Latest news with #JacintaAllan
ABC News
2 hours ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Victorian government fails to publish details of enforcement actions against childcare operators
Premier Jacinta Allan's government has defied Victoria's parliament by failing to meet a deadline to publish details of enforcement action taken against childcare operators. The Victorian upper house last month backed a Greens motion ordering the government to table thousands of documents relating to Victoria's childcare industry over the past three years. But the Allan government failed to meet the July 18 deadline, prompting the Greens to accuse it of being more interested in political damage control than the welfare of children. In New South Wales, thousands of pages of similar documents have been tabled by the Minns government over the past few months, revealing cases of physical abuse of children — including one in which a child was used as a human mop — as well as inappropriate sexual behaviour, serious injuries to children and subsidy fraud. Victoria's childcare sector was plunged into crisis three weeks ago when authorities revealed that 26-year-old Joshua Dale Brown, who has worked at 24 centres in Melbourne since 2017, had been charged with more than 70 offences including child rape. About 2,000 children are being tested for sexually transmitted diseases as a precaution. Authorities were forced to update the list with new centres and dates last week, as angry parents demanded more information about whether their children were exposed to Mr Brown. The Victorian Greens spokesperson on childcare, Anasina Gray-Barberio, said Labor's failure to table the enforcement documents on Friday showed a lack of transparency and accountability. "It sends a pretty clear message to Victorian parents and families that this government is more concerned and interested in political damage control than they are interested in the care and nurturing of our children in early childcare," she said. The Greens are calling for an independent childcare safety watchdog, which Ms Gray-Barberio said was needed "because right now the government is marking their own homework". "There is a conflict of interest," she said. Childcare industry expert Gabrielle Meagher, a professor emerita at Macquarie University, said the documents sought by the Greens would help journalists, researchers and the public understand what was happening to billions of dollars in government subsidies paid to the private childcare providers who dominate the sector. "Maximum transparency is really important for public oversight in the sense of government oversight, but also in the sense of the public being able to have confidence in the system because they know that it's working well," she told the ABC. "I don't think we can have a kind of global confidence in the system when so much information is hidden and then highly unusual, but absolute catastrophes happen like this most recent abuse case in Victoria." Centre for Public Integrity executive director Catherine Williams said there was an increasing trend for the government to ignore requests for documents. She noted in NSW there was a different culture, where an independent legal arbiter is appointed by parliament to scrutinise claims of legal privilege. This mechanism was used to vet the childcare enforcement documents tabled in NSW parliament after a request by state Greens MP Abigail Boyd. Ms Williams said the centre urged the Victorian government to comply with orders, especially regarding issues of high public importance such as childcare. Despite the 30-day deadline for the childcare documents having passed, a Victorian government spokesperson said it was "carefully considering the Legislative Council's request and will respond in due course". The government also noted that the request could capture thousands of documents. In March last year, the state Opposition told parliament the government had failed to fully comply with nine different document requests over the previous year and attempted to pass another motion forcing it to table the documents. The motion failed.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Investigation stalls into Adass Israel synagogue terror attack
On December 6, 2024, three hooded and masked men in a stolen blue Volkswagen Golf drove to the synagogue on Glen Eira Avenue about 4.10am. After using an axe to smash open the front door, they poured petrol from jerry cans and then set it alight. One of the men, in a white face mask, filmed the attack on his mobile phone. There were two members of the congregation inside the synagogue when the fire was lit, but both escaped the blaze, which was universally regarded as an antisemitic attack and condemned by Premier Jacinta Allan and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Three days later, the firebombing was declared a ' likely a terrorist incident ' by a federal and state law enforcement committee, meaning it was assigned to the joint counterterrorism taskforce, which can access sweeping detention, search and surveillance powers, and seek assistance from spies at the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. Loading A major break in the case appeared to come in May when the taskforce revealed the car used in the firebombing of Adass Israel had been tracked to a series of other crimes, including a drive-by shooting in Bundoora on the same night and the firebombing of Lux Nightclub in Chapel Street, South Yarra, a fortnight before. A second source, who was familiar with the taskforce investigation but not authorised to speak publicly, said the car had been identified fairly soon after the Adass Israel attack but the decision was made to track the vehicle in the hope of identifying the person or group ultimately responsible. Several media outlets also withheld reporting the information to avoid compromising the investigation. While the car was seized by police in December, it was determined the two men, aged 21 and 22, who were arrested in May for the arson attack on the nightclub were not connected to the firebombing at Adass Israel. At the time, Tess Walsh, counterterrorism command assistant commissioner, called the alleged link between the blue Golf and the synagogue case a breakthrough. 