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"It's just not OK": Parking inspectors under fire for fining innocent drivers

Melbourne drivers are being hit with parking fines despite not doing anything wrong, raising questions about the legitimacy of the infringement notices. Emma Hodgkinson from Essendon told 9News that she was fined for supposedly overstaying in a two-hour parking zone. "I was furious, it's just not OK" she told the publication. Hodkinson had only left her house 40 minutes prior to the time stamp on the fine, and used CCTV footage from her home to prove it. "When I saw the timecode on the footage and I compared it to the time on the ticket I realised I hadn't done anything wrong and it was their mistake," she said. Many other drivers have had similar experiences, with one man from Richmond saying he received a $99 penalty earlier this month, despite having almost an hour left on his Pay Stay app. Another driver was fined by Stonnington Council who said he had parked for more than two hours even though he'd only been there for about 20 minutes. In most of these examples, many other cars in the same area had also been fined. "I was able to prove I was innocent but how are [the other drivers] going to be able to prove that?" Hodgkinson said. Council Watch representative Dean Hurlston said the reason why innocent drivers are being fined could be because council parking inspectors have to hit their quotas. "We know the job of a parking inspector is well paid for good reason," he told 9News. "They definitely have quotas. Councils need money, they're cash strapped. This is a way to gouge and raise revenue." If you've been unfairly fined, it is important to collect as much evidence as possible, including photos and screenshots. Image: Nine News

Legal

Lollipop man slapped with ban over "innocent" gesture

A beloved lollipop man in Victoria has been banned from high-fiving children after receiving a complaint from a concerned parent. John Goulden is a much-loved elderly lollipop man at the Mount Dandenong Primary School in Greater Melbourne, and will no longer be able to high five kids as they leave and enter the school grounds. Goulden, who was recently crowned one of Victoria’s top crossing supervisors, was reprimanded by Yarra Ranges Council who warned him against “initiating unnecessary physical contact” with the children. Outraged parents in the community have rallied behind the cherished lollipop man, with one parent, Rohan Bradley, even starting a petition to have the ban removed, saying that Mr Goulden has an “infectious joy that leaves a lasting impression on students and parents”. “His high fives in the morning and afternoon have become a tradition that many children look forward to, a small gesture that symbolises the warmth and friendliness of our unique community,” he said. “Sadly, this tradition is under threat. With our children’s happiness and wellbeing hanging in the balance, we need to take action.” Mr Bradley said it was not just about a simple high five but about “preserving our unique community’s spirit”. “We implore those in charge to let John continue to high-five his students, preserving an act that sparks joy and promotes a more positive learning environment,” he said. The petition has already gained more than 500 signatures as parents and students stand with the “community’s morale booster”. In a statement, Yarra Ranges Council confirmed they had received a complaint from a parent at the school about the crossing supervisor dishing out high fives. “Council’s internal policies and the Victorian Standards clearly states that unacceptable behaviours includes: Exhibiting behaviours with children and young people which may be construed as unnecessarily physical,” they told 9News. “Council has reminded the contractor who is currently supervising children at the Mount Dandenong Primary School of expectations of the role regarding interactions with children.” Image credits: Facebook

Legal

“I’m being racist to eggs”: Wellness influencer slammed for innocent comment

An Australian influencer has been forced to address a "racist" comment she made about her son's lunch. Health and fitness influencer Sarah Stevenson, who is known by her millions of followers as Sarah's Day, was filming herself as she made lunch for her son. The 31-year-old stopped herself as she made her child a curried egg sandwich, saying he be dubbed “the smelly boy in the playground” if he took the meal to school. “Do you want to be ‘smelly curried egg boy’?” she asked him. While the seemingly innocent comment went unnoticed by many of her followers, one person sent her a message demanding an apology for her "borderline racist" comment. The entrepreneur and mum-of-two replied to the private message in a video response to her followers explaining that she meant the “egg smell” and didn't mean anything racist. “Didn’t everyone go to school with someone who brought eggs in their lunch and you’re like, ‘ew, you smell like rotten eggs’... not ‘you smell like curry!’,” she said in the video on her Instagram Stories. She said sarcastically, “I’m being racist to eggs.” Stevenson then doubled down on the follower’s outrage, following that with a cooking tutorial for “racist eggs”. The late night social media saga was re-shared by a popular account, where it was dubbed “egg gate” and plenty more people weighed in on the drama. “She should have apologised and taken it down instead she’s made it worse,” one commenter wrote. The general consensus from the public was that the original racism accusation “was a definite reach”, but she went too far with her explanation. “Honestly don’t think there was any malice in the original comment — she definitely scrambled (ha!), way too far in explaining herself afterwards though,” someone wrote. Image credits: Instagram

