Posts Tagged ‘national news’
The Gillard government has pounced on reports the coalition has been emboldened on workplace reform by the Health Services Union scandal.
Liberal MPs say a political shift is under way in coalition ranks to take on the government on industrial relations.
But there will be no return to Work Choices, the controversial IR regime of the Howard government, the MPs have told The Australian Financial Review.
Parliament secretary Mark Dreyfus says the move is very concerning, especially at a time of global uncertainty.
“They’re planning in private to strip away workers’ rights, to strip away penalty rates,” he told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.
Mr Dreyfus said he did not think Australians wanted a return to “the bad old days” of Work Choices.
“But that is clearly what the Liberal Party is planning behind the closed doors in their party room.”
Treasurer Wayne Swan said Work Choices was in the DNA of the Liberal Party and its leader.
“Tony Abbott, when he was a minister in the Howard Government, set out to slash the wages and working conditions of Australians on low and middle incomes,” he told reporters in Canberra.
“That’s what Liberal governments do and I’m pleased to see that Mr Abbott has finally outed himself in the party room over the past couple of days.”
Treasurer Wayne Swan said Work Choices was in the DNA of the Liberal Party and its leader.
“Tony Abbott, when he was a minister in the Howard Government, set out to slash the wages and working conditions of Australians on low and middle incomes,” he told reporters in Canberra.
“That’s what Liberal governments do and I’m pleased to see that Mr Abbott has finally outed himself in the party room over the past couple of days.”
Article source: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8471987/govt-pounces-on-libs-ir-reform-talk
The Gillard government has pounced on reports the coalition has been emboldened on workplace reform by the Health Services Union scandal.
Liberal MPs say a political shift is under way in coalition ranks to take on the government on industrial relations.
But there will be no return to Work Choices, the controversial IR regime of the Howard government, the MPs have told The Australian Financial Review.
Parliament secretary Mark Dreyfus says the move is very concerning, especially at a time of global uncertainty.
“They’re planning in private to strip away workers’ rights, to strip away penalty rates,” he told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.
Mr Dreyfus said he did not think Australians wanted a return to “the bad old days” of Work Choices.
“But that is clearly what the Liberal Party is planning behind the closed doors in their party room.”
Treasurer Wayne Swan said Work Choices was in the DNA of the Liberal Party and its leader.
“Tony Abbott, when he was a minister in the Howard Government, set out to slash the wages and working conditions of Australians on low and middle incomes,” he told reporters in Canberra.
“That’s what Liberal governments do and I’m pleased to see that Mr Abbott has finally outed himself in the party room over the past couple of days.”
Treasurer Wayne Swan said Work Choices was in the DNA of the Liberal Party and its leader.
“Tony Abbott, when he was a minister in the Howard Government, set out to slash the wages and working conditions of Australians on low and middle incomes,” he told reporters in Canberra.
“That’s what Liberal governments do and I’m pleased to see that Mr Abbott has finally outed himself in the party room over the past couple of days.”
Article source: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8471987/govt-pounces-on-libs-ir-reform-talk
A Victorian driver has had a lucky escape after his car plunged 5m off a bridge into a creek.
Police believe the 51-year-old Greenvale man clipped another vehicle while running a red light in peak-hour traffic in Melbourne’s north this morning, Nine News reports.
The accident happened on Murray Road in Preston just after 8am.
It is believed a passing motorist who witnessed the crash jumped into the water to help the driver escape the car.
The good Samaritan, who is being credited with saving the driver’s life, reported to police the driver’s head was submerged underwater.
The man was treated at the scene for minor injuries and is recovering in hospital.
Do you know more? Or do you have video or photos of the accident? Let us know by sending an email to news.feedback@ninemsn.com.au
Aerial footage of the crash scene reveals the car smashed through a bridge railing before landing on its roof.
Crews are now working to repair the bridge and retrieve the vehicle.
Article source: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8472029/victorian-driver-plunges-off-bridge
A Victorian driver has had a lucky escape after his car plunged 5m off a bridge into a creek.
Police believe the 51-year-old Greenvale man clipped another vehicle while running a red light in peak-hour traffic in Melbourne’s north this morning, Nine News reports.
The accident happened on Murray Road in Preston just after 8am.
It is believed a passing motorist who witnessed the crash jumped into the water to help the driver escape the car.
The good Samaritan, who is being credited with saving the driver’s life, reported to police the driver’s head was submerged underwater.
The man was treated at the scene for minor injuries and is recovering in hospital.
Do you know more? Or do you have video or photos of the accident? Let us know by sending an email to news.feedback@ninemsn.com.au
Aerial footage of the crash scene reveals the car smashed through a bridge railing before landing on its roof.
Crews are now working to repair the bridge and retrieve the vehicle.
