Latest news with #LawEnforcementConductCommission
Sydney Morning Herald
6 days ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Mark Latham escapes condemnation over behaviour in parliament - at least for now
Rogue MP Mark Latham has escaped attempts by the NSW government to condemn his behaviour in parliament after he was accused of abusing parliamentary privilege to reveal secret information. Labor's leader in the upper house, Penny Sharpe, moved to condemn Latham, arguing he revealed contents of a Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) report which was under a non-publication order, and shared medical information relating to MP Alex Greenwich, which the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal intended to be kept confidential. 'The Honourable Mark Latham, MLC, has done and said things that challenge the work we all do to better the culture of this place, and he has abused the privileges and immunities that we hold,' Sharpe said. The LECC report on Operation Askern detailed an investigation into the Commissioner's gin scandal after then-police commissioner Karen Webb used public funds to purchase alcohol from a distillery owned by one of her friends to be used as gifts. The contents of the report were made available to MPs with an order preventing their release to the public. The government failed to get the support needed to pass the motion condemning Latham, with the Coalition and the Greens voting to delay the debate until October. The house agreed to refer Latham to the powerful privileges committee first. The committee will also look into the conduct of Latham and other members towards MPs and staff and the progress parliament is making towards a safer workplace culture after it was revealed through leaked messages that Latham had taken secret photographs of female MPs in the chamber. Liberal Susan Carter, the subject of one of the photographs, said she would not support a motion condemning Latham until the committee had reported back. Latham used the fiery debate to rehash grievances against his political nemesis, Greenwich, as well as Webb, Labor MPs and the media.
The Age
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Age
Mark Latham escapes condemnation over behaviour in parliament, at least for now
Rogue MP Mark Latham has escaped attempts by the NSW government to condemn his behaviour in parliament after he was accused of abusing parliamentary privilege to reveal secret information. Labor's leader in the upper house, Penny Sharpe, moved to condemn Latham, arguing he revealed contents of a Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) report which was under a non-publication order, and shared medical information relating to MP Alex Greenwich, which the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal intended to be kept confidential. 'The Honourable Mark Latham, MLC, has done and said things that challenge the work we all do to better the culture of this place, and he has abused the privileges and immunities that we hold,' Sharpe said. The LECC report on Operation Askern detailed an investigation into the Commissioner's Gin scandal, after then-police commissioner Karen Webb used public funds to purchase alcohol from a distillery owned by one of her friends to be used as gifts. The contents of the report were made available to MPs with an order preventing its contents from being released to the public. The government failed to get the support needed to pass the motion condemning Latham, instead the Coalition and the Greens voted to delay the debate until October. The house agreed to refer Latham to the powerful privileges committee first. The committee will also look into the conduct of Latham and other members towards MPs and staff and the progress parliament is making towards a safer workplace culture, after it was revealed through leaked messages that Latham had taken secret photographs of female MPs while in the chamber. Loading Liberal Susan Carter, the subject of one of the photographs, said she would not support a motion condemning Latham until the committee had reported back. Latham used the fiery debate to rehash grievances he has against his political nemesis Greenwich, as well as Webb, Labor MPs and the media.
Sydney Morning Herald
6 days ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Mark Latham escapes condemnation over behaviour in parliament, at least for now
Rogue MP Mark Latham has escaped attempts by the NSW government to condemn his behaviour in parliament after he was accused of abusing parliamentary privilege to reveal secret information. Labor's leader in the upper house, Penny Sharpe, moved to condemn Latham, arguing he revealed contents of a Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) report which was under a non-publication order, and shared medical information relating to MP Alex Greenwich, which the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal intended to be kept confidential. 'The Honourable Mark Latham, MLC, has done and said things that challenge the work we all do to better the culture of this place, and he has abused the privileges and immunities that we hold,' Sharpe said. The LECC report on Operation Askern detailed an investigation into the Commissioner's Gin scandal, after then-police commissioner Karen Webb used public funds to purchase alcohol from a distillery owned by one of her friends to be used as gifts. The contents of the report were made available to MPs with an order preventing its contents from being released to the public. The government failed to get the support needed to pass the motion condemning Latham, instead the Coalition and the Greens voted to delay the debate until October. The house agreed to refer Latham to the powerful privileges committee first. The committee will also look into the conduct of Latham and other members towards MPs and staff and the progress parliament is making towards a safer workplace culture, after it was revealed through leaked messages that Latham had taken secret photographs of female MPs while in the chamber. Loading Liberal Susan Carter, the subject of one of the photographs, said she would not support a motion condemning Latham until the committee had reported back. Latham used the fiery debate to rehash grievances he has against his political nemesis Greenwich, as well as Webb, Labor MPs and the media.
