quote:

Moss inquiry: Leaked testimonies cast doubt on claims Save the Children staff encouraged asylum seekers on Nauru to self-harm
LATELINE BY STEVE CANNANE, LISA MAIN, AND ALEX MCDONALD
UPDATED TUE MAR 10 00:39:35 EST 2015
http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-09/testimonies-cast-doubt-on-removal-of-save-the-children-staff/6292070

he ABC has obtained leaked testimonies from the Moss inquiry that cast doubt on the evidence used to remove nine Save the Children staff from their jobs working with asylum seekers on Nauru.

In October last year, then Minister for Immigration Scott Morrison, announced an inquiry to be chaired by former integrity commissioner Philip Moss.

The inquiry was to look into, among other things, claims of sexual and physical abuse at the Regional Processing Centre on Nauru and allegations that Save the Children staff employed at the centre encouraged asylum seekers to self-harm.

While announcing the inquiry, Mr Morrison said: "If people want to be political activists that's their choice but they don't get to do it on the tax payers' dollar and working in a sensitive place like Nauru."

The allegations relating to Save the Children staff came from an intelligence report compiled from information gathered by Lee Mitchell, a senior intelligence analyst employed by Wilson Security on Nauru.

The Moss report is yet to be released by the Government, but in his testimony to the inquiry obtained by the ABC, Mr Mitchell admitted that the information he compiled on Save the Children would not stack up in court.

"We're not looking to provide evidence. We're just looking at information of where there's likely to be an issue," he said.

[u]When pressed by Mr Moss over allegations that Save the Children staff encouraged asylum seekers to self harm, Mr Mitchell provided no specific evidence, instead citing a previous report from former operations manager at Nauru, Greg Lake.[/]

"I'm feeding back to Lake's comments in July," Mr Mitchell said.

"He says he knows this goes on. Coaching absolutely does go on."

Mr Moss said more clarification was needed.

"To my mind there's a world of difference between a general state of implying self-harm can be coached, and self-harm is being coached in the context of a particular series of demonstrations," he said.

"I know ... 75 per cent. It's three quarters of the way there to confidence, to full confidence," Mr Mitchell responded.

Confusion over journalist's tweet
In one instance, Wilson Security's senior intelligence analyst cited a tweet from journalist Daniel Pye, as evidence Save the Children staff were leaking information to the media.

In his testimony to the Moss inquiry, Mr Mitchell said: "This is a guy who works for the Phnom Penh Times, so he's in direct contact with someone on Nauru."

"He's talking about academics working with refugees confirmed seven suicide attempts yesterday to me. Well, the only academics that work inside the centre are employed by Save the Children."

But Mr Mitchell misinterpreted Mr Pye's tweet. It contains a link to an article he wrote for Al Jazeera.

Mr Pye was not quoting Save the Children staff but Professor Suvendrini Perera.

Professor Perera had spoken directly with asylum seekers on Nauru and was quoted on the record for Mr Pye's article. She works for Curtin University, not Save the Children.

Mr Mitchell's testimony before the Moss inquiry also revealed he was approached to gather information on Save the Children in the lead-up to the Government's announcement of an inquiry.

"I think it was either the 28th or the 29th of September," he told Mr Moss.

"I was approached by someone from the department ... [who] just said that we're interested in anything you've got on Save the Children."

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton was unavailable for interview.

"We're not going to comment before the report is released," a spokesman for the Minister said.

There is speculation the Moss report will be released this week. Lateline understands it will detail allegations of sexual abuse as well as the trade in sexual favours between guards and detainees.

The transcripts of evidence seen by the ABC contain harrowing testimonies of sexual abuse.

Ler posted:

quote:

We're not looking to provide evidence. We're just looking at information of where there's likely to be an issue," he said.

When pressed by Mr Moss over allegations that Save the Children staff encouraged asylum seekers to self harm, Mr Mitchell provided no specific evidence, instead citing a previous report from former operations manager at Nauru, Greg Lake.

"I'm feeding back to Lake's comments in July," Mr Mitchell said.

"He says he knows this goes on. Coaching absolutely does go on."

Mr Moss said more clarification was needed.
[...]

"I think it was either the 28th or the 29th of September," he told Mr Moss.

"I was approached by someone from the department ... [who] just said that we're interested in anything you've got on Save the Children."

hooman posted:

Did someone leave it on the top shelf of the bookshelf again? Have you lost your little step up stool?

Murodese posted:

I'm guessing not well considering when I was working in Belgium, the first thing a colleague said to me when I said I was from Australia was "oh right, the place that tortures refugees".

really wish that was stdh.txt, too

MC Eating Disorder posted:

Bifauxnen posted:

This was a really good post, I'm glad you made it even if ratbag ignores it completely.