Article source: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8472029/victorian-driver-plunges-off-bridge
A human rights group has renewed its call for the immediate release of Indonesian children detained in Australian adult jails, including a 17-year-old at Albany Prison.
The call comes amid revelations Jakarta expects reciprocation of its clemency with Australian prisoners in Indonesian jails, including drug smuggler Schapelle Corby.
The Human Rights Alliance says at least 22 children – and possibly up to 60 – languish in Australian prisons.
Many were deckhands or cooks on Indonesian people-smuggling vessels and should never have been detained in adult prisons when there was any doubt about their age.
Three young detainees were released from Albany Prison in Western Australia on Friday, including 16-year-old Ali Jasmin, a deckhand on an asylum seeker boat who was arrested at age 13.
But 17-year-old Hadi Kurniawan, who was 15 when he was arrested, remains in the facility and should be immediately released, Human Rights Alliance researcher Gerry Georgatos says.
“The other boy needs to be released, all of them need to be released … if there is any doubt about their age,” Mr Georgatos told AAP.
“They are often presented to court as ‘age unknown’.”
Foreign Minister Bob Carr has rejected suggestions of a connection between the Australian releases and Indonesian clemency, which has seen Corby’s 20-year sentence slashed by five years.
Attorney-General Nicola Roxon also said the releases were based on the merits of each case and not influenced by other matters.
However, Indonesia’s minister of state secretariat Sudi Silalahi said president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had signed Corby’s clemency decision in the hope Australia would reciprocate with Indonesian prisoners.
Representatives for WA’s Attorney-General Christian Porter and Corrective Services Minister Terry Redman said it was a matter for the federal government because the detainees had been charged under commonwealth laws.
But Mr Georgatos said Mr Porter needed to launch an inquiry as soon as possible.
“The state has to accept it does have jurisdiction over its prisoners, even if they are commonwealth prisoners, and the state needs to pressure the federal government to expedite the release of these children or move them from an adult prison to the care of the consulate,” he said.
“They need an inquiry.”
Ms Roxon’s office did not immediately return AAP’s calls.
Article source: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8472024/call-for-release-of-child-in-albany-prison
A human rights group has renewed its call for the immediate release of Indonesian children detained in Australian adult jails, including a 17-year-old at Albany Prison.
The call comes amid revelations Jakarta expects reciprocation of its clemency with Australian prisoners in Indonesian jails, including drug smuggler Schapelle Corby.
The Human Rights Alliance says at least 22 children – and possibly up to 60 – languish in Australian prisons.
Many were deckhands or cooks on Indonesian people-smuggling vessels and should never have been detained in adult prisons when there was any doubt about their age.
Three young detainees were released from Albany Prison in Western Australia on Friday, including 16-year-old Ali Jasmin, a deckhand on an asylum seeker boat who was arrested at age 13.
But 17-year-old Hadi Kurniawan, who was 15 when he was arrested, remains in the facility and should be immediately released, Human Rights Alliance researcher Gerry Georgatos says.
“The other boy needs to be released, all of them need to be released … if there is any doubt about their age,” Mr Georgatos told AAP.
“They are often presented to court as ‘age unknown’.”
Foreign Minister Bob Carr has rejected suggestions of a connection between the Australian releases and Indonesian clemency, which has seen Corby’s 20-year sentence slashed by five years.
Attorney-General Nicola Roxon also said the releases were based on the merits of each case and not influenced by other matters.
However, Indonesia’s minister of state secretariat Sudi Silalahi said president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had signed Corby’s clemency decision in the hope Australia would reciprocate with Indonesian prisoners.
Representatives for WA’s Attorney-General Christian Porter and Corrective Services Minister Terry Redman said it was a matter for the federal government because the detainees had been charged under commonwealth laws.
But Mr Georgatos said Mr Porter needed to launch an inquiry as soon as possible.
“The state has to accept it does have jurisdiction over its prisoners, even if they are commonwealth prisoners, and the state needs to pressure the federal government to expedite the release of these children or move them from an adult prison to the care of the consulate,” he said.
“They need an inquiry.”
Ms Roxon’s office did not immediately return AAP’s calls.
Article source: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8472024/call-for-release-of-child-in-albany-prison
The driver of a bus allegedly shot at by a man brandishing two rifles in Sydney’s inner west is in shock and has undergone counselling, police say.
The bus was struck twice about 9pm (AEST) on Tuesday, with one bullet hitting the windscreen.
A 53-year-old man has been charged with multiple firearm offences and is due to face court on Wednesday.
It’s alleged he fired two shots at a State Transit 518 bus heading towards the city while it was stopped at traffic lights on busy Victoria Road at Rozelle.
He also allegedly pointed a rifle at two taxi drivers and fired into the air.
Police allege the man had tried to board a bus on Victoria Road but was refused entry when the driver saw he was carrying a rifle.
