Friday, 17 September 2004

'Come home' plea to our first hostage, The Australian, 17 September, 2004.

`Come home' plea to our first hostage: [1 All-round Country Edition]

John Stapleton, John Kerin. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 17 Sep 2004: 2.
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Word of Sheikh Naji's kidnapping emerged following an intense effort by the Department of Foreign Affairs to contact all Australiansin Iraq after Monday's report that an Islamic terror group had taken two Australians and two Asians hostage.
The terror group the Horror Brigades of the Islamic Secret Army demanded that John Howard pull all Australian troops out of Iraq by Tuesday or the hostages would be killed.
A ransom of $US100,000 ($144,000) was demanded, but he was released without being harmed after his captors were reportedly divided over whether or not to keep an Islamic cleric hostage.
THE family of Sheikh Mohammad Naji, the first Australian to be kidnapped in Iraq, is pleading with him to return to Australia for his own safety.
Word of Sheikh Naji's kidnapping emerged following an intense effort by the Department of Foreign Affairs to contact all Australiansin Iraq after Monday's report that an Islamic terror group had taken two Australians and two Asians hostage.
The terror group the Horror Brigades of the Islamic Secret Army demanded that John Howard pull all Australian troops out of Iraq by Tuesday or the hostages would be killed.
But the deadline passed and, with the department accounting for all known 225 Australians in Iraq, suspicions have firmed that thekidnapping was a hoax.
The developments came as two Americans and one Briton were abducted from their house in the plush Mansur district of Baghdad, inthe latest of a series of foreign hostage takings.
Sheikh Naji, 60, lived in Australia from 1990 until the fall of Saddam Hussein prompted him to return home.
He said he was held hostage for four days last week after being kidnapped in the Iraqi town of Latifya, south of Baghdad.
While in Australia he was one of Sydney's leading Shia clerics, holding prayers every Friday at the Ahall Albaeit Centre in Auburn.
A ransom of $US100,000 ($144,000) was demanded, but he was released without being harmed after his captors were reportedly divided over whether or not to keep an Islamic cleric hostage.
"He thought he would do more good in Iraq," his niece Eynass Naji told The Australian in Sydney yesterday.
"He said the people needed him there."
Sheikh Naji is one of many from the Iraqi diaspora who returned to their home country after the fall of Saddam to help rebuild theshattered nation.
The Naji family in Australia say that Saddam killed the Sheikh's brother and that the entire family fled the country terrified after a failed uprising.
"The whole family is pleading with him to come back," Mrs Naji said. "We don't want him kidnapped again."
His cousin Muhanad said the news of Sheikh Naji's kidnapping and ransom, which had come from his wife Ketam, was a big shock to his family.
"We could not sleep," he said. "We did not know whether he is alive or going to be killed.
"We prepared to sell what we have got -- furniture, cars, even our house -- because he is the greatest man.
"He is not just a religious man, but a very helpful man to many other people."
They say the ransom was never paid and that his release was the work of God.
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Monday, 13 September 2004

The death rate of Child Support payers, Draft, 13 September, 2004.

I wrote this and floated it under the name of two other senior reporters on the paper. 
My intense dislike of both the Family Court and the Child Support Agency were well known on the paper and there were fears I might be biased.
Not to mention that journalists who are not part of the feminist cheer squad often suffer career backlash as a result of their unfashionable preparedness to stand up against the mob. 
While a variation of the story ultimately ended up on the front page, this version didn't fly.
The onerous and sometimes entirely outlandish behaviour of the Child Support Agency is a significant factor in the high death rate amongst separated fathers. To this day its maladministration remains a blight on the Australian Public Service. The failure to investigate the deaths and suicides with which it is closely associated is a scandal. 










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Saturday, 11 September 2004

Lucid Rivkin back inside for the weekend, Weekend Australian, 11 September, 2004.

Lucid Rivkin back inside for the weekend: [1 All-round Country Edition]

John Stapleton, Drew Warne-Smith. Weekend Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 11 Sep 2004: 4.
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The director of periodic detention with the NSW Department of Corrective Services, Steve D'Silva, met Rivkin as he was inducted back into the hospital.
Rivkin spoke lucidly and appeared in reasonable health, Mr D'Silva said.
Rivkin left St Vincent's Private Hospital in central Sydney on Tuesday night, having been admitted five days before following an overdose of pills.

