/qnotables/ - ===Q Notables===

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22569218 (121728ZFEB25) Notable: After 71 weeks, city-stopping pro-Palestine protests to wind down - The weekly pro-Palestine protests that have brought Melbourne’s CBD to a standstill every Sunday for a year and a half will become monthly after this weekend’s rally following the ceasefire in Gaza. However, organisers have vowed to demonstrate more frequently or call snap actions if the Israel-Hamas ceasefire breaks down and Israel bombs Gaza again. Protesters, often in the thousands, have been congregating in the city centre calling for a Palestinian state and condemning the Israeli government’s military response to Hamas’ attack on southern Israel in October 2023. While the protests have largely been non-violent, they have attracted widespread public scrutiny. At a rally last September, several people waved flags with symbols of Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group and sponsor of terrorism with staunch anti-Israel views. Australia Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni said he was proud that Melbourne was the only city in the world to have protested every week since October 7, 2023, with this Sunday’s protest to be the 71st consecutive rally. He said the frequency and consistency of the rallies - which at their peak attracted more than 20,000 protesters – had a measurable impact. “What they’ve done is created a space for a movement for justice in Palestine to grow,” he said. “Palestine has never been an electoral issue in Australia before. We will see in the upcoming (federal) election that it will be a vote-winner and a vote-coster for those who don’t have a principled position on Palestine. The move to monthly is about creating a space where we can think more deeply about more strategic actions,” he said. “It doesn’t preclude snap actions - I imagine as the ceasefire falls apart and the genocide continues that we will be out in the days and hours after.”

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After 71 weeks, city-stopping pro-Palestine protests to wind down

Alexander Darling - February 12, 2025

The weekly pro-Palestine protests that have brought Melbourne’s CBD to a standstill every Sunday for a year and a half will become monthly after this weekend’s rally following the ceasefire in Gaza.

However, organisers have vowed to demonstrate more frequently or call snap actions if the Israel-Hamas ceasefire breaks down and Israel bombs Gaza again.

Protesters, often in the thousands, have been congregating in the city centre calling for a Palestinian state and condemning the Israeli government’s military response to Hamas’ attack on southern Israel in October 2023.

While the protests have largely been non-violent, they have attracted widespread public scrutiny. At a rally last September, several people waved flags with symbols of Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group and sponsor of terrorism with staunch anti-Israel views.

On Wednesday afternoon, Australian Federal Police released new images as part of their ongoing investigation into that incident.

Australia Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni said he was proud that Melbourne was the only city in the world to have protested every week since October 7, 2023, with this Sunday’s protest to be the 71st consecutive rally.

He said the frequency and consistency of the rallies – which at their peak attracted more than 20,000 protesters – had a measurable impact.

“What they’ve done is created a space for a movement for justice in Palestine to grow,” he said.

“Palestine has never been an electoral issue in Australia before. We will see in the upcoming (federal) election that it will be a vote-winner and a vote-coster for those who don’t have a principled position on Palestine.”

Organisers also urged supporters to use the time between monthly protests to promote the rallies “far and wide” with posters and social media updates.

In December, Premier Jacinta Allan called for the end of the weekly Melbourne rallies, saying they were intimidating Jewish people.

At the time, Mashni said the weekly protests would continue and said on Wednesday that government pressure was not a factor in the decision to reduce the frequency of the protests.

“The move to monthly is about creating a space where we can think more deeply about more strategic actions,” he said.

“It doesn’t preclude snap actions – I imagine as the ceasefire falls apart and the genocide continues that we will be out in the days and hours after.”

The announcement of fewer protests follows the beginning of a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas last month.

That deal is still in its initial six-week stage involving the release of Israeli hostages and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Hamas militants killed around 1200 people in the October 2023 attack, mostly civilians, and abducted another 250, of whom about 100 are still being held. Israel’s military operations in Gaza and the West Bank since then are estimated to have killed at least 62,000 people.

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/after-71-weeks-city-stopping-pro-palestine-protests-to-wind-down-20250212-p5lbh0.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22573752 (130844ZFEB25) Notable: Video: Bankstown Hospital nurses Ahmad ‘Rashad’ Nadir, Sarah Abu Lebdeh: Police to investigate full, unedited footage of anti-Semitic threats, full patient records - NSW Police are set to talk with nurses Rashad Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh as they prepare to examine the full, unedited recording of their conversation with Israeli influencer Max Veifer, before considering if, or what, charges could be laid. In the shocking video, Mr Nadir told Israeli influencer Max Veifer he “had no idea” the number of Israelis who had attended Bankstown Hospital who he had sent to “hell”. Ms Abu Lebdeh said she would not treat Israeli patients but “kill them”, telling Mr Veifer he would “die the most disgusting death”. Calling it “critical” to Strike Force Pearl’s investigation into the two nurses’ comments, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the anti-Semitic tirade appeared to be a “hate crime”. Neither Mr Nadir or Ms Abu Lebdeh have been charged at the time of publication. Speaking on Thursday afternoon, NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the process had begun to do a full analysis on patient records at Bankstown Hospital. “There’s nothing that is standing out, but that’s an ongoing process,” he said. “I want to restore trust and faith, particularly for the Jewish community… We’ve let them down.”

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Bankstown Hospital nurses Ahmad ‘Rashad’ Nadir, Sarah Abu Lebdeh: Police to investigate full, unedited footage of anti-Semitic threats, full patient records

ALEXI DEMETRIADI and LIAM MENDES - 13 February 2025

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NSW Police are set to talk with nurses Rashad Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh as they prepare to examine the full, unedited recording of their conversation with Israeli influencer Max Veifer, before considering if, or what, charges could be laid.

In the shocking video, Mr Nadir told Israeli influencer Max Veifer he “had no idea” the number of Israelis who had attended Bankstown Hospital who he had sent to “hell”.

Ms Abu Lebdeh said she would not treat Israeli patients but “kill them”, telling Mr Veifer he would “die the most disgusting death”.

Calling it “critical” to Strike Force Pearl’s investigation into the two nurses’ comments, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the anti-Semitic tirade appeared to be a “hate crime”.

Neither Mr Nadir or Ms Abu Lebdeh have been charged at the time of publication.

Speaking on Thursday afternoon, NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the process had begun to do a full analysis on patient records at Bankstown Hospital.

“There’s nothing that is standing out, but that’s an ongoing process,” he said.

“I want to restore trust and faith, particularly for the Jewish community… We’ve let them down.”

In Canberra, Peter Dutton called for a debate about the “inadequacies of the (migration and citizenship) system” and that there needs to be a “proper process … to understand how this individual became an Australian citizen”, referring to one of the two NSW Health nurses who boasted they would kill Israeli patients.

Mr Nadir became an Australian citizen in 2020 after having fled Afghanistan as a 12-year-old boy.

The now-nurse and his family had crossed over into Iran when Mr Nadir was seven, before five years later crossed over on a boat to Australia from Indonesia, intercepted and plucked from the sea by the Australian Navy.

On Thursday, vision emerged on YouTube from 2020 of Mr Nadir leading a Sydney mosque in a common prayer about the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, a “noha”, which in Shia Islam is an elegy about the Battle of Karbala.

The footage was uploaded by Mr Nadir’s brother just a few months before he became an Australian citizen in 2020.

It is a common and often-used elegy used at Shia mosques and ceremonies, and is rooted in Islamic history, as opposed to eulogising martyrdom in a contemporary sense.

The latest escalation in Australia’s anti-Semitism crisis left political and community leaders stunned: NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the “deranged” nurses would never work in the department again while Health secretary Susan Pearce, in tears, said the comments were “appalling on every level”.

On Thursday, Mr Park, accompanied by Ms Pearce and Jewish leaders, visited Bankstown Hospital to talk to staff.

Ms Pearce said the pair were identified only a few hours after the video began to circulate and there was a “rapid examination” of patient incidents at the hospital to investigate the nurses’ claims that Israeli patients were not treated. So far, the government has found no evidence that this is the case.

Anthony Albanese called the comments “anti-Semitic and hateful bile” and NSW Premier Chris Minns said it undermined confidence in the state’s health system.

When The Australian approached the two nurses at their Western Sydney homes on Wednesday, Mr Nadir said he planned to publicly apologise to the “Jewish community and anyone I’ve offended”, but first he needed to speak with police.

Ms Abu Lebdeh’s family said the nurse was “sorry” and had suffered an “extreme panic attack”.

Her apology, via a man claiming to be her uncle, came only after other family members abused a reporter from The Australian and snatched away his phone.

In Wednesday’s now-viral video, Mr Nadir said: “You (Mr Veifer) have no idea how many (Israeli people) come to this hospital … I send to Jahannam”, the Arabic translation for “hell”.

Ms Abu Lebdeh told the influencer: “It (Israel) is Palestine’s country, not your country you piece of shit.

“One day your time will come. One day you’ll die the most …”

She went on to say “when your time comes, I want you to remember my face so you can understand that you will die the most disgusting death”.

Asked what would happen if an Israeli patient came into the hospital, Ms Abu Lebdeh said: “I won’t treat them, I will kill them.”

Mr Nadir said that while Mr Veifer had “beautiful eyes”, he was going to “get killed” and go to “hell”. “Those pretty eyes should stay in this world for longer,” said the man, who described himself in the footage as a “doctor”, which, given he’s a nurse, may also constitute an offence.

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22573764 (130850ZFEB25) Notable: Trump’s Ukraine plan risks Munich-style appeasement, Ukraine envoy warns - Ukraine’s top diplomat in Australia has warned Donald Trump’s plan to end his country’s war with Russia risks becoming an exercise in appeasement, after the President ruled out NATO membership for Kyiv and said it was unlikely to reclaim all its lost territory. Ahead of peace talks in Munich in coming days, Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko said Ukraine would never willingly cede land to Russia, and if it was forced into a settlement that favoured Moscow, it would set a terrible precedent for the world. “It’s very important that we avoid a Munich 2.0,” he said at Parliament House on Thursday, referring to the appeasement of the Nazis by Britain and France in the 1938 Munich Agreement. “Because we are getting into very dangerous grounds at the moment. If might is right, it opens up lots of security issues for everybody … especially here in the region. “What about those smaller Pacific Islands who only rely on the UN Charter? Because if sovereignty can be so easily broken … because somebody has the military means to do it, what sort of world are we going to have?” Liberal senator and former defence minister Linda Reynolds backed the Ukrainian envoy, declaring: “President Trump’s opening position is one akin to appeasement, which is Russia keeping all of the territory that they’ve won over the last three years by their invasion in Ukraine, and non membership of NATO.”

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Trump’s Ukraine plan risks Munich-style appeasement, Ukraine envoy warns

BEN PACKHAM - 13 February 2025

Ukraine’s top diplomat in Australia has warned Donald Trump’s plan to end his country’s war with Russia risks becoming an exercise in appeasement, after the President ruled out NATO membership for Kyiv and said it was unlikely to reclaim all its lost territory.

Ahead of peace talks in Munich in coming days, Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko said Ukraine would never willingly cede land to Russia, and if it was forced into a settlement that favoured Moscow, it would set a terrible precedent for the world.

“It’s very important that we avoid a Munich 2.0,” he said at Parliament House on Thursday, referring to the appeasement of the Nazis by Britain and France in the 1938 Munich Agreement.

“Because we are getting into very dangerous grounds at the moment. If might is right, it opens up lots of security issues for everybody … especially here in the region.

“What about those smaller Pacific Islands who only rely on the UN Charter? Because if sovereignty can be so easily broken … because somebody has the military means to do it, what sort of world are we going to have?”

Liberal senator and former defence minister Linda Reynolds backed the Ukrainian envoy, declaring: “President Trump’s opening position is one akin to appeasement, which is Russia keeping all of the territory that they’ve won over the last three years by their invasion in Ukraine, and non membership of NATO.”

After a 90 minute phone call with Vladimir Putin, Mr Trump said he believed a peace deal could be achieved in the “not too distant future.”

But, in major concessions to Russia, the President said he didn’t think it was “practical” for Ukraine to have NATO membership, and the country might only regain some of its pre-war territory.

Mr Myroshnychenko said Ukraine was relying on Mr Trump’s “wisdom and leadership” to secure a truce, but whatever deal was struck needed to be fair.

“It has to be a just, comprehensive and lasting peace. And it cannot be achieved without Ukraine’s involvement. It cannot be achieved without European involvement,” he said.

The Ambassador, who was at parliament for a vigil to mark the upcoming third anniversary of the war, said Ukrainians would never accept the permanent loss of territory to Russia.

“For any political leader in Ukraine, for President Zelensky, for anybody we will have in the future, recognising the concession of Ukrainian territory is not possible from a political standpoint,” he said.

“There could be some sort of arrangement, which I believe is achievable. But at the same time, legal transfer of any territory is not possible in a political context.

“It will be the territory which will be occupied. And I hope that in the free world, not a single democracy will ever recognise it.”

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/trumps-ukraine-plan-risks-munichstyle-appeasement-ukraine-envoy-warns/news-story/a19ba662fa58109835c5494cfdde97b4

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22573804 (130920ZFEB25) Notable: ‘We failed these children’: Education department apologises to two child sex-abuse victims - The Victorian government has apologised to two victims of a primary schoolteacher paedophile, after the boys’ families were left in the dark about a police investigation into their sons’ alleged abuse. The case prompted the apology from state Education Minister Ben Carroll on Thursday, after the Victorian Ombudsman published a report detailing a “shocking” litany of failures by the Education Department towards the teacher’s two victims. In a scathing report into the department’s response, Ombudsman Marlo Baragwanath urged officials to treat future complainants as “people, not litigants”. The investigation’s report was tabled in state parliament today with the school, the victims, the offender and the timeline of their offences all de-identified. The teacher first came under suspicion when a fellow staff member at the school reported seeing the teacher inappropriately touching one of the children in the playground, with the witness urging school authorities to get the offender “away from children, I know what I saw”. The school conducted an interview with the child - without engaging an expert – where the child did not disclose any abuse. Police were involved, investigated and took no further action, but the parents of the child were never informed. Both the school and the Education Department determined there was “no substance” to the allegation, and police agreed. Three years later, the child involved disclosed that the teacher had abused them for several years. The teacher was arrested and charged and then resigned. Following the arrest, a second child reported to the police that the teacher also abused them. Baragwanath told The Age what took place was a cascade of failures from the department, including a failure to quickly contact the victims’ families, apologise and adequately support the children and their loved ones. “There are signs of progress [from the department], but I just can’t imagine, even with these reforms, that it’s ever going to make up for the gravity of what’s happened here,” she said. “We’re talking about primary school kids. It’s a bit hard to believe.”

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‘We failed these children’: Education department apologises to two child sex-abuse victims

Noel Towell, Hannah Hammoud and Caroline Schelle - February 13, 2025

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The Victorian government has apologised to two victims of a primary schoolteacher paedophile, after the boys’ families were left in the dark about a police investigation into their sons’ alleged abuse.

The case prompted the apology from state Education Minister Ben Carroll on Thursday, after the Victorian Ombudsman published a report detailing a “shocking” litany of failures by the Education Department towards the teacher’s two victims.

In a scathing report into the department’s response, Ombudsman Marlo Baragwanath urged officials to treat future complainants as “people, not litigants”.

The investigation’s report was tabled in state parliament today with the school, the victims, the offender and the timeline of their offences all de-identified.

The teacher first came under suspicion when a fellow staff member at the school reported seeing the teacher inappropriately touching one of the children in the playground, with the witness urging school authorities to get the offender “away from children, I know what I saw”.

The school conducted an interview with the child – without engaging an expert – where the child did not disclose any abuse.

Police were involved, investigated and took no further action, but the parents of the child were never informed.

Both the school and the Education Department determined there was “no substance” to the allegation, and police agreed.

Three years later, the child involved disclosed that the teacher had abused them for several years.

The teacher was arrested and charged and then resigned. Following the arrest, a second child reported to the police that the teacher also abused them.

The first child who disclosed the abuse said moving on from what took place at the primary school had proven to be “harder than expected”.

“I didn’t think it would make me cry for weeks and hate myself for months and I didn’t think it would hurt this much … but it does … It has changed my opinion of myself a lot,” they said.

“I’ve been having trouble sleeping and generally being happy. I spend most of my time in my room … I’ve been seeing someone to help me but honestly, I feel broken and used. I feel like I don’t deserve happiness or love … I can’t look in the mirror because I see a stranger.”

Baragwanath told The Age what took place was a cascade of failures from the department, including a failure to quickly contact the victims’ families, apologise and adequately support the children and their loved ones.

“There are signs of progress [from the department], but I just can’t imagine, even with these reforms, that it’s ever going to make up for the gravity of what’s happened here,” she said.

“We’re talking about primary school kids. It’s a bit hard to believe.”

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22584281 (142316ZFEB25) Notable: Nationwide ban for ‘kill Israeli’ nurses Ahmad ‘Rashad’ Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh who have declined to be interviewed by police - Health authorities are trawling through thousands of hospital patient records in a bid to establish whether two Sydney nurses ever acted on threats to kill or harm Israeli patients, as police weigh possible “hate crime” charges against the pair. Suspended nurses Ahmad “Rashad” Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh went underground on Thursday after their shocking anti-Semitic tirade - filmed while wearing scrubs in Bankstown Hospital – went viral. NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said detectives would examine the full, unedited recording of the nurses’ conversation before considering what - if any – charges could be laid. The nurses had bragged on a chat forum to Israeli influencer Max Veifer how they would send Israeli patients at the hospital to “hell”, vowing “not to treat them but kill them”. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler confirmed the pair had been banned from practising nursing “anywhere in Australia, in any context”. “Their sickening comments - and the hatred that underpins them - have no place in our health system and no place anywhere in Australia,” he said. Mr Nadir and Ms Abu Lebdeh on Thursday were deregistered by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of NSW, and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency automatically updated its record immediately after. “Health workers have a solemn duty to treat and heal everyone who comes before them needing help. The overwhelming majority hold to that oath. The idea that you would single out a particular group in our community and indicate you wouldn’t care for them, let alone actively threaten their lives, runs against every single principle in our healthcare system.”

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Nationwide ban for ‘kill Israeli’ nurses Ahmad ‘Rashad’ Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh who have declined to be interviewed by police

ALEXI DEMETRIADI - February 14, 2025

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Health authorities are trawling through thousands of hospital patient records in a bid to establish whether two Sydney nurses ever acted on threats to kill or harm Israeli patients, as police weigh possible “hate crime” charges against the pair.

Suspended nurses Ahmad “Rashad” Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh went underground on Thursday after their shocking anti-Semitic tirade – filmed while wearing scrubs in Bankstown Hospital – went viral.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said detectives would examine the full, unedited recording of the nurses’ conversation before considering what – if any – charges could be laid.

The nurses had bragged on a chat forum to Israeli influencer Max Veifer how they would send Israeli patients at the hospital to “hell”, vowing “not to treat them but kill them”.

Calling it “critical” to Strike Force Pearl’s investigation into the two nurses’ comments, Commissioner Webb said the diatribe appeared to be a “hate crime”, but neither Mr Nadir nor Ms Abu Lebdeh had been charged at the time of publication.

The two nurses, who have hired lawyers, have both decided against voluntarily attending a station to be formally interviewed by police, The Daily Telegraph reports on Friday.

The scandal sparked calls from Peter Dutton for a “national debate” on the “inadequacies” of the citizenship system, following revelations Mr Nadir became an Australian citizen in 2020 after fleeing Afghanistan as a 12-year-old boy.

“It’s an outrage and we’ve got big problems in this country when somebody like that can become an Australian citizen,” Mr Dutton said.

“There needs to be a proper process in place to understand how this individual became an Australian citizen and where the failing in the system originated, and how we can make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Mr Dutton suggested the video showed there may have been earlier failures in the NSW healthcare system, doubting it had been the “first rant” by the pair at their workplace.

Mr Nadir and his family fled to Iran when he was seven, before arriving in Australia five years later on a boat from Indonesia, plucked from the sea by the Australian Navy.

On Thursday, vision emerged from 2020 of Mr Nadir leading a Sydney mosque in a common prayer about the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, a “noha”, which in Shia Islam is an elegy about the Battle of Karbala.

It is a common and often-used elegy at Shia mosques and ceremonies, and is rooted in Islamic history, as opposed to eulogising martyrdom in a contemporary sense.

NSW Health is continuing a thorough analysis of all patient records at the hospital to ascertain if the nurses’ comments had any truth, reporting “nothing stood out” in early assessments.

