. “They do nothing to inform debate or promote any understanding of what are complex issues that affect the most vulnerable people in our community,” Brown said. Australia’s largest regional publisher also apologised for running the same ad on the front page of the Newcastle Herald on Tuesday. “We support freedom of speech and a diversity of views, but on this occasion we let our readers and our staff down,” said Tony Kendall, managing director of Australian Community Media, which publishes the Newcastle paper. The ACM boss said the advertisement did not meet the company’s values, and that it would be removed from the paper’s digital editions.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>>/qresearch/22611022 (pb)

>>50708

Backlash over Clive Palmer’s Trumpet of Patriots gender advertisements

Calum Jaspan - March 11, 2025

1/2

Clive Palmer’s Trumpet of Patriots party has pledged to spend more than the record $100 million that his previous political party spent at the 2022 federal election, as transgender advocacy groups voice outrage over a series of political ads published in major newspapers.

Transgender Victoria has called on Palmer’s party to retract the “dangerous and hateful ad” that ran in several newspapers on Tuesday, including The Australian, and to apologise, warning of the history of self-harm caused by transphobic comments. The Age, owned by Nine Entertainment, is running the ad on Wednesday.

The print ad says in large font: “There are only two genders – male and female.” It then warns, “we must stop confusing children in schools” and give them a “normal, safe” environment to grow up in.

“Trumpet of Patriots should retract this campaign and apologise – or acknowledge they will have our blood on their hands,” Transgender Victoria chief executive Son Vivienne told this masthead.

The ads were designed to do nothing more than stoke division and provoke outrage “from a fringe political actor desperately looking for attention”, Equality Australia CEO Anna Brown told this masthead.

“They do nothing to inform debate or promote any understanding of what are complex issues that affect the most vulnerable people in our community,” Brown said.

Australia’s largest regional publisher also apologised for running the same ad on the front page of the Newcastle Herald on Tuesday.

“We support freedom of speech and a diversity of views, but on this occasion we let our readers and our staff down,” said Tony Kendall, managing director of Australian Community Media, which publishes the Newcastle paper. The ACM boss said the advertisement did not meet the company’s values, and that it would be removed from the paper’s digital editions.

Launched in February, the Trumpet of Patriots party has bought 14 front page advertising spots across all of Australia’s major daily newspapers in the past five days alone, with the mining billionaire launching an advertising blitz and flooding Australia’s mainstream media with controversial messaging on immigration, gender and welcome to Country addresses.

Palmer’s United Australia Party made headlines in 2021 and 2022 for its controversial COVID-19 advertising and record-breaking $100 million election spend.

“He’ll give it a red-hot crack,” a spokesperson for the party told this masthead, when asked about the advertising outlay in the 2025 election.

“If that means going more than previous times, that might be the case.”

This is the final election Palmer and other parties’ advertising spend will not be capped, with Labor and the Liberal parties voting to restrict the kind of outlay seen in previous years.

The Trumpet of Patriots has already booked in almost $4 million in television advertising with the three commercial networks Seven, Nine and Ten in the five metro cities alone – with the election still yet to be called – a source with direct knowledge of the spend, speaking on condition of anonymity, told this masthead.

Numbers from Neilsen Ad Intel show Palmer spent almost $4 million across January and February on metro and regional print and television advertising through his mining company Mineralogy. The television ads were almost identical, however after the launch of the new party, referred to Palmer as the chair of the Trumpet of Patriots.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22740530 (111023ZMAR25) Notable: Video: In tetchy ABC interview, Turnbull says Australia cannot self-censor to please Trump - Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, who secured a tariff exemption from Donald Trump in 2018, has suggested the Albanese government will not be to blame if the US president denies Australia a repeat exemption when American tariffs take hold this week. Mr Turnbull, who made the remarks in a tense ABC Radio National Breakfast interview in which he accused the national broadcaster of adopting a "pusillanimous" approach to criticism of Mr Trump's global trade war, said the circumstances were different in 2025. "This time there will be no exemptions and they will apply right across the board," Mr Turnbull said. He said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and ambassador Kevin Rudd in Washington had done "as good a job as they can in making the case" for an exemption to 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium imports into the US. But he doubted it would be enough. Mr Turnbull hit back at questions from the ABC about whether his attack on Mr Trump would undermine Australia's case for an exemption. "Are you suggesting that we should engage in self-censorship in Australia for fear of offending the huge ego of Donald Trump?" he asked. "Is that really the state that we've got to? Surely we should be free to speak the truth. Or are we going to muzzle ourselves for fear of offending Mr Trump?"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50725

>>50771

>>50780

In tetchy ABC interview, Turnbull says Australia cannot self-censor to please Trump

Jacob Greber - 11 March 2025

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, who secured a tariff exemption from Donald Trump in 2018, has suggested the Albanese government will not be to blame if the US president denies Australia a repeat exemption when American tariffs take hold this week.

Mr Turnbull, who made the remarks in a tense ABC Radio National Breakfast interview in which he accused the national broadcaster of adopting a "pusillanimous" approach to criticism of Mr Trump's global trade war, said the circumstances were different in 2025.

"This time there will be no exemptions and they will apply right across the board," Mr Turnbull said.

He said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and ambassador Kevin Rudd in Washington had done "as good a job as they can in making the case" for an exemption to 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium imports into the US.

But he doubted it would be enough.

"I hope they are successful, [but] it's just a different circumstance," he said.

"We have to face up to that."

He added that while the impact of the tariffs, which are due to kick in on Thursday, was "obviously not good for our steel and aluminium exporters" they would still have access to the global market.

"The real problem with Trump's tariff wars or tariff campaign is the impact it's going to have on the global economy," he said.

Mr Turnbull's remarks followed a blistering row with the US president, who took to social media on Monday to attack the former Australian prime minister as weak and ineffective. The barbs came in the hours after a Bloomberg interview in which Mr Turnbull described the US president as "chaotic, rude, abrasive and erratic".

Turnbull says Australia cannot 'muzzle' itself in fear of Trump

On Tuesday morning, Mr Turnbull hit back at questions from the ABC about whether his attack on Mr Trump would undermine Australia's case for an exemption.

"Are you suggesting that we should engage in self-censorship in Australia for fear of offending the huge ego of Donald Trump?" he asked.

"Is that really the state that we've got to? Surely we should be free to speak the truth. Or are we going to muzzle ourselves for fear of offending Mr Trump?"

Mr Turnbull suggested Australia follow the approach adopted by the new prime minister of Canada, Mark Carney, who won his position over the weekend after an aggressive campaign of criticism of Mr Trump.