The Advertiser
03-07-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Protest laws questioned after 'indefensible' injuries
Pro-democracy groups say controversial laws granting police powers to move protesters on from places of worship have emboldened the force to "act with impunity". Days after the violent arrest of one-time federal Greens candidate Hannah Thomas, advocates have written an open letter to NSW Premier Chris Minns with concerns about a "criminalisation and police powers creep". Ms Thomas, who was among five people arrested in Sydney on Friday outside an Australian firm reportedly linked to the manufacture of components for Israeli Defence Force fighter jets, was hospitalised and could suffer permanent vision loss. The arrests will be investigated by police officers from another command, with internal review by professional standards and external oversight from police watchdog the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission. Australian Democracy Network protest rights campaigner Anastasia Radievska said the incident showed the 'places of worship' laws had given police extra impetus to violently shut down protests. The laws were introduced by the state Labor government after a spate of anti-Semitic attacks across the country, with the stated intention of protecting people being targeted by disruptive protesters when entering or leaving a place of worship. "The passage of the places of worship anti-protest legislation has emboldened the NSW Police to act with impunity in shutting down protests when they're merely occurring near a place of worship," Ms Radievska said. "The place of worship move-on powers are not fit for purpose, and they must be immediately repealed before more protesters are subject to reckless police action … participating in protest cannot be an invitation to assault and serious injury from police." Friday's protest in Belmore was opposite a mosque but it was not the target of demonstrators. Police have denied the laws were relied upon in the arrest. Doctor Mitch Hickson said Ms Thomas' injuries were "medically significant" and "ethically indefensible". "Facial trauma of the kind she has experienced - requiring surgery and with the potential for permanent vision loss - should never be the outcome of lawful protest activity and reveals a disproportionate and excessive use of force by the police," he said. ""A democracy cannot function where lawful protest is met with force, where questions are answered with violence, and where power is exercised without accountability." The open letter calls for an independent investigation into the policing of the Belmore protest and urgent amendments to the places of worship protest laws. Signatories include Amnesty International Australia, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights and the Jewish Council of Australia. Pro-democracy groups say controversial laws granting police powers to move protesters on from places of worship have emboldened the force to "act with impunity". Days after the violent arrest of one-time federal Greens candidate Hannah Thomas, advocates have written an open letter to NSW Premier Chris Minns with concerns about a "criminalisation and police powers creep". Ms Thomas, who was among five people arrested in Sydney on Friday outside an Australian firm reportedly linked to the manufacture of components for Israeli Defence Force fighter jets, was hospitalised and could suffer permanent vision loss. The arrests will be investigated by police officers from another command, with internal review by professional standards and external oversight from police watchdog the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission. Australian Democracy Network protest rights campaigner Anastasia Radievska said the incident showed the 'places of worship' laws had given police extra impetus to violently shut down protests. The laws were introduced by the state Labor government after a spate of anti-Semitic attacks across the country, with the stated intention of protecting people being targeted by disruptive protesters when entering or leaving a place of worship. "The passage of the places of worship anti-protest legislation has emboldened the NSW Police to act with impunity in shutting down protests when they're merely occurring near a place of worship," Ms Radievska said. "The place of worship move-on powers are not fit for purpose, and they must be immediately repealed before more protesters are subject to reckless police action … participating in protest cannot be an invitation to assault and serious injury from police." Friday's protest in Belmore was opposite a mosque but it was not the target of demonstrators. Police have denied the laws were relied upon in the arrest. Doctor Mitch Hickson said Ms Thomas' injuries were "medically significant" and "ethically indefensible". "Facial trauma of the kind she has experienced - requiring surgery and with the potential for permanent vision loss - should never be the outcome of lawful protest activity and reveals a disproportionate and excessive use of force by the police," he said. ""A democracy cannot function where lawful protest is met with force, where questions are answered with violence, and where power is exercised without accountability." The open letter calls for an independent investigation into the policing of the Belmore protest and urgent amendments to the places of worship protest laws. Signatories include Amnesty International Australia, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights and the Jewish Council of Australia. Pro-democracy groups say controversial laws granting police powers to move protesters on from places of worship have emboldened the force to "act with impunity". Days after the violent arrest of one-time federal Greens candidate Hannah Thomas, advocates have written an open letter to NSW Premier Chris Minns with concerns about a "criminalisation and police powers creep". Ms Thomas, who was among five people arrested in Sydney on Friday outside an Australian firm reportedly linked to the manufacture of components for Israeli Defence Force fighter jets, was hospitalised and could suffer permanent vision loss. The arrests will be investigated by police officers from another command, with internal review by professional standards and external oversight from police watchdog the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission. Australian Democracy Network protest rights campaigner Anastasia