Food & Wine

The one innocent Halloween act that could get you a $2000 fine

Aussies have been warned about this one innocent Halloween act that could get them slapped with a $2000 fine. Dominic Wyatt from the International Drivers Association shared that wearing Halloween costumes while behind the wheel could result in a fine up to $2000. “Australian laws are explicit about driving safely, even at Halloween. Wearing a mask or heavy costume while driving can get you fined,” Wyatt shared. By law drivers are required to have proper control of their vehicle and a clear view of the road at all times, so those who are thinking of going as Ghostface or any other monster need to keep their masks off, tone down the make up, and make sure their costumes aren't too bulky. According to Wyatt, wearing costumes that obscures vision and limits mobility can lead to fines and loss of demerit points in some jurisdictions. In NSW can lead to a $387 penalty and the loss of three demerit points. “Impaired vision or restricted movement can dangerously affect your driving ability, leading to potential accidents. So besides risking fines, you are also putting yourself and other road users at risk,” Wyatt added. Image: Getty

Legal

How an innocent meal led to a months-long health battle for a 9-year-old

A mother has issued a dire warning about a common household item after her daughter’s innocent bacon and egg roll turned into a months-long health battle. Kristen Saunders has warned parents about wire barbecue grill brushes, after her nine-year-old daughter choked on a piece of the metal. At a venue in Newcastle in July, Kristen’s daughter ate a bacon and egg roll and started to feel like she was choking. Unbeknown to her parents, the nine-year-old had swallowed a piece of wire that had come off a barbecue grill brush and ended up in her roll. “I think like most parents, we’re like, ‘You’ll be fine, have some water, it’ll settle down’,” Saunders told <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/newcastle-breakfast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ABC Newcastle Breakfast</a>. Saunders took her daughter to the GP, who noticed she had a high temperature but nothing serious. However, over the next few days a sore throat worsened to the point she was unable to eat solid food, before she also started showing neurological symptoms. “There was this one particular day I was at home with her and all of a sudden she was a bit confused answering questions,” Saunders said. “I was like, ‘Hang on, there’s something really problematic here’ and called the GP.” Saunders’ daughter was stumbling, disoriented and unable to recognise her own family, and was admitted to hospital. “They identified that there were some abscesses in the brain,” Saunders said. “They ended up at the last-minute doing a CT and identified there was this tiny bit of wire, sort of near her neck.” Saunders’ daughter was then airlifted to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, where it was discovered that the young girl had a major infection in one of her arteries after the wire pierced her oesophagus then pushed into the carotid artery. The girl had to undergo surgery, as Saunders said the experience was “awful” but her daughter was given “amazing care”. “She is well on her way to recovery but it could have been so much worse,” Saunders said. “Please protect your family and friends and throw out your wire barbecue grill brushes.” Image credits: Facebook

Caring

"Leave the icebergs alone!": Absurd response to innocent Martha Stewart post

It just goes to show that you literally cannot post anything these days without someone, somewhere, finding a reason to be outraged. Martha Stewart, the domestic diva who's known for her knack at turning the mundane into the majestic, took her talents to the high seas recently on a luxury cruise to Greenland. And boy, did she leave a wake of icy commotion. At the ripe age of 82, Martha decided to shake things up (literally) by embarking on a nautical adventure that had some of her fans doing double takes into their morning coffee. Martha's Instagram carousel began innocently enough, with Martha gleefully showcasing her maritime escapade. There she was, drink held high, posing with the glacial wonders of the frozen north. But the pièce de résistance was the snapshot of her 'boozy iceberg' – the crucial ingredient in her icy concoctions, plucked straight from the chilly embrace of Greenland's waters. Sure enough, the comment section of her post became hotter than a sauna at a polar bear convention. Martha's loyal 1.9 million followers swiftly chimed in, and boy, was the temperature rising. Concerns over climate change flooded the scene, with plenty of followers quick to label Martha "tone deaf", wondering if the cocktails were chilled with obliviousness rather than glacier fragments. Martha's post read, "End of the first zodiac cruise from @swanhelleniccruises into a very beautiful fjord on the east coast of Greenland. We actually captured a small iceberg for our cocktails tonight." Oblivious to the fact that this is a completely standard part of such tours – and that the tiny "iceberg" fragments in question are plucked innocently from the ocean, the negative responses came crashing in. "Martha, leave the icebergs alone!" wrote one follower. "Martha the ice caps are melting don't put them in your drink," another "fan" chimed in. "I generally love Martha and the excesses of her life because [she's] about beautiful gardens, homes, food, but wealthy white people drinking their iceberg cocktails while the planet is in flames in a bit tone deaf," added another. "Global warming and melting ice caps but we need glacier ice for cocktails? Talk about tone def (sic). Been a fan for years but I've seen enough caviar lately as I struggle to buy groceries I'm out," another wrote. Talk about a tempest in a teacup – or perhaps, in this case, a tumbler. Martha's icy escapade melted some hearts and raised some temperatures, proving that even the most seasoned party thrower can stir up quite the social media storm. Images: Instagram

Travel Trouble

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#GirlMaths: a seemingly innocent and fun way to justify expenses that can have serious financial consequences

