Latest news with #DebFrecklington
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Forensic chief resigns amid DNA scandal
Queensland's top forensic scientist has resigned just weeks after she was suspended over fears DNA evidence may have been compromised at the state's forensic laboratory. Attorney-General Deb Frecklington confirmed on Friday that Linzi Wilson-Wilde had stepped down from her role as Forensic Science Queensland (FSQ) director, effective immediately. 'Dr Wilson-Wilde has resigned from her appointment as director, Forensic Science Queensland,' Ms Frecklington said in a brief statement. FSQ paused all DNA testing in mid-June when potential contamination was detected. Ms Frecklington said she had immediately suspended Dr Wilson-Wilde pending a show cause notice for removal. Ms Frecklington said urgent testing would continue under appropriate controls, while a seven-day pause and subsequent review would determine the next steps for the troubled lab. Dr Wilson-Wilde was appointed in September 2024 following an international recruitment process and was regarded as one of Australia and New Zealand's leading forensic experts. She first joined FSQ as interim chief executive in January 2023. Forensic Biology executive manager Natasha Mitchell will remain acting director until a permanent replacement is appointed. 'The Crisafulli government is firmly committed to the future of Forensic Science Queensland,' Ms Frecklington said. FSQ is an independent statutory authority supporting the criminal justice and coronial systems through forensic biology and chemistry services. The organisation has been under intense scrutiny in recent years, with two commissions of inquiry in 2022 and 2023 exposing serious long-term failings. Among the most damning findings was a 'fatally flawed' automated DNA testing method that may have led to offenders escaping conviction. The 2023 Sofronoff inquiry concluded that some issues at the lab amounted to grave maladministration involving dishonesty. The state government has since accepted 125 recommendations and committed $170m to overhaul the service. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Troubled DNA lab boss resigns after being suspended
A troubled forensic testing boss has resigned a month after being suspended over "contamination issues". Forensic Science Queensland director Linzi Wilson-Wilde received a show cause notice for her removal by the Liberal National government in June following another setback. Attorney-General Deb Frecklington made the call after learning the beleaguered lab had paused routine DNA testing for seven days following the discovery of "contamination issues". Ms Frecklington on Friday announced Dr Wilson-Wilde had resigned from her position effective immediately. She said Forensic Biology Executive Manager Natasha Mitchell would continue acting in the director role until a permanent appointment was made. "The Crisafulli government is firmly committed to the future of Forensic Science Queensland," Ms Frecklington said in a statement. The LNP government did not disclose the nature of the contamination issues but routine DNA testing has since resumed. Forensic Science Queensland was established in 2023 after two inquiries exposed major failings over a number of years at the lab. They included a "fundamentally flawed" automated testing method that may have led to offenders potentially escaping conviction for nine years from 2007. Dr Wilson-Wilde was appointed director in September 2024 after serving as interim chief executive. She received the role from the former Labor government prior to it entering caretaker mode before the 2024 state election. The LNP government chose Dr Kirsty Wright to oversee forensic lab reforms when it won the October 2024 election. The LNP launched reforms after it emerged more than 40,000 of the state's most serious cases were "under a forensic cloud" following the back-to-back inquiries. It moved amendments in parliament in April to ensure current DNA sample retention was extended from three to seven years to tackle the retesting backlog, which may take years. It was a recommendation of Dr Wright, who will oversee a DNA Lab Review and hand down recommendations with renowned FBI expert Bruce Budowle. Forensic scientist Dr Wright spoke out about the lab, triggering the two inquiries held in as many years.
ABC News
6 days ago
- ABC News
Forensic Science Queensland director Linzi Wilson-Wilde resigns following suspension
The director of Forensic Science Queensland [FSQ] has resigned after the state government last month issued her a show-cause notice. Dr Linzi Wilson-Wilde, who was appointed to the role in September 2024, confirmed to the ABC she had resigned. In a statement, she said she wished the lab nothing but the best. Attorney-General Deb Frecklington announced in June she had immediately suspended Dr Wilson-Wilde, pending a show cause notice for her removal. At the time, she said the action was taken after FSQ put a general pause on routine DNA testing following "contamination issues" that were identified. The government has not disclosed the nature of the contamination issues, but has confirmed routine DNA testing has since resumed. In a statement on Friday morning, Ms Frecklington said the Dr Wilson-Wilde's resignation was effective immediately. "Natasha Mitchell, Executive Manager Forensic Biology, will continue acting in the role of director until a permanent appointment is made," she said. "The Crisafulli government is firmly committed to the future of Forensic Science Queensland." FSQ is an independent statutory authority and forensic service provider, which supports the criminal justice and coronial systems with specialised services in forensic biology and forensic chemistry. Two commissions of inquiry, in 2022 and 2023, found serious failings over many years at the FSQ lab, including a "fatally flawed" automated testing method that might have seen offenders escaping conviction. Dr Wilson-Wilde became director in September 2024 after joining FSQ as interim chief executive in January 2023.
