Latest news with #Higginson
Perth Now
14-07-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Koalas dead after ‘cruel' NSW relocation project
More than half of the koalas moved from their natural habitat as part of a NSW Government reintroduction program have died. The project was undertaken to re-establish a koala population in an area of southern NSW where the species is extinct. A NSW environment department spokesperson told The Guardian that 13 koalas were selected for the move and were taken from the Upper Nepean state conservation area west of Wollongong to the South East Forest national park. Following the death of three of these koalas in April, the remaining ten were placed in a wildlife hospital, where four more later died. According to the spokesperson, two of the three koalas that died in April had likely died of septicaemia, a bloodstream infection. The team is investigating a 'potential link between septicaemia in koalas and adverse weather conditions' because the deaths occurred after a 'significant rainfall event'. The six remaining koalas have been returned home to their familiar Upper Nepean habitat. In a statement, the NSW Greens said the project has gone 'horribly wrong'. NSW Green MP Sue Higginson said the situation is 'deeply disturbing, tragic and cruel'. 'How this even passed muster as a Koala 'conservation program' is unfathomable, something has gone radically awry,' Ms Higginson said. 'This level of experimentation with our endangered koalas is cruel, was a catastrophic failure and should not have happened. The control settings around this translocation experiment were obviously fundamentally flawed and I don't think the public would find this level of experimentation with our endangered koalas at all acceptable.' She said that evidence of previous attempts of translocation has demonstrated that it process is 'fraught with risk and failure' for koalas. 'The Minns Labor Government promised to protect koalas, but it's been over 2 years, they haven't established the Great Koala National Park, changed any laws to better protect koalas, they haven't even completed the review of the NSW Koala Strategy'.
Perth Now
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
State urged to scrap law after police scuffle
The NSW Premier has been urged to scrap controversial anti-protest laws after a former Greens candidate claimed she may lose vision in her eye following an alleged scuffle with police at a protest. Hannah Thomas was pictured with a swollen right eye and streaks of blood down her face after a protest outside SEC Plating in Belmore in Sydney's southwest on Friday. The company was picketed over reports it provided jet components used by the Israeli Defence Force, according to a NSW Greens statement. Ms Thomas, who was charged by police over the incident, has claimed she may have suffered permanent vision damage following the protest. Hannah Thomas was arrested at an anti-Israel protest. Supplied. Credit: Supplied NSW Greens MP Sue Higginson has since appealed to NSW Premier Chris Minns to turf controversial protest laws and have charges against Ms Thomas dropped, arguing there was evidence police 'acted beyond the scope of their lawful powers'. New laws introduced in February have given police fresh powers to prevent protesters from harassing, intimidating or threatening people accessing or leaving — or attempting to access or leave — places of worship. This also extends to people intentionally blocking, impeding, or hindering people accessing or leaving places of worship, with a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment. The laws were brought in less than a month after news of an explosives-laden caravan being found in Dural broke, which later proved to be a fake terrorism plot rather than an anti-Semitic attack. Ms Thomas has claimed her injuries were a result of the 'draconian anti-protest laws', which are currently subject to a constitutional challenge in the NSW Supreme Court launched on behalf of the Palestine Action Group (PAG). However, NSW Police southwest metropolitan region commander Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden on Monday told 2GB the anti-protest legislation wasn't applicable to this situation, maintaining it was an unauthorised protest. In her letter, Ms Higginson cited alleged contradictory police statements, photographic and video evidence, witness accounts, and NSW protest law. 'What occurred in Belmore was not policing — it was punishment,' Ms Higginson wrote in her letter. 'A member of our community was brutally assaulted by uniformed officers while engaging in peaceful political expression,' she alleged. 'This has happened in a state where you and your government have continuously expressed intolerance for protest and embodied police to suppress protest through arbitrary, dangerous laws and sweeping police powers.' Ms Higginson has appealed to the Premier to intervene and have all charges against Ms Thomas, and others arrested on the day, dropped, and for police to declare it a critical incident. However Mr McFadden told 2GB he couldn't identify any misconduct, that he backed the actions of police, and he was comfortable in not declaring a critical incident based on information provided to him. NSW Premier Chris Minns has been urged to scrap controversial anti-protest laws following Friday's protest. NewsWire / Nikki Short Credit: News Corp Australia Sue Higginson also urged the Premier to intervene to have charges against protesters from Friday, including Ms Thomas, dropped. NewsWire / Monique Harmer Credit: News Corp Australia Ms Higginson also pushed for a clear public directive to be issued to NSW Police to state protest is lawful and must be protected. Ms Higginson then turned her attention to the state government, urging Mr Minns 'acknowledge your government's role in emboldening excessive and violent policing' via the expansion of protest laws. Further, she called for the new anti-protest laws to be repealed. 'The trust between the community and the police has already been deeply damaged,' Ms Higginson wrote. 'Every day that passes without independent accountability and recognition of the harm that your Government's actions have caused will further fracture the legitimacy of your leadership.' Ms Thomas spotted following the protest. Supplied Credit: Supplied Mr Minns told a press conference he wasn't prepared to 'condemn' the actions of police given Ms Thomas didn't provide a statement to police, making it difficult to determine what had happened. Critical incidents are also typically declared based on health information, which is hard when that is not provided, he said. The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) could step in at any time, Mr Minns said while also rejecting suggestions his own actions had emboldened police over the years. Speaking of Friday's protest, he said everyone had a right to protest, but not to go after specific businesses. He wished Ms Thomas well in her recovery. 