Australian Islamic College of Sydney: Graffiti attack targets Anthony Albanese in pre-election day attack
The Australian Islamic College of Sydney has been targeted in a graffiti attack just hours before Australians head to voting booths, with the words 'Hamas Albo' sprayed across a school fence.
Exclusive 7NEWS vision, shared with The Nightly, showed the walls of the Mount Druitt school sprayed with three messages.
'Hamas Albo', 'Albo liab' and 'no migration', written in what appears to be black spray paint on the brick wall of the Islamic college in Western Sydney.
The attack on the Islamic school occurred in the seat of Chiffley, held by Labor MP Ed Husic.
The graffiti was on clear display as students entered the school on Friday.
Independent Senator Fatima Payman said the attack was 'disgraceful'.
'It's disgusting. It's disgraceful. And it's becoming far too normal,' she told 7NEWS.
'My volunteers have been called terrorists, they've been harassed and verbally assaulted by volunteers and candidates.
'This is what happens when politicians use dog whistles and then pretend to be shocked when the racism shows up in plain sight.'
Later on Friday morning, people were seen attempting to scrub the graffiti off the brick walls of the college which is attached to a Mosque.
A NSW Police spokesperson told The Nightly: 'There have been no reports made to police regarding this incident.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
18 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
ASIC sues Choosi over funeral and life insurance policies
The comparison website Choosi has come under scrutiny for its funeral and life insurance offerings to potential customers. ASIC alleges the company made misleading representations not just on its website, but across social media, television commercial and advertorials from July 1, 2019. Choosi offers free comparison services from a range of companies, with consumers encouraged to choose one that is the most economical for them. The comparison company then earns commission if a customer signs up. Choosi's insurance services range from home and contents, pet, business and car. But it's Choosi's funeral and life insurance comparison services that ASIC alleges has made false or misleading representations to Australians. ASIC alleges Choosi states the insurance products are from a variety of companies. But in filed proceedings in the Federal Court, ASIC alleges Choosi only compared funeral and life insurance policies from a lone insurer - with just one limited exception. And the single insurer Choosi used had all policies distributed by Greenstone Financial Services Pty Ltd. - a company associated with Choosi. ASIC alleges this is still ongoing. Since July 2019, ASIC alleges a staggering 4,225 funeral insurance policies and 9,478 life insurance policies were taken out by Australians - leading to a whopping $61 million in commissions for Choosi. ASIC Deputy Chair Sarah Court said ASIC needed to take action so companies could be stopped from misleading customers who were just trying to find the best deal. "We allege Choosi misled thousands of consumers into thinking they were comparing options from a range of insurers," she said. "We will contend people were led to believe they were making a sensible decision by comparing policies; however, they were denied genuine choice. "Consumers may have been encouraged to buy a funeral or life insurance policy when a cheaper or more suitable policy might have been available from other insurers that were not assessed." The Deputy Chair said any comparison website 'must provide a meaningful comparison service' and not operate as a sales channel or work as a distribution platform for selected companies. CEO Paul Duggan told The Senior when it comes to comparison services, consumers deserve transparency. "Regardless of industry, if a company claims to do something that they don't, that's not on," he said. "And when it comes to long-term products like life or funeral insurance, that can have serious consequences for consumers' financial wellbeing." The CEO advises Australians using comparison sites to do a checklist to make sure they aren't being taken advantage of. "Are multiple brands being shown? Do you recognise or trust the brands listed? How many providers are actually being compared?" he said. "And can you access detailed information about each product you're reviewing?" The comparison website Choosi has come under scrutiny for its funeral and life insurance offerings to potential customers. ASIC alleges the company made misleading representations not just on its website, but across social media, television commercial and advertorials from July 1, 2019. Choosi offers free comparison services from a range of companies, with consumers encouraged to choose one that is the most economical for them. The comparison company then earns commission if a customer signs up. Choosi's insurance services range from home and contents, pet, business and car. But it's Choosi's funeral and life insurance comparison services that ASIC alleges has made false or misleading representations to Australians. ASIC alleges Choosi states the insurance products are from a variety of companies. But in filed proceedings in the Federal Court, ASIC alleges Choosi only compared funeral and life insurance policies from a lone insurer - with just one limited exception. And the single insurer Choosi used had all policies distributed by Greenstone Financial Services Pty Ltd. - a company associated with Choosi. ASIC alleges this is still ongoing. Since July 2019, ASIC alleges a staggering 4,225 funeral insurance policies and 9,478 life insurance policies were taken out by Australians - leading to a whopping $61 million in commissions for Choosi. ASIC Deputy Chair Sarah Court said ASIC needed to take action so companies could be stopped from misleading customers who were just trying to find the best deal. "We allege Choosi misled thousands of consumers into thinking they were comparing options from a range of insurers," she said. "We will contend people were led to believe they were making a sensible decision by comparing policies; however, they were denied genuine choice. "Consumers may have been encouraged to buy a funeral or life insurance policy when a cheaper or more suitable policy might have been available from other insurers that were not assessed." The Deputy Chair said any comparison website 'must provide a meaningful comparison