September 29, 2008 - 11:35AM
An ATM and a butcher shop have been destroyed in a bombing at a shopping centre in a northern Melbourne suburb.
Police said it's the first time criminals have used a bomb to blow up an ATM in Melbourne.
The bombing happened just after 2am today at the Edgewater Boulevard shops in Maribynong.
Neighbours heard the explosion, but emergency services were not called until 5.30am, when the owners of Edgeware Meats turned up to work.
Detective Sergeant Rod Stormonch from the arson squad said the ATM was the target, but it was still too early to say if money was taken, and how much.
"At this stage, we're still trying to render the scene safe for our arson chemists to go in," Detective Sergeant Stormonch told reporters at the scene.
He said he was unsure what sort of chemicals were used in the explosion.
"Whoever has done this today has got some knowledge of explosives or how to cause an explosion of this type," he said.
Bomb squad members have spent the morning making the scene safe for investigators.
"From an uneducated point of view, the shop is completely destroyed, the roof has fallen down, but I can't give you an idea of how much damage was caused."
Investigators plan to look at CCTV footage from cameras in the area.
Detective Sergeant Stormonch said it was lucky no one was hurt, with a supermarket next door and night packers working, and the shopping centre located in a residential area.
"This is the first one in Melbourne to my knowledge and the investigation will commence today and will continue until such time as someone is identified and arrested for this incident," he said.
Angel Angeles, who owns a bakery across the road from the butcher, said the bombing was a shock.
"The whole debris came through the area, so we've got big chunks across the road. They've done a really good job, they've spraypainted the cameras and all that in the area, so it's pretty professional," Mr Angeles told reporters.
"To be honest with you, it must be some sort of gas or pressure explosion ... As soon as we rocked up here it was just incredible, the whole focus must have been getting the ATM, which is a bit of a shock, especially around Edgewater."
He said it was a quiet area made up mainly of food businesses and shops.
Police were expected to remain at the scene for the rest of the day.
AAP
Source
Monday, September 29, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
AG's comments on Melbourne terrorism trial verdict
ATTORNEY-GENERAL ROBERT MCCLELLAND
15 SEPTEMBER
PRESS CONFERENCE, BLUE ROOM, PARLIAMENT hOUSE, CANBERRA, 16:15 PM
Subjects: MELBOURNE TERRORISM TRIALS; CLARKE INQUIRY.
ROBERT MCCLELLAND: The jury in the Pendennis trial has now reached a verdict in respect to ten of the accused. The jury is still deliberating on charges against two individuals and the court orders remain in place in respect to those matters, so, as such, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on detail relating to those matters.
However, I welcome the convictions that have been handed down today. There have been six individuals convicted of membership of a terrorist organisation. Three individuals convicted of providing support to a terrorist organisation and one individual has been convicted of directing the activities of a terrorist organisation.
The trial has been lengthy and complicated. It commenced in February of this year, over 50 witnesses have been called, over 3000 pages of evidence. The jury is, of course, entitled to reach various verdicts on the evidence before it, and four men have been acquitted of the charges bought against them. This is an example of effective cooperation between the Australian Federal Police, ASIO, the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions and of course mention should also be made of the role performed by the Victorian Police Force, which was also outstanding.
Indeed, cooperation between these agencies is key to ensuring better coordination and ultimately more successful prosecution of terrorism cases. Implementation of the recommendations of the Street Review made earlier this year on matters of interoperability in national security operations is ensuring closer interaction and integration between policing and intelligence agencies. Recognition must also be made of the role of the court. It was a tremendously demanding responsibility placed on the judge and indeed court staff. And of course recognition should also be made to the sacrifices that were made by the jury who have clearly applied themselves with dedication to this important public role. I would also take the opportunity of briefly digressing to also indicate our appreciation for all those involved in the successful prosecution that occurred last week of Bilal Khaazal in Sydney.
It should be noted in both instances that the Muslim community has been integral to the success of these investigations. Strong links have been forged between police and the Muslim community through the ongoing efforts of the Australian Federal Police's community engagement teams. Successful prosecutions are of course important, vitally important, in sending a clear message to those who may be influenced by violent, extremism. The real prospect of conviction and imprisonment will hopefully open their eyes to what terrorism really is: nothing more than criminal behaviour at its most base and brutal level, armed at innocent civilians as the target of choice.
The Rudd Government is committed to protecting all Australians. We take a hard line against terrorism and we make absolutely no apology for that.
The seriousness of the offences involved in this case highlights why we must do all we can to ensure the public's security. Clearly a terrorist attack would not only cause loss of life and injury and destruction to property, it would also do significant damage to our social fabric. We live in a tolerant, multicultural society and our agencies are determined to keep it that way and I command all those involved in these successful prosecutions, very happy to answer questions.
QUESTION: Attorney, do you feel that the law enforcement agencies, and I use that term broadly, to include ASIO and the like, are now at a point where they understand these new terrorism laws that we've seen introduced since 9/11 and can use them well and deliver prosecutions?
ROBERT MCCLELLAND: I think to answer that question briefly: the proof of the pie is in the eating and I think they have performed their role admirably and clearly there are complexities involved in the fine line between the gathering intelligence and the fine line of gathering evidence which is admissible in court proceedings and I think all agencies with the assistance of and the expertise of the Director of Public Prosecutions have done an outstanding job and in that context council appearing on behalf of the Commonwealth clearly have developed and are continuing to develop expertise in these matter.
QUESTION: So some of the charges didn't stick. Is there likely to be a review of the legislation?
ROBERT MCCLELLAND: Obviously that's a matter for the agencies to advise government on but we'll look at the advice of the agencies in respect to both the individual charges and we will also look at how the laws generally operate as we are doing on an ongoing basis.
QUESTION: Is this - this group that's been convicted in Melbourne, is - are they an aberration or are they symptomatic of what concerns you might have about terrorism or extremism in Australia.
ROBERT MCCLELLAND: It would be naive to discount the prospect of a terrorist attack in Australia. Clearly a terrorist attack in Australia is possible and hence we have our security rating at the level of medium. Indeed, it would be naive not to recognise that such an attack could be perpetrated by home grown terrorism. It is an indication as to why our agencies must continue to be vigilant, as I am convinced they are, and it's an indication as to how we must get our national security arrangements in place so that our agencies, as has been shown in this case, operate effectively together and continue to work effectively and cooperatively together.
QUESTION: Are there any other groups like this out there?
ROBERT MCCLELLAND: Well, again, the national security agencies clearly in performing their role, look at the conduct of a number of individuals in Australia. But, given the fact that there are outstanding matters being considered by the juries and also that there is an ongoing trial in Sydney, I won't comment on any of those specifics or, indeed, identify any organisations.
QUESTION: Are you getting advice from your agencies that radicalisation of [indistinct] is a worsening problem or is it getting better? Can you give us some sense of...
ROBERT MCCLELLAND: The Government is of the view that having tough and effective national security laws is very important, and the area where we think there needs to be more work is in the area of counter-radicalisation. The Government is actually undertaking a considerable amount of work in that area to look at the factors that have led to young Australians being radicalised, and what we can do to prevent that occurring. And that's obviously in terms of not only social cohesion but looking down to the level of the individual organisations or groups they may be associated with, who they come into contact with. Clearly a lot of work has been done in countries such as Great Britain, the Netherlands, and we believe that the time has come for Australia to look at those broader and longer-term objectives. If we want to be in a situation where our children and grandchildren aren't feeling threatened by terrorism, that's the area that we need to occupy some space.