STRIPPED of his flamboyant persona and flash cars, a "lucid" Rene Rivkin returned to a Sydney jail yesterday, one week after he tried to take his own life.
Due to re-enter periodic detention at the hospital wing of Long Bay jail at 3pm, the disgraced stockbroker arrived a few minutes late on an unseasonally warm day, looking almost suburban.
Driven by his wife, Gayle, Rivkin arrived in an early 1990s maroon BMW318i, probably worth less than $15,000, a fraction of the cost of some of his previous automobiles.
Gone completely was the aura of flash cash that was once so much a part of his persona, although his trusty family dogs, a golden labrador and a white Samoyed, accompanied the Rivkins for the drive.
The director of periodic detention with the NSW Department of Corrective Services, Steve D'Silva, met Rivkin as he was inducted back into the hospital.
Rivkin spoke lucidly and appeared in reasonable health, Mr D'Silva said.
"It's fair to say he wasn't overly chatty, but when I spoke with him he was comprehending what was said and talking," he said.
"He was lucid and he seemed to be in reasonable shape, but it is for the medical staff to assess his condition and drive the level of care we afford him."
Long Bay jail received a notification from his doctor on Thursday saying that he would be attending.
Rivkin left St Vincent's Private Hospital in central Sydney on Tuesday night, having been admitted five days before following an overdose of pills.
After being inducted back into the jail's hospital wing, he was clinically assessed for 45 minutes by a psychiatrist and a general practitioner to determine his level of care.
He was allocated to a single room under 24-hour supervision by hospital staff until he is released on Sunday at 12.30pm.
Mrs Rivkin said nothing to the assembled media at the prison gate yesterday, but gave a grin which could have been interpreted as anything from a wry smile to a grimace.
After this weekend Rivkin, 60, has only seven more weekends of his nine-month periodic detention left to serve.


Later Edition:

Rivkin back in jail, then back out `suicidal': [3 All-round Metro Edition]

John Stapleton, Drew Warne-Smith. Weekend Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 11 Sep 2004: 3.
STRIPPED of his flamboyant persona and flash cars, Rene Rivkin returned to a Sydney jail yesterday, only to be released six hours later after again displaying suicidal tendencies.
That assessment found Rivkin was displaying "suicide tendencies" and prison doctors called in his personal psychiatrist, Dr Keith Roberts, at about 7pm.
The director of periodic detention with the NSW Department of Corrective Services, Steve D'Silva, said Rivkin was released into his doctor's care at 8.45pm.

Full Text


STRIPPED of his flamboyant persona and flash cars, Rene Rivkin returned to a Sydney jail yesterday, only to be released six hours later after again displaying suicidal tendencies.
A week after he tried to take his own life, a lucid Rivkin re- entered periodic detention at Long Bay Jail at 3pm yesterday.
The disgraced stockbroker was clinically assessed on being inducted into the prison hospital and transferred to a single ward under 24-hour supervision by hospital staff.
That assessment found Rivkin was displaying "suicide tendencies" and prison doctors called in his personal psychiatrist, Dr Keith Roberts, at about 7pm.
Dr Roberts made a similar diagnosis and recommended Rivkin be removed from detention.
The director of periodic detention with the NSW Department of Corrective Services, Steve D'Silva, said Rivkin was released into his doctor's care at 8.45pm.
It was unclear whether he returned to St Vincent's hospital -- where he was discharged on Tuesday -- or went to his Point Piper home.
Mr D'Silva said Rivkin had not made another attempt on his life after returning to prison.
"There was no episode of attempted suicide or misbehaviour; it was the result of the clinical assessment," Mr D'Silva said.
Corrective Services Commissioner Ron Woodham said Rivkin had shown "suicide tendencies".
"Mr Rivkin will serve the weekend detention later as a continuation of his sentence," he said in a statement.
Earlier in the afternoon, Rivkin was driven by his wife Gayle to Long Bay in an early 1990s maroon BMW318i, worth less than $15,000, a fraction of the cost of some of his previous cars.
Gone was the aura of flash cash that was once dominated his persona, although his trusty family dogs, a golden labrador and a white Samoyed, accompanied the Rivkins on the drive.
Rivkin, 60, now has eight more weekends of his nine-month periodic detention left to serve.
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Thursday, 9 September 2004

G-G spins good line for organ transplant kids, The Australian, 9 September, 2004.