service' and not operate as a sales channel or work as a distribution platform for selected companies. CEO Paul Duggan told The Senior when it comes to comparison services, consumers deserve transparency. "Regardless of industry, if a company claims to do something that they don't, that's not on," he said. "And when it comes to long-term products like life or funeral insurance, that can have serious consequences for consumers' financial wellbeing." The CEO advises Australians using comparison sites to do a checklist to make sure they aren't being taken advantage of. "Are multiple brands being shown? Do you recognise or trust the brands listed? How many providers are actually being compared?" he said. "And can you access detailed information about each product you're reviewing?" The comparison website Choosi has come under scrutiny for its funeral and life insurance offerings to potential customers. ASIC alleges the company made misleading representations not just on its website, but across social media, television commercial and advertorials from July 1, 2019. Choosi offers free comparison services from a range of companies, with consumers encouraged to choose one that is the most economical for them. The comparison company then earns commission if a customer signs up. Choosi's insurance services range from home and contents, pet, business and car. But it's Choosi's funeral and life insurance comparison services that ASIC alleges has made false or misleading representations to Australians. ASIC alleges Choosi states the insurance products are from a variety of companies. But in filed proceedings in the Federal Court, ASIC alleges Choosi only compared funeral and life insurance policies from a lone insurer - with just one limited exception. And the single insurer Choosi used had all policies distributed by Greenstone Financial Services Pty Ltd. - a company associated with Choosi. ASIC alleges this is still ongoing. Since July 2019, ASIC alleges a staggering 4,225 funeral insurance policies and 9,478 life insurance policies were taken out by Australians - leading to a whopping $61 million in commissions for Choosi. ASIC Deputy Chair Sarah Court said ASIC needed to take action so companies could be stopped from misleading customers who were just trying to find the best deal. "We allege Choosi misled thousands of consumers into thinking they were comparing options from a range of insurers," she said. "We will contend people were led to believe they were making a sensible decision by comparing policies; however, they were denied genuine choice. "Consumers may have been encouraged to buy a funeral or life insurance policy when a cheaper or more suitable policy might have been available from other insurers that were not assessed." The Deputy Chair said any comparison website 'must provide a meaningful comparison service' and not operate as a sales channel or work as a distribution platform for selected companies. CEO Paul Duggan told The Senior when it comes to comparison services, consumers deserve transparency. "Regardless of industry, if a company claims to do something that they don't, that's not on," he said. "And when it comes to long-term products like life or funeral insurance, that can have serious consequences for consumers' financial wellbeing." The CEO advises Australians using comparison sites to do a checklist to make sure they aren't being taken advantage of. "Are multiple brands being shown? Do you recognise or trust the brands listed? How many providers are actually being compared?" he said. "And can you access detailed information about each product you're reviewing?" The comparison website Choosi has come under scrutiny for its funeral and life insurance offerings to potential customers. ASIC alleges the company made misleading representations not just on its website, but across social media, television commercial and advertorials from July 1, 2019. Choosi offers free comparison services from a range of companies, with consumers encouraged to choose one that is the most economical for them. The comparison company then earns commission if a customer signs up. Choosi's insurance services range from home and contents, pet, business and car. But it's Choosi's funeral and life insurance comparison services that ASIC alleges has made false or misleading representations to Australians. ASIC alleges Choosi states the insurance products are from a variety of companies. But in filed proceedings in the Federal Court, ASIC alleges Choosi only compared funeral and life insurance policies from a lone insurer - with just one limited exception. And the single insurer Choosi used had all policies distributed by Greenstone Financial Services Pty Ltd. - a company associated with Choosi. ASIC alleges this is still ongoing. Since July 2019, ASIC alleges a staggering 4,225 funeral insurance policies and 9,478 life insurance policies were taken out by Australians - leading to a whopping $61 million in commissions for Choosi. ASIC Deputy Chair Sarah Court said ASIC needed to take action so companies could be stopped from misleading customers who were just trying to find the best deal. "We allege Choosi misled thousands of consumers into thinking they were comparing options from a range of insurers," she said. "We will contend people were led to believe they were making a sensible decision by comparing policies; however, they were denied genuine choice. "Consumers may have been encouraged to buy a funeral or life insurance policy when a cheaper or more suitable policy might have been available from other insurers that were not assessed." The Deputy Chair said any comparison website 'must provide a meaningful comparison service' and not operate as a sales channel or work as a distribution platform for selected companies. CEO Paul Duggan told The Senior when it comes to comparison services, consumers deserve transparency. "Regardless of industry, if a company claims to do something that they don't, that's not on," he said. "And when it comes to long-term products like life or funeral insurance, that can have serious consequences for consumers' financial wellbeing." The CEO advises Australians using comparison sites to do a checklist to make sure they aren't being taken advantage of. "Are multiple brands being shown? Do you recognise or trust the brands listed? How many providers are actually being compared?" he said. "And can you access detailed information about each product you're reviewing?"