QUESTION: So, just following on from that, is the greater problem now then not imported terrorism but the radicalisation of Australians?
ROBERT MCCLELLAND: The reality is that we have to be alert to the prospect of a terrorist event being perpetrated by those who may come from overseas, but equally our agencies are - need to be and are in fact alert to the prospect of a terrorist event being perpetrated by young Australians.
QUESTION: What are you - again, what are the agencies telling you, in terms of where the threat is likely to come from, is it likely to come from within our own communities or from abroad?
ROBERT MCCLELLAND: Again, these possibilities exist - the answer to that is yes, the possibilities exist in respect to both levels. And that makes it imperative that our agencies work in cooperation with international agencies as well as working with not only national or federal agencies but also with street level policing. Clearly, a lot of intelligence and a lot of valuable evidence literally comes from the police on the ground, from local police, local state police on the ground. So, again, increasingly more work is being done in that space. Former Justice Street in his report indicated that more work needed to be done in that space, and our agencies have been working hard on doing just that. But it must be said, and specifically said, that it's still work in progress, and our agencies are still working hard to make sure those relationships with local state police are as effectively as they possibly can be. They're significantly improving, but even local police and our federal agencies will say that there is more to be done. And they're determined to do that work to ensure that cooperation at all levels.
QUESTION: Can you say how important this prosecution is, how it relates to - rates against other prosecutions we've had for terrorism offences?
ROBERT MCCLELLAND: It is my view that the successful prosecution in the Pendennis trials is the most successful terrorist prosecution that this country has seen. It involved obviously a number of individuals but it also evidenced a degree of organisation that our law enforcement agencies have been able to - able to prevent developing. And, as I say, we must be alive to the fact that not only would a terrorist event cause injury and death and destruction, it would be enormously damaging to our social fabric. Now, I think, in that context it must be recognised that the Muslim community as a whole has been enormously supportive of the work of the national security agencies. They are aware that everyone would be the loser if we suffered an event that could cause damage to our successful, vibrant and tolerant multicultural society. And that is clearly what would occur if there was a terrorist event in Australia.
QUESTION: On the Clarke Inquiry, are you disappointed that the AFP remain the only agency involved in that investigation not to have made a publishable submission available to the inquiry, and is it your expectation that they will do so?
ROBERT MCCLELLAND: I'm on the record as certainly making statements that would encourage the Australian Federal Police to make what they reasonably can make available public. Having said that, they are in the most difficult position given that much of the material in their possession was provided by the British authorities. I know they are liaising closely with the British authorities. I would expect, certainly as the British cases unfold as they are I understand from October, that increasingly evidence provided by the British agencies will be public aired in Britain. And I'm hoping that the situation will be kept under ongoing review in terms of what the Australian Federal Police can make public here.
Thanks very much.
* * End * *
Source: Email List
15 SEPTEMBER
PRESS CONFERENCE, BLUE ROOM, PARLIAMENT hOUSE, CANBERRA, 16:15 PM
Subjects: MELBOURNE TERRORISM TRIALS; CLARKE INQUIRY.
ROBERT MCCLELLAND: The jury in the Pendennis trial has now reached a verdict in respect to ten of the accused. The jury is still deliberating on charges against two individuals and the court orders remain in place in respect to those matters, so, as such, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on detail relating to those matters.
However, I welcome the convictions that have been handed down today. There have been six individuals convicted of membership of a terrorist organisation. Three individuals convicted of providing support to a terrorist organisation and one individual has been convicted of directing the activities of a terrorist organisation.
The trial has been lengthy and complicated. It commenced in February of this year, over 50 witnesses have been called, over 3000 pages of evidence. The jury is, of course, entitled to reach various verdicts on the evidence before it, and four men have been acquitted of the charges bought against them. This is an example of effective cooperation between the Australian Federal Police, ASIO, the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions and of course mention should also be made of the role performed by the Victorian Police Force, which was also outstanding.
Indeed, cooperation between these agencies is key to ensuring better coordination and ultimately more successful prosecution of terrorism cases. Implementation of the recommendations of the Street Review made earlier this year on matters of interoperability in national security operations is ensuring closer interaction and integration between policing and intelligence agencies. Recognition must also be made of the role of the court. It was a tremendously demanding responsibility placed on the judge and indeed court staff. And of course recognition should also be made to the sacrifices that were made by the jury who have clearly applied themselves with dedication to this important public role. I would also take the opportunity of briefly digressing to also indicate our appreciation for all those involved in the successful prosecution that occurred last week of Bilal Khaazal in Sydney.
It should be noted in both instances that the Muslim community has been integral to the success of these investigations. Strong links have been forged between police and the Muslim community through the ongoing efforts of the Australian Federal Police's community engagement teams. Successful prosecutions are of course important, vitally important, in sending a clear message to those who may be influenced by violent, extremism. The real prospect of conviction and imprisonment will hopefully open their eyes to what terrorism really is: nothing more than criminal behaviour at its most base and brutal level, armed at innocent civilians as the target of choice.
The Rudd Government is committed to protecting all Australians. We take a hard line against terrorism and we make absolutely no apology for that.
The seriousness of the offences involved in this case highlights why we must do all we can to ensure the public's security. Clearly a terrorist attack would not only cause loss of life and injury and destruction to property, it would also do significant damage to our social fabric. We live in a tolerant, multicultural society and our agencies are determined to keep it that way and I command all those involved in these successful prosecutions, very happy to answer questions.
QUESTION: Attorney, do you feel that the law enforcement agencies, and I use that term broadly, to include ASIO and the like, are now at a point where they understand these new terrorism laws that we've seen introduced since 9/11 and can use them well and deliver prosecutions?
ROBERT MCCLELLAND: I think to answer that question briefly: the proof of the pie is in the eating and I think they have performed their role admirably and clearly there are complexities involved in the fine line between the gathering intelligence and the fine line of gathering evidence which is admissible in court proceedings and I think all agencies with the assistance of and the expertise of the Director of Public Prosecutions have done an outstanding job and in that context council appearing on behalf of the Commonwealth clearly have developed and are continuing to develop expertise in these matter.
QUESTION: So some of the charges didn't stick. Is there likely to be a review of the legislation?
ROBERT MCCLELLAND: Obviously that's a matter for the agencies to advise government on but we'll look at the advice of the agencies in respect to both the individual charges and we will also look at how the laws generally operate as we are doing on an ongoing basis.
QUESTION: Is this - this group that's been convicted in Melbourne, is - are they an aberration or are they symptomatic of what concerns you might have about terrorism or extremism in Australia.
ROBERT MCCLELLAND: It would be naive to discount the prospect of a terrorist attack in Australia. Clearly a terrorist attack in Australia is possible and hence we have our security rating at the level of medium. Indeed, it would be naive not to recognise that such an attack could be perpetrated by home grown terrorism. It is an indication as to why our agencies must continue to be vigilant, as I am convinced they are, and it's an indication as to how we must get our national security arrangements in place so that our agencies, as has been shown in this case, operate effectively together and continue to work effectively and cooperatively together.
QUESTION: Are there any other groups like this out there?
