Updated October 29, 2018 12:35:26
Photo: Police arrested the man shortly before 8:00am (ABC News: Clare Sibthorpe) Map: Canberra 2600 A five-hour siege involving a man at a south Canberra petrol station caused traffic disruption this morning before ending in a peaceful arrest. Officers were called to the scene shortly after 2:00am after a man began making threats of self-harm outside the BP service station in Phillip. By 7:00am police cars were parked at every corner, with firefighters also at the scene. During the siege the man was seen standing at the petrol bowser, rocking, while two police officers spoke to him from a distance at the side of the road. Photo: The man was standing at the bowser for several hours. (ABC News: Clare Sibthorpe) Traffic was diverted from several directions as three roads were closed. A police spokesman said officers were determined to resolve the situation as safely as possible. Shortly before 8:00am, the man was seen kneeling and placing his hands on his head. Photo: The arrest was cooperative. (ABC News: Clare Sibthorpe) Officers handcuffed the man and took him away in a police van. Roads have since been re-opened. Topics:police-sieges,crime,law-crime-and-justice,suicide,community-and-society,canberra-2600,australia,act First posted October 29, 2018 08:52:40 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-29/man-arrested-after-petrol-station-seige-in-canberra/10440446
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Updated October 26, 2018 17:09:25
Former Canberra Marist teacher David Kisun has been found guilty of indecent assault against two of his students in the 1980s. Key points:David Kisun was facing five charges and was acquitted of oneAllegations of offences against two other boys emerged between Kisun's first and second trialsKisun told the court the incidents may have happened, "but certainly not with me" The 72-year-old was charged with five offences against three boys, and a jury found him guilty of four counts against two of the boys. The victims had told the court the offences occurred in their classroom at the school when he was their teacher. Prosecutor Trent Hickey told the court Kisun exploited his power over his pupils to commit the crimes. "The Crown says each incident shows he had an interest in boys in his class and used the position to commit the offences," he said. But Kisun's lawyer Glenn Casement told the jury the allegations were a fabrication, and at least one complainant was motivated by financial gain. He told the court the man had a civil claim for more than $1 million, which was dependent on the outcome of the case. This is the second time Kisun has faced trial. The first jury acquitted him of one charge but was unable to reach a verdict on two counts of indecent assault. He has now been retried on those charges, as well as new charges relating to two other alleged victims that emerged in the meantime. The jury acquitted him of allegations of offences against one of those boys. Kisun maintains he 'had no sexual interest' in 'grotty' boys Kisun told the court he did teach the three boys at Marist College in Canberra but denied any inappropriate behaviour, including claims of placing his hands inside one boy's shirt and massaging him. "You do not lay hands on children, you just do not do it," he said. "And after all, they are very grotty anyway to rub your hands on their chests." Photo: The prosecution argued Kisun exploited his position of power in order to abuse the boys. (Facebook: Marist College Canberra) "I had no sexual interest in anyone." He also suggested to the jury if the boys were telling the truth, it was not about him. "I think that happened but certainly not with me," he said. The court heard detailed accounts of the incidents occurring mostly when they were alone in the classroom. Mr Hickey outlined the allegations and disclosures made to others in the years since the boys were at Marist. "What is clear from those very early disclosures is that [the boys] have never resiled from the allegations," he said. "That rebuts any suggestion of recent fabrication." Mr Hickey also drew on tendency evidence from two witnesses from New Zealand who were also taught by Mr Kisun there, although he was not charged with any offences over the claims. Kisun has been freed on bail and will be sentenced next week. Topics:sexual-offences,law-crime-and-justice,courts-and-trials,canberra-2600,act,australia First posted October 26, 2018 16:15:25 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-26/former-marist-teacher-david-kisun-guilty-of-sex-offences/10434720 Updated October 26, 2018 16:07:00
