Drugs a factor in Liverpool car attack

Australia Broadcast Center

28-05-2025

Sabra Lane: Good morning, welcome to AM. It's Wednesday the 28th of May. I'm Sabra Lane, coming to you from Nipaluna/Hobart.
Sabra Lane: British police suspect the 53-year-old man they've arrested for driving his car through a crowd of football fans in Liverpool was under the influence of drugs. Eleven victims remain in hospital with serious injuries. More than 50 people had to be treated for their injuries. They'd been celebrating Liverpool's Premier League victory in the city centre. Europe correspondent, Mazoe Ford, reports from Liverpool.
Mazoe Ford : Confetti still covers much of the parade route. The rubbish is yet to be cleared. The parade and Liverpool FC signs hang from the buildings. All reminders there was a huge party here before everything changed in an instant. These streets are now a crime scene. Police are collecting evidence. And those who were celebrating on Monday have been walking by the police tape in disbelief.
Marie O'Brien : You just think of all these things that happen all over the world and you never think you're going to be in the middle of something like this.
Mazoe Ford : Marie O'Brien from Ireland travelled to Liverpool for the parade with her husband Peter, son Paul and 11-year-old grandson Danny. She told AM they were in the path of the car which rammed the crowd.
Marie O'Brien : People were just pushing us to one side because this car was coming at us. It was the ordinary people that just saved everybody. It would have been worse.
Mazoe Ford : Eleven-year-old Danny was just one of many children there.
Danny O'Brien: There was loads of people running. They pushed, grabbed me and pushed me to the side. And I just saw the car and I didn't know what was going on. I was just kind of shocked after it. I didn't really understand what was going on until after the whole thing.
Mazoe Ford : Melbourne man Corey Judd, who also travelled to Liverpool for the celebrations, was about 200 metres from the incident as it unfolded. He told AM the mood of the day changed immediately.
Corey Judd: Everyone was just in such a great mood and welcoming of people from other countries and stuff. So to hear it, it was just like, it felt like such a dampener on everything that had happened. So yeah, no, it was horrible.
Mazoe Ford : In all, 50 people have been treated in hospital. Eleven remain there, but all are in a stable condition. Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims from the Merseyside Police says her team now knows how the car made it onto the closed-off parade route.
Chief Constable Jenny Sims : It is believed the driver of the Ford Galaxy car involved in this incident was able to follow an ambulance onto Water Street after the roadblock was temporarily lifted so that the ambulance crew could attend to a member of the public who was having a suspected heart attack.
Mazoe Ford : Police also say they believe the driver was under the influence of drugs. Detective Superintendent Karen Jaundrill.
Detective Super intendent Karen Jaundrill: We have arrested a 53-year-old man from West Derby on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving offences and driving whilst unfit through drugs. He remains in custody where he is being interviewed.
Mazoe Ford : Police are releasing as many details as they can to try to counter misinformation spreading online and in the community. But they haven't yet said anything about why this may have happened. And that's the question people here are asking most. This is Mazoe Ford in Liverpool, reporting for AM.
Sabra Lane: Private contractors delivering aid to Gazans had to evacuate their distribution sites because they were mobbed by desperate people. This had been the start of a new Israeli-designed system to deliver food, replacing existing humanitarian agencies with a private company. Aid agencies have condemned it as inadequate and dangerous. Middle East correspondent Eric Tlozek reports.
Eric Tlozek : Footage showed thousands of people overrunning the aid distribution site in Rafah in southern Gaza. The desperate Palestinians had rushed from across the strip for their first chance to get food in weeks. Afaf al Syed came with her family.
Afaf al Syed : People are hungry, people are in need. I am one of them. I hope they get aid every day for the people.
Eric Tlozek : Aid agencies say Gazans have been pushed to the brink of starvation by Israel's decision to block food from entering the territory in early March. In recent days, the Israeli military has let a small amount of food enter, but most people are still desperate and hungry. Mohammed Afana was one of those who got an aid package.