'I don't want this to be lost in, I guess, the politics of the general caravan inquiry and changes to the law,' Mr Minns said. 'I genuinely hope that she's back on her feet as soon as possible, and she has a full recovery.' Police issued Ms Thomas with a future court attendance notice on Sunday and charged her with hinder/resist police and refuse/fail to comply with direction to disperse. She will appear in Bankstown Local Court on August 12. Four others were also handed down various charges. Mr McFadden is expected to brief the media at 2pm on Monday following the incident.
Vancouver Sun
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
After B.C. Conservative leader made claim of MLA blackmailers in his own party, NDP asked RCMP to investigate
The chair of British Columbia's NDP caucus has written to the RCMP requesting an investigation into allegations that former members of the B.C. Conservative Opposition tried to blackmail their ex-colleagues. The letter from Stephanie Higginson to Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald comes after B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad wrote to his party's own caucus warning about the alleged blackmail by three MLAs and their staff. On Monday, Rustad confirmed that he wrote a letter obtained by The Canadian Press in which he tells his caucus that their former colleagues and staff were threatening to release 'blackmail materials,' including secretly recorded phone conversations and text messages. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. One of the former party members said Thursday that he welcomed a police investigation, saying Rustad made the blackmail allegations to 'distract and change the conversation' about how his leadership was reconfirmed at the annual general meeting of the party. Independent Jordan Kealy said he had already asked for an audit of the leadership review. 'Maybe the Conservative Party, if they've got nothing to hide, will then open their books and actually show to their constituents, voters and members, that they're telling the truth,' Kealy said in an interview. Another of the former Conservatives, Dallas Brodie, said on social media platform X that Rustad had 'painted himself into a corner' with a 'big lie' about blackmail that he could not substantiate. Higginson said in the open letter written on behalf of the NDP caucus that there's a significant public interest in determining the facts. She said if any MLA or their staff are engaged in blackmail, British Columbians deserve to know, and perpetrators should be prosecuted. Rustad said in an interview on Monday that he did not personally have recorded evidence of blackmail, but would not say if the party possessed it. 'As I said earlier, I am not sure what has been provided to our legal staff around it. I don't personally have it,' he said. Asked if Rustad was available for an interview on Thursday, the B.C. Conservative Party said it had received advice not to comment further on the matter. Higginson said British Columbians deserved to know whether Rustad has any evidence to support his accusations. 'Given the accusations of criminal activity, it seems appropriate for police to examine any relevant information in Mr. Rustad's possession to determine if additional investigation and/or criminal charges are necessary,' Higginson wrote. Premier David Eby said earlier this week after learning of the blackmail allegations that Rustad needed to take the claims to police, and if he didn't, then the NDP would. 'It is a profound and serious allegation that also strikes at the core of this place behind me and the public's confidence in the fact that legislators and staff members need to be able to do their work for the people without interference,' Eby said during a news conference outside the legislature on Tuesday. Tim Thielmann is the chief of staff for the new One BC party formed by Brodie and Tara Armstrong, who is the third ex-Conservative MLA. He blamed Eby for the NDP calling in the police, saying it was 'extremely irresponsible.' 'By his own admission, he is relying upon John Rustad's claims of blackmail, and when John Rustad has been asked for evidence, he has been unable to provide a single shred,' said Thielmann. He called the accusations in Rustad's letter to the Conservative caucus 'desperate lies' that he 'invented' to attack people exposing what happened at the party's annual general meeting. He said the case could 'cross the threshold for public mischief.' Brodie made the same argument in her social media post. 'If Rustad asks for a police investigation knowing his allegations are false, he might himself be committing the crime of public mischief under section 140 of the Criminal Code,' she said. 'But if he doesn't, he will have exposed his own big lie. 'And as for David Eby, he should know better than to attempt to instigate a police investigation when he admits to having absolutely no evidence of any wrongdoing.' Brodie was thrown out of the B.C. Conservatives over remarks about residential schools, prompting Armstrong and Kealy to quit the party in sympathy. Kealy, who is not a member of the new One BC party, said Thursday that he was 'completely fine' with the RCMP being called to investigate. 'I've got nothing to hide if they want to talk to me,' said Kealy. 'I have chosen to leave it to people that are in the position to properly investigate this thoroughly and to look into whether or not they're allegations being made falsely,' said Kealy. Armstrong said on social media on Wednesday that 'Rustad and Eby can throw around the accusations all they like but rest assured, the truth will always prevail.' Brodie has said Rustad and his team 'rigged' the Conservatives' March annual general meeting that endorsed his 'Team Rustad' slate of executive candidates, allegedly stacking the meeting with South Asian supporters paid 'to vote the way Mr. Rustad wanted.' Rustad's letter denied any wrongdoing at the meeting. — With additional reporting from Wolfgang Depner in Victoria Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our politics newsletter, First Reading, here .
