Latest news with #Asic
The Guardian
08-04-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
New Liberal candidate for Whitlam claimed ‘Marxist brainwashing' happening at Australian schools
The new Liberal candidate for the seat of Whitlam once claimed school students were being 'brainwashed' by Marxist and woke ideologies – despite replacing another candidate dumped by the party for his controversial views. The party's New South Wales branch administrative committee confirmed on Sunday Benjamin Britton had been disendorsed after Guardian Australia revealed a string of controversial views on fringe podcasts last year, including that women should be banned from frontline roles in the military and that the education system was 'indoctrinating' young Australians about Marxist ideologies. A Liberal party spokesperson said Britton was dumped for 'views expressed which were not previously disclosed and are inconsistent with the party's position', with Nathaniel Smith, a former MP for the NSW seat of Wollondilly, confirmed as his replacement. Sign up for the Afternoon Update: Election 2025 email newsletter Smith, a member of the party's religious conservative faction, held Wollondilly between 2019 and 2023 under the NSW Liberal government before he was ousted by an independent challenger. Smith's maiden speech outlined his views on 'political correctness' and 'Marxist brainwashing' of school students. 'Political correctness in this country has gone too far,' Smith said in May 2019. 'We saw a war on the coal industry just to appeal to the latte-sipping lefties who live in inner-city seats, with no regard for regional areas such as my electorate. 'I believe childhood is a period of innocence. I want to see schools teach core skills, not agendas. I want my children to learn about history, geography, mathematics, Western civilisation, science and the arts; not Safe Schools, gender fluidity and other forms of Marxist brainwashing.' Smith said Australians needed to 'recognise', 'embrace' and maintain Judeo-Christian history in school curriculums. The then-southern highlands MP visited a Melbourne rally against abortion in 2019, hosted by Bernie Finn, amid fierce debate over a bill to decriminalise abortion in NSW. At an August 2019 anti-abortion rally, Smith said abortion should not be decriminalised. 'This is not an issue like a hip replacement, a nose job, a fake tan – this is a human being,' he said at the time. 'This will not protect women, this should not be going into the health care act, it should remain in the crimes act.' Smith's interests include preserving Australia's reliance on gas. Asic records show Smith was appointed director of a pro-gas interests group, co-directed by the chief executive of a Beetaloo Basin gas company, just a month before he was announced as the Liberal's last-minute replacement in Whitlam. The Liberal party were approached for comment. Sign up to Afternoon Update: Election 2025 Our Australian afternoon update breaks down the key election campaign stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Smith, who is also the chief executive of Master Plumbers NSW, joined Australians for Natural Gas as one of its three directors in March, Asic records show. The group describes itself as a 'not-for-profit organisation representing the interests of Aussie households, industries, and producers' and supports the 'expanded production and continued use of Australia's abundant reserves of natural gas'. Candidates are not precluded from holding directorships. The group also lists the chief executive for Tamboran Resources, Joel Riddle, as one of its directors. The US company Tamboran Resources signed a nine-year gas sales agreement with the former Northern Territory Labor government in 2024. The deal was announced close to a year after the NT government said production could commence in the Beetaloo basin, despite science and energy agencies warning there can be no more exploitation of new oil, gas and coalfields if the world is to limit global heating to 1.5C. In a social media post in December last year, Smith shared a pro-nuclear post, writing 'it's coming. Get ready for it' using hashtags, 'don't question the science' and 'until then, gas and coal are king'. Lyndal Maloney, a former adviser for conservative political group, CPAC, is also listed as a director for Australians for Natural Gas.