"Is the ABC becoming so pusillanimous that you're seriously suggesting that we shouldn't be free to speak the truth in Australia for fear of Donald Trump?"'

When Mr Turnbull accused ABC Radio National breakfast presenter Sally Sara of "apparently" not "standing up for Australia", she pushed back, telling him not to "put words in my mouth, with respect".

"It's my job to ask questions about your comments and this is at a time where there's a significant trade decision underway … I'm asking about the timing of your comments," Ms Sara responded.

Mr Turnbull said he was "always happy to come on your show" but that "we've got to be honest with each other".

"I secured an exemption in 2018. The arguments I successfully used then are being used again and they're good arguments. They remain the same," he said.

"However, I've always said that I think the chances of getting an exemption are very, very low," he said, noting top White House trade official Peter Navarro's comments in recent weeks that Australian aluminium exporters were "killing" the US market.

"The Trump administration regrets giving exemptions last time because once they gave an exemption to Australia, then they ended up having to give an exemption to somebody else and somebody else."

Mr Turnbull's remarks on Australia's tariff negotiations undermine the Coalition's position that Mr Albanese, Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Trade Minister Don Farrell should pull off a repeat exemption.

Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister David Coleman last week said the arguments made by the Turnbull government in 2018 about why Australian exporters should not face US tariffs were "even stronger today than they were in 2018".

"We expect the Labor government to succeed in its effort to secure an exemption on US tariffs for steel and aluminium," Mr Coleman said in a speech to the Australia Institute on Thursday.

"After all, the Coalition secured the same exemptions back in 2018."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-11/turnbull-self-censor-trump-interview/105033838

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22740621 (111048ZMAR25) Notable: Australia had one trump card to shield it from the tariff war. It just disappeared. - The Albanese government’s bid to secure a last-minute exemption from Donald Trump’s steel and aluminium tariffs has been hit by the revelation Australia has run its first monthly trade surplus with the United States, undermining a key argument used to try to convince the US president to grant a carve-out. With the clock ticking until the 25 per cent metal tariffs are due to come into effect on Wednesday afternoon Australian time, government officials said they were locked in intense discussions with their US counterparts but had not secured a prized exemption from the White House. Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that in January, America imported more than $6 billion worth of goods from Australia. The previous monthly record, of almost $3 billion, was set in December. Offsetting the exports were $4.3 billion of imports, leaving Australia with a $1.7 billion trade surplus. It is the first time since the bureau started collating monthly trade data in January 1988 that Australia has run a surplus with the United States, due almost entirely to a 92-fold increase in the amount of gold US importers bought between November and January. Australian officials have tried to use increased American access to Australia’s plentiful supply of critical minerals as a bargaining chip in the tariff negotiations, but there were no public signs this had proved decisive with the White House. The Coalition is preparing to blame Albanese and US ambassador Kevin Rudd, rather than Turnbull, if the exemption push fails, including by attacking the prime minister for not travelling to Washington to lobby Trump ahead of the deadline.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50725

>>50771

Australia had one trump card to shield it from the tariff war. It just disappeared.

Shane Wright, Matthew Knott and Mike Foley - March 11, 2025

The Albanese government’s bid to secure a last-minute exemption from Donald Trump’s steel and aluminium tariffs has been hit by the revelation Australia has run its first monthly trade surplus with the United States, undermining a key argument used to try to convince the US president to grant a carve-out.

With the clock ticking until the 25 per cent metal tariffs are due to come into effect on Wednesday afternoon Australian time, government officials said they were locked in intense discussions with their US counterparts but had not secured a prized exemption from the White House.

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, who has been feuding with Trump after criticising the president in a television interview, said he thought it “very, very unlikely” that Australia would be spared.

Declaring he will not self-censor from harsh criticism of Trump, Turnbull writes in an opinion piece for this masthead: “It has always been most unlikely that Australia will secure an exemption this time. It was hard enough in 2018 and all the signals from the administration are that the tariffs will be applied across the board.”

Labor frontbencher Patrick Gorman accused Turnbull of “immature” language for calling Trump an erratic bully, raising the possibility the government will seek to blame him, at least in part, if the exemption push fails.

While he said he did not believe Turnbull’s remarks would make a huge difference to the US-Australia relationship, Gorman, the assistant minister to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, said: “I wouldn’t use language like that when it comes to an elected official of any of our trading or security partners, least of which the United States.

“I don’t think that’s appropriate or helpful language.”

The Coalition is preparing to blame Albanese and US ambassador Kevin Rudd, rather than Turnbull, if the exemption push fails, including by attacking the prime minister for not travelling to Washington to lobby Trump ahead of the deadline.

The ASX200 plunged to a seven-month low, losing another $25 billion on Tuesday, because of the widespread expectation that Trump would push ahead with across-the-board tariffs.

Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that in January, America imported more than $6 billion worth of goods from Australia. The previous monthly record, of almost $3 billion, was set in December.

Offsetting the exports were $4.3 billion of imports, leaving Australia with a $1.7 billion trade surplus. It is the first time since the bureau started collating monthly trade data in January 1988 that Australia has run a surplus with the United States, due almost entirely to a 92-fold increase in the amount of gold US importers bought between November and January.

Australian officials have tried to use increased American access to Australia’s plentiful supply of critical minerals as a bargaining chip in the tariff negotiations, but there were no public signs this had proved decisive with the White House.

Trump has regularly argued that one of the reasons for his tariff agenda is America’s large trade deficits with nations such as China. In its bid to avoid planned steel and aluminium tariffs, due to start on Wednesday, the federal government has repeatedly pointed out the US runs a rare trade surplus with Australia.

As recently as Monday, Albanese noted the traditional trade imbalance between the two nations.

“The United States enjoys a trade surplus with Australia, and has done so since the Truman presidency,” he said.

But JP Morgan senior economist Tom Kennedy said the most recent data did not help Australia’s cause.

