Tag Archives: oceania

Driver filmed flinging bottes at motorist who 'cut them off'

Footage has emerged of a road rage battle on a stretch of expressway in Adelaide.

Another driver captured the dispute between a Suzuki and a van on the Port River expressway, travelling north.

The Suzuki pulled up alongside the van, before the driver was seen hurling bottles at high speed.

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Footage has emerged of a road rage battle on a stretch of expressway in Adelaide.

The person who filmed the video says the argument began at Semaphore, when the car cut the van off.

They said the drivers screamed and swore at each other, as they made their way onto the expressway.

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South Australian Police are investigating.

New robot set to revolutionise workplace safety

A new robot has landed in Australia and is set to revolutionise safety in the workplace.

The robot, named Spot, will work in a wide range of industries.

It is hoped local businesses will be able to jump on board with the new technology.

From climbing, to tunnelling, and manoeuvring through work sites, the robot can reach areas that are unsafe for humans to access.

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Robot Spot workplace safetyRobot Spot workplace safety

"It's there to really remove staff from unsafe environments and act as a conduit for staff on the ground here on construction sites," Paris Cockinos from Sphere Drones said.

Not only can it fit into dangerous spaces, but the cameras on the robot can also zoom in to an object 150 metres away.

Spot's services have already been hired for upcoming work in the mining industry.

The robot will also head to Queensland soon to assist with biosecurity checks of shipping containers.

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Robot Spot workplace safetyRobot Spot workplace safety

The technology was developed in Boston in the US and is the first of its kind here in Australia.

The robot didn't come cheap, costing $150,000.

It will soon be tested by Australian emergency services including police and firefighters interstate.

Spot will be useful for dangerous roles such as the bomb squad.

"Being able to open up doors, removing that human element, being able to use the robot up field and having that second set of eyes where the bomb technician is working," Mr Cockinos said.

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Local business owners are also exploring the use of this technology in other workplaces.

Widely loved Sydney Chinese restaurant closing due to impact of COVID-19

A well-known Sydney Chinese restaurant team has become a casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic after operating for almost 40 years.

The team behind Marigold Restaurant has announced the Citymark Building restaurant will have its last day on Sunday, December 5.

"With a heavy heart, we announce the closing of Marigold Restaurant," a message on the restaurant's website reads.

READ MORE: Iconic Sydney restaurant Golden Century set to be rescued from closure

"The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live, work and travel.

"Sadly, it has also hit Marigold's function business and weekday trading. As there are plans to extend the Citymark Building, it is time to say goodbye."

The restaurant's management team brought the first Hong Kong-style Chinese restaurant to Sydney 39-years-ago, beginning with the 'Old Marigold' restaurant at 299 Sussex Street in 1982.

The team then opened the Regal Restaurant at the corner of Sussex and Liverpool Streets in 1986 before opening Marigold Restaurant.

Marigold Restaurant is the last of the three restaurants, with the other two trading for 20 years before they were closed due to redevelopment of their buildings.

"In the past 39 years, we have been very privileged to have served Sydneysiders and visitors from interstate and overseas, many of whom have become our friends," the team's message continues.

"The children and grandchildren of our customers have grown up with us and held their milestone celebrations in the restaurant."

Almost 51,000 people have 'checked in' at the popular restaurant on Facebook.

Queensland Coroner finds death of Iranian asylum seeker on Nauru 'preventable'

Queensland's state coroner has handed down findings as to whether the death of Iranian refugee Omid Masoumali on the island of Nauru could have been prevented.

Mr Masoumali suffered significant burns after self-harming while he was on the island five years ago.

After initial treatment at the Republic of Nauru hospital, the 24-year-old was transported to Royal Brisbane Hospital, arriving 31 hours later.

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The man believed to be Omid, who died after self-immolating on Nauru last month. (Supplied)

He suffered burns to 50 per cent of his body, later declared dead as a result of organ failure.

State Coroner Terry Ryan today said that the Republic of Nauru Hospital was not adequately equipped to handle Mr Masoumali's severe injuries.

"The clinicians at the Republic of Nauru Hospital did not have the necessary clinical skills, equipment or facilities to deal with Omid's injuries," Mr Ryan said.

Mr Masoumali had been on Nauru, seeking asylum in Australia for three years prior to his death.

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Nauru detention centre (AAP)

The inquest heard that just the day prior, Omid asked the local clinic for mental health help, and was scheduled to see a psychologist in a weeks time.

"Notwithstanding, there was a limited opportunity to intervene with Omid. That opportunity was missed," Mr Ryan said.

"It is more likely than not that he was indifferent to whether he lived or died. I consider that his actions were those of someone who had given up hope and felt powerless as a result of his prolonged placement on Nauru," Mr Ryan said.

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The coroner recommended the Commonwealth work with the government of Nauru to improve communication with asylum seekers, to provide more certainty to refugees in their asylum applications.

Human rights activist, Ian Rintoul pushed for the end of indefinite detention and the improvement of treatment for refugees on Nauru.

"The uncertainty of people's future, the fact that their detention seems indefinite. The coroner was very, very clear that that uncertainty is the main thing which creates the distress and the despair for refugees who are being held in detention," Mr Rintoul said.

