Monday, 16 February 2004
Tuesday, 10 February 2004
Rivkin resigned to jail, The Australian, 10 February, 2004.
Rivkin resigned to jail: [1 All-round Country Edition]
Stapleton, John. The Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 10 Feb 2004: 3.
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His family said in statement yesterday that Rivkin had completed his first uninterrupted weekend of detention, in the hospital wing of Long Bay Jail, following a decision by the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal to dismiss his appeal.
AFTER eight months of battling weekend detention for insider trading, stockbroker Rene Rivkin has finally given up on his appeal process and will serve his jail sentence.
His family said in statement yesterday that Rivkin had completed his first uninterrupted weekend of detention, in the hospital wing of Long Bay Jail, following a decision by the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal to dismiss his appeal.
"Once it was made clear that Mr Rivkin, whilst ill, would be able to serve his time under the appropriate medical supervision, thedecision was made to abandon the appearance before the NSW Parole Board," the statement said.
Son Jordan Rivkin said his father was prepared to serve his sentence without any further delay. "My father's health has always been, and continues to be, of major concern to the family, and was the only reason for his failure to serve more of his sentence to date," he said.
Friday, 6 February 2004
Train chaos cripples city, The Australian, 6 February, 2004.
Train chaos cripples city: [2 All-round First Edition]
Ian Gerard, John Stapleton. The Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 06 Feb 2004: 3.
Abstract
THE centre of Sydney was thrown into chaos yesterday afternoon when all city train stations were closed down for more than five hours after a mysterious gas leak.
The City Circle line was shut down shortly after 1.30pm after rail workers noticed a strange smell at the busy Town Hall underground train station.
Within 20 minutes, Wynyard, Circular Quay, St James and Museum stations were evacuated and closed, shutting down eastern suburbs train services and clogging up the entire rail system.
THE centre of Sydney was thrown into chaos yesterday afternoon when all city train stations were closed down for more than five hours after a mysterious gas leak.
Tens of thousands of commuters were left stranded as the shutdown ground the CBD rail network to a halt and caused massive delays throughout the system.
It was not until 6pm that rail stations were reopened.
The City Circle line was shut down shortly after 1.30pm after rail workers noticed a strange smell at the busy Town Hall underground train station.
Within 20 minutes, Wynyard, Circular Quay, St James and Museum stations were evacuated and closed, shutting down eastern suburbs train services and clogging up the entire rail system.
NSW Fire Brigade Commissioner Greg Mullins said the gas leak permeated throughout the city's rail network in a matter of minutes.
"It seemed to be moving with the trains," he said. "In quick succession we had a number of triple-O calls."
Police worked quickly to establish the gas was not the result of an act of terrorism, as emergency services rushed to implement a rehearsed evacuation plan of stations.
Fire brigade officers soon identified the smell as natural gas, but were unable to identify the source of the leak.
No one required medical treatment, but frustrated commuters were left wondering how, and when, they would get home.
City traffic ground to a halt and pavements were soon overflowing with grumbling workers, many of whom had no idea why the train stations were closed.
When Sydney's main transport hub, Central Station, had to be closed an hour before the peak hour rush was due to begin, at 5pm, the city's public transport system was on the verge of a meltdown.
Joy Willis had to take two buses from North Sydney to the city -- normally a five-minute train ride -- and join thousands of people in bus lines at Central.
"I know these things happen but they obviously cannot deal with a problem like this," she said.
"I have no idea when I will get home."
One older woman, too upset to give her name, shouted: "I am fed up, just fed up. It is absolutely disgraceful."
Monday, 2 February 2004
Grim repair shop find, The Australian, 2 February, 2004.
Grim repair shop find: [3 All-round Metro Edition]
Stapleton, John. The Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 02 Feb 2004: 3.
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A MAN in his early 20s was found dead from multiple gun shot wounds at a smash repair shop in the Sydney suburb of Condell Park last night, the latest in a spate of shootings in the city's south-...