Another rifle was allegedly on the ground near him.
Inspector Winston Pisani said the 35-year-old bus driver acted correctly by refusing to let the man board.
“The bus driver was in shock, and he did receive some counselling when he returned to the depot,” Insp Pisani told reporters in Sydney on Wednesday.
“He moved himself and the passengers to safety so we’re pleased that incident resulted in no person being injured.”
Neither the driver nor the eight passengers on board was injured.
The driver continued his route into the city, dropping passengers off at Market Street and the Queen Victoria Building.
He has provided a statement to police, who are appealing for the passengers to contact them.
A man from Breakfast Point in the inner west has been charged with multiple counts of assault and firearms offences, including handling a firearm under the influence of alcohol, and possessing ammunition without a licence.
He will appear in Balmain Local Court later on Wednesday.
Article source: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8471839/shots-fired-at-bus-and-drivers-threatened
The driver of a bus allegedly shot at by a man brandishing two rifles in Sydney’s inner west is in shock and has undergone counselling, police say.
The bus was struck twice about 9pm (AEST) on Tuesday, with one bullet hitting the windscreen.
A 53-year-old man has been charged with multiple firearm offences and is due to face court on Wednesday.
It’s alleged he fired two shots at a State Transit 518 bus heading towards the city while it was stopped at traffic lights on busy Victoria Road at Rozelle.
He also allegedly pointed a rifle at two taxi drivers and fired into the air.
Police allege the man had tried to board a bus on Victoria Road but was refused entry when the driver saw he was carrying a rifle.
Another rifle was allegedly on the ground near him.
Inspector Winston Pisani said the 35-year-old bus driver acted correctly by refusing to let the man board.
“The bus driver was in shock, and he did receive some counselling when he returned to the depot,” Insp Pisani told reporters in Sydney on Wednesday.
“He moved himself and the passengers to safety so we’re pleased that incident resulted in no person being injured.”
Neither the driver nor the eight passengers on board was injured.
The driver continued his route into the city, dropping passengers off at Market Street and the Queen Victoria Building.
He has provided a statement to police, who are appealing for the passengers to contact them.
A man from Breakfast Point in the inner west has been charged with multiple counts of assault and firearms offences, including handling a firearm under the influence of alcohol, and possessing ammunition without a licence.
He will appear in Balmain Local Court later on Wednesday.
Article source: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8471839/shots-fired-at-bus-and-drivers-threatened
A joint strike force involving state and federal police could stamp out bikie-related crime on the Gold Coast, a local MP says.
Steven Ciobo, whose electorate of Moncrieff covers the tourist strip, has used a speech to federal parliament to demand more resources to crack down on criminal bikie gangs.
The Liberal MP says Gold Coast residents are fed up with the recent spike in bikie-related crime, including a number of drive-by shootings.
Australian Federal Police should be called in to work alongside the Queensland Police Service’s Taskforce Hydra, which targets outlaw bikie gangs, he said.
“What I’d like to see is … a dedicated squad that’s able to increase its muscle when it comes to cracking down on bikies and the activities they participate in,” Mr Ciobo told AAP on Wednesday.
“We need a special unit of federal and state police that can work hand in glove across all jurisdictions in this country to crack down on the crime we’ve seen taking place in southeast Queensland, the Gold Coast and in western Sydney.”
He said Queensland Premier Campbell Newman’s recent announcement of 100 extra police for the Gold Coast would help.
He said there was already co-operation between federal and state police on bikie gangs.
But a dedicated joint strike force, with extra resources, would be more effective, he said.
Article source: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8472004/coast-mp-wants-anti-bikie-strike-force
A joint strike force involving state and federal police could stamp out bikie-related crime on the Gold Coast, a local MP says.
Steven Ciobo, whose electorate of Moncrieff covers the tourist strip, has used a speech to federal parliament to demand more resources to crack down on criminal bikie gangs.
The Liberal MP says Gold Coast residents are fed up with the recent spike in bikie-related crime, including a number of drive-by shootings.
Australian Federal Police should be called in to work alongside the Queensland Police Service’s Taskforce Hydra, which targets outlaw bikie gangs, he said.
“What I’d like to see is … a dedicated squad that’s able to increase its muscle when it comes to cracking down on bikies and the activities they participate in,” Mr Ciobo told AAP on Wednesday.
“We need a special unit of federal and state police that can work hand in glove across all jurisdictions in this country to crack down on the crime we’ve seen taking place in southeast Queensland, the Gold Coast and in western Sydney.”
He said Queensland Premier Campbell Newman’s recent announcement of 100 extra police for the Gold Coast would help.
He said there was already co-operation between federal and state police on bikie gangs.
But a dedicated joint strike force, with extra resources, would be more effective, he said.
Article source: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8472004/coast-mp-wants-anti-bikie-strike-force