ROBERT MCCLELLAND: Well, again, the national security agencies clearly in performing their role, look at the conduct of a number of individuals in Australia. But, given the fact that there are outstanding matters being considered by the juries and also that there is an ongoing trial in Sydney, I won't comment on any of those specifics or, indeed, identify any organisations.
QUESTION: Are you getting advice from your agencies that radicalisation of [indistinct] is a worsening problem or is it getting better? Can you give us some sense of...
ROBERT MCCLELLAND: The Government is of the view that having tough and effective national security laws is very important, and the area where we think there needs to be more work is in the area of counter-radicalisation. The Government is actually undertaking a considerable amount of work in that area to look at the factors that have led to young Australians being radicalised, and what we can do to prevent that occurring. And that's obviously in terms of not only social cohesion but looking down to the level of the individual organisations or groups they may be associated with, who they come into contact with. Clearly a lot of work has been done in countries such as Great Britain, the Netherlands, and we believe that the time has come for Australia to look at those broader and longer-term objectives. If we want to be in a situation where our children and grandchildren aren't feeling threatened by terrorism, that's the area that we need to occupy some space.
QUESTION: So, just following on from that, is the greater problem now then not imported terrorism but the radicalisation of Australians?
ROBERT MCCLELLAND: The reality is that we have to be alert to the prospect of a terrorist event being perpetrated by those who may come from overseas, but equally our agencies are - need to be and are in fact alert to the prospect of a terrorist event being perpetrated by young Australians.
QUESTION: What are you - again, what are the agencies telling you, in terms of where the threat is likely to come from, is it likely to come from within our own communities or from abroad?
ROBERT MCCLELLAND: Again, these possibilities exist - the answer to that is yes, the possibilities exist in respect to both levels. And that makes it imperative that our agencies work in cooperation with international agencies as well as working with not only national or federal agencies but also with street level policing. Clearly, a lot of intelligence and a lot of valuable evidence literally comes from the police on the ground, from local police, local state police on the ground. So, again, increasingly more work is being done in that space. Former Justice Street in his report indicated that more work needed to be done in that space, and our agencies have been working hard on doing just that. But it must be said, and specifically said, that it's still work in progress, and our agencies are still working hard to make sure those relationships with local state police are as effectively as they possibly can be. They're significantly improving, but even local police and our federal agencies will say that there is more to be done. And they're determined to do that work to ensure that cooperation at all levels.
QUESTION: Can you say how important this prosecution is, how it relates to - rates against other prosecutions we've had for terrorism offences?
ROBERT MCCLELLAND: It is my view that the successful prosecution in the Pendennis trials is the most successful terrorist prosecution that this country has seen. It involved obviously a number of individuals but it also evidenced a degree of organisation that our law enforcement agencies have been able to - able to prevent developing. And, as I say, we must be alive to the fact that not only would a terrorist event cause injury and death and destruction, it would be enormously damaging to our social fabric. Now, I think, in that context it must be recognised that the Muslim community as a whole has been enormously supportive of the work of the national security agencies. They are aware that everyone would be the loser if we suffered an event that could cause damage to our successful, vibrant and tolerant multicultural society. And that is clearly what would occur if there was a terrorist event in Australia.
QUESTION: On the Clarke Inquiry, are you disappointed that the AFP remain the only agency involved in that investigation not to have made a publishable submission available to the inquiry, and is it your expectation that they will do so?
ROBERT MCCLELLAND: I'm on the record as certainly making statements that would encourage the Australian Federal Police to make what they reasonably can make available public. Having said that, they are in the most difficult position given that much of the material in their possession was provided by the British authorities. I know they are liaising closely with the British authorities. I would expect, certainly as the British cases unfold as they are I understand from October, that increasingly evidence provided by the British agencies will be public aired in Britain. And I'm hoping that the situation will be kept under ongoing review in terms of what the Australian Federal Police can make public here.
Thanks very much.
* * End * *
Source: Email List
PM's comments on Melbourne terrorism trial verdict
"The last thing I would turn to of course is the question of these trials which have just been resolved in Melbourne. Can I simply say this on the question of terrorism; this Government will continue to take a hard line on terrorism. The outcome of these cases in Victoria demonstrate that we have a continued challenge on our hands. The Government will continue to adopt a resolute approach to dealing with this challenge within Australia. Australia still faces risks when it comes to the terrorist threat and our law enforcement agencies will continue to be vigilant.
But I say this loud and clear that these convictions represent a clear message to those contemplating any act of political violence. We in Australia not only will not tolerate it but the full force of the law will be brought to bear as well."
Full Transcript:
Joint Press Conference with theParliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood Education, Maxine McKew and Local Member, Chris Hayes,Uniting Care Burnside Family CentreMinto, Sydney
16 September 2008
Subject: Early Childhood Education, Malcolm Turnbull, Republic, Terror Trials, Medicare Levy Surcharge, Economy, Senate
E&OE...
PM: Well it’s good to be here at the Minto family centre, our friends from Burnside and to meet the kids this morning and the mums and those who are working here at this great centre, and also to be here with Maxine McKew our Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood Education and of course Chris our local member.
There is great work going on here and it’s part and parcel of what we want to build for the nation through the education revolution. And that is - how do we bring all Australians with us and how do we bring all Australian young people with us as well?
One of the measures that we have announced as part of our education revolution is to produce a better funding package for schools in areas of disadvantage across Australia. That’s going to be important because so many of our Government schools across the country and other schools need greater investment to enable them to do their job properly.
Second is to make sure that we are reaching out when it comes to literacy and numeracy into the homes of kids who may be having a bit of a hard start in life. And that is where this sort of program comes into play.
What is being done here is really good, but what Maxine and I are talking about today is taking this model one step further through our national program of Home Interaction Programs. It’s designed like this so that through partnering with local community organisations we can then reach out into the homes of little ones aged three to five and help them with their reading and their writing and also their counting.
And we intend to do that by partnering with community organisations who then engage tutors, who then go out into the homes. Too often we have a system whereby we wait for kids who need help and their families to arrive at a centre somewhere. It doesn’t always work that way. The best thing you can do actually is reach out and take those services into the home and that’s what we intend to do with the Australian Government’s program for Home Interaction Programs right across the country.
Today - and I will turn to Maxine in a minute on the detail - is that we are announcing 13 of these across the country and it will be part of 50 being rolled out nationwide, helping literally thousands of families.
The purpose is this. We believe that every Australian deserves a decent start in life, we believe the nation needs an education revolution and part of that means bringing along all of our little ones whatever circumstances they grow up in. Home Interaction Programs are part and parcel of doing that and today we are very pleased to be able to confirm another 13 sites across the country including one here in south western Sydney at Claymore.
Also if I could touch on two other matters before I turn to Maxine to add to my remarks on Home Interactions Program.
In terms of what has just happened in Canberra can I simply say this, I congratulate Mr Turnbull on being elected as the new leader of the Liberal Party of Australia. It’s a great honour to be elected as a leader of one of Australia’s large political parties and therefore I extend my congratulations to Mr Turnbull and to his family.
I also say to Mr Turnbull, I look forward to working with him on a bipartisan basis on as many national challenges as possible. And this is really important. One of those national challenges for the future for Australia will be our move towards a republic. And therefore given Mr Turnbull’s historical track record on the republic, I look forward to working with him on both the timetable and the way in which we advance the cause of the republic in Australia.