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/janneke-blijlevens-150258">Janneke Blijlevens</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/angel-zhong-1204643">Angel Zhong</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lauren-gurrieri-5402">Lauren Gurrieri</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a> These shoes are perfect, made for me! I have to get them! But really, I should be paying off my car loan instead. I can’t justify this purchase. Or can I …? We all know this feeling, this tension between what you really want to do and what you really should, or shouldn’t, do. What you are experiencing is <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Leon-Festinger/Cognitive-dissonance">cognitive dissonance</a>. It’s a psychological discomfort we feel when our behaviours and our values or beliefs do not match. Not to worry, we can make that discomfort simply disappear with a good dose of #GirlMaths! <h2>So what is #GirlMaths?</h2> GirlMaths recently became a viral phenomenon on TikTok after New Zealand FVHZM radio hosts Fletch, Vaughan and Hayley used #GirlMaths to justify one host’s mother’s expensive dress purchase as basically free because the dress was going to be worn at least four times. <iframe id="tc-infographic-904" class="tc-infographic" style="border: none;" src="https://cdn.theconversation.com/infographics/904/f0b5e215a804bb450e609c397b96c7fcbf46172f/site/index.html" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0"></iframe> Since then, influencers have added to the #GirlMaths trend with gems such as “If I buy it for $100, wear it, and then resell it for $80 then I basically wore it for free”, “If I pay with cash, it means it’s free”, and “If I just returned something, then purchase something new for the same amount of money, then it’s free”. The reason #GirlMaths resonates so well with everyone and allows it to go viral is that we are very familiar with this type of thinking. The mental gymnastics of #GirlMaths needed to justify cost-per-wear or cash-is-free is a perfect display of behavioural biases and heuristics, such as confirmation bias and denomination bias, being applied to everyday consumption decisions. <h2>The psychology of decision-making</h2> Behavioural biases and heuristics are shortcuts in our thinking that help us make decisions quicker and easier, and are great for reducing the cognitive dissonance we sometimes experience. Our brain has a lot of decisions to make in a day and simply doesn’t have the power to scrutinise every little detail of every <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-shall-we-have-for-dinner-choice-overload-is-a-real-problem-but-these-tips-will-make-your-life-easier-193317">decision</a>. These shortcuts in our thinking may facilitate the decision making process, but they don’t always mean we make the most optimal decisions. Confirmation bias is a bias where you justify your decisions by considering only the evidence that supports what you want and ignore the evidence that would mean you’d have to make a different decision. Cost-per-wear does sound quite financially savvy. It is just like bulk-buying pantry essentials, right? The issue is you are ignoring the facts such as: 1) your disposable income does not match this expense in light of your utility bills, 2) you could rewear a cheaper dress all the same, and 3) by spending money on a fancy dress, you lose the opportunity to spend the money on other better investments for wealth accumulation, or to pay off your car loan. <h2>The financial and social costs</h2> But it’s all a bit of innocent fun, right? Surely people won’t take #GirlMaths that seriously? We beg to differ. First, the term is unnecessarily gendered. Gendered language operates to reinforce societal expectations with a particular gender and can promote stereotypes, biases and binary categories. In this case, the term “girl maths” reinforces problematic stereotypes that equate women with consumption, frivolity and extravagant spending. When stereotypes are reinforced within our own social circles, we are more likely to <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0146167299025007004?casa_token=dOhnQVtFwPsAAAAA:XSBdix5AB6bDfGjNgfbX9OIjstw4KE071GP0l60mAxvHJMaEwkyPERqHXf3z9PhctWJUl6h7TgTHg_U">internalise these as part of our identity</a>. By representing women in a less favourable way, the term operates to both demean and discriminate on a gendered basis. This is heightened by the use of “girl” as opposed to “woman”, which implies someone is childlike or lacking in knowledge or experience. It also begs the question what “boy maths” - set up as something opposing and different - might connote. Second, the #GirlMaths trend reminds us of the power of “<a href="https://theconversation.com/fintok-and-finfluencers-are-on-the-rise-3-tips-to-assess-if-their-advice-has-value-161406">finfluencers</a>” – social media content creators amassing huge online followings by sharing advice on anything from budgeting to buying a house, to investing. These online gurus appeal to Gen Z and millennials, simplifying complex financial concepts into digestible nuggets, much like #GirlMaths simplifies purchases based on cost-per-wear or cash-as-free. Just as regulators such as <a href="https://moneysmart.gov.au/other-ways-to-borrow/buy-now-pay-later-services">ASIC</a> repeatedly warn us of the dangers of buy-now-pay-later services, we must caution the #GirlMaths trend as a dangerous cocktail for young women who are susceptible to the “advice” of finfluencers. The trend resembles BNPL by breaking down expenses into smaller, more palatable portions, making purchases seem justifiable and affordable at the moment. Denomination bias describes this tendency to spend more money when it is denominated in small amounts rather than large amounts. We find it much easier to spend $50 four times than $200 all at once. However, the convenience of these shortcuts in our thinking can obscure the hidden financial risks. You may overlook the bigger picture of your financial health, and spend more than what you can afford. That’s why a large number of BNPL users find themselves ending up in a <a href="https://www.choice.com.au/money/credit-cards-and-loans/personal-loans/articles/bnpl-submission-to-treasury">modern debt trap</a>. <h2>The perils of #GirlMaths</h2> The danger of #GirlMaths to young women lies in the cocktail of feeling oddly familiar and reinforced in this biased thinking, the problematic stereotypes that shape identities, and the power of finfluencers, who wield increasing influence over the financial choices and decision-making of young women. While the term may initially come across as innocent fun, it’s crucial not to underestimate its potential harms. Instead, let’s champion the use of inclusive language in finance that doesn’t perpetuate gender biases. And if you’re a staunch supporter of #GirlMaths, we strongly urge you to take into account the possible adverse financial consequences of these quick-fix spending habits.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/211903/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/janneke-blijlevens-150258">Janneke Blijlevens</a>, Senior Lecturer in Marketing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/angel-zhong-1204643">Angel Zhong</a>, Associate Professor of Finance, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lauren-gurrieri-5402">Lauren Gurrieri</a>, Associate Professor in Marketing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a> Image credits: Getty Images 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/girlmaths-a-seemingly-innocent-and-fun-way-to-justify-expenses-that-can-have-serious-financial-consequences-211903">original article</a>.