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler confirmed the pair had been banned from practising nursing “anywhere in Australia, in any context”.

“Their sickening comments – and the hatred that underpins them – have no place in our health system and no place anywhere in Australia,” he said.

Mr Nadir and Ms Abu Lebdeh on Thursday were deregistered by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of NSW, and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency automatically updated its record immediately after.

“As a result, this means the two nurses are unable to practise nursing anywhere in Australia, in any context,” Mr Butler said.

“Health workers have a solemn duty to treat and heal everyone who comes before them needing help. The overwhelming majority hold to that oath. The idea that you would single out a particular group in our community and indicate you wouldn’t care for them, let alone actively threaten their lives, runs against every single principle in our healthcare system.”

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22584432 (142344ZFEB25) Notable: Video: Longer video released of Sydney nurses bragging about killing Israeli patients, police await unedited version - The Israeli content creator who recorded two Sydney nurses threatening harm to Israeli patients has published what he claims is the "unedited" online chat with the pair, after police requested the full version. Max Veifer posted another clip from the interaction, which runs for about two-and-a-half minutes on Friday morning, captioning the video with: "I have nothing to hide". He acknowledged police had requested the "unedited version" and said "here it is and if they tell me where to send it I will send it to them". NSW Police confirmed they are in contact with Mr Veifer but have not yet been provided an unedited video directly from him. In the filmed conversation, which took place on cam chat app Chatruletka, Bankstown Hospital workers Ahmad Rashad Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh bragged about refusing to treat Israeli patients, killing them and saying they would go to hell. The two have been stood down pending investigation. Mr Veifer's publication of the longer video comes as Mr Nadir was taken to hospital due to concern for his welfare. Police said emergency services were called to the home of the 27-year-old on Thursday night and that he was taken to hospital for assessment. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency confirmed Mr Nadir and Ms Lebdeh's registrations were suspended. They have not been charged and NSW Police officers attached to Strike Force Pearl, which is investigating antisemitic incidents, visited Bankstown Hospital. The ABC understands both nurses have engaged lawyers and have declined to be voluntarily interviewed by police at this stage.

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Longer video released of Sydney nurses bragging about killing Israeli patients, police await unedited version

Jamie McKinnell - 14 February 2025

The Israeli content creator who recorded two Sydney nurses threatening harm to Israeli patients has published what he claims is the "unedited" online chat with the pair, after police requested the full version.

Max Veifer posted another clip from the interaction, which runs for about two-and-a-half minutes on Friday morning, captioning the video with: "I have nothing to hide".

He acknowledged police had requested the "unedited version" and said "here it is and if they tell me where to send it I will send it to them".

NSW Police confirmed they are in contact with Mr Veifer but have not yet been provided an unedited video directly from him.

In the filmed conversation, which took place on cam chat app Chatruletka, Bankstown Hospital workers Ahmad Rashad Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh bragged about refusing to treat Israeli patients, killing them and saying they would go to hell.

The two have been stood down pending investigation.

Mr Veifer's publication of the longer video comes as Mr Nadir was taken to hospital due to concern for his welfare.

Police said emergency services were called to the home of the 27-year-old on Thursday night and that he was taken to hospital for assessment.

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency confirmed Mr Nadir and Ms Lebdeh's registrations were suspended.

They have not been charged and NSW Police officers attached to Strike Force Pearl, which is investigating antisemitic incidents, visited Bankstown Hospital.

The ABC understands both nurses have engaged lawyers and have declined to be voluntarily interviewed by police at this stage.

Revelations from longer video version

In the longer version of the video, Mr Nadir tells Mr Veifer he is "a doctor" and then compliments the content creator's eyes before responding to the fact that Mr Veifer is Israeli.

Mr Veifer then questions Mr Nadir's suggestion he is "eventually … gonna get killed".

"Maybe because I served in the IDF?" he asks.

Mr Nadir responds with: "That's definitely the answer, correct."

When Mr Veifer asks "what's the problem with that?", a female voice off-screen says "because they killed innocent people".

Mr Veifer then said: "Killed? I was protecting my country".

Still from off-screen, the female voice says: "So you kill innocent people to protect your country. What kind of soul do you have? You have no soul."

Mr Veifer replies: "In the war, people die. As you know, they [Hamas] started the war."

The two then begin to talk over one another and Ms Lebdeh appears on the screen.

"It's Palestine's country, not your country, you piece of sh*t," she says.

The video continues with elements of the conversation which were previously published in Mr Veifer's original clip.

"I want you to remember my face, so you can understand that you will die the most disgusting death," Ms Lebdeh says at one point.

Ms Lebdeh says of Israelis: "I won't treat them. I'll kill them."

Mr Nadir says: "You have no idea how many Israeli dog[s] came to this hospital and I send them to Jahannam [hell]".

The longer video ends at that point after Mr Veifer asks if that extended to Jewish people.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-14/longer-video-sydney-bankstown-hospital-nurses-israeli-creator/104928962

https://www.instagram.com/maxveifer/reel/DGB7VDnoGDF/

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22584566 (150000ZFEB25) Notable: Investigators raid home of ‘kill Israelis’ nurse Ahmad Nadir as police await raw footage - Strike Force Pearl investigators raided the home of Bankstown Hospital nurse Ahmad “Rashad” Nadir on Friday night, executing search warrants as they weigh up charges over the video in which he and fellow nurse Sarah Abu Lebdeh bragged about killing Israeli ­patients. It is not known whether Mr Nadir was at home during the raid. Emergency services had rushed to his Bankstown home on Thursday night because of welfare concerns. He was taken to hospital for ­assessment. It is unclear whether search warrants have also been executed in relation to Ms Abu Lebdeh. Mr Nadir and Ms Abu Lebdeh have hired lawyers and, at the time of publication, were understood to be refusing to talk with police. NSW Police’s Strike Force Pearl - a unit focusing on crimes of an anti-Semitic nature – launched investigations on Wednesday, with Commissioner Karen Webb saying the full, unedited version of Israeli influencer Max Veifer’s recording of the nurses would be “critical”. On Friday morning, Veifer released on Instagram what he said was the unedited video clip, which lasts 2½ minutes - writing that he had “nothing to hide” and would send the video to police.

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Investigators raid home of ‘kill Israelis’ nurse Ahmad Nadir as police await raw footage

ALEXI DEMETRIADI and LIAM MENDES - 14 February 2025

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Strike Force Pearl investigators raided the home of Bankstown Hospital nurse Ahmad “Rashad” Nadir on Friday night, executing search warrants as they weigh up charges over the video in which he and fellow nurse Sarah Abu Lebdeh bragged about killing Israeli ­patients.

It is not known whether Mr Nadir was at home during the raid. Emergency services had rushed to his Bankstown home on Thursday night because of welfare concerns. He was taken to hospital for ­assessment.

It is unclear whether search warrants have also been executed in relation to Ms Abu Lebdeh.

Mr Nadir and Ms Abu Lebdeh have hired lawyers and, at the time of publication, were understood to be refusing to talk with police.

NSW Police’s Strike Force Pearl – a unit focusing on crimes of an anti-Semitic nature – launched investigations on Wednesday, with Commissioner Karen Webb saying the full, unedited version of Israeli influencer Max Veifer’s recording of the nurses would be “critical”.

On Friday morning, Veifer released on Instagram what he said was the unedited video clip, which lasts 2½ minutes – writing that he had “nothing to hide” and would send the video to police.

Reports emerged on Friday afternoon that alleged NSW Police had provided Veifer with an incomplete email address to send the footage to, a suggestion denied by the force, which said it was waiting on the influencer.

“NSW Police provided the ­correct contact details to the influencer at the centre of this inquiry,” a statement read, adding a full ­version was needed for the investigators. “Police are aware an extended version has been posted online, however, nothing has been directly provided to NSW Police. Discussions between NSW Police and the influencer remain open and ongoing.”

On Thursday, Ms Abu Lebdeh’s family told Sydney media outlets that the nurse had been “baited” and “pushed” into saying what she did. Featured only in the full version, Veifer asks Mr Nadir why he said he was “going to get killed”, asking the nurse whether “it’s because I served in the IDF”.

Serving in the Israeli Defence Forces is mandatory for every citizen of that country over the age of 18, but with some exemptions.

To Mr Nadir, Veifer asked: “Why do you think I’m gonna get killed? Maybe it’s because I served in the IDF? That’s why?” Mr Nadir responds, saying: “That’s definitely the answer, correct”.

Veifer says “that’s the reason, because I served in the IDF? What’s the issue with that?”

Then, initially out of the camera shot, Ms Abu Lebdeh can be heard responding. “Because you (Veifer) killed innocent people, that’s why (you’re going to die),” she said.

Veifer tells Ms Abu Lebdeh he was protecting his country, that “in war people die”, and that “they (Hamas) started this war”.

The female nurse responds: “So you killed innocent people to protect your country? What kind of soul do you have? You have no soul.”

Mr Nadir then appears to start comparing the 1200 Israelis killed by Hamas on October 7 to the 48,000 Palestinians killed according to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry.

“Your (Veifer’s) time will come and I hope to god…” Ms Abu Lebdeh says to Veifer, who responds by asking “who started this war?”

Ms Abu Lebdeh says that “you guys (Israel) did”.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22584635 (150011ZFEB25) Notable: China blames Australia after fighter jet fired flares in front of an RAAF surveillance aircraft - Beijing has blamed Australia for an incident in which a Chinese fighter jet fired flares in front of an RAAF surveillance aircraft over the South China Sea. China accused the plane of “deliberately intruding into China’s airspace” after the Chinese J-16 fighter shot the flares within 30m of an RAAF P-8A Poseidon in an “unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre” about 1pm on Tuesday. “The Australian military airplane deliberately intruded into China’s airspace over Xisha Qundao without China’s permission. Such a move violated China’s sovereignty and undermined China’s national security,” China’s foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters late on Thursday. The Albanese government has lodged an official protest with Beijing over the dangerous incident that risked the lives of up to a dozen Australians, but China’s foreign ministry spokesman defended the Chinese personnel’s behaviour and said Beijing had lodged its own diplomatic protest. “The Chinese side took legitimate, lawful, professional and restrained measures to expel the airplane,” Mr Guo said. “China has lodged serious protests with Australia and urged it to stop infringing on China’s sovereignty and making provocations and stop disrupting peace and stability in the South China Sea.” The encounter took place near the Paracel Islands, which Beijing calls “Xisha Qundao”. Ownership of the archipelago in the South China Sea is disputed by China, Vietnam and Taiwan. Beijing has engaged in extensive land reclamation in the area, much of which has been used to construct military facilities. Canberra has said the Australian aircraft was operating in international airspace at the time. It was undamaged and its crew of up to 12 aviators was unhurt. Defence Minister Richard Marles said the incident could have been far worse, as the Chinese pilot could not have known the flares would miss the P-8.

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China blames Australia after fighter jet fired flares in front of an RAAF surveillance aircraft

BEN PACKHAM and WILL GLASGOW - 14 February 2025

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Beijing has blamed Australia for an incident in which a Chinese fighter jet fired flares in front of an RAAF surveillance aircraft over the South China Sea.

China accused the plane of “deliberately intruding into China’s airspace” after the Chinese J-16 fighter shot the flares within 30m of an RAAF P-8A Poseidon in an “unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre” about 1pm on Tuesday.

“The Australian military airplane deliberately intruded into China’s airspace over Xisha Qundao without China’s permission. Such a move violated China’s sovereignty and undermined China’s national security,” China’s foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters late on Thursday.

The Albanese government has lodged an official protest with Beijing over the dangerous incident that risked the lives of up to a dozen Australians, but China’s foreign ministry spokesman defended the Chinese personnel’s behaviour and said Beijing had lodged its own diplomatic protest.

“The Chinese side took legitimate, lawful, professional and restrained measures to expel the airplane,” Mr Guo said.

“China has lodged serious protests with Australia and urged it to stop infringing on China’s sovereignty and making provocations and stop disrupting peace and stability in the South China Sea.”

The encounter took place near the Paracel Islands, which Beijing calls “Xisha Qundao”. Ownership of the archipelago in the South China Sea is disputed by China, Vietnam and Taiwan. Beijing has engaged in extensive land reclamation in the area, much of which has been used to construct military facilities.

Canberra has said the Australian aircraft was operating in international airspace at the time. It was undamaged and its crew of up to 12 aviators was unhurt.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said the incident could have been far worse, as the Chinese pilot could not have known the flares would miss the P-8.

“Had any of those flares hit the P-8, that would have definitely had the potential for significant damage to that aircraft,” Mr Marles told Sky News. “And so as a result, that is an action that we’ve declared as being unsafe.”

Defence sources said the P-8’s crew acted professionally throughout the encounter, speaking to the Chinese jet by radio before the flares were fired.

Australia complained to Chinese officials in Beijing and Canberra about the near-miss, which followed multiple unsafe actions by the PLA in recent times in the vicinity of ADF aircraft and warships.

It came as the Australian Defence Force monitored three Chinese warships operating in the Coral Sea northeast of Australia, one of which passed through the Torres Strait on Tuesday.

Defence said the Chinese vessels were the Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang, the Renhai cruiser Zunyi and the Fuchi-class replenishment vessel Weishanhu.

“Australia respects the rights of all states to exercise freedom of navigation and overflight in accordance with international law, just as we expect others to respect Australia’s right to do the same,” Defence said in a statement.

Mr Marles said the Chinese ships operating off Australia were acting legally and there was no direct connection with the incident over the South China Sea.

But he said the government was “responding in a serious way” to the activity, and he had ordered naval and air force assets “to make sure that we are shadowing this to have a clear understanding of what’s going on”.

“So HMAS Arunta right now ... is shadowing the Chinese navy frigate and we’ll continue to monitor their activities, which is very much within our rights … to understand what this task group is doing.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22584664 (150015ZFEB25) Notable: PLA’s expulsion of Australian warplane violating China's territorial airspace of Xisha Qundao ‘justified, legitimate, professional’ - "In response to Australian defense ministry's claim on Thursday that an Australian air force patrol aircraft experienced an "unsafe and unprofessional" interaction with a Chinese Air Force aircraft in the South China Sea on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a regular press conference on Thursday that the Australian military aircraft deliberately intruded into China's territorial airspace of Xisha Qundao without China's permission, infringing on China's sovereignty and endangering China's national security, and China's measures to expel the aircraft were legitimate, professional and exercised with restraint. Military experts told the Global Times on Thursday that measures taken by the PLA Air Force were professional and restrained. Anyone who attempts to provoke trouble in the South China Sea will be met with targeted countermeasures, and their schemes will not succeed. Australia's hype over the Chinese PLA aircraft's so-called "unsafe" interaction reflects its strategic short-sightedness in regional security issues. While collaborating with the US strategy of "maritime containment of China," Australia is also advancing its own selfish agenda. Its actions of infringing on China's territorial airspace of Xisha Qundao and threatening China's national security, while shifting blame and shirking responsibility, are highly irresponsible and detrimental to the healthy development of bilateral relations, Ding Duo, director of the Research Center for International and Regional Studies at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Thursday. "The facts are very clear: the Australian military aircraft intruded into China's territorial airspace of Xisha Qundao, violating China's sovereignty and security. It will definitely be met with expulsion of the PLA, which is a justified action of defense and a legitimate right. No country would tolerate foreign military aircraft intruding into its airspace, and every nation would take corresponding measures in response, applying different levels of interception and countermeasures based on the nature of the provocation," Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times on Thursday." - Guo Yuandan - globaltimes.cn

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>>280973

PLA’s expulsion of Australian warplane violating China's territorial airspace of Xisha Qundao ‘justified, legitimate, professional’

Guo Yuandan - Feb 14, 2025

In response to Australian defense ministry's claim on Thursday that an Australian air force patrol aircraft experienced an "unsafe and unprofessional" interaction with a Chinese Air Force aircraft in the South China Sea on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a regular press conference on Thursday that the Australian military aircraft deliberately intruded into China's territorial airspace of Xisha Qundao without China's permission, infringing on China's sovereignty and endangering China's national security, and China's measures to expel the aircraft were legitimate, professional and exercised with restraint.

Military experts told the Global Times on Thursday that measures taken by the PLA Air Force were professional and restrained. Anyone who attempts to provoke trouble in the South China Sea will be met with targeted countermeasures, and their schemes will not succeed.

The Australian statement claimed that on Tuesday, a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft conducting a routine maritime surveillance patrol in the South China Sea experienced an "unsafe and unprofessional interaction" with a Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force J-16 fighter aircraft.

"The PLA Air Force aircraft released flares in close proximity to the RAAF P-8A aircraft. This was an 'unsafe and unprofessional' maneuver that posed a risk to the aircraft and personnel," the statement claimed. The statement also claimed that "No injuries were sustained by Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel nor was damage caused to the RAAF P-8A."

Australia's hype over the Chinese PLA aircraft's so-called "unsafe" interaction reflects its strategic short-sightedness in regional security issues. While collaborating with the US strategy of "maritime containment of China," Australia is also advancing its own selfish agenda. Its actions of infringing on China's territorial airspace of Xisha Qundao and threatening China's national security, while shifting blame and shirking responsibility, are highly irresponsible and detrimental to the healthy development of bilateral relations, Ding Duo, director of the Research Center for International and Regional Studies at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Thursday.

"The facts are very clear: the Australian military aircraft intruded into China's territorial airspace of Xisha Qundao, violating China's sovereignty and security. It will definitely be met with expulsion of the PLA, which is a justified action of defense and a legitimate right. No country would tolerate foreign military aircraft intruding into its airspace, and every nation would take corresponding measures in response, applying different levels of interception and countermeasures based on the nature of the provocation," Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times on Thursday.

Zhang said that certain countries have become accustomed to the tactic of "a thief crying 'stop thief,'" hypocritically accusing China first in order to cover up the truth. Their goal is to dominate international public opinion while diverting attention from their own actions—sending warships and aircraft into the South China Sea, promoting its militarization, and undermining regional peace and stability.

"Australia's consistent approach not only aims to discredit the PLA but also seeks to use public opinion to pressure the PLA into abandoning legitimate self-defense. In other words, Australia wants China to take no action when its military aircraft conduct close-in reconnaissance and other intrusive operations against China. This is pure wishful thinking," Zhang pointed out.

Ding stated that under the banner of "freedom of navigation and overflight," Australia's actions actually serve multiple purposes. First, it aims to challenge China's straight baselines around the Xisha Qundao. Second, it seeks to use reconnaissance aircraft to collect and spy on China's military intelligence in the South China Sea, particularly near the Xisha Qundao. Third, Australia coordinates with the Philippines, Japan, the US, and its own forces in joint patrols or as part of efforts to demonstrate military deterrence against China. Fourth, it engages in provocative maneuvers to test China's naval and air force responses and combat readiness, effectively acting as an auxiliary force for the US.

"Judging from China's response and countermeasures, anyone attempting to provoke trouble, seek attention, or maintain a presence in the South China Sea will face targeted countermeasures, and their schemes will not succeed," Ding said.

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328421.shtml

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22584808 (150036ZFEB25) Notable: Video: Anti-offshore wind campaigners heckle PM at Illawarra candidate announcement - Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has had a blunt reminder of one of the key issues plaguing Labor in its coastal heartland. In the wake of Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones's sudden retirement from politics, Mr Albanese travelled to the New South Wales Illawarra to unveil who his government hopes will take his place as the Member for Whitlam. But announcement of Carol Berry as Labor's new candidate did not go to plan. Mr Albanese was greeted by half a dozen protesters who vented their frustration at the government's offshore wind plans. Hecklers repeatedly interrupted his press conference shouting "we don't want your wind farms" and calling for the prime minister to put the turbines "in front of your mansion on the water". Mr Albanese briefly engaged with the protesters, claiming the criticisms were from the opposition's playbook. "You can see behind me here there is a group of Labor party supporters and there is a small [group] of Labor party opponents," Mr Albanese said. "They are spouting the same line that the Clive Palmer Party and Peter Dutton spouts from time to time." Anti-offshore wind campaigner Alex O'Brien was one of the organisers of that rally and was also among the hecklers on Friday. "Our group came down here because we heard the prime minister was going to be here and the Labor party has declined the opportunity to speak to our community about the offshore wind farm," he said. "We're concerned about local jobs in fishing and tourism and that's why we're here today."

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Anti-offshore wind campaigners heckle PM at Illawarra candidate announcement

Tim Fernandez - 14 February 2025

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has had a blunt reminder of one of the key issues plaguing Labor in its coastal heartland.

