Tag Archives: oceania

Police probe Hezbollah flags at protests in Sydney and Melbourne

Police are probing possible crimes related to the presence of terrorist flags at pro-Palestine rallies in Melbourne and Sydney at the weekend.

The Australian Federal Police confirmed it would investigate after Victoria Police said six "prohibited flags" representing Hezbollah were seen being carried by a small group, who were not affiliated with organisers of the 600-person demonstration.

NSW Police later confirmed officers seized "two flags displaying a terrorist organisation symbol" from Sunday's rally in the Sydney CBD and said it was investigating "a number of further instances of a terrorist symbol being displayed".

READ MORE: Who was longtime Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah?

Protesters carry the yellow flag of Hezbollah and images of the militant group's late leader Hassan Nasrallah.

"People have to know that they are carrying a symbol that is prohibited," NSW Assistant Commissioner for Central Metropolitan Region Peter McKenna said.

"Generally speaking, we give them the opportunity to remove that symbol, and if they don't, and they continue presenting that symbol in a public place, then they may have committed that offence."

As political reaction ramped up throughout the day, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke called on Victorian and NSW authorities to check the visa status of any protesters alleged to have glorified Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed by an Israeli air strike on Friday.

"I won't hesitate to cancel the visas of visitors to our country who are spreading hate," he said late on Monday.

The marches were among several organised across the country as part of a day of action for Gaza, as Israel's offensive on the strip creeps into Lebanon.

It's understood pictures of the terrorist organisation's slain leader Nasrallah were seen being carried by some attendees.

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Hezbollah is considered a terrorist organisation by Australia, the US, the UK and the EU.

In a statement earlier today, the AFP said displaying a prohibited flag in isolation was not enough to charge an individual with a terrorism offence.

Later in the day, federal police said they would investigate Victoria Police's reports that the protestors potentially breached counter-terrorism legislation.

The AFP said it would approach news outlets for video footage of the protests to assist in its investigation.

If charged, the protestors could face a maximum penalty of 12 months' imprisonment.

It's not suggested any person pictured at the protests has committed a crime, given the unknown context of their attendance.

Australian counter-terrorism laws state that publicly displaying a prohibited symbol is considered an offence in certain circumstances, including when the conduct incites others to offend or intimidate a person or use force or violence against a person or group based upon their race, religion or nationality.

Police officers can direct a person to remove a prohibited symbol from public display, but they do not have the power to remove the prohibited symbol themselves.

No arrests were made during the Melbourne demonstration, according to Victoria Police.

"Victoria Police supports the right to protest peacefully and had a visible presence at the protest to ensure public safety," a Victoria Police spokesperson said.

"Appropriate referrals will be made to Australian Federal Police as the lead agency concerning prohibited symbols."

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the scenes at the weekend as "worrying".

"We do not want people to bring radical ideologies and conflict here," he said.

"Our multiculturalism and social cohesion cannot be taken for granted, and it's important that we continue to stress that that is the case as we go forward as well."

"Our multiculturalism and social cohesion cannot be taken for granted, and it's important that we continue to stress that that is the case as we go forward as well."

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan condemned the actions of the flag holders and said it was her expectation that Victoria Police and the AFP would pursue those responsible.

"There is absolutely no place for hate on our streets, antisemitism on our streets and no place for these prescribed terrorist organisations," Allan said.

"They should be held to account not just for displaying a prohibited symbol but for the grief, pain and anguish that is causing far too many in our community."

Allan said the government was working to strengthen anti-vilification powers in the state.

Shadow foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham urged the government to come down hard on those involved in promoting Hezbollah.

"These are despicable and reprehensible acts to see people celebrating the life of a terrorist and promoting the values of a terrorist organisation," Birmingham said.

"[Police] investigations should be leading to criminal charges, using the laws that have been put in place to ban terrorist propaganda and symbols and slogans … as well as seeing visas cancelled.

"The government needs to not just show words in relation to this, but demonstrate actions and do so swiftly."

Melbourne parking inspectors under fire after innocent drivers fined

Melbourne drivers are being hit with parking fines despite not doing anything wrong.

