Tag Archives: oceania

Missing hiker found in NSW’s Snowy Mountains

An experienced hiker who failed to return home from a nine-day trek in the NSW Snowy Mountains yesterday has been found safe and well.

Cameron Little, 57, began a hiking and skiing trip at Guthega Power Station at Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains on September 4.

His last communication was on September 6.

READ MORE: Search for Freeman continues as police lift Porepunkah travel warning

Missing hiker Cameron Little

Little was due to return home yesterday and the alarm was raised when he didn't show up.

He was found today about 1pm in an area near Valentines Hut.

Little did not need medical treatment, police said.

"Police would like to remind members of the public that when heading out for a hike or a bushwalk, people should have a fully-charged mobile phone, along with additional charging devices," NSW Police said in a statement.

"Additionally, hikers are urged to take a GPS-enabled Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) and submit a Trip Intention Form with the appropriate agency, such as the National Parks and Wildlife Service."

READ MORE: Police investigate brawling NRL fans at finals match

Missing hiker found Snowy Mountains Cameron Little

Authorities kicked off a land and air search for Little, including SES, PolAir and firefighters yesterday and the search resumed today.

Little's blue Mitsubishi station wagon was found unattended at Guthega Power Station.

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Anthony Albanese closes electoral office, blames protesters

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has closed his electoral office in Marrickville after over 30 years of operation, citing the rise in protesters as the reason.

The office has been run in the heart of Albanese's Grayndler electorate in Marrickville, Sydney since 1993, with Albanese serving as the member for all but three of those years.

However, it has also become a magnet for protesters in recent times, specifically those against the Albanese Government's stance on the Gaza war.

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Pro-Palestine protesters have been camping out 24/7 outside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's electorate office in Grandyler. There are reports that the majority of his staff are working from home/other locations, effectively closing his electorate office, Thursday 4th of April 2024.Photo: Dion Georgopoulos / The Sydney Morning Herald

The disruption caused by this has led to the decision to relocate the electorate office.

"Sadly, over the past two years, aggressive protestors have repeatedly blocked access to the electorate office for people seeking assistance," the Prime Minister said in a statement today.

"This has also significantly impacted churchgoers attending the neighbouring St Clements Church, including disruption to funerals and other church services."

The statement said the decision had been made not to renew the lease at the property on Marrickville Road.

These protests began at the start of 2024 as the Gaza war escalated, and some pro-Palestine residents of Albanese's Grayndler electorate took issue with Australia's perceived inaction to support the Palestinian cause.

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Pro-Palestine protesters have been camping out 24/7 outside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's electorate office in Grandyler. There are reports that the majority of his staff are working from home/other locations, effectively closing his electorate office, Thursday 4th of April 2024.Photo: Dion Georgopoulos / The Sydney Morning Herald

There was vandalism committed against the offices of many MPs around the country, leading to security being tightened; Albanese was told to avoid his Marrickville office for this reason.

Recently, the Albanese government has pledged to recognise Palestinian statehood, and has released public statements condemning the actions of Israel in the conflict.

There is no information on where Albanese's new electoral office will be located.

"The office will open at a new location in the heart of Grayndler once it is made fit for purpose," Albanese said.

"The electorate will continue to be serviced by hardworking, dedicated electorate officers at locations in the community, online and via telephone during this time."

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Police investigate brawling NRL fans at finals match

Police are investigating a brawl last night between rival rugby league fans during an NRL finals match in southern Sydney.

Supporters traded blows during the Cronulla Sharks versus Sydney Roosters elimination final encounter at Shark Park.

Police and stewards were forced to step in to separate the brawling fans inside the stadium.

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NSW Police said in a statement today that investigations have started.

"An investigation is underway after a brawl involving up to 10 people broke out within the grounds of a football stadium in Cronulla last night.

"Police have commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident."

The NRL said they were working with authorities to find those responsible, and threatened bans to anyone found guilty of offences.

"The NRL is working with both the venue and NSW Police regarding the incident. All supporters who attend NRL games are subject to the NRL Spectator Code of Conduct", an NRL spokesperson told 9News.

"Anyone found breaching the required standards can expect to be subject to significant sanctions, including being banned from venues."

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Grieving families of Wieambilla police officers reveal ‘excruciating’ wait

The families of the two police officers who were fatally shot in Wieambilla in 2022 have described the "excruciating" 12-month wait for inquest recommendations.

Queensland Police constables Rachel McCrow, 29, and Matthew Arnold, 26, were shot dead alongside neighbour Alan Dare on December 12, 2022, while attending a remote bush property around 300km west of Brisbane.