In the wake of Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones's sudden retirement from politics, Mr Albanese travelled to the New South Wales Illawarra to unveil who his government hopes will take his place as the Member for Whitlam.

But announcement of Carol Berry as Labor's new candidate did not go to plan.

Mr Albanese was greeted by half a dozen protesters who vented their frustration at the government's offshore wind plans.

Hecklers repeatedly interrupted his press conference shouting "we don't want your wind farms" and calling for the prime minister to put the turbines "in front of your mansion on the water".

Mr Albanese briefly engaged with the protesters, claiming the criticisms were from the opposition's playbook.

"You can see behind me here there is a group of Labor party supporters and there is a small [group] of Labor party opponents," Mr Albanese said.

"They are spouting the same line that the Clive Palmer Party and Peter Dutton spouts from time to time."

Offshore wind has remained a politically charged topic along Australia's coast, particularly in the Illawarra and Hunter regions where the opposition has vowed to scrap offshore wind zones and the debate has turned volatile.

The prime minister's press conference on Friday was held at the same reserve where seven months ago former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce called for voters to use their votes as bullets to "say goodbye" to the prime minister.

Anti-offshore wind campaigner Alex O'Brien was one of the organisers of that rally and was also among the hecklers on Friday.

"Our group came down here because we heard the prime minister was going to be here and the Labor party has declined the opportunity to speak to our community about the offshore wind farm," he said.

"We're concerned about local jobs in fishing and tourism and that's why we're here today."

The southern parts of the Illawarra have been held by Labor for almost a century.

But with a popular local member stepping down, the offshore wind issue will be something the incoming Labor candidate will have to navigate in the lead up to this year's poll.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22592957 (160904ZFEB25) Notable: Video: Twist in the investigation of NSW nurse who went on anti-Israeli rant as morphine vial allegedly found in Bankstown Hospital locker - There has been a major twist in the investigation of two NSW nurses who went on an anti-Israel rant and claimed they would kill Israeli patients. 7NEWS can exclusively reveal that after Ahmed Rashid Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh were sacked, police allegedly found one vial of morphine in Nadir’s personal locker at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital in Sydney’s southwest. Nadir had allegedly asked a former colleague to empty his locker. That staff member reportedly felt uncomfortable with the alleged request and instead called police. That vial was seized and will now form part of the investigation after the shocking video surfaced earlier this week. The video, in which they appear to claim they won’t treat Israeli people and boast of sending them to hell, sparked shock and outrage from other nurses, government officials and the wider community. On Saturday, police raided Nadir’s house in western Sydney and removed bags of potential evidence. “Officers attached to Strike Force Pearl executed a search warrant at a home in Bankstown about 6pm (on Friday), in connection with an ongoing investigation,” a police statement read. “A number of items were taken for further examination.”

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>>280962

Twist in the investigation of NSW nurse who went on anti-Israeli rant as morphine vial allegedly found in Bankstown Hospital locker

7NEWS can exclusively reveal that police have allegedly made a find in Ahmed Rashid Nadir’s hospital locker.

Natasha Squarey - 15 February 2025

There has been a major twist in the investigation of two NSW nurses who went on an anti-Israel rant and claimed they would kill Israeli patients.

7NEWS can exclusively reveal that after Ahmed Rashid Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh were sacked, police allegedly found one vial of morphine in Nadir’s personal locker at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital in Sydney’s southwest.

Nadir had allegedly asked a former colleague to empty his locker. That staff member reportedly felt uncomfortable with the alleged request and instead called police.

That vial was seized and will now form part of the investigation after the shocking video surfaced earlier this week.

The video, in which they appear to claim they won’t treat Israeli people and boast of sending them to hell, sparked shock and outrage from other nurses, government officials and the wider community.

On Saturday, police raided Nadir’s house in western Sydney and removed bags of potential evidence.

“Officers attached to Strike Force Pearl executed a search warrant at a home in Bankstown about 6pm (on Friday), in connection with an ongoing investigation,” a police statement read.

“A number of items were taken for further examination.”

Police did not confirm reports they have received a full, unedited video from Israeli influencer Max Veifer, who posted the initial clip.

On Friday, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said police wanted the full video to inform investigators considering potential criminal charges.

Veifer on Friday shared a longer, two-and-a-half-minute version of his conversation with the nurses in an online chat room.

In comments not aired in the shorter, edited version of the video, Veifer asked if his service as an Israeli soldier was why Nadir thought he would go to hell.

“Um, that’s definitely the answer, correct,” the nurse replied.

The trio then began speaking over the top of each other as they addressed his military service, Hamas and the occupied Palestinian Territories.

“One day, your time will come and you will die the most horrible death,” Lebdeh says.

Veifer replied: “You spread hate, we spread positivity, we spread protection, we spread peace and you spread death.”

Australia’s health practitioner watchdog has updated its public records to show both nurses, who worked at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital in Sydney’s southwest, had been forbidden from working in the profession nationwide “in any context”.

The pair have also had their registrations suspended by the NSW Nursing and Midwifery Council.

CCTV footage has been seized from the hospital and other staff have been interviewed by police.

The unfolding scandal has broken trust in the public health system, Premier Chris Minns has conceded, and nurses have also expressed devastation and outrage at the comments.

Nadir was treated by emergency services on Thursday night following a “concern for welfare”.

He has issued an apology through a lawyer after being stood down from the hospital but separately told reporters the incident was a misunderstanding and a mistake before he was admitted to hospital.

https://7news.com.au/news/twist-in-the-investigation-of-nsw-nurses-who-went-on-anti-israeli-rant-as-morphine-vial-allegedly-found-in-bankstown-hospital-locker-c-17731750

https://www.facebook.com/7NEWSsydney/videos/police-allegedly-finds-drugs-in-bankstowns-nurses-locker/483541258140482/

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22599130 (171144ZFEB25) Notable: Melbourne business Gottlieb’s latest target of anti-Semitic attack - The grandson of Holocaust survivors whose family business was targeted in an anti-Semitic ­attack says hate is “festering” within the Australian community. Yehuda Gottlieb - grandson of Holocaust survivors Herc “Harry” Gottlieb and his wife Mala – said it was “confronting” to find a swastika and the words “gas the Jews” scrawled on the side of his family’s building supply store in Melbourne. He said there was a “genuine level of unease” within the Jewish community, with many people feeling “unprotected” amid an anti-Semitism crisis. “My grandparents are Holocaust survivors, my parents are children of Holocaust survivors and it’s not something they would have ever expected to see in Australia,” he said. “We practise our Judaism and my name is inherently Jewish. We don’t hide it, and we’ve never had to hide it because we’re living in a free Australian society … Australia took care of (my grandparents) and gave them the freedom they had, and now it feels like it is tightening. I think there is a genuine level of unease from the Jewish community.” Mr Gottlieb’s grandparents came to Australia in 1947 from ­Poland, opening Gottlieb’s Builders Supplies on Melbourne’s Dandenong Road. He said the attacks were being met with “silence”, and that it “feels like no one in leadership is taking it seriously”.

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>>280903

Melbourne business Gottlieb’s latest target of anti-Semitic attack

HANNAH WILCOX and SARAH ISON - 17 February 2025

The grandson of Holocaust survivors whose family business was targeted in an anti-Semitic ­attack says hate is “festering” within the Australian community.

Yehuda Gottlieb – grandson of Holocaust survivors Herc “Harry” Gottlieb and his wife Mala – said it was “confronting” to find a swastika and the words “gas the Jews” scrawled on the side of his family’s building supply store in Melbourne.

He said there was a “genuine level of unease” within the Jewish community, with many people feeling “unprotected” amid an anti-Semitism crisis.

“My grandparents are Holocaust survivors, my parents are children of Holocaust survivors and it’s not something they would have ever expected to see in Australia,” he said.

“We practise our Judaism and my name is inherently Jewish. We don’t hide it, and we’ve never had to hide it because we’re living in a free Australian society … Australia took care of (my grandparents) and gave them the freedom they had, and now it feels like it is tightening. I think there is a genuine level of unease from the Jewish community.”

Mr Gottlieb’s grandparents came to Australia in 1947 from ­Poland, opening Gottlieb’s Builders Supplies on Melbourne’s Dandenong Road. He said the attacks were being met with “silence”, and that it “feels like no one in leadership is taking it seriously”.

A wave of anti-Semitic attacks – including on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne and more recently in Dover Heights and Maroubra in Sydney – has shocked Australia and the world.

Last week, two NSW nurses were sacked after claiming they would kill Israeli patients.

“(From) the incident of the nurses in Bankstown last week, the graffiti we see on homes, car bombs, synagogue bombings – it seems like every week there is another incident and nothing seems to be happening,” Mr Gottlieb said. “There’s just silence. There’s words, but there’s no actions. This is not the society that we want to live in, where we see one Australian threatening another Australian ... because of something that’s happening across the world.”

Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler said the Holocaust did not end anti-Semitism. “It simply drove it underground for a time,” he said.

“Now it is out in the open, on our streets, in our schools, on our buildings. If Australia was once a safe haven for those fleeing ­hatred, what is it becoming now? Silence in the face of this is complicity,” he said.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said it was “telling” that those responsible for the attack used the words “gas the Jews”.

“We have ample evidence that a small but determined group of Australians would be happy for the Jewish community to go the way of our European brethren during World War II,” Mr Ryvchin said. “But we know we are now joined by millions of Australians who abhor this hatred.”

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/melbourne-business-gottliebs-latest-target-of-antisemitic-attack/news-story/ccc14f2f58972dead8867460dcfc67cd

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22599179 (171217ZFEB25) Notable: Video: Fatima Payman: WA Senator calls out ‘double standards’ on anti-Semitic nurses’ comments - Fatima Payman has spoken out on the backlash against Western Sydney nurses Ahmed ‘Rashid’ Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh after they were captured making anti-Semitic remarks on an online webchat forum. The pair, dressed in NSW Health scrubs during a night shift at Bankstown Hospital, were caught telling influencer Max Veifer they would “kill” Israeli patients under their care in a clip that quickly went viral. Senator Payman took to Instagram on Sunday to express her stance on the remarks that shook the nation, claiming it to be a “double standard”. Acknowledging the nurses comments as “wrong”, adding she was relieved no Israeli patients had been the killed, the West Australian politician said the “elephant in the room” still needed to be addressed. “They made a terrible comment yet are being treated as if they have committed the absolute worst crime imaginable,” Senator Payman continued. “These individuals have been fired, banned from ever working as nurses again, raided by police, placed under the most intense public scrutiny and now (they are) the ones being hospitalised; they’ve apologised, they have been punished. “What is the end goal here? What exactly are we trying to achieve? Justice or just public humiliation? “We never see the same level of anger and vitriol when the roles are reversed.”

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>>280962

Fatima Payman: WA Senator calls out ‘double standards’ on anti-Semitic nurses’ comments

HANNAH WILCOX - 16 February 2025

Fatima Payman has spoken out on the backlash against Western Sydney nurses Ahmed ‘Rashid’ Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh after they were captured making anti-Semitic remarks on an online webchat forum.

The pair, dressed in NSW Health scrubs during a night shift at Bankstown Hospital, were caught telling influencer Max Veifer they would “kill” Israeli patients under their care in a clip that quickly went viral.

Senator Payman took to Instagram on Sunday to express her stance on the remarks that shook the nation, claiming it to be a “double standard”.

Acknowledging the nurses comments as “wrong”, adding she was relieved no Israeli patients had been the killed, the West Australian politician said the “elephant in the room” still needed to be addressed.

“They made a terrible comment yet are being treated as if they have committed the absolute worst crime imaginable,” Senator Payman continued.

“These individuals have been fired, banned from ever working as nurses again, raided by police, placed under the most intense public scrutiny and now (they are) the ones being hospitalised; they’ve apologised, they have been punished.

“What is the end goal here? What exactly are we trying to achieve? Justice or just public humiliation?

“We never see the same level of anger and vitriol when the roles are reversed.”

Senator Payman referenced an incident which saw Sydney woman Kelly Farrugia accused of attempting to hit passer-by Sheik Wesam Charkawi with her car in December, adding there was instead “a dangerous, deafening silence”.

“Where was the national condemnation? Where was the wall to wall media coverage? Where were the Prime Minister and premiers denouncing it with the same force we see for these nurses’ comments,” she said.

“If we are to condemn one, we must condemn the other. Otherwise, we are not standing for justice, we’re simply picking sides and that is what fuels division in our society.”

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/fatima-payman-wa-senator-speaks-out-double-standards-on-antisemitic-nurses-comments/news-story/2c473765771062ea81621e960fb29298

https://www.instagram.com/senatorfatimapayman/reel/DGHVKyyTSZT/

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22599278 (171302ZFEB25) Notable: Mainstream bodies, Hizb ut-Tahrir, Muslim Vote independents, radical preachers barrack for sacked Bankstown nurses - The Muslim Vote has partnered with extremist group Hizb ut-­Tahrir and mainstream Islamic bodies to uphold two sacked Bankstown nurses who claimed to have killed Israeli patients as ­victims of “manufactured outrage” in a campaign to silence Palestinian voices. While the NSW government criticised the “divisive and un­welcome” comments contained in a joint communique, and the ­federal ­opposition chastised mainstream bodies for aligning with known radicals, neither Anthony Albanese nor Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke responded to questions about the statement ­supporting the healthcare ­workers. The unlikely alliance - which included pro-Palestine independent candidates, and hardline ­Islamic centres and radical preachers – comes after footage of NSW Health nurses Ahmad ­“Rashad” Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh vowing to “kill” Israeli ­patients led to their immediate ­dismissals and sparked an investigation by a state police anti-­Semitism taskforce. The communique was put ­together by “Stand 4 Palestine” – a group established and largely run by Hizb ut-Tahrir operatives. It criticised what it called “co-ordinated outrage” and claimed the response to the two nurses’ comments was “manufactured” to serve a “political narrative”. “The most revealing aspect of the reaction to the nurses’ video is not the (footage) itself - but the speed, intensity and uniformity of response from certain political leaders and media outlets,” said the statement, endorsed by more than 50 bodies or leaders. The intervention puts into sharp focus the tightrope authorities must tread as they seek to balance faith in the health system with the anger of parts of the Muslim community over apparent double standards in the governments’ response to anti-Semitism.

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Mainstream bodies, Hizb ut-Tahrir, Muslim Vote independents, radical preachers barrack for sacked Bankstown nurses

ALEXI DEMETRIADI - 17 February 2025

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The Muslim Vote has partnered with extremist group Hizb ut-­Tahrir and mainstream Islamic bodies to uphold two sacked Bankstown nurses who claimed to have killed Israeli patients as ­victims of “manufactured outrage” in a campaign to silence Palestinian voices.

While the NSW government criticised the “divisive and un­welcome” comments contained in a joint communique, and the ­federal ­opposition chastised mainstream bodies for aligning with known radicals, neither Anthony Albanese nor Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke responded to questions about the statement ­supporting the healthcare ­workers.

The unlikely alliance – which included pro-Palestine independent candidates, and hardline ­Islamic centres and radical preachers – comes after footage of NSW Health nurses Ahmad ­“Rashad” Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh vowing to “kill” Israeli ­patients led to their immediate ­dismissals and sparked an investigation by a state police anti-­Semitism taskforce. The communique was put ­together by “Stand 4 Palestine” – a group established and largely run by Hizb ut-Tahrir operatives.

It criticised what it called “co-ordinated outrage” and claimed the response to the two nurses’ comments was “manufactured” to serve a “political narrative”.

“The most revealing aspect of the reaction to the nurses’ video is not the (footage) itself – but the speed, intensity and uniformity of response from certain political leaders and media outlets,” said the statement, endorsed by more than 50 bodies or leaders.

The intervention puts into sharp focus the tightrope authorities must tread as they seek to balance faith in the health system with the anger of parts of the Muslim community over apparent double standards in the governments’ response to anti-Semitism.

The alignment of Hizb ut-­Tahrir and extremist preachers with the anti-ALP Muslim political campaign creates a clear dividing line for Labor in seats such as Watson and Blaxland, where it is courting and hopeful of support from the area’s wider, mainstream Muslim community.

Stand 4 Palestine said its ­statement was “not about ­defending ­inappropriate remarks” but to “push back against double standards and moral ­manipulation”.

Hizb ut-Tahrir Australia, whose British branch was last year banned, is a signatory to the letter. Germany, Egypt, Turkey, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Pakistan, among others, have also outlawed the group.

Signatories also included mainstream bodies, including the ­Australian Federation of Islamic Councils and the Islamic councils of Victoria and WA, but also radical groups, such as the Al Madina Dawah Centre and its founder, Wissam Haddad, also known as Abu Ousayd.

Mr Haddad is being sued for vilifying the Jewish community in sermons that allegedly called ­Jewish people “descendants of pigs and monkeys”, recited Islamic parables about their killing, labelled them “treacherous people”, and ­alleged they had their “hands in business and media”.

The preacher has been vocal about his friendship with now-dead Islamic State terrorists Khaled Sharrouf and Mohamed Elomar, and whose defunct Al Risalah bookstore was a known hotbed of extremism. He shares standing as a “prominent individual” on the communique alongside two independents running in the upcoming federal election: Ziad Basyouny and Ahmed Ouf.

Political groups Muslim Votes Matter and The Muslim Vote are signatories. The Muslim Vote convener, sheik Wesam Charkawi, who is helping co-ordinate the campaigns of the two independent candidates in Watson and Blaxland also signed the communique.

While there have been public links between The Muslim Vote and Sheik Charkawi with elements of Hizb ut-Tahrir – the sheik and the extremist group – shared a stage at an October 2024 rally outside Lakemba Mosque – it is the first time the two independent candidates have shared a letterhead with that group or Mr Haddad.

Recent polling suggested Labor would retain Watson and Blaxland, but was on track for a razor-thin ­­defeat in Werriwa, where The Muslim Vote has said it would back another as-yet revealed candidate.

The decision to align with Hizb ut-Tahrir, its offshoot Stand 4 Palestine, and Mr Haddad should firm up an activist cohort of voters the candidates are chasing. However, it could prove detrimental in drawing wider support from the area’s Muslim community, many of who would be deterred by a campaign that involved and counted Hizb ut-Tahrir as supporters.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22599337 (171318ZFEB25) Notable: Australia’s worst pedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale expected to die within days - Australia’s worst pedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale is expected to die within days. Several sources have told the Herald Sun that the 90-year-old, who abused more than 70 children over three decades as a parish priest in Victoria’s west, has remained mostly unresponsive in recent weeks. One source said the 90-year-old convicted predator was “no longer opening his eyes or engaging”. Documents seen by the Herald Sun show that Ridsdale has been receiving treatment for severe arthritis, asthma, high blood pressure, heart problems and Rhabdomyolysis - a rare, life-threatening condition where a person’s skeletal muscles rapidly break down that can lead to kidney failure. It is understood that despite his worsening condition, Ridsdale’s relatives, including two of his sisters, have not visited the dying predator for some time. The notorious pedophile has been behind bars since 1994, but his abuse was so prolific that Victoria Police has continued to lay dozens of new historic sexual abuse charges against the frail and sick Ridsdale as recently as April last year. The Sexual Crimes Squad brought an additional 62 new charges against Ridsdale, bringing the total number of separate charges laid against him to just under 200. He was already serving an almost 40-year sentence when he pleaded guilty to another raft of charges in 2023.

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Australia’s worst pedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale expected to die within days

Gerald Ridsdale, convicted of abusing more than 70 children over three decades as a parish priest in Victoria’s west, is expected to die within days.

Olivia Jenkins - February 17, 2025

Australia’s worst pedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale is expected to die within days.

Several sources have told the Herald Sun that the 90-year-old, who abused more than 70 children over three decades as a parish priest in Victoria’s west, has remained mostly unresponsive in recent weeks.

One source said the 90-year-old convicted predator was “no longer opening his eyes or engaging”.

Documents seen by the Herald Sun show that Ridsdale has been receiving treatment for severe arthritis, asthma, high blood pressure, heart problems and Rhabdomyolysis – a rare, life-threatening condition where a person’s skeletal muscles rapidly break down that can lead to kidney failure.

It is understood that despite his worsening condition, Ridsdale’s relatives, including two of his sisters, have not visited the dying predator for some time.

It comes after the Herald Sun revealed in March last year that Ridsdale had suffered a major health decline and had been moved to St Vincent’s Hospital.

But his health had begun to deteriorate “significantly” since 2021.