A MAN in his early 20s was found dead from multiple gun shot wounds at a smash repair shop in the Sydney suburb of Condell Park last night, the latest in a spate of shootings in the city's south- west.
Police Task Force Gain, established last October to investigate gangland violence gripping Sydney's west, was called in to investigate.
A task force spokeswoman said it was "a bit too early to say at this stage what was the motive" for the shooting.
Bankstown commander Mick Plotecki said the gunshot wounds were possibly from a pistol or semi-automatic weapon.
Friday, 30 January 2004
Nationals' candidate exposed in Nazi links - QUEENSLAND DECIDES, The Australian, 30 January, 2004.
Nationals' candidate exposed in Nazi links - QUEENSLAND DECIDES: [3 All-round Metro Edition]
Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 30 Jan 2004: 8.
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Party officials were last night resisting pressure to disendorse Dan Van Blarcom, standing by the the Nationals' candidate for the Labor-held seat of Whitsunday, despite the picture, which shows him wearing a swastika armband in the ACT as a young man.
Mr Van Blarcom, who was called an anarchist in the 1970s and 80s when he ran Planet Press, which published a left-leaning satirical newspaper, refused to comment on the photograph last night, other than to cite the article detailing his work as an underground security operative. "That's the story and I am not making any further comment," he said.
National Party state director Roger Harcourt told The Australian Mr Van Blarcom had been working as an undercover agent or operative at the time, which required him to be associated with such groups in the course of his duties.
THE Nationals' campaign was rocked last night after the emergence of a photograph of a party candidate wearing a Nazi uniform.
Party officials were last night resisting pressure to disendorse Dan Van Blarcom, standing by the the Nationals' candidate for the Labor-held seat of Whitsunday, despite the picture, which shows him wearing a swastika armband in the ACT as a young man.
Mr Van Blarcom last night refused to reveal the circumstances in which the photograph, which first appeared in The Canberra Times in March 1970 with a caption bearing his real name, was taken.
He refused to tell The Australian if he had ever been a member of the Nazi Party.
But he recently claimed he had been secretly involved in "monitoring" swastika-wearing Nazis and members of other subversive groups.
Mr Van Blarcom, 52, said he worked undercover as a security operative, spying on dangerous individuals and groups. But he refused to says for what organisation he worked. "There were a number of groups around in those days ... prone to violence. I was monitoring their activities," he told the Sunday Mail last week.
Mr Van Blarcom, who was called an anarchist in the 1970s and 80s when he ran Planet Press, which published a left-leaning satirical newspaper, refused to comment on the photograph last night, other than to cite the article detailing his work as an underground security operative. "That's the story and I am not making any further comment," he said.
National Party state director Roger Harcourt told The Australian Mr Van Blarcom had been working as an undercover agent or operative at the time, which required him to be associated with such groups in the course of his duties.
"It would be quite natural when Mr Van Blarcom was working as an undercover agent to be put in positions where he would be photographed in the uniform. That would be required as part of his underground duties.
"I am not going to say where it was. Innocence should be presumed. We are seeing a feeding frenzy of the media based on a total reversal of our system of justice."
Mr Harcourt said Mr Van Blarcom had given great service to the community and his life should not be ruined by anonymous allegations.
He said Mr Van Blarcom would not be dropped as a candidate unless someone could prove him "guilty of something other than serving his nation. If they can do that we would have to reconsider our position".
National Party senator Ron Boswell said he had never come across Mr Van Blarcom until he appeared in the Whitsundays.
Freak storms cause inner-city floods, The Australian, 30 January, 2004.
Freak storms cause inner-city floods: [H Vic Metro Edition]
Stapleton, John. The Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 30 Jan 2004: 4.
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For the fourth time in six days, storms lashed the state, especially the southeast corner, producing high winds, hail and torrential rain. Graham Jones, the co-ordinator of Insurance Disaster Response Organisation Queensland, said there had been widespread damage to businesses, homes and motor vehicles.