When military dog Kuga and his special operations handler Sergeant J were choppered into Khaz Uruzgan in Afghanistan on a mission to locate a high-value Taliban target, they didn't know they were walking into an ambush. Key points:Kuga is the first Australian dog to be awarded the Dickin Medal for animal gallantryKuga was shot five times during a Taliban ambush in 2011He was treated by vets in three countries, but died almost a year after being injured Nor did they know Kuga's bravery on that day in August 2011 would make him the first Australian animal since World War II to be honoured with the Dickin Medal, known as the Victoria Cross for animals. "I let Kuga off to patrol ahead and scout," Sergeant J said. Before long, the Malinois indicated he could sense something lying in wait. "[He] pushed off to the left and down into a creek bank and I sort of lost sight of him," Sergeant J said. "As Kuga was starting to swim across the river, that's when the first burst of automatic gunfire came in around him. "I could see the rounds kicking up around him in the water." Despite the gunfire, Kuga pushed on to the other side of the river, where he charged the shooter, and grabbed onto him. "That forced that insurgent to target him as opposed to targeting us," Sergeant J said. Photo: Despite taking fire, Kuga charged the enemy. (Supplied: Defence) "The insurgent had an AK-47, and managed to get a shot onto Kuga, which forced him to let his grip go." The insurgent escaped, but not before Kuga was shot five times and sustained shrapnel wounds to much of his body. But he didn't give up. "Kuga was there, he was sort of sitting there I could see his leg was broken," Sergeant J said. "I thought I'd give it a chance and see if he'd come if I called him." Photo: Kuga's injuries were treated in Germany and Australia. (Supplied: Defence) Slowly, the injured dog made his way to the water's edge and swam back to his handler. Despite Kuga's serious wounds, nobody gave up on the dog. Sergeant J provided immediate care, and an emergency medical evacuation was called in. "He was in a pretty bad way at that point," the handler said. Kuga spent the next nine months with vets in Afghanistan, Germany and Australia, who treated him and attempted to rehabilitate him. But the stress the injuries and recovery process placed on him proved too much, and he died in July 2012. 'He saved lives that day' Photo: Mark Donaldson VC and military dog Odin accepted the medal on Kuga's behalf. (ABC News: Jordan Hayne) Today Kuga became the first Australian dog to be awarded the Dickin Medal, which recognises the gallantry of animals during war service. The only other Australian animals recognised by the medal are two carrier pigeons that served in World War II, the last of which was recognised in 1947. Mary Reilly from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), which awards the Dickin Medal, said it was given out very rarely for only the most conspicuous bravery among animals. "Kuga's sacrifice was an ultimate sacrifice," she said. "The reason he got the Dickin Medal was he just was so courageous. "It has become known as the animals' Victoria Cross." External Link:Chief of Army Rick Burr tweet: On behalf of the @AustralianArmy, I wish to acknowledge special operations military working dog Kuga on being awarded the @PDSA_HQ Dickin Medal. Known as the VC for animals, the award reflects the actions & courage Kuga demonstrated supporting troops on operations in Afghanistan. Victoria Cross recipient and former military dog handler Mark Donaldson VC accepted the medal with service dog Odin on Kuga's behalf. "I personally am of the opinion that he saved lives that day," he said. "The ambush would not have been sprung early enough so they would have stumbled into that killing zone. "If you take Kuga out of the equation with reasonable doubt they wouldn't have known the enemy was there." Kuga's medal will be displayed at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra from next year. "I'm pretty proud of what Kuga did that day," Sergeant J said. "He's the one who chose to go forward, he's the one who chose to take bullets for both me and my mates. "Ultimately that enabled me to come home to my family." Topics:history,community-and-society,unrest-conflict-and-war,animals,human-interest,canberra-2600,act,australia,afghanistan First posted October 26, 2018 13:23:41 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-26/dickin-medal-awarded-kuga-dog-canberra/10433054 Updated October 24, 2018 14:34:28
