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Woolies faces up to $10b fine after pleading guilty to 1000 charges

<p>In what seems like a cascade of misfortune for Woolworths, the retail giant has found itself embroiled in yet another controversy.</p> <p>A week fraught with bad press took a turn for the worse when outgoing CEO Brad Banducci <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/last-chance-mr-banducci-woolies-ceo-threatened-with-jail-time" target="_blank" rel="noopener">faced the threat of jail time</a> for his refusal to address questions in a Senate inquiry probing supermarket price gouging. Now, the company is grappling with the repercussions of admitting to underpaying over a thousand former Victorian employees for their long service leave entitlements.</p> <p>The admission, made in a Melbourne court, revealed that Woolworths fell short in compensating at least 1,235 former workers, amounting to a staggering $1.24 million in underpayments spanning from November 2018 to January 2023. While some employees were owed only modest sums, others were deprived of significant entitlements, with figures reaching up to $12,000 in the most severe cases.</p> <p>The Melbourne Magistrates' Court learned that Woolworths, alongside its related company Woolstar, breached Victoria's Long Service Leave Act on a startling 1,227 occasions. The revelation came to light during an internal audit of the company's IT systems, prompting Woolworths to self-report the discrepancies to Victoria's Wage Inspectorate.</p> <p>Woolworths' barrister, Saul Holt KC, highlighted the company's commitment to rectifying the situation, after discovering the discrepancies during an audit of its IT systems and self-reporting it to Victoria's Wage Inspectorate. "That's just the right thing to do," he said.</p> <p>However, the gravity of the breaches places Woolworths at risk of facing a potentially astronomical fine, with a theoretical maximum exceeding $10.25 billion. While such a penalty could spell financial catastrophe for many, including a corporate behemoth like Woolworths, legal experts suggest that a more realistic figure would be capped at approximately $480,000, in line with typical penalties in Victorian magistrates courts.</p> <p>The magistrate presiding over the case, Nahrain Warda, has deferred her decision until Wednesday, April 24, leaving Woolworths in a state of uncertainty. In addition to the impending financial penalty, Kathleen Crennan, representing the Wage Inspectorate of Victoria, advocated for Woolworths to be convicted, denouncing the underpayments as inexcusable. "There's really no excuse for this to have happened in the first place," she said.</p> <p>In the face of mounting legal challenges and public scrutiny, Woolworths' reputation as an employer is under scrutiny. Despite assertions of being an "exemplary employer", founded on principles dating back to 1924, the company's track record is marred by repeated instances of underpayment scandals. </p> <p>As Woolworths awaits the magistrate's verdict and braces for the fallout from its legal battles, the spectre of underpayment casts a long shadow over the company's corporate governance and raises broader questions about accountability within the retail industry.</p> <p><em>Images: Woolworths</em></p>

Legal

“Kick in the face”: Why not everyone's happy that Molly’s going home

<p>The recent decision to <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/molly-the-magpie-is-going-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">return Molly the magpie</a> to a Gold Coast couple and their two dogs Ruby and Peggy has sparked a contentious debate, which one wildlife advocate <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/molly-the-magpie-decision-labelled-a-kick-in-the-face-for-wildlife-carers-040736042.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">described to Yahoo News</a> as "a kick in the face". Queensland Premier Steven Miles' announcement has divided opinions, stirring anger among wildlife volunteers while receiving overwhelming praise from a vast portion of the public, particularly followers of the popular social media pages featuring Molly.</p> <p>Molly, the magpie turned social media sensation, has captured the hearts of over two million followers on platforms like Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. However, her rise to fame was marred by allegations of being taken from the wild without proper authorisation. The decision to return Molly to Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen, the couple behind the Peggy and Molly pages, has left wildlife advocates concerned about the message it sends regarding the treatment of wildlife and the enforcement of regulations.</p> <p>Despite the concerns raised by wildlife advocates, the decision to return Molly appears to have widespread public support. Premier Miles' Facebook post announcing Molly's return garnered significant positive feedback, with many expressing joy at the news. However, some questioned the delay in the decision-making process and criticised the handling of the situation by the Department of Environment and Science and its staff.</p> <p>The saga surrounding Molly's return unfolded amid public pressure, fuelled by social media campaigns and posts from Wells herself, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/i-miss-my-bestie-new-appeal-after-molly-s-family-left-in-the-dark" target="_blank" rel="noopener">expressing frustration at the lack of response</a> from government officials.</p> <p>The controversy surrounding Molly's return raises broader questions about wildlife rehabilitation, human-animal interactions, and the role of social media in shaping public perception. While Wells maintained that Molly was cared for in a manner consistent with fostering her natural instincts, authorities expressed concerns about the potential negative impact of human habituation on the bird's ability to thrive in the wild.</p> <p>Critics argue that Molly's return sets a dangerous precedent, potentially encouraging others to take wild animals into captivity for social media fame. The financial gains associated with Molly's social media presence certainly raise ethical questions about the commodification of wildlife for entertainment purposes.</p> <p>Amid escalating tensions surrounding the case, calls for civility and respect have been made, urging individuals to engage in constructive dialogue rather than resorting to hostility and abuse. None more powerful than the message coming directly from Molly's adoptive carers:</p> <p>"NO AGGRESSION," Juliette Wells repeatedly said to her followers on Instagram. "Be kind - remember what these 3 best friends have shown the world: Love & acceptance in differences. We all have differences in opinions let’s just voice them in a positive way for this Famous Magpie Molly."</p> <p>While Molly's return may be celebrated by some, it reignites discussions about the ethical treatment of wildlife and the responsibilities of both individuals and authorities in safeguarding native species. </p> <p>But the last word again goes to Wells, who has clearly endured a great deal throughout this entire ordeal – including being "harassed, defamed & bullied"<span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">:</span></p> <p>"What a journey to get here," wrote Wells, following the news of Molly's impending return. "Having a hole in our hearts that we never thought would heal. Constantly thinking about this little magpie who was full of life and personality sitting in a cage lost and alone. Our hearts breaking Watching our girls looking around for Molly or out the window for hours waiting to see their best friend again.</p> <p>"Being forced by a certain media outlet to make the announcement before we were ready to deliver it in a mindful way to our millions of supporters.</p> <p>"We have become a meme, an interview question & the topic of conversation around the world.</p> <p>"We have be Harassed, defamed & bullied by a small minority of people.</p> <p>"Suddenly being plunged onto the world stage after the QLD premier stepped in. Constantly Hitting brick walls trying to get answers from the dept about Molly & his whereabouts.</p> <p>"We want to thankyou you the people for your voices , for standing by us & making this happen . The messages , emails , phone calls & thousands of signatures on petitions . The love , support and sheer determination for a cause is what you have done & is what has kept us going . We have shown the world what can be achieved when we work together . We have shown the world this can be achieved with persistence without aggression."</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C5mEBBbSY2g/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C5mEBBbSY2g/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Peggyandmolly (@peggyandmolly)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

