Latest news with #PhilipGostelow
Perth Now
08-08-2025
- Perth Now
WATCH: Secret casino busted inside suburban Perth home
Eighteen people including a security guard and Crown Casino employee have been busted mid-game at an alleged illegal casino operating out of a suburban home. Authorities burst through the door to find players, organisers and security in the middle of a game of Baccarat inside a Marangaroo home in Perth's north. Police from the Transnational Serious Organised Crime Squad and investigators from Racing, Gaming and Liquor uncovered the operation in April. Gaming chips, a card dealing shoe and more than $83,000 in cash were seized from the operation. Authorities also found a professional-grade table and an electronic display showing the results from previous games played. Authorities seized more than $83,000 in cash from the alleged operation. Credit: Supplied A Racing, Gaming and Liquor spokesman said the Crown Perth employee was allegedly acting as a dealer at the illegal casino and his licence has now been suspended by the Gaming and Wagering Commission. A police spokesman said no one has been charged and investigations were ongoing. It is the fourth raid carried out in Perth since 2023, resulting in other casino dealers losing their licence, action being taken against organisers and almost $300,000 seized during the raids. Authorities burst through the door to find 18 people including players, organisers, security and a Crown Casino employee allegedly in the middle of an illegal game of Baccarat. Credit: Supplied In July, three men were fined $25,000 in the Perth Magistrates Court after a raid at an unlawful gaming house in Mount Lawley seized about $130,000 in cash. Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia said authorities would not stop dismantling illegal gambling networks. 'We're not targeting casual poker nights - these are professional setups, often tied to organised crime, which is why we're cracking down,' he said. 'People involved risk criminal charges, and licensed dealers will lose both their licence and their job.' Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia said illegal casinos were not casual poker nights - these were professional setups, often tied to organised crime. NewsWire /Philip Gostelow Credit: NCA NewsWire Gaming and Wagering Commission chair Gary Dreibers said they relied on the police and regulator to find illegal gambling houses and stamp them out to ensure that gaming and wagering operated lawfully and ethically. 'It's well known that these unlawful casinos are used by people betting with money derived from criminal activities and attract players who have been banned from Perth's casino for various reasons,' he said. 'Authorities will continue to be vigilant and work co-operatively to disrupt these illegal gambling activities, so we warn potential event organisers and participants to think twice as we could soon be knocking on their door.' Police Minister Reece Whitby said stopping illegal gaming events sent a message to the people who were participating or thinking about participating in unlawful gambling operations 'The Cook Government is committed to removing these illegal makeshift casinos from the WA community because the consequences are serious,' he said. 'Anyone thinking of organising or playing in the unlawful gambling networks should expect the WA Police Forces' Transnational Serious Organised Crime Squad to knock on your door because they're often linked to organised crime.'
Perth Now
05-08-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Japan beats rival for $10bn Aus deal
Japan has beaten Germany in a bid to build Australia's new $10bn frigate fleet, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles has announced. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will build 11 Mogami-class, which will form the foundation of Australia's attack warships. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles has confirmed Japan will build Australia's new $10bn frigate fleet. NewsWire / Philip Gostelow Credit: News Corp Australia 'This decision represents the biggest capability acquisition decision that the government has made since announcing the optimal pathway to acquiring our future submarine capability back in March of 2023,' Mr Marles told reporters at Parliament House. 'When our government came to office, we inherited the oldest surface combatant fleet that the navy had been operating since the end of the Second World War. 'And there were no plans to introduce a new surface combatant into service until 2034, which would be the first of the Hunter Class vessels.' More to come.
Perth Now
11-07-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Court security officers strike over pay
Court security staff have walked off the job for eight hours, accusing the firm responsible for Western Australia's court security, of backflipping on key safety agreements. The court security and custodial officers said the company Ventia had mismanaged negotiations, caused delay, and dishonoured previously agreed terms. Assistant Secretary of the TWU speaking at a rally outside the Ventia office, where court security staff walked off the job in protest. NewsWire/Philip Gostelow Credit: News Corp Australia Members of the Transport Workers Union rallied outside Perth's Supreme Court Gardens, sending what they say is a 'direct message' to Ventia and the WA government to 'fix this contract now.' TWU WA state secretary Tim Dawson said workers had been pushed to the brink by poor wages, unsafe staffing levels and what the union described as a backflip on already agreed conditions. 'Ventia's latest offer is an insult. They're playing games with our safety and our livelihoods,' Mr Dawson said. Court Security and Custodial Officers employed by Ventia, walked off their jobs in protest against Ventia's failed handling of their enterprise agreement negotiations. Perth, WA. NewsWire/Philip Gostelow Credit: News Corp Australia 'The message we're sending on Friday is crystal clear: we will not accept inferior wages, broken promises or disrespect. Fix this contract now.' The protest, which began at 7.30am, follows months of frustration among security officers, who say they are still waiting for fair pay despite the Cook Labor government injecting an extra $6m into the contract earlier this year. The workers are demanding pay parity with counterparts employed by private security firm G4S. Members of the Transport Workers Union said they're done waiting while their safety, conditions and pay are ignored. NewsWire/Philip Gostelow Credit: News Corp Australia The TWU says the company has failed to deliver on safer rosters and other agreed improvements, adding that chronic understaffing continues to place officers at risk. 'Workers will not stop until they win fair wages, safety and respect,' the union said in a statement. It's the second major strike by Ventia-employed court security officers this year, after a similar eight-hour action was held in January.