Money & Banking

How a driver proved his innocence after hitting young girl

A driver who knocked over a child on a narrow Melbourne street has his dashboard camera to thank for proving he wasn’t speeding. On April 20, Muhammad Danish turned down a narrow street in Brunswick East in Melbourne when a young girl ran onto the road in front of him. Danish slammed on the brakes before coming to a stop and knocking the girl on the road. It was all captured on camera. The girl’s father then rushed over and slammed his fist on the bonnet of Danish’s car. Luckily, the girl was not seriously harmed but the situation has taken an emotional toll on Danish. He told A Current Affair he wished he could’ve done more. "It was very hard for me for three or four days. I couldn't do anything. It kept replaying in my mind and my mind was just simulating the situation 100 different ways," Danish said. He is relieved that the child was ok but said if he hadn’t captured it on camera, he may not have been able to prove his innocence. "This video evidence really saved my life because if police listened to the statements I could have been charged and (found) guilty," he said. The footage has been viewed hundreds and thousands of times online, with the majority of viewers offering their support to the driver. "Even police told me it's not my fault. I was thinking I could have done something better to not hurt that girl, but people's messages and comments really supported me," Danish said. Kidsafe Victoria’s Jason Chambers said the incident serves as a safety reminder to parents and guardians. "Supervision is a really important key in keeping children safe around roads, car parks and driveways," Chambers said. "For kids under five, that means an adult holding their hands at all times around these areas. "Transport-related incidents are one of the leading causes of death and injury in Australia. "In 2022 we saw there were four child pedestrians under eight who died and we usually see over 120 who are admitted to hospital." Image credit: A Current Affair

Legal

Not so innocent: Detail in cute puppy pic reveals Melissa Caddick’s huge profits

A previously unnoticed detail in an innocent photograph has revealed the eye-watering amount accused fraudster Melissa Caddick was making from her alleged crimes per day. Caddick sent the photo of her pet dog posing in her home office to one of her victims, according to the podcast Liar Liar: Melissa Caddick and the Missing Millions. After zooming in on the notepad on Caddick’s desk, it can be seen that “$46K per day” was written under the heading “Average Profits” between April 27 and May 27. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/05/smh-cadddick.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Zooming in on the photograph reveals the record sums Melissa Caddick was making. Image: The Sydney Morning Herald Kate McClymont, the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age journalist who hosts the podcast, <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/melissa-caddick-podcast-how-a-cute-dog-photo-provided-a-clue-to-her-staggering-profits/4474e72b-e7f2-4472-902a-fa3ee10029bd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told Today</a> that these kinds of discoveries showed how clues could be “hiding in plain sight”. “The person that provided me with that photo is one of, not only Melissa’s victims, but she worked one day a week for Melissa,” McClymont said. “So she is sitting there day after day seeing all of these things, but it wasn’t until after Melissa disappeared and the Herald broke the story saying she was running a Ponzi scheme, they didn’t realise they were all victims.” In May 2020 alone, Caddick made a whopping $1.426 million profit - and her case has since captured the nation’s attention. Her home in Sydney’s east was raided by federal police on behalf of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) in November 2020, and it was suspected she had fleeced millions of dollars from her victims - mostly friends and family - to fund her lifestyle. Caddick then disappeared a day after the raid. Months later, the remains of her foot inside a running shoe washed up on a beach on the NSW South Coast. An inquest into her death will commence in September, and McClymont told Today it could dispel some mysteries surrounding how she died. “Already I have heard that some of her victims have been interviewed by the police to provide alibis,” she said. The journalist added that a forensic pathologist would hopefully be able to determine if Caddick’s foot was cut off or had deteriorated in the ocean. “Until we hear from a forensic pathologist, that is still one of the big mysteries in this case.” To read the full story and hear the Liar Liar episode, click <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/how-a-puppy-picture-revealed-melissa-caddick-s-stunning-46-000-per-day-profit-20220429-p5ahbm.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Image: Nine

