Latest news with #RoyalChildren'sHospital
7NEWS
7 days ago
- 7NEWS
Man jailed for 15 years after repeatedly raping seven-year-old girl at wife's daycare centre in Point Cook, Victoria
WARNING: Confronting content The husband of a daycare owner has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for repeatedly raping a seven-year-old girl at his wife's centre. The now 50-year-old offender was found guilty of repeatedly sexually assaulting the child between February 2021 and August 2022 at their home-turned centre in Point Cook, southwest of Melbourne. The girl had been attending the centre since she was two years old. The offences took place in the lounge room during the day, while she was in after-school care and on weekends. The abuse came to light in November 2022, when the girl complained to her older sister she was experiencing pain in her genital area. She was taken to a doctor the following day and disclosed what had happened. Following the consultation, she was then referred to the Royal Children's Hospital, and Victoria Police were contacted. In her police interview, the girl said she felt 'scared' and 'tricked' by the man, who would 'ask if she liked it and had a weird smile'. Police obtained CCTV footage from the lounge room, but no recordings from the period when the offences occurred had been retained. Since the offending, the young girl suffers from nightmares, is afraid of the dark, and insists on having a camera in her room for a sense of safety, the Herald Sun reported. She also continues to experience difficulties at school. Her mother told the court she now lives in a constant state of guilt and emotional pain. 'I blame myself for what happened … The anxiety, the helplessness, the fear that I failed her is like running a marathon I never signed up for. And it never ends,' said the mother, according to the Herald Sun. 'These are not things a child should ever have to worry about or fear.' The masthead reported the offender emigrated from the Philippines in 2002. It remains unclear whether he held a Working With Children Check, how many other children were enrolled at the centre, and if their families have been informed. Judge Harper described the man's actions as 'abhorrent'. 'Your victim was only seven years of age. Your actions were abhorrent and as conceded by your counsel, the offending was humiliating, demeaning and objectifying,' she said. 'You breached the trust of your victim and her family and led her to believe your wife knew of the offending so it was alright. 'Your offending was opportunistic, committed on occasions where your wife was not in the vicinity.' He was sentenced to a total of 15 years and six months in prison, with a non-parole period of nine years and nine months. He must complete a sex offenders treatment program and will remain on the sex offenders register for life. A Department of Education spokesperson said the family daycare has been banned to eliminate further risk to children's safety.
The Age
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Age
Councillor Jane Agirtan turns her sights on CBD columnist
Our item about independent Kingston councillor (and former Liberal Party member) Jane Agirtan receiving back pay after her council suspension was rescinded, hit a nerve with one reader … Jane Agirtan herself. Regular readers will recall the recent news Agirtan was allowed back on council after escaping conviction in Moorabbin Magistrates' Court. A magistrate ordered that the Liberal-turned-independent councillor make a $2000 donation to the Royal Children's Hospital as punishment for breaching an intervention order. Agirtan was in hot water after she allegedly doxxed a lawyer who had posted anonymous criticism of her online. The breach occurred when the post in question was not removed within 24 hours as per a court order. After our item, which detailed that Agirtan had exposed the lawyer's name and work firm, and urged her followers to help the lawyer overcome their 'Aunty Jane derangement syndrome', the councillor and tax manager responded in a social media post by … doxxing your columnist in an Instagram post. Loading 'Can't talk, too busy collecting backpay… and receipts,' Agirtan wrote, with a screenshot of our attempts to reach out. She followed up with what we took was criticism of our attempts to get in contact with her (none of which were responded to). 'Frantically ringing my council phone like it's Triple J's Hottest 100 vote line is giving … unpaid intern,' she wrote over a screenshot of this columnist's phone number.