“The timing of this sudden shift is interesting given the global mood music, with the Trump administration’s tariff policies targeted towards trading partners that maintain structural surpluses versus the US,” he said.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22740661 (111103ZMAR25) Notable: OPINION: I won’t be gaslit over Trump. If you suck up to him, you will get more bullying - "On Monday afternoon, as I was walking back to my office after giving an interview to Bloomberg News, US President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. I was, he claimed, a weak and ineffectual leader and didn’t know what was going on in China. “Australian’s”[sic], he said, agreed with him. The points I made in the interview, I had made many times, and they were hardly original. His trade war, I said, risked recession. Wall Street agrees. And I pointed out that his chaotic style of government, bullying friends and allies - threatening to annex Canada and seize Greenland, not to speak of abandoning Ukraine – made the United States look like a very unreliable ally. This would be exploited by China, I said, which this time round would seek to be as unlike Trump as possible. China would be consistent where Trump was erratic, respectful where he was abusive. This differentiation would, I said, cause many countries which were not closely aligned to the US to hedge towards China. This was all obvious, but it clearly triggered the president, late on Sunday night in Washington. Punctuation aside, his “truth” said more about his thin-skinned, volatile temperament than it did about me. I was so “weak and ineffectual” that I stood my ground in the face of his fury, and finally persuaded him to honour a refugee deal I had done with President Obama. And then I was so “weak and ineffectual” that I managed to persuade him to give Australia an exemption from steel and aluminium tariffs in 2018. The United States under Trump is not the America we have been used to. And he doesn’t pretend it is. He does not respect the international rules-based order any more than he respects alliances and treaties. He is imposing swingeing tariffs on Canada and Mexico despite having signed the USMCA free trade agreement himself with both countries in 2018. We need to have an honest conversation about this - the gaslighting has to stop. We cannot assume that an America which believes “might is right” can be relied upon as an ally." - Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister of Australia from 2015 to 2018 - theage.com.au

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50725

>>50771

>>50780

>>50781

OPINION: I won’t be gaslit over Trump. If you suck up to him, you will get more bullying

Malcolm Turnbull, Former prime minister - March 11, 2025

1/2

On Monday afternoon, as I was walking back to my office after giving an interview to Bloomberg News, US President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. I was, he claimed, a weak and ineffectual leader and didn’t know what was going on in China. “Australian’s”[sic], he said, agreed with him.

The points I made in the interview, I had made many times, and they were hardly original. His trade war, I said, risked recession. Wall Street agrees. And I pointed out that his chaotic style of government, bullying friends and allies – threatening to annex Canada and seize Greenland, not to speak of abandoning Ukraine – made the United States look like a very unreliable ally.

This would be exploited by China, I said, which this time round would seek to be as unlike Trump as possible. China would be consistent where Trump was erratic, respectful where he was abusive. This differentiation would, I said, cause many countries which were not closely aligned to the US to hedge towards China.

This was all obvious, but it clearly triggered the president, late on Sunday night in Washington.

Punctuation aside, his “truth” said more about his thin-skinned, volatile temperament than it did about me. I was so “weak and ineffectual” that I stood my ground in the face of his fury, and finally persuaded him to honour a refugee deal I had done with President Obama. And then I was so “weak and ineffectual” that I managed to persuade him to give Australia an exemption from steel and aluminium tariffs in 2018.

At the time, I was told not to stand up to him. I was told to flatter him, suck up to him, offer him things. I didn’t do that, and I achieved very good outcomes for Australia.

Trump is a bully – that is like saying the Pope’s a Catholic – and if you suck up to him, you will just get more bullying. Of course there are plenty of grifters who want to get some financial benefit or other by ingratiating themselves with Trump and his entourage. But Australia, and Australians, should have higher standards than a K Street lobbyist.

I was not surprised to see the News Corp publications gleefully adopting Trump’s abuse and claiming that I had “torpedoed” any hopes of securing an exemption from steel and aluminium tariffs. It has always been most unlikely that Australia will secure an exemption this time. It was hard enough in 2018 and all the signals from the administration are that the tariffs will be applied across the board.

And it perhaps never occurred to the team at News Corp’s Holt Street HQ in Sydney that it is utterly bizarre that the unremarkable comments of a former prime minister would cause the US to decide not to exempt Australia from tariffs. Not a word of criticism of Mr Trump, of course!

I was amused to reflect on the mental stress this episode was causing our friends at News Corp. Such a target-rich environment! They can blame me for the tariffs, or Kevin Rudd, or Anthony Albanese. Surely they can work out a formula where it’s the fault of all three – but never, ever the fault of Donald Trump!

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22746198 (120826ZMAR25) Notable: America First:Donald Trump rejects Australia's bid for exemption from steel and aluminium tariffs- Australia will not be granted an exemption from US tariffs on aluminium and steel imports, the White House says. US President Donald Trump had previously said he would consider excluding Australia from the 25 per cent tariffs, which take effect on Wednesday. But White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt has now told the ABC: "He considered it, and considered against it. There will be no exemptions." Asked why, Ms Leavitt said: "America First steel. If they want to be exempted, they should consider moving steel manufacturing here," she said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the decision as "entirely unjustified". "This is against the spirit of our two nations' enduring friendship, and fundamentally at odds with the benefits that our economic partnership has delivered over more than 70 years," Mr Albanese said. "Australia will continue working hard for a different outcome and discussions with the Trump administration are ongoing." Hopes for a reprieve from the tariffs were buoyed last month when Mr Trump promised "great consideration" after a warm phone call with Mr Albanese. But they were later dashed when Mr Trump's trade guru Peter Navarro said Australia was "killing" American aluminium. Speaking to the ABC at the White House on Tuesday, local time, Mr Navarro said Australia was among countries that "abused" tariff exemptions granted during Mr Trump's first term. "There were many country exemptions given, not just to Australia but to many other countries, and every single country abused those exemptions," he said.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50725

>>50756

>>50771

Donald Trump rejects Australia's bid for exemption from steel and aluminium tariffs

Carrington Clarke and Tom Crowley - 12 March 2025

1/2

Australia will not be granted an exemption from US tariffs on aluminium and steel imports, the White House says.

US President Donald Trump had previously said he would consider excluding Australia from the 25 per cent tariffs, which take effect on Wednesday.

But White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt has now told the ABC:

"He considered it, and considered against it. There will be no exemptions."

Asked why, Ms Leavitt said: "America First steel."

"If they want to be exempted, they should consider moving steel manufacturing here," she said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the decision as "entirely unjustified".

"This is against the spirit of our two nations' enduring friendship, and fundamentally at odds with the benefits that our economic partnership has delivered over more than 70 years," Mr Albanese said.

"Australia will continue working hard for a different outcome and discussions with the Trump administration are ongoing."

Hopes for a reprieve from the tariffs were buoyed last month when Mr Trump promised "great consideration" after a warm phone call with Mr Albanese. But they were later dashed when Mr Trump's trade guru Peter Navarro said Australia was "killing" American aluminium.

Speaking to the ABC at the White House on Tuesday, local time, Mr Navarro said Australia was among countries that "abused" tariff exemptions granted during Mr Trump's first term.

"There were many country exemptions given, not just to Australia but to many other countries, and every single country abused those exemptions," he said.

"The collective result was to weaken the tariffs to the point that they simply didn't provide any protection anymore.

