Northland machete brawlers should be kicked out of school, government says
Two boys allegedly involved in last month's machete brawl at Northland shopping centre should be expelled from school using upcoming expanded principal powers, the Victorian government has said.
Education Minister Ben Carroll said he would expect the two school-aged boys accused of participating in the brawl that terrified Sunday-afternoon shoppers at the popular retail centre to suffer serious consequences from their schools.
Carroll announced the upgraded powers for state schools to punish off-campus behaviour that puts students or teachers at serious risk – such as online bullying – on Wednesday morning, saying the change had been introduced successfully in other states.
But principals warned the government to 'proceed with caution' before granting the new powers from next month.
Loading
The principals' peak body told the Department of Education that parents would expect school leaders to act like law enforcement officials when they are granted the expanded powers, aimed predominantly at online misconduct that has an adverse affect in the classroom or playground.
Australian Principals Federation president Tina King said the profession had been blindsided on Wednesday morning when Carroll announced the changes.
A school community in Melbourne's west was left reeling last week when footage was widely circulated online showing students allegedly attacking other children with a machete in the toilets of a local McDonald's. It is unclear if the new powers for principals would apply in those circumstances.
Carroll says the new powers are based on similar arrangements in NSW and South Australia, where principals can suspend or expel students for out-of-school conduct.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
42 minutes ago
- Perth Now
Alleged Maccas bomb hoaxer fronts court
The man who allegedly pretended to have a bomb in his bag at a suburban McDonald's, forcing it to be evacuated, has appeared in court for the first time. Mark Robert Williams, 44, fronted the Elizabeth Magistrates Court in Adelaide's outer north on Thursday afternoon following his arrest on Wednesday night. The alleged bomb hoax took place about 7.45pm at the Saints Road Shopping Centre McDonald's at Salisbury Plains. Police and bomb squad technicians raced to the scene on reports the man had allegedly left a bag inside the restaurant after claiming it contained a bomb. A man has been arrested at a McDonald's in Adelaide. Credit: Channel 9 'Patrols quickly evacuated the area and detained the man,' the South Australian Police said. 'Technicians from the Bomb Response Unit attended and determined that there were no explosives in the bag.' Mr Williams, from Parafield Gardens, was charged with creating the false belief that life has been lost or endangered. He has been refused bail and is presently on remand. In his first appearance, he dialled into court via video. His application for bail was adjourned and he was remanded in custody to appear again at Elizabeth Magistrates Court on June 20.
Sydney Morning Herald
2 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
They were meant for each other, but Trump and Musk were always going to blow up like a SpaceX rocket
Elon Musk exploded like a SpaceX rocket. The debris rained down across Washington. Everyone has been awaiting the breakup of the most public bromance between the most powerful man in the world and the richest man in the world. What could go wrong? Too much power and too much ego. President Donald Trump has exerted executive authority to rule by command. And no one has seen anything like Musk's wealth. Will Musk become the world's first trillionaire – before any landing on Mars? What he gave to Trump's campaign was obscene, over $US230 million ($353 million) – more than enough to help Trump finance winning a second term. Trump is cunning as hell. He had his blueprint for what he would do from the moment he was inaugurated president to dominate and control the executive branch of the government: Project 2025. As Carlos Lozada wrote, what is so compelling is 'how far the authors are willing to go in pursuit of that agenda and how reckless their assumptions are about law, power and public service'. Cabinet secretaries and senior officials were to march into their departments and ensure that all the woke culture values of the radical left extremist Marxist monsters were eradicated. Anything having to do with promoting women and people of colour was suspect. Anything honoured in historical reference – such as Black soldiers and airmen who were heroes in World War II – was to be expunged. Anything trans was to be exterminated. The Department of Education and US foreign aid programs were cancelled. Everyone coming into the country was to be scrutinised, down to their social media history. There would be a slashing of programs and government employees. Loading The shocker was bringing in Musk to turbocharge Project 2025. What was unprecedented was the ability of a private citizen to seize control and decapitate the leadership of government agencies, scrub spending and cancel contracts, all while ordering the remaining employees to tell Musk, if they wanted to keep their jobs, what they had done over the past five days. By bringing in one of the most formidable wielders of digital technology in the universe, Musk and the 'department of government efficiency' had access to the databases of virtually all the government – even the most sensitive servers in the Treasury, the Internal Revenue Service and the Social Security Administration. DOGE was looking for 'waste, fraud and abuse', but they were also able to see the personal e-files of tens of millions of users and recipients in the systems. Why did it have to end this badly? In his formal farewell to Musk, Trump consistently praised Musk for his dedication to the task, notwithstanding the risk to his businesses from his enforced absences. Musk was 'tirelessly helping lead the most sweeping and consequential government reform program in generations'.