The notorious pedophile has been behind bars since 1994, but his abuse was so prolific that Victoria Police has continued to lay dozens of new historic sexual abuse charges against the frail and sick Ridsdale as recently as April last year.

The Sexual Crimes Squad brought an additional 62 new charges against Ridsdale, bringing the total number of separate charges laid against him to just under 200.

He was already serving an almost 40-year sentence when he pleaded guilty to another raft of charges in 2023.

At a pre-sentencing hearing for those charges, which related to his abuse of a 13-year-old boy in Horsham in the 1980s, his lawyer told the court that Ridsdale may have needed to enter palliative care.

In 2022, Ridsdale’s lawyer pushed for any new prison sentences to be served concurrently with his existing term, but a judge handed him an additional 6.5 years behind bars with two years to be served on top of his 39-year sentence.

If alive, Ridsdale would be eligible for parole at 92 years old in April 2027.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/australias-worst-pedophile-priest-gerald-ridsdale-expected-to-die-within-days/news-story/7de35e19a7f3d15e78e5cdd7345d9eda

https://qresear.ch/?q=Gerald+Ridsdale

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22599384 (171331ZFEB25) Notable: Video: Oscar Jenkins: New video emerges showing Australian captured in Ukraine - The Albanese government has repeated calls to Russia to release Australian soldier Oscar Jenkins after an unverified video was posted online purporting to show him in captivity and in which he says he is weak and has a broken arm. Dressed in army fatigues, a downcast Jenkins, captured while fighting in Ukraine, is asked to provide an update on his welfare by those filming. “My name is Oscar Jenkins, I’m Australian,” he says in the video uploaded to YouTube just over a week ago. The person filming - a man who appears to be one of his captors – says Jenkins is a prisoner of war from the 66th Mechanised Brigade of the armed forces of Ukraine. The man says in English that the date is January 17. This masthead has not been able to verify when or where the video was made. “Tell us about your health condition, about your mood. Are you OK?” the man says. “I would like more freedom,” Jenkins responds. “I feel a bit weak. I’ve lost a lot of weight. I have a broken arm still, I think, and my hand is not good.” In the footage, Jenkins is seen dressed in a heavy coat and beanie. Winter temperatures in Russia have dropped to as low as minus 20 degrees. The video appears to have been created to dispel rumours that the Australian had been killed in captivity. “You are alive, so the information about your death is not right?” the man filming says. “Correct,” Jenkins responds. The man then instructs Jenkins to remove his beanie, which he does. “Everything is okay. He is alive and I think he will [be] better,” the man says to end the video.

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Oscar Jenkins: New video emerges showing Australian captured in Ukraine

Alex Crowe - February 17, 2025

The Albanese government has repeated calls to Russia to release Australian soldier Oscar Jenkins after an unverified video was posted online purporting to show him in captivity and in which he says he is weak and has a broken arm.

Dressed in army fatigues, a downcast Jenkins, captured while fighting in Ukraine, is asked to provide an update on his welfare by those filming.

“My name is Oscar Jenkins, I’m Australian,” he says in the video uploaded to YouTube just over a week ago.

The person filming – a man who appears to be one of his captors – says Jenkins is a prisoner of war from the 66th Mechanised Brigade of the armed forces of Ukraine.

The man says in English that the date is January 17. This masthead has not been able to verify when or where the video was made.

“Tell us about your health condition, about your mood. Are you OK?” the man says.

“I would like more freedom,” Jenkins responds.

“I feel a bit weak. I’ve lost a lot of weight. I have a broken arm still, I think, and my hand is not good.”

In the footage, Jenkins is seen dressed in a heavy coat and beanie. Winter temperatures in Russia have dropped to as low as minus 20 degrees.

The video appears to have been created to dispel rumours that the Australian had been killed in captivity.

“You are alive, so the information about your death is not right?” the man filming says.

“Correct,” Jenkins responds.

The man then instructs Jenkins to remove his beanie, which he does.

“Everything is okay. He is alive and I think he will [be] better,” the man says to end the video.

The Albanese government is pressing Russia to release Jenkins, who was captured late last year while fighting alongside Ukrainian troops.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong last month said Australian officials were confident the 32-year-old Melbourne school teacher was alive despite reports of his death.

“We still hold serious concerns for Mr Jenkins’ welfare,” a spokesperson for the foreign minister told this masthead on Monday in response to the video.

“Australia has made clear to Russia that Mr Jenkins is a prisoner of war and Russia is obligated to treat him in accordance with international humanitarian law.

“The government calls on Russia to release Mr Jenkins.”

Jenkins’ capture was first reported in December, when footage was circulated online of the Australian – with his hands tied – being paraded before a camera by Russian soldiers.

In the video, Jenkins, speaking in English and broken Ukrainian, explained he had been fighting in the Donbas region to help Ukraine.

It is unclear how long Jenkins, who graduated from the prestigious Melbourne Grammar in 2010 and left Australia to teach and travel in China in 2015, had been fighting with Ukrainian forces.

Australian officials are working with Ukraine and the International Committee of the Red Cross to push for consular access to Jenkins so they can verify his welfare.

https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/i-feel-a-bit-weak-new-video-emerges-showing-australian-captured-in-ukraine-20250217-p5lcw4.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ_AlKODefw

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22604514 (180715ZFEB25) Notable: Video: Israeli influencer confident police have enough evidence to investigate antisemitic video - A social media influencer who posted a video allegedly showing two nurses threatening to kill and refusing to treat Israeli patients is confident police now have enough evidence to proceed with the investigation, as detectives work with him to finalise his statement. Max Veifer last week posted the video, captured on online chat room Chatruletka, showing Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital nurses Ahmad Rashad Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh allegedly saying they would refuse to treat and threatening to kill Israeli patients. In an Instagram post on Tuesday afternoon, Veifer said he spoke with Strike Force Pearl detectives on Monday, and while he could not provide details about the investigation, he was “confident they have enough evidence”. Veifer said he hoped investigators were “doing everything they can to bring the truth to light” after reports morphine had been found in Nadir’s hospital locker. Veifer thanked followers who shared the video, urging them to “stay united to face the challenges ahead”. “Let’s make Australia a safe place for Jewish people. We’ve had enough. The Jewish community in Australia [has] had enough.”

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Israeli influencer confident police have enough evidence to investigate antisemitic video

Jessica McSweeney and Riley Walter - February 18, 2025

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A social media influencer who posted a video allegedly showing two nurses threatening to kill and refusing to treat Israeli patients is confident police now have enough evidence to proceed with the investigation, as detectives work with him to finalise his statement.

But police say they are managing the complexities of gathering the crucial evidence from overseas that meets Australian legal standards and are working to resolve the investigation “as swiftly as possible”.

“As the influencer is in Israel and the video believed to be created in Israel, police need to manage the complexities involved in gathering and producing evidence from an overseas jurisdiction to meet Australian legal requirements for the evidence to be admissible in Australian courts,” NSW Police said in a statement on Tuesday afternoon.

“Detectives remain focused on resolving the investigation as swiftly as possible.”

Max Veifer last week posted the video, captured on online chat room Chatruletka, showing Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital nurses Ahmad Rashad Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh allegedly saying they would refuse to treat and threatening to kill Israeli patients.

The fallout from the video continued on Tuesday, with a coalition of Australian Muslim groups, including The Muslim Vote and the radical Islamist organisation Hizb ut-Tahrir, denying the video is antisemitic and labelling the ensuing furore as “manufactured outrage”.

In an Instagram post on Tuesday afternoon, Veifer said he spoke with Strike Force Pearl detectives on Monday, and while he could not provide details about the investigation, he was “confident they have enough evidence”.

Veifer said he hoped investigators were “doing everything they can to bring the truth to light” after reports morphine had been found in Nadir’s hospital locker.

Veifer thanked followers who shared the video, urging them to “stay united to face the challenges ahead”.

“Let’s make Australia a safe place for Jewish people. We’ve had enough. The Jewish community in Australia [has] had enough.”

NSW Police’s Strike Force Pearl, launched last year to combat a spate of antisemitic attacks across Sydney, has taken carriage of the investigation into the video.

In the earlier statement, the coalition of Muslim groups and prominent community leaders said it “condemned” the “hypocrisy” over the video of Nadir and Abu Lebdeh.

The statement denied the nurses’ words, in which Nadir says he would send Israeli patients to the Islamic equivalent of hell, were antisemitic.

“The frustration and anger directed at Israel is a direct response to its violent and inhumane policies – not an expression of hatred towards Jewish people.”

The groups labelled the comments from the nurses as “emotional and hyperbolic” and called the remarks “inappropriate”.

Signatories also included the mainstream political group Muslim Votes Matter, which is lobbying for more Muslim Australians to be elected to parliament, and Gamel Kheir, the respected community figure and secretary of the Lebanese Muslim Association.

Also included in the statement was the Al Madina Dawah Centre, home of controversial preacher Wissam Haddad, and the extreme Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir.

Hizb ut-Tahrir was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the UK in 2024 for its support of Hamas, antisemitic views and its calls for jihad.

This masthead is not suggesting Hizb ut-Tahrir supporters are terrorists or that all its members condone terrorism.

While not a signatory of the statement, independent senator Fatima Payman echoed the comments in a video on social media, calling the public reaction to the nurse video a double standard.

“They made a terrible comment yet are being treated as if they have committed the absolute worst crime imaginable,” she said.

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22604566 (180732ZFEB25) Notable: Political defence exemption dropped from proposed hate laws - Bigots charged with criminal vilification under the Victorian government’s proposed hate laws will no longer be able to rely on a defence of political purpose to avoid conviction and jail. The government has dropped the defence after concerns were raised by Jewish and Islamic community groups that the “genuine political purpose” exemption drafted into plans to toughen Victoria’s protections against vilification would green-light hate speech rather than legislate against it. The Opposition, while welcoming the change, said it still wouldn’t vote for the legislation in its current form. Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny on Tuesday tabled two amendments to the Anti-Vilification and Social Cohesion Bill being debated in parliament. The first removes a clause that provides a broad defence against a new criminal offence of inciting serious vilification if the accused can show they “engaged in the conduct for a genuine political purpose”. The second government amendment, drafted in response to the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne and other religious groups, expands a proposed religious purpose exemption to include proselytising and preaching. Zionist Federation president Jeremy Leibler on Tuesday urged parliamentarians to support the amended legislation. “This bill will do important work,” he said. Zionism Victoria president Elyse Schachna said the proposed laws would “send a message that extreme hate has no place in our community”. The amendments will also ease fears among the Catholic Church, made clear by Archbishop of Melbourne Peter Comensoli in previous comments to The Age, that the original legislation would erode freedom of religious expression.

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Political defence exemption dropped from proposed hate laws

Chip Le Grand - February 18, 2025

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Bigots charged with criminal vilification under the Victorian government’s proposed hate laws will no longer be able to rely on a defence of political purpose to avoid conviction and jail.

The government has dropped the defence after concerns were raised by Jewish and Islamic community groups that the “genuine political purpose” exemption drafted into plans to toughen Victoria’s protections against vilification would green-light hate speech rather than legislate against it.

The Opposition, while welcoming the change, said it still wouldn’t vote for the legislation in its current form.

Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny on Tuesday tabled two amendments to the Anti-Vilification and Social Cohesion Bill being debated in parliament.

The first removes a clause that provides a broad defence against a new criminal offence of inciting serious vilification if the accused can show they “engaged in the conduct for a genuine political purpose”.

The second government amendment, drafted in response to the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne and other religious groups, expands a proposed religious purpose exemption to include proselytising and preaching.

The reworked provision will give church groups greater comfort that their members will be protected at both the pulpit and, more broadly, in the community when talking about matters to do with sex, gender and gender identity.

Kilkenny said the government always intended that proselytising would be covered by the religious purpose exemption.

The amendments address the main concerns from the Jewish Community Council of Victoria, Zionism Victoria, the Zionist Federation of Australia and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, set out in a joint letter to state MPs two weeks ago.

Zionist Federation president Jeremy Leibler on Tuesday urged parliamentarians to support the amended legislation. “This bill will do important work,” he said.

Zionism Victoria president Elyse Schachna said the proposed laws would “send a message that extreme hate has no place in our community”.

The amendments will also ease fears among the Catholic Church, made clear by Archbishop of Melbourne Peter Comensoli in previous comments to The Age, that the original legislation would erode freedom of religious expression.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22604669 (180801ZFEB25) Notable: Australia’s worst pedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale has died - Victims of Gerald Ridsdale say news of the death of Australia’s worst pedophile priest is a “big relief”. Several sources have told the Herald Sun that the 90-year-old passed away before 10am on Tuesday in the medical unit of Port Phillip Prison at Truganina in Melbourne’s west. Ridsdale abused more than 70 children over three decades as a parish priest in Victoria’s west. He had remained mostly unresponsive in recent weeks with one source telling the Herald Sun he had no longer been able to open his eyes. Victim survivor Paul Levey, who gave the Herald Sun permission to be identified, said he was alerted to Ridsdale’s death just minutes after he had passed away. He said it was a “big relief” after reading countless reports of the pedophile’s ill health in recent years. “I didn’t mind him being in prison while he was a little bit healthy when they were bashing him, raping him, whatever they wanted to do to him there,” he said. “Once he went into the hospital, I thought ‘the quicker, the better’. “It’s a big relief, we’ve all been waiting for it. We’ve heard for years of him being in palliative care. “Now he’s gone, it’s a big relief.” Mr Levey, 56, said it would be a bittersweet day for fellow survivors. He said two journalists both sent him a text simultaneously reading: “He’s gone”. “I think it’ll be a bag of mixed emotions, some people will be relieved, some will be happy,” he added. “Everyone is going to react to it differently.” Another survivor of Ridsdale’s horrific crimes said it was a “good thing” the pedophile had finally died. He said he hoped it would finally close a dark chapter in his life. “(I’m) probably just a bit confused, that’s the reality,” he told the Herald Sun. “Obviously knew it was coming, (we’ve) been prepared for it for a long time but it still doesn’t make it any easier when it happens. “That’s purely because you have to relive everything again and hopefully this is the end of it.”

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Australia’s worst pedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale has died

Gerald Ridsdale has died in a Melbourne prison, with a lawyer who fought for his victim-survivors saying the impact of the pedophile priest’s crimes “cannot be fathomed”.

Olivia Jenkins, Regan Hodge and Timothy Cox - February 18, 2025

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Victims of Gerald Ridsdale say news of the death of Australia’s worst pedophile priest is a “big relief”.

Several sources have told the Herald Sun that the 90-year-old passed away before 10am on Tuesday in the medical unit of Port Phillip Prison at Truganina in Melbourne’s west.

Ridsdale abused more than 70 children over three decades as a parish priest in Victoria’s west.

He had remained mostly unresponsive in recent weeks with one source telling the Herald Sun he had no longer been able to open his eyes.

Victim survivor Paul Levey, who gave the Herald Sun permission to be identified, said he was alerted to Ridsdale’s death just minutes after he had passed away.

He said it was a “big relief” after reading countless reports of the pedophile’s ill health in recent years.

“I didn’t mind him being in prison while he was a little bit healthy when they were bashing him, raping him, whatever they wanted to do to him there,” he said.

“Once he went into the hospital, I thought ‘the quicker, the better’.

“It’s a big relief, we’ve all been waiting for it. We’ve heard for years of him being in palliative care.

“Now he’s gone, it’s a big relief.”

Mr Levey, 56, said it would be a bittersweet day for fellow survivors.

He said two journalists both sent him a text simultaneously reading: “He’s gone”.

“I think it’ll be a bag of mixed emotions, some people will be relieved, some will be happy,” he added.

“Everyone is going to react to it differently.”

Another survivor of Ridsdale’s horrific crimes said it was a “good thing” the pedophile had finally died.

He said he hoped it would finally close a dark chapter in his life.

“(I’m) probably just a bit confused, that’s the reality,” he told the Herald Sun.

“Obviously knew it was coming, (we’ve) been prepared for it for a long time but it still doesn’t make it any easier when it happens.

“That’s purely because you have to relive everything again and hopefully this is the end of it.”

Documents seen by the Herald Sun show Ridsdale had been receiving treatment for severe arthritis, asthma, high blood pressure, heart problems and Rhabdomyolysis – a rare, life-threatening condition where a person’s skeletal muscles rapidly break down that can lead to kidney failure.

It is understood that despite his worsening condition, Ridsdale’s relatives, including two of his sisters, had not visited the dying predator.

Dr Judy Courtin, who has fought for Ridsdale’s victims for decades, said the impact of his crimes “cannot be fathomed”.

Dr Courtin said there would be thousands of family members who would likely be overjoyed with Ridsdale’s death on Tuesday morning.

“The impacts of Ridsdale’s execrable crimes cannot be fathomed,” she said.

“We have estimated that Ridsdale sexually assaulted about 1600 children during his priestly career.

“Who knows how many family members and loved ones have been impacted — 10,000? 20,000?”

Dr Courtin continues to campaign for other members of the Catholic hierarchy to be held criminally responsible.

“The human damage caused by this one pedophile, and the Catholic hierarchy which enabled his sex offending to go unfettered for decades, is so vast it is immeasurable,” she said.

“Further, the fact that not one member of the Catholic hierarchy has ever been held criminally accountable for concealing and enabling Ridsdale’s child sex crimes, beggars belief and is a permanent source of anguish and grievance for victims/survivors and their families and loved ones.”

Ballarat Diocese Vicar General father Marcello Colasante said the diocese “recognises that the news of the death of Gerald Ridsdale is likely to renew the distress of those who have suffered from his crimes”.

He said it also extended its sympathies to Ridsdale’s family.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22604711 (180819ZFEB25) Notable: ‘I hope he rots in hell’: Paul’s relief over death of notorious paedophile priest - For years, Paul Levey thought about returning to the presbytery in the Victorian town of Mortlake where he was sexually abused daily as a child by Catholic priest Gerald Ridsdale. He dreamt of setting fire to the old bluestone building and watching it burn to the ground. On Tuesday morning, 90-year-old Ridsdale, one of Australia’s most notorious paedophiles, died in jail. The disgraced Catholic priest’s death was met with a sense of overwhelming relief from Levey. “Good riddance,” the Sunbury man said. “I have been waiting for this day for a long time. He robbed me and so many others of our childhoods. I hope he rots in hell.” Ridsdale had been in prison since 1994 for the sexual abuse of more than 70 children, including Levey. The 56-year-old was sent to live with Ridsdale in 1982, aged 13, after struggling to cope with his parents’ separation. His mother Anne, a devout Catholic, who used to get down on her knees and pray the rosary each day, believed at the time she was doing the best thing for her son. Anne, who remained close with Levey until her death two years ago, never recovered from the betrayal. In 2016, she spoke of her devastation, saying: “Every day I blame myself. You go to bed, and you’re thinking about it. You wake up and you’re thinking about it. You live with it every day, the guilt, regret and shame.” Former Warrnambool detective Colin Ryan was part of the taskforce that received the first complaint against Ridsdale and was instrumental in getting him locked up. “Myself and detective John Norris spoke to the first victim that came in and put together a brief that included another 20 victims,” Ryan said. “Ridsdale pleaded guilty back in 1994, and he never saw the light of day after that investigation. The victims just continued to come forward. “There’s certain things that you get involved in over your career that you don’t forget. And he was one of them.”

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‘I hope he rots in hell’: Paul’s relief over death of notorious paedophile priest

Melissa Cunningham, Cameron Houston and Alexander Darling - FEBRUARY 18, 2025

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For years, Paul Levey thought about returning to the presbytery in the Victorian town of Mortlake where he was sexually abused daily as a child by Catholic priest Gerald Ridsdale.

He dreamt of setting fire to the old bluestone building and watching it burn to the ground.

On Tuesday morning, 90-year-old Ridsdale, one of Australia’s most notorious paedophiles, died in jail.

The disgraced Catholic priest’s death was met with a sense of overwhelming relief from Levey.

“Good riddance,” the Sunbury man said. “I have been waiting for this day for a long time. He robbed me and so many others of our childhoods. I hope he rots in hell.”

Ridsdale had been in prison since 1994 for the sexual abuse of more than 70 children, including Levey.

The 56-year-old was sent to live with Ridsdale in 1982, aged 13, after struggling to cope with his parents’ separation.

His mother Anne, a devout Catholic, who used to get down on her knees and pray the rosary each day, believed at the time she was doing the best thing for her son.

Anne, who remained close with Levey until her death two years ago, never recovered from the betrayal.

