Saturday, 31 July 2004

Called in by elders, 250 police swoop on Redfern's dealers, Weekend Australian, 31 July, 2004.

Called in by elders, 250 police swoop on Redfern's dealers: [1 All-round Country Edition]

John Stapleton, Drew Warne-Smith. Weekend Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 31 July 2004: 3.
It was the first operational phase of Strike Force Allunga, formed in January after Aboriginal elders asked for help to rid the neighbourhood of heroin.
"The elders have asked for a strong police presence to remove drug dealers. We have many decent Aboriginal and other families living around here who are concerned about their kids," he said.
Tensions between some local Aborigines and police have been high since February's violent riot after the death of Thomas "TJ" Hickey. Gail Hickey, TJ's mother, blamed police for chasing him and causing him to crash his bicycle, which sparked the riot.

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SYDNEY'S derelict drug hot-spot the Block was stormed by more than 250 police yesterday in a massive attempt to wipe out heroin in one of the city's major markets.
With the support of Redfern's Aboriginal elders, and after months of undercover work, the operation resulted in 34 arrests on drug and related charges.
Five drug houses were raided, with police pulling down doors and blanketing the troubled 1970s housing development.
"I am confident there will be less heroin available by Christmas than there has ever been on the Block," Redfern police boss Dennis Smith said, promising to continue the crackdown.
It was the first operational phase of Strike Force Allunga, formed in January after Aboriginal elders asked for help to rid the neighbourhood of heroin.
Superintendent Smith said the raids had been aimed at heroin pushers and not users.
"The elders have asked for a strong police presence to remove drug dealers. We have many decent Aboriginal and other families living around here who are concerned about their kids," he said.
Tensions between some local Aborigines and police have been high since February's violent riot after the death of Thomas "TJ" Hickey. Gail Hickey, TJ's mother, blamed police for chasing him and causing him to crash his bicycle, which sparked the riot.
Ms Hickey watched yesterday's raids in silence with a group of family and friends.
"I don't want to talk, not about this," she said. "I don't like it, but it's not right."
But the head of the Aboriginal Housing Co-op Mick Mundine said the raids were "a blessing in disguise".
"It is not surprising," he said. "The community itself does not tolerate drugs. People knew it was coming. Enough is enough."
On many street corners, there was also resentment as the young and the elderly alike were frisked and questioned.
Police were called "dogs" and regularly taunted with claims they should raid other Sydney heroin hot-spots, and not just target black people.
One local, Wally Carr, said unless the drug market was dried up by offering rehabilitation to local addicts, new dealers would flock to replace those locked up yesterday.
"If there were no junkies to sell it to, the blokes would not be there selling heroin, and police wouldn't need to do the raids," Mr Carr said.
There were also many surreal scenes with music blaring from houses while sniffer dogs barked and residents peered out of windows at the passing parade of police.
One house had its front grill pulled off by chains attached to a police vehicle as neighbours looked on sullenly.
The six-month operation preceding the raids involved undercover police attempting to buy drugs from local dealers.
According to police, they were successful almost 100 per cent of the time.
Police also distributed information explaining to residents why the raids were planned.
Most of those arrested are expected to remain in police custody over the weekend and face court on Monday. The five alleged drug houses are likely to be bricked up, police said.
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Friday, 30 July 2004

Guard back in hospital, The Australian, 30 July, 2004.

Guard back in hospital: [7 NSW First Edition]

Drew Warne-Smith, John Stapleton. The Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 30 July 2004: 6.
Scans have already revealed Ms [Karen Brown] has a fractured skull and a broken nose, suffered when [William Aquilina], 25, attacked her with knuckle- dusters. Her barrister, Joseph Busuttil, has also said she is suffering from memory loss.

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THE female security guard who shot dead a thief after he attacked and robbed her of a hotel's takings was re-admitted to hospital last night amid fears she may lose sight in one eye.
Karen Brown was expected to be formally interviewed by police yesterday, three days after witnesses saw her shoot and kill William Aquilina in the car park of the Moorebank Hotel in southwest Sydney.
But police have agreed for the interview to be suspended until next week after Ms Brown complained of having trouble with her eyesight and doctors confirmed a bone had shifted behind her right eye.
Scans have already revealed Ms Brown has a fractured skull and a broken nose, suffered when Aquilina, 25, attacked her with knuckle- dusters. Her barrister, Joseph Busuttil, has also said she is suffering from memory loss.
Ms Brown is expected to stay in hospital until at least Monday, with her de facto husband, George Muratore, by her side. Mr Muratore is the director of Elite Guard Force Security, Ms Brown's employer.
His father, Vic Muratore, said Ms Brown would never recover from the incident.
"She will be better off dead the way things are going."
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Wednesday, 28 July 2004

Fireman lived for children ... and died for one, The Australian, 28 July, 2004.