Legal

Rare photos from dingo expert unearthed that show Lindy Chamberlain’s innocence

Lindy Chamberlain’s world was turned upside down in August 1980, when she was jailed for the disappearance of her nine-month-old daughter Azaria. Lindy insisted a dingo took her daughter from their camping spot at Uluru, but many refused to believe the lack of evidence that pointed to a wild dog attack. Lindy served three years in jail over Azaria’s death, before being pardoned and set free when new evidence arose. Despite many doubting Lindy’s story, one man named Les Harris, an aeronautical engineer and part-time dingo expert, repeatedly tried to give the courts valuable evidence that would clear Lindy’s name. Now, 30 years on, a trove of material he collected throughout the case proceedings, including <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10079223/Dingo-expert-shown-Lindy-Chamberlain-did-not-kill-baby-Azaria-Uluru.html">photographs and a dingo skull</a>, will go under the hammer at an auction house. Among the valuable documents are statements he made explaining how dingoes can easily hold the weight of a baby without dragging it, could have removed clothes using their teeth, and eat their prey whole - with not even bones remaining. Les Harris was the president of The Dingo Foundation in the early 1980s and based his evidence on his extensive knowledge of Australia’s wild dog. He was interviewed for a documentary produced by Network Ten and screened in 1984 called Azaria: A Question of Evidence. “Based on the factual evidence available at the very time that this happened, we believe that the probability that a dingo, took, killed and carried off Azaria Chamberlain, is of such a high order as to be nearly a certainty,” Harris said. During Lindy’s court proceedings, Les was constantly rebuffed as he tried to share this valuable information. He wrote to magistrates and judges explaining why a dingo was almost certainly responsible for Azaria's death but his efforts were largely ignored. Harris’s collection of valuable material on Azaria’s death will be sold by <a href="https://sydneyrarebookauctions.com.au/">Sydney Rare Book Auctions</a>, some years after his death in the New England region of New South Wales. Harris was firmly among those who believed the Chamberlains had nothing to do with the tragic death of their daughter, which became one of the most high-profile cases in Australia. Image credits: Getty Images

Legal

Driver claims phone detection camera proves his innocence

A driver slapped with a hefty fine for allegedly being on his phone while driving believes photographic "evidence" sent to him proves otherwise. Scott Phillips was photographed by a phone detection camera while driving along the Hume Motorway away from Bowral, in the NSW Southern Highlands, he told Ben Fordham on 2GB Tuesday. Two weeks later he received an infringement notice with a photo that was meant to show him using his phone. "I had a look at the photo, and there is something blurry in my left hand resting against my leg, while the phone is clearly obviously on the dash," Mr Phillips told listeners. The photo shows the phone sitting in a cradle on the dashboard. Mr Phillips said he couldn't remember exactly what he was holding in his hand at the time, but it could have been a chocolate or a pair of sunglasses. "It's definitely not my mobile phone, because you can see it on the dash," he said, arguing that he never used his phone while driving. The penalty for using a mobile phone while driving in NSW is five demerit points and $349. "If you can't definitely say that is obviously and definitely a phone, how do you get five demerit points and a $349 fine for something that might be a phone, but might be sunglasses, or might be chocolate?" Mr Phillips said. Fordham joked that it made sense that Mr Phillips could have been craving a chocolate bar, given the photo was taken at 12:01 pm. Motorists in NSW risk a $349 fine and five demerit points if they are caught using their phone, while those in the ACT are fined $470 and four demerit points.

