Wave of antisemitic attacks in Melbourne
7.30's Norman Hermant reports.
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SBS Australia
26 minutes ago
- SBS Australia
PM says antisemitism is 'despicable', Special Envoy's plan is a basis to move forward
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called it a basis for moving forward. Combating not a new problem, he says, but one that remains insidious. "Antisemitism is an evil scourge and there is no place in Australia for antisemitism. The kind of hatred and violence that we've seen on our streets recently is despicable and it won't be tolerated. I want those responsible to face the full force of the law." Jillian Segal was appointed the Special Envoy on Antisemitism almost a year ago to the day. She's now calling for a national effort to address what she says is "one of the world's oldest hatreds". "The plan is grounded in Australian values - it's adaptive and it's adapted to our federal legal framework." Her plan to combat antisemitism warns that incidents have reached "deeply troubling levels" – surging by over 300 per cent. More than 2,000 cases were reported in the period between October 2023 and September 2024. "And that includes threats, vandalism, harassment and physical violence, we've seen cars being torched, synagogues being torched individuals Jews harassed and attacked. And that is completely unacceptable." In this last week alone, the Special Envoy highlighted an attempted arson attack on a Melbourne Synagogue as one such example, as well as the storming of an Israeli-owned restaurant by protesters. The group behind the action has disputed antisemitism was their motive. The Prime Minister says, regardless, there is no justification. "Whatever your issue in the Middle East - it is not advanced by attacking people here in Australia because of who they are, because of their faith, because of their identity." The report also identifies that "younger Australians are more likely than older Australians to hold antisemitic views". The Special Envoy's recommendations targeting areas across civil society from reviewing, and, where appropriate, strengthening anti-hate laws, education in schools, university reform, online regulation, and the role of public broadcasters. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry's Alex Ryvchin has backed the need for a wide-reaching response. "The fact that it is not merely something for the federal government, but it's across all society. The role of the government will be fundamental in this, in terms of both directly engaging the plan - implementing aspects of it, but also sending a clear message through society that this is the way forward and the expectation is that everyone will do their part." But others have expressed concern over the potential impact of the report's recommendations, if adopted. In a statement, the Jewish Council of Australia warned the plan risks undermining Australia's democratic freedoms, inflaming and entrenching selective approaches to racism that serve political agendas. Executive Officer Dr Max Kaiser told SBS he believes the report is misguided and could lead to a far-reaching crackdown on the ability to criticise Israel. "I mean, this is straight out of the Trump playbook. This is mislocating the problem of antisemitism as being a problem of migrants, cultural institutions, universities, and by implication, the protest movement. And we think that that is not the source of antisemitism. There are serious issues with antisemitism in Australian society, but they can't be dealt with in isolation. They have to be dealt with as part of much broader efforts to tackle racism as a whole in Australian society." The Prime Minister says the recommendations will be carefully considered.
The Australian
an hour ago
- The Australian
TGA issues fake Botox alert over two imports seized at Australian border
Australian authorities have seized fake Botox at the border purchased from an overseas website. Two unrelated batches of dodgy Botox were seized at the border, both in apparently genuine boxes from manufacturers Allergan and AbbVie. Dodgy spelling, grammar and fonts tipped off authorities. In an alert issued on Thursday, the Therapeutic Goods Administration said the products were purchased from an overseas website, not obtained by an Australian pharmacy. 'These injectable products may pose a serious risk to your health and should not be used,' a TGA spokesperson said. 'We advise consumers to exercise extreme caution when purchasing medicines from unknown overseas websites.' Botox injectables - a type of neurotoxin protein called botulinum - are prescription-only medicines in Australia. The substance temporarily paralyses the muscles that cause wrinkles. 'For your safety, always buy medicines from reputable sources and consult your healthcare provider or local registered pharmacy if you have any concerns,' the TGA warns. The product boxes listed the correct types of botulinum toxins, but incorrect spelling, spacing and text bolding aroused suspicions. Genuine Botox manufacturers have confirmed to the TGA that the specific batch numbers C7211C4 and HA 33946 are not legitimate. 'Consumers should be warned that manufacturers of counterfeit goods are producing products that, to the untrained eye, may appear legitimate, highlighting the need to purchase your medicines from legitimate sources,' the TGA warns. Internationally, non-approved Botox products have been linked to severe botulism infections, a life-threatening infection where a person's nervous system hinders breathing and movement. Australia's injectable cosmetics industry was valued at $4.1bn last year. Blair Jackson Reporter Blair's journalism career has taken him from Perth, to New Zealand, Queensland and now Melbourne. Blair Jackson