In 2016, she spoke of her devastation, saying: “Every day I blame myself. You go to bed, and you’re thinking about it. You wake up and you’re thinking about it. You live with it every day, the guilt, regret and shame.”

Former Warrnambool detective Colin Ryan was part of the taskforce that received the first complaint against Ridsdale and was instrumental in getting him locked up.

“Myself and detective John Norris spoke to the first victim that came in and put together a brief that included another 20 victims,” Ryan said.

“Ridsdale pleaded guilty back in 1994, and he never saw the light of day after that investigation. The victims just continued to come forward.

“There’s certain things that you get involved in over your career that you don’t forget. And he was one of them.”

Dr Judy Courtin, a lawyer and advocate for child abuse survivors, whose law firm has represented many of Ridsdale’s victims in court, said the pain he inflicted was impossible to quantify.

“The human damage caused by this one paedophile, and the Catholic hierarchy which enabled his sex offending to go unfettered for decades, is so vast it is immeasurable,” Courtin said.

“The impacts on a child who was raped and or sexually assaulted by Ridsdale are, tragically, mostly lifelong and many.”

Many of Ridsdale’s survivors battled ongoing PTSD, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, poverty, and chronic and devastating difficulties with interpersonal relationships. Others had taken their own lives.

In autumn last year, Levey finally rode his Harley-Davidson motorbike to the tiny town of Mortlake, which sits at the base of Mt Shadwell, an extinct volcano, where Ridsdale was once accused of sexually abusing every boy in the local school aged between 10 and 16.

He found the old presbytery completely demolished next to St Colman’s Catholic Church.

“A lot of emotions and memories come flooding back that day,” Levey said.

“I was glad to see it was gone. I heard that the locals had demolished it, that it stirred up too many painful memories.”

Levey carried with him a rainbow-coloured ribbon, which he tied to the door of the old orange brick church.

The gesture was part of a grassroots movement – started in Ballarat and known as “Loud Fence” – where coloured ribbons are tied outside churches and institutions by survivors and those wanting to show support for victims of child sexual abuse.

“I tied the ribbon for every one of Ridsdale’s victims,” Levey said.

“The ones that are alive and the ones that are dead.

“The abuse affected every part of my life. He broke me at times in my life, but I managed to fight because of the support of my partner Michele, my family and my friends.

“I am glad he was locked up for so long before he died and that he can never hurt any more kids.”

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22604756 (180841ZFEB25) Notable: Paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale dies at 90, survivors urged to seek help - For decades Gerald Ridsdale, draped in flowing white vestments, stood before countless Catholic congregations preaching about good and evil, the innocence of children, and a merciful god. But on him, those vestments were merely a convenient costume disguising one of the nation's most evil men - a prolific paedophile who showed no mercy as he dashed the innocence from the lives of dozens of children. Ridsdale, who has died in jail at the age of 90, leaves behind a dark legacy that includes the abuse of at least 72 child victims over a 30-year, unchecked reign of terror. It is believed his appalling abuse has led to several of his victims taking their own lives, and many others enduring devastating trauma that continues to this day. Ridsdale's crimes changed Australia's legal system, shaped royal commissions and inquiries, and scarred a church once considered unimpeachable. Following the revelations of his offending, Ridsdale became emblematic of a culture of an unscrupulous church that did all it could to silence the small voices of his victims. Ann Ryan was a teacher in Mortlake from the 1970s to the 1990s, and was one of the whistleblowers who called out Ridsdale's abuse. She played an instrumental part in the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses into Child Sexual Abuse, and remains a staunch advocate for the rights of those who were so seriously hurt by the man she refers to as a "monster". "[The community] knew about it, and they did nothing," Ms Ryan said. "That destroyed me. Some parents went to the bishop, some went to counselling, but the community did nothing. "You have to say that is really tragic." It's been six years since the royal commission tabled its final report, which featured 100 pages detailing the extent of Ridsdale's offending, and the culpability of the Catholic Church in his crimes. It included admissions that multiple members of the clergy knew of Ridsdale's abuse of children across the country, and internationally, from an early date. Most notoriously, this included Cardinal George Pell, who was by then Australia's highest-ranking Catholic and stationed at the Vatican. Pell, who died in January 2023, was a former housemate of Ridsdale, but always denied direct knowledge of his abuse of children.

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>>280985

Paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale dies at 90, survivors urged to seek help

Laura Mayers - 18 February 2025

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For decades Gerald Ridsdale, draped in flowing white vestments, stood before countless Catholic congregations preaching about good and evil, the innocence of children, and a merciful god.

But on him, those vestments were merely a convenient costume disguising one of the nation's most evil men — a prolific paedophile who showed no mercy as he dashed the innocence from the lives of dozens of children.

Ridsdale, who has died in jail at the age of 90, leaves behind a dark legacy that includes the abuse of at least 72 child victims over a 30-year, unchecked reign of terror.

It is believed his appalling abuse has led to several of his victims taking their own lives, and many others enduring devastating trauma that continues to this day.

Ridsdale's crimes changed Australia's legal system, shaped royal commissions and inquiries, and scarred a church once considered unimpeachable.

Following the revelations of his offending, Ridsdale became emblematic of a culture of an unscrupulous church that did all it could to silence the small voices of his victims.

The life of a 'monster'

Gerald Ridsdale was born in 1934 in the Wimmera region of Western Victoria.

At the age of 20, he entered the seminary at Corpus Christi College at Werribee, on the outskirts of Melbourne, and remained there until 1958.

During this time he is known to have sexually abused at least one boy while assisting with camps for underprivileged children.

Then, when studying in England in 1960, he abused another boy while working as a housemaster at a school.

A year later, 27-year-old Ridsdale was ordained as a Catholic priest.

Thus commenced a 30-year series of appointments followed by quiet shuffles from parish to parish, as Ridsdale caused enormous suffering to scores of children without facing the consequences.

It wasn't until 1993 that the perverted priest was finally charged with sexual offences against multiple children, dating from the 1960s to the 1980s.

Ridsdale admitted to the offences in a Melbourne court that same year and was jailed for 12 months.

But as more victims came forward, the scale of his offending became clearer, leading to further sentences.

He was due to face court yet again this week.

He was charged eight times over the years — bringing the total number of his known victims to 72.

It makes Ridsdale not only Australia's worst paedophile priest, but also one of the most prolific sexual abusers of children in the nation's history.

Prior to his death, 90-year-old Ridsdale was facing yet another court case relating to the abuse of six more children.

Abuse, relocate, repeat

Ridsdale's first appointment as assistant priest was at Ballarat North in 1962.

It wasn't long before he was relocated following a complaint of abuse to the then bishop of Ballarat, James O'Collins, who moved Ridsdale to the parish of Mildura.

From 1961 to 1990, he was moved to 16 different parishes across Australia, many of them in regional Victoria.

Each tenure lasted an average of 1.8 years, as concerns about his behaviour would arise and the church would intervene again, relocating him to a new, unsuspecting parish, where he would abuse more children.

His behaviour was discussed at no less than 18 meetings of a diocesan body known as the College of Consulters — a group of priests chosen by a bishop.

In 1989, Ridsdale was sent by the Catholic Church "for treatment" to Villa Louis Martin in Jemez Springs, New Mexico.

The American site was dedicated to clergy members with "personal issues". Ridsdale remained there for nine months.

Upon his return, Ridsdale promptly undertook chaplaincy work with St John of God hospitals. By late 1992 Victoria Police and the child exploitation unit began investigating his crimes.

It was only after his convictions in 1993 that the church officially defrocked Ridsdale, and removed his status as a priest.

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22604862 (180928ZFEB25) Notable: Video: Even hell is too good for depraved paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale - "If there is a hell, it's a place too good for Gerald Ridsdale. The 90-year-old died just before 10am on Tuesday in the medical unit of Port Phillip Prison at Truganina in Melbourne’s west. During his three-decade career of evil, he was every child’s worst nightmare. Everywhere he went, children feared him, because everywhere he went, he attacked them. Nothing was sacred, nowhere was safe, and no one was off limits. “I went haywire,” he later confessed. He abused kids in church, during confession and on the altar. He abused them in their homes and in his. He abused boys, girls, friends and family. Some victims were told it was God’s work. To others, Ridsdale admitted sinning, but said God would forgive him. The same children that feared him sat at mass every Sunday with their parents who revered him. He was, after all, a man of the cloth. Ridsdale has admitted abusing hundreds of children, but his official record shows a victim count of more than 70. Few were surprised when late in 2016 he was charged with a string of new child sex crimes. Twelve new victims emerged, prompted largely by publicity surrounding and investigations sparked by the child abuse royal commission. But when he pleaded guilty to 23 new charges in 2017 the depravity of his offending left many shocked. A County Court judge, seasoned journalists, victims and their supporters were moved to tears. For the first time, Ridsdale admitted raping children. Almost until the day he died, victims continued to come forward. They likely still will, if even only to be heard, because by his own admission Ridsdale's victims numbered in the hundreds. Any avenue for criminal justice now impossible to them. That he died breathing prison air will be enough for some. Others will say that was too good for him." - Shannon Deery - heraldsun.com.au

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>>280985

Even hell is too good for depraved paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale

If there is a hell, it's a place too good for Gerald Ridsdale. During his three-decade career of evil, he was every child’s worst nightmare - nothing was sacred, nowhere was safe, and no one was off limits.

Shannon Deery - February 18, 2025

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This story was first written in 2017 and has been repurposed following the death of the pedophile priest.

If there is a hell, it's a place too good for Gerald Ridsdale.

The 90-year-old died just before 10am on Tuesday in the medical unit of Port Phillip Prison at Truganina in Melbourne’s west.

During his three-decade career of evil, he was every child’s worst nightmare.

Everywhere he went, children feared him, because everywhere he went, he attacked them.

Nothing was sacred, nowhere was safe, and no one was off limits.

“I went haywire,” he later confessed.

He abused kids in church, during confession and on the altar. He abused them in their homes and in his. He abused boys, girls, friends and family.

Some victims were told it was God’s work.

To others, Ridsdale admitted sinning, but said God would forgive him.

The same children that feared him sat at mass every Sunday with their parents who revered him. He was, after all, a man of the cloth.

Ridsdale has admitted abusing hundreds of children, but his official record shows a victim count of more than 70.

Few were surprised when late in 2016 he was charged with a string of new child sex crimes.

Twelve new victims emerged, prompted largely by publicity surrounding and investigations sparked by the child abuse royal commission.

But when he pleaded guilty to 23 new charges in 2017 the depravity of his offending left many shocked.

A County Court judge, seasoned journalists, victims and their supporters were moved to tears.

For the first time, Ridsdale admitted raping children.

And for the first time, authorities revealed people outside the church didn’t just suspect his offending, but witnessed it first hand.

Among them, a Ballarat father who knowingly delivered his 8-year-old daughter to Ridsdale, her parish priest, to be raped.

Victims still question how he got away with it for so long.

“It is hard to imagine a man who has had a more devastating effect upon all of those who have had the misfortune of coming into contact with him,” prosecutor Jeremy McWilliams said this week.

County Court Judge Irene Lawson dubbed him the worst child sex predator in Victorian history.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22611034 (190805ZFEB25) Notable: Dutton is not playing Trump card, Morrison says - The maelstrom and momentum of the MAGA movement is unlikely to change the course of Australia’s federal election and politics, former prime minister Scott Morrison says. Some pundits have accused Opposition Leader Peter Dutton of being “Trump-lite” in his attacks on woke politics. But Morrison said that if the Liberal Party leader won the upcoming election, he would not unleash his own version of the US president’s policy barrage. “I’m sure he has, as I do, many sympathies with some of Trump’s objectives,” Morrison told the Australian Financial Review in London, where he was attending a conservative political convention called the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship. “But I think one of the things Australian politics always has to be careful of is appropriating other nations’ politics and other nations’ policy solutions. “The principles can be very similar, but they’ll be applied differently in Australia. I think Peter has marked out those lines pretty well. He’s not trying to ape what’s happening there. Nor should he, nor would he.” Morrison’s premiership of 2018-22 largely overlapped Trump’s first presidential term of 2017-21, and the two leaders were seen to have a relatively good relationship. This has prompted speculation that Dutton, if he wins government, could tap his predecessor for a Trump-whispering role

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>>280812

>>280715

>>280888

Dutton is not playing Trump card, Morrison says

Hans van Leeuwen - Feb 19, 2025

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London | The maelstrom and momentum of the MAGA movement is unlikely to change the course of Australia’s federal election and politics, former prime minister Scott Morrison says.

Some pundits have accused Opposition Leader Peter Dutton of being “Trump-lite” in his attacks on woke politics. But Morrison said that if the Liberal Party leader won the upcoming election, he would not unleash his own version of the US president’s policy barrage.

“I’m sure he has, as I do, many sympathies with some of Trump’s objectives,” Morrison told the Australian Financial Review in London, where he was attending a conservative political convention called the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship.

“But I think one of the things Australian politics always has to be careful of is appropriating other nations’ politics and other nations’ policy solutions.

“The principles can be very similar, but they’ll be applied differently in Australia. I think Peter has marked out those lines pretty well. He’s not trying to ape what’s happening there. Nor should he, nor would he.”

Morrison’s premiership of 2018-22 largely overlapped Trump’s first presidential term of 2017-21, and the two leaders were seen to have a relatively good relationship. This has prompted speculation that Dutton, if he wins government, could tap his predecessor for a Trump-whispering role.

Morrison said he was not interested in an appointment like fellow ex-prime minister Kevin Rudd’s ambassadorship to the US. But he would be willing to take on ad-hoc envoy missions if asked.

“Former prime ministers can be helpful in those ways. But taking on a permanent, formal office? It’s a bit different with Kevin: he’s well known as a former diplomat, he’s an academic, this is his schtick,” he said.

“We’re all different. I’m happily in the private sector now, largely overseas, and finding that very rewarding and very challenging and interesting.”

Morrison is based in Sydney but is also deputy chairman of American Global Strategies, a strategic advisory firm chaired by Trump’s former national security adviser, Robert O’Brien.

Other sectors in which Morrison said he was working included defence, space, infrastructure, resources and private credit.

Morrison admitted that Trump’s come-out-swinging approach to the presidency was sometimes “novel” and “unorthodox”, but he urged people to look past this.

“There is the disruption, and then there is what follows that, and then there are the results that ultimately come,” he said.

“So you’ve got to look at the outcomes at the end of the day. That doesn’t mean you get full licence on any process, but what’s important ultimately is what’s getting achieved.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22611080 (190831ZFEB25) Notable: Video: Teen to fight criminal charges over vandalism attack on Jewish MP Josh Burns’ office - A teenager charged following a vandalism attack on Jewish Labor MP Josh Burns’ office will face criminal charges without the prospect of a diversion after a failed attempt at mediation. Matilda McDermott, 19, sat slumped in the back of the Melbourne Magistrates Court room on Tuesday, clutching a large hat with an N95 mask obscuring her face. Ms McDermott was charged with two counts of criminal damage and one of burglary last year after Mr Burns’ office was vandalised in the early hours of June 19. At the time, police said at least five people broke windows and splashed paint on the walls with political slogans, including “Zionism is fascism”. Mr Burns’ image was also defaced. On Tuesday, Ms McDermott’s lawyer Domenic Care, from Dowsley & Associates, told the court an attempt at “resolution” with the prosecution had been refused, leaving them “back at square one”. The failed resolution was in relation to a diversion - where young and low-risk offenders avoid a criminal record – but prosecutors indicated the request from defence, which was lodged late last year, had been rejected.

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>>276871 (pb)

>>280685

>>280951

Teen to fight criminal charges over vandalism attack on Jewish MP Josh Burns’ office

MOHAMMAD ALFARES - February 18, 2025

A teenager charged following a vandalism attack on Jewish Labor MP Josh Burns’ office will face criminal charges without the prospect of a diversion after a failed attempt at mediation.

Matilda McDermott, 19, sat slumped in the back of the Melbourne Magistrates Court room on Tuesday, clutching a large hat with an N95 mask obscuring her face.

Ms McDermott was charged with two counts of criminal damage and one of burglary last year after Mr Burns’ office was vandalised in the early hours of June 19.

At the time, police said at least five people broke windows and splashed paint on the walls with political slogans, including “Zionism is fascism”.

Mr Burns’ image was also defaced.

On Tuesday, Ms McDermott’s lawyer Domenic Care, from Dowsley & Associates, told the court an attempt at “resolution” with the prosecution had been refused, leaving them “back at square one”.

The failed resolution was in relation to a diversion – where young and low-risk offenders avoid a criminal record – but prosecutors indicated the request from defence, which was lodged late last year, had been rejected.

Mr Care said the case was now unable to be resolved and would be fought at a contested hearing.

The court was told a key issue was whether Ms McDermott was present or participated in the damage of Mr Burns’ office.

A combination of CCTV, phone downloads, and items seized from Ms McDermott could prove she was present, the court heard.

She was also charged with allegedly participating in a separate incident nearly a month later when the French consulate in Melbourne was doused in red pain.

Ms McDermott was arrested at the scene and the prosecution will seek evidence from that incident.

The prosecution will seek to use the similarities between the two vandal attacks to help prove she did participate in the attack on Mr Burns’ office.

According to court documents, police have re-evaluated the damage bill at $75,000, up from $55,000.

Separately, Ms McDermott faces a charge of failing to comply with an order to provide police with a phone password.

Ms McDermott avoided the media outside the court, with a family member attempting to obstruct journalists and photographers.

“Why don’t you go get a job that’s real,” the family member told The Australian.

The matter was adjourned for a special mention on May 6, with two contest mention hearings set for September 1 and September 9.

Statements of agreed facts between the prosecution and defence need to be available on the date of the special mention.

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was also charged over the attacks on Mr Burns’ office and the French consulate.

The boy, who had his matter heard in the Children’s Court, is on track to avoid a criminal conviction, subject to the successful completion of a diversion plan by February.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/teen-to-fight-criminal-charges-over-vandalism-attack-on-jewish-mp-josh-burns-office/news-story/5517646b954d139f1d83074fd24ff6e9

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22611086 (190834ZFEB25) Notable: Britain will focus on NATO, not AUKUS, says UK Defence Secretary John Healey - The future of Australia’s most significant defence deal, AUKUS, has been given a shake-up after one of the key partners, Britain, appeared to be recalibrating on the arrangement. British Defence Secretary John Healey emphasised Britain’s main focus would be NATO and the defence of Europe, and not on the Indo-Pacific tilt, following the Trump administration’s pullback from providing security on the continent. In announcing a significant revamp of the administrative roles of the Ministry of Defence to save $20bn, a commitment to spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence and a pledge to “re-arm Britain”, Mr Healey emphasised Britain’s leadership role in NATO while downplaying his country’s future Indo-Pacific opportunities. Britain is a core partner in AUKUS, the long-term $368bn trilateral security partnership between Australia, the UK and the US, which centres around providing Australia with the next generation of nuclear-powered submarines as well as other key defence capabilities, such as artificial intelligence and quantum technologies. Mr Healey said: “We are a nation that has made the commitment to NATO first. There is a recognition that European nations within NATO need to do more of the heavy lifting and that the European nations in NATO need some of the NATO-first and first in NATO leadership that the UK can provide.” He said the UK would contribute to the balance of regional security in the Indo-Pacific by providing support to allies but reiterated the main focus of Britain’s defence is in NATO. In referencing that Indo-Pacific support, he said: “In particular to the United States and other allies, in a wide variety of ways from technology to industry to diplomacy and to military training we will provide a role, but fundamentally our first responsibility is in NATO and that’s where my focus is and that’s where the Prime Minister’s focus is.”

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>>280750

>>280782

>>280946

Britain will focus on NATO, not AUKUS, says UK Defence Secretary John Healey

JACQUELIN MAGNAY - 18 February 2025

The future of Australia’s most significant defence deal, AUKUS, has been given a shake-up after one of the key partners, Britain, appeared to be recalibrating on the arrangement.

British Defence Secretary John Healey emphasised Britain’s main focus would be NATO and the defence of Europe, and not on the Indo-Pacific tilt, following the Trump administration’s pullback from providing security on the continent.

“The decisions we make right now … will define the outcome of the conflict in Ukraine, but the security of our world for a generation to come,’’ he told the Institute of Government in a major speech on Tuesday.

In announcing a significant revamp of the administrative roles of the Ministry of Defence to save $20bn, a commitment to spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence and a pledge to “re-arm Britain”, Mr Healey emphasised Britain’s leadership role in NATO while downplaying his country’s future Indo-Pacific opportunities.