G-G spins good line for organ transplant kids: [1 All-round Country Edition]

Jessica Tredinnick, John Stapleton. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 09 Sep 2004: 2.
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Governor-General Michael Jeffery was providing fishing tips to four special children from his private jetty at the back of Admiralty House in Kirribilli.
"This is smelly -- that's what fishing is all about," Major- General Jeffery declared cheerfully as he threaded a prawn onto a hook.
General Jeffery and his wife, Marlena, later registered online as organ donors to promote the important cause.
THE distinguished gentleman fishing off Sydney Harbour yesterday wasn't just passing time on a sunny spring morning.
Governor-General Michael Jeffery was providing fishing tips to four special children from his private jetty at the back of Admiralty House in Kirribilli.
"This is smelly -- that's what fishing is all about," Major- General Jeffery declared cheerfully as he threaded a prawn onto a hook.
He said the jetty, with its spectacular views across Sydney Harbour, was a favourite fishing spot for him and his wife, although he conceded they rarely found the time among official duties.
The reason for the event was to promote the importance of organ donors.
Each of the children taking tips from General Jeffery said they would not be alive but for heart or liver transplants.
Anthony Edwards, 14, who received a new heart in 1998, surprised everybody, including the Governor-General, by catching a massive bream within minutes of casting a line.
"If I didn't have my heart transplant, I wouldn't be here today," he said. "Tell your friends to register because it might be them some day."
General Jeffery and his wife, Marlena, later registered online as organ donors to promote the important cause.
"People have the opportunity to share the gift of life, enabling others to enjoy relatively normal, happy, active and productive lives," General Jeffery said.
Annette King, mother of 10-year-old liver recipient Liam, recalled the agonising 10-month wait for a compatible donor, after which Liam's doctors said he could have lived for only six more weeks.
"We're very fortunate to have him here today," Ms King said.
"The gift of life is the ultimate gift," said Transplant Australia director Graham Harrison, whose dead son's organs saved the lives of two young people in 1993. "We saved two families from the grief we went through."
To register online go to www.hic.gov.au or phone the Australian Donor Register on 1800 777 203.
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Tuesday, 7 September 2004

The Many Many Deaths Associated with the Child Support Agency, Originally for The Australian, 7 September, 2004.



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Monday, 6 September 2004

Orthodox churches here mourn victims, The Australian, 6 September, 2004.

Orthodox churches here mourn victims: [1 All-round Country Edition]

James Madden, John Stapleton. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 06 Sep 2004: 2.
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At the Russian Orthodox church at Strathfield in western Sydney, a major part of the service was the panikhida, where prayers were said for the victims of Beslan.
The unspeakable horror of Beslan may have taken place on the other side of the world, but for many of the 150 worshippers at yesterday's mass at Collingwood's Russian Orthodox church, in inner- city Melbourne, the pain was very close to home.
Moderator of the Uniting Church in NSW Alistair Christie said prayers were held in churches of many faiths across Australia yesterday for those who died or were suffering in Beslan.
SUNDAY morning is a time for prayers in churches across the nation, and nowhere were they more intense or heartfelt yesterday than among the Russian-Australian community.
At the Russian Orthodox church at Strathfield in western Sydney, a major part of the service was the panikhida, where prayers were said for the victims of Beslan.
The head of the church in Australia, Archbishop Hilarion, used his sermon to speak about the meaning of suffering.
"All our congregation, every human being, feels the sorrow and grief of how the parents and children felt," the Archbishop said.
"We prayed for the souls of those who departed and we prayed for those who have remained -- the parents, relatives, the children who went through such a traumatic experience, not knowing whether they would survive or die."
In Melbourne, the tears in the eyes of the elderly women among the congregation were the giveaway -- this was not a regular Sunday morning service.
The unspeakable horror of Beslan may have taken place on the other side of the world, but for many of the 150 worshippers at yesterday's mass at Collingwood's Russian Orthodox church, in inner- city Melbourne, the pain was very close to home.
"Most people here still have relatives in Russia so I think they are experiencing a real sense of national sorrow," said churchgoer Elizabeth Dalinkiewicz.
"The whole thing is just dreadful. There is just the wrong kind of spirit in the world at the moment. I just can't imagine what it was like for the parents of thechildren who were inside the school."
Sydney parishioner Larissa Kotlaroff, 31, said no one could understand why these tragedies happened.
"It has a resonance for all of us with a Russian background -- they are Russian people," she said. "The prayers help, we believe it helps."
Another parishioner, Nick Smolonogov, said the community was devastated at the senseless killing of innocent children.
"I don't think there is anything that justifies this," he said. "It is beyond any logic of politics.
"The Russian community worldwide is shocked."
Moderator of the Uniting Church in NSW Alistair Christie said prayers were held in churches of many faiths across Australia yesterday for those who died or were suffering in Beslan.
"Jesus said if you follow me it is going to be difficult," Reverend Christie said.
"When I heard the news of what was happening in Beslan I felt powerless, but I could pray.
"That is the message I took to my congregation -- we can pray for all of those people there."
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Thursday, 2 September 2004