Mr Turnbull has long been a supporter of the republic and we know for a fact that you are only going to achieve that sort of change in Australia on a bipartisan basis with both sides of politics agreeing. So the invitation is out there for Mr Turnbull to work with us on that. The invitation’s out there for him to work with us on as many matters in the national interest as possible and I congratulate him again.
The last thing I would turn to of course is the question of these trials which have just been resolved in Melbourne. Can I simply say this on the question of terrorism; this Government will continue to take a hard line on terrorism. The outcome of these cases in Victoria demonstrate that we have a continued challenge on our hands. The Government will continue to adopt a resolute approach to dealing with this challenge within Australia. Australia still faces risks when it comes to the terrorist threat and our law enforcement agencies will continue to be vigilant.
But I say this loud and clear that these convictions represent a clear message to those contemplating any act of political violence. We in Australia not only will not tolerate it but the full force of the law will be brought to bear as well.
Before we turn to questions I’ve got to ask Max to add to what we are talking about here with Home Interaction Programs.
MCKEW: Thanks Kevin. I welcome the roll out today of the Home Interaction Program because I think at its core it’s this and it’s what we see in the Burnside centre here. It’s about building resilience in children and in families.
We know that children have a happy healthy experience in their early primary years in the home where their parents also have a positive attitude to learning. And if I could just relate this to what we saw last week with the roll out of the national testing results in literacy across the country.
The children who would have struggled to get to the appropriate band level would have come from families, if you like, where there’s probably not a positive attitude to learning , perhaps where parents didn’t much like their own school experiences. But we know we don’t want that imparted to their children because they’re going to struggle too. So at the core of the Home Interaction Program and I know from conversations with Jane and Linda and other peoples at Burnside, it’s about working with families in a very particular targeted way and the HIP program does that.
It identifies home tutors in particular communities; often a parent who will work with a number of families with particular education resources, so that it’s a positive experience for both the community worker, for the parent and for the child. And it is all about making sure that child has a happy healthy transition to school.
Thank you
PM: Over to you folks
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, is 45-41 a good enough majority for the Liberal party to leave Malcolm Turnbull alone?
PM: Well that’s a matter for the Liberal party. I congratulated Mr Turnbull on becoming leader of the Liberal party. It’s an honour to lead a political party in Australia, it’s a tough road but I look forward to working with him on a bipartisan basis on challenges for the future including the transformation of Australia into a republic.
JOURNALIST: Is he a better choice for them than Dr Nelson?
PM: It’s a matter for the Liberal party and I am sure they will continue to have robust internal debates about their future. But I congratulate Mr Turnbull on his win.
JOURNALIST: Do you expect them to get a bounce in the polls following this?PM: Oh look I can say every Government in Australia including the one that I lead has got to be on its mettle and I fully expect that with the change of leadership and all of the attention which that will bring to bear, of course the Liberals will get a surge out there in the opinion polls, that’s just a normal thing.
But the responsibility of Government is to deal with the practical challenges of the nation and we’re here in Western Sydney today talking about a very big practical challenge and that is how do we build a first class education system for the 21st century which brings all of our kids along with us. And that means, as Maxine has just said, building resilience in our kids who are often finding it a bit tough out there, and starting at the earliest years of life.
JOURNALIST: Does this settle the issue of Mr Costello’s potential leadership?
PM: Matter for the Liberal party and matter for Mr Costello, Mr Nelson, Mr Turnbull - they can sort all of that out for themselves. But I congratulate Mr Turnbull on his win.
JOURNALIST: On the Medicare levy, on the surcharge is there any room to move to court some of the other members of the Senate?
PM: Our attitude is very clear on this, here we are in Western Sydney, there is a big challenge in terms of cost of living and part of that cost of living is directly affected by how we treat this Medicare levy surcharge.
Now when the Liberals brought down this rule back in 1996 where they said that anyone earning $50,000 a year was a high income earner, and they haven’t changed that in 12 years. And we have sought to change that. And can I say I think that’s the right thing to do for people who are suffering cost of living challenges out there.And I’d appeal to the Liberal party - both on this and on the luxury car tax - do the responsible thing in the Senate. Make sure that the Government’s surplus is kept intact because in this time of global economic uncertainty the Government needs a strong financial buffer to deal with the uncertainties which lie ahead.
We’ve seen overnight developments in the United States on the global economy, on Lehmans, we’ve seen developments in relation to Merrill Lynch, we’ve seen developments in relation to AIG. And can I say on the top of what’s happened to other institutions in the United States, the mortgage lenders, we are in a period of significant crisis in global financial markets. This has continued for some time, it will continue for some time again. Therefore in Australia the overwhelming challenge is to maintain strong responsible economic management.
This is core business for the nation and part of responsible economic management means maintaining a strong budget surplus, because we need that buffer for the future. That’s the Government’s policy and I would appeal to the Liberals to support that as well.
JOURNALIST: Mr Rudd what do you say to people today who are worried about what effect this might have on their super funds?
PM: Well can I say that we are in a period of global financial crisis, this has been running now since August of last year and it’s become more intense. In Australia we are in a strong set of circumstances, the Government has a responsible policy of economic management to see Australia through these challenging global economic times. Already those who have superannuation investments have suffered as a consequence of the fall on global stock markets. That has already occurred and continues to occur.
The challenge for Australia is to see this nation through the current challenges which are coming from abroad and part and parcel of that means ensuring that we preserve our budget surplus for the future because we need that buffer for future investment.
The other part of the Government’s economic strategy is this, it’s a strategy of nation building. We believe that at a time like this - and it applies to Sydney and right across Australia - that the national Government must take the lead in building the nation’s long term infrastructure, Our roads, our rail, our ports, our high speed broadband. A strategy of nation building led by a $76 billion nation building fund which we have now through the national government is critical also to see Australia through the challenges of the current time.
Responsible economic management, anchored in a strong budget surplus and a policy of nation building.
But you know long term getting this education revolution absolutely right and necessary because if we don’t the young people who will form our workforce in 20 years time won’t have the skills necessary to compete.
JOURNALIST: Can I get you to return to Mr Turnbull once more? What do you think about the bloke?
PM: I just congratulate him on his winning the Liberal party leadership and I congratulate him because I have been in politics myself for a while, it is tough and I congratulate him on his win and I look forward to working with him on a bipartisan basis on the big challenges for Australia, and that includes longer term how we deal with the question of the republic.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Source
But I say this loud and clear that these convictions represent a clear message to those contemplating any act of political violence. We in Australia not only will not tolerate it but the full force of the law will be brought to bear as well."
Full Transcript:
Joint Press Conference with theParliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood Education, Maxine McKew and Local Member, Chris Hayes,Uniting Care Burnside Family CentreMinto, Sydney
16 September 2008
Subject: Early Childhood Education, Malcolm Turnbull, Republic, Terror Trials, Medicare Levy Surcharge, Economy, Senate
E&OE...
PM: Well it’s good to be here at the Minto family centre, our friends from Burnside and to meet the kids this morning and the mums and those who are working here at this great centre, and also to be here with Maxine McKew our Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood Education and of course Chris our local member.
There is great work going on here and it’s part and parcel of what we want to build for the nation through the education revolution. And that is - how do we bring all Australians with us and how do we bring all Australian young people with us as well?
One of the measures that we have announced as part of our education revolution is to produce a better funding package for schools in areas of disadvantage across Australia. That’s going to be important because so many of our Government schools across the country and other schools need greater investment to enable them to do their job properly.