Fireman lived for children ... and died for one: [1 All-round Country Edition]

Jennifer Sexton, John Stapleton. The Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 28 July 2004: 3.
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PHILLIP Viles lived for children, his own three boys, the under- 16s he trained in rugby league and the nippers with whom he enjoyed the surf.
"He told the paramedics he knew he was in trouble and said `you have to get me through this, I have a young family at home'," said Chris Warwick, president of the Budgewoi-Buff Point junior rugby league club where Mr Viles trained the under-16s.
Mr Viles surfed every day, ran a part-time upholstery business, including making surfboard covers labelled Jamitin, and worked as a caretaker at the local caravan park on top of his service with the NSW Fire Brigade.
PHILLIP Viles lived for children, his own three boys, the under- 16s he trained in rugby league and the nippers with whom he enjoyed the surf.
On Monday night, the 41-year-old firefighter died trying to save a two-year-old boy trapped in an upstairs room of a house engulfed in flames.
The terrified boy beat at the window and screamed for his mother, who was downstairs at the family home at Doyalson on the NSW central coast, when the fire started late in the afternoon.
Mr Viles entered the house at least three times in a vain attempt to rescue toddler Brent Londrigan before collapsing on the front lawn.
He was rushed to Wyong Hospital but died of a heart attack in the ambulance just as it arrived.
"He told the paramedics he knew he was in trouble and said `you have to get me through this, I have a young family at home'," said Chris Warwick, president of the Budgewoi-Buff Point junior rugby league club where Mr Viles trained the under-16s.
The dead toddler's mother, Janelle Londrigan, was in a stable condition in Gosford Hospital last night after suffering burns.
His seven-year-old brother Shaun was playing at a neighbour's house at the time of the fire and was unharmed, and father Greg was at work as a prison guard in Sydney.
Their near neighbour, Sharon Stephenson, said the scene was horrific. "You could hear the baby crying, the mother yelling `my baby's in here, my baby's in here', and not being able to do a goddamn thing," Ms Stephenson said.
"The fireys did everything they could, they could hear the kid crying for his mother, they went in as soon as they could bear the heat.
"The poor mother was beside herself.
"There was nothing anyone could do."
Mr Viles and wife Tracey had three sons -- Matt, 9, Luke, 14, and Josh, 16.
"He loved his kids. He was a battler. He was involved in everything and anything to do with kids," his friend Mick Hart said.
Mr Viles surfed every day, ran a part-time upholstery business, including making surfboard covers labelled Jamitin, and worked as a caretaker at the local caravan park on top of his service with the NSW Fire Brigade.
The afternoon before he died, he told mate and fellow Tea Tree Board Riders Club member Shane Kavanagh of the challenges of fighting fires where smoke created whiteout conditions.
"He was telling me how proud he was to be involved in the work of firefighting," Mr Kavanagh said.
"Phil died as a hero, that was my first reaction, especially after hearing that he went in to save that kid several times. He had a big heart."
NSW Premier Bob Carr said it was a reminder of the dangers firefighters face.
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Monday, 26 July 2004

Critics close book on author, The Australian, 26 July, 2004.

Critics close book on author: [1 All-round Country Edition]

Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 26 July 2004: 3.
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GINA Yatim knew something was amiss when author Norma Khouri portrayed Jordan in her best-selling book as a country where "honour killings" were common.
Doubts have been raised over the authenticity of Forbidden Love, a supposed non-fiction account of Khouri's friendship with Dalia, a woman who was murdered by her father after falling in love with, and engaging in a chaste affair with, a Christian army officer by the name of Michael.
Khouri, who was allegedly forced to flee Jordan, now lives in hiding in Queensland after being assisted by publisher Random House to obtain a temporary visa.
GINA Yatim knew something was amiss when author Norma Khouri portrayed Jordan in her best-selling book as a country where "honour killings" were common.
"When I first read the blurb ... I knew it couldn't be true. It gives the impression Jordanians are criminals when they are not. It is a very modern culture," said Ms Yatim, a Christian Jordanian born in Australia.
"When this book reduced people to tears, I was saying, `Hello!'."
Doubts have been raised over the authenticity of Forbidden Love, a supposed non-fiction account of Khouri's friendship with Dalia, a woman who was murdered by her father after falling in love with, and engaging in a chaste affair with, a Christian army officer by the name of Michael.
Mohammed Awad, completing a masters degree at Swinburne University, said he had been "distraught and disgusted" over the unrealistic portrayal of gender relations in the Islamic world.
"When I first read it I had no doubts that it was made up," he said.
"I myself have been given a hard time as a Jordanian man as a result of the book, with people suggesting that this is what we do and how we treat our women, which is just so wrong. I am very grateful the truth is coming out."
It has sold 200,000 copies in Australia alone, but weekend reports accused Khouri -- who spent months last year promoting the book as the story of her life -- of a literary hoax.
Khouri, who was allegedly forced to flee Jordan, now lives in hiding in Queensland after being assisted by publisher Random House to obtain a temporary visa.
President of the Australian Jordanian Friendship Association Hani Mouasher said Jordan was a modern democratic country and the reports of thousands of honour killings was simply not true.
Random House has refused to comment on the scandal beyond issuing a statement on Friday evening, which said: "In light of the new information brought to our attention ... we are checking these claims with Ms Khouri."
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Smoke and Mirrors, Dads on the Air, 26 July, 2004.


