Tag Archives: oceania

Council forced to call off drag story time event after threats

A Melbourne council says it has been forced to call off a drag queen story time event after receiving threats of violence to its staff, councillors and attendees.

Monash City Council was due to hold the event at Oakleigh Library on May 19 to mark International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).

The council's chief executive Andi Diamond said it had "no choice" but to cancel the event after receiving "repeated threats of violence and intimidation".

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"This event has attracted significant attention with hateful and threatening commentary and misinformation spread online, via email and directly over the phone," Diamond said in a statement.

"It is incredibly disappointing to have to cancel an event designed to celebrate IDAHOBIT but we were left with no choice after Victoria Police advised Council of the risks associated with holding the event."

It comes only a week after protesters derailed the month's council meeting over the planned event.

Mayor Tina Samardzija was forced to temporarily suspend the meeting for 15 minutes after protesters began hurling abuse at councillors.

They were heard chanting "shame on you" and "save the children" during the meeting.

Extra security staff and police officers were organised to attend the event, but the call was made to cancel it after police engaged in discussions with council over safety.

"The decision to cancel this event was ultimately made by the council after a risk assessment was conducted involving several partners and agencies," a Victoria Police spokesperson said.

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Councillor Josh Fergeus said it was "really shattering".

"Everyone can wander into the library, they know where librarians work and so these sorts of threats and intimidation make it a really unsafe workplace for people," he said.

Premier Daniel Andrews said it was a "disgrace" that the event needed to be cancelled.

"It's shameful. My message to those people is if you wanna behave like the worst elements of the Florida Republican party, well get to Florida. Get over there where your hateful views might be worth something, they're worth nothing here," he told Question Time today.

Diamond said the event would introduce children to "diverse role models and encourages acceptance, love, and respect of people in our LGBTIQA+ community".

"We understood this was not for everyone and scheduled it outside our regular library programs so that parents planning to bring their children were making a deliberate choice to attend," she said.

"Unfortunately, some in the community were not willing to allow that choice.

"In the end we were unable to guarantee that we would be able to hold the event safely.

"I hope they understand we did not make this decision lightly and we share their disappointment; Council remains committed to delivering on the outcomes and goals of our recently endorsed LGBTIQA+ Action Plan."

Boroondara City Council cancelled a similar event over threats.

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The incident that sparked the stabbing of two SA police officers

A complaint about a barking dog was the "minor disturbance" that led two South Australian police officers to the home of a man who stabbed them in a 'horrific" attack and was shot dead.

Brevet Sergeant Ian Todd, 53, and Brevet Sergeant Jordan Allely, 32, were seriously injured after visiting the home of Sean Ferris on Symons Street in Crystal Brook, about 200km north of Adelaide, yesterday morning.

Todd was stabbed in the neck, arm and hand and Allely suffered stab wounds to his right leg and arm.

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Ian Todd - one of the police officers who was stabbed at a South Australia home.Brevet Sergeant Jordan Allely

One of them managed to open fire and shoot Ferris who died at the scene.

It is now clear multiple complaints about Ferris' barking dog were the catalyst for the incident.

Police were visiting Ferris' home after a confrontation with Pauline Flavel who knew Ferris through previously keeping his dog calm outside shops.

Flavel told 9News Ferris' dog was tied up outside Foodland and thought his owner would be a while doing his shopping so she untied the dog and moved him up the bench so she could sit with him to stop him barking.

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Sean Ferris' dog.

"I'd hardly tied him up and stopped him yapping and carrying on and Sean came out," Flavel said.

Flavel said Ferris seemed to snap when he walked out and couldn't see his dog.

"He went off his tree at me," she said.

"It gave me such a shock for him to go off at me like he did."

She said Ferris had never spoken to her like that before.

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Sean Ferris walking his dog outside Foodland in South Australia.Sean Ferris walking his dog outside Foodland in South Australia.

Flavel didn't report the incident to police, but someone else did and the following day the two officers went to Ferris' home.

Neighbours told 9News Ferris was heard yelling at officers to stop harassing him about his dog before he attacked the pair.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said Allely has been discharged from Royal Adelaide Hospital and is now recovering with family.

Todd remains at the hospital after undergoing surgery overnight for his life-threatening injuries.

"He was in surgery for several hours last night, and the outcome of that surgery was very positive and is showing signs of progress throughout the day," Stevens said.

The police commissioner thanked those who saved Todd's life – a neighbour who ran to his aid and the medical staff involved in his treatment.

He also thanked the community for their well wishes.

"From my point of view, it's important that both of these officers understand the whole organisation is thinking about them," he said.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens

Crystal Brook residents have told of Ferris' increasingly menacing behaviour, including Flavel who had never seen him react like he did outside Foodland.

Ferris' friend David said he had begun collecting weapons.

"He had a lot of homemade weaponry he'd done over the internet, ordered parts and pieces and bows and arrows," he said.

David also said Ferris has a strong disliking for police.

"That's because he was getting visits from them over petty little things like his dog barking outside Foodland," he said.

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Investigators at the scene of a Crystal Brooke home where two police officers were stabbed.Investigators at the scene of a Crystal Brooke home where two police officers were stabbed.

Multiple inquiries are underway as to how the incident occurred.

"This is the most traumatic incident that I can remember in a very long time that has happened to a police officer in our state," Premier Peter Malinauskas said.

Police Minister Joe Szakacs said the attack sent reverberations through the police force and South Australian community.