Edmonton Journal
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
After B.C. Conservative leader made claim of MLA blackmailers in his own party, NDP asked RCMP to investigate
Article content The chair of British Columbia's NDP caucus has written to the RCMP requesting an investigation into allegations that former members of the B.C. Conservative Opposition tried to blackmail their ex-colleagues. The letter from Stephanie Higginson to Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald comes after B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad wrote to his party's own caucus warning about the alleged blackmail by three MLAs and their staff. Article content On Monday, Rustad confirmed that he wrote a letter obtained by The Canadian Press in which he tells his caucus that their former colleagues and staff were threatening to release 'blackmail materials,' including secretly recorded phone conversations and text messages. One of the former party members said Thursday that he welcomed a police investigation, saying Rustad made the blackmail allegations to 'distract and change the conversation' about how his leadership was reconfirmed at the annual general meeting of the party. Independent Jordan Kealy said he had already asked for an audit of the leadership review. 'Maybe the Conservative Party, if they've got nothing to hide, will then open their books and actually show to their constituents, voters and members, that they're telling the truth,' Kealy said in an interview. Another of the former Conservatives, Dallas Brodie, said on social media platform X that Rustad had 'painted himself into a corner' with a 'big lie' about blackmail that he could not substantiate. Article content Article content Higginson said in the open letter written on behalf of the NDP caucus that there's a significant public interest in determining the facts. She said if any MLA or their staff are engaged in blackmail, British Columbians deserve to know, and perpetrators should be prosecuted. Rustad said in an interview on Monday that he did not personally have recorded evidence of blackmail, but would not say if the party possessed it. 'As I said earlier, I am not sure what has been provided to our legal staff around it. I don't personally have it,' he said. Asked if Rustad was available for an interview on Thursday, the B.C. Conservative Party said it had received advice not to comment further on the matter. Higginson said British Columbians deserved to know whether Rustad has any evidence to support his accusations. 'Given the accusations of criminal activity, it seems appropriate for police to examine any relevant information in Mr. Rustad's possession to determine if additional investigation and/or criminal charges are necessary,' Higginson wrote. Article content Premier David Eby said earlier this week after learning of the blackmail allegations that Rustad needed to take the claims to police, and if he didn't, then the NDP would. 'It is a profound and serious allegation that also strikes at the core of this place behind me and the public's confidence in the fact that legislators and staff members need to be able to do their work for the people without interference,' Eby said during a news conference outside the legislature on Tuesday. Tim Thielmann is the chief of staff for the new One BC party formed by Brodie and Tara Armstrong, who is the third ex-Conservative MLA. He blamed Eby for the NDP calling in the police, saying it was 'extremely irresponsible.' 'By his own admission, he is relying upon John Rustad's claims of blackmail, and when John Rustad has been asked for evidence, he has been unable to provide a single shred,' said Thielmann. Article content He called the accusations in Rustad's letter to the Conservative caucus 'desperate lies' that he 'invented' to attack people exposing what happened at the party's annual general meeting. He said the case could 'cross the threshold for public mischief.' Brodie made the same argument in her social media post. 'If Rustad asks for a police investigation knowing his allegations are false, he might himself be committing the crime of public mischief under section 140 of the Criminal Code,' she said. 'But if he doesn't, he will have exposed his own big lie. 'And as for David Eby, he should know better than to attempt to instigate a police investigation when he admits to having absolutely no evidence of any wrongdoing.' Brodie was thrown out of the B.C. Conservatives over remarks about residential schools, prompting Armstrong and Kealy to quit the party in sympathy. Latest National Stories
National Observer
19-06-2025
- Politics
- National Observer
BC NDP want RCMP investigation of alleged Conservative blackmailers
