Tag Archives: oceania

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Two murders believed to be linked to Brisbane business

Police have now linked the disappearances of two Queensland men believed to have been murdered after it was discovered they both had connections to a Brisbane transport depot.

The two men are Andrew Christopher Walsh, who was last seen alive at Slacks Creek in November last year, and Lachlan Griffiths, both suspected of being murdered.

Acting Inspector Chris Knight said combining both investigations had brought to light new evidence.

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"The taskforce was established to merge two separate homicide investigations, which we now know to be linked," Acting Inspector Knight said.

Police confirmed they had tracked both men's movements to the Coopers Plains transport depot prior to their disappearance.

"We are now in a position to confirm both homicide victims have links to that address.

"We believe that in the period that both men were reported missing they have been to that address."

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A crime scene was established on February 14 and it continues to be searched by police.

There are no other crime scenes established in relation to the investigation.

"Whether they were kidnapped or left of their own volition is under investigation," Acting Inspector Knight said.

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Mr Walsh was reported missing by his family in Mossman, north of Port Douglas in Far North Queensland, in January. Police established he was last seen alive at Slacks Creek on November 7.

Mr Griffiths was last seen in Brisbane's CBD February 16. A 40-year-old man has since been charged with murder over Mr Griffiths' disappearance.

Police said it's likely both men had been murdered due to the length of time since they were last seen alive.

Acting Inspector Knight said it is unclear if the two men knew each other, adding they both lived in the South Brisbane and Logan districts.

"Certainly they had common connections," Acting Inspector Knight said.

"We believe both of our victims, Mr Walsh and Mr Griffiths, had been frequenting the same area, we know it's broad."

Police are urging the public to come forward with any information regarding the two men.

"We genuinely need the public to come forward.

"Any information that might seem insignificant could be crucial to the investigation.

"We will have cross over into both these investigations and consolidate that information."

Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Rio Tinto ordered to pay $750,000 penalty over share market breach

Australia's Federal Court has ordered Rio Tinto to pay a penalty of $750,000 after the mining giant failed to inform the share market of changes within the business.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) today said the court found between late December 2012 and early January 2013, Rio Tinto failed to disclose to the ASX that mining assets it held in Mozambique were no longer economically viable.

This constituted a breach of continuous disclosure laws, which require public companies to disclose information that may impact the business' share price or value.

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"Rio Tinto had obligations to the market to keep it adequately informed about its mining projects overseas," said Sarah Court, Deputy Chair of ASIC.

"When Rio Tinto was aware of information that Rio Tinto Coal Mozambique was no longer economically viable as a long-life, large-scale, Tier 1 coking coal resource, the market should have been properly informed in a timely manner.

"The core of ASIC's case against Rio Tinto was its continuous disclosure breach and we are pleased the matter has been finalised with a penalty ordered."

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In a statement to the ASX, Rio Tinto said the court did not find any examples of fraud or systemic failure by the miner.

"As part of this court approved settlement, Rio Tinto will pay a $750,000 penalty for a single contravention of its continuous disclosure obligations in the period 21 December 2012 to 17 January 2013, immediately preceding the impairment announcement," the business said in a statement.

"As part of this court approved settlement between ASIC and Rio Tinto, there were no findings of fraud or any systemic or widespread failure by Rio Tinto."

Rio Tinto was ordered to pay ASIC's court costs.