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West Australian
22-05-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
EDITORIAL: Shootings a tragic consequence of anti-Semitism
The two Israeli embassy staffers killed by a gunman in Washington DC had the right to expect to be safe. They weren't in a war zone. They were at a museum in America's heart of democracy. The victims, a young couple who planned to get engaged next week on a trip to Israel, were there to attend an event for young diplomats. Speakers at the event included those devoted to humanitarian aid missions across the Middle East and North Africa. Their killer, Elias Rodriguez, is a 30-year-old from Chicago who has had never been in trouble with the law before, authorities say. He approached the couple as they left the event with two friends, and opened fire. After killing the pair, he walked into the museum where he was detained by security. According to DC police chief Pamela Smith, once in custody, he chanted 'Free, free Palestine'. What drives a person to murder two strangers? To take the lives of people entirely unknown to him, who had done nothing to him? Details of Rodriguez' background are scant at this early stage. But there could be little doubt about his motivations. US President Donald Trump called the act a 'depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism'. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin described the deaths as 'horrific anti-Semitic murder'. 'We are witnessing the terrible price of anti-Semitism and wild incitement against the State of Israel,' he said. 'The blood libels against Israel are rising in blood and must be fought to the bitter end.' These murders will deeply affect the Jewish community — including in Australia. Australia's Jewish community understands what it's like to have their sense of safety stolen away from them. Every act of anti-Semitism that has occurred in this country and others since the atrocities of October 7, 2023 have chipped away at it. These murders will erode it even further. There are clear differences between Australia and the US. But the frightening reality is that something like this is possible here. The 'wild incitement' Mr Netanyahu spoke about exist here too and they are destroying our social cohesion and sowing the seeds of violent anti-Semitic hatred. As Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dvir Abramovich writes in The Nightly today, radicalisation starts with words 'repeated, unchallenged, and unleashed into public life'. 'Before bullets are fired, words are sharpened. And when speech loses its guardrails, when empathy drains out of our discourse, the slide from disagreement to danger becomes disturbingly short.' We cannot allow ourselves to be pulled further down this path towards hatred and violence. Jewish Australians' trust in the Government has been tested in the 19 months since the October 7 massacre. They have watched their Prime Minister and senior ministers urge 'restraint' by Israel in its fight to defend itself and its people against terrorism. They have watched acts of hatred at home be met with weak platitudes. Many no longer feel safe in their own communities. Today, they will mourn the deaths of these two young people, and that sense of safety will slip further away.
West Australian
19-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Anthony Albanese presents Pope with $40 bottle of wine after securing first audience with pontiff in 16 years
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has presented Pope Leo with a bottle of Australian red wine that retails at Dan Murphy's for $41 and an indigenous artwork after securing Australia's first meeting with a pontiff in 16 years. Pope Leo in return blessed the rosary beads that belonged to Maryanne Ellery, Mr Albanese's mother who the prime minister told the Pope on Sunday would be 'smiling down from heaven' at their encounter. The Vatican said the Pope discussed religious freedom. 'An exchange of views then took place on the socio-political situation of the country, focusing in particular on themes of mutual interest, including environmental protection, integral human development and the freedom of religion,' the Vatican said. Mr Albanese formally invited the Pope to visit Australia in 2028 for World Ecumenical Day. The prime minister's visit came as Australia's new Ambassador to the Holy See Keith Pitt told The Nightly that the Catholic Church remained relevant to Australia's strategic interests and cited its charitable work in the Pacific as a prime example. The former Liberal National MP Keith Pitt only arrived in Rome six weeks ago, after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reached across the political aisle to personally appoint him Ambassador before the election. He is so newly arrived in the Italian capital, he did not have the opportunity to present his credentials to the late Pope Francis before his death meaning that as Ambassador-designate, he was not able to meet the new Pontiff alongside the Prime Minister inside the Basilica after Pope Leo XIV's inaugural mass on Sunday. Neither was he able to attend Mr Albanese's private audience late Monday afternoon local time with the new Pope at the Apostolic Palace inside Vatican City. Mr Albanese was one of a string of the 151 world leaders and dignitaries the Pontiff received after they attended his first mass under the hot Roman sun on Sunday morning, along with 150,000 well-wishers who gathered in St Peter's Square and lined the streets. The most high profile VIP was US Vice President JD Vance, who is a devout Catholic and was one of the late Pope Francis' final visitors. Mr Vance presented Pope Leo, a Chicago native with a Chicago Bears jersey with the name 'Pope Leo' and 'XIV' on the back. His office released a statement that said they discussed the persecution of Christians around the world, and the shared commitment of President Trump and Pope Leo XIV to stop the killing in Ukraine and the Middle East. Mr Albanese is not a devout Catholic like Mr Vance but nominates his Catholic upbringing as one of his three great faiths, alongside the South Sydney Rabbitohs football club and the Labor party. During his 40-minute audience, he gave the Pope a bottle of 2021 Penfolds Bin 28 Shiraz, which Dan Murphy's values at $41, and an indigenous artwork. The piece, measuring 320mm x 45mm x 420mm is an acrylic on canvas by Amanda Westley. It is called 'Raukkan' which means 'meeting place' in Westley's Ngarrindjeri community around 80 kilometres southeast of Adelaide. The choice of gifts may have been last-minute choices, given the prime minister only confirmed a week after his landslide re-election that he would be attending the Pope's mass, extending what was originally going to be his first post-victory visit to Jakarta into a seven-day trip encompassing Europe. Speaking to The Nightly in an exclusive interview conducted in his office overlooking the Vatican, Mr Pitt endorsed the prime minister's decision to extend his trip beyond Indonesia. 