"So what the lesson from the first Trump tariffs has been is that exemptions to anybody are counterproductive. They don't work for the American people."

Asked if a future carve-out for Australia was still possible, he said:

"The policy is no exemptions, no exclusions, and that will change if the president changes his policy. But there's a very good reason why 'no exemptions, no exclusions' exists as a policy.

"It's because when we were kind enough as a country to make those kind of gestures to our friends, they bit the hand that fed them, and that's not going to happen again."

Mr Navarro has been accusing Australia of dumping cheap, government-subsidised aluminium into the US in breach of an agreement reached during Trump's first term, when Australia was exempted from similar tariffs.

A recent flurry of Washington meetings involving ambassador Kevin Rudd and Treasurer Jim Chalmers have yielded little evidence of progress towards an exemption, and Foreign Minister Penny Wong admitted a fortnight ago Australia had a "hill to climb".

On Wednesday, Senator Wong said the tariffs were "not good for the American economy and it's not the the way to treat a friend and partner".

Mr Albanese said steel and aluminium exports to the US represented less than 0.2 per cent of the total value of Australian exports, and neither product was in the top 10 Australian exports to the US.

Australia argues that, unlike most countries, it usually imports more from the US than it exports there, a trade surplus for the US contrasting with the trade deficits it has with most other countries, and which infuriate Mr Trump.

Then-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull successfully mounted the same argument during the first Trump administration. But his recent criticisms of Mr Trump resulted in an angry rebuke from the US president, who used social media to label the former PM a "weak and ineffective leader".

Deputy Opposition Leader Susan Ley said Mr Albanese should have travelled to Washington to plead Australia's case this time around.

"One thing we do know about the Trump administration is that it's about personal relationships," Ms Ley said on Sky News.

"It's about building the personal networks and the communication one-on-one. And that's what Anthony Albanese has clearly not done."

Mr Albanese said it was hypocritical for the opposition to frequently pressure him to travel abroad to deal with global issues, but criticise him whenever he leaves the country.

The tariffs are part of a broader suite of protectionist measures implemented by the Trump administration.

Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Trump said aluminium and steel imports from Canada would be subject to 50 per cent tariffs — double those imposed on other partners, as part of an escalating trade war between the North American neighbours.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22751358 (130811ZMAR25) Notable: Hate speech laws won’t be repealed, says Minns - NSW Premier Chris Minns has ruled out any repeal of hate speech laws passed last month, following revelations that a raft of recent anti-Semitic attacks were orchestrated by an unnamed person with organised crime connections. On Wednesday the NSW Greens claimed the attacks were “not motivated by anti-Semitism” and that the Minns government had “massively overreacted and jumped the gun with their knee jerk overreaching criminal laws”. “I expect that the parliament will shortly be considering whether these unnecessary and reactive laws should be repealed, and so we should,” Greens MLC Sue Higginson said. The NSW Council for Civil Liberties has also demanded an inquiry into whether Mr Minns “misled the parliament and public in order to pass the Places of Worship Bill and the Inciting Racial Hatred Bill”. “The Minns Labor government has played right into the hands of those who concocted the caravan plot in using it to drive a repressive and fear-based legislative agenda that has further divided the community”, NSWCCL president Timothy Roberts said. However. the Premier on Thursday reiterated that the legislation would not be repealed. “Our laws criminalised intentionally and publicly inciting hatred towards another person, or group, based on race,” Mr Minns said. “They send a clear message: the people of NSW to stand together against inciting racial hatred in our great multicultural state. NSW has seen hundreds of anti-Semitic attacks and incidents. This racial hatred has caused our Jewish community to live in fear in their own state. While the caravan was part of a criminal conspiracy - and not the plot of a terrorist organisation – it was still appalling racial hatred.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>>/qresearch/22521616 (pb)

>>50707

>>50776

Hate speech laws won’t be repealed, says Minns

STEPHEN RICE - 13 March 2025

NSW Premier Chris Minns has ruled out any repeal of hate speech laws passed last month, following revelations that a raft of recent anti-Semitic attacks were orchestrated by an unnamed person with organised crime connections.

On Wednesday the NSW Greens claimed the attacks were “not motivated by anti-Semitism” and that the Minns government had “massively overreacted and jumped the gun with their knee jerk overreaching criminal laws”.

“I expect that the parliament will shortly be considering whether these unnecessary and reactive laws should be repealed, and so we should,” Greens MLC Sue Higginson said.

The NSW Council for Civil Liberties has also demanded an inquiry into whether Mr Minns “misled the parliament and public in order to pass the Places of Worship Bill and the Inciting Racial Hatred Bill”.

“The Minns Labor government has played right into the hands of those who concocted the caravan plot in using it to drive a repressive and fear-based legislative agenda that has further divided the community”, NSWCCL president Timothy Roberts said.

However. the Premier on Thursday reiterated that the legislation would not be repealed.

“Our laws criminalised intentionally and publicly inciting hatred towards another person, or group, based on race,” Mr Minns said. “They send a clear message: the people of NSW to stand together against inciting racial hatred in our great multicultural state.

NSW has seen hundreds of anti-Semitic attacks and incidents. This racial hatred has caused our Jewish community to live in fear in their own state. While the caravan was part of a criminal conspiracy – and not the plot of a terrorist organisation – it was still appalling racial hatred.”

On Monday, NSW and Federal police revealed a mystery overseas kingpin had masterminded a string of attacks on Sydney’s Jewish community by allegedly recruiting teenagers, low-level criminals and drug addicts to carry out his orders.

In simultaneous dawn raids, police arrested 14 people in relation to a series of vandalism and firebombing attacks – bringing the total number of people arrested under state police’s hate-crimes unit to 29, with 143 charges laid.

The plot appears to span as far back as an anti-Semitic vandalism attack in Woollahra in December to the discovery of the explosives-laden caravan in Dural, in northwest Sydney, on January 19. After that discovery Mr Minns labelled it a terror event.

Police now say it was a “criminal con job” and “a fabricated terror plot” in a foiled attempt by an unidentified criminal to gain a bartering tool to reduce his sentence or drop charges.

However, at a budget estimates hearing on Wednesday, Police Minister Yasmin Catley declined to answer questions about whether the government was made aware of doubts about the terror claims before the hate speech laws were pushed through parliament.

Ms Catley said she would not “share confidential briefings that I get from senior police”.

At the same hearing, NSW Deputy Police Commissioner David Hudson said investigators told Mr Minns on 20 January that they were treating the caravan incident “as a terrorist event” but was told “that it could be part of a criminal conspiracy”.