Travel Trouble

Imprisoning the innocent: The causes of wrongful convictions in Australia

It is better that ten guilty persons escape than that one innocent suffer’. These words of 18th century English jurist William Blackstone resonate just as loudly today as they did back then in relation to the magnitude of the injustice created by imprisoning innocent people. But what do we know about the causes of <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/wrongful-convictions-in-australia/">false convictions in Australia</a>, and what can be done to achieve justice for innocent people who are languishing behind bars? What is a wrongful conviction? A ‘wrongful conviction’ occurs when a person is convicted of crime they did not commit. Such convictions amount to a ‘miscarriage of justice’, although that term encompasses a far broader range of circumstances than just a wrongful conviction, including the absence of a fair trial and the admission of unfairly prejudicial evidence. Can the percentage of wrongful convictions be estimated? The short answer is no – it is impossible to give a realistic estimate of innocent people who are convicted, despite <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228207991_Innocents_Convicted_An_Empirically_Justified_Factual_Wrongful_Conviction_Rate">various researchers in the United States and other nations</a> attempting to do so. This is due to a range of factors, not the least of which is that many wrongful convictions will never come to light, with those sentenced to imprisonment languishing behind bars despite their innocence. Other factors are that people who are innocent may nevertheless plead guilty – whether to the charges they are facing or to downgraded charges – in order to avoid the risk of a lengthier conviction after a hearing or trial. Some defendants may be pressured into pleading guilty by their lawyers or as a result of their inability to afford a lengthy hearing or trial. Others may simply wish to ‘get it over with’ and avoid a trial and all the associated stress, anxiety, delay and uncertainty it causes to themselves and their families. Others may fall victim of inadequate legal representation during the hearing or trial, or the admission of false or mistaken evidence such as <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/it-was-him-problems-with-identification-evidence/">notoriously unreliable identification evidence</a>. So it is not sensible or realistic to give estimate the number or percentage of people convicted despite the fact they innocent. Notable cases of wrongful convictions in Australia That said, there are <a href="http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/FlinLawJl/2015/6.pdf">at least seventy high-profile, reported cases of wrongful convictions in Australia</a>, from <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/wrongful-convictions-in-australia/">Lindsay Chamberlain, to the Mickelberg brother, John Button and Andrew Mallard</a> – all of whom were eventually released from prison (except Peter Mickelberg who died behind bars) after it became clear they should not have been convicted in the first place. Causes of Wrongful Conviction While the reasons for wrongful convictions are often complex and multi-faceted, the <a href="http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/CICrimJust/2005/26.html">research of Professors Juliette Langdon and Paul Wilson</a> into reported cases in the United States suggests that: <ul> <li>50% were signified by over-zealous and/or unprofessional police investigations,</li> <li>44% were based on profiling and weak circumstantial evidence,</li> <li>22% of cases exhibited incompetence in the investigation, with 12.5% of those involving criminal conduct by police, and</li> <li>22% involved discredited expert evidence.</li> </ul> The researchers found that a single focus, or ‘tunnel vision’ in the investigation process led to innocent people being convicted. Professors Keith Findley and Michael S Scott from the University of Wisconsin similarly found tunnel vision to be a significant contributing factor, describing it as where investigators “focus on a suspect, select and filter the evidence that will ‘build a case’ for conviction, while ignoring the suppressing evidence that points away from guilt”. However, <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/how-reliable-is-identification-evidence/">unreliable evidence such as identification evidence</a> – especially where it relates to the identification of minority groups – and the misleading presentation of forensic evidence have also been identified as significant contributing factors. Indeed, the majority of <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/how-the-innocence-project-is-helping-those-wrongly-convicted-of-a-crime/">the more than 300 people exonerated through the Innocence Project</a> in the United States were set free after they were convicted solely or primarily on identification evidence, when DNA evidence from the crime scene later established they were not the perpetrators. Some of these people spent decades behind bars before their release, and a number were on death row. What can be done? On a broad level, it is fundamental that the law maintains the presumption of innocence – which is a fundamental principle that has been <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/lawyers-must-fight-for-human-rights/">significantly curtailed by successive state and federal governments in Australia</a>. The right to a lawyer in criminal cases – <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/would-you-rather-be-suspected-of-a-crime-in-the-us-or-australia/">something which is guaranteed throughout the United States but not in Australia</a> – is also important in ensuring that defendants are not left to represent themselves against a well-funded, professional prosecution, and do not feel compelled to plead guilty for financial reasons. The United States has a robust Innocence Project which reviews selected cases of alleged wrongful imprisonment. And while there are <a href="http://www.bohii.net/">small Innocence Projects in Australia</a>, they have nowhere near the same resources. Funding Innocence Projects could provide an avenue for those who have been wrongly convicted and exhausted their regular avenues of appeal to achieve justice. England, Wales and Northern Ireland have a Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) whose role is to review the cases of alleged wrongful convictions, investigate them and, where appropriate, act to ensure justice. A <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/australian-body-needed-to-investigate-wrongful-convictions/">similar body in Australia</a> would also assist in promoting justice for those who have been wrongly convicted and exhausted their appeals. Been wrongly convicted? If you or a love-one has been wrongly convicted of a criminal or traffic offence, call Sydney Criminal Lawyers anytime on (02) 9261 8881 to arrange a free first conference with an <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/services/appeals/">expert appeal lawyer</a> who can advise you of your appeal rights and the best way forward. If your loved-one is in prison, we offer <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/fixed-fees/">fixed fees for prison visits</a> throughout New South Wales, as well as conferences via audio-visual link. Written by Ugur Nedim and Jarryd Bartle. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/imprisoning-the-innocent-the-causes-of-wrongful-convictions-in-australia/">Sydney Criminal Lawyers.</a>

Travel Tips

“It is illegal”: Mum told off in Coles for innocent act

An Aussie mum has been left scratching her head over whether her innocent act at a shopping centre was “illegal” or not. The mother shared a photo of her two children sitting in the front of a Coles shopping trolley and asked if other parents do the same thing. She was left questioning whether she was in the right as another woman said that what she was doing was “illegal”. “I was told off by a lady today and she told me it is illegal,” the mum said. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7833737/coles-body.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/ec4a749619ff471d9988980fa475631b" /> “Is she correct?” Others were quick to comment saying that while the children in the trolley probably exceed the weight limit, which is 18 kilograms, it isn’t illegal. “Illegal? Sure they probably exceed the weight limit but who really cares,” one person responded to the concerned mother. “Probably not illegal, but also not a wise idea because of the potential risk of the trolley falling if the weight becomes unbalanced as the kids move,” a Facebook user replied. “It’s kind of a shame the person who told you didn’t try to explain more kindly.” “I don’t know about illegal but if their combined weight is significantly more than the limit stated, your trolley might not be balanced and could tip when you go over a bump if they rock it,” a third person said. Photo credit: <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/sydney-mums-coles-trolley-practice-sparks-debate-202147594.html">Yahoo! News Australia</a>