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Hammer falls on crypto ATMs over scams, laundering
Australian authorities are targeting cryptocurrency ATMs and tightening regulations amid reports of widespread scamming and money laundering. Anti-money laundering regulator AUSTRAC has refused to renew a crypto ATM operator's licence and introduced transaction limited and tougher requirements to prevent cybercriminals from using the machines to extract money from victims. Crypto ATMs allow people to buy cryptocurrency with cash and send tokens to a digital wallet. Over several months, an AUSTRAC taskforce investigating their use uncovered activity linked to scams, fraud and other illegal ventures, the organisation's chief executive Brendan Thomas said. "The taskforce has uncovered disturbing trends which have confirmed that cryptocurrency ATMs are being used for scam/fraud-related transactions," he said. Analysis of data from nine crypto ATM providers found most users (79 per cent) were above 50 years old and 29 per cent of users were aged between 60 and 70. "It is a huge concern that people in this demographic are over-represented as customers using cash to purchase cryptocurrency and, as evidence suggests, that a large number of 60 to 70 year old users are victims of scam activity." The Australian Federal Police said Australia's online cybercrime reporting system had received 150 unique reports of scams using crypto ATMs in 2024, with estimated losses of more than $3.1 million. While the figure was relatively small compared to the $119 million in total financial scam losses reported to Scamwatch in the first four months of 2025, the AFP believes crypto ATM scam losses are under-reported. "Intelligence on crypto ATMs suggests everyday Australians are losing significant funds to crypto ATM scams, significantly more than is currently being reported to authorities," AFP Commander Graeme Marshall said. "This could be because victims don't realise they've been the victim of a crime, they don't know how to report scam activity, or they feel embarrassed because they were scammed." Australia has the third-most crypto ATMs in the world, behind the United States and Canada, with more than 1800 across the nation and increasing more than 15-fold in two years. Around $275 million was moved through crypto ATMs nationally in 2024. AUSTRAC's new measures, which include tougher diligence obligations, mandatory scam warnings and better transaction monitoring was a flashing red light for the sector, Swinburne University emerging technologies specialist Dimitrios Salampasis said. "But beyond the numbers and policy responses lies a human tragedy that must not be ignored: the severe and often irreversible impact on scam victims - particularly the elderly," Professor Salampasis said. "The elderly are disproportionately targeted by these sophisticated schemes being manipulated into draining their life savings through crypto ATMs under the illusion of helping a loved one, paying a false debt, or investing in a fake opportunity." While AUSTRAC's measures were a good first step, Australia needed human-centred policy, real-time accountability, and a justice system that recognised the impact of cryptocurrency-enabled crime, Prof Salampsis said. Australian authorities are targeting cryptocurrency ATMs and tightening regulations amid reports of widespread scamming and money laundering. Anti-money laundering regulator AUSTRAC has refused to renew a crypto ATM operator's licence and introduced transaction limited and tougher requirements to prevent cybercriminals from using the machines to extract money from victims. Crypto ATMs allow people to buy cryptocurrency with cash and send tokens to a digital wallet. Over several months, an AUSTRAC taskforce investigating their use uncovered activity linked to scams, fraud and other illegal ventures, the organisation's chief executive Brendan Thomas said. "The taskforce has uncovered disturbing trends which have confirmed that cryptocurrency ATMs are being used for scam/fraud-related transactions," he said. Analysis of data from nine crypto ATM providers found most users (79 per cent) were above 50 years old and 29 per cent of users were aged between 60 and 70. "It is a huge concern that people in this demographic are over-represented as customers using cash to purchase cryptocurrency and, as evidence suggests, that a large number of 60 to 70 year old users are victims of scam activity." The Australian Federal Police said Australia's online cybercrime reporting system had received 150 unique reports of scams using crypto ATMs in 2024, with estimated losses of more than $3.1 million. While the figure was relatively small compared to the $119 million in total financial scam losses reported to Scamwatch in the first four months of 2025, the AFP believes crypto ATM scam losses are under-reported. "Intelligence on crypto ATMs suggests everyday Australians are losing significant funds to crypto ATM scams, significantly more than is currently being reported to authorities," AFP Commander Graeme Marshall said. "This could be because victims don't realise they've been the victim of a crime, they don't know how to report scam activity, or they feel embarrassed because they were scammed." Australia has the third-most crypto ATMs in the world, behind the United States and Canada, with more than 1800 across the