Radievska said the incident showed the 'places of worship' laws had given police extra impetus to violently shut down protests. The laws were introduced by the state Labor government after a spate of anti-Semitic attacks across the country, with the stated intention of protecting people being targeted by disruptive protesters when entering or leaving a place of worship. "The passage of the places of worship anti-protest legislation has emboldened the NSW Police to act with impunity in shutting down protests when they're merely occurring near a place of worship," Ms Radievska said. "The place of worship move-on powers are not fit for purpose, and they must be immediately repealed before more protesters are subject to reckless police action … participating in protest cannot be an invitation to assault and serious injury from police." Friday's protest in Belmore was opposite a mosque but it was not the target of demonstrators. Police have denied the laws were relied upon in the arrest. Doctor Mitch Hickson said Ms Thomas' injuries were "medically significant" and "ethically indefensible". "Facial trauma of the kind she has experienced - requiring surgery and with the potential for permanent vision loss - should never be the outcome of lawful protest activity and reveals a disproportionate and excessive use of force by the police," he said. ""A democracy cannot function where lawful protest is met with force, where questions are answered with violence, and where power is exercised without accountability." The open letter calls for an independent investigation into the policing of the Belmore protest and urgent amendments to the places of worship protest laws. Signatories include Amnesty International Australia, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights and the Jewish Council of Australia. Pro-democracy groups say controversial laws granting police powers to move protesters on from places of worship have emboldened the force to "act with impunity". Days after the violent arrest of one-time federal Greens candidate Hannah Thomas, advocates have written an open letter to NSW Premier Chris Minns with concerns about a "criminalisation and police powers creep". Ms Thomas, who was among five people arrested in Sydney on Friday outside an Australian firm reportedly linked to the manufacture of components for Israeli Defence Force fighter jets, was hospitalised and could suffer permanent vision loss. The arrests will be investigated by police officers from another command, with internal review by professional standards and external oversight from police watchdog the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission. Australian Democracy Network protest rights campaigner Anastasia Radievska said the incident showed the 'places of worship' laws had given police extra impetus to violently shut down protests. The laws were introduced by the state Labor government after a spate of anti-Semitic attacks across the country, with the stated intention of protecting people being targeted by disruptive protesters when entering or leaving a place of worship. "The passage of the places of worship anti-protest legislation has emboldened the NSW Police to act with impunity in shutting down protests when they're merely occurring near a place of worship," Ms Radievska said. "The place of worship move-on powers are not fit for purpose, and they must be immediately repealed before more protesters are subject to reckless police action … participating in protest cannot be an invitation to assault and serious injury from police." Friday's protest in Belmore was opposite a mosque but it was not the target of demonstrators. Police have denied the laws were relied upon in the arrest. Doctor Mitch Hickson said Ms Thomas' injuries were "medically significant" and "ethically indefensible". "Facial trauma of the kind she has experienced - requiring surgery and with the potential for permanent vision loss - should never be the outcome of lawful protest activity and reveals a disproportionate and excessive use of force by the police," he said. ""A democracy cannot function where lawful protest is met with force, where questions are answered with violence, and where power is exercised without accountability." The open letter calls for an independent investigation into the policing of the Belmore protest and urgent amendments to the places of worship protest laws. Signatories include Amnesty International Australia, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights and the Jewish Council of Australia.
The Age
25-06-2025
- Health
- The Age
The man's head injury could be seen on CCTV. Police refused to call an ambulance
The sounds of the Aboriginal man repeatedly banging his head against his cell door rang out across the regional police station. A senior officer, sitting less than four metres away, shields his ear as he continues his phone call. Despite a lesion so large it could be seen on CCTV forming on the man's forehead, police never called an ambulance. The man, who suffered from anxiety, depression and schizophrenia, hit his head up to 40 times in the 30 minutes after he entered custody. His behaviour continued for hours, slamming his head against the metal cell bench, the perspex door and the brick wall. The movements were violent, forceful and repetitive, a report by the police watchdog found. The man, known only as CAE, his treatment and a senior officer's refusal to call an ambulance have been outlined in the report by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission. It found the officer's 'unconscious racism' caused him to ignore the man's severe self-harming behaviour. CAE was a local known to police. The senior officer, who had 16 years' experience, was aware of his mental health conditions, self-harming and suicidal behaviour, along with his history of drug and alcohol use, all of which are risk factors for people in custody. CAE was arrested in a regional town for breaching an apprehended domestic violence order. Two months prior, he had gone to the home of his former partner, where he physically assaulted and made threats against her. The headbanging began almost as soon as he was in the police truck, and continued once placed in a clear perspex cell at the station around 11pm. The senior officer told the commission he assumed CAE was banging his foot but didn't bother to check. He was scheduled to be checked on every 60 minutes, the maximum interval allowed by the custody management system.