Travel Trouble

Man furious over “ridiculous” fine for parking in this seemingly innocent place

<div> <div class="replay"> <div class="reply_body body linkify"> <div class="reply_body"> <div class="body_text "> A woman has taken to Facebook to vent after her brother copped a seemingly “ridiculous” parking fine for stopping at his cousin’s driveway to do a school drop-off. The woman told news.com.au her brother had parked his car in the driveway of a family member in the Perth suburb of Byford for five to ten minutes. The woman lashed out, saying the fine he copped last week was unfair. She said since the driveways in the Byford area are “too small”, her brother had tried to keep his car off the footpath but it was almost impossible for the big vehicle. While the ute struggled to fit in the driveway, the woman added pedestrians were still able to pass the vehicle. She said the parking ranger could have knocked on the door and he would have happily obliged to move the vehicle, but within mere minutes he was given a $60 fine. The woman shared a photo of the ute on social media, with the rear of the vehicle somewhat encroaching on to the footpath. The aggravated sister recalled the fine as “a bit ridiculous”, as her brother had left enough room for pedestrians to get past. “This really grinds my gears. Driveways in Byford are too small for four wheel drives,” she wrote in a Facebook post on Monday. “He tried his best to be out of the way, all street parking was taken. You can still get around the car. “If they don’t want people parking on footpaths they should allow for more street parking. “Byford is full of big cars, maybe they should start accommodating them! “I understand why you can’t park on footpaths, but there was plenty of room to get even a wheelchair around the car.” She said the family have complained to their local council, who have committed to bring up the issue at the next council meeting. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Legal

“Heartbreaking”: Innocent man killed in fatal car crash

The driver of a stolen four-wheel-drive that sped away from police in north of Brisbane overnight and ploughed into a car, killing the driver, tried to assault officers at the scene. “He didn’t go quietly,” said a spokeswoman for Queensland Police Service to news.com.au. “He didn’t co-operate.” According to the Courier-Mail, the driver attempted to flee the scene and spat blood at police officers. One person in each car died overnight on Gympie Arterial Rd in Bald Hills including a 32-year-old man in the stolen 4WD, which was driving in the opposite direction in the southbound lane. A 36-year-old man who was driving in the correct lane was also tragically killed. He has been identified by friends on social media as Brisbane husband and father Shahid Islam. “Friends and family please pray for the departed soul,” said close friend Tabassum Salam on Facebook. “May Allah give enough patience to the family to bear this loss. “Don’t know what to say or how to say this to his four-year-old son.” Others said that his death was “heartbreaking”, “extremely sad” and “horrific news”.