The Guardian
30-03-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Morning Mail: Gina Rinehart's Maga message, Trump ‘pissed off' with Putin, daunting search for quake survivors
Good morning. As campaigning for the federal election gets under way, Guardian Australia is launching a new, six-part podcast series examining the life and influence of Australia's richest person, mining boss Gina Rinehart. Gina explores how Rinehart became an Australian success story – worth almost $40bn – and how her power and political influence have grown in line with her wealth. Meanwhile: Donald Trump has expressed his frustration over attempts to bring peace to the Ukraine conflict, saying that he is 'pissed off' with Vladimir Putin. And rescuers are continuing a desperate search for quake survivors in Thailand and Myanmar. Brisbane Olympics | Architect Michael Rayner – described as one of the makers of modern Brisbane – proposed Victoria Park as an Olympics precinct in a 2019 lecture. The venues plan announced last week closely resembles his vision. Gina and the 'Trumpettes' | The founder of a key support group for the US president has praised Gina Rinehart as a 'female Donald Trump' and backed a push by the mining magnate to bring Trump's policy ideas to Australia. Mark Haines inquiry | In 1988, 17-year-old Mark Haines was found dead on the railway tracks outside Tamworth. Decades on, a reopened investigation may offer answers to his family members. Revealed | Asic has found that a super fund took more than 500 days to approve a death benefit payment to an Indigenous woman grieving the loss of her husband and ignored her concerns. Election flip-flop | Opposition leader Peter Dutton has floated – and quickly walked back – holding three referendums on Indigenous recognition, four-year parliamentary terms and stripping citizenship of dual nationals. Myanmar-Thailand quake | Rescuers and medics are struggling with the scale of devastation in Myanmar, while authorities in Thailand say dozens are still trapped under the rubble of a tower block. Before and after satellite images show the destruction caused by the earthquake. Russia-Ukraine war | Donald Trump has said he is 'very angry, pissed off' with Vladimir Putin for questioning Ukraine's leadership; Trump is 'running out of patience' with Putin over the Ukraine ceasefire, says Finland's president. Gaza crisis | Benjamin Netanyahu says he's willing to reach a deal to free Gaza hostages amid claims he is not serious about negotiations; Gaza civilians held in Israel were not told their families had been killed. US politics | Atlantic editor dismisses Michael Waltz's Signal leak defence; Trump says he 'couldn't care less' if tariffs make car prices go up; how Trump is waging war on the media; special elections could deliver voters' verdict on Trump's first months. Turkey on edge | Anti-government protesters in Turkey are weighing their options amid calls by opposition leaders for weekly rallies, a growing economic boycott and a groundswell of fired-up student demonstrators. Gina episode 1: Becoming Mrs Rinehart Gina Rinehart is Australia's richest person – and as her wealth continues to rise, so does her power and influence. But what does she want? In the first episode of Guardian Australia's new podcast series, senior correspondent Sarah Martin explores the impact Rinehart could have on Australian politics. Life began for Rinehart in the vast expanse of the Pilbara. To understand her story, we delve into her past and how her unique childhood under the influence of Lang Hancock shaped her. Sorry your browser does not support audio - but you can download here and listen $ A new report into principal wellbeing has detailed 'really inappropriate' student behaviour as educators point to an alarming cultural shift playing out in the classroom. The data has laid bare a dramatic rise in physical assaults, use of weapons and threats within schools. Caitlin Cassidy explains why Australia could lose an 'entire generation' of school principals as they grapple with depression and anxiety due to growing workloads, violence and bullying. From Cyclone Alfred driving wild seas and a seagull eclipsing the moon to Kylie Minogue performing on a trapeze and Ramadan celebrations in Sydney: our picture desk looks back at some of the best images to appear across Guardian Australia's content during the month of March. Sign up to Morning Mail Our Australian morning briefing breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Football | Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush fire Manchester City into FA Cup semi-finals; Marcus Rashford ends his goal drought as Aston Villa sink Preston to reach FA Cup semis; Barça go three clear in La Liga after Lewandowski's derby double. Athletics | Gout v Kennedy was like Bolt v the T-1000 – and no one could look away, Jack Snape writes. Cricket | South Australia captured the Sheffield Shield for the first time in 29 years, defeating Queensland by four wickets. Under new plans to address the housing crisis, state agencies could be named and shamed over the time they take to approve housing developments, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. Experts claim immigration numbers are likely to plummet as people on short-term visas leave Australia en masse, the Age reports. South Australian farmers are selling off stock and fearing for their futures amid tough dry conditions, the Advertiser reports. Victoria's planned surgery waitlist grew by more than 9% in six months as health budgets were cut, ABC News reports. Nationwide | Campaigning in the federal election campaign across Australia. NSW | Inquest into the death of Mark Haines resumes in Lidcombe. If you would like to receive this Morning Mail update to your email inbox every weekday, sign up here, or finish your day with our Afternoon Update newsletter. You can follow the latest in US politics by signing up for This Week in Trumpland. And finally, here are the Guardian's crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow. Quick crossword Cryptic crossword
The Guardian
30-03-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Super fund took more than 500 days to approve death benefit for grieving widow, Asic says
