Saturday, 28 March 2009

Mum weeps as biker son laid to rest -- Strikeforce Raptor set up to deal with new turf war, Weekend Australian, 28 March, 2009.

Mum weeps as biker son laid to rest -- Strikeforce Raptor set up to deal with new turf war

Stapleton, John. Weekend Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 28 Mar 2009: 6.
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Zervas was the brother of a senior Hells Angel leader, Peter Zervas, and more than 200 people attended the Sydney funeral, including members of the Hells Angels in full regalia, and respectful representatives of rival motorcycle gangs, including the Bandidos.
Five people have now been charged with offences relating to last Sunday's airport brawl, but none directly with Zervas's death. The latest was Christian Menzies, 26, charged yesterday with affray and refused bail ahead of an appearance in Sydney's Central Local Court on Monday.
"They've reached a new low when we start seeing the number of people that were traumatised ... in a busy airport," Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said.
ANTHONY Zervas died violently at Sydney Airport last Sunday, bludgeoned to death by a man in what appears to be a bikie turf war over drugs and money.
At Zervas's humble graveside yesterday, however, the rumble of revenge was not heard, and there was no storm of anger. Instead, there was the unmistakeable sound of a mother, wailing for her son.
Zervas, 29, was laid to rest in a coffin laden with roses, in an atmosphere heavy with grief, with no charges laid over his death, and a sense that the battle in which he was involved is far from over.
Zervas was the brother of a senior Hells Angel leader, Peter Zervas, and more than 200 people attended the Sydney funeral, including members of the Hells Angels in full regalia, and respectful representatives of rival motorcycle gangs, including the Bandidos.
Mourners were invited to take handfuls of dirt from a silver champagne bucket to toss on top of the coffin. Others threw white roses.
The grave at Rookwood cemetery was marked with a simple white cross with Zervas's date of birth, April 24, 1979, and the date of his violent death.
There was a wreath from his mother, of red roses and chrysanthemums, and the words: "From your loving Mum".
After the brief service, the mourners left by stretch limousine, motorbike and souped-up car, politely following the directions of uniformed police without incident.
Five people have now been charged with offences relating to last Sunday's airport brawl, but none directly with Zervas's death. The latest was Christian Menzies, 26, charged yesterday with affray and refused bail ahead of an appearance in Sydney's Central Local Court on Monday.
Outside court yesterday Menzies' barrister John Korn said there was no CCTV footage of his client committing any offence.
Four other men arrested last Sunday, apparently after leaving the airport in a taxi, are also charged with affray.
National president of the Comancheros, Mick Hawi, has called for peace talks between the gangs. He has said he is aware of public concerns and has given his members strict orders barring them from wearing gang colours or riding their bikes.
Also yesterday NSW police announced the formation of Strikeforce Raptor, in response to the violent escalation of the feud between rival gangs.
"They've reached a new low when we start seeing the number of people that were traumatised ... in a busy airport," Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said.
Gangs Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Mal Lanyon said any violence that endangered community safety would not be tolerated.
Detective Lanyon said police would also go after the associates of outlaw motorcycle gangs.
"This is on-the-ground and in-your-face policing and the NSW Police Force will stop at nothing to target OMCG criminal activity," he said.
"Officers will target everything from traffic offences and bail compliance, to firearm and security licensing, to drug offences and illegal business practices, to violence and retribution."
Credit: John Stapleton, Caroline Overington
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Friday, 27 March 2009

Take care, aspiring models told, The Australian, 27 March, 2009.



Take care, aspiring models told

Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 27 Mar 2009: 7.
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Mr [Martin Walsh] said any young person approached by an individual over any form of modelling should immediately verify their credentials. "Any of therecognised agencies will happily advise if an individual is known to them or will advise if they believe you have potential to be a successful model," he said. "If they don't listen to the experts that is when they become vulnerable. We are dealing with the dreams of young girls."

POLICE have warned aspiring young models to beware of predators on the internet offering them a break in the fashion industry.
The warnings follow the arrest of a 35-year-old Indian national who has been charged with sexual assault after he allegedly masqueraded as a modelling agent named James Carter.
NSW police have alleged he used the social networking sites MySpace and Facebook. After chatting with a young Sydney woman online he allegedly arranged to meet her for a drink, spiked her drink and then raped her. The man remains in custody and will face court in April.
Police are concerned there may be other victims of the James Carter scam or other women who may have suffered similar experiences but not reported them.
Leading fashion agency Chadwick joined police yesterday to warn young girls to be wary of anyone purporting to be a modelling agent online.
Chadwick director Martin Walsh said that on the margins of the fashion industry there had often been unscrupulous people preying on the aspirations of young girls. The anonymity of modern technology had made it even easier.
Mr Walsh said any young person approached by an individual over any form of modelling should immediately verify their credentials. "Any of the recognised agencies will happily advise if an individual is known to them or will advise if they believe you have potential to be a successful model," he said. "If they don't listen to the experts that is when they become vulnerable. We are dealing with the dreams of young girls."
Former model Mink Sadowsky, who is a runway coach for the reality TV program Australia's Next Top Model, and who has appeared in numerous magazines including Harpers, Vogue, Cleo and GQ, said many young girls had unrealistic fantasies of becoming a top model.
She said the industry had a duty of care not to mislead them or place them in vulnerable situations.
Ms Sadowsky said one of the most common tricks was for predators to offer young girls the chance to have professional pictures taken to help them break into the industry. The current generation of young girls had grown up on a diet of celebrity magazines and instant fame and were particularly vulnerable. "Our job is to be honest and straightforward with these girls. At the end of the day, it is a business. At our level it is a very professional industry. Not everyone is going to be appropriate."
She said some girls would not take no for an answer, or face reality. "They're the ones we're worried about. If approached online be very, very cautious."
Crime manager at The Rocks in Sydney Detective Inspector Murray Reynolds warned young people to be careful about the images of themselves they were putting up on the web and on social networking sites.
Credit: John Stapleton
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Thursday, 26 March 2009