'It is important that we send delegations of the highest level, so the Governor-General attended the funeral — the prime minister is here for the inauguration,' he said. 'That is just an important reflection of the significance of the event and the work of the Church and the Pope in particular. 'Imagine if we didn't come, imagine if we weren't here. 'The fact that you've got such high-level delegations, at the funeral in particular. 'It was extraordinary, firstly the level of mourning and grief from people, even I thought, 'wow, it actually means something to them.'' Asked what interests Australia was advancing in the Catholic Church, Mr Pitt said its charitable work in the Pacific, which is the target of fierce competition between China and the West, was key. 'If you look at an area like the Pacific for example … there's a Cardinal for Tonga for example,' he said. 'The Vatican sometimes helps make those quieter voices heard. 'It's a critical area for Australia. 'When you look at the fact that there's over 1.2 billion Catholics around the world and the amount of significant work that the Church does, that's why it's critical. 'It's not just about the fact that it's a faith-based organisation, it's a global institution that has significant influence — and it's it's own country.' Asked if Australia was pushing for the Church to increase its footprint in the region, Mr Pitt said: 'Absolutely.' 'They are obviously incredibly strong advocates for peace around the world in those conflict zones.' He said the church, which and has been plagued by child-sexual abuse scandals over decades, stood for gender equality, climate change and safeguarding children from abuse online. 'I think that's quite a change. 'They've made significant changes in recent years,' he said. 'Pope Francis made a public apology, that's a very significant step. 'He's established what's called a pontifical commission …. there's always more to do. 'And it's one of the things that is incredibly important to the Australian government and it's an incredibly strong part of what we do and our advocacy here.' He praised Pope Leo's recent intervention on artificial intelligence. 'Even I was surprised at the level of involvement, engagement, the understanding of artificial intelligence that Pope Leo has demonstrated,' he said. 'Pope Francis in particular made some changes in the time he was Pope and we shouldn't assume what Pope Leo might do.' He insisted the Church's geopolitical activities were not inconsistent with its teachings that forbid women priests, marriage, homosexuality and abortion or the Australian government's positions on the same issues. 'That's the reason why you have an embassy here, to put forward those views, to try and create influence, to try and get outcomes that matter to the Australian people.' But he said it was for the Church to decide whether it wanted to modernise to attract new followers. 'What the Church does in terms of its teachings and the way it moves forward in the future is entirely up to the Church,' he said. 'It's not up to me to try and tell them how they run their own institutions.' Mr Pitt, who represented Hinkler in Bundaberg for the LNP declined to comment on whether he sought the posting because he saw the Coalition's landslide defeat coming. 'I'm appointed by the Governor General and I don't want to get in the weeks,' he said. One of four boys raised Catholic, he described himself as a 'poor Catholic' and recounted going to mass in a timber church in central Queensland, and wore white shirts handmade by his mother for his First Communion, one of Catholicism's sacraments.
West Australian
19-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Domino's Australia and New Zealand boss Kerri Hayman abruptly quits after nine months
The boss of Domino's Australian and New Zealand division has abruptly resigned after less than a year in the top job. The embattled pizza giant told the market on Monday Kerri Hayman would step down in August, a year after she was promoted by her brother and former group CEO Don Meij. Domino's said Ms Hayman — who become the first female appointed as Australia and New Zealand CEO — has had an exceptional 37-year career with the brand across Australia, the UK and the US. Speaking to The Nightly following her appointment last year, Ms Hayman said she was ready to hit the ground running with three top priorities: people, franchise profitability and 'an absolute obsession with product'. Ms Hayman on Monday said working with Domino's had given her some of the most rewarding experiences of her life. 'This is the right time for me to take the next step in my journey,' Ms Hayman said. 'Domino's is now entering a new chapter, with a clear 'recipe for growth' in place for Australia and New Zealand. With the business well positioned for the future, I feel confident this is the right time for me to open a new chapter of my own.' Ms Hayman's sudden departure comes just months after Mr Meij in November announced his retirement after a near 40-year career with Domino's, including more than two decades at the top. He handed the reins to Mark van Dyck, whose first major move as chief executive was to swing the axe on 205 loss-making stores — the majority in Japan — in a bid to improved profitability. Mr van Dyck thanked Ms Hayman for her service and wished her success in the next phase of her career. 'Since her return to Australia, she has helped make Domino's a stronger, more resilient business, drawing on her global experience and unwavering commitment to operational excellence,' he said. Ms Hayman will remain in her role until the end of August to ensure a smooth transition. Domino's has commenced an international recruitment process, including internal candidates. Domino's at the same time announced Greg Steenson's appointment as chief operating officer in Australia.