Former world champion cyclist to face court over Olympian wife's death

<p>Rohan Dennis, the husband of former Olympic cyclist Melissa Hoskins, will face court after allegedly causing her death. </p> <p>Dennis, a former world champion cyclist, was arrested in January and charged with causing death by dangerous driving, driving without due care and endangering life.</p> <p>It is alleged that he recklessly struck his wife with his car in front of their home in Medindie in Adelaide on December 30.</p> <p>Hoskins was rushed to the Royal Adelaide Hospital but died later that night. </p> <p>The pair share two children together, and Dennis is due to appear at the Adelaide Magistrates Court today.</p> <p>If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. </p> <p>The Australian cycling community were devastated when news of Hoskins' death first broke. </p> <p>"Melissa described her team pursuit gold medal at the 2015 world championships as the highlight of her career but for the rest of us, the highlight was just having her around," AusCycling chief executive Marne Fechner said at the time.</p> <p>"Although she retired in 2017, her presence as an alumnus of the sport has been felt and appreciated by many in the cycling and riding community."</p> <p>Hoskins competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics as a member of the Australian track cycling team pursuit, that finished fourth place. </p> <p>She also competed at the 2016 Olympics for the same team, and was in the squad that won the 2015 world title in the event. </p> <p>The Olympian was laid to rest in her hometown, Perth, in January with a public memorial service held in Adelaide during what would've been her 33rd birthday a month later.</p> <p>Dennis, who has been on bail since January, attended both ceremonies. </p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Legal

Matildas captain Sam Kerr to face criminal trial

<p>Matildas superstar Sam Kerr has found herself at the centre of legal proceedings in London, as she pled not guilty to charges stemming from an alleged incident involving a police officer earlier this year.</p> <p>Kerr, aged 30, appeared before Kingston Crown Court via videolink to contest accusations of using insulting, threatening or abusive language towards a police officer in Twickenham on January 30.</p> <p>During the hearing, Kerr confirmed her identity and entered a "not guilty" plea to the charge, which was later confirmed by the Metropolitan Police. The specifics of the charge were outlined in a police charge sheet, citing Kerr for a racially aggravated offence under Section 4A of the Public Order Act 1986. The incident allegedly occurred during police intervention related to a complaint involving a taxi fare.</p> <p>The trial, slated to commence in February 2025, is expected to span four days, during which two police officers will provide evidence. Meanwhile, Football Australia (FA) has issued a statement acknowledging the legal proceedings involving Kerr, asserting their commitment to support all players both on and off the field. However, due to the ongoing legal nature of the situation, further comments were withheld.</p> <p>“Football Australia is aware of the legal proceedings involving Sam Kerr in the United Kingdom,” the statement read. “As this is an ongoing legal matter, we are unable to provide further comment at this time. Our focus remains on supporting all our players, both on and off the field. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide support as appropriate.”</p> <p>The announcement comes after Kerr's unfortunate sidelining from both club and international duties. Suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during Chelsea's warm-weather training camp in Morocco, Kerr faces a prolonged period of rehabilitation, ruling her out of action for the foreseeable future. Her absence from the Matildas' lineup is particularly sorely felt, with preparations for the Paris Olympics underway.</p> <p>Despite the setback, Football Australia has not officially ruled Kerr out of contention for the Olympics. However, the typical recovery timeline for ACL injuries suggests a lengthy rehabilitation process, casting doubts on Kerr's participation in the upcoming tournament scheduled to begin on July 26.</p> <p><em>Images: Getty Images</em></p>

Legal

Grandma faces deportation after 40 years in Australia

<p>Mary Ellis, 74, has lived in Australia for over 40 years, but now she faces deportation. </p> <p>The grandmother is known as a local hero in northern New South Wales, for her charitable acts including helping feed the homeless in Tweed Heads, raising money for the Salvation Army. </p> <p>She was even nominated for the NSW Volunteer of the Year award last year. </p> <p>Despite her tireless efforts to help out other Australians, the senior might soon have to leave the country she has called home since she was 31-years-old. </p> <p>"(I have a) Driver's License, ID card, Medicare Card, Pension card. Everything Australians have," Ellis told <em>A Current Affair</em>. </p> <p>"I thought well, I'm a permanent resident.</p> <p>"You know, I carry on doing my daily - what I do every day. Nobody said anything."</p> <p>Ellis, who was born in London and moved here with her partner in 1981, was told that her partner had already arranged permanent visas for them.</p> <p>But one day, the Department of Home Affairs suddenly decided she's got to go. </p> <p>"This is my home and I love Australia ... I want to stay here," the grandma tearfully said. </p> <p>"Just let me get Australian citizenship, please let me.. that's what I want."</p> <p>Ellis has a son and two granddaughters in Australia, who are all Australian Citizens. </p> <p>Migration agent Stanley Schneider has been helping Ellis pro-bono since she was asked to leave, said that she was an absorbed person under the Migration Act and should be allowed to stay. </p> <p>"She's always paid her taxes.. she's never even had a speeding ticket," Schneider said.</p> <p>"She's never infringed anything. She's never offended anyone."</p> <p>The Migration Act requires someone to have been in Australia since April 2, 1984 and not have left, but the Department of Home Affairs claims Mary left the country three times under different aliases.</p> <p>Ellis denies the allegations.</p> <p>"I love Australia. (I) didn't want to go anywhere else," she said.</p> <p>She also said that she has documents that prove she was in Australia during the timeframe in question, which includes a job reference from a Tasmanian restaurant that she worked at from 1983 to 1986, and a Medicare enrolment letter signed by then federal Health Minister Neal Blewett.</p> <p>Ellis' migration agent said that the documents would not have been sent to her had she not been in the country. </p> <p>"Mary Ellis is a decent person. A person we should be absolutely thrilled to have in Australia," Schneider said. </p> <p>"And she's an Australian, Let's face it."</p> <p>In a statement shared to <em>A Current Affair</em>, the Department of Home Affairs said that they do not comment on individual cases. </p> <p>"People who do not have the right to remain in Australia are expected to depart," a government spokesperson said.</p> <p>"Individuals who provide incorrect information may be liable to have their visa cancelled under the provisions of the Migration Act."</p> <p><em>Image: Nine/ A Current Affair</em></p>

Legal

Travellers with disability often face discrimination. What should change and how to complain