Perth Now
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Brutal move after senator's shock act
WA Senator Dorinda Cox has been wiped from the website and MP listings of her former party following her shock defection to Labor. Donning a maroon shirt and a massive smile, Senator Cox addressed the media on Monday afternoon alongside the Prime Minister at Perth's Kings Park. The Greens, her former party, were alerted to the defection a mere hour and half earlier. Senator Cox had been removed from the Greens' official website by the end of the press conference, with the URL link to her profile scrubbed and replaced with an 'ACCESS DENIED' banner. She also no longer appears in the listings of the party's representatives. Prime Minister Albanese at a Press Conference announcing former Green's Senator Dorinda Cox has joined the Labor Party. NewsWire/Philip Gostelow Credit: News Corp Australia Leader Larissa Waters questioned how the senator's values could align with a party that last week approved the North West Shelf gas project. 'The Greens are disappointed in Senator Cox's decision to leave the Greens and join the Labor Party as a backbencher,' Senator Waters said. 'Senator Cox has said that her values align with the Labor Party. 'This is the same Labor Party who this week approved the climate wrecking North West Shelf gas project, which UNESCO advises will destroy significant First Nations heritage and ancient rock art.' Senator Waters said Senator Cox would have had 'more chance of effecting change by continuing to work with the Greens in the sole balance of power'. 'The Greens are committed to continuing to work for Truth, Treaty and Justice with First Nations people and will continue to work to protect country and the climate that is under such threat from Labor Party decisions in Western Australia,' she said. 'We wish her well.' Senator Cox told her former party of her departure 'an hour prior' to the press conference at Perth's Kings Park. NewsWire/Philip Gostelow Credit: News Corp Australia A statement by the Greens confirmed they had received notice of the move 'an hour prior'. It comes following months of internal conflict with the Greens, her former party, with several former staffers coming forward with bullying allegations against the senator. Up to 20 staff left the office of Senator Cox in three years, Nine News reported in October. Anthony Albanese said he was comfortable those complaints had been adequately addressed.'We examined everything that had been considered in the past. Those issues were dealt with appropriately,' he said. 'My government has established very clear guidelines, meaning that any issues relating to workplaces and making sure that workplaces are safe are properly examined. They were all dealt with in Senator Cox's case and dealt with appropriately.' Current and former Greens staffers have been left 'disappointed' in the move following bullying allegations against the senator. NewsWire/Philip Gostelow Credit: News Corp Australia A former staffer told The Australian while it was not surprising to see Senator Cox part ways with the Greens, it was 'shocking' to see her accepted into the Labor fold by Mr Albanese. 'It is disturbing that Labor and the Prime Minister would welcome into their party someone with such a history of alleged bullying.'
Perth Now
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
‘Heartbreaking': Gas extension decision slammed
Faith leaders say they are 'deeply troubled' by the Federal Government's decision to approve the extension of the North West Shelf gas processing facility to 2070. On Wednesday, Labor approved a 40-year extension of the country's largest gas plant. While Environment Minister Murray Watt's decision to grant the approval for Woodside's North West Shelf extension in Western Australia's Pilbara has been praised by industry and unions, others have condemned it due to the threat to the Murujuga cultural heritage. President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Rev Charissa Suli told reporters in Perth on Sunday, she is 'profoundly disappointed' about the approval of the North West Shelf gas processing facility. Faith leaders say they are 'deeply troubled' by the Federal Government's decision to approve the extension of the North West Shelf Gas processing facility to 2070. NewsWire/Philip Gostelow Credit: News Corp Australia 'As a daughter of the Pacific, I have witnessed first-hand the devastating impacts of climate change on culturally rich but environmentally vulnerable nations in our region,' she said. 'These nations — many of which are home to Uniting Church partners within the Asia-Pacific — contribute the least to global emissions yet suffer the greatest consequences. 'Why then is approval granted to an old, polluting facility to continue emitting vast volumes of climate damaging emissions of a magnitude many times greater than the emissions of all the Pacific nations? This is not loving thy neighbour.' Rev Mitchell Garlett from the Uniting Aboriginal & Islander Christian Congress added he is 'very disappointed' that the decision was made without 'close consultation with the relevant Traditional Owners'. 'The connection we feel to Country is not just a physical thing but a spiritual connection that is deeper than what we see with our eyes,' he said. 'It is heartbreaking that reconciliation is spoken of but our brothers and sisters voices are not being heard, and the land continues to suffer for so-called progress.' Rev Dr Ian Tozer added they are 'deeply concerned' by the threat to First Nations cultural heritage sites, including 60,000-year-old priceless petroglyphs at the World Heritage nominated Murujuga rock art site. President of the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change, pictured here, at the event outside Wesley Uniting Church, in Perth, WA. NewsWire/Philip Gostelow Credit: News Corp Australia 'It is vital that these ancient sites, so precious to Australia's First Peoples and to our history, are not further damaged by industry,' he said. Meanwhile, Woodside has said the approval would support thousands of jobs and supply affordable energy to Western Australia. The project has supplied 6000 petajoules of domestic gas, powering homes and industry in Western Australia with enough energy to power homes in a city the size of Perth for approximately 175 years, the company said. Environmental groups estimate the project will produce 4.3 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions over its lifetime.
