Tag Archives: oceania

Man accused of mimicking Bondi attack to remain behind bars

A man accused of mimicking firing at people off the bridge where the Bondi Beach terror attack took place will remain behind bars.

Zayne McMillan allegedly pretended to fire upon people from the Campbell Parade bridge about 7pm on Saturday.

The 22-year-old is accused of abusing bystanders when they confronted him over his actions, causing them to feel fearful and intimidated.

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The footbridge was infamously used by the gunmen during the Bondi terror attack on December 14, which left 15 people dead and dozens injured at the Chanukah by the Sea event.

McMillan was arrested yesterday and charged with stalking or intimidating, intending to cause fear or physical harm and behaving in an offensive manner near a public place or school.

He faced a bail court today to make a bid for release after spending a night behind bars.

McMillan's lawyer, Glen Cremer, argued he should be granted bail because time spent behind bars on remand would further perpetuate his disadvantage as an Indigenous Australian.

The 22-year-old is the primary carer for his mother, who has a psychotic condition, the court was told.

But police prosecutor Chris Manning noted McMillan was on parole at the time of the offences after serving a jail term for offences that included weapons.

His bail application was dismissed by Magistrate Karen Stafford, who said the case against McMillan seemed to be strong.

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Leader of Opposition and NSW Liberal Leader Kellie Sloane.

"He's on parole for some very serious offences of violence … this would appear to be a repetition of violent offending," she said.

McMillan will be back in court on February 10.

Police had received complaints from the public about the actions of two men at the Bondi Bridge, but the other alleged offender is said to have fled the scene.

NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane, whose electorate includes Bondi Beach, described McMillan's alleged actions as "utterly disgraceful and insensitive".

She was one of the first people to rush to the scene to aid victims of the terror attack.

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Almost half a million Aussies are living with the nation’s biggest killer

Almost half a million people are living with the disease responsible for the most deaths in Australia.

Dementia Australia has revealed the number of Australians living with dementia this year has increased to an estimated 446,500.

This figure is projected to more than double to over one million people by 2065.

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Dementia

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The condition is the nation's biggest killer, affecting both sufferers and their families.

The data also revealed an estimated 29,000 people aged 18 to 65 are living with young onset dementia, which could increase to an estimated 41,000 by 2054.

Meanwhile, an estimated 1500 children live with childhood dementia in Australia.

In 2026, there are an estimated 145,700 people living with all forms of dementia in NSW, which is projected to increase to an estimated 252,800 by 2054.

Dementia Australia chief executive Professor Tanya Buchanan said the number of people developing dementia rapidly increasing.

"There is a critical demand for a national program to promote brain health throughout our lives as well as a pressing need to provide quality care and support services for people of all ages living with dementia, their families and carers," Professor Buchanan said.

"Dementia Australia is calling for essential investment from the federal government in implementing the National Dementia Action Plan, a ten-year government framework released in late 2024 aiming to improve the lives of people living with dementia and their carers.

"Australia is recognised internationally for its strengths in dementia care, support and research, but the system still has areas that need improvement. 

"Funding the delivery of the National Dementia Action Plan is essential for all Australians impacted by dementia." 

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Person with close ties to household of Gus Lamont identified as suspect in his disappearance

A person with close ties to household of missing four-year-old boy Gus Lamont has been identified as a suspect in his disappearance, with police declaring the case a major crime.

Gus was reported as last seen playing on a mound of dirt about 5pm on September 27 at his family home, the Oak Park Station homestead, which is about 43 kilometres south of Yunta in SA.

Police today confirmed a person who has close ties to the household, who is not one of his parents, was speaking with detectives but then "withdrew cooperation" and is now considered a suspect.

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Missing four-year-old Gus

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No arrests have been made.

Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke said investigators had identified "inconsistences" regarding the timeline of Gus' last movements.

"As a result of these inconsistencies, and investigations into them, a person… has withdrawn their support for the police and is no longer cooperating with us," he said.

"The person who has withdrawn their co-operation is now considered a suspect in the disappearance of Gus.

"I do want to stress, however, that Gus's parents are not suspects in his disappearance."

Fielke could not provide further information on the suspect.

The "discrepancies" regarding information gathered were identified in mid-January.

"Only as recently as 14 and 15 of January when we attended [the homestead], did we get more information that we have analysed and reviewed, which again has highlighted some discrepancies," Fielke added.

A search warrant was executed at the Oak Park Station property at this time and a number of items were seized, including a car, a motorbike and electronic devices.

"I anticipate there will be further searches at Oak Park Station and at several sites on an adjacent national park to locate Gus as new information and intelligence comes to hand as the investigation continues,'' Fielke said.

Only three people were on the property at the time of Gus' disappearance, Fielke said.

He did not rule out the possibility of an arrest being made.

He revealed the investigation had centred on three theories – whether Gus was abducted, whether someone he knows was involved in his disappearance or suspected death and whether he did wander off from Oak Park Station.

Fielke said detectives from Taskforce Horizon have a "high level of confidence" he did not wander off.

Investigators have also found no evidence to suggest Gus was abducted.

He also confirmed Gus' disappearance is now a major crime when providing an update to the media.

Missing four-year-old Gus Lamont in SA

The search for Gus

No evidence of Gus has been uncovered despite extensive searches of the property, which Fielke said has been the "largest and most intensive" missing person's search ever undertaken by SA Police.

A full-scale ground and air search of the property and surrounding area was launched after Gus went missing.

Officers returned to the area surrounding Oak Park Station to search for Gus' remains on February 2 but uncovered no evidence.

"The foot search has been unprecedented and the resources that have been used have been significant," Fielke said of the search efforts.

"We've had deployments to Oak Park Station for over 20 days as part of that operation and there's been at least eight separate searches conducted."

Fielke said the owners of Oak Park Station and adjoining properties had been conducting their own searches.

Oak Park Station missing boy Gus Lamont

The search area has totalled 706 square kilometres, with the assistance of 80 Australian Defence Force soldiers, drones, mounted officers and aircraft.

Around 163 SA Police officers have been deployed for the search.

A three-day search of six mine shafts near Oak Park Station also failed to uncover any evidence.

Police received more than 150 Crime Stoppers tips about the missing boy.

Detectives returned to the remote property last month to speak to the family.

"We've taken statements with the family, we've had to go through those statements with the family, and that's just part of the normal investigational process that we go through," Fielke said in January.

"We continue to engage with them.

"They went through a pretty horrid Christmas without Gus, and we check-in with the family regularly."

Police previously stressed that no part of the investigation had turned up any suggestion of foul play.

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Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke

Lamont was reported as last seen by his grandmother at the family's Oak Park Station homestead.

About 30 minutes later, he had rerportedly vanished and a full-scale search was launched.

The four-year-old with blond curly hair was described as a shy but adventurous child.

His family have said in a statement they are "devastated" and "deeply distressed" by his disappearance.

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