9News has spoken to multiple people who have been able to decisively prove they are innocent, raising questions about the legitimacy of infringement notices and the motivations of parking inspectors.

Emma Hodgkinson from Essendon was fined for supposedly overstaying in a two-hour zone.

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"I was furious, it's just not OK" she told 9News.

Hodgkinson is angry because she had only left her house 40 minutes before the time stamp on the fine.

Fortunately, she had CCTV from her home to back that up.

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"When I saw the timecode on the footage and I compared it to the time on the ticket I realised I hadn't done anything wrong and it was their mistake," she said.

Many other drivers have had similar experiences.

Earlier this month in Richmond, a man received a $99 penalty despite having close to an hour remaining on his Pay Stay app.

Another driver was fined by Stonnington Council for parking longer than two hours even though he'd only been there for about 20 minutes.

In most of these examples, including Hodgkinson's, many other cars in the area had also been fined.

"I was able to prove I was innocent but how are [the other drivers] going to be able to prove that?" she said.

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Dean Hurlston from Council Watch says the reason innocent drivers are being fined is because council parking inspectors have to hit quotas.

"We know the job of a parking inspector is well paid for good reason," he told 9News.

"They definitely have quotas. Councils need money, they're cash strapped. This is a way to gouge and raise revenue."

The onus is always on the driver to prove their innocence and it's not often appeals are granted.

If you've been unfairly fined, it's important to collect as much evidence as possible from the time of the penalty, including photos and screenshots.

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Confronting video shows domestic violence attack at Sydney McDonald’s

Exclusive: Domestic violence is often kept secret and behind closed doors, but one courageous Sydney victim wants her story told.

The footage of what happened to her is distressing, but it's also the brutal reality of a national crisis that has led a Sydney judge to go to great lengths to protect the woman for the next 14 years.

It shows a meeting outside McDonald's at Minchinbury that turns into a fight for life.

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The footage of what happened to her is distressing, but it's also the brutal reality of a national crisis that has led a Sydney judge to go to great lengths to protect the woman for the next 14 years.

The woman is chased by her former boyfriend, who has a 20-centimetre knife in his hand.

Young diners watch as the victim is repeatedly punched, trying with all her might to kick her attacker away.

He then drags her across the floor, slicing her hands in the struggle.

In a final despicable act, her abuser steals her phone and keys and rips off her jumper, before fleeing.

The woman screams for a place to hide, fearing he'll be back.

Seta Ratucadre is the man behind the hoodie.

He has a history of violence and on this particular night had been drinking when he threatened to slit his ex-partner's throat.

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The 38-year-old pleaded guilty and has been jailed for at least four and a half years.

His victim agreed for a court to release the video.

The footage of what happened to her is distressing, but it's also the brutal reality of a national crisis that has led a Sydney judge to go to great lengths to protect the woman for the next 14 years.

So mortified by this crime, the judge took the extraordinary step of trying to protect the woman even after Ratucadre gets out of prison.

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An apprehended domestic violence order will be enforced for the next 14 years.

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

Chinese woman drowns after group swept off rocks on Mornington Peninsula

A Chinese national has died after she was swept off rocks on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula.

Emergency services were called to the bottom of Cape Schanck boardwalk where crews winched the body of a 53-year-old woman from the water about just after midday.

It's understood a group of three people were swept off rocks in the area's vicinity and only two were able to make it back to shore safely.

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A 55-year-old man from China and a 24-year-old Parkville man were transported to Rosebud Hospital in a stable condition, understood to be suffering from shock.

9News understands the group was walking along rocks near the boardwalk at the Cape Schanck Lighthouse when they were swept off the shore by a wave.

The stretch of Victorian coastline is notoriously dangerous and has been the site of several tragic deaths in the last decade.

In February this year a crashing wave swept a group onto the rocks at Cape Schanck, injuring eight people.

In 2021 , 45-year-old Aida Hamed drowned at nearby Bushrangers Bay, when she and a group of others, including family members, were washed off the rocks into the water.

A 64-year-old diver drowned when he got into trouble in the same waters on Christmas day in 2018.

That incident was less than a year after a man was flown to hospital in a critical condition after he and six others were washed off the rocks.