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kelsey-chapman-1345505">Kelsey Chapman</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/elizabeth-kendall-210342">Elizabeth Kendall</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lisa-stafford-1505408">Lisa Stafford</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a></em></p> <p>Australia’s former disability discrimination commissioner, Graeme Innes, has settled his dispute <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-23/adelaide-airport-graeme-innes-disability-discrimination-dispute/103375068">with Adelaide Airport</a>. His complaint to the Human Rights Commission was lodged after being denied access to a body scanner with his assistance dog in <a href="https://graemeinnes.com/2022/05/17/airport-discrimination-dash-i-am-angry-as-hell-and-im-not-going-to-take-it-anymore/">May 2022</a>.</p> <p>Unfortunately, Innes’ experience will resonate widely with Australia’s <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia/contents/people-with-disability/prevalence-of-disability">4.4 million people with disability</a>.</p> <p>“People with disability know how challenging air travel can be, and that experience needs to be more inclusive,” said Innes, who was disability discrimination commissioner for nine years and is on the board of the <a href="https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/governance/board/board-profiles">National Disability Insurance Agency</a>.</p> <p>Experiences like Innes’ have been widely <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/feb/03/australias-airlines-and-airports-urged-to-improve-treatment-of-travellers-with-disabilities">reported</a> and have happened to <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/graeme-innes-fights-to-change-how-disabled-people-are-treated-when-they-fly-20220516-p5alqs.html">prominent Australians with disability</a>. The everyday experience of air travel is likely even more shocking. Change is happening, but it is moving slowly.</p> <h2>Airport and airline ableism</h2> <p>The Human Rights Commission received more than <a href="https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/awptor2023-submission-a16-australian-human-rights-commission.pdf">100 disability discrimination complaints against airlines</a> in the six years to 2022, including the period in which COVID restrictions saw air travel severely limited.</p> <p>Issues included:</p> <ul> <li>assistance animal refusals</li> <li>inaccessible facilities</li> <li>inaccessible ticketing arrangements for people with vision impairments</li> <li>taxis and rideshare providers not turning up, long delays or refusing passengers with disability aids and/or assistance animals.</li> </ul> <p>These issues highlight a system underpinned by unchallenged <a href="https://theconversation.com/ableism-and-disablism-how-to-spot-them-and-how-we-can-all-do-better-204541">ableism</a> – discrimination that favours people without disability.</p> <h2>Freedom of movement</h2> <p>An important right under the <a href="https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities/article-20-personal-mobility.html">United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities</a> is freedom of movement. This right seeks to enable all people to be <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09687599.2023.2203307">included in society in ways they self-determine</a>.</p> <p>Ableism in air travel is a fundamental denial of independence and freedom of movement. Discrimination can be even more blatant and offensive. People have been removed from flights or denied boarding because there are <a href="https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/awptor2023-submission-a16-australian-human-rights-commission.pdf">limits on the number of wheelchair users who can access an aircraft</a> or because they require additional support to access facilities.</p> <p>People with disability report the removal of, or damage to, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-31/virgin-airline-wheelchair-damage-broken-compensation/103010472">personal mobility equipment</a>, and lack of suitable equipment. In the most severe cases, people have been <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/australians-with-disabilities-suffer-dehumanising-treatment-at-airports-travel-news/b7de6139-258a-4e86-a615-031eb0e89074">injured during travel</a> or left stranded in dangerous circumstances.</p> <h2>Inconsistency can fuel ableism</h2> <p>Inconsistent policies and practices significantly impact travellers with disability. This is made worse by the fact that individual airlines and airports are encouraged by government to develop their own <a href="https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure-transport-vehicles/aviation/aviation-access-forum-aaf/dafp">Disability Access Facilitation Plans</a>.</p> <p>So, it is not surprising when news reports highlight instances of assistance dogs being denied travel <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-15/jetstar-assistance-dog-policy-criticised/103221894">domestically</a> and <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/22/travel/jetblue-service-animal-dot-open-form.html">internationally</a>, even when they’ve <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-20/qantas-sued-over-assistance-dog/103223736">previously been approved</a> by other airlines.</p> <p>Lack of consistency, negative attitudes, stereotypes and prejudices in the air travel industry have resulted in <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/singapore-airlines-disability-discrimination-amputee-b2301471.html">reportedly aggressive eviction of passengers</a> with disability from exit rows. Others report being told to “<a href="https://qdn.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Voice-of-Queenslanders-with-Disability-report.pdf">catheterise</a>” (to insert a tube through the urethra to the bladder) to avoid needing toilet facilities on an overseas flight. Many people with disability experience situations like Innes’ where they are subjected to alternative, sometimes undignified, processes.</p> <p>Ongoing experiences of ableism not only deny people with disability their rights to travel but can also <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09687599.2023.2203307">damage their dignity</a>. Anticipation of discrimination can increase anxiety and stress for travellers with disability or prevent them travelling altogether.</p> <h2>Slow reform</h2> <p>These stories and many others point to the need for urgent reform.</p> <p>Stories shared by more than 60 participants in a special Disability Royal Commission session prompted its chair to <a href="https://disability.royalcommission.gov.au/news-and-media/media-releases/chair-writes-ceos-airlines-and-airports#:%7E:text=The%20Chair%20of%20the%20Disability,their%20experiences%20with%20air%20travel">write directly to the CEOs</a> of Australian airlines and airports, urging them to work on solutions.<br />The review and modernisation of the <a href="https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure-transport-vehicles/transport-accessibility/transport-disability-standards">2002 Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport</a> along with the upcoming release of the Australian government’s <a href="https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure-transport-vehicles/aviation/aviation-white-paper">Aviation White Paper</a> could be key mechanisms to address systemic discrimination. But only if key recommendations from disability organisations and advocacy centres are adopted. They include:</p> <ol> <li> <p><a href="https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/agp2023-submission-c170-australian-federation-of-disability-organisations-and-national-inclusive-transport-advocacy-network.pdf">specific standards</a> for air travel co-designed with people with disability and representative organisations. <a href="https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sites/default/files/2022-04/Universal-Design-for-Transport-TAs-discussion-paper-20220421.pdf">Universal design</a> aims to make products and environments usable by all people, without adaptation. It can play an important role in overcoming the systemic barriers in infrastructure and service design to create more seamless and inclusive transport and air travel experiences</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="https://piac.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/PIAC-Submission-to-Aviation-Green-Paper.pdf">reportable and enforceable standards</a> and independent oversight, such as funding the Human Rights Commission to oversee compliance.</p> </li> </ol> <h2>Complaints are just one route</h2> <p>The exclusion of people with disability from seamless airline travel is a violation of their fundamental right to freedom of movement.</p> <p>Decades of travel horror stories in the media, continuing legislative reviews and national enquiries should bring change. Everyone should be able to make journeys with dignity and autonomy. People with disability deserve the same travel privileges as non-disabled Australians.</p> <p>Governments and the aviation industry will need to collaborate to implement comprehensive accessibility measures, ranging from wheelchair-friendly facilities to trained staff capable of providing appropriate assistance. Embracing inclusivity in air travel not only aligns with the principles of equity but also contributes to a society that celebrates diversity.</p> <p>For now, there are a number of ways to raise complaints, including with the individual airline or with the <a href="https://humanrights.gov.au/complaints/make-complaint">Human Rights Commission</a>. Raising complaints with the Human Rights Commission can be completed by anyone who experiences discrimination. Legal support and advice may also be sought from some state-based legal aid organisations.</p> <p>While complaints are one mechanism for change, more proactive methods for change include the disability royal commission’s recommendation for the design and implementation of a <a href="https://teamdsc.com.au/resources/inside-the-disability-royal-commission-s-final-report">Disability Rights Act</a>, which would see human rights enshrined in legislation and facilitate barrier-free travel.</p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kelsey-chapman-1345505"><em>Kelsey Chapman</em></a><em>, Research Fellow Dignity Project, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/elizabeth-kendall-210342">Elizabeth Kendall</a>, Professor, Director, Griffith Inclusive Futures, Griffith University, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lisa-stafford-1505408">Lisa Stafford</a>, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, Inclusive Futures Centre, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/travellers-with-disability-often-face-discrimination-what-should-change-and-how-to-complain-221740">original article</a>.</em></p>