nation and increasing more than 15-fold in two years. Around $275 million was moved through crypto ATMs nationally in 2024. AUSTRAC's new measures, which include tougher diligence obligations, mandatory scam warnings and better transaction monitoring was a flashing red light for the sector, Swinburne University emerging technologies specialist Dimitrios Salampasis said. "But beyond the numbers and policy responses lies a human tragedy that must not be ignored: the severe and often irreversible impact on scam victims - particularly the elderly," Professor Salampasis said. "The elderly are disproportionately targeted by these sophisticated schemes being manipulated into draining their life savings through crypto ATMs under the illusion of helping a loved one, paying a false debt, or investing in a fake opportunity." While AUSTRAC's measures were a good first step, Australia needed human-centred policy, real-time accountability, and a justice system that recognised the impact of cryptocurrency-enabled crime, Prof Salampsis said. Australian authorities are targeting cryptocurrency ATMs and tightening regulations amid reports of widespread scamming and money laundering. Anti-money laundering regulator AUSTRAC has refused to renew a crypto ATM operator's licence and introduced transaction limited and tougher requirements to prevent cybercriminals from using the machines to extract money from victims. Crypto ATMs allow people to buy cryptocurrency with cash and send tokens to a digital wallet. Over several months, an AUSTRAC taskforce investigating their use uncovered activity linked to scams, fraud and other illegal ventures, the organisation's chief executive Brendan Thomas said. "The taskforce has uncovered disturbing trends which have confirmed that cryptocurrency ATMs are being used for scam/fraud-related transactions," he said. Analysis of data from nine crypto ATM providers found most users (79 per cent) were above 50 years old and 29 per cent of users were aged between 60 and 70. "It is a huge concern that people in this demographic are over-represented as customers using cash to purchase cryptocurrency and, as evidence suggests, that a large number of 60 to 70 year old users are victims of scam activity." The Australian Federal Police said Australia's online cybercrime reporting system had received 150 unique reports of scams using crypto ATMs in 2024, with estimated losses of more than $3.1 million. While the figure was relatively small compared to the $119 million in total financial scam losses reported to Scamwatch in the first four months of 2025, the AFP believes crypto ATM scam losses are under-reported. "Intelligence on crypto ATMs suggests everyday Australians are losing significant funds to crypto ATM scams, significantly more than is currently being reported to authorities," AFP Commander Graeme Marshall said. "This could be because victims don't realise they've been the victim of a crime, they don't know how to report scam activity, or they feel embarrassed because they were scammed." Australia has the third-most crypto ATMs in the world, behind the United States and Canada, with more than 1800 across the nation and increasing more than 15-fold in two years. Around $275 million was moved through crypto ATMs nationally in 2024. AUSTRAC's new measures, which include tougher diligence obligations, mandatory scam warnings and better transaction monitoring was a flashing red light for the sector, Swinburne University emerging technologies specialist Dimitrios Salampasis said. "But beyond the numbers and policy responses lies a human tragedy that must not be ignored: the severe and often irreversible impact on scam victims - particularly the elderly," Professor Salampasis said. "The elderly are disproportionately targeted by these sophisticated schemes being manipulated into draining their life savings through crypto ATMs under the illusion of helping a loved one, paying a false debt, or investing in a fake opportunity." While AUSTRAC's measures were a good first step, Australia needed human-centred policy, real-time accountability, and a justice system that recognised the impact of cryptocurrency-enabled crime, Prof Salampsis said. Australian authorities are targeting cryptocurrency ATMs and tightening regulations amid reports of widespread scamming and money laundering. Anti-money laundering regulator AUSTRAC has refused to renew a crypto ATM operator's licence and introduced transaction limited and tougher requirements to prevent cybercriminals from using the machines to extract money from victims. Crypto ATMs allow people to buy cryptocurrency with cash and send tokens to a digital wallet. Over several months, an AUSTRAC taskforce investigating their use uncovered activity linked to scams, fraud and other illegal ventures, the organisation's chief executive Brendan Thomas said. "The taskforce has uncovered disturbing trends which have confirmed that cryptocurrency ATMs are being used for scam/fraud-related transactions," he said. Analysis of data from nine crypto ATM providers found most users (79 per cent) were above 50 years old and 29 per cent of users were aged between 60 and 70. "It is a huge concern that people in this demographic are over-represented as customers using cash to purchase cryptocurrency and, as evidence suggests, that a large number of 60 to 70 year old users are victims of scam