The Advertiser
14 hours ago
- The Advertiser
So assertive: Liberal women rebuke party elder for jibe
The Liberal Party has been warned not to allow "out-of-touch" men to dictate its future as its treatment of women returns to the spotlight. Former federal Liberal president Alan Stockdale set off a political powder keg when he told a gathering of female executives Liberal women had become "so assertive" the party might need to consider support for men. As the Liberals reckon with an election drubbing partially driven by a drop in women's support, female members of the coalition have united to lash Mr Stockdale. Hilma's Network co-founder Charlotte Mortlock, whose organisation supports women in the Liberal Party, is calling for action. "Out-of-touch men continue to tarnish the party's reputation ... we can't keep allowing a disconnected membership to determine the future of the party," she told AAP on Thursday. "No one is voting for female politicians to go into parliament and not be assertive. "They don't want wallflowers in Canberra, they want intelligent, assertive women who are going to make a contribution to our democracy to improve our country." Mr Stockdale, who was treasurer under ex-Victorian premier Jeff Kennett, made the comments at the NSW Liberal Women's Council meeting on Tuesday night, according to a source. The group were discussing the need for gender quotas when the 80-year-old said words to the effect the women in the party were so assertive special rules may be needed for men to get them preselected. He later told the Daily Telegraph he had made "a lighthearted but poorly chosen remark". Sussan Ley, the first female leader of the federal coalition, and her deputy Ted O'Brien hit back at the comments. "There is nothing wrong with being an assertive woman, in fact I encourage assertive women to join the Liberal Party," Ms Ley said in a statement. "The Liberal Party must reflect, respect and represent modern Australia and that means recognising the strength, merit and leadership of the women in our ranks." The party has tried to quietly address its "women's issue" but Ms Mortlock said it has not worked. Gender quotas for women were "long overdue" and she urged the party to overhaul its constitution and pre-selection process. "We need to do the reform internally and to be vocal and outspoken when things like this happen so we can prove to women that we aren't going into parliament to be apologists for men's bad behaviour," Ms Mortlock said. The Liberals have long been accused of placing female candidates in unwinnable positions and their policies have recently failed to convince female voters. This was laid bare in May when the party was dealt its worst-ever federal election loss, after a campaign that including the announcement of a policy requiring public servants to stop working from home. That was blamed for alienating women voters, many of whom use the arrangement to balance their jobs with child care and other duties. Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie told Mr Stockdale to "read the room" and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the party had lost its way. The NSW division of the Liberals, in particular, has been in turmoil after it failed to nominate more than 140 candidates for the statewide local government elections in September. The federal Liberals took over and appointed three figures, including Mr Stockdale and another Victorian, to oversee the party's state affairs. Mr Albanese claimed this triumvirate had been put in charge as a result of former Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott and the desire of the party's hard right faction to banish the historically moderate leadership. During question time in NSW parliament, Labor Premier Chris Minns noted the shadow ministry, composed of 10 women and 16 men, was "like a men's shed". "They're going to have to install urinals," he said. The Liberal Party has been warned not to allow "out-of-touch" men to dictate its future as its treatment of women returns to the spotlight. Former federal Liberal president Alan Stockdale set off a political powder keg when he told a gathering of female executives Liberal women had become "so assertive" the party might need to consider support for men. As the Liberals reckon with an election drubbing partially driven by a drop in women's support, female members of the coalition have united to lash Mr Stockdale. Hilma's Network co-founder Charlotte Mortlock, whose organisation supports women in the Liberal Party, is calling for action. "Out-of-touch men continue to tarnish the party's reputation ... we can't keep allowing a disconnected membership to determine the future of the party," she told AAP on Thursday. "No one is voting for female politicians to go into parliament and not be assertive. "They don't want wallflowers in Canberra, they want intelligent, assertive women who are going to make a contribution to our democracy to improve our country." Mr Stockdale, who was treasurer under ex-Victorian premier Jeff Kennett, made the comments at the NSW Liberal Women's Council meeting on Tuesday