Second is to make sure that we are reaching out when it comes to literacy and numeracy into the homes of kids who may be having a bit of a hard start in life. And that is where this sort of program comes into play.
What is being done here is really good, but what Maxine and I are talking about today is taking this model one step further through our national program of Home Interaction Programs. It’s designed like this so that through partnering with local community organisations we can then reach out into the homes of little ones aged three to five and help them with their reading and their writing and also their counting.
And we intend to do that by partnering with community organisations who then engage tutors, who then go out into the homes. Too often we have a system whereby we wait for kids who need help and their families to arrive at a centre somewhere. It doesn’t always work that way. The best thing you can do actually is reach out and take those services into the home and that’s what we intend to do with the Australian Government’s program for Home Interaction Programs right across the country.
Today - and I will turn to Maxine in a minute on the detail - is that we are announcing 13 of these across the country and it will be part of 50 being rolled out nationwide, helping literally thousands of families.
The purpose is this. We believe that every Australian deserves a decent start in life, we believe the nation needs an education revolution and part of that means bringing along all of our little ones whatever circumstances they grow up in. Home Interaction Programs are part and parcel of doing that and today we are very pleased to be able to confirm another 13 sites across the country including one here in south western Sydney at Claymore.
Also if I could touch on two other matters before I turn to Maxine to add to my remarks on Home Interactions Program.
In terms of what has just happened in Canberra can I simply say this, I congratulate Mr Turnbull on being elected as the new leader of the Liberal Party of Australia. It’s a great honour to be elected as a leader of one of Australia’s large political parties and therefore I extend my congratulations to Mr Turnbull and to his family.
I also say to Mr Turnbull, I look forward to working with him on a bipartisan basis on as many national challenges as possible. And this is really important. One of those national challenges for the future for Australia will be our move towards a republic. And therefore given Mr Turnbull’s historical track record on the republic, I look forward to working with him on both the timetable and the way in which we advance the cause of the republic in Australia.
Mr Turnbull has long been a supporter of the republic and we know for a fact that you are only going to achieve that sort of change in Australia on a bipartisan basis with both sides of politics agreeing. So the invitation is out there for Mr Turnbull to work with us on that. The invitation’s out there for him to work with us on as many matters in the national interest as possible and I congratulate him again.
The last thing I would turn to of course is the question of these trials which have just been resolved in Melbourne. Can I simply say this on the question of terrorism; this Government will continue to take a hard line on terrorism. The outcome of these cases in Victoria demonstrate that we have a continued challenge on our hands. The Government will continue to adopt a resolute approach to dealing with this challenge within Australia. Australia still faces risks when it comes to the terrorist threat and our law enforcement agencies will continue to be vigilant.
But I say this loud and clear that these convictions represent a clear message to those contemplating any act of political violence. We in Australia not only will not tolerate it but the full force of the law will be brought to bear as well.
Before we turn to questions I’ve got to ask Max to add to what we are talking about here with Home Interaction Programs.
MCKEW: Thanks Kevin. I welcome the roll out today of the Home Interaction Program because I think at its core it’s this and it’s what we see in the Burnside centre here. It’s about building resilience in children and in families.
We know that children have a happy healthy experience in their early primary years in the home where their parents also have a positive attitude to learning. And if I could just relate this to what we saw last week with the roll out of the national testing results in literacy across the country.
The children who would have struggled to get to the appropriate band level would have come from families, if you like, where there’s probably not a positive attitude to learning , perhaps where parents didn’t much like their own school experiences. But we know we don’t want that imparted to their children because they’re going to struggle too. So at the core of the Home Interaction Program and I know from conversations with Jane and Linda and other peoples at Burnside, it’s about working with families in a very particular targeted way and the HIP program does that.
It identifies home tutors in particular communities; often a parent who will work with a number of families with particular education resources, so that it’s a positive experience for both the community worker, for the parent and for the child. And it is all about making sure that child has a happy healthy transition to school.
Thank you
PM: Over to you folks
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, is 45-41 a good enough majority for the Liberal party to leave Malcolm Turnbull alone?
PM: Well that’s a matter for the Liberal party. I congratulated Mr Turnbull on becoming leader of the Liberal party. It’s an honour to lead a political party in Australia, it’s a tough road but I look forward to working with him on a bipartisan basis on challenges for the future including the transformation of Australia into a republic.
JOURNALIST: Is he a better choice for them than Dr Nelson?
PM: It’s a matter for the Liberal party and I am sure they will continue to have robust internal debates about their future. But I congratulate Mr Turnbull on his win.
JOURNALIST: Do you expect them to get a bounce in the polls following this?PM: Oh look I can say every Government in Australia including the one that I lead has got to be on its mettle and I fully expect that with the change of leadership and all of the attention which that will bring to bear, of course the Liberals will get a surge out there in the opinion polls, that’s just a normal thing.
But the responsibility of Government is to deal with the practical challenges of the nation and we’re here in Western Sydney today talking about a very big practical challenge and that is how do we build a first class education system for the 21st century which brings all of our kids along with us. And that means, as Maxine has just said, building resilience in our kids who are often finding it a bit tough out there, and starting at the earliest years of life.
JOURNALIST: Does this settle the issue of Mr Costello’s potential leadership?
PM: Matter for the Liberal party and matter for Mr Costello, Mr Nelson, Mr Turnbull - they can sort all of that out for themselves. But I congratulate Mr Turnbull on his win.
JOURNALIST: On the Medicare levy, on the surcharge is there any room to move to court some of the other members of the Senate?
PM: Our attitude is very clear on this, here we are in Western Sydney, there is a big challenge in terms of cost of living and part of that cost of living is directly affected by how we treat this Medicare levy surcharge.
Now when the Liberals brought down this rule back in 1996 where they said that anyone earning $50,000 a year was a high income earner, and they haven’t changed that in 12 years. And we have sought to change that. And can I say I think that’s the right thing to do for people who are suffering cost of living challenges out there.And I’d appeal to the Liberal party - both on this and on the luxury car tax - do the responsible thing in the Senate. Make sure that the Government’s surplus is kept intact because in this time of global economic uncertainty the Government needs a strong financial buffer to deal with the uncertainties which lie ahead.
We’ve seen overnight developments in the United States on the global economy, on Lehmans, we’ve seen developments in relation to Merrill Lynch, we’ve seen developments in relation to AIG. And can I say on the top of what’s happened to other institutions in the United States, the mortgage lenders, we are in a period of significant crisis in global financial markets. This has continued for some time, it will continue for some time again. Therefore in Australia the overwhelming challenge is to maintain strong responsible economic management.
This is core business for the nation and part of responsible economic management means maintaining a strong budget surplus, because we need that buffer for the future. That’s the Government’s policy and I would appeal to the Liberals to support that as well.
JOURNALIST: Mr Rudd what do you say to people today who are worried about what effect this might have on their super funds?
PM: Well can I say that we are in a period of global financial crisis, this has been running now since August of last year and it’s become more intense. In Australia we are in a strong set of circumstances, the Government has a responsible policy of economic management to see Australia through these challenging global economic times. Already those who have superannuation investments have suffered as a consequence of the fall on global stock markets. That has already occurred and continues to occur.