Orkin Mang posted:

why should he read a thing by any of you when just disagreeing with you leads to a demented string of embarrassing petulant meltdowns

MC Eating Disorder posted:

The "welp they rioted and burned down a building so they don't deserve poo poo" attitude is so prevalent and I just can't even get close to understanding it.

Orkin Mang posted:

why should he read a thing by any of you when just disagreeing with you leads to a demented string of embarrassing petulant meltdowns

quote:

The Abbott Government is set to reinstate nearly $1 billion in funding for the car industry, in its latest move to cast aside several contentious policies.

The Coalition had planned to cut the funding, following announcements from Holden, Ford and Toyota that they would wind up car manufacturing in Australia in the next few years.

It is estimated tens of thousands of people will lose their jobs as the impact of the closures also hits the component sector.

Car companies had blamed the then-high Australian dollar, high costs of manufacturing and low economies of scale for their decision.

The funding cut was to have been made to the Automotive Transformation Scheme, which is slated to pump nearly $2 billion into the ailing industry.

But the government slashed the funding in last year's budget, in accordance with an election commitment, saying the savings would go towards the budget bottom line and "policy priorities".

After Holden's announcement in December 2013, Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced $60 million in federal funding for job creation in the states most affected — South Australia and Victoria.

"We don't want to see corporate welfare, what we want to see is a country which has got the economic fundamentals right," he said.

But the cut prompted fears the car makers would bring forward their closure dates.

Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane is expected to announce the policy change this morning in Adelaide.

You Am I posted:

LOL talk about shutting the gate after the horse has bolted:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-10/abbott-government-reinstating-241-billion-in-car-industry-fund/6292868

norp posted:

This

Not once did he answer a question or even address a point made by anyone in a reasoned way.
Since it's a troll account I'm betting its one of the regulars from here having fun making you all poo poo the bed

cpaf posted:

Dunno why people keep insisting he is some sort of fabricated gimmick account when he represents a very real and sizeable chunk of the Australian voting population as MCED said.

quote:

Parliamentary clerk carrying baseball bat, balaclava when arrested, police say
By Graeme Powell
Updated 38 minutes ago

Police in Perth say the deputy clerk of the Legislative Council, Nigel Lake, was wearing latex gloves and carrying a baseball bat and a balaclava when he was arrested last month.

A police car patrolling the suburb of City Beach on the night of February 17 saw a man acting suspiciously on foot and stopped him.

It was alleged he was wearing a black hoodie, latex gloves, black pants and black shoes and was carrying a baseball bat and balaclava.

Lake, 49, was charged with possessing a controlled weapon and possessing a disguise intended for use in connection with committing an offence.

Police said further investigations led them to charge him with installing and using a tracking device.

Police would not reveal the identity of a potential target.

Lake was stopped near the home of his boss Nigel Pratt - the Clerk of the Legislative Council.

Bill Shorten Drops Ice Cream Cone Seconds After Purchase posted:

Photos and tweets from bystanders have surfaced indicating that Opposition Leader Bill Shorten was spotted dropping an ice cream cone this morning mere seconds after purchasing it from the ice cream truck.

According to the bystanders the Leader of the Opposition looked "chipper" as he walked quickly down to the ice cream truck with a big smile on his face and gave the impression of a man "without a care in the world" as he whistled gaily to himself while waiting in line to order his favourite ice cream, a single scoop of vanilla in a plain cone.

It was then, witnesses report, that tragedy struck: "He was leaning forward to take a big bite when the scoop of ice cream toppled from the cone, plummeting to the ground. You could tell right away that he was heartbroken.

"Where before he was upright and cheerful, eyebrows raised in appreciation of a beautiful world, he became hunched and downcast. His shoulders slumped as he rooted around in his pockets for the money to purchase another cone but to no avail, that was all of his lunch money gone.

“It was bizarre. He just kept muttering ‘But Billy loves ice cream’ to himself over and over like some religious chant.

"He kicked at the dirt once and marched somberly back into parliament to presumedly try find some joy in whatever gaff the Prime Minister had made over the weekend."

This is not the first time the Opposition Leader has publicly been the recipient of bad fortune, with such incidents including having recently sat on a bench covered in wet paint immediately before question time and forgetting he was on microphone while repeating the mantra “You’re a man Bill, you’re a handsome sexual man worthy of respect” to himself backstage at ABC television program Q & A and then once again on the panel.

Comment from Shorten’s office have indicated that while the Leader of the Opposition is disappointed in this turn of events, he is feeling optimistic about the future.

“While this has certainly been a tough time for Mr Shorten, what with the ice cream incident, the thing with the beehive, that time he forgot his own name in a press conference and just yesterday when the chain fell off his bike just metres from his front door, Bill believes that things are really going to change for him.

“He’s certain whatever the future holds for him it will be smooth sailing and you know what, maybe he didn’t even want to have an ice cream anyway so whatever.”