The Age
26-06-2025
- Politics
- The Age
Councillor's Facebook fiasco lands her a philanthropic penalty
Local Kingston councillor Jane Agirtan is surely breathing a sigh of relief this week, after escaping conviction in Moorabbin Magistrates' Court, where she was facing a charge of breaching an intervention order. Instead, the former Liberal Party member-turned-independent was ordered by a magistrate to make a $2000 donation to the Royal Children's Hospital as punishment. 'Bonus: the donation is tax-deductible. I'm off to the post office first thing this morning to sort the money order – because, you know, accountability,' Agirtan commented on a local Facebook page. This winding tale dates back to October's fever-pitched council elections, when an anonymous Reddit user posted, according to material heard in court, the following: 'Jane Agirtan (bully, transphobe, anti-vaxxer) elected to Kingston council.' Agirtan, having identified the poster's real name, then shared it with her 4000 Facebook followers – along with their workplace, a prominent Melbourne legal firm. She urged her followers to 'collectively help' the lawyer 'overcome her Auntie Jane derangement syndrome'. An online pile-on allegedly followed, prompting the court to grant the lawyer a personal safety intervention order against Agirtan. Charge sheets show the councillor was subsequently charged with breaching that order by failing to remove the post within 24 hours. While the post remained online for months after the fact (albeit with the name in question edited out), Agirtan's Facebook account now appears to have been wiped clean. But the independent councillor still might have a few hurdles to leap. She was stood down from her role in April, pending the outcome of the Magistrates' Court case.
Herald Sun
18-05-2025
- Business
- Herald Sun
Backroom Baz: Dan Andrews' team throws city gath without him
Time flies when you're having fun. It's already been a year since the mighty team behind Daniel Andrews joined forces to start a new consultancy, and what a party they threw to celebrate. Andrews' former chief of staff Lissie Ratcliffe, her deputy Jessie McCrone, ex strategy guru Ben Foster, and one longtime spin doctor formed FMRS Advisory last year to flog their corporate and government knowledge to cashed up clients. After what Baz is told was a slow start to get up and running they must be doing OK, given the swish party at QV's No Vacancy Gallery on Wednesday. It was a who's who of Labor-aligned politicos from Lord Mayor Nick Reece to MPs Danny Pearson, Michaela Settle and Belinda Wilson. VCCI boss Paul Guerra was there as were a slew of former advisers to top ministers including Lisa Neville, Tim Pallas and Martin Pakula. Royal Children's Hospital comms boss Kog Ravindran was among the crowd as was current staffers from Jactina Allan's office. One person noticeably absent from the do? Dan himself. Which made Baz feel better for not getting an invite. Maybe next year. Jaclyn goes green for maiden budget When she delivers her first budget this week, Jaclyn Symes will be only the second of our top bean counters to be granted permission of the lower house to appear in its glorious green chamber to do so. Symes is just the second upper house MP to hold the position, following Brumby government treasurer John Lenders. Manager of government business, Mary-Anne Thomas, said she was looking forward to welcoming Symes. 'I will reflect that I am a person that normally does not really welcome those from the other house into this place,' she said. 'I think that this is the people's house and that we are the engine of government here in the Legislative Assembly. 'The house of review does its job, but seriously we are the people on the ground every day responding to the needs of our constituents. However, in this case, I want to make an exception because I do very much look forward to welcoming our Treasurer.' Baz is told it's still to be decided whether Jac will be allowed to bring her knife in, or be forced to leave it at the door. Watch this space. Unearthing the past The federal election might be over, but Baz couldn't let this one go. First-time Labor candidate Tully Fletcher ran a troubled campaign in the Bass Coast seat of Monash, which led to a rare swing towards successful Liberal candidate, Mary Aldred. But why? Could it have been locals unearthed some of his controversial statements: like publicly describing Hillary Clinton's personality as being akin to a mythical creature renowned for its unpleasant stench, comparing Julia Gillard to a character from TV show Yes Minister and sternly criticising the party's factional system? The comments were made in newspaper editorials he co-authored when he was a law student and co-editor of the Australian National University student newspaper, Woroni. Mr Fletcher declined to comment this week, including on whether his comments about Ms Clinton were sexist. 