Photo: Sabrina Lamont from Bundaberg, Queensland is calling for change as fuel prices hit a record high. (ABC Wide Bay: Brad Marsellos) A motorist fed up with high petrol prices is calling on drivers across Australia to boycott service stations for one day in a bid to address the cost of fuel, which has reached record highs. External Link:Fuel Strike FB More than 160,000 people have indicated they would either join or are interested in taking part in a national fuel strike later this week. There is also an online petition lobbying the Federal Government to ditch some of its taxes on fuel. Sabrina Lamont, the organiser of the strike and petition, said while Queensland motorists were paying around $1.65, she believed the price should be much lower. "A fair price should be a $1.15 if you do the calculation on a barrel price and compare the dollar price, and then take away the excise and GST. That is roughly what the price should be at," she said. But Australasian Convenience and Petroleum Marketers Association (ACAPMA) chief executive Mark McKenzie said $1.15 a litre was far from fair. "It would result in fuel retailers losing an average of 40 cents per litre given that they were buying petrol at an average of $1.45 last week and it costs an average of 10 cents per litre to retail [including] rent, wages and electricity. "So a break-even cost with no profit would have been a sale price of $1.55." Fuel costs being felt Websites and apps showing where and when to buy cheaper fuel: Mr McKenzie said the increase in the cost of fuel over the past year was due to a 44 per cent increase in crude oil, a 12 per cent devaluation in the Australian dollar and a small increase in fuel retailing costs. "Around 45 per cent of the cost of fuel relates to overseas factors such as the cost of crude oil and the international refining price while a further 45 per cent is Australian Government taxes." The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) says 46 per cent of the cost is determined by the international price Mogas 95, 39 per cent by taxes and 15 per cent by other costs and margins. Tax on unleaded and diesel fuel includes excise which is set at 41 cents a litre and indexed twice a year in line with the consumer price index. GST is added on top of this so the percentage going to taxes can vary. Ms Lamont said she believed fuel was "one of the most overtaxed products in Australia" and the increasing cost was breaking the back of the nation. "There are people losing their jobs, businesses [are] selling trucks and letting workers go. Parents are not taking their children to school [because of the price of fuel]," she said. "They are breaking the country's back with this." Ms Lamont said she was calling on people to boycott service stations on the day of the strike. "We are asking the whole nation not to enter a service station, a total boycott, whether independents or a major brand," the Bundaberg woman said. "Just do not buy fuel." Infographic: In each litre of fuel, 46 per cent of the cost is determined by the international price Mogas 95, 39 per cent by taxes and 15 per cent by other costs/margins, according to the ACCC. (Supplied: ACCC) Would it work? ACAPMA chief executive Mr McKenzie said a strike made "no sense". "Punishing Australian fuel retailers, most of whom are small family businesses, for increases that are the responsibility of international companies makes no sense whatsoever." RACQ spokeswoman Lucinda Ross said a one-day strike would not work, even if it happened nationally. "We have run the figures and about 250,000 Queenslanders fill up each day," she said. "You can understand the frustration level is at an all time high with prices reaching the most expensive we have ever seen before," she said. "But boycotting for one day of the year won't do anything to lower the price of fuel." Ms Ross said motorists were "feeling the pain" of the current fuel prices and while she believed they were paying too much, she said Ms Lamont's suggestion of $1.15 per litre would be unreasonable. She suggested that drivers monitor the price cycle and take advantage of when the fuel price was at its lowest point. "You do get the opportunity in the price cycle to buy at wholesale price every four weeks," she said. "If you fill up on the cheap days you save 20 to 30 cents a litre on fuel." Infographic: Petrol prices go in cycles and the duration of the cycle varies according to where you live. (Supplied: Informed Sources) Ms Lamont said there might be further action in the coming months after feedback from fed-up motorists across the country that "one day isn't enough". "October 26 is a day designed to bring all Australians together. It has been designed to create awareness among the people to come together and finally have a voice," she said. "In November, December, and the following months, we will be bigger in numbers and we will be boycotting one major, or possibly all majors, for a minimum of one month at a time." Cheaper alternative? Try Venezuela In some remote communities motorists are paying more than $2 a litre, but according to the Global Petrol Price, the cost of fuel in Australia is generally $US1.12 ($A1.58), which is below the worldwide average of $US1.18 a litre ($A1.67). Venezuela is the cheapest averaging $US0.01 a litre ($A0.014) and Hong Kong is the most expensive