Travel Trouble

AusPost customer faces extra charge for using cash

<p dir="ltr">As conversations continue about moving to a cashless society, an Australia Post customer was outraged after being slapped with a charge for using cash. </p> <p dir="ltr">Brisbane resident Gerrie Hoogland shared her outrage after hearing about the supposed cash charge through a friend, who claims they were charged $2.20 for wanting to use cash to pay a bill. </p> <p dir="ltr">Hoogland recounted the story on X, formerly known as Twitter, to share the story, while asking if anyone else had encountered anything similar. </p> <p dir="ltr">She wrote, “A friend of my husband’s went to pay a bill at the Post Office last week. He gave them $82.00 in cash and they said they would have to charge him $2.20 for using cash.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“He refused to pay it after telling them cash is legal tender, and then he left without paying the bill at all. Is anyone else hearing more of this?”</p> <p dir="ltr">A number of Aussies took to the comments to call out Australia Post for being “shady”, with some calling the fee a “scam” and a “disgrace”. </p> <p dir="ltr">However the outrage towards Australia Post may be misplaced. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em><a href="https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/australia-post-customer-charged-220-for-using-cash---but-is-the-outrage-warranted-025519571.html">Yahoo Finance</a></em> has contacted the national postal service and understands the fee is set by individual billers, rather than Australia Post themselves.</p> <p dir="ltr">The fee relates to bills paid in person at an Australia Post outlet via Post Billpay and can apply to both cash and card transactions, and whether or not the fee is passed onto the customer will depend on the individual biller. </p> <p dir="ltr">In recent years, a number of billers charge an additional payment fee for bills paid in person, with some notable examples include telcos Telstra, Optus and Vodafone.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em><span id="docs-internal-guid-934db778-7fff-f88e-e460-f8550a0ce109"></span></p>

Money & Banking

Alec Baldwin facing new charges over fatal Rust shooting

<p dir="ltr">Alec Baldwin has been charged with involuntary manslaughter for a second time over the fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins on the set of the movie <em>Rust</em>. </p> <p dir="ltr">The Hollywood legend has been indicted by a grand jury in New Mexico over the death of the 42-year-old cinematographer, who was hit with a live bullet that had been loaded into a prop gun for a scene. </p> <p dir="ltr">“The above named defendant did cause the death of Halyna Hutchins by an act committed with the total disregard of indifference for the safety of others,” the indictment obtained by <em><a href="https://nypost.com/2024/01/19/news/alec-baldwin-charged-with-involuntary-manslaughter-over-rust-shooting/">The Post</a> </em>read.</p> <p dir="ltr">Baldwin has long denied the charges, and has stood by his claim that he did not pull the trigger on the day of the accident. </p> <p dir="ltr">Baldwin had previously been charged with the same crime by the Santa Fe district attorney in January 2022.</p> <p dir="ltr">He pleaded not guilty at the time, but the case soon fell apart and the charges were dropped in April that year after it was determined that further forensic testing needed to be done on the weapon that fired the bullet.</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite the case being dismissed, the DA was clear that the door would be left open to refile the charges.</p> <p dir="ltr">Prosecutors have also charged <em>Rust</em> armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who oversaw the weapons on the movie set, with the same crime.</p> <p dir="ltr">She has also pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial. </p> <p dir="ltr">If convicted, Baldwin could face up to 18 months in prison.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-72916b43-7fff-6f42-edfa-da16ccff7698"></span></p>

Legal

“Say it to my face”: Novak Djokovic confronts Aus Open hecklers

<p dir="ltr">Novak Djokovic has confronted rowdy Australian Open audience members, saying the “tough guy” in the crowd “crossed the line” with his unsolicited commentary. </p> <p dir="ltr">The Serbian tennis player was on his way to a victory against Aussie player Alexei Popyrin when he got caught in a verbal altercation with a spectator. </p> <p dir="ltr">The frustrated defending grand slam champion was heard during the match yelling, "Come here and say it to my face" to a fan seated behind him at Rod Laver Arena.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Come here! Come here!" Djokovic could be heard yelling in response to the mouthy spectator. </p> <p dir="ltr">During his post-match press conference after the match win, the world No.1 elaborated on the clash with the spectator, telling the media he won't tolerate such behaviour from disrespectful audience members</p> <p dir="ltr">"I mean, you don't want to know [what he said]. There were a lot of things that were being told to me on the court, particularly from that corner, and the same side the other corner. I was tolerating it for most of the match," Djokovic said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"At one point I had enough, and I asked him whether he wants to come down and tell it to my face. Unfortunately for him, he didn't have the courage to come down.</p> <p dir="ltr">"That's what I was asking him. If you have courage, if you're such a tough man, tough guy, come down and tell it to my face, and let's have a discussion about it.”</p> <p dir="ltr">"He was apologising from far away. That's all it is."</p> <p dir="ltr">"I'm not going to sit and say 'it's all good'. It's not good," he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Of course, it upsets me. I'm frustrated. I don't want to be experiencing that, but I have to accept it as it is.”</p> <p dir="ltr">"Sometimes I don't tolerate when somebody crosses the line. That's it."</p> <p dir="ltr">The veteran player declared he would continue to "confront" patrons who attempted to throw him off his game, saying, "I was feeling a lot of mixed emotions today on the court. Not a great atmosphere to play in to be honest for me."</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p> </p>

Legal

Groom faces serious jail time after $89 million "wedding of the century"