Shorten spent the majority of question time trying to shrug off the incident stating

“We are interested in fighting this Prime Minister’s unfair budget not the unfair loss of a delicious ice cream cone on a warm day. An ice cream cone made just the way Billy likes it. A poor, innocent cone. Sorry, where was I? What’s happening with medicare?”

You Am I posted:

LOL talk about shutting the gate after the horse has bolted:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-10/abbott-government-reinstating-241-billion-in-car-industry-fund/6292868

cpaf posted:

Dunno why people keep insisting he is some sort of fabricated gimmick account when he represents a very real and sizeable chunk of the Australian voting population as MCED said.

Fruity Gordo posted:

Bill Shorten Drops Ice Cream Cone Seconds After Purchase:

Mad Katter posted:

This is the dumbest thing. Forget about funding programs to re-train or educate the people who will be losing their jobs, and forget about using that money to support businesses and industry that's still actually operating in areas like Elizabeth. Just hand over a billion dollars to GM and Toyota.

It was exactly this kind of corporate welfare that led to the situation we're in. If I worked at Holden I would want to riot.

MC Eating Disorder posted:

Graic Gabtar posted:

Howdy,

Appreciate your views.

It's funny though how few political views I actually give yet I'm all of these imagined horrible things just because I don't dance when the mob demands I explain myself.

People here say I'm disturbed. I'm not the one going full retard demanding that I commit suicide or that they intend to rape and kill me.

If this is how you intend to change popular opinion with mainstream Australia then all I can say is LOL, good loving luck.

All in all though it is fun to read auspol. When you aren't acting like completely tribal fuckwits you can be fairly insightful.

Les Affaires posted:

Can you see the reasoning behind asking for an explanation for views?

Graic Gabtar posted:

From where I sit it's to it would seem to be to gather further ammo for further waves of vitriol.

cpaf posted:

Dunno why people keep insisting he is some sort of fabricated gimmick account when he represents a very real and sizeable chunk of the Australian voting population as MCED said.

Murodese posted:

Seriously, I'm at least 40% sure he's actually my dad

Graic Gabtar posted:

It's funny though how few political views I actually give yet I'm all of these imagined horrible things just because I don't dance when the mob demands I explain myself.

markgreyam posted:

If you think of ratbag's posts as a sort of training dummy for arguing points with actual people then they are much easier to consider. If you are discussing this sort of thing with a person in real life (for argument’s sake, I mean, who talks to people in real life) and you're going to go with the "take a cyanide suppository" approach, well, it should be clear that you not going to change many minds, and then just being surprised when that inexplicably doesn’t change his tune is just dumb.

Adnar posted:

Keating has written an piece for SMH re Super:

http://www.smh.com.au/comment/hockey-plans-to-smash-a-worldclass-superannuation-system-20150309-13z1gc.html

quote:

There are other, more immediate actions the government could also take to help prevent further deaths at sea. One is to remove its harsh people smuggling sentencing laws along with the policy of confiscating asylum seeker boats. These policies only incentivise people smugglers to utilise vessels that are unseaworthy, overcrowded and manned by inexperienced, uninformed and often desperate and underage Indonesians, altogether increasing the risk of a tragedy at sea.

The other is to improve Australia’s search and rescue procedures. When the SIEX X sunk in 2001, resulting in the deaths of 353 mostly women and children, it was later revealed through a senate inquiry that the federal
police had withheld critical information about the boat being overdue for four hours to protect the classified source who provided the information. Unfortunately, almost a decade after the tragic sinking of the SIEV X,
the same mistakes are being made. On the 3 October 2009, authorities became aware that an asylum seeker boat was in distress and taking on water. Yet, once again, the federal police and customs waited four hours
before passing on that information to maritime safety to mount a rescue so that they could protect their source. The 105 asylum seekers on board all perished. When a boat capsized in June 2012, the Australian authorities left the Indonesian search and rescue agency in charge without adequate information and even though they were hopelessly under-equipped to mount a rescue. Vice-Marshal Daryatmo, head of Indonesia's
search and rescue agency, said his organisation was “hopelessly under-equipped for ocean rescue and needed help from Australia if it were to save asylum seekers at sea.” Ninety asylum seekers drowned.

Even over a decade since the SIEV X disaster and multiple governmental inquiries, mistakes continue to be repeated time and again. It is time Australia got its priorities straight regarding the safety and wellbeing of asylum seekers. We must work towards establishing the conditions whereby people are presented with other genuine opportunities before being forced to risk their lives at sea.

quote:

Australia seeks help abroad in ice battle

Tuesday 10 March 2015 7:35AM

The Federal Government has shared Australia's experience and asked for international help in the war against the drug ice.

Assistant Minister for Health Senator Fiona Nash told RN Breakfast in 2014 that the war against ice was a number one priority.