at $US2.21 ($A3.13). Robert Contreras, who grew up in Venezuela's capital Caracas before moving to Melbourne in 2014, said the country "gives fuel away". Photo: Venezuelan man Robert Contreras has been living in Australia since 2014 with his family. (Facebook: Robert Contreras) "Fuel is basically free; by international standards it is free," he said. Mr Contreras said that fuel was so cheap because the Venezuelan Government was afraid to change. He said the country was in the grip of hyperinflation and wages were not indexed to keep up with inflation. "The price of everything doubles in a few weeks," Mr Contreras said. Photo: The price of fuel and growing frustration from motorists have prompted some service station owners to issue an explanation. (ABC Wide Bay: Brad Marsellos) He reflected on happier times when his native country was "swimming in money". "In the 1970s, there was an oil crisis for developing countries, but for oil producers like Venezuela it was great," he said. "We grew up with entitlement because we were living in an oil country. "That was back then when the price of oil was booming as we were making a lot of money from exporting oil. "Come 1989, the oil cycle ended and the price of oil plummeted. The country needed economic reforms and one major reform was to increase the price of oil." Mr Contreras said after that, the country went into turmoil. The Government suffered two coups and ceased to exist. "Since then, the Government is too scared to increase oil prices," he said. "The price of oil is fixed; every gas station has a fixed price." Topics:consumer-finance,activism-and-lobbying,people,transport,oil-and-gas,maroochydore-4558,bundaberg-4670,melbourne-3000,canberra-2600,hobart-7000,darwin-0800,adelaide-5000,brisbane-4000,sydney-2000,perth-6000,venezuela First posted October 24, 2018 06:48:09 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-24/will-a-boycott-on-fuel-make-it-cheaper-for-you/10395474 Updated October 24, 2018 14:05:56
The ACT Government will bring in new laws to prevent discrimination against Canberra students and teachers based on their sexual identity. Key points:Chief Minister says 'discrimination still possible' in ACTNew laws will prevent discrimination based on sexualityThe legislation will be introduced next week It comes after national debate over potential changes to federal sexual discrimination laws prompted the Government to review its legislation for any loopholes. Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the Government would introduce legislation next week to "protect students and teachers" from discrimination on the basis of sexuality, gender identity, race, pregnancy or intersex characteristics. "As a proud human rights jurisdiction, we must ensure the correct balance is struck between freedom to live free from discrimination, and freedom of religion," Mr Barr told the Legislative Assembly. "It is possible to strike this balance, but we're not there yet." Mr Barr said he was personally disappointed discrimination was "arguably still possible" under the territory's current laws. The Government will also undertake an "extensive audit" of all territory laws and close any further gaps and loopholes found. "We will act because this community does not want discrimination on the basis of sexuality entrenched in our statute books," he said. Mr Barr said the debate was not purely theoretical and the potential for discrimination could affect a large number of students. About one third of students could be discriminated against on the basis of their sexuality, gender identity or relationship status, he added. "Of course, many religious and independent schools do not discriminate, and in fact, actively fight discrimination in the interests of their students," he said. "But the fact remains that religious and independent schools retain the legal ability to exclude LGBTIQ students and employees simply because of who they are." Earlier this month, Prime Minister Scott Morrison indicated he did not support schools being able to expel students for their sexuality, and said he would work with the Opposition to stop independent schools from being able to do so. Cross-party support for some protections ACT Opposition Leader Alistair Coe said students should not face adverse consequences for coming out at school. He said his own understanding of the religious school system was one of acceptance and tolerance. "Our experience in Canberra is that the cultural attitude of Canberra's schools is one that is very warm and welcoming of all people," Mr Coe said. Mr Coe acknowledged there may be circumstances where teachers had been discriminated against, but said he was unaware of any cases. "I'm certainly aware of many non-government schools where the opposite has taken place," he said. "I expect there are dozens of occasions