Premier âshocked and distressedâ by MP sex case Gladys Berejiklian said allegations involving Kiama MP Gareth Ward were âextremely concerningâ as the crisis plunged the Government further into minority.
Politics by Anna Caldwell, James O Doherty and Kelsey Hogan 14th May 2021 9:53 AM
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Subscriber only Premier Gladys Berejiklian has denied any knowledge of Gareth Ward s alleged sexual violence-related offences before it was revealed on Thursday. At a press conference on Friday morning, Ms Berejiklian said she only learned of the allegation involving the Families Minister when the story broke on Sky News. I think all of us were incredibly shocked and distressed, Ms Berejiklian said.
Anthony Albanese has dismissed the budget s focus of women as an afterthought for the government, saying the extraordinary movement kickstarted by Brittany Higgins had shamed them into action. Mr Albanese made the comments to a caucus meeting on Thursday, ahead of his second budget reply speech as Labor leader, taking aim at the government s response to months of allegations ranging from sexual misconduct to rape. Tuesday s federal budget featured a women s budget statement and bolstered funds for domestic violence services, childcare, and preschooling. But Mr Albanese dismissed the moves as an afterthought for a government that did not prioritise women s safety.
Travel by David Mills
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Subscriber only The government has spruiked its support of Australia s aviation industry but resisted calls to extend its half-price airfare program in this year s federal budget. Some 660,000 tickets out of the total 800,000 have already been sold, with Cairns, Hobart, Adelaide and the Gold Coast among the most popular destinations. There are now 3284 weekly flights along Australia s major domestic routes, about 90 per cent of its pre-COVID activity. At the lowest point of the industry - mid April last year - just 123 planes made it into the air. The Gold Coast has been one of the most popular destinations with travellers buying half-price tickets.
 The budget included another line that could derail the border opening even further. A line that s easy to say but not so easy to do, it seems. A population-wide vaccination program is likely to be in place by the end of 2021. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg appeared to swerve too much probing about this particular point, telling the ABC it s hard to make guesses about the future. To make them during the middle of a pandemic is even more so, said Mr Frydenberg. The thing is, surely vaccinations is the one number we can make an educated guess on? It s a case of population size, number of vaccines needed and how many can be done per day. It s basic maths.
What alleged rape accuser has âburnt in her memoryâ The woman whoâs accused NRL star Jack de Belin of sexually assaulting her has things that she alleges unfolded âburnt into her memoryâ, a court has heard.
Crime by Heath Parkes-Hupton 29th Apr 2021 1:36 PM A woman who alleges she was raped by NRL star Jack de Belin and his friend has the events that unfolded inside a North Wollonging unit that night burnt into her memory , a jury has been told. As the closing addresses began in the District Court trial of Mr de Belin, and his friend, Callan Sinclair, Crown prosecutor David Scully said it made sense for the woman not to remember every small detail of the night before and after the alleged sexual assault.