Olympian hugs for a team of heroes, The Australian, 2 September, 2004. Additional reporting.

Olympian hugs for a team of heroes: [3 All-round Metro Edition]

Richard Sproull, additional reporting: Andrew McGarry, Duncan MacFarlane, John Stapleton, Dan Box and Paige Taylor. The Australian[Canberra, A.C.T] 02 Sep 2004: 4.
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TO the strains of Peter Allen's I Still Call Australia Home, the two Qantas jets carrying the nation's most successful Olympics team ever pulled into theSydney airport hangar.
Cycling's road race champion Sara Carrigan's father Jerome, from Nerang on the Gold Coast, took up the sport just so he could train with his daughter. He even won a cycle race in Gunnedah.
At Adelaide airport, 2 1/2-year-old Jet Newbery waited excitedly for the arrival of mum Chantelle, who won bronze and Australia's first diving gold in 80 years, and dad Robert who won two bronzes in synchronised diving. The family had a tearful reunion, but a couple of Athens 2004 plush toys put the smile back on Jet's face. The Newberys wanted to go home and change before another flight to Melbourne to appear on The Panel last night.

TO the strains of Peter Allen's I Still Call Australia Home, the two Qantas jets carrying the nation's most successful Olympics team ever pulled into theSydney airport hangar.
When they finally emerged en masse after the long-haul flight, the tired and happy athletes fell into the arms of tearful family and friends.
Triple gold medal winner Petria Thomas put the experience into words. "Being part of the team is a huge honour to begin with," she said.
"There are a great number of people who gave the vast majority of their lives to get in the Australian team. The medals get all the focus but being there, competing and playing your part for your country, that's what counts. The medals are just icing on the cake."
Family members displayed pride in the athletes and reflected on the hard work it had taken -- not just from the athletes -- to get to this point.
Cycling's road race champion Sara Carrigan's father Jerome, from Nerang on the Gold Coast, took up the sport just so he could train with his daughter. He even won a cycle race in Gunnedah.
"She's given up everything to do it," he said. "She never went to a lot of family events (in order) to train. She was always the quiet achiever really, she did what she had to and never complained".
And to remind everyone that winning gold is sometimes just about relief, were the victorious Kookaburras, who broke Australia's 48- year hockey hoodoo.
"For the past four years we've been weighed down by expectations and this is a relief," Troy Elder said. "The monkey's been on our back and his claws went deep but he's gone now."
As the team split up to head back to their various states, new reunions awaited.
At Adelaide airport, 2 1/2-year-old Jet Newbery waited excitedly for the arrival of mum Chantelle, who won bronze and Australia's first diving gold in 80 years, and dad Robert who won two bronzes in synchronised diving. The family had a tearful reunion, but a couple of Athens 2004 plush toys put the smile back on Jet's face. The Newberys wanted to go home and change before another flight to Melbourne to appear on The Panel last night.
In Perth, rower Sally Robbins -- whose Olympic campaign ended with her eight teammates when she collapsed from exhaustion in the gold medal race of thewomen's eight -- appeared tired but happy to be home.
Asked about her team's public falling out and public reconciliation, Robbins said: "We love being with each other and we'll see what happens in the future. It was definitely an emotional time -- it's going to take some time to work things out, but I'm looking forward to it."
Brisbane was the final stop for athletes such as Grant Hackett and Jodie Henry.
For Hackett, seeing his family again was wonderful, but according to his father Neville the most important part of the celebrations was waiting at home as part of a feast -- specially requested cheesecakes.
Triple gold-medallist Henry was met at the airport by her boyfriend Raymond: "I've got a month off, I'm just looking forward to sleeping tonight."
The athletes will reunite in a fortnight for a tickertape parade in Sydney.
Opinion -- Page 13
Sport -- Page 40
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