Mr Hudson said police had ruled out a terrorism threat on February 21 – the same day the hate speech legislation was pushed through parliament – but he declined to elaborate on what information had led to the revised assessment, citing ongoing investigations.

Mr Hudson conceded that the ideology of the suspected mastermind was “still under investigation”.

“While these laws were drafted in response to horrifying anti-Semitism, we have always made clear they would apply to anyone, preying on any person.

“In response to calls for the laws to be scrapped, doing so would be a toxic message to our community that this kind of hate speech is acceptable when it’s not. These laws are very important to maintaining social cohesion.”

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip welcomed the Premier’s statement, saying: “Regardless of motive, the fact remains that the Jewish community was viciously targeted over summer in a premeditated series of serious attacks.

“It is also evident that this plot was only conceived of, and could have only succeeded to the extent it did, by exploiting already-strained social cohesion and unprecedented levels of anti-Semitism in Sydney.”

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/hate-speech-laws-wont-be-repealed-says-minns/news-story/593cac6c1afca5ad7afae4f66158bc03

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22751389 (130837ZMAR25) Notable: Clive Palmer shares policy priorities for Trumpet of Patriots - Clive Palmer has called for banks to cap interest rates at 3 per cent, and for Kevin Rudd to be sacked as Australia’s ambassador to the US, sharing his multi-pronged pitch to get Trumpet for Patriots candidates into parliament at this year’s election. The mining magnate claimed the party already had more than 20,000 members of Australia, with “thousands of people” joining everyday, since he announced his backing of the fringe group on February 19. Addressing the National Press Club in Canberra, Mr Palmer described spending millions on politics, like his $100m cash splash to install a single candidate in the Senate, as “his golf”, claiming that he finds it “more exciting” than lawn bowls. “At 70, I could join many Australians and play lawn bowls. I find this more exciting,” he said. Mr Palmer also shared his policy push to voters included a two-prong approach to boost home ownership, proposing an interest rate cap of 3 per cent, while also allowing buyers to use their superannuation to fund up to a 30 per cent deposit. He said this would also put more rental homes on the market. He also said Trumpet of Patriots would campaign for Australian superannuation funds to only invest in Australian businesses, a ban on trans athletes, and a 15 per cent licence fee on iron ore. Trumpet of Patriots will aim to run candidates across all 150 electorates and senate seats. However, no decisions have been made on preferencing, with Mr Palmer backing neither leader and calling both major parties “whingers”.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50708

>>50779

Clive Palmer shares policy priorities for Trumpet of Patriots

JESSICA WANG - 13 March 2025

Clive Palmer has called for banks to cap interest rates at 3 per cent, and for Kevin Rudd to be sacked as Australia’s ambassador to the US, sharing his multi-pronged pitch to get Trumpet for Patriots candidates into parliament at this year’s election.

The mining magnate claimed the party already had more than 20,000 members of Australia, with “thousands of people” joining everyday, since he announced his backing of the fringe group on February 19.

Addressing the National Press Club in Canberra, Mr Palmer described spending millions on politics, like his $100m cash splash to install a single candidate in the Senate, as “his golf”, claiming that he finds it “more exciting” than lawn bowls.

“At 70, I could join many Australians and play lawn bowls. I find this more exciting,” he said.

“I’m devoted, because I also have an investment in Australia. I’ve got four children.

“I think this is a good place, and it’s worth fighting for, and that’s just my view. You’ve got the freedom to disagree.”

Mr Palmer also shared his policy push to voters included a two-prong approach to boost home ownership, proposing an interest rate cap of 3 per cent, while also allowing buyers to use their superannuation to fund up to a 30 per cent deposit.

He said this would also put more rental homes on the market.

“That means Australians can live again, that means that our rentals will be available for people at a much lower price,” he said.

“Nearly a third of our Australians are renting at the moment, and this country, to its disgrace, has 120,000 homeless people that have nowhere to live.”

Mr Palmer also called for Mr Rudd to be bought back from Washington.

“There are not too many ambassadors in Washington that have insulted the President of the United States, Kevin Rudd ranks alone in that,” Mr Palmer said.

“Australia needs an effective representative in Washington that can support our nation in its time of turmoil, in a time when our living standards are declining and when Australian people are going hungry.”

While he declined to say who he would pick for the posting, he backed the work of former ambassadors Kim Beazley and Joe Hockey.

“I think somebody that can have a rapport. They either get somebody that has got some sort of relationship,” he said, answering questions from journalists while chowing down on Tim Tams.

“There are many prominent Australians that do that with the Trump administration already, or you get someone that’s neutral.”

He also said Trumpet of Patriots would campaign for Australian superannuation funds to only invest in Australian businesses, a ban on trans athletes, and a 15 per cent licence fee on iron ore.

Trumpet of Patriots will aim to run candidates across all 150 electorates and senate seats.

However, no decisions have been made on preferencing, with Mr Palmer backing neither leader and calling both major parties “whingers”.

“One of the problems with (Anthony) Albanese and Labor and Peter Dutton and his Liberals is that they’re whingers,” he said.

“They look at what’s wrong. They don’t look at how we solve the problem.

“They don’t provide solutions and leadership to solve the serious issues facing every Australians every day of the week, whether it’s housing, whether it’s a cost of living, a whole range of things.”

The party will be led by NSW Hunter candidate Suellen Wrightson who will challenge Labor incumbent Dan Repacholi.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-news/clive-palmer-shares-policy-priorities-for-trumpet-of-patriots/news-story/c7ef40e7a80391aa8f042b63bfc377b1

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22751403 (130848ZMAR25) Notable: Donald Trump will play the wildcard in the federal campaign - "Donald Trump has injected himself into the Australian election landscape in a profound and destabilising way. There are the obvious direct effects, such as the steel and aluminium tariffs imposed just weeks before the beginning of a federal election campaign demonstrate. But there are also indirect consequences. The intangible. There may be two major parties contesting the election but there are now three boxers in the ring. Anthony Albanese has decided that rolling over and playing dead in the face of Trump’s harrying behaviour will not serve either his or the nation’s interests. There is a view that there may now be political advantage for the Prime Minister in taking Trump on. His language in response to Trump’s rejection of Australia’s request for an exemption was the strongest he has used. But it is limited to the rhetorical. There is no reciprocal action planned. And for the simple reason that because of the erratic nature of his method, there is still a chance he may change his mind. While this is unlikely, for Albanese it’s a case of just having to bat on. The Prime Minister has a fine line to walk. His response has to be accountable beyond the obvious partisan political necessity. He also must consider that even if he wins the election, Trump won’t stop being an issue. The risks for Dutton are no less. A Coalition source this week was quoted as saying Trump winning was good for Dutton, Trump governing is bad for Dutton. This has some substance. While Dutton is acutely aware of the dangers that he will be assessed by voters through a prism of Trumpism, there are aspects that remind people of Trump. Dutton’s political persona as the tough guy plays to this. While Dutton has been seeking to avoid a culture war approach, there are synergies with the Coalition’s campaign slogan - getting Australia back on track – and the Make America Great Again movement. At the very least both sides acknowledge that Trump is the wildcard in the Australian federal election context. Anything could happen and most probably will." - Simon Benson - theaustralian.com.au

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50708

>>50785

Donald Trump will play the wildcard in the federal campaign

SIMON BENSON - 13 March 2025

1/2

Donald Trump has injected himself into the Australian election landscape in a profound and destabilising way.