where it has not at all been noteworthy and has gone under the radar without any attention whatsoever." ACT Greens leader Shane Rattenbury said he would work with the Government to close any perceived loopholes in the legislation. "We'll move quickly to address those matters," he said. Mr Rattenbury said he was pleased the Chief Minister had pledged to examine the impact of other areas of legislation as well, including employment and access to services. "It doesn't matter if these loopholes are being used or not. The fair and just society we live in has moved beyond that don't-ask, don't-tell situation, and we need to be proactive in our consideration," he said. Topics:education,schools,primary-schools,secondary-schools,gays-and-lesbians,discrimination,government-and-politics,local-government,canberra-2600,act,australia First posted October 24, 2018 12:31:58 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-24/act-to-close-gay-student-discrimination-loophole/10423220 Updated October 13, 2018 11:16:44
Photo: John Hume credits his support dog Oriana with helping him reconnect with the world. (ABC News: Jake Evans) For years, Vietnam War veteran John Hume lived with the trauma of watching dozens of men drown during the 1969 collision between HMAS Melbourne and a US destroyer but he's finally reconnecting with the world, thanks to the "sad brown eyes" of his support dog Oriana. Key points:Team of support dogs to support Invictus athletesAnimals to help competitors with post-traumatic stressVeteran says his dog helped him reconnect with world His case is the perfect example of the impact a service dog can have on a veteran's life, as a team of furry welfare specialists prepare to head to the Invictus Games to support competitors. A dozen dogs have been trained to help people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and they will be on duty for veterans in what can be an overwhelming environment. Service dogs for people who have PTSD may not immediately seem as necessary as a guide dog is for someone who is visually impaired but they can change a person's life. Mr Hume, who served in the Navy for 20 years, knows that first-hand. "For a young tacker, I was only going on 18 at the time, and to be ploughed into a warzone like that you were always aware of the fact of where you were," Mr Hume said. He slept through nights of gunfire and napalm flashes. And in 1969 he was hit by the "reality" of service. "I was on the [HMAS] Melbourne and we collided with the American destroyer Frank E Evans," he said. If you or anyone you know needs help: "And unfortunately I watched 80-odd fellas slide below the surface that night, three o'clock in the morning. "It was a matter of probably five minutes, but that five minutes has stayed with me." It remained with Mr Hume, below the surface, until his wife died by suicide three years ago. "I was blaming myself because I wasn't around when my wife went," he said. That was the point when Mr Hume retreated from the world, spending his days inside watching television. Then Oriana arrived. Photo: Oriana the service dog helps John deal will post-traumatic stress. (ABC News: Jake Evans) "I was watching something on TV and it took my mind back to a few experiences, and I didn't do anything, I didn't say anything, but she immediately got up and just placed her chin on my knee and just looked up at me with those big sad brown eyes," he said. With Oriana, Mr Hume was able to switch off the television and return to the world he had withdrawn from. Preparing to help athletes Next Saturday Oriana's canine colleagues will be on hand at the Invictus Games to provide the same comfort to competing veterans. Brigadier Mark Holmes, chairman of Integra Service Dogs, said many of the competing veterans live with post-traumatic stress. "We're preparing them to be welfare dogs and therapy dogs, to be onsite at the Invictus Games for the athletes and their families," he said. Brigadier Holmes explained how a service dog's and a guide dog's jobs compare. Photo: Karma the support dog is preparing to assist at the Invictus Games. (ABC News: Jake Evans) "A guide dog for a blind person would take them to an ATM and they'd be able to use the machine," he said. "A service dog would sit behind a person with post-traumatic stress and provide that comfort at the ATM, knowing that there's nobody behind them and that they are able to use the machine." The dogs will be hard at work for the event in particular one young blonde Labrador named Karma, who will be alongside Invictus co-captain Matt Brumby for the entirety of the games. "She'll be learning how to work and walk with him and his wheelchair, but she'll also be working with him just to provide a very positive friendship and distraction during the games in what's obviously going to be a very busy and exciting