'It's a no comment from me,' he said. Mr Fletcher and his co-editor also called for Australia to dump the Royal Family, calling the Monarchy 'patently ridiculous'. Mr Fletcher's view on the monarchy was in stark contrast to the people he sought to represent on the Bass Coast, who in 1999 voted overwhelmingly in favour of retaining the monarchy. Mr Fletcher was, until the campaign, working as a director at consultancy firm Deloitte. Before that he worked as a staffer to Andrews government minister Martin Pakula. He declined to comment on his future plans. $600k annual pay salary up for grabs It's been a couple of weeks since Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry boss, Paul Guerra, announced he was moving on to greener pasture with Melbourne Football Club. So it begs the question, who will fill the big shoes and flash jackets he'll leave at VCCI's Collins St headquarters? Former Property Council head turned podcaster Danni Hunter's name keeps getting mentioned, as does that of Committee for Melbourne boss Scott Veenker. Long running VCCI chief of staff, and sometime acting boss, Chanelle Pearson, is also considered a contender, if only an outside chance. Baz is told the field of candidates is growing slowly, but among the small grouping there is some fierce competition for the coveted job which boasts access to Melbourne's top movers and shakers, and a $600,000 annual pay packet to boot. Nice work if you can get it. Great debate back for more Spring St's newest and greatest annual event is back. After the huge success of the inaugural Great Debate between pollies and journalists last year, it's back for a second go in what has become one of the Victorian Parliament's most anticipated nights. Baz can hardly think of a better way to raise money for charity. Last year more than $15,000 was raised for the Lions V District Skin Cancer van which provides a free skin testing service across the state. This year all funds will go to Need for Feed to support drought-stricken farmers. The question? That AI politicians would be better than real politicians. The Australian Financial Review's Sumeyya Ilanbey, ABC's Raf Epstein and 3AW's Tom Elliott will take on minister Gabrielle Williams, the Liberal Party's David Hodgett and Jade Benham from the Nationals. Baz reckons the debate is fast on its way to becoming Spring St's own entertainment and networking opportunity with charity the big winner. Tickets here. Credlin: Why didn't the Libs call out Labor's super tax? Read related topics: Daniel Andrews
West Australian
12-05-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
Teal Monique Ryan claims key Victorian seat of Kooyong from Liberals Amelia Hamer
Liberal candidate for Kooyong Amelia Hamer has conceded defeat to teal independent Monique Ryan, with result taking nine days to finalise. Ms Hamer revealed in a post on her Instagram about 4.30pm on Monday that she had called Dr Ryan to congratulate her on her re-election. 'While counting continues, it is now clear the remaining ballots will not deliver us the majority we need to win the seat,' the post said. Dr Ryan released a statement shortly after, thanking Ms Hamer for her campaign and wishing her the best for the future. 'I am deeply grateful to my family, friends, my incredible team, and the many, many Kooyong volunteers, for their unwavering support over the past three years and throughout this campaign,' Dr Ryan said. 'It's a crucial time for Australia – we're facing a cost-of-living crisis, housing shortages, increasing intergenerational inequity, and our response to the global challenge of climate change has been too slow and too incremental. 'With the Albanese government holding an increased majority, it's time for it to show the courage we need – and respect the mandate given to it by the Australian public – by taking real action on these issues. 'I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue to hold the government to account on the economy, climate, health, and the other critical issues for my community.' Ms Hamer said standing as the Liberal candidate 'has been an honour' and thanked a list of groups who had supported her campaign. 'To the more than 54,811 Kooyong locals who voted for me, thank you for your confidence and trust in me as a potential representative,' she said. 'To those who took the time to speak with me and share your perspectives, values and ideas, thank you. 'To all our incredible volunteers who knocked on countless doors, stood at train stations in the early mornings, and shopping centres on the weekend thank you.' Ms Hamer concluded the post by saying the Liberal values 'like individual freedom, equality of opportunity, and free enterprise', are 'timeless' and 'worth fighting for'. 'We are so lucky to have a beautiful local community, a fair democracy, and a wonderful country,' she said. 'I hope to play my small part in making it a better place, now and into the future.' The battle for the seat of Kooyong was one of the most closely watched of the May 23 election, after controversial moments derailed the campaign for both candidates. As election campaigning began to ramp up in March, Dr Ryan's husband was forced to apologise after he was filmed tearing down a corflute poster belonging to rival candidate Ms Hamer. A month later, Ms Hamer was called out by Nine newspapers for owning properties in Canberra and London, despite claiming to be a renter throughout her election campaign. Dr Ryan claimed Kooyong at the 2022 election, where she controversially booted former treasurer Josh Frydenberg. Dr Ryan was a pediatric neurologist at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne before she entered politics. 'I was elected to advocate for urgent action on climate change, integrity in politics, and a strong and sustainable economy,' her website says.