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Jury begins deliberations in trial of trio accused of murdering teenager Charlie Gander
A jury has begun deliberating in the trial of three people accused of kidnapping, murdering and burning the body of a 19-year-old in northern Victoria in December 2022. The remains of Charlie Gander's body were found in a burnt-out car at Bunbartha on Christmas Eve, 2022. Kylie Stott, Dimitri D'Elio and Danny Clarke have pleaded not guilty to kidnapping, murder and arson in a trial painted by the prosecution as a desire for revenge against Charlie for "ratting out" their associate to the police. At the time of the alleged offending, Ms Stott was aged 37, Mr D'Elio 24 and Mr Clarke 38. All three have pleaded not guilty. The 12 jurors have begun deliberating after 30 days of hearings, including about 41 witnesses made up of pathologists, DNA experts, emergency services and police officers. The jury also heard statements read out by the prosecutor from Mr Gander's girlfriend and his father Richard Gander, including final texts between the pair. In his final address, Mr Gibson argued that each of the accused was guilty of the three charges "because each of them was part of an agreement, arrangement or understanding with the others to kidnap Charlie Gander, to murder Charlie Gander and to burn the Ford Territory with Charlie Gander's body in it". Mr Gibson told the jury the alleged motive was Mr Gander's cooperation with police investigating a firearms breach by Tyson May, who was a good friend of Ms Stott. Mr Gander was also friends with Mr May and would hang out with him, the court heard. Following a police raid in Shepparton in November 2022, Mr Gander gave a police interview and made a witness statement about Mr May possessing a firearm. Mr May was under a firearms prohibition order, Mr Gibson said. A disc with the record of Mr Gander's police interview "found its way into the hands of others", Mr Gibson said. "It cost him dearly," he said. The court heard a kitchen knife wrapped in a bloodstained tea towel from under a car seat had a mixed DNA profile of four people, including Mr Gander. Forensic pathologist Paul Bedford, who conducted Mr Gander's autopsy, previously told the court extensive fire damage to the body meant the cause of death could not be ascertained. He also told the court toxicology reports had found very high levels of the drug methylamphetamine, commonly known as ice, which may have contributed to Mr Gander's death. Justice Michael Croucher presented a summary of the defence counsel's arguments to the court before the jury began deliberating. Daniel Sala, acting for Ms Stott, has rejected the prosecution's arguments that she was key in orchestrating the acts against Mr Gander and urged the jury to find her not guilty of murder or arson. Paul Kounnas, acting on behalf of Mr D'Elio, has argued Ms Stott and Mr Clarke were the "prime movers" in the alleged crimes and that Mr D'Elio was "dragged along" and used as a "patsy". The court heard Mr D'Elio, who was in a relationship with Ms Stott, did not know Mr Gander or Mr Clarke and had "no skin in the game". Christopher Terry, acting on behalf of Mr Clarke, has argued his client did not intend to kill Charlie or enter into any agreement to do so. He said there was no evidence of Mr Clarke's hatred towards Charlie Gander or proof of an agreement, and that his client had been "dragged into a terrible crime". Justice Croucher instructed the jury that they must reach a unanimous verdict for each of the accused, who each face three charges. The jury heard they may find the accused guilty of manslaughter as an alternative if they are not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt of the higher charge of murder. Justice Croucher told the jury manslaughter did not require an intent to kill, but there must be an intentional assault that was dangerous and posed serious injury. He also told the jury their task did not include making moral judgements. He noted jurors had been tasked with not one trial but 12 separate decisions, with the three accused facing three charges and the potential for manslaughter. The 12 charges are being heard together for convenience, and the jury must "not allow this fact to usurp justice" and must consider each charge separately, Justice Croucher said.