"The coroner was very clear. They've accepted the evidence that the facilities on Nauru were far worse than what was available on Thursday Island or remote Australia.

"We can only hope that Omid's death will be a turning point, at least in that area of government policy, and that indefinite detention will end."

Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyond blue on 1300 22 4636.

Surfer hailed a hero after seeing boat capsize on NSW South Coast

A surfer has been hailed a hero after his quick thinking to save a group of men after their boat capsized off the NSW South Coast.

Seven men were on a fishing trip about 10am on Sunday when their tinny overturned in rough waters at Waniora Point in Bulli.

Steven Davey was surfing at the beach when he saw the boat had capsized.

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"It was sort of surreal, I could see something coming towards us and then I was like, oh, it's a boat," Mr Davey said.

"Next thing I know there were three guys standing on an upside down boat."

Mr Davey took off straight away and started paddling towards the boat.

"I asked if there was anyone inside the boat and they said yes, I just took my leg rope off, threw my board to someone else and tried to dive under," Mr Davey said.

The men had been out fishing but couldn't swim, and it was lucky that he could, Mr Davey said.

Four of the men had become trapped underneath the boat.

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Steven Davey boat capsize Bulli Wollongong NSW

After attempting to dive under the front of the boat without success, Mr Davey moved to the back of the boat and tried diving under again.

"I saw something black, grabbed it, felt it was a leg," he said.

Due to the rough water, it was a dangerous operation not only for the men stuck under the boat but for a rescuer like Mr Davey.

"I knew that if another wave came and took the boat towards the rocks that I was going to get stuck in it too," he said.

Boat capsized NSW South Coast Bulli fishermen

A crew of surfers, including Mr Davey, surf lifesavers, and police managed to pull the men to shore.

Sadly, one of the men couldn't be revived.

Mr Davey said he's a rescuer, not a hero, and he never wants it to happen again.

"I have a two-and-half year old and an eight-month-old and straight away I just thought of them, if I get stuck on that boat and a wave hits, they don't have a dad," he said.

"I was definitely, definitely holding everyone pretty close last night."

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Steven Davey boat capsize Bulli Wollongong NSW

Six people, including Mr Davey, were injured during the accident.

Mr Davey suffered chemical burns from petrol leaking from the boat into the water.

"I was actually screaming in a lot of pain, it's like nothing I've ever felt," he said.

The rescue efforts of the community were praised by emergency services.

"The members of the community and the surfers out in the water were onto the boat before the lifesavers got there are heroes," Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steven Pearce said.

"They are the ones who were able to hold these persons afloat until we could get our life savers out there."

Authorities are investigating.

Man caught on video setting fire to Melbourne fruit and vegetable shop

A man has been captured on camera lighting a fire at a fruit and vegetable shop in Melbourne's south east, leading to the business incurring $20,000 damage.

Police are now calling for help to identify the man who is still on the run after almost 11 months.

They have released CCTV footage of a man setting fire to a Hampton Park fruit and vegetable store on Sommerville Road around 3.50am on January 12.

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It shows a man wearing a cap and facemask as he spends almost 20 seconds dousing the back of the store in what appears to be a kind of accelerant.

He then sets fire to the area, causing what appears to be a small explosion, before he runs from the scene,

According to police, the fire then spread to inside the shop and caused an estimated $20,000 worth of damage to fridges at the back of the store.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Vaccinated tourists from Singapore to be allowed into Australia

Australia will reopen to another group of tourists later this month as it slowly begins to remove its COVID-19 restrictions.

Fully vaccinated Singaporeans will be allowed to visit Australia from November 21.

It will be the first time tourists from the Asian country have been allowed to come to Australia since March, 2020.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about international travel

Flight SQ237 from Singapore receives a water canon salute on the tarmac at Tullamarine Airport on November 1, 2021 in Melbourne, as quarantine-free travel begin for Aussies.

They won't have to quarantine and will only initially be able to travel to Sydney and Melbourne, due to the removal of hotel quarantine and flight caps.

Like all people coming to Australia- which currently is limited to citizens, PRs and immediate family – travellers must test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of getting on the plane.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the agreement at the G20 Leaders' Summit in Rome, following a meeting with the Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong.

"Australia is slinging its doors open to fully vaccinated Singaporean travellers in November," Mr Morrison said.

READ MORE: How to get your International COVID Vaccination Passport

"This is another significant milestone in our step by step approach to safely reopening to the world that we outlined in the National Plan.

"It follows the announcement this week that fully vaccinated travellers from New Zealand will be welcomed back in October.

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the agreement at the G20 Leaders' Summit in Rome, following a meeting with the Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong.

"This means within weeks Australia will be welcoming tourists from two of our top ten travel destinations. This is the billion dollar boost that Australia's tourism industry has been waiting for.

"Step by step, everything that we know and love about Australia is inching back to normal."

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Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women Senator Marise Payne said the arrangement followed Singapore's plan to welcome fully vaccinated Australians.

"Many Australians live and work in Singapore and vice versa. The strong exchanges over many decades have been to the benefit of both our nations," Minister Payne said.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan said it was "just the start of our international tourism comeback,"

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"Australia's tourism operators and the sector's 660,000 workers will welcome back with open arms visitors from Singapore," Mr Tehan said.