environment for him," trainer Ben Johnson said. Photo: Dogs are being trained ahead of the games. (ABC News: Jake Evans) And when the games end, Karma will return to Mr Brumby's home in Tasmania for good. As for Oriana, she is also set for a trip. "In about two weeks' time she's on the seat beside me to Lord Howe Island," Mr Hume said. "She'll love it, absolutely love it, she deserves it." Topics:animals,mental-health,health,veterans,defence-and-national-security,human-interest,canberra-2600,act,australia First posted October 13, 2018 09:48:06 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-13/invictus-support-dogs-canberra-ptsd/10371282 10/13/2018 0 Comments 'A wonderful outcome': Child sexual abuse survivor cancels national apology boycottUpdated October 12, 2018 21:39:01
Photo: Leonie Sheedy from the Care Leavers Australasian Network cancelled her plans to boycott the apology. (ABC News) A leading campaigner against child sexual abuse says she will no longer boycott the national apology, after meeting with Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Key pointsHead of CLAN unhappy with redress application form, arguing it "re-traumatises" survivorsWas going to boycott the National Apology to child sexual abuse victims on October 22Has had a change of heart after Prime Minister Morrison agreed to give survivors choice about disclosing personal information to institutions Head of Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLAN) Leonie Sheedy had announced she would boycott the National Apology to Victims and Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse, to be delivered at Parliament House on October 22, because the current application form for survivors to apply for redress was "unacceptable". Ms Sheedy, who is a member of the National Apology Reference Group, said the form was confusing and "re-traumatised" survivors who were required to disclose "highly personal and sensitive information" in their victim impact statements to the very institutions in which they had been abused. "When I found out that they were going to give my most personal and sensitive information back to the Sisters of Mercy in Victoria and to the Victorian Government I was so distressed I was crying for days, and I've made a decision that I won't apply for redress," Ms Sheedy had said. "It's also a privacy issue. I think they've lost the right to know the impact on my life." Ms Sheedy said the redress application forms were "very institution-focused" and "needed to be scrapped and started again". Earlier today she cried as she told the ABC she would boycott the national apology. "Making the decision to withdraw? I did it with a very heavy heart," she said. "I've worked for Care Leavers for 26 years, I know a lot of the Clannies personally. "It's distressing but sometimes you have to suck it up for a bigger cause." 'I think I can turn up' However, following a meeting with Mr Morrison this afternoon, Ms Sheedy said she had changed her mind after the Prime Minister agreed survivors should be given a choice about whether their victim impact statements were shared with institutions. He also promised the change would be made in time for the apology, Ms Sheedy said. "I think it's a wonderful outcome it has removed a great burden from my heart and my shoulders. "I think I can turn up there now with the love and support of [my husband] Warren and I think all the care leavers of Australia, they need to have the love and support of the head of CLAN. "To be gracious to the Prime Minister for making this change, it would be rude of me to decline." Ms Sheedy said more work needed to be done to improve the redress scheme and told Mr Morrison the apology needed to be "about action, it needs to be sincere, it needs to be embracing of all people who were abused". "We will make sure it is a day for care leavers and other victims," she said. "We need to be front and centre, this is not a day for politicians to glow in the spotlight." Topics:community-and-society,child-abuse,government-and-politics,federal-government,sexual-offences,charities-and-community-organisations,canberra-2600,sydney-2000 First posted October 12, 2018 18:06:03 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-12/clan-head-cancels-national-apology-boycott/10370690 Posted October 12, 2018 13:52:51