Commancheros chief calls for talks to end feud, 26 March, 2009.



Comancheros chief calls for talks to end feud

Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 26 Mar 2009: 3.
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As Mr Field was remanded in custody until April 15 by Magistrate John Burns, Mr [Mick Hawi] called for peace talks with other bikie gangs after the Comancheros' feud with the Hells Angels exploded into a deadly brawl at Sydney Airport on Sunday.
Ms [Lesly Randle] said her client had "invited persons of influence" to a peace meeting as Derek Wainohu, theHells Angels leader on the Qantas flight from Melbourne to Sydney on Sunday that preceded the brawl, was yesterday suspended from his senior position at the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority.
Ms Randle spoke outside Sydney Central Court after a magistrate refused to release on bail four men charged over that brawl, which ended with 29-year-old Hells Angels associate Anthony Zervas being bludgeoned to death at Sydney airport on Sunday.

THE Comancheros yesterday banned the wearing of club colours and the riding of motorcycles in a bid to damp down the deadly bikie violence that has gripped the eastern seaboard.
The stand-down order from Sydney Comanchero president Mick Hawi followed the revelation that one of thevictims of a double homicide in Canberra was a former Rebels leader in Perth.
Russell Field, 20, was charged in the ACT Magistrates Court yesterday with the murder on Tuesday of Rick Roberts, 57, and an unnamed 48-year-old man in the southern Canberra suburb of Chisholm.
As Mr Field was remanded in custody until April 15 by Magistrate John Burns, Mr Hawi called for peace talks with other bikie gangs after the Comancheros' feud with the Hells Angels exploded into a deadly brawl at Sydney Airport on Sunday.
In a statement released in Sydney by his lawyer Lesly Randle, Mr Hawi said that in response to public concerns he had ordered his members to stop wearing their club colours or riding their bikes until a peace deal was struck.
Ms Randle said her client had "invited persons of influence" to a peace meeting as Derek Wainohu, the Hells Angels leader on the Qantas flight from Melbourne to Sydney on Sunday that preceded the brawl, was yesterday suspended from his senior position at the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority.
Ms Randle spoke outside Sydney Central Court after a magistrate refused to release on bail four men charged over that brawl, which ended with 29-year-old Hells Angels associate Anthony Zervas being bludgeoned to death at Sydney airport on Sunday.
Despite argument from their lawyer John Korn that there was no evidence or CCTV footage implicating his clients, Magistrate Allan Moore refused their application for bail.
Ismail Erden, 26, of Kingsford, Maher Aouli, 28, of Casula, Pomare Pirini, 21, of Georges Hall, and Zoran Kisacanin, 22, of Ingleburn, have been in custody since being charged with one count of affray over the clash.
Mr Korn said they would make a fresh bail application.
Members of the Rebels, the Comancheros and Hells Angels told The Australian they had a policy of not talking to the media.
"I will get shot if I talk
to you," one of them said.
It was revealed yesterday that two days before he was killed Zervas had stabbed an off-duty police officer, leaving him with serious knife wounds. The brother of a Hells Angels leader argued with the police officer at a block of flats in the Sydney beachside suburb of Brighton-le-Sands.
An associate of Mr Zervas, Michael Xippas, who was allegedly at the scene also appeared in court charged with failing to report a serious crime. He was refused bail.
Speaking to reporters outside the Canberra court, Mr Field's solicitor, Ben Aulich, said his client should be placed in protective custody.
Credit: John Stapleton, Mark Dodd, Additional reporting: Michael Pelly, Natalie O'Brien
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Monday, 23 March 2009

Einfeld airs his regrets on TV program, The Australian, 23 March, 2009.

Einfeld airs his regrets on TV program

Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 23 Mar 2009: 3.
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During the program [MARCUS Einfeld], the recipient of an Order of Australia who was once labelled a "national living treasure", says he believes Australians are "pretty good at forgiving people who come clean".
"It's probably more shameful than the driving," Einfeld says. "[Teresa Brennan] was a friend of mine. She was a wonderful person and for me to use her name is more hurtful than anything else."
"I'm desperately sorry for what I did," he says on Four Corners. "I'm sorry to the public at large, because they have been my audience over the years."