'It's like a new methodology for us – it's a communal crime car potentially used by multiple groups and individuals in the commission of a range of different offences,' she said. 'We believe there are multiple offenders directly and indirectly linked to the synagogue arson, and our terrorism investigation into their actions continues. It is just a matter of time before police knock on your door. It is in your interest to come forward now.' Loading The case then appeared to go cold. Behind the scenes, police had been probing connections between Melbourne's nearly two-year-old 'tobacco war' and the attack at the synagogue because they bore many of the same hallmarks: young, violent offenders – some from street gangs – who were haphazardly torching seemingly unconnected targets using stolen cars. The motives for burning the tobacco shops appeared clear, but fires were also being lit at restaurants, auto shops, gyms, fruit stands and grocery stores, factories and homes. An underworld source, who is familiar with how the firebombing-for-hire system works but cannot be identified publicly, said a 'network' had been operating using encryption and specialised apps that allowed for the 'totally anonymous' commissioning of attacks. 'If you're connected, you can gain access to what's like an ordering system to contract out missions – arsons, shootings, stolen cars, guns. You don't know who you're hiring. Or maybe you hire someone who hires someone who hires someone. It's all done using encrypted apps. It creates a protective shield. 'The people getting the hotties [stolen cars] have no idea what they are being used for. It's an order to fill – put the car at X and leave. Then that car gets used in whatever job. 'Often the guys setting the fires don't know the exact target until a couple of hours before. They're nobodies – disposable street guys who'll do anything for money. They can't say anything because they don't know anything.' In the case of the Lux Nightclub, Bundoora drive-by shooting and Adass Israel attacks, those using the stolen car had blundered by not setting fire to it to destroy the evidence, as is common for these underworld networks. Instead, the car was reused, passed on or sold for use in other crimes. In June, the joint counterterrorism taskforce staged a series of raids at three homes in Melbourne's northern suburbs related to the Adass Israel synagogue investigation. There were no arrests or charges. The operation was an attempt to spook the suspects and their associates into disposing of evidence or contacting others who might be involved, but the tactic failed to generate fresh leads. 'The investigation is being treated as a priority, including the involvement of significant resources across all agencies,' the taskforce spokesperson said. 'An update will be provided at an appropriate time.' Allan, in December, said the formal terror declaration meant additional powers and resources for those investigating the attack, which she described as 'one of the most evil acts we've seen'. 'We're here today as a consequence of one of the most evil acts we've seen, one of the most evil acts [of antisemitism] and now, as has been determined by the policing agencies, a likely act of terrorism,' she said. Albanese has described the attack as 'an outrage' and an 'act of hate'.
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Firefighters warned of ‘dangers of partisan politics' after truck displays Liberal corflutes at Melbourne protest
Victoria's Country Fire Authority has issued a warning to its senior leadership about the 'dangers of partisan politics' and stressed it should remain 'apolitical' after Liberal party-branded corflutes were attached to a fire truck at a rally in Melbourne's western suburbs at the weekend. A truck from the CFA Inverleigh brigade displayed Liberal party corflutes during a rally in Werribee on Sunday, with a photo of the vehicle shared on social media by the party's South West Metro branch. At the same rally – held to protest against the government's new emergency services levy – some members of the Pura Pura brigade wrote 'ditch the bitch' and other offensive slogans on their truck, in an apparent reference to the premier, Jacinta Allan, that was criticised by gender equity groups. A CFA member in Melbourne's western suburbs, who asked not to be named due to fear of repercussions, said the event was 'blatantly aligned' with the Liberal party. 'There were Liberal party logos everywhere, at least three of the speakers were Liberal party members,' they said. The opposition leader, Brad Battin, attended Sunday's event, alongside upper house MPs Moira Deeming and Trung Luu. Battin said he did 'not endorse offensive signs or language at the protest', while his deputy, Sam Groth, told reporters on Tuesday he condemned the behaviour outright. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email An opposition spokesperson said they were also 'not aware of any CFA trucks carrying Liberal political advertising'. 