There are the obvious direct effects, such as the steel and aluminium tariffs imposed just weeks before the beginning of a federal election campaign demonstrate.

But there are also indirect consequences. The intangible.

A new lens is being cast over the domestic political contest with the uncertainty and unpredictability of Trump for the global economy and geostrategic situation. This presents deep risks for both Labor and the Coalition.

This is no longer a case of irrational “Trump derangement syndrome”. It is the consequential reaction to real policy and political outcomes.

There may be two major parties contesting the election but there are now three boxers in the ring. Anthony Albanese has decided that rolling over and playing dead in the face of Trump’s harrying behaviour will not serve either his or the nation’s interests.

There is a view that there may now be political advantage for the Prime Minister in taking Trump on. His language in response to Trump’s rejection of Australia’s request for an exemption was the strongest he has used.

But it is limited to the rhetorical. There is no reciprocal action planned. And for the simple reason that because of the erratic nature of his method, there is still a chance he may change his mind.

While this is unlikely, for Albanese it’s a case of just having to bat on. The Prime Minister has a fine line to walk. His response has to be accountable beyond the obvious partisan political necessity.

He also must consider that even if he wins the election, Trump won’t stop being an issue.

The suggestion that there could be political recovery in being more belligerent, as has been the case with Canada, misreads the relationship and the lesser magnitude of what Trump is imposing on ­Australia.

Trump isn’t threatening Australia’s sovereignty.

Incoming Canadian prime minister Mark Carney has seen domestic support galvanise behind his left-wing government through a defiance of Trump.

On the surface, it would be easy to assume that Albanese might have taken some cue from the Canadian response. Domestically, he will be happy to have Australians blame Trump rather than him for the tariffs. But there are bigger issues that require Albanese to take a more responsible and cautious approach. AUKUS is one of them.

What is assured in this tempest of uncertainty is that this issue will percolate through the Australian election. As will the broader and deeper issue of Trump himself and the brand of politics he represents.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22761798 (150236ZMAR25) Notable: Meet Mr Big: The mastermind police claim is behind fake ‘terror caravan’ - A Sydney businessman who fled Australia by boat while on bail over an alleged 600kg drug importation can be ­revealed as the man police believe is behind the contrived “terror caravan” plot. Sayet Erhan Akca, 35, a former gym and childcare centre owner, was allegedly hoping to leverage a lenient court outcome by providing information about the fabricated plan to police. The married father-of-one has been overseas - darting between Asia and Turkey – since police say he hid in a boat to flee the country in mid 2023. Police sources told The Daily Telegraph that Akca, who left behind wife Georgia and a toddler son in Sydney’s south, was possibly using the hoax caravan plot and related anti-Semitic attacks as a bargaining tool to get back home to his wife - who is not accused of any wrongdoing – and son. It is not unusual for crooks to offer up information about planned crimes or the location of drugs and weapons as leverage for a reduced prison term or to have charges dropped, a police source said. Akca first came to the attention of authorities in 2021 when he was arrested in the Australian Federal Police’s Operation Ironside sting and charged with attempting to import a commercial quantity of drugs using the messaging app AN0M. If found guilty, Akca could be facing life in jail. But he fled while on bail and a warrant for his arrest was ­issued in September 2023. Police now allege Akca is the mastermind behind the explosives-laden caravan planted on a roadside at Dural, and a string of anti-Semitic attacks in Sydney since October.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50707

>>50769

>>50776

Meet Mr Big: The mastermind police claim is behind fake ‘terror caravan’

A Sydney businessman who fled Australia by boat while on bail for an alleged 600kg drug importation can be revealed as the man hoping to benefit from the “terror caravan” plot.

Josh Hanrahan and Clementine Cuneo - March 13, 2025

A Sydney businessman who fled Australia by boat while on bail over an alleged 600kg drug importation can be ­revealed as the man police believe is behind the contrived “terror caravan” plot.

Sayet Erhan Akca, 35, a former gym and childcare centre owner, was allegedly hoping to leverage a lenient court outcome by providing information about the fabricated plan to police.

The married father-of-one has been overseas – darting between Asia and Turkey – since police say he hid in a boat to flee the country in mid 2023.

Police sources told The Daily Telegraph that Akca, who left behind wife Georgia and a toddler son in Sydney’s south, was possibly using the hoax caravan plot and related anti-Semitic attacks as a bargaining tool to get back home to his wife – who is not accused of any wrongdoing – and son.

It is not unusual for crooks to offer up information about planned crimes or the location of drugs and weapons as leverage for a reduced prison term or to have charges dropped, a police source said.

Akca first came to the attention of authorities in 2021 when he was arrested in the Australian Federal Police’s Operation Ironside sting and charged with attempting to import a commercial quantity of drugs using the messaging app AN0M.

If found guilty, Akca could be facing life in jail.

But he fled while on bail and a warrant for his arrest was ­issued in September 2023.

Police now allege Akca is the mastermind behind the explosives-laden caravan planted on a roadside at Dural, and a string of anti-Semitic attacks in Sydney since October.

AFP Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett this week said police allege the criminal acts were masterminded by one person.

“We believe the person pulling the strings wanted changes to their criminal status but maintained a distance from their scheme and hired local criminals to carry out parts of their plan. However, the plan was foiled,” Ms Barrett said.

She said investigators were confident “very early on” after the caravan was found on January 19 that it was a hoax, but she said the threat had to be treated at its highest.

“The caravan was never going to cause a mass-casualty event, but instead was concocted by criminals who wanted to cause fear for personal benefit,” she said.

“Put simply, the plan was the following: Organise someone to buy a caravan, place it with explosives and written material of anti-Semitic nature, leave it in a specific location and then once that happens, inform law enforcement about an impending terror attack against Jewish Australians.”

A source said there was still work being done to bring the overseas alleged mastermind back to Australia.

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson said police believe all the anti-Semitic attacks in the city since December “link back to the same common source”.