Mohammad Afana : I can feed my children for a week with all of that. Look, there's rice. One kilo of rice costs 80 shekels. Sugar is 170 shekels. That's 90 shekels over there. Such a shame. Look, look, there's fava beans. When my children see that, they'll be happy.
Eric Tlozek : The aid's being delivered by a private company staffed by former soldiers and managed by a newly formed group called the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. It hasn't revealed where its funding comes from. In a statement, the group acknowledged its staff withdrew from a distribution site when it was mobbed by desperate Gazans. It says normal delivery resumed afterwards and will continue today. Etaf Abutir was one of the people who ran inside.
Etaf Abu Tear : They opened the gates and people rushed in. Everybody rushed. They all went. We've been displaced. We're hungry. I'm an old woman.
Eric Tlozek : The Israeli military denied reports it had fired on the crowd, saying soldiers had fired warning shots. The scenes highlighted some of the fears expressed by the established aid agencies already working in Gaza. They've condemned the new plan, saying it breaches humanitarian principles and won't be able to meet the huge needs. Bushra Khalidi, the Palestinian Territory's policy lead for the humanitarian organisation Oxfam, says the new agency can't replace existing networks that have helped Gazans for decades.
Bushra Khalidi: How are you going to set up something that is going to serve 2.1 million people who are on the brink of starvation, who are desperate, and meet their daily needs overnight, basically. That's what they're telling us. That sounds like magic. This is not a solution. It's a distraction from the root problem.
Eric Tlozek : Israel's government and military say the new system isolates the militant group Hamas, which they accuse of diverting aid. But the United Nations and other agencies are worried Israel could use its control of aid to achieve military goals. Bushra Khalidi says the implementation of this plan will have dire consequences for future humanitarian missions.
Bushra Khalidi: We are basically turning aid into a tool of control.
Sabra Lane: Oxfam's Bushra Khalidi ending that report from Eric Tlozek
Sabra Lane: King Charles has opened Canada's Parliament. He's the head of state there, like he is here, but it's been the first time in nearly 70 years that the Sovereign's given the opening address. He said democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self-determination and freedom were values the Canadian government would aim to protect. It's all viewed as criticism of Canada's neighbour, US President Donald Trump, who's repeatedly threatened to annex the country. North America correspondent Lauren Day reports.
Lauren Day : With a military band, a horse-drawn carriage and a royal salute, it was a Canadian welcome fit for a king.
King Charles: This is my 20th visit to Canada, spread over the course of more than half a century and my first as Sovereign. As I've said before, every time I come to Canada, a little more of Canada seeps into my bloodstream and from there straight to my heart.
Lauren Day : But this was no ordinary visit. New Prime Minister Mark Carney invited the monarch to Canada after Donald Trump's repeated threats to make his northern neighbour the 51st state of America. And the speech from the throne, written by the Prime Minister's office, had a clear but subtle message. The country already has a king.
King Charles: Today, Canada faces another critical moment. Democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self-determination and freedom are values which Canadians hold dear and ones which the government is determined to protect.
Lauren Day : Amid the diplomatic tensions and escalating trade war with the United States, King Charles spoke about Canadians feeling anxious and worried.
King Charles: Yet this moment is also an incredible opportunity. A confident Canada can seize this opportunity by recognising that all Canadians can give themselves far more than any foreign power on any continent can ever take away. And that by staying true to Canadian values, Canada can build new alliances and a new economy that serves all Canadians.
Lauren Day : While Canadians are indifferent to the monarchy, the King's speech wasn't necessarily for them or the members of Parliament who sat to hear it. President Trump has been a long-time fan of the royal family and Prime Minister Mark Carney will be hoping that wheeling out the King will put a lid on his escalating rhetoric.
Mark Carney: It was a very successful visit, a good reminder of the strength of Canadian institutions.
Lauren Day : The monarch closed his speech by quoting the country's national anthem to a standing ovation.
King Charles: As the anthem reminds us, the true north is indeed strong and free.
Lauren Day : This is Lauren Day in Washington reporting for AM.