An unnamed superannuation fund took more than 500 days to approve a death benefit payment to an Indigenous woman grieving the loss of her husband and ignored her concerns about financial hardship and a confusing claims process. The 'distressing' case has been highlighted by the financial regulator as one of many 'poor industry practices' by funds that have had 'devastating impacts' on members experiencing 'deep grief, vulnerability, frustration and genuine suffering'. A 'landmark' report released by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (Asic) on Monday has made 34 recommendations to overhaul the superannuation sector. The report investigated the conduct of 10 trustees, which are responsible for 38% of all member benefits in Australia. Asic chair, Joe Longo, said the report 'identified a range of issues including excessive delays, poor customer service, and ineffective claims handling procedures'. He called on the industry to 'take ownership of the problems and flex their muscle to fix the failings'. 'At the heart of this issue is leadership that doesn't have a grip on the fund's data, systems and processes – and ultimately it is the customers who suffer for it,' Longo said. 'This kind of disconnect is unacceptable in any area of corporate Australia, but in the superannuation sector it is particularly serious, because super affects everyone from the boardroom to the living room.' Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email A death benefit is the amount of superannuation a person has remaining in their account after they die. This can be transferred to a family member to ensure bills and expenses can be covered. This payment may also include life insurance payments. The review of 10 superannuation funds comes after Asic lodged federal court proceedings alleging Cbus failed to process more than 10,000 claims for death and disability payments within 90 days. More than 6,000 members were forced to wait more than 12 months for payments. Cbus has apologised and promised to overhaul its processes. The 10 reviewed funds include Australian Retirement Trust, Avanteos (Colonial First State), Brighter Super, Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation, Hesta, Hostplus, NM Super (AMP), Nulis (MLC), Rest and UniSuper. The report found some funds had performed better than others, but all needed to improve. The review found communication with First Nations claimant was 'often not culturally sensitive' and that their death benefits often took longer to deliver. The report highlighted the case of a First Nations woman who lodged a claim for a death benefit after her husband died. He had a death benefit of around $100,000. According to Asic, she repeatedly told an unnamed fund she was suffering financial distress and struggling to navigate the claims process. 'The trustee did not respond to the wife's concerns about financial hardship,' the Asic report said. The woman had already raised concerns about lacking 'standard identification documents for her deceased husband'. Asic allege the fund 'took more than a year to offer the wife alternative identification options'. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion 'The trustee finally decided to pay the wife after more than 500 days,' the report said. 'However, as of the date we collected the claim file, the wife still had not received payment.' Asic commissioner Simone Constant said 'grieving Australians should not have to suffer further stress because of the failure of superannuation trustees to approach claims in a timely, clear, and respectful manner'. 'Many of the complaints we read were distressing. We saw deep grief, vulnerability, frustration and genuine suffering,' Constant said. 'The money from a death benefit can make a huge difference and each day a trustee delays that payment causes real harm to families. Trustees need to do better.' The 10 superannuation funds examined by Asic are yet to respond to the regulator's findings but have previously outlined measures to improve their performance. In November, several of the funds mentioned in the Asic report said they had overhauled their internal processes to improve customer outcomes.
The Guardian
10-02-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Star heads accused in court over alleged failure to manage illicit cash risk at casinos as major trial begins
Former executives at embattled casino operator The Star put profit above risk when they failed to take action as junket operators potentially linked to crime gangs flaunted wads of cash and money in eskies, a judge has heard. Lawyers for a slew of ex-heads from the embattled Star Entertainment Group appeared at the federal court as a lengthy hearing began on Monday. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission alleges they breached their obligations to manage the dangers of possible money laundering and other criminal activity in its Sydney, Brisbane and Gold Coast casinos. 'This is a case about casinos and risk,' Asic barrister Ruth Higgins SC said as she opened submissions on Monday. 'Not the risk involved when a player bets black instead of red in roulette or twists instead of sticking in blackjack.' The Star executives and board behaved in 'so incurious and complacent a manner' by allowing unacceptable legal, regulatory, financial and reputational risks within the group between November 2016 and March 2022, Higgins said. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email The firm maintained relationships with overseas junket operators, in particular one of the largest in Suncity, despite having evidence they were engaged in illicit activities and organised crime, she told Justice Michael Lee. 'Asic's case concerns the maintenance and escalation of these business relationships despite a slew of profoundly troubling, publicly available information about junkets.' Junkets were ripe for exploitation because they obscured the origin of funds, she told the court. They also led to vast sums of money with a higher risk of being associated with Chinese triads flowing into Australia after a prohibition on gambling in China, Higgins said. In Suncity's dedicated space at The Star Sydney, known as Salon 95, bags of $50 notes were tied together with elastic bands, money was delivered to the service desk in blue esky bags and junket staff obscured the view of CCTV cameras by hiding under blankets, she said. 'These are acts uncluttered by subtlety and freighted with risk.' Asic alleges that former chief executive Matthias Bekier, former company secretary and general counsel Paula Martin and former chief casino officer Greg Hawkins failed to promptly terminate or suspend the firm's relationship with Suncity or inform the board of the risks. The three executives were aware of repeated suspicious conduct by Suncity personnel at the Sydney casino, Higgins told the court. Former board members John O'Neill, Wallace Sheppard, Kathleen Lahey, Gerard Bradley, Sally Pitkin, Benjamin Heap and Zlatko Todorcevski are accused by Asic of failing to properly oversee The Star's relationships with junket operators. 'The directors of Star knew enough and more than enough about the risks that arose from junkets and red flags in relation to the junkets that were in fact operating at Star's casinos,' Higgins argued. Former The Star executives have also been accused of providing misleading information to National Australia Bank about the use of China UnionPay debit cards in its casinos. From 2016, China UnionPay had told The Star the use of its cards for gambling was prohibited, the court was told. Higgins' opening submissions will take three days in what is expected to be a lengthy and closely watched trial. Asic is seeking penalties as well as orders banning those sued from managing a corporation for a period to be set by the court. The hearings come as The Star struggles to stay afloat, battling falling revenues and the ongoing fallout from prior regulatory breaches. The firm agreed in February 2023 to pay $150m in penalties to Asic for its non-compliance with anti-money laundering laws.