Travel Trouble

7 innocent mistakes that put your kidneys in trouble

If your kidneys aren’t working properly, you could raise your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Here are seven things you may be doing that could jeopardise the health of your kidneys. 1. You’re a fan of packaged food Most processed food is chock-full of sodium, which isn’t just bad for your heart, it can lead to kidney problems. When you’re showing signs that you eat too much salt, your body needs to flush the sodium out when you wee, and it takes calcium with it. In turn, having too much calcium in your urine increases your risk for kidney stones, says nephrologist Dr James Simon. In Australia, the National Health and Medical Research Council has set an ‘Adequate Intake’ of sodium at 460–920 mg per day (equivalent to about 1.15-2.3 g of salt), however because on average we consume about 10,000 mg of sodium, the suggested dietary target is 1600 mg (equivalent to about 4 g of salt). One teaspoon of salt equals 2300 mg of sodium – 700 mg higher than the dietary target. Check the nutritional label on processed food, you’ll be surprised just how quickly sodium can add up. In fact, processed and fast food is where more than 75 per cent of the sodium we consume comes from. “People look at carbs and fat and kilojoules, but they don’t pay attention to sodium,” says Dr Simon. 2. Your blood pressure is out of control High blood pressure is hard on your whole body, including your kidneys. “Kidneys are basically one big set of blood vessels with urine drains,” says Dr Simon. “If you have high blood pressure in your big blood vessels, you have high blood pressure in your smaller blood vessels.” Letting high blood pressure go unchecked could damage the blood vessels leading to your kidneys, plus scar the organs themselves. 3. You haven’t kicked your smoking habit If you thought lung cancer was the only reason to put down the cigarettes, think again. A 2012 study found that quitting smoking for 16 or more years cut the risk of renal cell carcinoma (the most common form of kidney cancer in adults) by 40 per cent. Plus, smoking can damage the blood vessels and increase your risk of high blood pressure. “It’s another reason smoking is just bad on the body,” says Dr Simon. 4. You never drink when you’re thirsty Contrary to popular belief, you don’t necessarily need to down a full eight glasses of water to keep your kidneys working well. Even with just four to six glasses of water a day, your kidneys are probably fine, says Dr Simon. But sticking with just a cup or two a day could challenge the organ. Not only will you not have enough water flushing out your system to keep your sodium levels in check, but a dehydrated body will have a harder time keeping blood pressure steady. “The kidney is very sensitive to blood flow,” says Dr Simon. “It won’t like it if you are so dehydrated that your blood pressure drops and the blood flow to your kidneys drops.” You probably won’t need to worry about that level of dehydration every day, but make sure you drink enough water if you’re exercising a lot or outside on a hot day, he says. 5. You pop painkillers constantly Watch out if you take over-the-counter medication for chronic pain. Anti-inflammatory drugs, which include ibuprofen and aspirin, reduce blood flow to the kidneys, and cause scarring because they’re directly toxic to the organ, says Dr Simon. Nobody’s saying you need to suffer through a throbbing headache, but popping anti-inflammatory pills too often can increase your risk of kidney problems. “The people at risk are taking them on a daily basis for long periods of time,” says Dr Simon. But if you already have kidney damage, he recommends avoiding these drugs altogether. 6. You assume supplements are safe Just because a product is marketed as ‘natural’ doesn’t mean it’s good for you. “There are plenty of herbal medicines out there that are harmful,” says Dr Simon. Case in point: a plant-based ingredient called aristolochic acid can be found in ‘traditional medicines’, but it can cause scarring in the kidneys. Consumers are warned to stay away from products listing Aristolochia, Asarum or Bragantia on the label, because they probably contain the harmful ingredient. Unless you’re taking a regular multivitamin, always check with your doctor before starting any kind of supplement, advises Dr Simon. 7. Your weight is pushed to the side No surprises here: extra kilos are hard on your body. Being overweight puts you at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, which in turn can increase your chances of developing kidney disease. Insulin issues from both type 1 and type 2 diabetes cause inflammation and scarring in the kidneys, says Dr Simon. “Anybody with diabetes should be getting their kidney function and urine checked on a fairly regular basis,” he says. Written by Marissa Laliberte. This article first appeared in <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/conditions/7-innocent-mistakes-that-put-your-kidneys-in-trouble" target="_blank">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA93V">here’s our best subscription offer.</a> <img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" />

Body

Centrelink evacuated after innocent mishap

A Centrelink office in Adelaide’s south has been dramatically evacuated after an innocent mishap sparked a full-scale Hazmat emergency response. <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/" target="_blank">ABC reports</a> the Metropolitan Fire Service, Country Fire Service and local police were called to the building at Noarlunga Centre at 11.20, after a customer spilled white powder in the front area of the office, prompting an emergency evacuation. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F7NewsAdelaide%2Fvideos%2F1959304530766859%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe> An MFS spokeswoman said a HAZMAT crew entered the building to undertake emergency testing of the substance, quickly after staff an customers were evacuated. "Crews did some testing and determined that it was sugar,” she said. There were approximately 300 grams of white powder on the scene. A spokeswoman for South Australian police said the incident was believed to be an accident. What are your thoughts?

News

How an innocent dance with Camilla cost this TV star his job

Did a TV star get sacked because of a dance with Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall? That’s the question on everyone’s lips after Brendan Cole, a New Zealand-born professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing (the UK’s version of Dancing with the Stars), was fired from the show. The Duchess, who is understood to be a fan of the show, reportedly agreed to dance with Cole during a charity event at Buckingham Palace in November. <blockquote 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: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.74074074074074% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></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/BdCkm6rlpfP/" target="_blank">A post shared by Brendan Cole (@brendancoleinsta)</a> on Dec 23, 2017 at 1:45am PST </div> </blockquote> "I love this," Cole captioned the above photo. "I asked the delightful Duchess of Cornwall if it was ok to ask her to dance. Luckily she said yes ... What a charming host and a wonderful day at Buckingham Palace."<a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/buckinghampalace/"> </a> However, it has been alleged that Cole broke royal protocol by dancing with Camilla (royals are not to be touched in any manner beyond a handshake), and many believe it to be the reason for his sacking. A show insider told <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/5628864/strictly-brendan-cole-sacked-dancing-camilla-buckingham-palace/" target="_blank">The Sun</a> it was “the last straw”, saying he displayed “arrogance and diva behaviour” by going against detailed instructions on how to handle himself in front of the royals. “It was a tea dance in aid of an osteoporosis charity encouraging older people to stay active and each of the professionals was to pair up with the guests while Craig danced with Camilla,” the insider said. “But Brendan being Brendan had to make it about him and ignored everyone and made a beeline for Camilla – who politely didn’t cause a scene. Everyone was outraged by the cheek of his actions, he always has to be centre of attention.” Despite the insider’s comments, a spokesperson for the Duchess of Cornwall said Camilla “thoroughly enjoyed” the dance, and Cole himself denies it was why he lost his job after 14 years on the show. He also claims the BBC did not brief him on royal protocol prior to the event. Do you think his dismissal is fair? Tell us in the comments below. Image credit: Brendan Cole/Instagram.

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