These include the firebombing of a childcare centre at Maroubra and graffiti attacks on homes and cars in the eastern suburbs.

On Tuesday, 14 people were arrested and charged with dozens of offences in connection with the anti-Semitic incidents.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-nsw/meet-mr-big-the-mastermind-police-claim-is-behind-fake-terror-caravan/news-story/591124b1d12812bae5e480515bf3ad20

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22761810 (150238ZMAR25) Notable: Sayet Erhan Akca, mastermind allegedly behind caravan ‘terror’ plot, posted vile anti-Semitic slurs - The fugitive alleged to be behind the “terror caravan plot” posted vile anti-Semitic slurs for years before fleeing Australia, after being charged with alleged drug importation offences. Police believe Sayet Erhan Akca, a former gym and child care centre owner, was hoping to leverage a lenient court sentence by providing fabricated information to police about the discovery of an explosives laden caravan and a series of anti-Semitic arson and graffiti attacks in Sydney. In recent statements, police had downplayed claims that the kingpin - who they still have not publicly identified - was motivated by anti-Semitism. However The Australian can reveal that Akca posted a series of anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli slurs over a period of many years as he was building his gym business. In one post Akca claims that “Hitler was only washing earth, they made him out to be evil”. In 2018 he posted: “How did 6 million die when only 3.2 registered Jews in Europe at the time?” In response to a report that vandals targeted the Jewish community spraying swastikas on cars, he responded: “Zeig heil.” The former gym and childcare centre owner has been living in Asia and Turkey since leaving Australia in mid-2023 while on bail over charges of attempting to import a commercial quantity of drugs using the AN0M messaging app.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50707

>>50769

>>50792

Sayet Erhan Akca, mastermind allegedly behind caravan ‘terror’ plot, posted vile anti-Semitic slurs

STEPHEN RICE and WILL SEITAM - March 14, 2025

1/2

The fugitive alleged to be behind the “terror caravan plot” posted vile anti-Semitic slurs for years before fleeing Australia, after being charged with alleged drug importation offences.

Police believe Sayet Erhan Akca, a former gym and child care centre owner, was hoping to leverage a lenient court sentence by providing fabricated information to police about the discovery of an explosives laden caravan and a series of anti-Semitic arson and graffiti attacks in Sydney.

In recent statements, police had downplayed claims that the kingpin - who they still have not publicly identified - was motivated by anti-Semitism.

However The Australian can reveal that Akca posted a series of anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli slurs over a period of many years as he was building his gym business.

In one post Akca claims that “Hitler was only washing earth, they made him out to be evil”.

In 2018 he posted: “How did 6 million die when only 3.2 registered Jews in Europe at the time?”

In response to a report that vandals targeted the Jewish community spraying swastikas on cars, he responded: “Zeig heil.”

In 2022 he posted: “Why was no one this caring about Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya or Syria? Oh.. cause western invasion is ok. But eastern is evil. There has never been a war, only a big guy bullying a small guy for self interest.”

A relative responded: “Good on you mate you’re talking hundred per cent right. Your dad must be proud of you.”

The former gym and childcare centre owner has been living in Asia and Turkey since leaving Australia in mid-2023 while on bail over charges of attempting to import a commercial quantity of drugs using the AN0M messaging app.

After visiting a mosque in Istanbul in 2018 and what appears to be a picture of himself praying, Akca posted a bizarre “common question” about whether it was true “that Muslims believe they get 40 virgins for act of terror / mass suicidal murder?”

His Answer:”Let me ask, would you like to pop 40 cherries ? Would you like to change 40 bed sheets ? So Yes, we believe that you go straight to hell for killing yourself or any of Gods creatures unless it’s for eating purpose and done the Halal (natural) way. Not with a c4. #DumbestTheorySinceFlatEarth. No Pun Intended... but no one besides the educated would understand that anyway.”

As far back as 2016 Akca was posting claims that: “America gets caught funding $540M to produce ‘isis’ videos”.

In December 2016 he posted “R.I.P. to all those innocents that have died in Aleppo and around the world in the hands of Terrorism, and I mean from the root of Terrorism, America and the Zionists, taking out these people like Saddam, Bin Ladin & Gadaffi, look what its started.

“You still think 9/11 was not an inside job to start this money making and muslim massacre process, delete yourself now.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22761846 (150254ZMAR25) Notable: Jewish leader slams cops and politicians for dismissing anti-Semitic motive in ‘terror hoax’ - Australia’s peak Jewish body has slammed police and politicians as “reckless and irresponsible” for dismissing anti-Semitism as a ­motivating factor behind a series of violent attacks, following revelations the alleged mastermind has a long history of extreme anti-Semitic views. In an unprecedented rebuke, Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said recent statements claiming the attacks were “unconnected to anti-Semitic ideology” had led to increased harassment and vilification of Jews. “It has exposed dangerous failings by authorities, political leaders and public figures who chose to characterise the firebombings that hit Jewish targets as a hoax or con-job unconnected to anti-­Semitic ideology and to do so ­before the investigation had been concluded,” he said. Mr Ryvchin accepted that in some instances, authorities may have been trying to calm the community by downplaying or dismissing anti-Semitism as a motivating factor, “but the effect was the exact opposite”, he said. “It set off a deluge of anti-­Semitic conspiracy theories about ‘inside jobs’, and increased harassment and vilification of Jews. This has all diverted the discussion from how to keep Australians safe and reclaim our status as a peaceful country for all. We count on others to keep us safe, provide us with vital information and make statements that ease the crisis and not contribute to it. They need to do better.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50707

>>50769

>>50792

Jewish leader slams cops and politicians for dismissing anti-Semitic motive in ‘terror hoax’

STEPHEN RICE and WILL SEITAM - 14 March 2025

1/2

Australia’s peak Jewish body has slammed police and politicians as “reckless and irresponsible” for dismissing anti-Semitism as a ­motivating factor behind a series of violent attacks, following revelations the alleged mastermind has a long history of extreme anti-Semitic views.

In an unprecedented rebuke, Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said recent statements claiming the attacks were “unconnected to anti-Semitic ideology” had led to increased harassment and vilification of Jews.

“It has exposed dangerous failings by authorities, political leaders and public figures who chose to characterise the firebombings that hit Jewish targets as a hoax or con-job unconnected to anti-­Semitic ideology and to do so ­before the investigation had been concluded,” he said.

On Friday The Australian ­revealed that Sayet Erhan Akca, the fugitive alleged to be behind the “terror caravan plot” and a string of arson and graffiti attacks on Jewish targets, had posted vile anti-Semitic slurs for years before fleeing Australia, after being charged with alleged drug importation offences.