<p>A groom whose viral $89 million wedding was dubbed the "wedding of the century" is now facing a possible life sentence in prison. </p> <p>Jacob LaGrone, 29, and wife, car dealership heiress Madelaine Brockway, took social media by storm last month after videos of their lavish, five-day wedding in France went viral on TikTok. </p> <p>The wedding which featured an overnight stay at the Palace of Versailles, rehearsal dinner at the Paris Opera House, and a performance by Maroon 5 at the Texan couple's reception, was nothing short of amazing. </p> <p>Now, instead of going on their honeymoon, the groom could be facing life in prison, after getting arrested for allegedly shooting at three police officers in an incident on March 14.</p> <p>The Nashville native was indicted eight months ago on three counts of aggravated assault on a public servant, which is a first-degree felony in Texas, that, if convicted, could see him face a sentence from less than five years to life in prison. </p> <p>According to city officials, officers responded to multiple disturbance calls about a gun being discharged at a home – and when the three officers arrived, "they were fired upon” by LaGrone.</p> <p>An indictment obtained by <em>The Washington Post</em>, said that LaGrone "did intentionally and knowingly threaten imminent bodily injury" to the officers and “did use or exhibit a deadly weapon during the commission of the assault, namely, a firearm”.</p> <p>The indictment did not specify where the incident took place, and no further details were given regarding the disturbance calls.</p> <p><em>The Dallas Morning News </em>reported that the Tarrant County District Attorney offered LaGrone a plea deal of 25-years in jail . </p> <p>Neither LaGrone nor his wife have publicly addressed the charges, and both have since made their social media accounts private. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram/ News.com.au</em></p> <p> </p>

Legal

Deb Knight facing the chopping block

<p>2GB's long-standing host, Deb Knight, is <a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/nine-star-deb-knight-set-to-axed-from-the-afternoon-slot-on-2gb/news-story/b632da64901dd4662a9a77efc00b92b9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly on the verge of being axed</a> from her role as the host of the Sydney radio station's afternoon show. According to <em>The Sunday Telegraph</em>, Nine Radio is expected to make an official announcement soon, marking the end of Knight's four-year tenure.</p> <p>This news comes as a shock to many, especially given Knight's significant presence as the only female presenter on the conservative talk station.</p> <p>Reports suggest that Knight was informed of her impending departure last week, leaving her "shattered" by the news. The seasoned broadcaster, who has been a prominent figure on 2GB for four years, has been a vital voice on the station. However, her recent ratings have allegedly plummeted to a record low, with only a 6 percent market share in the most recent radio ratings survey. This decline is a stark contrast to her 2023 high of 8.9 percent, indicating a substantial drop in audience engagement.</p> <p>Knight's journey as the afternoon show host began in 2020, a time when the radio industry experienced a surge in listenership due to the Covid-19 lockdown. Her initial success saw her ratings soar to an impressive 11.4 percent share. However, the recent decline in ratings may reflect the challenges faced by radio stations in maintaining audience interest in an ever-evolving media landscape.</p> <p>When Knight took on the role in 2020, rumours circulated that her contract was an impressive $600,000. While her departure raises questions about the financial implications for 2GB, it also leaves fans speculating about Knight's potential transition to Nine's TV arm, where she has been a popular newsreader since 2011.</p> <p>With Knight's sudden departure, the spotlight now turns to the coveted afternoon show hosting position at 2GB. Media reports suggest that several personalities are eyeing the role, creating anticipation about who will fill the void. The <em>Sunday Telegraph</em> highlighted Joe Hildebrand, a recent fill-in for Knight, as a potential "favourite" for the position.</p> <p>Additionally, Mark Levy, a fellow 2GB presenter, has expressed interest, adding to the intrigue surrounding the selection process. Only time will tell how this transition unfolds and what it means for the broader landscape of Australian radio.</p> <p><em>Image: 2GB</em></p>

Why a familiar face made Adele break down on stage

<p dir="ltr">Adele has broken down during an emotional show in Las Vegas, after she locked eyes with a special audience member. </p> <p dir="ltr">The British songstress was performing at her residency show with a special Halloween show when she spotted a familiar face in the crowd.</p> <p dir="ltr">While dressed as Morticia from the Addams Family for the spooky-themed concert, Adele began to perform her hit song <em>When We Were Young</em> from her award-winning album <em>25</em>. </p> <p dir="ltr">She suddenly burst into tears and ran into the audience, as she spotted the doctor who delivered her son Angelo ten years ago. </p> <p dir="ltr">Adele could be seen mouthing “Shut up!” in between lines of the heartbreaking ballad, as she couldn't believe what she was seeing.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cy_HGsFrr7Q/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cy_HGsFrr7Q/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by 𝒜𝒹𝑒𝓁𝑒 𝐿𝒶𝓊𝓇𝒾𝑒 𝐵𝓁𝓊𝑒 𝒜𝒹𝓀𝒾𝓃𝓈 (@thirtyfreeadele)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Oh my god, Colin! Oh my god! This is my doctor that gave birth to my baby!”</p> <p dir="ltr">“I haven't seen you for years!” she exclaimed, as she paused the song and ran up into the audience.</p> <p dir="ltr">As Adele caught up with her long-lost friend, the tune continued playing in the background. </p> <p dir="ltr">The singer apologised to her fans as she was caught up in the emotional moment.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Sorry!” she said to the crowd. “Will you sing it for me? That man delivered my baby!”</p> <p dir="ltr">Fans on Twitter rushed to praise the touching moment and Adele's sweet gesture to the doctor. </p> <p dir="ltr">One said, “This is so heartwarming,” while another added, “That's just the coolest thing ever!”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

Music

F1 caller faces termination over "abhorrent" Schumacher comment

<p>A Formula One pundit recently found himself issuing an apology for an unfortunate slip of the tongue during a live TV broadcast, where he inadvertently made an insensitive remark about the legendary Michael Schumacher. The incident unfolded in the aftermath of the Japanese Grand Prix during a post-race discussion on Spanish television, as reported by <em>The Sun</em>.</p> <p>Antonio Lobato, the pundit in question, raised Schumacher's name during the discussion. Regrettably, his comment quickly made its way online, inciting outrage among fans due to its insensitivity toward the Formula One icon's ongoing health struggles.</p> <p>In the clip in question, one of Lobato's fellow broadcaster quipped to him in Spanish, "Let Adrian Newey (Red Bull's chief technical officer) be shaking because Antonio Lobato is coming."</p> <p>Lobato, perhaps in an attempt at humour in the moment, shot back, "Let Michael be shaking! Well... not Michael, he cannot shake."</p> <p>Following this exchange, the pundits shared a laugh with their colleagues, Noemi de Miguel, Pedro de la Rosa, and Toni Cuquerella.</p> <p>The incident provoked a strong backlash from viewers, with many demanding that Lobato apologise to Michael Schumacher's family. Some even called for his removal from DAZN, the broadcasting platform. One individual on X (formerly Twitter) remarked, "An apology would be the minimum, a sign of decency. You don't disrespect ANYONE that way, especially when thousands of people are watching you. Journalism in Spain has a very bright present and future with people like this."</p> <p>Another comment read, "Using someone's medical condition as the punchline of a joke is unacceptable and abhorrent. Michael is beloved and respected in this sport, and [Lobato] doesn't deserve the platform he is given."</p> <p>Subsequently, Lobato released an apology video on X, which has since garnered over five million views. In the five-minute video, he attempted to explain the "accident" while justifying his actions. Lobato stated in Spanish, "I made a mistake without any bad intentions. It was simply a mistake of pure clumsiness, of pure inability to express myself correctly, maybe because of too many hours up, jet lag in Madrid, or whatever – which is not an excuse for those of you who didn't see it."</p> <p>He went on to clarify that he never intended to make a joke or mock Michael Schumacher and that anyone who knew him would understand this.</p> <p>Lobato acknowledged his error, saying, "I think that everyone who knows me and knows what I'm like knows perfectly well that I would never make a joke about something like that. Never, but I was clumsy." He admitted that he had realised his mistake instantly after making the comment.</p> <p>He also emphasised his deep regret, stating, "So the only thing I have to do, I think it's fundamental, is to apologise to all those who felt offended by that phrase yesterday. I really, really mean it. It was not my intention to say it to laugh, nor to make any kind of joke with Michael, whom I knew, whom I admire, and whom I think is a reference and who I think was quite unlucky."</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="es">Creo que es necesario dar explicaciones y reconocer que me he equivocado. Por favor, escuchad mi vídeo. Es un poco largo, pero creo que necesario. <a href="https://t.co/89QlCMws2v">pic.twitter.com/89QlCMws2v</a></p> <p>— Antonio Lobato (@alobatof1) <a href="https://twitter.com/alobatof1/status/1706287035445653736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p><em>Images: Twitter (X) / Netflix</em></p>