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Saturday, 24 July 2004

Warning to problem gamblers: clock off, Weekend Australian, 24 July, 2004.

Warning to problem gamblers: clock off: [1 All-round Country Edition]

Stapleton, John. Weekend Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 24 July 2004: 11.
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"The problem is that what IPART is seeking, which is a simplification of the assessment procedure, might leave the door open for uncontrolled introduction of poker machines. Disadvantaged people in disadvantaged communities are already being abused by the growth of gambling in our community, and we must be very careful to prevent unscrupulous operators taking any further advantage of them."
The report does not support other measures promoted by anti- gambling groups, including making gamblers visible from outside the venue, toning down theartwork on pokies, slowing the speed of machines, and introducing cashless gambling, where payouts are made with tickets rather than money.
CLOCKS on poker machines and pop-up messages warning gamblers they have been playing too long would be compulsory under the recommendations of a new report.
The NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal, in a study released yesterday, called for increased regulation and more effective counselling services to combat problem gambling.
The report, Gambling: Promoting a Culture of Responsibility, calls for clubs and pubs to make it easier for gamblers to avoid gaming areas and urges research into the location of automatic teller machines in gaming areas.
Pre-commitment mechanisms, which set limits on how much time or money a gambler spends at a poker machine, are also being considered.
But the report does not support other measures promoted by anti- gambling groups, including making gamblers visible from outside the venue, toning down theartwork on pokies, slowing the speed of machines, and introducing cashless gambling, where payouts are made with tickets rather than money.
Acting tribunal chairman James Cox said the aim was to balance reduced problem gambling with the legitimate freedom to gamble.
NSW Minister for Gaming Grant McBride said he wanted to encourage informed choice and discourage risky behaviour by gamblers.
Clubs NSW chief executive David Costello praised the recommendations. "We think the report is an extremely positive initiative with real medium to long-term benefits," he said.
Director of the NSW Council of Social Service Gary Moore welcomed proposals such as pop-up warning messages on poker machines after an hour's play.
But he said recommendations to change the way social impact assessments were carried out before putting poker machines in clubs and pubs could make thesituation worse in many suburbs and towns.
"The problem is that what IPART is seeking, which is a simplification of the assessment procedure, might leave the door open for uncontrolled introduction of poker machines. Disadvantaged people in disadvantaged communities are already being abused by the growth of gambling in our community, and we must be very careful to prevent unscrupulous operators taking any further advantage of them."
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Friday, 23 July 2004

Surf star 'concealed murder', The Australian, 23 July, 2004.

Surf star `concealed murder': [1 All-round Country Edition]

John Stapleton, Caroline Keeping. The Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 23 July 2004: 5.
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WORLD-RANKED pro surfer Koby [Jai Abberton] helped cover up his brother Jai's murder of a standover man, a Sydney court was told yesterday.
He said [Koby] acted as a go-between for his brother, the girlfriend and Mr [Ronald Reardon] and was aware of plans to dispose of thevehicle. Koby also allegedly helped Jai to replace the car windscreen, which had a bullethole in it.
Credit: Koby Abberton, Jai Abberton
WORLD-RANKED pro surfer Koby Abberton helped cover up his brother Jai's murder of a standover man, a Sydney court was told yesterday.
As Koby faced a committal hearing in the Downing Centre Local Court, Jai appeared in the NSW Supreme Court seeking bail after spending almost a year on remand.
Koby Abberton is charged with being an accessary after the fact to murder, perverting the course of justice, hindering a police investigation and concealing a serious offence.
Jai Abberton, said to be a founder of the notorious Bra Boys gang at Maroubra in Sydney's eastern suburbs, is charged with murdering standover man Anthony Hines, whose body was thrown over a cliff after he was shot four times.
Jai's defence barrister, Graham Turnbull, told judge Terence Buddin his client had acted in self-defence when he shot Hines.
Mr Turnbull said Hines acted "in a threatening way" as the two travelled in a car on August 5 last year driven by Jai's girlfriend, whose name is suppressed.
It was "life or death" for Jai, who had said "I would end up the same as the dead guy" had he not killed Hines first, the court heard.
The NSW Director of Public Prosecutions said that on the same night, Jai and his girlfriend had returned to Koby's house in Maroubra covered in a "significant" amount of blood.
The court heard Koby left his bedroom and had an animated conversation with his brother, meanwhile allowing Jai's girlfriend to have a shower.
Crown prosecutor Darren Robinson said Koby then had another conversation with his brother, who yelled: "It was either me or him, you know that."
Mr Robinson said another witness, Ronald Reardon, arrived.
Koby had allowed his black Commodore to be used to dispose of the gun and bloody clothing, Mr Robinson told the court.
He said Koby acted as a go-between for his brother, the girlfriend and Mr Reardon and was aware of plans to dispose of the vehicle. Koby also allegedly helped Jai to replace the car windscreen, which had a bullethole in it.
Mr Robinson said Koby falsely told police he knew nothing of the murder.
Magistrate Brian Lulham will decide on August 27 whether Koby is to stand trial. Judge Buddin held over his decision on Jai's bail to today.
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