Lifesaving Victoria's Liam O'Callaghan encouraged visitors to the area to take care around unpatrolled beaches such as Cape Schanck.

"When you're along boardwalks you've got to be careful and watch your footing," O'Callaghan said.

"We really encourage people to consider the safest place for people to swim – pool or patrolled locations – make sure you know your limitations," O'Callaghan said.

Woman, 46, allegedly killed by husband remembered as ‘selfless’ mother

A man accused of running over and killing his wife in NSW's Hunter Valley has been refused bail after being charged with her murder.

Natalie Galcsik, 46, was hit by a car allegedly driven by her husband Steven on Friday evening at their property in Pokolbin, where they ran a bed and breakfast business.

Mr Galcsik, 47, was today refused bail at Newcastle Local Court after being charged with the domestic violence murder of his wife.

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Natalie Galcsik

Ms Galcsik's son Alex described his mother as a "dedicated" and "selfless" person in a fundraiser following her death.

"My mother dedicated her life to raising myself and my siblings with selflessness and love despite difficult circumstances; she was the best mum we could have asked for," he said.

Police were called to the property on Coulson Road about 6.10pm after a concern for welfare report.

Ms Galcsik was found at the scene with significant injuries..

READ MORE: 'Our hearts are broken': Man, 22, dies in hospital after alleged coward punch

Woman killed in alleged domestic violence murder, man charged

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Paramedics tried to revive her but were unable to.

Mr Galcsik was arrested at the property and was taken to Cessnock Police Station and charged with his wife's murder.

He will appear in court again in November.

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

Virus-hit tomatoes are safe to eat, food authority says

While it's being blamed for devastating a state's growing industry, eating tomatoes with a contagious virus is safe, the country's top food authority says.

Tomato crops in South Australia are being hit by tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV).

ToBRFV is a virus that infects plants, particularly tomatoes and other crops such as capsicums and chillies.

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Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said the virus does not pose a food safety risk.

"Consumers can continue to eat tomatoes and other produce with confidence," Cuthbert said.

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"The virus reduces crop yields and marketability, and the restrictions that have been put in place aim to protect other producers from these impacts.

"Australia's world-class biosecurity and food regulation systems manage plant viruses like tomato brown rugose fruit virus to support the sustainability of our agricultural industries and minimise disruption to the food supply chain."

Last week tomato firm Perfection Fresh Australia announced the "forced loss of a significant number of jobs" amid the outbreak.

There are fears it could shut down the state's industry.

End of an era as Sydney train line closes after 130 years to make way for Metro

What is the end of an era for some is also the start of a travel headache for thousands.

The last-ever train made its way along Sydney's T3 Bankstown line this morning.

The service rolled out of Circular Quay Station at 12.06am bound for Bankstown in the city's south-west.

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The last ever train made its way along Sydney's T3 Bankstown line this morning, packed with enthusiasts

The carriages were packed with train enthusiasts to honour the occasion.

Some even had commemorative a T-shirt noting the dates the service ran – 1895 to 2024.

Metro conversion work will now ramp up with major construction set to begin following the line's closure between Bankstown and Sydenham.

Free buses are being added for commuters but journey times will double.

Matt Longland, chief executive of Sydney Trains, said it was the "end of an era for Sydney Trains".

"It's a really big change," he said.

Over the coming weeks, there will be trackwork followed by timetable changes as the line is removed.

"We're asking passengers to be patient over the next few weeks," he said.

What is the end of an eras for some is also the start of a travel headache for thousands. The last ever train made its way along Sydney's T3 Bankstown line this morning, packed with enthusiasts

READ MORE: Delays to latest Metro construction to cost taxpayers $3.6 million a day

Transport Minister Jo Haylen acknowledged the closure will be "an incredibly tough time" for commuters along the T3 line.

"The line's closure marks the end of an era, but the beginning of a new one," Haylen said.

"This T3 transformation will see the line continue to serve our city throughout the century to come."

Steam trains ran on the line when it first opened 130 years ago before it was electrified in 1926.

The line will link up to the new Sydney Metro line at Sydenham when it's complete in a year or so.

READ MORE: Sydney Metro set to become a little bit faster