Legal

Woman charged after NT Chief Minister hit in the face with crepe

<p>A 56-year-old woman is facing charges in connection with an alleged assault on Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles, following an incident that occurred in her local electorate.</p> <p>The incident unfolded at Nightcliff Markets in Darwin at approximately 11:40am on Sunday September 24.</p> <p>According to law enforcement authorities, a member of the public reportedly thrust a crepe covered in cream into Fyles' face during the incident.</p> <p>Police confirmed on Monday morning September 25 that a 56-year-old woman has been charged with aggravated assault in relation to the incident. The accused has been granted bail and is scheduled to appear in court on October 10.</p> <p>It has since come to light that Chief Minister Fyles is a regular visitor to the Nightcliff Markets, often attending on Sundays. Nightcliff Markets manager, Ross Dudgeon, <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/northern-territory-news-chief-minister-natasha-fyles-allegedly-assaulted-at-nightcliff-markets/122ad004-153f-48e6-85d2-5cf66261dc0a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">spoke highly of her to 9News</a>, describing her as approachable and friendly.</p> <p>Dudgeon recounted that one of the stallholders had witnessed the incident, stating, "I had a report from one of the stallholders that they saw a woman pour something over Natasha Fyles' head."</p> <p>He mentioned that the incident occurred shortly after Ms Fyles had participated in an event celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Bendigo Bank.</p> <p>Dudgeon emphasised the friendly and welcoming atmosphere of the market, where Ms Fyles often enjoyed breakfast or a smoothie with her family on Sunday mornings. He has overseen the market for two decades, and said that it has always been community-oriented in nature.</p> <p>Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis was also present at the event with Ms Fyles but had departed before the alleged assault took place. Reacting to the incident, Mayor Vatskalis expressed his shock, describing it as "disgusting". He further remarked that, in his 30 years in Darwin, he had never witnessed anything of this nature.</p> <p>"I just saw the very confronting video and I think this is disgusting," he said. "I have never seen anything like that in Darwin in the 30 years I've been here."</p> <p>This incident follows a previous incident in May of this year, during which Ms Fyles was reportedly followed and harassed by anti-fracking protesters while participating in a running competition in Central Australia.</p> <p><em>Images: 9News / Tiktok</em></p>

Legal

Family faces expulsion from Australia due to daughter's learning difficulties

<p>A Perth family is facing a heart-wrenching situation as they are compelled to leave Australia, their home for over seven years, due to their four-year-old daughter's learning difficulties. The local Perth community is rallying behind them in outrage against this decision.</p> <p>Navneet Kaur and her husband made the move from India to Australia on student visas back in February 2017. During their time in Australia, their daughter Iris was born. For Iris, Australia is the only home she has ever known.</p> <p>However, their situation took a painful turn when Navneet's application for a skilled nominated visa was rejected, citing Iris' diagnosed developmental delays. This decision meant that the family was instructed to depart from the country within a mere two weeks.</p> <p>Navneet Kaur expressed her disbelief, sharing that the government's justification was the projected cost of caring for Iris' needs over the next two years, estimated at $140,000.</p> <p>This reasoning, she argued, unfairly burdened their family. She underlined that both she and her husband have been gainfully employed, diligently paying taxes, and have not sought any government assistance. Navneet has taken on the financial responsibility for Iris' therapies and activities entirely on her own.</p> <p>Iris is actively engaged in activities such as swimming, gymnastics, private schooling and specialised therapies – all financed by Navneet.</p> <p>The family's friends and community members have spoken up in support, highlighting the unjustness of their situation.</p> <p>Owner Wes D'Arcy of Perth's Jarrah Bar and Café, where Navneet has worked as the head chef for nearly five years, described her as an integral part of their extended family. He expressed his frustration and deemed the government's decision as an insult to her hard work, especially in light of labor shortages in the sector:</p> <p>The emotional toll on Iris is also profound. Born in Australia, she identifies as Australian, yet her voice is being stifled as she faces displacement from her only known home. The prospect of relocating to India, a foreign culture she has never experienced, is daunting and unsettling.</p> <p>Navneet Kaur expressed the deep attachment her family has developed to Australia over seven years – an attachment that spans emotional, cultural, and environmental aspects of life. The unexpected expulsion is emotionally devastating.</p> <p>In response to the situation, community members have taken to social media to share their dismay and call for a compassionate resolution. The sentiment expressed is that a family so clearly contributing to the country, both economically and socially, should be treated with respect and fairness.</p> <p>“This is unacceptable," wrote one commenter on Facebook. "They are working, paying taxes and positively contributing to Australia. They deserve that respect in return from this country."</p> <p>Navneet Kaur is planning to appeal her case to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in a last-ditch effort to remain in Australia with her family. </p> <p>The family's story is touching the hearts of many, shedding light on the complexities of immigration policies and the human lives they impact.</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