MARCUS Einfeld has used a television program to express the guilt, shame and remorse he stubbornly withheld from the court that last week sentenced him to three years behind bars.
The former Federal Court judge has told the Four Corners program, due to air on ABC-TV tonight, that he is desperately sorry for his lies and ashamed he used the name of an old friend to wriggle out of a speeding fine.
"I'm sorry to my family, my elderly mother and my children," Einfeld says.
But Einfeld, speaking publicly for the first time about the events that led to his public humiliation and destroyed his career, also expresses the hope Australians will forgive him.
Einfeld allowed the Four Corners crew to follow him around in the weeks leading up to his sentencing and to document his attempts to prove that the lies that put him in jail were out of character.
Last Friday, Einfeld was sentenced to three years in prison, with a non-parole period of two years, for lying to try to avoid a $77 speeding fine in 2006.
Reporter Sarah Ferguson believes Einfeld's motive in speaking to Four Corners was to rehabilitate himself with the Australian public.
"There was a strong desire on his part to have his life considered along with his fall, his career put into the ledger along with his crimes," she said.
During the program Einfeld, the recipient of an Order of Australia who was once labelled a "national living treasure", says he believesAustralians are "pretty good at forgiving people who come clean".
Ferguson said that before his sentencing Einfeld had at times been funny, dignified and nervous. "But at the key moments, like thesentencing hearing, you could see the stress," she said.
"It was quite painful to watch. The answer to the question of why he did it, why did you lie, is far more complicated than you might think."
Einfeld openly admits he did not tell the truth: "I lied. I can't say it any simpler than that. I told a lie, which was a disgraceful thing to do and for which I have been paying ever since."
He says his claims he had lent his car to a friend visiting from the US, Teresa Brennan, a professor, who had died three years earlier, was the source of his greatest sorrow.
"It's probably more shameful than the driving," Einfeld says. "Teresa Brennan was a friend of mine. She was a wonderful person and for me to use her name is more hurtful than anything else."
But at the same time he denies his untruths were part of a longstanding pattern of behaviour. "No, I'm not dishonest ... I don't think I'mthe slightest bit dishonest. I just made a mistake."
But more than anything, the former judge is full of regret. While he did not directly apologise during NSW Supreme Court proceedings -- a fact noted by sentencing judge Bruce James -- Einfeld has issued an apology via the ABC to those he has hurt.
"I'm desperately sorry for what I did," he says on Four Corners. "I'm sorry to the public at large, because they have been my audience over the years."
Credit: John Stapleton

 ORIGINAL COPY

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Thursday, 19 March 2009

Kennett slams package plan, The Australian, 19 March, 2009.



Kennett slams package plan

Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 19 Mar 2009: 5.
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"We are throwing money at the community a second time, billions of dollars," Mr [JEFF Kennett] said. "No one asked for a second handout. It was just a gift. It was wrong. A lot of people are saying, `We don't need it; we didn't ask for it'." Mr Kennett said federal Treasury secretary Ken Henry "seems to have become political" and added it was "unclear whether Ken Henry is running the Government or the Government is running Ken Henry".
"It was never going to address the underlying problems," he said. "Now it is happening a second time. I am not opposed to governments going into debt, but not if you are throwing money like confetti in the air.

JEFF Kennett has slammed Kevin Rudd's fiscal stimulus and questioned whether the Government is being run by its top Treasury official.
The former Victorian premier told business economists in Sydney yesterday that throwing money "like confetti" to stimulate the economy was a flawed policy that would leave future generations paying for the folly.
The Rudd Government has dispensed $3.9billion to low- and middle-income families over the past fortnight as part of its $42 billion economic stimulus package, following on from the $10billion handed out in December.
"We are throwing money at the community a second time, billions of dollars," Mr Kennett said. "No one asked for a second handout. It was just a gift. It was wrong. A lot of people are saying, `We don't need it; we didn't ask for it'." Mr Kennett said federal Treasury secretary Ken Henry "seems to have become political" and added it was "unclear whether Ken Henry is running the Government or the Government is running Ken Henry".
Mr Kennett said an economic downturn was an opportunity to step back and review the fundamentals of an economy.
He said the Government needed to provide genuine tax cuts for individuals and companies and create infrastructure projects. He also said the Government needed to stop talking down the economy and to encourage a more positive atmosphere for investment and job creation.
Mr Kennett said the payments had not produced long-term jobs, and at best may have produced a few weeks' casual work for a few employees at Harvey Norman.
"It was never going to address the underlying problems," he said. "Now it is happening a second time. I am not opposed to governments going into debt, but not if you are throwing money like confetti in the air.
"The pity is we have generated enormous amounts of debt we have no capacity to pay."
Mr Kennett said that with welfare payments now consuming half or more of the nation's budget, the potential social impacts of the payments were also retrograde.
"We are increasingly looking to governments to provide. We are losing our independence. We are taking away a lot of the creativity of individuals and groups. As soon as we start understanding government doesn't have the capacity to be all things to all men, the better."
Credit: John Stapleton
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