Britain is a core partner in AUKUS, the long-term $368bn trilateral security partnership between Australia, the UK and the US, which centres around providing Australia with the next generation of nuclear-powered submarines as well as other key defence capabilities, such as artificial intelligence and quantum technologies.

But US President Donald Trump’s demand that European countries double their defence spending to look after their own security arrangements and heavy criticism of Britain and the European Union’s “values” has quickly forced a re-prioritisation of defence spending and budgets.

Mr Healey said: “We are a nation that has made the commitment to NATO first. There is a recognition that European nations within NATO need to do more of the heavy lifting and that the European nations in NATO need some of the NATO-first and first in NATO leadership that the UK can provide.”

Mr Healey added that the defence tilt to the Indo-Pacific “had been delivered”. He said commitments and partnerships were profound in the Indo-Pacific from AUKUS to GCAP (a Global Combat Air Program involving UK, Japan, and Italy to develop a new fighter jet) and other arrangements.

He said the UK would contribute to the balance of regional security in the Indo-Pacific by providing support to allies but reiterated the main focus of Britain’s defence is in NATO.

In referencing that Indo-Pacific support, he said: “In particular to the United States and other allies, in a wide variety of ways from technology to industry to diplomacy and to military training we will provide a role, but fundamentally our first responsibility is in NATO and that’s where my focus is and that’s where the Prime Minister’s focus is.”

A spokesperson from the Australian High Commission to the United Kingdom told The Australian that as recently as December 2024 at an AUKMIN meeting in London, the Australian and United Kingdom defence ministers reaffirmed their enduring commitment to the AUKUS partnership, which is strengthening peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, and pledged to ensure it fulfils its security potential, as well as delivering economic benefits.

The spokesman said: “Secretary Healey, members of the Starmer Government and its predecessor the Sunak Government have repeatedly reinforced the inseparable nature of the security and prosperity of the Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific, as well as their ongoing commitment to AUKUS”.

He added that Secretary Healey has regularly said that the UK defence and security policy approach is “NATO first but not NATO only” and noted that Secretary Healey had described the AUKUS partnership as “profound”.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/britain-will-focus-on-nato-not-aukus-says-uk-defence-secretary-john-healey/news-story/46f091c380c795215bb84133aff1c138

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22611088 (190841ZFEB25) Notable: Russians quip blood-pressure test proves Oscar Jenkins is 'not dead' in new video - Another video has emerged of Oscar Jenkins being held by Russia's military, showing the Australian prisoner apparently having his blood pressure tested while his captors joke the positive results prove he is "not dead". The one-and-a-half-minute clip was posted online a week ago by the same account that also published a recent interrogation of the captured soldier where he outlines his various health problems and his wish for "more freedom". In the recording, Mr Jenkins appears frail-looking, reinforcing comments he made in a separate video where he told a Russian interrogator he felt "weak" and had "lost a lot of weight". During the examination, the 32-year-old Australian is seated in front of a Russian flag as another man wearing medical gloves first tests the prisoner of war's blood pressure, before trying unsuccessfully to measure his oxygen saturation. An analysis by ABC NEWS Verify of what was said in the video found it could have been taken some time after reports emerged in January that Mr Jenkins had been killed following his capture last year while fighting for Ukraine's armed forces. At one point the examiner, who is wearing army fatigues, jokes in Russian that Mr Jenkins' blood pressure would be "zero" if he was dead. After recording a "normal" blood pressure, the Russian examiner tries to record the prisoner's oxygen saturation but appears unable to retrieve a reading because Mr Jenkins' fingers are too cold. Mr Jenkins moves little and his focus remains in one place, avoiding eye contact as the examiner moves around him, lifts his arm and speaks to another person in the room.

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>>280773

>>280876

>>280982

Russians quip blood-pressure test proves Oscar Jenkins is 'not dead' in new video

Andrew Greene - 19 February 2025

Another video has emerged of Oscar Jenkins being held by Russia's military, showing the Australian prisoner apparently having his blood pressure tested while his captors joke the positive results prove he is "not dead".

The one-and-a-half-minute clip was posted online a week ago by the same account that also published a recent interrogation of the captured soldier where he outlines his various health problems and his wish for "more freedom".

In the recording, Mr Jenkins appears frail-looking, reinforcing comments he made in a separate video where he told a Russian interrogator he felt "weak" and had "lost a lot of weight".

During the examination, the 32-year-old Australian is seated in front of a Russian flag as another man wearing medical gloves first tests the prisoner of war's blood pressure, before trying unsuccessfully to measure his oxygen saturation.

An analysis by ABC NEWS Verify of what was said in the video found it could have been taken some time after reports emerged in January that Mr Jenkins had been killed following his capture last year while fighting for Ukraine's armed forces.

At one point the examiner, who is wearing army fatigues, jokes in Russian that Mr Jenkins' blood pressure would be "zero" if he was dead.

After recording a "normal" blood pressure, the Russian examiner tries to record the prisoner's oxygen saturation but appears unable to retrieve a reading because Mr Jenkins' fingers are too cold.

Mr Jenkins moves little and his focus remains in one place, avoiding eye contact as the examiner moves around him, lifts his arm and speaks to another person in the room.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong this week again expressed concerns for Mr Jenkins' welfare, while the opposition warned Russia it must abide by international rules for the treatment of prisoners of war.

"There are conventions, of course, in the treatment of prisoners of war, they must be abided by, and most importantly Mr Jenkins should be released," Shadow Foreign Minister David Coleman told the ABC on Tuesday.

Videos published under unusual moniker

When two new videos showing Mr Jenkins alive were quietly uploaded to X and YouTube last Saturday, a minor detail stood out among the revelation that the Melbourne man was still alive.

The username Chan Han Choi was attached to the accounts that shared the videos, which ABC NEWS Verify's analysis suggested were close to the original source that filmed them.

This was also alluded to during a briefing by the foreign minister on Tuesday, who urged caution to anyone watching the videos.

"The government was aware of this video," Senator Wong told the ABC. "I will say we do know that Russia is very prone to misinformation and disinformation."

The username appears to be a reference to South Korean-born Australian man Chan Han Choi, who was arrested in 2017 and charged with breaking sanctions against North Korea.

Choi was accused of brokering a number of transactions on behalf of North Korea, including for missiles, petrol and coal.

Part-way through his trial, Choi pleaded guilty to one count of contravening a United Nations sanction enforcement law, and another of contravening a sanction law, with other charges against him withdrawn.

He was sentenced to three years in prison in 2021.

Late last year, Choi reportedly told the Russian state-controlled network Russia Today (RT) that he intended to seek compensation from the Commonwealth, claiming he had been falsely accused of trading weapons and used by South Korea as a scapegoat.

RT is a key propaganda platform for the Russian government and its foreign policy. Scholars, fact-checkers, and journalists, including some current and former RT reporters, have accused it of spreading disinformation and promoting conspiracy theories.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-19/russians-oscar-jenkins-medical-video/104952076

https://x.com/choi76342/status/1887878291375202504

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22611119 (190902ZFEB25) Notable: Video: ‘You are not a victim’: Kevin Spacey hits back at Guy Pearce’s claims he was ‘targeted’ - Kevin Spacey has rejected claims made by Australian star Guy Pearce that he was “targeted” while filming the 1997 neo-noir LA Confidential, calling Pearce’s statements misleading and accusing him of revising their past interactions. Pearce has previously alluded to difficulties with Spacey on set. In a 2018 interview, he described the Oscar-winning actor as “a handsy guy” in the wake of multiple sexual misconduct allegations against Spacey - accusations that Spacey has consistently denied. At the time, Pearce was measured in his remarks, acknowledging Spacey’s talent while saying, “Slightly difficult time with Kevin, yeah. Thankfully, I was 29, and not 14.” However, in a recent episode of Awards Chatter, The Hollywood Reporter’s podcast, Pearce expanded on his earlier comments, suggesting that he has since reassessed his experience. “I just try to be more honest about it now and call it for what it is,” he said, revealing that he “broke down and sobbed” upon achieving greater clarity about the extent of the allegations against Spacey. “I think it really dawned on me the impact that had occurred and how I sort of brushed it off and how I had either shelved it or blocked it out or whatever.” Spacey, in a video posted to his X account, responded to Pearce’s comments directly, dismissing them bluntly: “You are not a victim.” “Guy Pearce. I’ve now read the comments that you made about me, and while I would have preferred not to have to play this out in the media, you obviously have your own reasons for wanting to do exactly that,” Spacey said. “We worked together a long time ago, you know. If I did something then that upset you, you could have reached out to me. We could have had that conversation.”

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‘You are not a victim’: Kevin Spacey hits back at Guy Pearce’s claims he was ‘targeted’

GEORDIE GRAY - 19 February 2025

Kevin Spacey has rejected claims made by Australian star Guy Pearce that he was “targeted” while filming the 1997 neo-noir LA Confidential, calling Pearce’s statements misleading and accusing him of revising their past interactions.

Pearce, who is nominated for an Academy Award next month for his role in Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist, has previously alluded to difficulties with Spacey on set.

In a 2018 interview, he described the Oscar-winning actor as “a handsy guy” in the wake of multiple sexual misconduct allegations against Spacey — accusations that Spacey has consistently denied.

At the time, Pearce was measured in his remarks, acknowledging Spacey’s talent while saying, “Slightly difficult time with Kevin, yeah. Thankfully, I was 29, and not 14.”

However, in a recent episode of Awards Chatter, The Hollywood Reporter’s podcast, Pearce expanded on his earlier comments, suggesting that he has since reassessed his experience.

“I just try to be more honest about it now and call it for what it is,” he said, revealing that he “broke down and sobbed” upon achieving greater clarity about the extent of the allegations against Spacey. “I think it really dawned on me the impact that had occurred and how I sort of brushed it off and how I had either shelved it or blocked it out or whatever.”

Pearce tempered his remarks by acknowledging that his experience was not as severe as those of others who have accused Spacey of misconduct. “Even though I probably was a victim to a degree, I was certainly not a victim by any means to the extent that other people have been to sexual predators,” he said.

“But I did that thing that you do where you brush it off and go, ‘Ah, that’s nothing. Ah, no, that’s nothing.’ And I did that for five months. And, really, I was sort of scared of Kevin because he’s quite an aggressive man.

“He’s extremely charming and brilliant at what he does – really impressive, etc. He holds a room remarkably. But I was young and susceptible, and he targeted me, no question.”

Spacey, in a video posted to his X account, responded to Pearce’s comments directly, dismissing them bluntly: “You are not a victim.”

“Guy Pearce. I’ve now read the comments that you made about me, and while I would have preferred not to have to play this out in the media, you obviously have your own reasons for wanting to do exactly that,” Spacey said. “We worked together a long time ago, you know. If I did something then that upset you, you could have reached out to me. We could have had that conversation.”

Spacey went on to question the sincerity of Pearce’s claims, referencing an alleged meeting between them in the late 1990s.

“Did you also, by the way, tell the press that a year after we shot LA Confidential, you flew to Savannah, Georgia, while I was shooting Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil just to spend time with me? I mean, did you tell the press that too, or does that not fit into the victim narrative you have going?”

Spacey concluded his remarks with a scathing dismissal of Pearce’s comments. “You really want to know my response? Grow up,” he said. “You are not a victim.”

Since 2017, multiple allegations of sexual misconduct have derailed Spacey’s career, including an accusation by actor Anthony Rapp, who claimed that Spacey made sexual advances toward him at a party in New York in 1986 when he was 14. Spacey has repeatedly denied all wrongdoing and has been acquitted in several legal cases.

In July 2023, a British jury found him not guilty of nine counts of sexual assault. During the nearly month-long trial in London, the court heard testimony from four men who alleged that Spacey assaulted them between 2001 and 2013, when he served as the artistic director of the Old Vic Theatre.

In 2022, a federal jury in Manhattan cleared Spacey of battery in a civil case filed by Rapp.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/you-are-not-a-victim-kevin-spacey-hits-back-at-guy-pearce/news-story/4637ab6b59eb512c71a9f09e7b5291f4

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/video/2018/jul/04/guy-pearce-calls-fellow-actor-kevin-spacey-handsy-video

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/guy-pearce-the-brutalist/id1039032256?i=1000692566185

—

Q Post #4590

Jul 18 2020 11:18:04 (EST)

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/kevin-spacey-accuser-dies-by-suicide-day-after-actor-posts-kill-them-with-kindness-video

"This marks the third Spacey accuser to die in 2019."

At what point does it become painfully obvious?

Q

https://qanon.pub/#4590

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22617518 (200820ZFEB25) Notable: Man charged over arson attack on former home of Jewish leader Alex Ryvchin - Police have charged a 37-year-old man with the arson attack that destroyed two cars last month outside the former home of prominent Jewish community leader Alex Ryvchin in Dover Heights, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. On Wednesday detectives from Strike Force Pearl arrested Leon Sofilas, who was already in a correctional facility after being charged with the attempted arson of a Newtown synagogue on 11 January. Mr Sofilas has now been charged over the 17 January Dover Heights attack with being an accessory before the fact to damaging property by means of fire or explosion. Cars were graffitied with anti-Semitic slurs, two vehicles were set alight, and Mr Ryvchin’s former family house was doused with red paint. One of the cars destroyed by fire, a Mercedes, had “f*ck Jews” sprayed on the side and a Honda had “f*ck Israel” vandalised on its rear windscreen and boot. Mr Ryvchin, the co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, had sold the Dover Heights property three years ago. Mr Ryvchin, holding a press conference at the crime scene, said he could not be certain the perpetrators knew it was his old house, but “it might be the world’s biggest coincidence if of all the houses in all the streets of this neighbourhood, they hit my former home by accident”. Police allege Mr Sofilas was also involved in another anti-Semitic attack on January 11 when five cars and two homes were vandalised with offensive graffiti in Henry Street, Queens Park.

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>>280685

>>280787

>>280807

Man charged over arson attack on former home of Jewish leader Alex Ryvchin

STEPHEN RICE - 20 February 2025

Police have charged a 37-year-old man with the arson attack that destroyed two cars last month outside the former home of prominent Jewish community leader Alex Ryvchin in Dover Heights, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

On Wednesday detectives from Strike Force Pearl arrested Leon Sofilas, who was already in a correctional facility after being charged with the attempted arson of a Newtown synagogue on 11 January.

Mr Sofilas has now been charged over the 17 January Dover Heights attack with being an accessory before the fact to damaging property by means of fire or explosion.

Cars were graffitied with anti-Semitic slurs, two vehicles were set alight, and Mr Ryvchin’s former family house was doused with red paint.

One of the cars destroyed by fire, a Mercedes, had “f*ck Jews” sprayed on the side and a Honda had “f*ck Israel” vandalised on its rear windscreen and boot.

Mr Ryvchin, the co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, had sold the Dover Heights property three years ago.

Mr Ryvchin, holding a press conference at the crime scene, said he could not be certain the perpetrators knew it was his old house, but “it might be the world’s biggest coincidence if of all the houses in all the streets of this neighbourhood, they hit my former home by accident”.

Police allege Mr Sofilas was also involved in another anti-Semitic attack on January 11 when five cars and two homes were vandalised with offensive graffiti in Henry Street, Queens Park.

The words “F*ck Jews” had been sprayed on the outside of the home.

Adam Moule, 33, who was already in custody over his alleged involvement in the Newtown synagogue attack, was also charged over the Queens Park vandalism. The pair have been charged with accessory before the fact to damaging property in company, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity in relation to that attack.

The two men have pleaded not guilty to the Synagogue attack, telling a magistrate earlier this month that they feared for their safety in prison.

The court heard Mr Sofilas, who pleaded not guilty on Thursday, had been given the nickname “Nazi” while in prison. His legal representative said that he had been assaulted while in custody, and during his arrest was tasered by police 11 times.

The court heard that the pair also have “lengthy” criminal records, with both men conceding they had breached bail before, and Mr Moule described as also having a history of violence, breaching AVOs and court orders.

Aboriginal Legal Service representative Jenni Bridges said Mr Moule, who at the time of his arrest was living in a housing commission apartment in Pyrmont, was a “vulnerable Indigenous man” who had been the subject of “harassment and threats” by other inmates while in custody.

Steve Mav, representing Mr Sofilas, said his client also suffered from anxiety, PTSD, depression, public anxiety and epilepsy when citing reasons for his release.

Critical to the arrest of the duo was CCTV from the scene which captured two hooded men, dressed in black, spray painting Nazi symbols on the synagogue’s fence on January 11.

In denying bail magistrate Greg Grogin said they were an unacceptable risk to the community.

Both men have been remanded in custody to appear in Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 3 April 2025.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/man-charged-over-arson-attack-on-former-home-of-jewish-leader-alex-ryvchin/news-story/2f332eb8796033ce569f955f593a1e6c

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22617556 (200840ZFEB25) Notable: ‘Just wrong’: Dutton hits out at Trump over Ukraine - Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has called out Donald Trump for making inflammatory and misleading statements about Ukraine and its president, Volodymyr Zelensky, in a striking contrast to senior Albanese government ministers’ reluctance to directly criticise the US president. The Australian-Ukrainian community has pleaded with the government to speak out more strongly in defence of Ukraine after Trump called Zelensky a “dictator without elections” and claimed the war was Ukraine’s fault, despite Russia invading its smaller neighbour in 2022. “I think President Trump has got it wrong in relation to some of the public commentary that I’ve seen him make in relation to President Zelensky and the situation in the Ukraine,” Dutton told 2GB radio on Thursday. Describing the war in Ukraine, which is about to pass the three-year mark, as an unprovoked act of aggression by Russia, Dutton said “the thought that President Zelensky or the Ukrainian people started this battle, or somehow they were responsible for the war, is just wrong”. “Australia should stand strong and proud with the people of Ukraine. It’s a democracy, and this is a fight for civilisation. Vladimir Putin is a murderous dictator, and we shouldn’t be giving him an inch,” he said. Dutton said any moves to end the war needed to be given “very, very careful thought … because if we make Europe less safe, or we provide some sort of support to Putin, deliberately or inadvertently, that is a terrible, terrible outcome”.

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‘Just wrong’: Dutton hits out at Trump over Ukraine

Matthew Knott - February 20, 2025

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has called out Donald Trump for making inflammatory and misleading statements about Ukraine and its president, Volodymyr Zelensky, in a striking contrast to senior Albanese government ministers’ reluctance to directly criticise the US president.

The Australian-Ukrainian community has pleaded with the government to speak out more strongly in defence of Ukraine after Trump called Zelensky a “dictator without elections” and claimed the war was Ukraine’s fault, despite Russia invading its smaller neighbour in 2022.

“I think President Trump has got it wrong in relation to some of the public commentary that I’ve seen him make in relation to President Zelensky and the situation in the Ukraine,” Dutton told 2GB radio on Thursday.

Describing the war in Ukraine, which is about to pass the three-year mark, as an unprovoked act of aggression by Russia, Dutton said “the thought that President Zelensky or the Ukrainian people started this battle, or somehow they were responsible for the war, is just wrong”.

“Australia should stand strong and proud with the people of Ukraine. It’s a democracy, and this is a fight for civilisation. Vladimir Putin is a murderous dictator, and we shouldn’t be giving him an inch,” he said.

Dutton said any moves to end the war needed to be given “very, very careful thought ... because if we make Europe less safe, or we provide some sort of support to Putin, deliberately or inadvertently, that is a terrible, terrible outcome”.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was “not going to give an ongoing commentary” on Trump’s remarks but said his government had a “very different” position on the war in Ukraine.

Praising Ukrainians for their “courageous” efforts to defend their country, Albanese told Melbourne radio station 3AW that he regarded Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as “brutal” and “illegal”.

“I have no time for Mr Putin,” he said on Thursday afternoon.

Speaking earlier in Whyalla, Albanese said: “Australia stands with Ukraine in their struggle, which is a struggle not just for their own national sovereignty but is a struggle to stand up for the international rule of law.”

Labor MPs privately said the government was extremely wary of directly criticising Trump over any issue as it seeks to negotiate exemptions for Australia from steel and aluminium tariffs.

Opposition foreign affairs spokesman David Coleman said that while the US is Australia’s strongest security partner, “Australia has its own positions on issues” that differ to Trump’s.

“The war is not Ukraine’s fault,” Coleman said. “Russia invaded Ukraine; Ukraine didn’t invade anyone. Zelensky is not a dictator.”