ABC News
15-07-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Fox Resources' bid to develop coal mine on Qld's agricultural land rejected
The Queensland government has rejected an exploratory licence for a coking coal mine in one of the state's biggest food-growing regions. Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said it was not in the public interest. "Many significant community concerns were raised about the potential impacts of a future coal mine on the region's agricultural industry, water resources, environmental values, livability and tourism industry," a statement said. Fox Resources had applied for a mineral development licence (MDL) to explore more than 7,800 hectares of agricultural and residential land about 20 kilometres north of Bundaberg. Previously, the company's executive director Bruce Garlick said under the application, the company was seeking to drill five bore holes for exploration purposes. "The company recognises the importance of protecting the region's key agricultural and other industries, with no impact on the aquifer used for local water consumption and agricultural use." The resources company says the operation would create 200 local jobs and bring "huge economic benefit" to the region if it went ahead. Farmer Judy Plath said the decision signalled the end of a lengthy process. The application was made in 2019 and was first rejected by the previous Labor government in 2022. When that decision was overturned by the Supreme Court in September 2023, Fox Resources reapplied. The MDL has now been officially rejected. Ms Plath said residents had been overwhelmed by the thought of losing their homes. "The fact that a coal mine, an underground coal mine, could have been built in that area and damaged the underground aquifers that those farmers and residents were relying on was very daunting," she said. "I think this fight demonstrates that prime agricultural land, and the water that it relies on, is worth fighting for and we as a community, as a farming region, should never take it lying down." Cristel Simmonds from the Coal Free Bundaberg Action Group said it had been an emotional journey. "It was in an agricultural food bowl, it was so close to the Great Barrier Reef and people's homes … What were the implications going to be for that?" Member for Bundaberg Stephen Bennett said he believed the decision could not be taken to the courts again. "This has been through Crown law, extensive review. The advice I understand from the Resources Minister [Dale Last] and the Attorney-General is that this won't be repealed or even put to a land court decision," he said. Fox Resources has been contacted for comment.
Perth Now
09-07-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
150 jobs at risk in peanut butter shock
More than 150 jobs are in doubt following Bega Group's decision to wind down the Peanut Company of Australia, bringing an end to nearly a century of peanut processing in Kingaroy, Queensland. The company announced on Wednesday that it would begin a phased shutdown of PCA's facilities in Kingaroy and Tolga over the next 18 months. The closure follows a 12-month strategic review and years of ongoing financial losses. 'PCA had been under sustained financial pressure for several years prior to its acquisition by Bega Group in 2017,' the company said in a statement. 'Despite ongoing investments made by Bega Group into PCA's operations, including significant upgrades to site safety and initiatives aimed at supporting local growers to boost production, Bega Group has not been able to establish a sustainable business model.' Peanut processing facilities in Kingaroy and Tolga will be shut down. Peanut Company of Australia Credit: Supplied The business said it had been operating at a loss of $5-10m per year and are anticipating one-off shutdown costs of $5-10m. Bega said the shutdown comes amid growing challenges in the Australian peanut industry, including import competition, rising costs, falling production, and better returns from alternative crops. 'We announced the strategic review over 12 months ago and we have pursued several options to sell the business. Unfortunately, we've been unable to secure a buyer that could sustain a long-term future for employees and growers,' Bega Group chief executive Pete Findlay said in a statement to the ASX. Bega has announced the closure of two peanut processing factories in Queensland, including the historic Kingaroy plant. Supplied Credit: Supplied 150 jobs are on the line as a result of the closure. Supplied Credit: Supplied The company said it would offer support services, redeployment incentives and redundancy packages to affected employees, some of whom will continue in their roles during the wind-down period. 'We understand the impact this decision will have, and we will work closely with growers and the approximately 150 employees at the Kingaroy and Tolga facilities to support them through this period,' Mr Findlay said. Bega had informed growers in August last year that it could not commit beyond the current season's crop. PCA and its predecessor organisations have been based in Kingaroy since 1924. The town has long been associated with peanut production, and its iconic peanut silos were built between 1938 and 1951. Local member Deb Frecklington said the decision was a 'deeply disappointing blow' for the community. NewsWire / John Gass Credit: News Corp Australia Nanango MP and Queensland Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said the announcement was a 'deeply disappointing blow' in a statement on Wednesday. 'Bega is a highly profitable multinational company and this decision will devastate the local community who have been loyal to the brand for many years,' she said. 'Kingaroy has long been synonymous with peanut growing and processing and PCA's processing business – and its heritage listed peanut silos in Haly St – have been an iconic local landmark for nearly a century.' Nationals Leader David Littleproud said he was 'deeply saddened' by the announcement saying PCA processed 19,000 tonnes of Aussie peanuts each year. Bega said it would continue to operate facilities in Crestmead and Malanda, along with its existing distribution network in Queensland.