Sabra Lane: Australians are being warned about gaining early access to their superannuation to pay for urgent medical and dental treatment after clinics run by a New South Wales company were placed into administration. It appears more than 400 patients have handed over more than $2 million for treatment at one clinic, with none of the promised treatment delivered. Some patients have drained their super accounts and now have no teeth. National Health reporter Elise Worthington has this exclusive story.
Elise Worthington : Single mum of four, Melinda Amourous, was losing teeth and struggling with her self-confidence when she visited a supercare dental and cosmetics clinic near Newcastle in 2022. She was quoted $48,000 for dental implants and offered help to apply to the ATO to access her superannuation.
Melinda Amourous : I literally jumped at the chance because I was losing teeth and it was starting to affect my self-confidence a bit and also ability to chew and things.
Elise Worthington : She had all her teeth extracted and spent months without teeth, chasing the clinic for appointments to have her implants installed. When they finally were, she was shocked by what she received.
Speaker 4: The denture that I'm wearing, my stick-on denture, actually snapped clean in half and I had to stick it together with super glue, my $48,000 over denture.
Elise Worthington : For years, she's been trying to get the company to repair the work, but has been plagued by staff turnover.
Speaker 4: 26 months in at this stage, 28 months now, sitting here now, supercare dental are not coming anywhere near me.
Elise Worthington : It turns out she's not alone. The clinic she used, Supercare Dental and Cosmetics in Kotara, along with the company's Tuggerah clinic and a related entity, were placed into voluntary administration last month. A preliminary report issued to creditors reveals between the two clinics, there's more than 400 patients owed more than $2.1 million in incomplete dental work. The ABC has spoken to more than a dozen patients and former dentists at the practices, who say it's likely much of that money came from patients' superannuation accounts, something the company actively promotes.
Supercare Dental advertisement: You can use your super for an excellent dental treatment. Witness a dental experience like no other. Supercare Dental and Cosmetics.
Elise Worthington : Early access to super is supposed to only be used to treat a life-threatening illness or injury, or to alleviate acute or chronic pain. Xavier O'Halloran is the CEO of Superannuation Consumers Australia.
Xavier O'Halloran : Yeah, I think the promotion of these kind of early release schemes leave a lot to be desired, and I don't think the promoters have the best interests of consumers at heart.
Elise Worthington : Last financial year, Australians withdrew over half a billion dollars of their superannuation to pay for dental work through the ATO's Compassionate Early Release Program. That figure's more than tripled over the last three years, with financial advisors warning it can cost a lot more than expected when using super to pay for dental work, especially when paying up front.
Xavier O'Halloran : Be aware of tax implications. There could be a tax of around 22% taken out of the balance that you withdraw. That means you may have to take out more than the actual surgery, which again can really impact your retirement outcomes as well.
Sabra Lane: Xavier O'Halloran from the Superannuation Consumers Australia Group, ending Elise Worthington's report. And last night, the New South Wales Supreme Court ordered one of the entities under administration be wound up and a liquidator appointed. Supercare Dental and Cosmetics didn't respond to our requests for comment.
Sabra Lane: Farmers on the New South Wales Mid North Coast and Hunter regions are calling for more Federal Government support including assistance packages and more people to help with the clean up and recovery. The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited the region yesterday and announced extra help. Alison Xiao reports from Taree.
Christine George : When you look back up the paddock and everything after that third fence is gone.
Alison Xiao: On Taree's south west, much of the farmland has been reduced to a muddy bog. Christine George is a farmer here and runs a small cattle farm.
Christine George : You know there's water, it was like up to here.
Alison Xiao: About your head height?
Christine George : Yeah about my head height, like I'm 173 and it was about my head height.
Alison Xiao: About a quarter of her property is still underwater which is slowly receding.
Christine George : My cows are looking longingly at getting out of the little paddock they're in but they've got nowhere to go. It's just all mud and no feed.
Alison Xiao: Her house has been gutted with help from the Rural Fire Service and now sits empty with mud residue still on the walls.
Christine George : It's just destroyed. I think the only clean thing in the place is the bath.
Alison Xiao: The recovery from the devastating New South Wales floods that hit hundreds of kilometres along the east coast of the state is daunting for Christine George.