Family & Pets

Stevie Nicks faces wild backlash over Hawaii fires post

<p>Stevie Nicks, the celebrated icon from Fleetwood Mac, has drawn a mixed response among her admirers due to her extensive reflection on the Maui fires, with even her most devoted supporters not hesitating to express their concerns.</p> <p>The legendary artist took to social media to convey her thoughts regarding the tragic Maui fires, a subject close to her heart. However, her detailed account of how the catastrophe impacted her, particularly in relation to her niece's disrupted holiday plans, has drawn a divisive reaction.</p> <p>In a post entitled "“Lahaina is not gone ~ It is just away,” Nicks opened up about her personal connection to the coastal town that fell victim to the destructive fires, claiming the lives of at least 96 individuals.</p> <p>“As I am sure you have heard – the island, Maui, where I own a house I have been staying at since the 80s – and the small village, city, most magical place on earth, Lahaina, burned to the ground over the last few days,” she wrote.</p> <p>She further explained the distressing situation involving her young niece, her spouse, and their child, who had just embarked on a much-needed vacation before the niece's return to her studies in psychology. Regrettably, their vacation was cut short due to the onset of the fire.</p> <p>Nicks also delved into the profound connection that the members of Fleetwood Mac share with Maui. “This island, in so many ways, defines Fleetwood Mac and me and our families. My truth was that I wanted a house here just so I could spend time in Lahaina walking the streets; visiting the art galleries – sitting on the rock wall – Most all the opals I wear on my fingers came from a store on Front Street. I hope the sweet lady who owned that store was able to grab all her opals and run. I hope she made it out.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cv3LAiCLf03/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cv3LAiCLf03/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Stevie Nicks (@stevienicks)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The response among her fan base has been polarised. Some voiced disappointment with Nicks for placing emphasis on her niece's disrupted vacation rather than the tragic loss of nearly 100 lives in the fires. They also questioned the absence of any links or information directing her substantial Instagram following, which numbers 1.4 million, towards aiding the fire survivors.</p> <p>One Instagram user commented, “I’ve been a Stevie fan forever and a day but this is Completely tone deaf! There are people who have LOST THEIR HOMES, their livelihood and their loved ones. Regular people – not rich, and not tourists. “Ruining” someone’s well deserved holiday is the absolutely LEAST of it all. True colours are shining and it’s such a disappointment.”</p> <p>While detractors were vocal, others stood up for Nicks, contending that her personal connection to the island warranted her sharing her story just as much as anyone else – with one post in particular offering a particularly insightful explanation:</p> <p>"People commenting with criticism: I sincerely understand but what you don’t realize is that this is a woman who doesn’t go on the internet or understand how any of that works. She hand writes these notes to express her heart and has an assistant post them. She has always given back without advertising it. The concept of crowdfunding donations on social media is something she really just has no idea about. If she knew better, I could understand the frustration but she’s just not a part of social media discourse whatsoever. I can guarantee that she is not only giving back but reaching directly out to individuals she has crossed paths with there over the years. Stevie has always been charitable, but has never been a citizen of the internet."</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Travel Trouble

“Unfathomable”: Former childcare worker facing 1,623 child abuse charges

<p dir="ltr"><em><strong>Warning: This article contains mentions of child sexual abuse that readers may find distressing.</strong></em></p> <p dir="ltr">A man from the Gold Coast is facing charges of child sexual abuse, after spending most of his life as a childcare worker. </p> <p dir="ltr">The 45-year-old has been charged with 1623 child abuse offences, including 136 charges of raping pre-pubescent girls. </p> <p dir="ltr">The alleged offences relate to 87 children in Australia and four overseas, and includes 110 counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 10.</p> <p dir="ltr">Australian Federal Police allege that the man carried out the offences while working at 10 different childcare centres in Brisbane between 2007-13 and 2018-22.</p> <p dir="ltr">The man is further alleged to have carried out offences at a single Sydney centre between 2014-2017, as well as overseas between 2013-14.</p> <p dir="ltr">Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Justine Gough said the man recorded the assaults on his phone and on a separate camera. </p> <p dir="ltr">During a press conference on Tuesday, she described the “chilling news” as “unfathomable”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We are highly confident that all 87 Australian children who were recorded in the alleged child abuse material have been identified,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The parents of all the Australian children recorded in the alleged child abuse material have been informed of the investigation.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Some of the individuals identified in the alleged child abuse material are now aged over 18 years and have been informed.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Assistant Commissioner Gough said officers were still working with law enforcement overseas, in a country they have yet to name, to determine the identity of four more children. </p> <p dir="ltr">The man has been in custody since August 2022 when AFP charged him with two counts of making child exploitation material.</p> <p dir="ltr">Since his initial arrest, police discovered a plethora of the self-produced child abuse material, totaling almost 4,000 images and videos. </p> <p dir="ltr">“The genesis of Operation Tenterfield is linked to police locating alleged child abuse images and videos on the dark web in 2014,” Assistant Commissioner Gough said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The AFP and other agencies examined the images, but they contain a few distinguishable clues for investigators to follow.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The investigation then led police to one of the childcare centres in Brisbane, and the subsequent warrant to raid the man’s home. </p> <p dir="ltr">“That warrant relates to 180 charges of child sexual abuse, and 23 victims are a part of those charges,” he said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Those charges carry life imprisonment. Once this man faces the AFP charges here in Queensland, we will be seeking his extradition.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“This is one of the most horrific child abuse cases that I‘ve seen in nearly 40 years of policing.” </p> <p dir="ltr">“We are absolutely committed to prosecuting anyone who comes after our most vulnerable.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Australian Federal Police</em></p>

Legal

Hunter Valley bus driver faces court

<p dir="ltr">The driver behind the wheel of the bus that overturned on a Hunter Valley roundabout, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/more-than-we-can-bear-hunter-valley-bus-crash-victims-identified">claiming the lives of 10 and injuring dozens more</a>, has faced Cessnock Local Court. </p> <p dir="ltr">Brett Andrew Button was reportedly emotional as he was charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death, as well as one count of negligent driving.</p> <p dir="ltr">Strict bail conditions were imposed on the 58 year old, with Magistrate Robyn Richardson noting that Maitland local Button had significant connections to the area, while acknowledging the emotional weight now upon his shoulders. Additionally, she said that there was a strong prosecution case for the 11 charges.</p> <p dir="ltr">Prosecutor Broom opposed an application for bail on the grounds that Button may not attend future court appearances and might interfere with witnesses, stating that 10 had already given evidence to police officials regarding Button’s “prolonged behaviour and dangerous driving, where he said ‘fasten your seatbelts’.” </p> <p dir="ltr">“Bail is strongly opposed,” she said. “It is conceded he has [a] limited traffic record.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There are seven offences over some 30 years of driving and no criminal record. This is a serious motor vehicle collision that resulted in the death of 10 persons. </p> <p dir="ltr">“There are currently 14 victims in hospital, two in ICU, and the injuries range in variety - some include grievous bodily harm.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Broom went on to inform the court that there was a “high likelihood” of further offences being laid before him, and of him serving full time custody.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, Magistrate Richardson did grant bail, explaining that bail shouldn’t be denied as a punishment, and drew attention to the man in question, who she believed to be suffering in the wake of the tragedy. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Mr Button has sat in court head down throughout these proceedings and it is clear to the court he suffers, along with the rest of his family,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Button is deeply linked to his community and has support here today … I note the stringent proposed bail conditions.”</p> <p dir="ltr">In accordance with those conditions, Button must abide to a curfew of 8 pm to 6 am unless he is with certain members of his family, report to the police three days each week, surrender his passports, remain at least 5 km from any international departure point, and refrain from applying for any travel documents.</p> <p dir="ltr">Additionally, he had to put forward $10,000 surety for his bail, avoid both drugs and alcohol, and keep well away from the driver’s seat of any motor vehicle.</p> <p dir="ltr">Before bail was granted, Acting Assistant Commissioner David Waddell shared that law enforcement would allege Button had been driving “too quick” for the conditions at the roundabout that night.</p> <p dir="ltr">"He entered that roundabout driving in a manner that was inconsistent with the conditions," he said. "The speed was too quick for him to negotiate that roundabout, causing the vehicle to fall onto its left side and cause those injuries."</p> <p dir="ltr">He went on to note that many of the officers who had been at the scene had been left “visibly distraught”, and that while there had been reports of fog in the area, he would not comment on whether or not visibility had been a factor. </p> <p dir="ltr">"The whole conditions will be examined as part of the investigation," he said. "So, it will be about how the driver drove in relation to the conditions."</p> <p dir="ltr">Button’s lawyer, Chris O’Brien, argued for both Button’s bail and his release, citing a number of medical conditions - including mental health concerns - though further information was not provided. He added that if the case were to go to trial, there was a chance it would see “long delays”. </p> <p dir="ltr">Button is currently scheduled to face Newcastle Local Court on August 9. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: 9News / Nine</em></p>