The three were gunned down by conspiracy theorists Gareth and Stacey Train and Gareth's brother Nathanial.

READ MORE: Search for Freeman continues as police lift Porepunkah travel warning

The trio were later killed by officers following an hour-long siege.

An inquest had its final public hearing on August 29 last year and McCrow and Arnold's grieving families say the deadly circumstances which led to their murder could "still occur today".

"What will it take for the Queensland Government, QPS and Police Union to actually do something about this disturbing situation?" Rachel's mother, Judy McCrow, and Matthew's parents, Sue and Terry Arnold, said in a joint statement.

"We are being told that police officers are still being forced to use their personal mobile phones because of poor reception on their radios."

The families said it has been an "excruciating" year-long wait for recommendations from the inquest to be delivered.

Judy, Sue and Terry said they have been saddened by the similarities after two police officers were allegedly shot dead by Dezi Freeman in Porepunkah, north-east Victoria, last month.

READ MORE: Police investigate brawling NRL fans at finals match

Stacey Train Gareth Train Nathaniel Train Wieambilla

They have pleaded with the government to release the findings to help keep the police force safe.

"Although we never want this to happen again, sadly a police officer could be shot tomorrow because the communications or computer program does not work effectively, or information has not been passed on effectively," the statement added.

Last year's inquest examined key issues such as a lack of effective communication in regional issues and concerns around how interstate information is shared between police.

The families have also called for aerial drones to be used so officers can scope out the dangers of a property before attending.

READ MORE: Grave fears for missing hiker, 57, who failed to return from nine-day trek

A drone strategy is in place within Queensland Police, however is limited to specialist teams.

"How many other employers would accept that the lives of their staff are at risk without legislatively having to show effective risk reduction strategies?" the joint statement continued.

"Last year's inquest exposed the evil acts which brutally ended Rachel and Matt's hopes and ambitions and highlighted what we believe are serious operational failings that could have prevented this tragedy."

The families of the slain officers want the coroner to recommend "fundamental interventions" to close the gaps identified during the inquest.

"The inquest only reminded us of the graphic and unimaginable nature of Rachel and Matt's deaths and the systemic failings that allowed this tragedy to happen," the statement ended.

"Please do everything you can to reduce risks to other families' loved ones.

"Police officers are human beings who are trained to do their job however, they should also have risks reduced as much as possible."

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Female paramedics allegedly attacked while walking down street

A man has been charged with assault after allegedly attacking two female paramedics on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula.

Police were called to Barrett Lane in Mornington, south-east of Melbourne, about 11.30am yesterday following reports of an alleged assault and threats.

Two paramedics were walking along Main Street in Mornington when they were allegedly set upon in a violent ambush.

READ MORE: Search for Freeman continues as police lift Porepunkah travel warning

Six staff at Ambulance Victoria have been stood down, accused of being at the heart of an alleged fraud scandal.

One of the paramedics was injured after she was allegedly kicked by the charged man and was taken to hospital.

They were not treating a patient or attending a case at the time, Ambulance Victoria said.

Witnesses came to their aid during the attack.

READ MORE: Police investigate brawling NRL fans at finals match

A 58-year-old man was arrested at the scene and later charged with assault emergency worker, recklessly cause injury, make threats to kill, possess controlled weapon, unlawful assault and other charges.

He was remanded to appear at Frankston Magistrates' Court tomorrow.

"Violence towards paramedics is never OK," Ambulance Victoria said in a statement.

"No one should face abuse for simply doing their job.

"Let's stop the violence."

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Queensland Police lift emergency declaration after abandoned firearm found

Police in Queensland have revoked an emergency declaration in Glenview, north of Brisbane, after a suspected gunman was believed to be on the loose.

The declaration was made just before 1pm after reports a stolen Mitsubishi Outlander had crashed outside an address on Old Caloundra Road and officers said the occupants subsequently fled on foot into bushland.

One of the individuals was believed to have a gun, however police located an abandoned firearm several hours later.

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The Mitsubishi Outlander was reportedly stolen near a business on the Bruce Highway at Morayfield about 5.45am and the car's owned reported being threatened with a gun.

Police declared the emergency at 12.55pm after fears a suspected gunman was on the loose.

Specialist officers attended the scene and searched the nearby area, where a gun was located abandoned.

Police lifted the emergency declaration about 3.10pm.

The Mitsubishi and firearm have been taken for forensic testing.

An investigation into both incidents are ongoing.

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