"Yesterday's incident involving the horrific violence perpetrated towards Ian and Jordan reminds us all of the extraordinary dangers police put themselves in every day," he said.

"It is shocking for the whole state."

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Unregistered doctor worked in SA emergency department for six days

Australia's health regulator has launched an investigation after an unregistered male doctor worked for six days at a South Australian public hospital's emergency department.

The doctor – who was trained overseas and was registered in Australia in the past, but has previously faced disciplinary action – worked at Port Augusta Hospital between April 24 and May 2 before being removed from the premises.

The doctor is believed to have treated 15 patients over those six days.

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The doctor worked six days and is believed to have treated 15 patients.

The hospital is now following up with those patients to discuss care needs and decide if follow-up appointments are necessary.

Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network Chief Executive Craig Packard has issued an apology to anyone affected.

"On behalf of our service, I apologise to all those patients who had contact with this unregistered doctor," he said.

"This incident should not have occurred and I am deeply sorry.

"We have informed SA Police and AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority), and will also conduct a full and thorough review into how this incident occurred."

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The doctor was offered a place as an intern prior to the arrival of his registration. He was granted a provisional registration with conditions on May 2.

A supervising doctor was also stood down pending investigation.

The matter has been referred to SA Police, AHPRA and other investigative bodies for further action, and an investigation has been launched under AHPRA's Criminal Offences Unit.

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Anyone who attended Port Augusta Hospital's emergency department between those dates and is concerned has been urged to contact the facility and Regional Health Service on 08 8668 7500.

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Axe attack victim thanks good Samaritans who saved her

A woman who survived a hatchet attack has thanked the good Samaritans who saved her life after her ex-boyfriend was found guilty of attempted murder.

"They are the reason I am alive today," Maria Buci said outside Brisbane Supreme Court on Thursday.

Former security guard Cameron Turgay Bardak ambushed Buci in a Brisbane CBD car park after she finished work at a law firm in July 2020.

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Victim Maria Buci is seen outside the Brisbane Supreme Court in Brisbane, Thursday, May 4, 2023.

He attacked his ex-girlfriend with a hatchet and choked her before members of the public came to her aid.

The jury was shown iPhone footage of Bardak on top of Buci with his hands around her throat as multiple people tried to separate them.

"I do just want to thank everyone who has been by my side and has assisted me these past three years – the police service, the DPP, the witnesses and everyone who saved me that night," Buci said outside court.

"I am very grateful."

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Cameron Bardak is accused of attempted murder.

The trial heard workers from nearby offices rushed into the car park after hearing cries for help.

One witness was struck in the hand by the hatchet but was able to punch Bardak in the head and kidneys in an attempt to stop the attack, to no avail.

Others from neighbouring buildings ran to the scene and helped loosen Bardak's grip, allowing Buci to flee but he chased her down.

Multiple people were then able to free her a second time, the court was told.

Buci on Thursday agreed that the good Samaritans were "heroic".

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Brisbane man accused of trying to kill girlfriend with a hatchet.

"Absolutely. What they did you don't see it every day and I hope they don't have to see it ever again," she told media.

Bardak had pleaded guilty to an alternate charge of causing grievous bodily harm.

However, crown prosecutor Chris Cook did not accept it, telling the jury that Bardak had formed the idea that "if I can't have her, nobody will".

Buci told the jury she was walking through the car park and spotted Bardak hiding next to her vehicle, telling her to "get in the car".

"He said, 'I'm going to kill you' and that's when I saw the axe," she told the jury.

Bardak hit her with the axe, causing her to fall down before striking her again while her hands were covering her head.

He then started choking her before people came to her aid.

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Bardak told the court that he only bought a hatchet to force her into speaking to him again.

Asked if the verdict had given her some closure, Buci told media, "It has been very hard but I have had a great support system and I got through it (trial).

"It is a long path to healing but I will get there."

The jury found Bardak guilty on Thursday after deliberating for more than six hours.

He will be sentenced by Justice Glenn Martin on Friday.

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

Man caught on camera being Tasered by police after Townsville rampage

A knife-wielding man has been Tasered by police after going on a rampage filmed by onlookers in North Queensland.

Officers were called to Ross River Road in Townsville after a man was seen running around with a long filleting knife just after 11am today.

Video shows Queensland Police officers Tasering him twice and arresting him.

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Man caught on camera being tasered by police after Townsville rampage

Officers first asked the man to drop the knife but Tasered him after he didn't stop.

No members of the public or police officers were injured.

The man has been taken into custody and is facing multiple charges.

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Couple shaken after car hit by rock thrown from overpass

A couple has been left shaken after their car windscreen was shattered by a rock believed to have been thrown from a Melbourne freeway overpass.

Phil and Sue Ronaldson were driving near Frankston over the weekend when their car was suddenly hit by a large rock.

Their car was travelling at 100km/h at the time, with dashcam video capturing the moment of impact.

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"All of a sudden there was a big smash and the windscreen broke and shattered," Phil said.

"You're expecting a nice easy cruise up the freeway and you don't expect to get a rock in your face."

After pulling over on the side of the freeway, the couple noticed dozens of smaller rocks littered along the road.

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They are calling on those responsible to be aware of how close they came to potentially killing someone.

"Anything could have happened," Phil said.

"We could have had a multi-car pile-up easily, there was a lot of traffic coming back from the peninsula."

The dashcam footage has been handed to police, who are investigating.

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