The challenge for Australia is to see this nation through the current challenges which are coming from abroad and part and parcel of that means ensuring that we preserve our budget surplus for the future because we need that buffer for future investment.
The other part of the Government’s economic strategy is this, it’s a strategy of nation building. We believe that at a time like this - and it applies to Sydney and right across Australia - that the national Government must take the lead in building the nation’s long term infrastructure, Our roads, our rail, our ports, our high speed broadband. A strategy of nation building led by a $76 billion nation building fund which we have now through the national government is critical also to see Australia through the challenges of the current time.
Responsible economic management, anchored in a strong budget surplus and a policy of nation building.
But you know long term getting this education revolution absolutely right and necessary because if we don’t the young people who will form our workforce in 20 years time won’t have the skills necessary to compete.
JOURNALIST: Can I get you to return to Mr Turnbull once more? What do you think about the bloke?
PM: I just congratulate him on his winning the Liberal party leadership and I congratulate him because I have been in politics myself for a while, it is tough and I congratulate him on his win and I look forward to working with him on a bipartisan basis on the big challenges for Australia, and that includes longer term how we deal with the question of the republic.
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Source
Sydney chemical find raises bomb fears
Occupants of several residential blocks in Sydney's eastern suburbs remain out of their units on Saturday night hours after the discovery of "potentially dangerous chemicals" in one of the buildings following a fire.
Bomb squad officers were called to a unit block on the corner of Edgecliff Road and Wallis Street in Woollahra shortly after firefighters discovered chemicals while extinguishing a blaze in one of the units about 7am (AEST).
The discovery raised fears of a home-made bomb and residents from the block and some neighbouring unit blocks have been evacuated until forensic examinations can determine the precise makeup of the chemicals.
Specialist resources were deployed, including the rescue and bomb disposal unit and were expected to remain at the crime scene until well into the night, police said. Firefighters earlier pulled a 54-year-old man from the unit with minor burns and smoke inhalation.
He was placed under police guard at St Vincent's Hospital and was expected to be released into police custody sometime later on Saturday night.
Hospital spokesman David Faktor said the man's condition was "satisfactory".
He said the hospital had treated him according to contamination precautions.
"We used a decontamination area where the staff garment-up next to the ambulance bay and adhere to that protocol," he told AAP.
Two ambulance staff who brought him in were also checked for contamination but they were cleared, he said.
Neighbours of the injured man, who was believed to be a supermarket worker, said they had often detected strange smells coming from the unit, Channel Seven reported.
It was not known whether the chemicals had caused the fire.
Inspector John Maricic, crime manager of Rose Bay Local Area Command, told reporters the fire was likely caused by an electrical fault.
He would not reveal whether the chemicals were explosives until forensic examinations were completed.
"(The chemicals) could be considered dangerous and hence we've evacuated the area.
"Obviously our concern to the safety of residents is of paramount importance and obviously we've put road closures in place to prevent any incidents before the examinations have been conducted."
There was no one else on the premises at the time of the fire, police said, and there were reports the man's partner was at work at the time.
The fire left one room of the fourth floor unit considerably damaged and smoke damaged surrounding units, police said.
He said that evacuated residents were being looked after.
"We're obviously feeding (the residents) and looking after their welfare and obviously as soon as we can conduct the examination of the scene, the quicker we can get the residents back in," he said.
"Hopefully today, but we've still got work to do."
One woman who lived in the unit block of the fire, who did not wish to be named, saw the blaze about 7.30am (AEST) today.
"It was a big one, there was smoke everywhere," she told AAP. "But fire brigades responded really quickly."
Still dressed in her pyjamas, she had passed the day in a local cafe and talking to other residents in the street.
She said she didn't really know the man that lived in the unit who had been hospitalised.
"I've passed him on the stairs a couple of times. I think he's been here about seven years," she said.
A male resident, who had also been evacuated and also did not wish to be named, said he didn't know what to do with himself.
"They say it could be hours yet," he said.
Source
Bomb squad officers were called to a unit block on the corner of Edgecliff Road and Wallis Street in Woollahra shortly after firefighters discovered chemicals while extinguishing a blaze in one of the units about 7am (AEST).
The discovery raised fears of a home-made bomb and residents from the block and some neighbouring unit blocks have been evacuated until forensic examinations can determine the precise makeup of the chemicals.
Specialist resources were deployed, including the rescue and bomb disposal unit and were expected to remain at the crime scene until well into the night, police said. Firefighters earlier pulled a 54-year-old man from the unit with minor burns and smoke inhalation.
He was placed under police guard at St Vincent's Hospital and was expected to be released into police custody sometime later on Saturday night.
Hospital spokesman David Faktor said the man's condition was "satisfactory".
He said the hospital had treated him according to contamination precautions.
"We used a decontamination area where the staff garment-up next to the ambulance bay and adhere to that protocol," he told AAP.
Two ambulance staff who brought him in were also checked for contamination but they were cleared, he said.
Neighbours of the injured man, who was believed to be a supermarket worker, said they had often detected strange smells coming from the unit, Channel Seven reported.
It was not known whether the chemicals had caused the fire.
Inspector John Maricic, crime manager of Rose Bay Local Area Command, told reporters the fire was likely caused by an electrical fault.
He would not reveal whether the chemicals were explosives until forensic examinations were completed.
"(The chemicals) could be considered dangerous and hence we've evacuated the area.
"Obviously our concern to the safety of residents is of paramount importance and obviously we've put road closures in place to prevent any incidents before the examinations have been conducted."
There was no one else on the premises at the time of the fire, police said, and there were reports the man's partner was at work at the time.
The fire left one room of the fourth floor unit considerably damaged and smoke damaged surrounding units, police said.
He said that evacuated residents were being looked after.
"We're obviously feeding (the residents) and looking after their welfare and obviously as soon as we can conduct the examination of the scene, the quicker we can get the residents back in," he said.
"Hopefully today, but we've still got work to do."
One woman who lived in the unit block of the fire, who did not wish to be named, saw the blaze about 7.30am (AEST) today.
"It was a big one, there was smoke everywhere," she told AAP. "But fire brigades responded really quickly."
Still dressed in her pyjamas, she had passed the day in a local cafe and talking to other residents in the street.
She said she didn't really know the man that lived in the unit who had been hospitalised.
"I've passed him on the stairs a couple of times. I think he's been here about seven years," she said.
A male resident, who had also been evacuated and also did not wish to be named, said he didn't know what to do with himself.
"They say it could be hours yet," he said.
Source
Friday, July 18, 2008
Leafy Lane Cove shows its dark underbelly
Daniel Emerson
July 18, 2008
AFTER three stabbings, a shooting, a car bombing and a local man charged with assisting a fleeing gunman all in the space of a week, residents of Lane Cove North could be forgiven for thinking they live in the new badlands of Sydney.
Even local police agree that the affluent North Shore precinct had been "copping it" of late.
"I don't know what's happening with the drinking water here, mate, but it's a bit of a worry, isn't it?" North Shore police inspector Jeff Bell said.
"We've been copping it a bit lately. Terrible, isn't it? Probably the next Neighbourhood Watch meeting down there will be an interesting one."
The suburb, in which houses sell for an average of $845,000 and the population is 34 per cent Catholic, first hit the headlines recently when three teenagers were stabbed during a brawl at a party on Mowbray Road West on Friday night.
On Tuesday, a home-made pipe bomb exploded under a Jeep Cherokee on Walkers Drive in Lane Cove North Estate.