Photo: Invictus Games competitor Jesse Costello (left) was scalped and broke bones in his face in an ADF bus crash. (Supplied: Jesse Costello) Jesse Costello's dreams of being a fighter pilot in the Australian Air Force were dashed when he sustained serious injuries in an Australian Defence Force (ADF) bus crash in 2015. Mr Costello was scalped and suffered facial lacerations, when the bus he was travelling in rolled near Goulburn in southern New South Wales. Around 50 ADF Academy personnel were on board. "We were coming back along a route that was notorious for being dangerous I saw the ground approach my face and then about an hour occurred when apparently I was conscious, but I don't remember that," he said. Mr Costello said his heart stopped. After he was resuscitated, he remembered asking the paramedics to contact his parents before he was airlifted to Canberra hospital. Following the crash, Mr Costello was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic amnesia, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The 23-year-old from north-east Victoria said he endured some of his darkest days following that crash. "It has taken a lot to overcome what happened even now and it has been nearly three years," he said. Eventually, he applied to compete at the Invictus Games. "I ignored calls to attempt to try out for the Invictus Games in Toronto because I didn't think I deserved it [I thought] that I wasn't broken enough or injured enough," he said. Photo: Head coach Geoffrey Stokes (left) with Jesse Costello (centre), who will compete in athletics, swimming and rowing at the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney. (Supplied: Jesse Costello) He said sport saved his life. "Sport has just been a constant. I felt so small and it made sure I had something to look forward to." Mr Costello will compete in the swimming, athletics and rowing, when the Games begin in Sydney next week. "It's about giving it my all. Yes, winning would be great, but just crossing the finish line represents all the efforts I have put in, both on the track and in my lifestyle," he said. He said he was, in part, frustrated by the fact that people did not tend to think about sport for all abilities except during the Paralympics and special events like the Invictus Games. "It's a difficult area because it's a very small and particular portion of the population," he said. "Things like the Invictus Games are helping with that. When people see our affiliation [with the Games] they do ask so, what are the Invictus Games? It's annoying, but it's understandable and I'm happy to educate people." Mr Costello said representing Australia meant one thing to him recovery. "It means I'm taking a step in the right direction." Shining a light on invisible scars Photo: Trudi Lines suffered injuries to her neck, lower back and ankles during her deployment to Afghanistan. She was also diagnosed with PTSD. (Supplied: Trudi Lines) Shepparton-born Trudi Lines will also be donning the green and gold at the Games, which run from October 20 - 27. She retired from the military last year after suffering injuries to her neck, lower back and ankles after her deployment to Afghanistan. She was also diagnosed with PTSD. Ms Lines said she was happy the Invictus Games shone a light not only on physical disabilities but mental conditions as well. "[Invictus] will hopefully help with the stigma that's behind PTSD. There's so much people don't understand about how it works," she said. "A lot of people could look at me and think, 'Oh you look normal, what's wrong with you?' "Sometimes it's those invisible scars that you have that people just don't understand." She too said sport helped her during her darkest days. "The main reason I actually applied for Invictus I guess what it's all about was to assist with my rehabilitation," she said. "I didn't realise just how important sport was in my life. "Just because you can't necessarily do the sport that you always loved, that doesn't mean there aren't other opportunities that's what Invictus is all about." Topics:sport,disabilities,volunteers,mental-health,veterans,defence-forces,shepparton-3630,goulburn-2580,canberra-2600,afghanistan,sydney-2000 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-12/invictus-games-help-injured-adf-personnel-through-darkest-days/10368644 Posted October 08, 2018 15:11:27
More than 90 per cent of students sexually harassed on campus at the University of Canberra did not report it to the institution, a review by former sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick has found. Key points:26 per cent of all students at UC said they were harassed on, or travelling to, campus93 per cent of respondents said they did not report it to the universityThe university has accepted all recommendations for improvement from the report Student confusion about how to report sexual misconduct to the university was a major theme in the review, which was conducted at the request of the university. Overall, 93 per cent of students who had been sexually harassed did not report it to the university. The most common reason why was students did not believe it was serious enough. But the report also found confusion among staff and students about how to report sexual misconduct, with 61 per cent of students saying they knew nothing or very little about how