activity." The Australian Federal Police said Australia's online cybercrime reporting system had received 150 unique reports of scams using crypto ATMs in 2024, with estimated losses of more than $3.1 million. While the figure was relatively small compared to the $119 million in total financial scam losses reported to Scamwatch in the first four months of 2025, the AFP believes crypto ATM scam losses are under-reported. "Intelligence on crypto ATMs suggests everyday Australians are losing significant funds to crypto ATM scams, significantly more than is currently being reported to authorities," AFP Commander Graeme Marshall said. "This could be because victims don't realise they've been the victim of a crime, they don't know how to report scam activity, or they feel embarrassed because they were scammed." Australia has the third-most crypto ATMs in the world, behind the United States and Canada, with more than 1800 across the nation and increasing more than 15-fold in two years. Around $275 million was moved through crypto ATMs nationally in 2024. AUSTRAC's new measures, which include tougher diligence obligations, mandatory scam warnings and better transaction monitoring was a flashing red light for the sector, Swinburne University emerging technologies specialist Dimitrios Salampasis said. "But beyond the numbers and policy responses lies a human tragedy that must not be ignored: the severe and often irreversible impact on scam victims - particularly the elderly," Professor Salampasis said. "The elderly are disproportionately targeted by these sophisticated schemes being manipulated into draining their life savings through crypto ATMs under the illusion of helping a loved one, paying a false debt, or investing in a fake opportunity." While AUSTRAC's measures were a good first step, Australia needed human-centred policy, real-time accountability, and a justice system that recognised the impact of cryptocurrency-enabled crime, Prof Salampsis said.
West Australian
2 hours ago
- West Australian
‘Not time': Why the RBA took a cautious approach to rate cuts
Global uncertainty on the back of the US President Donald Trump's tariff policy and a weakening Australian economy saw the Reserve Bank of Australia debate an outsized rate cut last month. Minutes from the RBA's May 20 policy meeting show the central bank is still nervous about the impact of Mr Trump's trade policy but wants to move 'cautiously and predictably' in line with market expectations. As such, households were not given an outsized 'insurance against global growth' 50 basis point rate cut. Instead, the bank highlighted the need for monetary policy settings to remain 'predictable at a time of heightened uncertainty'. 'They agreed that developments in the domestic economy on their own justified a reduction in the cash rate target and that the case for that action was strengthened by developments in global trade policy,' the minutes reveal. Ultimately though, the board agreed the case for a 25 basis point rate cut was 'the stronger one' as members were not persuaded that weakening global growth and domestic factors warranted an outsized rate cut. In a silver lining for households, should the impacts of global uncertainty materialise, the RBA board agreed it would need to move to 'expansionary settings' meaning there would be more cuts to the cash rate. The board judged in May however that there was not enough data around the impacts of any global uncertainty to switch to a more expansive monetary policy setting. 'They also judged it was not yet time to move monetary policy to an expansionary stance, taking account of the range of estimates involved, given that inflation was yet to return sustainably to the midpoint of the target range and the staff's assessment that the labour market was still tight,' the minutes read. The board also highlighted they had the firepower left to kickstart global growth should the worst of global uncertainty impact the local economy. 'In finalising the policy statement, members agreed that it was appropriate to convey their commitment to both of the Board's objectives,' the board said. 'They also agreed to convey that policy was well placed to respond decisively to international developments if they were to have material implications for activity and inflation of the kind described in the severe downside scenario set out in the May Statement on Monetary Policy.' Meeting for the second time under its new dual-board structure, the RBA cut the national cash rate by 25 basis points, from 4.10 to 3.85 per cent, but RBA governor Michele Bullock revealed a 50 basis point cut had been debated. 'There was an argument and we did debate it (a 50 basis point cut) but it wasn't the strongest argument in the room,' Ms Bullock said at the time. Unemployment Figures She stressed 'inflation hurts everyone', particularly those on lower incomes and renters. Responding to a question from NewsWire on whether households could expect further relief, and what message she had for those doing it tough, she acknowledged Australians had gone through a 'really rough few years', accentuated by sharp rises in everyday prices. 'I would say that bringing inflation down is the best thing we can do to help them, while keeping employment strong,' she said. 'At the moment we are on track to deliver that. I know you're doing it tough, but conditions are improving.'