'It is understood some volunteers may have been carrying signs over the weekend, if concerns have been raised, that's a matter for the CFA to manage in line with their own policies,' they said. The opposition spokesperson also denied the use of Liberal party signs could damage the CFA's integrity or compromise its apolitical position. 'Are we seriously questioning the integrity of CFA volunteers, the same men and women who drop everything to risk their lives to protect their communities … because some of them held up a sign at a protest?' they said. 'Volunteers protesting a tax that disproportionately affects regional communities isn't political. It's personal. They are standing up for the people they serve, just like they always have.' They added the CFA was made up of Victorians from 'all walks of life, including a sitting Labor MP'. The incidents prompted the CFA chief executive, Greg Leach, and chief officer, Jason Heffernan, to write to captains, group officers, commanders and other senior leaders on Tuesday night, urging them not to allow the 'current community debate' to 'undermine the trust and respect' for the volunteer-run organisation. 'To date many of our members who have chosen to attend community rallies have done so with respect, while maintaining community safety and confidence,' the letter, seen by Guardian Australia, reads. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion 'However, some recent slogans and political signage placed on our vehicles have breached community standards, CFA's policies, and our values, placing in jeopardy the respect and trust CFA enjoys across the broader community.' They said the situation 'served as a reminder of the dangers of partisan politics' and stressed the 'CFA is, and must always remain, apolitical'. 'It is timely to remind our members of the need to always uphold CFA's behavioural standards, values, and community confidence, when clearly identifiable as a CFA member, in CFA vehicles or at CFA locations, even when driven by a deep concern an individual may feel about an issue,' the letter reads. 'Communities look to us, trust and respect us. If we don't live up to those standards, we risk losing community support and this has a potential for far reaching negative impacts both locally in communities, and organisationally, at the state level.' In a statement, a CFA spokesperson confirmed the letter was sent to its leaders to 'reinforce our behavioural standards and policies'. They said 'appropriate actions have been taken' against those involved in the offensive slogans, referring to a statement the CFA issued on Tuesday. In it, they said they had spoken with the Pura Pura brigade to make it clear the slogans were unacceptable. The emergency services levy, which replaces the fire services levy, provides funding to the CFA, SES, State Control Centre and triple-zero – agencies facing increased pressure due to more frequent and extreme weather events. While the new levy brings Victoria in line with South Australia, and New South Wales has a similar scheme, it has sparked backlash as it will increase annual bills by an average of $63 for homeowners and $678 for primary producers. The government has responded by pausing the levy for farmers in 2025–26 and introducing a rebate for CFA and SES volunteers on their primary residence.
Sky News AU
4 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Education Minister Jason Clare says banning men from early childhood education 'not the solution' to abuse cases
At a press conference in Sydney on Wednesday, Mr Clare said the government would instead focus on evidence-backed reforms to strengthen child safety. The Albanese government's proposed reforms include a national register of early childhood workers and mandatory safety training. 'Just cutting blokes out altogether is not going to be the solution,' Mr Clare told reporters. 'We had royal commissions, the child safety review I commissioned after that serial paedophile was convicted in Queensland. 'We know what we need to do here. In none of the reports do they recommend (banning men), but they recommend the register and national mandatory safety training.' Mr Clare's remarks follow widespread public concern about allegations regarding child sex abuse in childcare centres. The cases have revived scrutiny of the sector less than a year after another former childcare worker was sentenced for the sexual abuse of nearly 70 children. Mr Clare has instructed his department to draft laws allowing the federal government to strip public funding from childcare centres that fail to meet safety standards. He reiterated that centres may choose to consult with parents about staffing and operations, but reaffirmed the government's position against banning male workers. 'There will be individual centres that we will talk to mums and dads about the way they operate in the system, but just cutting blokes out altogether is not going to be the solution.' He also dismissed suggestions that the government might introduce subsidies for in-home care by grandparents as an alternative to traditional childcare services. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has also announced a fast-tracked review of reforms, including a ban on personal devices in childcare centres from September 26. Her government will also consider installing closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in centres. "My government will take every action possible… to strengthen safety standards in early childhood settings and care, and to keep Victorian children safe," she said earlier in July.
The Age
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Age
Offensive slogan emblazoned on fire truck at Melbourne protest
National The Victorian opposition leader has been criticised for attending a protest where an offensive slogan targeting Premier Jacinta Allan was scrawled on a fire truck.