to make a complaint. The data was taken from the Human Rights Commission survey of university students across Australia, which covered on-campus sexual assault between 2015 and 2016. Overall the survey found 26 per cent of UC students who completed the survey had experienced sexual harassment on campus or while travelling to or from campus. The rate of sexual assault on campus at UC was 1.1 per cent, less than the national average of 1.6 per cent. However the rate of sexual assault among international students was 2.4 per cent. One of 39 recommendations made in the report was for the university to implement a single, survivor-focused reporting system. University of Canberra vice-chancellor Deep Saini said the university had accepted all of Ms Broderick's recommendations. "We asked her to give us the way forward, and she's given us the way forward and we've decided to totally walk on it," he said. "There are gaps in our system for reporting she's recommending that we have one-stop reporting, and we are moving immediately to implement that. "Overall Liz tells us that we're starting from a pretty high base we're not happy with that. We want to go as far as we can." 'Boys in packs' reported among staff Among the review's other recommendations were the adoption of an online consent training course as compulsory, and face-to-face sexual ethics training for all first-year students. It also collected evidence from staff about culture on a faculty level. "[I have witnessed] senior male staff, being absolutely horrible to the female staff," one respondent said. "In at least once instance reducing a very talented, conscientious, well-regarded female person to tears." Another staff member said there was "great concern among the women in [my faculty] of the level of bullying and sexism by the male staff. It's like boys in packs." Concerns over students on work placement The University of Canberra Student Representative Council (UCSRC) released a statement commending the university for commissioning the report. "The UCSRC believes that the university has the responsibility to create a safe space for reporting sexual harassment and assault and ensuring that students are aware of how to report and what support resources are available," the statement said. "Whilst we are disappointed that a reporting tool has not existed in the past, we are hopeful that this is rectified as a matter of priority." It also raised concerns about heightened levels of harassment and assault for LGBTI and Indigenous students, and the vulnerability of students on work placement. But Professor Saini said there were limits to what the university could do in that space. "That's probably the most complex area, because we have control on what happens on this campus, we don't have control on what happens outside," he said. Topics:university-and-further-education,education,university-of-canberra-2617,canberra-2600,act,australia http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-08/university-of-canberra-sexual-harassment-report/10351392 Updated October 05, 2018 16:03:15
Related Story: Strip club scrap lands bikie in jail Map: Canberra 2600 The behaviour of bikies caught up in a wild brawl in a Canberra strip club has been likened to a pack of wild dogs. Nuulua Levi, 55, and Peniamina Elia, 34, are among several people charged over the brawl in August last year. The two who were members of the Comanchero motorbike club came to Canberra as part of the group's 33rd memorial run. The fight kicked off at about 3am, involving punching, kicking each other's head, headbutting and throwing items. None of those involved would talk to police, so charges were laid based on evidence on CCTV footage. Magistrate Ken Cush said it was a serious incident. "Clearly, as a result of what happened in the Capital Men's Club, there was a considerable amount of violence," he said. He also noted that although it was in a strip club, and in the early hours of the morning, the venue was open to the public. Mr Crush added that staff, including the women working there lawfully, were vulnerable. He said the men took a very active role in the brawl. "There was plenty of opportunity for both to disengage," he said. "Both are large men. They behaved like a pack of wild dogs." Family members in the public gallery became distressed as both were sentenced to 10 months jail, to be suspended after five months. Another man, 27-year-old Paea Talakai, already received a similar sentence after also pleading guilty. One more person is awaiting sentence. Topics:law-crime-and-justice,courts-and-trials,crime,canberra-2600,act,australia First posted October 05, 2018 13:15:45 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-05/bikies-brawling-in-canberra-strip-club-likened-to-wild-dogs/10342978 |
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