Christine George : My father died three weeks ago and it was his farm. I'm sort of glad that he wasn't here to see this devastation.
Alison Xiao: Seventy Defence Force personnel arrived in the flood affected region yesterday. Christine George hasn't seen them yet but is eager for their helping hands and their machinery.
Christine George : I am so keen to see the ADF and the Rural Fire stay here and help with some of this debris and I think everyone else is too because it is overwhelming.
Alison Xiao: The federal and state governments are pledging their help. Locals who've lost work in 19 flood affected areas will be eligible to apply for 13 weeks of income support. Residents in nine areas including Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie and Nambucca Heads who have had significant property damage or lost a loved one can receive a one-off $1,000 payment.
Anthony Albanese: How long have you been here for?
Milton Johnston: I'm 74 and I've lived here all my life.
Alison Xiao: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was in Taree yesterday announcing the new measures where he met with dairy farmer Milton Johnston.
Alison Xiao: Was there anything in particular you said to him that you want him to remember?
Milton Johnston: Look, I just said look I think Australia is reasonably generous to overseas countries and maybe it's time that we just put that on pause and we looked after Australians. There's a lot of livelihoods here at State, a lot of people in Tare, business houses, you know, who knows, who's going to start up, who's not going to start up again.
Alison Xiao: And as he unloads hay donated by a local sports club, Milton Johnston is conscious more assistance will be needed.
Milton Johnston: We're very hopeful that there will be a substantial amount of help. It is a natural disaster. Let's hope that there will be substantial packages come from both State and Federal Governments.
Sabra Lane: Dairy farmer Milton Johnston ending that report from Alison Xiao.
Sabra Lane: When Australia's Reserve Bank cut official interest rates last week, it did so because it was partly worried about the risk of a severe downside scenario for global trade. Economists say that risk has just increased with a steep fall in the value of the US dollar that we might all feel the fallout. Business correspondent David Taylor explains.
David Taylor : The US dollar, the world's reserve currency, is flirting with a three-year low and its steep decline has veteran economist Saul Eslake worried.
Saul Eslake : The reason for the decline in the US dollar is that financial markets are becoming increasingly apprehensive about a number of aspects of the US economy as a result of things that the Trump regime is doing.
David Taylor : That apprehension is also showing up in higher long-term US interest rates, including the 30-year government bond rate, now roughly 5%.
Saul Eslake : I mean, apprehension is probably putting it at its mildest. In some quarters, there is, if not panic, then certainly alarm.
David Taylor : The distress relates to the connection between elevated long-term bond interest rates and the rising cost of millions of American mortgages.
Saul Eslake : And with the 30-year bond yield in the US now higher than at any time since before the global financial crisis, that means that mortgage rates are going up.
David Taylor : This, he says, could seriously harm the world's biggest economy. Australian mortgage borrowers on fixed interest rate loans, Saul Eslake says, are also in the firing line.
Saul Eslake : Fixed rates for mortgages and for business loans, the longer out you go, the more influenced they are by US government bond yields.
David Taylor : The falling US dollar, analysts say, is also pushing the Australian dollar higher. While that's good news for Australian travellers, FN Arena's Danielle Ecuyer says it's a risk for anyone holding US investments, and that includes Australians with superannuation.
Danielle Ecuyer : We know that a lot of Australian investors have been piling into US stocks. And this is just one of the aspects of, I think, probably where people go, well, that's great. US assets are going up. But the problem is the US dollar is going down. So in Australian currency times, you're not doing as well.
David Taylor : Saul Eslake sees the financial dangers for the US economy rising. That's because, he says, the cost of US government debt is higher than America's economic growth rate, which he points out can make servicing government debt incredibly challenging.
Saul Eslake : And at its most extreme example, that's what happened to Greece 13 years ago.
David Taylor : Official inflation data will be released later today, which, if low enough, could open the door to some additional relief for Australian mortgage borrowers on variable interest rates.
Sabra Lane: And that's AM for today. Thanks for your company, I'm Sabra Lane.