Legal

Distraught family faces eviction from Australia after 13 years

<p dir="ltr">A family in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire are facing the threat of deportation after 13 years living in Australia, with the Federal Government reportedly declining every attempt they’ve made at gaining permanent residency. </p> <p dir="ltr">Speaking to 2GB’s Chris O’Keefe, Emma and Nathan Mills explained how they’d left the United Kingdom in 2010 to start a new life down under with their two children, entering Australia on 457 skilled worker visas - visas for skilled migrants.</p> <p dir="ltr">They had plans to care for Emma’s dad, who is an Australian citizen with serious spinal injuries and mental health concerns. </p> <p dir="ltr">The young family settled in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire with their kids, and have spent the past 13 years making a home for themselves, and even welcoming a third child - daughter Daisy, who is now 11. Their eldest son James is now 21 and is considered “a respectable young member of the community”, while their second son Harry is undertaking his HSC.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to Emma and Nathan, they have done everything in their power to secure permanent residency for themselves and their children, but have been declined by the government at every stage. </p> <p dir="ltr">And now, they are facing an unwanted return to the country they left all those years ago. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Are we going to be sent back to a country that is essentially foreign to us all now?” Emma said to O’Keefe. “My children don’t have lives or memories of the UK, they have memories of Australia. This is their home.”</p> <p dir="ltr">She went on to stress that they’d “built a life here”, and that it was hard for any of them to “comprehend that this is even happening.” </p> <p dir="ltr">Emma did explain that changes to the immigration system, and her husband’s employment, were factors in their ability to apply for permanent residency - he works as an employment advisor, while she is a full-time carer to their children and to her father. They’d even tried to apply for a carer visa, but were rejected at that turn, too.</p> <p dir="ltr">And as Emma told O’Keefe, she’d only found out about the rejection when her kid’s schools called to inform her their enrolments had been cancelled due to the visa revocations. </p> <p dir="ltr">"The principal informed me that from the Monday she [Daisy] was not permitted to return to school. I was in shock and disbelief," she said. </p> <p dir="ltr">"I then got a call from Engadine High School with the same news. What shocked me and frightened me the most is my eldest son [still attending school] was due to sit his HSC the following week."</p> <p dir="ltr">And while the family did win an appeal in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal that should have permitted them to stay in Australia, they were never granted visas, and even their Medicare was cancelled. </p> <p dir="ltr">Things took another turn for the worst on April 13, when they received a letter from the Home Affairs Department that gave them 35 days to leave the country, or else they may be detained and deported. </p> <p dir="ltr">Emma revealed that her father was “absolutely devastated” about how the situation was transpiring, and that they’d “tried to do everything the right way” to no avail. </p> <p dir="ltr">Still, they’re determined to keep fighting to stay in their home, and have appealed for Immigration Minister Andrew Giles to reconsider the potentially life-changing decision.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Drive with Chris O’Keefe / 2GB</em></p>

Legal

Grandparents to the rescue in the face of soaring rents

<p>As the cost of living in Australia continues to rise, taking rental and property prices up with it, younger generations are facing a whole new host of challenges when it comes to putting a roof over their heads. </p> <p>But for one woman from New South Wales’ Blue Mountains region, the answer lay closer than she ever could have anticipated. </p> <p>As 24-year-old Isis Pattison told ABC’s <em>Hack</em>, she had been looking for an affordable rental in her local area for months when she lost track of how many applications she’d submitted, and the entire ordeal had become “ridiculous” - until she’d taken her grandmother, Debbie, along with her. </p> <p>Debbie explained that her granddaughter had been looking at a yurt that “was round and connected by a little pathway. And they wanted $370 a week for it”, and that she had been shocked by the cost. </p> <p>Her solution? Offering Isis a place in her own home, so that she could “save that $370”.</p> <p>And Isis’ financial boost wasn’t the only benefit to come of the whole arrangement, with Debbie noting that she’d “been on my own now for nearly eight years. It’s been very lonely and expensive on my own.” </p> <p>She’d been hit hard by the cost of living crisis too, she revealed, admitting that she had been struggling to make ends meet between bills and essential home items, including everything from food to electricity and heating. At the worst of it all, the grandmother had even feared she may have to sell the home she’d been making for herself since 1981.</p> <p>But things had picked up for Debbie with the arrival of her new roommate, as while Isis wasn’t paying rent at her grandmother’s, she was helping out with the bills, paying half. </p> <p>“It's a big help,” Debbie said. “I'm grateful and happy that she's here. I think my standard of living is a little bit better. I've got the heating on now.”</p> <p>For Isis, who intended to return to university and undertake a nursing degree, her grandmother’s generosity meant more than just extra dollars in her savings account, too. </p> <p>“I think it really works for us as well, because we’ve always just had a good connection,” she shared. “We understand each other, which makes it a lot easier.”</p> <p>And they aren’t the only ones who’ve turned to multigenerational living to combat the crisis, with the University of New South Wales’ Edgar Liu revealing that “one in every five people” have returned home since the COVID pandemic swept the country. </p> <p>Unsurprisingly, the most common reasons behind the moves were the cost of living and related finance woes. As Liu explained, “that encompasses a whole range of things from sharing bills, or finding better value and sharing costs."</p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

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