Asked whether he believed Zelensky was a dictator, Defence Minister Richard Marles told Sky News: “Well, no, but I’m also not about to engage in a running commentary of President Trump’s remarks.

“The aggressor here is Russia,” Marles said. “They were the ones who illegally crossed into Ukraine, who invaded Ukraine. That is why we are supporting Ukraine. We see that what’s at stake here is the global rules-based order. We will continue to support Ukraine.”

Kateryna Argyrou, co-chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations, said the Albanese government needed to provide leadership and “add its voice in support of Ukraine”.

“Australia has been a strong ally and friend to Ukraine, and for that we will be forever grateful,” Argyrou said. “This is not the time to stay silent.”

She said Trump’s comments were “shocking and appalling”, and that “Trump appears to be captured by Russian propaganda, which is a very dangerous situation for Ukraine.”

Former prime minister Tony Abbott, now a director of Fox Corp, said Trump was “living in fantasy land” over Ukraine, and that the nation needed NATO membership or troops on the ground as a condition of any ceasefire.

“Obviously we want peace, but it can’t just be a surrender to vicious, naked aggression, it can’t be,” he told Times Radio in London. “The basis for peace has got to be that Ukraine can live in independence and security going forward.”

https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/just-wrong-dutton-hits-out-at-trump-over-ukraine-20250220-p5ldnp.html

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114031332924234939

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22617573 (200855ZFEB25) Notable: Chinese warships in show of force off coast of Sydney - A Chinese naval task group was sailing just 150 nautical miles off Sydney on Wednesday in an unprecedented demonstration by Beijing of its ability to project power down Australia’s east coast. Two Australian navy ships were trailing the Chinese vessels, which had been operating in Australia’s exclusive economic zone for a week. It is believed to be the furthest down Australia’s east coast that Chinese ships have sailed without being on an official port visit. Defence Minister Richard Marles said Australian frigates and aircraft were “watching every move that they take”. “They’re not a threat in the sense that they are engaging in accordance with international law,” he told Sky News. “But it is important that we understand exactly what is happening here and we will make sure that we look at every move they make to have a very clear assessment of what this, on the part of the Chinese, is seeking to achieve.” Defence revealed last week it was tracking the People’s Liberation Army Navy ships - a frigate, a cruiser and a replenishment vessel – in international waters off Australia’s northeast coast. But it neglected to make public in the days since that the ships had turned south, or that they were headed for Australia’s biggest city. Former naval officer Jennifer Parker, an adjunct fellow at UNSW Canberra, said the presence of the ships was a warning to Australia. “It is of course sending a message to Australia’s about the PLA-N’s capability,” she said. “We must become accustomed to these kind of operations. The lesson here is China has a bluewater capability, a point we already knew. “In the event of crisis or conflict, we should expect more operations in our region and likely interdiction of our maritime trade. This is why Australia should invest in a strong navy.”

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>>280968

>>280997

Chinese warships in show of force off coast of Sydney

BEN PACKHAM - 19 February 2025

A Chinese naval task group was sailing just 150 nautical miles off Sydney on Wednesday in an unprecedented demonstration by Beijing of its ability to project power down Australia’s east coast.

Two Australian navy ships were trailing the Chinese vessels, which had been operating in Australia’s exclusive economic zone for a week. It is believed to be the furthest down Australia’s east coast that Chinese ships have sailed without being on an official port visit.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said Australian frigates and aircraft were “watching every move that they take”.

“They’re not a threat in the sense that they are engaging in accordance with international law,” he told Sky News.

“But it is important that we understand exactly what is happening here and we will make sure that we look at every move they make to have a very clear assessment of what this, on the part of the Chinese, is seeking to achieve.”

Defence revealed last week it was tracking the People’s Liberation Army Navy ships – a frigate, a cruiser and a replenishment vessel – in international waters off Australia’s northeast coast.

But it neglected to make public in the days since that the ships had turned south, or that they were headed for Australia’s biggest city.

Former naval officer Jennifer Parker, an adjunct fellow at UNSW Canberra, said the presence of the ships was a warning to Australia.

“It is of course sending a message to Australia’s about the PLA-N’s capability,” she said. “We must become accustomed to these kind of operations. The lesson here is China has a bluewater capability, a point we already knew.

“In the event of crisis or conflict, we should expect more operations in our region and likely interdiction of our maritime trade. This is why Australia should invest in a strong navy.”

A Defence spokeswoman said the Chinese ships were being closely watched.

“Defence routinely monitors all maritime traffic in Australia’s exclusive economic zone and maritime approaches,” she said.

“Australia respects the rights of all states to exercise freedom of navigation and overflight in international waters and airspace, under international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.”

The appearance of the vessels off Sydney – which does not breach international law – follows an incident over the South China Sea last week in which a Chinese fighter jet fired flares in front of an RAAF surveillance aircraft.

The Albanese government has lodged an official protest with Beijing over the incident that risked the lives of up to a dozen Australians, but China’s foreign ministry spokesman defended the behaviour and said Beijing had lodged its own diplomatic protest.

It also came just days after senior Australian Defence personnel met with Chinese counterparts in Beijing for the 23rd Australia-China Defence Strategic Dialogue.

Vice Chief of the Australian Defence Force Robert Chipman attended the talks, meeting with Deputy Chief of the PLA Joint Staff Department, General Xu Qiling.

Defence said Air Marshal Chipman reiterated the importance of all countries in the region operating in a safe and professional manner at all times to avoid the risk of miscalculation or escalation.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/defence/chinese-warships-inshow-of-force-offcoast-of-sydney/news-story/7eadbd84a60ab92cc647c2fdbca87b1b

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22629423 (220044ZFEB25) Notable: Video: Chinese warships’ live fire warning forces planes to divert between Australia, NZ - The Albanese government is calling for answers from Beijing after commercial pilots were forced to divert their routes when the Chinese navy gave minimal warning of a live fire exercise in the waters between Australia and New Zealand on Friday. The incident, which comes a week after a dangerous encounter between the Australian and Chinese militaries in the South China Sea, marks the latest challenge to the government’s efforts to stabilise relations with China, with the federal opposition and national security experts branding it a provocative act that deserves condemnation. Qantas said both it and budget offshoot Jetstar temporarily adjusted some flights across the Tasman after receiving warnings of the drills, adding that it was working with the Australian government and broader industry to monitor the situation. Virgin and Emirates flights to New Zealand also received warnings about the exercises. Flight tracking data showed Qantas flight QF121 deviated from its flight path less than an hour into its journey over the Tasman from Sydney to Queenstown late on Friday morning, as did Emirates flight EK412 from Sydney to Christchurch. Qantas would not confirm whether QF121’s deviation was due to the risk posed by the Chinese warships’ live fire exercise. The Australian Defence Force (ADF) said earlier this week it was keeping close watch on three Chinese military ships that had been spotted just 150 nautical miles (277 kilometres) from Sydney after moving steadily down the east coast of Australia over recent days.

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>>280968

>>281001

Chinese warships’ live fire warning forces planes to divert between Australia, NZ

Matthew Knott and Matt O'Sullivan - February 21, 2025

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The Albanese government is calling for answers from Beijing after commercial pilots were forced to divert their routes when the Chinese navy gave minimal warning of a live fire exercise in the waters between Australia and New Zealand on Friday.

The incident, which comes a week after a dangerous encounter between the Australian and Chinese militaries in the South China Sea, marks the latest challenge to the government’s efforts to stabilise relations with China, with the federal opposition and national security experts branding it a provocative act that deserves condemnation.

Qantas said both it and budget offshoot Jetstar temporarily adjusted some flights across the Tasman after receiving warnings of the drills, adding that it was working with the Australian government and broader industry to monitor the situation.

Virgin and Emirates flights to New Zealand also received warnings about the exercises.

Flight tracking data showed Qantas flight QF121 deviated from its flight path less than an hour into its journey over the Tasman from Sydney to Queenstown late on Friday morning, as did Emirates flight EK412 from Sydney to Christchurch.

Qantas would not confirm whether QF121’s deviation was due to the risk posed by the Chinese warships’ live fire exercise.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) said earlier this week it was keeping close watch on three Chinese military ships that had been spotted just 150 nautical miles (277 kilometres) from Sydney after moving steadily down the east coast of Australia over recent days.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he had spoken to New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon, as well as Defence Minister Richard Marles and ADF leaders, about the incident.

“It is the case that the notice was given [by the ships about the exercise], and when that occurs, airlines are notified and stay out of the area,” he told reporters.

Albanese said Defence Force Chief David Johnston had advised him it was unclear whether any live fire was actually used by the Chinese navy, although it had given warning it would conduct live fire exercises.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, responding to a question on Australia’s concerns at a daily press briefing, said the drill was carried out “in a safe, standard and professional manner in accordance with relevant international law and international practice”.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she would discuss the exercises with the Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi at the foreign ministers’ G20 meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Friday.

“We already have [discussed this] at official level in relation to the notice given and the transparency provided in relation to these exercises, particularly the live fire exercises,” she told the ABC.

Asked why Airservices Australia was telling commercial pilots not to fly over the area, Wong described the incident as “an evolving situation”.

Defence sources said the military training event, which occurred about 640 kilometres east of the NSW South Coast, caused “significant disruption” because of the limited notice period and impact on commercial flights.

The sources said the Chinese military informed Australian authorities on Friday it would be conducting live fire exercises later that day, prompting the speedy establishment of an 18 kilometre airspace protection zone up to a height of 45,000 feet.

Up to three commercial aircraft were diverted from their planned routes because of the ships’ activity, Defence sources said.

Crew on the NZ frigate HMNZS Te Kaha, which was shadowing the Chinese ships, reported observing behaviour “consistent with a live fire activity” and monitored the Chinese ships deploying and recovering a floating target.

The NZ crew did not report observing any fires on the target and said there was no indication of any surface-to-air firing.

“This is more about disruption caused rather than risk,” a Defence source said, adding that the exercises did not breach international law.

But Defence sources said the Australian navy would give 24 to 48 hours’ notice of similar exercises and would avoid areas with significant commercial air and sea travel.

The federal government has requested additional information from the Chinese defence attaché in Canberra and with authorities in Beijing.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22629532 (220104ZFEB25) Notable: Chinese navy’s live weapons exercise out of the blue - The Albanese government has lodged a diplomatic protest with Beijing after commercial flights were forced to change course at short notice to avoid a live weapons drill by Chinese warships between Australia and New Zealand. At least three flights were ­diverted around the Chinese naval task group after Beijing issued a warning on Friday morning that its vessels were preparing to ­conduct target practice, about 650km east of Eden. Defence Minister Richard Marles said Australian authorities were not directly notified by the Chinese that the drills would occur, and had learned of the ­danger from a radio broadcast to flights in the area. He said the short notice was in contrast to the 12 to 24 hours that the Australian Navy would typically provide before firing live munitions. Penny Wong raised the matter with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during a ­Friday night meeting at the G20 foreign ministers’ summit in South Africa, complaining at the lack of warning time. “We have concerns about the transparency associated with it,” Senator Wong told the ABC ahead of the talks. Beijing said its warships’ were operating “in accordance with relevant international laws”. China’s foreign ministry said the PLA Navy was simply conducting training exercises in “distant” waters. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said: “(The drills) were conducted in a safe, standard, and professional manner at all times, in accordance with relevant international laws and practices.” Former Home Affairs secretary Mike Pezzullo said China’s latest actions were needlessly ­provocative. “Saying that a live-fire exercise is consistent with international law rather misses the point,” Mr Pezzullo said on Friday night. “What is the purpose of the PLA show of force? How would China react if we were to conduct live-fire exercises in the vicinity of busy air traffic routes off the ­Chinese coast?”

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>>280968

>>281001

>>281003

Chinese navy’s live weapons exercise out of the blue

BEN PACKHAM and WILL GLASGOW - 22 February 2025

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The Albanese government has lodged a diplomatic protest with Beijing after commercial flights were forced to change course at short notice to avoid a live weapons drill by Chinese warships between Australia and New Zealand.

At least three flights were ­diverted around the Chinese naval task group after Beijing issued a warning on Friday morning that its vessels were preparing to ­conduct target practice, about 650km east of Eden.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said Australian authorities were not directly notified by the Chinese that the drills would occur, and had learned of the ­danger from a radio broadcast to flights in the area. He said the short notice was in contrast to the 12 to 24 hours that the Australian Navy would typically provide before firing live munitions.

Penny Wong raised the matter with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during a ­Friday night meeting at the G20 foreign ministers’ summit in South Africa, complaining at the lack of warning time.

“We have concerns about the transparency associated with it,” Senator Wong told the ABC ahead of the talks.

Beijing said its warships’ were operating “in accordance with relevant international laws”. China’s foreign ministry said the PLA Navy was simply conducting training exercises in “distant” waters. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said: “(The drills) were conducted in a safe, standard, and professional manner at all times, in accordance with relevant international laws and practices.”

Former Home Affairs secretary Mike Pezzullo said China’s latest actions were needlessly ­provocative.

“Saying that a live-fire exercise is consistent with international law rather misses the point,” Mr Pezzullo said on Friday night.

“What is the purpose of the PLA show of force? How would China react if we were to conduct live-fire exercises in the vicinity of busy air traffic routes off the ­Chinese coast?”

Former Defence official ­Michael Shoebridge said the Chinese warships’ actions underscored that “Australia’s geography no longer protects our population or key infrastructure from military threats”.

“We have an obvious and urgent homeland defence problem,” Mr Shoebridge said.

“Investments must be made ­urgently in a greatly expanded, layered, air and missile defence program to protect bases and key civilian infrastructure and to have some capacity to be sited at key population centres as threats evolve.”

Australia’s protest to Beijing followed another by Canberra over an incident last week in which a Chinese fighter jet dropped flares in front of a RAAF surveillance aircraft endangering up to a dozen Australian crew.

Airservices Australia issued a notice to airlines after learning of the live fire drill, alerting pilots of dangers up to 50,000 feet, and that flights should change course to avoid a 19 nautical mile exclusion zone around the warships.

A Qantas flight from Sydney to Auckland was in the air when the warning was issued and changed its course to avoid the area.

Qantas confirmed it “temporarily adjusted” some flights across the Tasman, while an Emirates flight from Sydney to Christchurch was also diverted.

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22629655 (220127ZFEB25) Notable: Penny Wong challenges Chinese foreign minister over 'unprecedented' live fire drills off Australian coast - Foreign Minister Penny Wong has pressed China to be more transparent about the actions of its warships off Australia's east coast after they issued a live fire drill warning at short notice on Friday, forcing multiple commercial airlines to divert flights over the Tasman Sea. Senator Wong met her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in South Africa just hours after the ships conducted the exercise, which analysts say was an unprecedented demonstration of China's growing naval power near Australian shores. Late on Friday a Defence spokesperson said the People's Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) flotilla failed to inform the Australian military of the drill, and instead simply issued a "verbal radio broadcast on a civil aircraft channel" of its plan to conduct the activity. "The PLA-N did not inform Defence of its intent to conduct a live fire activity, and has not provided any further information," the spokesperson said in a statement. The Civil Aviation Authority (CASA) and Airservices Australia said it responded by issuing an alert to all commercial airlines with flights planned in the area "as a precaution". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was unclear whether the Chinese navy had actually fired any of its weaponry, although the ships assumed a formation usually used for live fire drills. The Defence spokesperson said the Chinese naval formation had "now reverted to normal indicating that the live fire activity has most likely ceased". "No weapon firings were heard or seen; however, a floating surface firing target was deployed by the PLA-N and subsequently recovered," the spokesperson confirmed. Defence added that while the exercise was conducted in line with international law, China failed to follow "best practice" because it didn't provide notice 24-48 hours in advance to "minimise disruption to aircraft and vessels."

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Penny Wong challenges Chinese foreign minister over 'unprecedented' live fire drills off Australian coast

Stephen Dziedzic and Andrew Greene - 22 February 2025

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has pressed China to be more transparent about the actions of its warships off Australia's east coast after they issued a live fire drill warning at short notice on Friday, forcing multiple commercial airlines to divert flights over the Tasman Sea.

Senator Wong met her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in South Africa just hours after the ships conducted the exercise, which analysts say was an unprecedented demonstration of China's growing naval power near Australian shores.

Late on Friday a Defence spokesperson said the People's Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) flotilla failed to inform the Australian military of the drill, and instead simply issued a "verbal radio broadcast on a civil aircraft channel" of its plan to conduct the activity.

"The PLA-N did not inform Defence of its intent to conduct a live fire activity, and has not provided any further information," the spokesperson said in a statement.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CASA) and Airservices Australia said it responded by issuing an alert to all commercial airlines with flights planned in the area "as a precaution".

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was unclear whether the Chinese navy had actually fired any of its weaponry, although the ships assumed a formation usually used for live fire drills.

The Defence spokesperson said the Chinese naval formation had "now reverted to normal indicating that the live fire activity has most likely ceased".

"No weapon firings were heard or seen; however, a floating surface firing target was deployed by the PLA-N and subsequently recovered," the spokesperson confirmed.

Defence added that while the exercise was conducted in line with international law, China failed to follow "best practice" because it didn't provide notice 24-48 hours in advance to "minimise disruption to aircraft and vessels."

Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Friday authorities were not directly notified by the Chinese military that possible live firing exercises would be conducted in international waters of the Tasman Sea, a practice normally followed by Australia.

"When the Australian navy does live firing, we would typically try to give 12-24 hours' notice so that airlines are able to properly plan around what we're doing," he told the ABC.

"That notice wasn't provided here and so I can understand why … this was very disconcerting."

The ABC understands Penny Wong raised the military exercises with Wang Yi in South Africa, pressing her counterpart on both the lack of transparency around the flotilla's movements and the short notice given ahead of the exercises.

Simmering concerns

Earlier, Beijing's foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun brushed off a question about the drill, saying the exercises were "conducted in a safe, standard, and professional manner at all times, in accordance with relevant international laws and practices".

Security analysts have described Friday's events in the Tasman Sea as "unprecedented", while privately Australian and US officials believe it could be a preview of further and more assertive Chinese military activity deep into this region.

"I've not heard of China conducting live fire exercises this far south, in fact it's very unusual for their surface task groups to come this far at all, so in combination I think it's fair to say it's unprecedented," Euan Graham from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute said.

"They're showing that they have the means, even without bases in the area, that they can project force on a regular basis at a meaningful level, close to Australia and in the numbers game of course China wins.

"Australia has a very small, capable navy, but a very small navy — there are plans to increase its size but for the moment the fleet is being shown to be rather thread-bare in its capacity."

Friday's incident comes just five days after a meeting between Australia's Vice Chief of Defence, Air Marshal Robert Chipman, and senior Chinese military leader General Xu Qiling in Beijing — the first such meeting since 2019.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-22/australia-meets-china-over-chinese-naval-live-fire-drills/104968322

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22629713 (220137ZFEB25) Notable: OPINION: ‘Anthony Albanese’s jelly-back spinelessness’: China’s loud and clear message - "Beijing uses its military forces to send what diplomats call “signals” or, in plainer language, threats and warnings. What messages does Xi Jinping want Australia to take from the imminent prospect of the Chinese navy firing missiles off our east coast? First, the Chinese military will fly and sail anywhere it damn well chooses. Second, it will fire long-range weapons, gather intelligence and assert its presence whenever and wherever it wants. Third, we will have no choice but to shut civilian aircraft routes near the danger zone. And, if we approach their flotilla, we run the risk of being greeted with hostile moves ranging from locking weapons radars onto our platforms, using military lasers to harass our personnel, aggressive manoeuvring and even ramming. A fourth message is that Beijing doesn’t care about the diplomatic relationship with Canberra. There is no concept in Chinese thinking of a “stabilised” relationship: that notion is a work of fiction created by Penny Wong and mouthed by Anthony Albanese. Labor’s “stabilised relationship” is designed to serve a domestic political purpose to claim that Labor manages China relations better than the Morrison government. Stabilised relationship? What deluded nonsense! Xi wants to pass the message that he sees Australia as a third-order power. Xi wants submission from Australia, not stability." - Peter Jennings, director of Strategic Analysis Australia, former executive director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (2012-22) and former deputy secretary for strategy in the Defence Department (2009-12) - theaustralian.com.au

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OPINION: ‘Anthony Albanese’s jelly-back spinelessness’: China’s loud and clear message

PETER JENNINGS - 21 February 2025

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Beijing uses its military forces to send what diplomats call “signals” or, in plainer language, threats and warnings.