Another one was defused by the bomb squad.
Police are still investigating whether holes in the front of the Jeep were from shrapnel flying from the bomb, or bullets fired by an automatic weapon that left more than eight cartridges strewn in the street.
The lead investigator, Inspector Peter Yeomans, said the target of the attack was being "unco-operative" but would not comment on reports he was a former Nomad bikie now moonlighting as a strong-arm driver for a Kings Cross identity.
Yesterday police charged a 23-year-old Lane Cove North man with being an accessory after the fact to a shooting with intent to murder in Manly, concealing a serious offence and possessing drugs.
The shooting, on July 5, resulted in a security alert at the Royal North Shore Hospital where the victim was recovering, and the dramatic arrest of the alleged gunman in Martin Place.
Inspector Bell said the incidents were coincidence rather than evidence of a spike in crime in Lane Cove North. "To my knowledge the stabbing bit was certainly unrelated to the pipe-bomb thing, and the young bloke with the shooting over at Manly is just a coincidence as well, unrelated to the other two," he said.
"That's three now, isn't it? They say these things come in threes so hopefully that will be the end of it in Lane Cove for the rest of the year."
Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research figures show the number of reported assaults in Lane Cove had fallen slightly between 2003 and last year but that does not placate residents. One said the target of the car bombing was one of a number of "very beefy, bald-headed" identities who intimidated other residents at the Lane Cove North Estate townhouse complex.
"Lovely, leafy, quiet Lane Cove, hey?" she said.
Source
July 18, 2008
AFTER three stabbings, a shooting, a car bombing and a local man charged with assisting a fleeing gunman all in the space of a week, residents of Lane Cove North could be forgiven for thinking they live in the new badlands of Sydney.
Even local police agree that the affluent North Shore precinct had been "copping it" of late.
"I don't know what's happening with the drinking water here, mate, but it's a bit of a worry, isn't it?" North Shore police inspector Jeff Bell said.
"We've been copping it a bit lately. Terrible, isn't it? Probably the next Neighbourhood Watch meeting down there will be an interesting one."
The suburb, in which houses sell for an average of $845,000 and the population is 34 per cent Catholic, first hit the headlines recently when three teenagers were stabbed during a brawl at a party on Mowbray Road West on Friday night.
On Tuesday, a home-made pipe bomb exploded under a Jeep Cherokee on Walkers Drive in Lane Cove North Estate.
Another one was defused by the bomb squad.
Police are still investigating whether holes in the front of the Jeep were from shrapnel flying from the bomb, or bullets fired by an automatic weapon that left more than eight cartridges strewn in the street.
The lead investigator, Inspector Peter Yeomans, said the target of the attack was being "unco-operative" but would not comment on reports he was a former Nomad bikie now moonlighting as a strong-arm driver for a Kings Cross identity.
Yesterday police charged a 23-year-old Lane Cove North man with being an accessory after the fact to a shooting with intent to murder in Manly, concealing a serious offence and possessing drugs.
The shooting, on July 5, resulted in a security alert at the Royal North Shore Hospital where the victim was recovering, and the dramatic arrest of the alleged gunman in Martin Place.
Inspector Bell said the incidents were coincidence rather than evidence of a spike in crime in Lane Cove North. "To my knowledge the stabbing bit was certainly unrelated to the pipe-bomb thing, and the young bloke with the shooting over at Manly is just a coincidence as well, unrelated to the other two," he said.
"That's three now, isn't it? They say these things come in threes so hopefully that will be the end of it in Lane Cove for the rest of the year."
Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research figures show the number of reported assaults in Lane Cove had fallen slightly between 2003 and last year but that does not placate residents. One said the target of the car bombing was one of a number of "very beefy, bald-headed" identities who intimidated other residents at the Lane Cove North Estate townhouse complex.
"Lovely, leafy, quiet Lane Cove, hey?" she said.
Source
Victim's son named in bomb attack
Les Kennedy
July 18, 2008
A HOME-MADE bomb that killed a noted Sydney scientist as he mowed his lawn was made of the same materials as terrorist bombs that devastated the London underground in 2005, a court has heard.
Central Local Court was told yesterday that Jonathan Lowe, the son of the victim, Dr Lionel Barry Lowe, had ordered a friend to help make a bomb that was triggered remotely by a mobile phone.
Jonathan Lowe was named by police in a statement presented to the magistrate, Allan Moore, when the 26-year-old fitter machinist Ashley Glenn Wright, of Arcadia, appeared, charged with the manslaughter of Dr Lowe.
Police said the 67-year-old retired agricultural scientist died after being hit by shrapnel from a pipe bomb placed in a skip in the backyard of his home in Mitchell Road, Dural, on May 19.
Dr Lowe, a father of five had been cutting the lawn on a ride-on mower.
Police alleged bomb-making components including the "highly volatile" home-made explosive triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and mobile phones were found in a granny flat on the property, occupied by Jonathan Lowe, who denied knowledge of them and has not been charged.
The court heard that police were attempting to verify the movements of Lowe on the day of his father's death.
Police said Lowe was detained on May 20 "on suspicion of possessing explosives" but has been released. Police are waiting for results of tests for explosive residue from his hands and clothing.
Police allege Wright admitted to constructing the bomb and manufacturing the TATP, while also making a circuit board for Lowe, who told him it was to be used for a mobile-phone-activated home alarm system.
"The accused stated that Jonathan Lowe persistently badgered him to construct the explosive device," the statement read. "[Jonathan] Lowe had told the accused that he was going to set the device off in the bush. The accused informed police that Lowe had informed him that he had placed the explosive device outside but the accused did not exactly know where."
Wright, who also admitted to having made TATP two years ago, is also charged with maliciously exploding an explosive device causing grievous bodily harm to Dr Lowe, and negligently handling explosives.
Wright, who appeared before the court on a video link, sought bail, which was opposed by Matthew Laffan, a solicitor for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Mr Laffan said police were still trying to determine a motive for why the bomb was constructed, but that it was similar to bombs in a terrorist manual that had been used in bombings abroad. However, he conceded that there was no link to any terrorist organisation.
Mr Moore granted Wright bail of $10,000 and ordered that he reappear before the court on September 4.
Wright was released from the Silverwater Remand Prison last night, and left in the boot of his parents' car.
Source
July 18, 2008
A HOME-MADE bomb that killed a noted Sydney scientist as he mowed his lawn was made of the same materials as terrorist bombs that devastated the London underground in 2005, a court has heard.
Central Local Court was told yesterday that Jonathan Lowe, the son of the victim, Dr Lionel Barry Lowe, had ordered a friend to help make a bomb that was triggered remotely by a mobile phone.
Jonathan Lowe was named by police in a statement presented to the magistrate, Allan Moore, when the 26-year-old fitter machinist Ashley Glenn Wright, of Arcadia, appeared, charged with the manslaughter of Dr Lowe.
Police said the 67-year-old retired agricultural scientist died after being hit by shrapnel from a pipe bomb placed in a skip in the backyard of his home in Mitchell Road, Dural, on May 19.
Dr Lowe, a father of five had been cutting the lawn on a ride-on mower.
Police alleged bomb-making components including the "highly volatile" home-made explosive triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and mobile phones were found in a granny flat on the property, occupied by Jonathan Lowe, who denied knowledge of them and has not been charged.