The chair of British Columbia's NDP caucus has written to the RCMP requesting an investigation into allegations that former members of the B.C. Conservative Opposition tried to blackmail their ex-colleagues. The letter from Stephanie Higginson to Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald comes after B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad wrote to his party's caucus warning about the alleged blackmail by three MLAs and their staff. On Monday, Rustad confirmed that he wrote a letter obtained by The Canadian Press in which he tells his caucus that their former colleagues and staff were threatening to release "blackmail materials," including secretly recorded phone conversations and text messages. One of the former party members said Thursday that he welcomed a police investigation, saying Rustad made the blackmail allegations to "distract and change the conversation" about how his leadership was reconfirmed at the annual general meeting of the party. Independent Jordan Kealy said he had already asked for an audit of the leadership review. "Maybe the Conservative Party, if they've got nothing to hide, will then open their books and actually show to their constituents, voters and members, that they're telling the truth," Kealy said in an interview. Another of the former Conservatives, Dallas Brodie, said on social media platform X that Rustad had "painted himself into a corner" with a "big lie" about blackmail that he could not substantiate. The chair of British Columbia's NDP caucus has written to the RCMP requesting an investigation into allegations that former members of the B.C. Conservative Opposition tried to blackmail their ex-colleagues. Higginson said in the open letter written on behalf of the NDP caucus that there's a significant public interest in determining the facts. She said if any MLA or their staff are engaged in blackmail, British Columbians deserve to know, and perpetrators should be prosecuted. Rustad said in an interview on Monday that he did not personally have recorded evidence of blackmail, but would not say if the party possessed it. 'As I said earlier, I am not sure what has been provided to our legal staff around it. I don't personally have it," he said. Asked if Rustad was available for an interview on Thursday, the B.C. Conservative Party said it had received advice not to comment further on the matter. Higginson said British Columbians deserved to know whether Rustad has any evidence to support his accusations. "Given the accusations of criminal activity, it seems appropriate for police to examine any relevant information in Mr. Rustad's possession to determine if additional investigation and/or criminal charges are necessary," Higginson wrote. Premier David Eby said earlier this week, after learning of the blackmail allegations, that Rustad needed to take the claims to the police, and if he didn't, then the NDP would. "It is a profound and serious allegation that also strikes at the core of this place behind me and the public's confidence in the fact that legislators and staff members need to be able to do their work for the people without interference," Eby said during a news conference outside the legislature on Tuesday. Tim Thielmann is the chief of staff for the new One BC party formed by Brodie and Tara Armstrong, who is the third ex-Conservative MLA. He blamed Eby for the NDP calling in the police, saying it was "extremely irresponsible." "By his own admission, he is relying upon John Rustad's claims of blackmail, and when John Rustad has been asked for evidence, he has been unable to provide a single shred," said Thielmann. He called the accusations in Rustad's letter to the Conservative caucus "desperate lies" that he "invented" to attack people exposing what happened at the party's annual general meeting. He said the case could "cross the threshold for public mischief." Brodie made the same argument in her social media post. "If Rustad asks for a police investigation knowing his allegations are false, he might himself be committing the crime of public mischief under section 140 of the Criminal Code," she said. "But if he doesn't, he will have exposed his own big lie. "And as for David Eby, he should know better than to attempt to instigate a police investigation when he admits to having absolutely no evidence of any wrongdoing." Brodie was thrown out of the B.C. Conservatives over remarks about residential schools, prompting Armstrong and Kealy to quit the party in sympathy. Kealy, who is not a member of the new One BC party, said Thursday that he was "completely fine" with the RCMP being called to investigate. 'I've got nothing to hide if they want to talk to me,' said Kealy. "I have chosen to leave it to people that are in the position to properly investigate this thoroughly and to look into whether or not they're allegations being made falsely," said Kealy. Armstrong said on social media on Wednesday that "Rustad and Eby can throw around the accusations all they like but rest assured, the truth will always prevail." Brodie has said Rustad and his team "rigged" the Conservatives' March annual general meeting that endorsed his "Team Rustad" slate of executive candidates, allegedly stacking the meeting with South Asian supporters paid "to vote the way Mr. Rustad wanted." Rustad's letter denied any wrongdoing at the meeting.