On social media, the 35-year-old praised Hitler, questioned the existence of the Holocaust, said Zionists were “at the root of terrorism” and claimed 9/11 was an “inside job” to start a Muslim “massacre process”.

At a press conference on Monday police said the mastermind of the attacks – who they have still not publicly identified – was hoping to leverage a lenient court sentence by providing fabricated information to police about the explosives-laden caravan and the other attacks.

The attacks were carried out by low-level criminals and drug ­addicts who had no anti-Semitic views and were being led by criminals for personal gain, police said.

AFP Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett said the caravan plot “was never going to cause a mass-casualty event, but instead was concocted by criminals who wanted to cause fear for personal benefit.” Ms Barrett said “within hours” investigators had determined that it posed no threat, calling the incident a “criminal con job” and “fabricated terror plot”.

NSW Deputy Police Commissioner Dave Hudson was asked specifically: “You don’t have evidence that it is being driven by hate, you say it’s alleged that it’s organised crime?”

“Correct”, Mr Hudson replied.

Asked again to confirm that anti-Semitism was not an ideology “for anyone higher up, pulling strings”, Mr Hudson avoided a ­direct answer, simply stating that: “I think these organised crime figures have taken an opportunity to play on the vulnerability of the Jewish community.”

The police statements were used by Greens MPs and others to claim the attacks were “not motivated by anti-Semitism” and to ­demand hate-speech laws be repealed. However, in social media posts unearthed by The Australian, Akca posted a series of anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli slurs over a period of many years as he was building his gym business.

In one post Akca claims that “Hitler was only washing earth, they made him out to be evil”.

In another he asked: “How did 6 million die when only 3.2 registered Jews in Europe at the time?”

In response to a report that vandals targeted the Jewish community, spraying swastikas on cars, he responded: “Zeig heil.”

In 2022 he posted: “Why was no one this caring about Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya or Syria? Oh … cause western invasion is ok. But eastern is evil. There has never been a war, only a big guy bullying a small guy for self interest.”

Mr Ryvchin accepted that in some instances, authorities may have been trying to calm the community by downplaying or dismissing anti-Semitism as a motivating factor, “but the effect was the exact opposite”, he said.

“It set off a deluge of anti-­Semitic conspiracy theories about ‘inside jobs’, and increased harassment and vilification of Jews. It also enabled some to pursue their self-serving agenda, ranging from shutting down discussion of the anti-Semitism crisis to undermining law reform and settling scores with political opponents.

“This has all diverted the discussion from how to keep Australians safe and reclaim our status as a peaceful country for all. We count on others to keep us safe, provide us with vital information and make statements that ease the crisis and not contribute to it. They need to do better.”

At a press conference on Friday, Anthony Albanese claimed the Australian Federal Police had “made it very clear, as have the police agencies, what the motivation of this was”.

“This is a criminal organisation seeking advantage, and whether that person, or people, involved also have hate towards Jewish people, it certainly created fear, as I’ve said, repeatedly.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22761954 (150323ZMAR25) Notable: Albanese, Dutton split on peacekeepers as Putin responds to ceasefire call - Australia will be asked to send peacekeepers to Ukraine in a plan being put to national leaders at a European summit this weekend, despite signs of dissent as Russian president Vladimir Putin places new conditions on a ceasefire. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will join the talks on Saturday night (AEDT), and is willing to consider a small deployment as a show of support with other democracies to defend international law. But the idea is turning into a heated political row after Opposition Leader Peter Dutton stepped up his warnings against sending personnel to keep the peace, while saying he backed Ukraine in its attempts to turn back the Russian invasion. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer invited Albanese to join the summit in a phone hook-up with other members of a potential “coalition of the willing” to commit peacekeepers if Ukraine and Russia can reach an agreement to stop the war. Britain and France have committed to sending troops, and Spain has indicated some support for the mission, while more than 20 leaders from European and Commonwealth nations are expected to join the online meeting. This includes Albanese and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon as well as Canadian prime minister-elect Mark Carney. Albanese made no commitment to send troops when asked about the meeting on Friday, but condemned Russia for its invasion and criticised Dutton for ruling out the additional help for Ukraine. Dutton said he had supported Ukraine “from day one” in the conflict, such as by sending Bushmaster vehicles when he was defence minister in the previous government, but he said this did not extend to putting Australian troops on the ground.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>50731

>>50765

>>50778

Albanese, Dutton split on peacekeepers as Putin responds to ceasefire call

David Crowe - March 14, 2025

1/2

Australia will be asked to send peacekeepers to Ukraine in a plan being put to national leaders at a European summit this weekend, despite signs of dissent as Russian president Vladimir Putin places new conditions on a ceasefire.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will join the talks on Saturday night (AEDT), and is willing to consider a small deployment as a show of support with other democracies to defend international law.

But the idea is turning into a heated political row after Opposition Leader Peter Dutton stepped up his warnings against sending personnel to keep the peace, while saying he backed Ukraine in its attempts to turn back the Russian invasion.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer invited Albanese to join the summit in a phone hook-up with other members of a potential “coalition of the willing” to commit peacekeepers if Ukraine and Russia can reach an agreement to stop the war.

Britain and France have committed to sending troops, and Spain has indicated some support for the mission, while more than 20 leaders from European and Commonwealth nations are expected to join the online meeting. This includes Albanese and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon as well as Canadian prime minister-elect Mark Carney.

In a setback to the plan, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will not join the meeting and is said to be “not convinced” by the plan to deploy the troops on Ukrainian soil. One issue for Italy is whether the deployment is backed by a United Nations mandate.

Albanese made no commitment to send troops when asked about the meeting on Friday, but condemned Russia for its invasion and criticised Dutton for ruling out the additional help for Ukraine.

“In order to have a peacekeeping mission you need to have a peace, so we look forward to there being peace in Ukraine,” he said.

“But we don’t have to think very hard about which side we’re on in this conflict. Russia is the aggressor. Russia invaded a sovereign nation in Ukraine and has committed atrocities against civilians, against civilian infrastructure as well, and it is an illegal and immoral war.”

Dutton said he had supported Ukraine “from day one” in the conflict, such as by sending Bushmaster vehicles when he was defence minister in the previous government, but he said this did not extend to putting Australian troops on the ground.

“The prime minister is wanting to commit thousands of our troops to go and serve in Europe. It just doesn’t make any sense. I think the prime minister is out of his depth when it comes to national security,” he said.

Albanese has not said he wants to send thousands of troops to Ukraine. This masthead asked the prime minister’s office to respond to Dutton’s claim, but it declined to comment.

(continued)