The court heard that police were attempting to verify the movements of Lowe on the day of his father's death.
Police said Lowe was detained on May 20 "on suspicion of possessing explosives" but has been released. Police are waiting for results of tests for explosive residue from his hands and clothing.
Police allege Wright admitted to constructing the bomb and manufacturing the TATP, while also making a circuit board for Lowe, who told him it was to be used for a mobile-phone-activated home alarm system.
"The accused stated that Jonathan Lowe persistently badgered him to construct the explosive device," the statement read. "[Jonathan] Lowe had told the accused that he was going to set the device off in the bush. The accused informed police that Lowe had informed him that he had placed the explosive device outside but the accused did not exactly know where."
Wright, who also admitted to having made TATP two years ago, is also charged with maliciously exploding an explosive device causing grievous bodily harm to Dr Lowe, and negligently handling explosives.
Wright, who appeared before the court on a video link, sought bail, which was opposed by Matthew Laffan, a solicitor for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Mr Laffan said police were still trying to determine a motive for why the bomb was constructed, but that it was similar to bombs in a terrorist manual that had been used in bombings abroad. However, he conceded that there was no link to any terrorist organisation.
Mr Moore granted Wright bail of $10,000 and ordered that he reappear before the court on September 4.
Wright was released from the Silverwater Remand Prison last night, and left in the boot of his parents' car.
Source
France closes ranks against burka
Emma-Kate Symons, Paris July 18, 2008
FRANCE has taken a united stand against the burka and the veil with a leading Muslim minister in Nicolas Sarkozy's Government condemning head-to-toe Islamic dress as "a prison and a straitjacket".
Following a landmark appeal court ruling denying French citizenship to a Moroccan woman who wore a burka at the behest of her French husband, Urban Affairs Minister Fadela Amara said all Islamic coverings for women, including the popular head and shoulder veil or hijab were "symbols of oppression".
"The burka is a prison; it's a straitjacket," she told Le Parisien.
"It is not a religious insignia but the insignia of a totalitarian political project that advocates inequality between the sexes and which is totally devoid of democracy."
The words burka and niqab are used interchangeably in France, although burka normally refers to the head-to-toe covering including a screen over the eyes that is popular in parts of Afghanistan. The niqab generally leaves a small slit for the eyes.
Ms Amara did not stop with her denunciation of the most extreme forms of Islamic dress for women and their incompatibility with French values such as secularism, democracy and sexual equality.
"The veil and the burka are the same thing. The only difference is a few centimetres of fabric," she said. "We have to fight against this obscurantist practice which endangers equality between men and women."
In 2005, France banned the veil in all schools, a decision that was met with only small pockets of brief resistance. It is now broadly accepted, including by most of France's estimated five million Muslims, Europe's largest Muslim minority.
A campaigner for women's rights and equality for Muslim women in France's fractious immigrant-dominated housing estates, Ms Amara said she hoped the court ruling would "dissuade certain fanatics from imposing the burka on their wives".
In a rare show of unity, prominent figures across the political spectrum applauded the court decision refusing citizenship to 32-year-old Faiza Mabchour, on the grounds she had failed to integrate. After moving to France in 2000, following her marriage to a French citizen of North African origin, the Moroccan mother of three converted to hardline Salafism, the fundamentalist strand of Islam originating in Saudi Arabia. According to her husband's wishes, she began wearing a burka with only a slit opening at the eyes.
Despite speaking good French, Ms Mabchour demonstrated an ignorance of basic French values and rights during interviews with state officials.
In her ruling, state commissioner Emmanuelle Prada-Bordenave said Ms Mabchour came for interviews "clothed from head to toe in the clothing of women from the Arabian Peninsula, with a veil covering her hair, forehead and chin and a piece of cloth over her face. Her eyes could only be seen through a small slit".
"She lives virtually as a recluse, disconnected from French society. She has no concept of laicite (the secular state or secularism) nor the right to vote. She lives in total subservience to the men in her family."
The appeal ruling was welcomed after controversy surrounding the annulment of a marriage in the northern city of Lille, on the grounds that the Muslim bride had lied about her virginity.
The head of France's Muslim Council, Mohammed Mousaoui, was cautious in his reaction to the burka decision.
"It should not serve as a pretext to stigmatise the majority of Muslims or to the point the finger at the practise of Islam," he said. "In the majority of Muslim schools ... the wearing of the burka is neither an obligation nor a recommendation".
Source
FRANCE has taken a united stand against the burka and the veil with a leading Muslim minister in Nicolas Sarkozy's Government condemning head-to-toe Islamic dress as "a prison and a straitjacket".
Following a landmark appeal court ruling denying French citizenship to a Moroccan woman who wore a burka at the behest of her French husband, Urban Affairs Minister Fadela Amara said all Islamic coverings for women, including the popular head and shoulder veil or hijab were "symbols of oppression".
"The burka is a prison; it's a straitjacket," she told Le Parisien.
"It is not a religious insignia but the insignia of a totalitarian political project that advocates inequality between the sexes and which is totally devoid of democracy."
The words burka and niqab are used interchangeably in France, although burka normally refers to the head-to-toe covering including a screen over the eyes that is popular in parts of Afghanistan. The niqab generally leaves a small slit for the eyes.
Ms Amara did not stop with her denunciation of the most extreme forms of Islamic dress for women and their incompatibility with French values such as secularism, democracy and sexual equality.
"The veil and the burka are the same thing. The only difference is a few centimetres of fabric," she said. "We have to fight against this obscurantist practice which endangers equality between men and women."
In 2005, France banned the veil in all schools, a decision that was met with only small pockets of brief resistance. It is now broadly accepted, including by most of France's estimated five million Muslims, Europe's largest Muslim minority.
A campaigner for women's rights and equality for Muslim women in France's fractious immigrant-dominated housing estates, Ms Amara said she hoped the court ruling would "dissuade certain fanatics from imposing the burka on their wives".
In a rare show of unity, prominent figures across the political spectrum applauded the court decision refusing citizenship to 32-year-old Faiza Mabchour, on the grounds she had failed to integrate. After moving to France in 2000, following her marriage to a French citizen of North African origin, the Moroccan mother of three converted to hardline Salafism, the fundamentalist strand of Islam originating in Saudi Arabia. According to her husband's wishes, she began wearing a burka with only a slit opening at the eyes.
Despite speaking good French, Ms Mabchour demonstrated an ignorance of basic French values and rights during interviews with state officials.
In her ruling, state commissioner Emmanuelle Prada-Bordenave said Ms Mabchour came for interviews "clothed from head to toe in the clothing of women from the Arabian Peninsula, with a veil covering her hair, forehead and chin and a piece of cloth over her face. Her eyes could only be seen through a small slit".
"She lives virtually as a recluse, disconnected from French society. She has no concept of laicite (the secular state or secularism) nor the right to vote. She lives in total subservience to the men in her family."
The appeal ruling was welcomed after controversy surrounding the annulment of a marriage in the northern city of Lille, on the grounds that the Muslim bride had lied about her virginity.
The head of France's Muslim Council, Mohammed Mousaoui, was cautious in his reaction to the burka decision.
"It should not serve as a pretext to stigmatise the majority of Muslims or to the point the finger at the practise of Islam," he said. "In the majority of Muslim schools ... the wearing of the burka is neither an obligation nor a recommendation".
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