What messages does Xi Jinping want Australia to take from the imminent prospect of the Chinese navy firing missiles off our east coast? First, the Chinese military will fly and sail anywhere it damn well chooses.

Second, it will fire long-range weapons, gather intelligence and assert its presence whenever and wherever it wants.

Third, we will have no choice but to shut civilian aircraft routes near the danger zone. And, if we approach their flotilla, we run the risk of being greeted with hostile moves ranging from locking weapons radars onto our platforms, using military lasers to harass our personnel, aggressive manoeuvring and even ramming.

A fourth message is that Beijing doesn’t care about the diplomatic relationship with Canberra. There is no concept in Chinese thinking of a “stabilised” relationship: that notion is a work of fiction created by Penny Wong and mouthed by Anthony Albanese.

Labor’s “stabilised relationship” is designed to serve a domestic political purpose to claim that Labor manages China relations better than the Morrison government.

Stabilised relationship? What deluded nonsense! Xi wants to pass the message that he sees Australia as a third-order power. Xi wants submission from Australia, not stability.

China’s strategy of more aggressive military posturing around the Australian coast has developing for years. Intelligence-gathering warships are regular visitors to our Pitch Black air and Talisman Sabre amphibious military exercises.

Chinese military survey vessels have operated around our west coast submarine base, HMAS Stirling. The People’s Liberation Army Navy is building a vast database of seabed and hydrographic information about Australia’s surrounds. Why does it do this? To maximise its ability to sink our navy, close our ports, shut down air traffic and blockade the country.

One Chinese aim is to establish a “new normal” of a regular, large-scale military presence around our coast. And note that China has not the least interest in pretending there is some element of partnering or collaboration with Australia.

In years past, we worked to an utterly deluded plan that engaging with the Chinese military would somehow build a warmer bilateral relationship. The Australian navy has done simple exercises with People’s Liberation Army Navy counterparts off the east coast, including live-fire gunnery.

Chinese navy ships have docked at our navy’s Sydney base, on one occasion – in June 2019 – arriving literally unannounced (we knew they were coming but not when they would arrive). It was on the 30th anniversary of the massacre in and around Tiananmen Square in Beijing.

It is not coincidental that China is engaging in this heightened level of military posturing at precisely the time Donald Trump’s anti-Ukraine, anti-NATO and anti-ally inclinations are coming to the fore.

I doubt that Beijing cares at all about how Australia responds to its naval manoeuvring. Its assessment of Albanese’s jelly-back spinelessness is already factored in.

What China will be interested in is America’s reaction. Will Trump or a senior cabinet official like Pete Hegseth or Marco Rubio say anything? Are we able to encourage or shape an American response? Beijing will see that as an important indicator of American interest in Australian and Pacific security.

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22629927 (220220ZFEB25) Notable: ASIO chief Mike Burgess says Australians should pause and reflect on the need to tackle the scourge of anti-Semitism - ASIO chief Mike Burgess says all Australians should pause to reflect on the scourge of anti-Semitism and ask how it has been allowed to flourish in this country. In his strongest comments yet on the issue, the nation’s most powerful spy says anti-Semitism is a form of hate that defies logic, is un-Australian and is likely to get worse, posing an unacceptable threat to Jewish Australians. Mr Burgess’ strident comments came after delivering his the most grim security assessment in almost six years as head of the country’s domestic spy agency. He said this week that “Australia has never faced so many different threats at scale at once”, outlining a fast-growing range of threats, from traditional terrorism, espionage and foreign interference to newer security challenges such as forced repatriations, including attempts at state-sponsored murder, and the rise of AI. But in an exclusive interview following his speech, Mr Burgess revealed deep frustration about the rapid rise of anti-Semitism and the inability of some to separate the politics of Israel from Australian Jews. “It defies logic, does it not, that actually people in our country can hold Jewish Australians to account for the actions of the Israeli government?” he said. “(It also) defies logic that they can hold state or territory governments, let alone the federal government (responsible), for the actions of a sovereign nation, Israel.” Mr Burgess said although anti-Semitism had sadly always been present in Australia, it was shocking to see how quickly it raised its head at a Sydney Opera House protest days after the October 7, 2023, massacre by Hamas, “even before the Israeli government responded”. Mr Burgess said the rapid escalation of anti-Semitism since that time, with intimidation or attacks on synagogues, schools, homes and prominent Jewish Australians was “totally unacceptable”.

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ASIO chief Mike Burgess says Australians should pause and reflect on the need to tackle the scourge of anti-Semitism

CAMERON STEWART - 21 February 2025

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ASIO chief Mike Burgess says all Australians should pause to reflect on the scourge of anti-Semitism and ask how it has been allowed to flourish in this country.

In his strongest comments yet on the issue, the nation’s most powerful spy says anti-Semitism is a form of hate that defies logic, is un-Australian and is likely to get worse, posing an unacceptable threat to Jewish Australians.

Mr Burgess’ strident comments came after delivering his the most grim security assessment in almost six years as head of the country’s domestic spy agency.

He said this week that “Australia has never faced so many different threats at scale at once”, outlining a fast-growing range of threats, from traditional terrorism, espionage and foreign interference to newer security challenges such as forced repatriations, including attempts at state-sponsored murder, and the rise of AI.

But in an exclusive interview following his speech, Mr Burgess revealed deep frustration about the rapid rise of anti-Semitism and the inability of some to separate the politics of Israel from Australian Jews.

“It defies logic, does it not, that actually people in our country can hold Jewish Australians to account for the actions of the Israeli government?” he said. “(It also) defies logic that they can hold state or territory governments, let alone the federal government (responsible), for the actions of a sovereign nation, Israel.”

Mr Burgess said although anti-Semitism had sadly always been present in Australia, it was shocking to see how quickly it raised its head at a Sydney Opera House protest days after the October 7, 2023, massacre by Hamas, “even before the Israeli government responded”.

“I think we all want to pause and think about that,” he says. “People have a right to protest (but) when they start shouting slogans about Jews, and even if it was, ‘where’s the Jews?’ Not ‘gas the Jews’, that’s still pretty damn intimidating for people of Jewish faith or people of Jewish culture.”

Mr Burgess said the rapid escalation of anti-Semitism since that time, with intimidation or attacks on synagogues, schools, homes and prominent Jewish Australians was “totally unacceptable”.

“How we could allow ourselves to get to this point, I’m lost for words because this is not the country we are … and we should all look into why we’ve allowed that to happen.

“We should, as a society, not accept what we’re seeing.”

Mr Burgess warns that the incidence of anti-Semitism had probably not yet plateaued because, even though there is now a fragile peace in Gaza, there is always “a lag” between cause and effect on security challenges.

“I am concerned they have not yet plateaued because these things have a lag. So we have to be mindful of that. No one should just go, ‘great, everything’s good, the heat’s going to settle down’.

“People are entitled to actually believe in a Palestinian state. They’re entitled to think the way the Israeli government has chosen to prosecute is wrong. That’s fine, but that should not translate into threats or intimidation or provocative acts and violent acts against Jewish Australians. They are not the Israeli government. They are Australians. They’re their fellow Australians.”

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22629988 (220233ZFEB25) Notable: Papua New Guinea, Australia sign defence treaty to push military integration - The Papua New Guinea Defence Force and Australian Defence Force will push for increased integration and more joint exercises under a newly signed defence treaty. The agreement, which is the first defence treaty signed by Papua New Guinea with a foreign country, was announced during a meeting between Australian and PNG officials in Brisbane on February 20. The agreement is designed as a legal framework upgrade to an existing Status of Force Agreement signed in 1977 between the two countries. Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, speaking during a press conference in Brisbane, said Papua New Guinea is Australia’s nearest neighbour and both countries have an incredibly close defence relationship. "Consistent with the guidance that's been given to both of us by our respective Prime Ministers to enhance and build bilateral relationship between Australian Papua New Guinea, today, the Minister and I are announcing that our two countries are commencing negotiations to establish a defence treaty between Australia and PNG," he said. "This will be a treaty with ambition. It will be the most significant defence agreement between our two countries since Papua New Guinean independence. And to that end, it is very significant that we are negotiating this in the 50th year of Papua New Guinea's independence. This will help our two defence forces to work much more closely together. Already, Australia's biggest defence cooperation program is in Papua New Guinea. Already, there is extensive training which occurs amongst the Papua New Guinea Defence Force in Australia. But this will enable our two defence forces to walk down a pathway of increasing integration and increasing interoperability."

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Papua New Guinea, Australia sign defence treaty to push military integration

Robert Dougherty - 21 FEBRUARY 2025

The Papua New Guinea Defence Force and Australian Defence Force will push for increased integration and more joint exercises under a newly signed defence treaty.

The agreement, which is the first defence treaty signed by Papua New Guinea with a foreign country, was announced during a meeting between Australian and PNG officials in Brisbane on February 20.

The agreement is designed as a legal framework upgrade to an existing Status of Force Agreement signed in 1977 between the two countries.

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, speaking during a press conference in Brisbane, said Papua New Guinea is Australia’s nearest neighbour and both countries have an incredibly close defence relationship.

"Consistent with the guidance that's been given to both of us by our respective Prime Ministers to enhance and build bilateral relationship between Australian Papua New Guinea, today, the Minister and I are announcing that our two countries are commencing negotiations to establish a defence treaty between Australia and PNG," he said.

"This will be a treaty with ambition. It will be the most significant defence agreement between our two countries since Papua New Guinean independence. And to that end, it is very significant that we are negotiating this in the 50th year of Papua New Guinea's independence.

"This will help our two defence forces to work much more closely together. Already, Australia's biggest defence cooperation program is in Papua New Guinea. Already, there is extensive training which occurs amongst the Papua New Guinea Defence Force in Australia. But this will enable our two defence forces to walk down a pathway of increasing integration and increasing interoperability.

"This is actually a Papua New Guinean led initiative... There are Australian personnel who spend time in Papua New Guinea as part of our defence cooperation program, and we engage in multiple exercises every year with our Papua New Guinean colleagues. And so the agreement that we are seeking to negotiate at a treaty level really will enable the evolution of that cooperation."

PNG Minister for Defence, Dr Billy Joseph, speaking at a press conference in Brisbane on February 20, said the treaty is the first time in PNG history that treaty has been signed between another foreign country

"The legal framework to make that happen is to put on the path of increasing the relationship between PNGDF and ADF, and that is by way of this treaty," according to Dr Joseph.

"I want to thank the Prime Minister Albanese and the Deputy Prime Minister and everybody that has helped us to come here, to the point where now we are talking about the treaty.

"It is really fitting that that country is Australia, because we got independence from Australia- and at the same time, we are very close to each other. We live about three kilometres apart from each other. That's the distance between Australia and PNG. And it is really important that with the geopolitics and all the different contexts that's going on, we have consciously made a decision to choose who should be our friends, and as far as the treaty is concerned. And we have many friends, and we treat those friends uniquely in different levels, but in Australia, we are, as my Prime Minister has said, tied to the hip -we are very close."

https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/geopolitics-and-policy/15564-papua-new-guinea-australia-sign-defence-treaty-to-push-military-integration

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22630016 (220243ZFEB25) Notable: Donald Trump’s call out to golfing great Adam Scott may herald good news for Australia - Golf legend Bobby Jones once said, “golf is the closest game to the game we call life” and Australia’s top diplomats could do well to heed his words while tee-ing off with the new US President. President Donald Trump gave top Australian golfer Adam Scott and his home country a surprise call out on Thursday while meeting with the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) top brass at the White House, including Tiger Woods and PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan. “We have Adam Scott here also. Winner of the Masters. One of the greatest golfers in the world,” Mr Trump said. “I’ve always tried to swing just like Adam. It never worked out that way.” He added that he sees Scott as “sort of” American, reported Fox News. “Adam, even though he doesn’t quite come from our country, he sort of does, right? He’s here a lot,” he said. “He comes from another nice place like Australia, and they’ve been very, very good for us.” The unexpected praise will be welcome news in Canberra, where the Government is on tenterhooks about winning an exemption from punishing steel and aluminium tariffs due to kick into force at an inopportune pre-election moment in March. Australia has stressed Washington’s bilateral trade surplus and Canberra’s vital contribution to regional security in an effort to evade the levies. Mr Trump’s seemingly random compliment may suggest the message is sinking in. Coming on the back of golfing great Greg Norman’s recent bridge-building between Mr Trump and Australian ambassador Kevin Rudd, it could also offer diplomats and politicians a hint on how best to forge a connection with the US president. “If I can just give one little bit of information to help two people get together, then I’m so proud to be able to do that,” Mr Norman recently told a dinner event in Washington to honour Australians who had helped foster closer bilateral ties.

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Donald Trump’s call out to golfing great Adam Scott may herald good news for Australia

Nicola Smith - 22 February 2025

Golf legend Bobby Jones once said, “golf is the closest game to the game we call life” and Australia’s top diplomats could do well to heed his words while tee-ing off with the new US President.

President Donald Trump gave top Australian golfer Adam Scott and his home country a surprise call out on Thursday while meeting with the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) top brass at the White House, including Tiger Woods and PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan.

“We have Adam Scott here also. Winner of the Masters. One of the greatest golfers in the world,” Mr Trump said.

“I’ve always tried to swing just like Adam. It never worked out that way.”

He added that he sees Scott as “sort of” American, reported Fox News.

“Adam, even though he doesn’t quite come from our country, he sort of does, right? He’s here a lot,” he said.

“He comes from another nice place like Australia, and they’ve been very, very good for us.”

The unexpected praise will be welcome news in Canberra, where the Government is on tenterhooks about winning an exemption from punishing steel and aluminium tariffs due to kick into force at an inopportune pre-election moment in March.

Australia has stressed Washington’s bilateral trade surplus and Canberra’s vital contribution to regional security in an effort to evade the levies.

Mr Trump’s seemingly random compliment may suggest the message is sinking in.

Coming on the back of golfing great Greg Norman’s recent bridge-building between Mr Trump and Australian ambassador Kevin Rudd, it could also offer diplomats and politicians a hint on how best to forge a connection with the US president.

“If I can just give one little bit of information to help two people get together, then I’m so proud to be able to do that,” Mr Norman recently told a dinner event in Washington to honour Australians who had helped foster closer bilateral ties.

https://thenightly.com.au/politics/australia/donald-trumps-call-out-to-golfing-great-adam-scott-may-herald-good-news-for-australia-c-17801316

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22638543 (230837ZFEB25) Notable: Jim Chalmers heads to US for first face-to-face meeting with US treasury secretary - Treasurer Jim Chalmers will travel to Washington on Sunday evening for his first face-to-face meeting with his US counterpart, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, as the Australian government continues to press for exemptions from tariffs on steel and aluminium exports to the US. Mr Chalmers told the ABC's Insiders program that trade and tariffs were firmly on the agenda for the meeting, though he didn't expect to lock in a decision from the US during the visit. "This won't be the first time that I've met with Secretary Bessent, but the first time since he was confirmed in that new role," Mr Chalmers said. "Trade and tariffs will be part of the conversation, but not the whole conversation. That's an ongoing discussion that we are having with our American counterparts. "I don't expect to conclude those discussions on steel and aluminium while I'm in DC, but whether it's the flow of capital or critical minerals and trade, there's lots to talk about." Shortly after taking office, US President Donald Trump announced 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium imported into the US, both of which are due to take effect next month. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke to Mr Trump shortly after he announced the sweeping tariffs, in what the prime minister described as a "constructive and warm" conversation. Shortly after the call, Mr Trump said he would give "great consideration" to Australia's request for an exemption to the tariffs.

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Jim Chalmers heads to US for first face-to-face meeting with US treasury secretary

David Speers - 23 February 2025

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Treasurer Jim Chalmers will travel to Washington on Sunday evening for his first face-to-face meeting with his US counterpart, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, as the Australian government continues to press for exemptions from tariffs on steel and aluminium exports to the US.

Mr Chalmers told the ABC's Insiders program that trade and tariffs were firmly on the agenda for the meeting, though he didn't expect to lock in a decision from the US during the visit.

"This won't be the first time that I've met with Secretary Bessent, but the first time since he was confirmed in that new role," Mr Chalmers said.

"Trade and tariffs will be part of the conversation, but not the whole conversation. That's an ongoing discussion that we are having with our American counterparts.

"I don't expect to conclude those discussions on steel and aluminium while I'm in DC, but whether it's the flow of capital or critical minerals and trade, there's lots to talk about."

Shortly after taking office, US President Donald Trump announced 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium imported into the US, both of which are due to take effect next month.

Australia exported 223,000 tonnes of steel to the US last year and 83,000 tonnes of aluminium. Those exports were worth $US237 million ($377 million) in 2023, according to data from Trading Economics.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke to Mr Trump shortly after he announced the sweeping tariffs, in what the prime minister described as a "constructive and warm" conversation.

Shortly after the call, Mr Trump said he would give "great consideration" to Australia's request for an exemption to the tariffs.

Australia has had a free trade deal with the United States for two decades, and the vast bulk of trade between the two countries is currently tariff free.

The federal government has repeatedly highlighted Australia's trade deficit with the US since Mr Trump won last year's election — Australia exported about $33 billion worth of goods to the US in 2023, and imported about $65 billion.

The treasurer's visit coincides with a major push by Australian superannuation companies to build ties with the Trump administration, starting with a "super showcase" kicking off in Washington DC and New York this week.

The government is hoping the four-day showcase in Washington and New York will help convince Donald Trump not to impose tariffs on Australia, by demonstrating how heavily Australians are investing in the US through their super.

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22638582 (230850ZFEB25) Notable: 'Strongly dissatisfied': China accuses Australia of 'hyping up' navy drills - Australian complaints over recent Chinese live-fire naval drills in international waters between Australia and New Zealand were "hyped up" and "inconsistent with the facts", China's defence ministry says. Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Saturday Beijing had failed to give satisfactory reasons for what he called inadequate notice for live-fire drills on Friday which he said had forced airlines to divert flights. China's defence ministry spokesman Wu Qian said on Sunday China had issued repeated safety notices before the drills. He said China's actions complied with international law and did not affect aviation flight safety. "Australia, fully knowing this, made unreasonable accusations against China and deliberately hyped it up," Qian said in a post from the Chinese defence ministry. "We are deeply surprised and strongly dissatisfied." Analysts believed the sailing was an attempt by Beijing to project power and send a message to Canberra about China's capability. Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was asked on Saturday if he would call President Xi Jinping in light of the incident but instead defended China's right to carry out the exercise as it had not breached international law. "It's important to not suggest that wasn't the case," he said. The live-fire exercise follows a run-in with the Chinese military last week when a fighter jet fired flares in front of a Royal Australian Air Force surveillance aircraft during a patrol over the South China Sea. The Australian government lodged a complaint with Beijing over the near-miss.

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'Strongly dissatisfied': China accuses Australia of 'hyping up' navy drills

China has responded to claims by the Australian government that it did not give enough notice for a series of live-fire naval drills in international waters between Australia and New Zealand.

AAP / sbs.com.au - 23 February 2025

Australian complaints over recent Chinese live-fire naval drills in international waters between Australia and New Zealand were "hyped up" and "inconsistent with the facts", China's defence ministry says.

Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Saturday Beijing had failed to give satisfactory reasons for what he called inadequate notice for live-fire drills on Friday which he said had forced airlines to divert flights.

China's defence ministry spokesman Wu Qian said on Sunday China had issued repeated safety notices before the drills.

He said China's actions complied with international law and did not affect aviation flight safety.

"Australia, fully knowing this, made unreasonable accusations against China and deliberately hyped it up," Qian said in a post from the Chinese defence ministry.

"We are deeply surprised and strongly dissatisfied."

Analysts believed the sailing was an attempt by Beijing to project power and send a message to Canberra about China's capability.

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was asked on Saturday if he would call President Xi Jinping in light of the incident but instead defended China's right to carry out the exercise as it had not breached international law.

"It's important to not suggest that wasn't the case," he said.

New Zealand said on Saturday it had also observed the Chinese navy conducting a second day of live-fire exercises and was monitoring a fleet of Chinese vessels.

The live-fire exercise follows a run-in with the Chinese military last week when a fighter jet fired flares in front of a Royal Australian Air Force surveillance aircraft during a patrol over the South China Sea.

The Australian government lodged a complaint with Beijing over the near-miss.

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/china-accuses-australia-of-hyping-up-navy-drills/u3ez214rd

https://english.news.cn/20250223/55a01516ed714e12bc8b6443629d65e6/c.html