Mr [Wayne Roberts] said SES flood rescue boats were sent to help people reportedly trapped in cars on the Monash Freeway, near Toorak Road, but the water subsided before they arrived.
FLASH floods struck several inner-city Melbourne suburbs yesterday, soaking roads, homes and businesses in up to half a metre of water in some areas.
State Emergency Service spokesman Wayne Roberts said freak storms hit at 1pm and 5pm, dumping more than 60mm of rain in just under an hour each time.
The worst-hit areas were St Albans and Deer Park in the city's northeast, and the inner-eastern suburbs of Malvern, Kew and Hawthorn.
"More than the monthly average of rain has come down in an hour," Mr Roberts said.
"It was basically poured from a bucket over those whole areas."
The SES received more than 450 calls from distressed residents, several of whose homes had been severely waterlogged due to blocked drains.
A St Albans childcare centre was evacuated after suffering structural damage from the flooding, while a pet shop in the same area lost part of its roof.
Mr Roberts said SES flood rescue boats were sent to help people reportedly trapped in cars on the Monash Freeway, near Toorak Road, but the water subsided before they arrived.
Two buildings were also hit by lightning, he said. According to the SES, up to 35 emergency crews tended to the damage across thecity.
Police reported no major injuries.
The weather mirrored that experienced yesterday in Queensland, which has been hit by a series of summer storms that have caused $7.5million in damage.
Forthefourth time in six days, storms lashedthestate, especiallythesoutheast corner, producing high winds, hail and torrential rain. Graham Jones,theco-ordinator of Insurance Disaster Response Organisation Queensland, said there had been widespread damage to businesses, homes and motor vehicles.
The Queensland Weather Bureau is expecting further severe storms over the next few days.
The state Government has activated disaster relief measures.
Monday, 26 January 2004
Rivkin health woes appear to worsen, The Australian, 26 January, 2004.
Rivkin health woes appear to worsen: [1 All-round Country Edition]
Stapleton, John. The Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 26 Jan 2004: 3.
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A spokesman for St Vincent's said she could neither confirm nor deny Mr [Rene Rivkin]'s presence at the emergency department. Attempts to contact Mr Rivkin and his family were unsuccessful.
Following concerns about Mr Rivkin's high-profile case, the DPP ordered an independent medical examination, the results of which have now been seen by Corrective Services officials. A decision on whether Mr Rivkin must serve his prison sentence was expected last week.
THE medical difficulties of colourful Sydney businessman Rene Rivkin appeared to escalate over the weekend with his appearance at the emergency department of St Vincent's Hospital in central Sydney.
Rivkin was spotted in the emergency department about 1pm yesterday and remained there much of the afternoon.
"The nurse was attending with a blood pressure thing around the arm," said a patient who spotted the former stockbroker. "His wife was teary and concerned. They took him inside to one of the beds in emergency."
The latest concerns over Mr Rivkin's health come as the NSW Corrective Services Department and the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions consider Mr Rivkin's options.
He was sentenced to nine months' periodic detention after being convicted last April of insider trading.
Mr Rivkin spent one day behind bars before collapsing and has since undergone surgery for a brain tumour. He has supplied medical certificates excusing him from serving his sentence at least until next month.
Following concerns about Mr Rivkin's high-profile case, the DPP ordered an independent medical examination, the results of which have now been seen by Corrective Services officials. A decision on whether Mr Rivkin must serve his prison sentence was expected last week.
The patient who saw Mr Rivkin at St Vincent's Hospital yesterday said he was in the emergency department for three hours and had looked lethargic and unwell.
He said Mr Rivkin had to sit down outside the hospital and wait for his wife to bring the car to pick him up.
"He looked really tired and had a slight limp," the patient said. "He did not look well."
A spokesman for St Vincent's said she could neither confirm nor deny Mr Rivkin's presence at the emergency department. Attempts to contact Mr Rivkin and his family were unsuccessful.
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