Metro
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Spend your May bank holiday weekend bingeing ‘best Australian drama in a decade'
A 'gripping' thriller inspired by the real-life story of a woman who discovered her ex-partner was a fraud is now available to stream in the UK. The Australian series Fake stars Asher Keddie as Birdie Bell, a magazine feature writer who thinks she's found her perfect match when she meets successful rancher Joe (David Wenham). However, she's then torn between his magnetic pull and the instinct that her boyfriend isn't all he seems. It's been teased of the eight-part show: 'Fake is a story of deception, a tense and exhilarating exploration of the illusions life lays out for us, through both the lies we are told and the lies we tell ourselves.' The series was based on journalist Stephanie Wood's memoir, Fake: A Startling True Story of Love in a World of Liars, Cheats, Narcissists, Fantasists and Phonies, which detailed how she uncovered her ex's web of lies. When it was released in Australia last year, Fake was praised by both critics and audiences. 'This does feel like an antipodean version of the Joanne Froggatt-Ioan Gruffudd-starring Liar. But whereas that BBC psychological thriller wasn't exactly subtle in its manipulation and moustache-twirling villainy, this is far more insidious and nuanced,' The Post NZ wrote in its review. 'It's anxiety-ridden and frustrating, but that's only because it's evoking a visceral response,' The Nightly shared. 'One of the best Australian dramas of the decade so far, Fake is an unflinching examination of deception's cruel grip — whether it's wielded by an imposter or delivered through our own flawed self-esteem,' The Age added. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Meanwhile viewers called it 'gripping' and an 'emotional rollercoaster'. In an interview with Metro, Wood explained how her experience with a love scammer came in an era before Dirty John and the Tinder Swindler. 'There had been none of those sorts of stories out there about romantic kind of scams, and I knew there was something not quite right about Joe, but he never asked me for money,' she explained. 'Enough added up that it left me blind to the stuff that didn't add up. Of course, I knew that you could lose money to horrible men, but when he wasn't asking me for that, I just wanted to hope so much that it could be a beautiful relationship.' More Trending Ahead of the show's release creator Anya Beyersdorf said Fake was 'a story of what it feels like to be lied to, to have your instincts broken, to be gaslit not only by your romantic partner but by society at large'. 'The most remarkable thing about this story is that it's not remarkable at all. These stories are frighteningly common, the minute you start telling people this story, someone invariably pipes up – this happened to my friend/my aunt/my sister/me…' 'It is my hope that this show will allow us to recognise a Joe in the wild, and RUN the other way.' View More » Fake is now streaming on ITVX and will also air weekly from Saturday May 3 on ITV1. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: ITV star reveals she 'feared being dropped from This Morning' over pregnancy MORE: Rowan Atkinson fuels fresh hope most iconic character could return after 30 years MORE: Genius Game rules explained as ITV viewers dub David Tennant show 'impossible'
West Australian
02-05-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
Australian Islamic College of Sydney: Graffiti attack targets Anthony Albanese in pre-election day attack
The Australian Islamic College of Sydney has been targeted in a graffiti attack just hours before Australians head to voting booths, with the words 'Hamas Albo' sprayed across a school fence. Exclusive 7NEWS vision, shared with The Nightly, showed the walls of the Mount Druitt school sprayed with three messages. 'Hamas Albo', 'Albo liab' and 'no migration', written in what appears to be black spray paint on the brick wall of the Islamic college in Western Sydney. The attack on the Islamic school occurred in the seat of Chiffley, held by Labor MP Ed Husic. The graffiti was on clear display as students entered the school on Friday. Independent Senator Fatima Payman said the attack was 'disgraceful'. 'It's disgusting. It's disgraceful. And it's becoming far too normal,' she told 7NEWS. 'My volunteers have been called terrorists, they've been harassed and verbally assaulted by volunteers and candidates. 'This is what happens when politicians use dog whistles and then pretend to be shocked when the racism shows up in plain sight.' Later on Friday morning, people were seen attempting to scrub the graffiti off the brick walls of the college which is attached to a Mosque. A NSW Police spokesperson told The Nightly: 'There have been no reports made to police regarding this incident.'