night, according to a source. The group were discussing the need for gender quotas when the 80-year-old said words to the effect the women in the party were so assertive special rules may be needed for men to get them preselected. He later told the Daily Telegraph he had made "a lighthearted but poorly chosen remark". Sussan Ley, the first female leader of the federal coalition, and her deputy Ted O'Brien hit back at the comments. "There is nothing wrong with being an assertive woman, in fact I encourage assertive women to join the Liberal Party," Ms Ley said in a statement. "The Liberal Party must reflect, respect and represent modern Australia and that means recognising the strength, merit and leadership of the women in our ranks." The party has tried to quietly address its "women's issue" but Ms Mortlock said it has not worked. Gender quotas for women were "long overdue" and she urged the party to overhaul its constitution and pre-selection process. "We need to do the reform internally and to be vocal and outspoken when things like this happen so we can prove to women that we aren't going into parliament to be apologists for men's bad behaviour," Ms Mortlock said. The Liberals have long been accused of placing female candidates in unwinnable positions and their policies have recently failed to convince female voters. This was laid bare in May when the party was dealt its worst-ever federal election loss, after a campaign that including the announcement of a policy requiring public servants to stop working from home. That was blamed for alienating women voters, many of whom use the arrangement to balance their jobs with child care and other duties. Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie told Mr Stockdale to "read the room" and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the party had lost its way. The NSW division of the Liberals, in particular, has been in turmoil after it failed to nominate more than 140 candidates for the statewide local government elections in September. The federal Liberals took over and appointed three figures, including Mr Stockdale and another Victorian, to oversee the party's state affairs. Mr Albanese claimed this triumvirate had been put in charge as a result of former Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott and the desire of the party's hard right faction to banish the historically moderate leadership. During question time in NSW parliament, Labor Premier Chris Minns noted the shadow ministry, composed of 10 women and 16 men, was "like a men's shed". "They're going to have to install urinals," he said. The Liberal Party has been warned not to allow "out-of-touch" men to dictate its future as its treatment of women returns to the spotlight. Former federal Liberal president Alan Stockdale set off a political powder keg when he told a gathering of female executives Liberal women had become "so assertive" the party might need to consider support for men. As the Liberals reckon with an election drubbing partially driven by a drop in women's support, female members of the coalition have united to lash Mr Stockdale. Hilma's Network co-founder Charlotte Mortlock, whose organisation supports women in the Liberal Party, is calling for action. "Out-of-touch men continue to tarnish the party's reputation ... we can't keep allowing a disconnected membership to determine the future of the party," she told AAP on Thursday. "No one is voting for female politicians to go into parliament and not be assertive. "They don't want wallflowers in Canberra, they want intelligent, assertive women who are going to make a contribution to our democracy to improve our country." Mr Stockdale, who was treasurer under ex-Victorian premier Jeff Kennett, made the comments at the NSW Liberal Women's Council meeting on Tuesday night, according to a source. The group were discussing the need for gender quotas when the 80-year-old said words to the effect the women in the party were so assertive special rules may be needed for men to get them preselected. He later told the Daily Telegraph he had made "a lighthearted but poorly chosen remark". Sussan Ley, the first female leader of the federal coalition, and her deputy Ted O'Brien hit back at the comments. "There is nothing wrong with being an assertive woman, in fact I encourage assertive women to join the Liberal Party," Ms Ley said in a statement. "The Liberal Party must reflect, respect and represent modern Australia and that means recognising the strength, merit and leadership of the women in our ranks." The party has tried to quietly address its "women's issue" but Ms Mortlock said it has not worked. Gender quotas for women were "long overdue" and she urged the party to overhaul its constitution and pre-selection process. "We need to do the reform internally and to be vocal and outspoken when things like this happen so we can prove to women that we aren't going into parliament to be apologists for men's bad behaviour," Ms Mortlock said. The Liberals have long been accused of placing female candidates in unwinnable positions and their policies have recently failed to convince female voters. This was laid bare in May when the party was dealt its worst-ever federal election loss, after a campaign that including the announcement of a policy requiring public servants to stop working from home. That was blamed for alienating women voters, many of whom use the arrangement to balance their jobs with child care and other duties. Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie told Mr Stockdale to "read the room" and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the party had lost its way. The NSW division of the Liberals, in particular, has been in turmoil after it failed to nominate more than 140 candidates for the statewide local government elections in September. The federal Liberals took over and appointed three figures, including Mr Stockdale and another Victorian, to oversee the party's state affairs. Mr Albanese claimed this triumvirate had been put in charge as a result of former Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott and the desire of the party's hard right faction to banish the historically moderate leadership. During question time in NSW parliament, Labor Premier Chris Minns noted the shadow ministry, composed of 10 women and 16 men, was "like a men's shed". "They're going to have to install urinals," he said. The Liberal Party has been warned not to allow "out-of-touch" men to dictate its future as its treatment of women returns to the spotlight. Former federal Liberal president Alan Stockdale set off a political powder keg when he told a gathering of female executives Liberal women had become "so assertive" the party might need to consider support for men. As the Liberals reckon with an election drubbing partially driven by a drop in women's support, female members of the coalition have united to lash Mr Stockdale. Hilma's Network co-founder Charlotte Mortlock, whose organisation supports women in the Liberal Party, is calling for action. "Out-of-touch men continue to tarnish the party's reputation ... we can't keep allowing a disconnected membership to determine the future of the party," she told AAP on Thursday. "No one is voting for female politicians to go into parliament and not be assertive. "They don't want wallflowers in Canberra, they want intelligent, assertive women who are going to make a contribution to our democracy to improve our country." Mr Stockdale, who was treasurer under ex-Victorian premier Jeff Kennett, made the comments at the NSW Liberal Women's Council meeting on Tuesday night, according to a source. The group were discussing the need for gender quotas when the 80-year-old said words to the effect the women in the party were so assertive special rules may be needed for men to get them preselected. He later told the Daily Telegraph he had made "a lighthearted but poorly chosen remark". Sussan Ley, the first female leader of the federal coalition, and her deputy Ted O'Brien hit back at the comments. "There is nothing wrong with being an assertive woman, in fact I encourage assertive women to join the Liberal Party," Ms Ley said in a statement. "The Liberal Party must reflect, respect and represent modern Australia and that means recognising the strength, merit and leadership of the women in our ranks." The party has tried to quietly address its "women's issue" but Ms Mortlock said it has not worked. Gender quotas for women were "long overdue" and she urged the party to overhaul its constitution and pre-selection process. "We need to do the reform internally and to be vocal and outspoken when things like this happen so we can prove to women that we aren't going into parliament to be apologists for men's bad behaviour," Ms Mortlock said. The Liberals have long been accused of placing female candidates in unwinnable positions and their policies have recently failed to convince female voters. This was laid bare in May when the party was dealt its worst-ever federal election loss, after a campaign that including the announcement of a policy requiring public servants to stop working from home. That was blamed for alienating women voters, many of whom use the arrangement to balance their jobs with child care and other duties. Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie told Mr Stockdale to "read the room" and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the party had lost its way. The NSW division of the Liberals, in particular, has been in turmoil after it failed to nominate more than 140 candidates for the statewide local government elections in September. The federal Liberals took over and appointed three figures, including Mr Stockdale and another Victorian, to oversee the party's state affairs. Mr Albanese claimed this triumvirate had been put in charge as a result of former Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott and the desire of the party's hard right faction to banish the historically moderate leadership. During question time in NSW parliament, Labor Premier Chris Minns noted the shadow ministry, composed of 10 women and 16 men, was "like a men's shed". "They're going to have to install urinals," he said.
