South Australia’s Chief Justice, Chris Kourakis, has declined to disclose the reasons for his recusal from the Operation Ironside case, stating that his decision “was not a judgment or order” and does not require release.
The decision was made in response to requests for the sealed reasons following his recusal in the case involving two alleged users of the AN0M app.
Kourakis explained that revealing his reasoning “at this point in time” could compromise the proper administration and enforcement of criminal law.
His refusal contrasts with previous rulings where he emphasised the principle of open justice and the public’s right to access court documents.
Photo: AFP.
The Advertiser had reportedly sought access to Kourakis’ reasons for recusal, arguing that the same principles from a previous case, in which he ruled to allow public access to documents, should apply.
However, Kourakis clarified that a recusal is a decision not to continue hearing a case, and as such, it does not constitute a judgment or order.
Kourakis further noted that his recusal was made to preserve procedural fairness, and, under Section 131 of the Supreme Court Act, permission is required to access his reasons.
He ultimately denied this request, citing concerns over the potential impact on the ongoing enforcement of criminal law.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has appealed the prison sentences given to two con artists who defrauded the owners of a motel out of nearly $3 million.
The DPP argues that the sentences for David Stakic and Apostolos Lapatis were “manifestly inadequate.”
Stakic, 72, and Lapatis, 54, swindled the owners of Fawkner Airport Motor Inn, Robin and Roslyn Nagorcka, of $2.9 million between December 2013 and January 2018, claiming the money was needed to fund a secret court case.
Stakic was sentenced in September 2024 to a minimum of 20 months and a maximum of two-and-a-half years for obtaining property by deception.
Fawkner Airport Motor Inn.
Lapatis received a minimum sentence of three years and two months, with a maximum of four years and nine months.
During an appeal hearing in the Court of Appeal on Monday, Stakic argued his sentence was fair, citing his age, early guilty plea, lack of prior convictions, and the delays in his case.
Lapatis also defended his sentence, stating that the judge had considered the significant delays in his case, his admissions to the police, and his positive rehabilitation prospects.
Both men requested the court dismiss the appeal, with judgment reserved.
The NRL Integrity Unit is investigating a complaint regarding an alleged confrontation between Sydney Roosters Chairman Nick Politis, Director Mark Bouris and referee Mitch James during the NRL Vegas Nines competition last month.
James, who officiated a match between the LA Roosters and Brisbane Veterans on February 28, claims that after the game, Bouris and Politis approached him on the sideline and criticised his officiating.
Bouris confirmed the incident, stating, “We were not in his face, I made sure we stayed our distance. We were not threatening, and we didn’t abuse him and didn’t swear. I do not believe I said to him he ‘reffed us out of the game’.”
Bouris also clarified that they filed a complaint about the refereeing standard during the tournament.
Sydney Roosters Board members.
James further alleged that after the confrontation, he was removed from officiating the Greece versus USA match later that day, despite being originally appointed.
He expressed his frustration, stating the removal reinforced the perception that influential individuals were exerting undue pressure on officials.
Bouris, however, denied having any involvement in the decision to remove James, suggesting the change in duties likely stemmed from the formal complaint filed against James.
James, who also raised concerns about ongoing abuse faced by referees, stated that his complaint aimed to address broader issues affecting the officiating community.
An NRL spokesperson confirmed the complaint has been received and is under investigation.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred made landfall on Bribie Island around 8pm local time on Saturday, March 8, and moved west onto the mainland by 9pm, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Over 350,000 properties in Queensland and New South Wales lost power as the storm hit eastern Australia.
Energex reported that power restoration in south-east Queensland, where about 321,600 homes were affected, could take more than a week. Around 31,000 properties in northern NSW were also impacted by outages.
As Cyclone Alfred swept through Queensland, the Cypriot Community Association of Queensland was also impacted by the storm.
Structured tent collapses outside the Cypriot Community building.
President of the Cypriot Community, Stathis Zampas, confirmed that the Community’s building had been hit. Photos showed the entire structured tent in front of the building had collapsed due to strong winds.
This isn’t the first time the Community building has been hit, with Mr Zampas telling Alpha News the building had also been impacted by the devastating floods of 2011 and 2022.
Today, heavy rainfall continues across south-east Queensland and northern NSW, with both regions on high alert for flooding.
Dozens of emergency warnings are in place in NSW, and thousands of people are under evacuation notices. In Queensland, only one emergency warning remains.
WA Liberal’s Basil Zempilas celebrated his Churchlands election victory on Saturday, March 8, with a lively party, embracing his Greek roots.
After a tense election night race with Labor MP Christine Tonkin, Zempilas secured 52% of the primary vote, leaving Tonkin with 28%.
In footage shared on his wife Amy’s Instagram, Zempilas thanked his supporters and apologised for the late hour.
“Thank you everybody but firstly I apologise because it’s such a late night because it’s taken so long to get here with hopefully the news that you’ve all been waiting to hear,” he said.
The celebration featured traditional Greek dancing, including Zorba’s Dance, as Zempilas and his supporters marked his victory.
“A bit of Greek dancing to celebrate the win last night,” Amy posted on Instagram.
THANK YOU Churchlands 💙
What an honour to be elected to represent the people of my home electorate.
Despite the tight race, Zempilas remained confident, noting, “I knew it was going to be close, I knew it was going to be tight.”
He also reflected on the challenges, saying, “If a $1 million smear campaign has no effect, then what’s the point. I’ve withstood that and I’ve won the seat of Churchlands.”
WA Labor celebrated another strong victory, with Premier Roger Cook securing a clear mandate. Cook dismissed claims of a smear campaign, instead focusing on Labor’s continued dominance.
“This is an emphatic victory for WA Labor and it’s a vindication of the strong government that we have provided for the people of Western Australia,” Cook said.
Could a leadership spill be on the cards for WA Liberals?
Photo: ABC News / Andrew O’Connor.
While some see Zempilas as a potential future leader, he dismissed speculation about leadership changes within the Liberal Party.
“This is not a time for anything rash. We should wait and see what this full picture of this result is,” he said.
“Today’s not the day for any decisions about anybody’s future.”
Current Liberal Leader Libby Mettam acknowledged the party’s poor performance and said the decision on leadership would be left to her colleagues.
She emphasised the need for continuity ahead of the 2029 election, stating, “Whoever the leader is going into the 2029 election they need four years to work as a leader.”
The vibrant spirit of the Cypriot community, recently showcased at the bustling Halloumi Festival, is now fuelling a transformative development project in Brunswick East.
The Cypriot Community of Melbourne and Victoria (CCMV) is forging ahead with plans for a six-storey “Greek village” at 495 Lygon Street, a project destined to become a cultural and community cornerstone.
CCMV President Theo Theophanous’ vision is ambitious: a 600-square-metre function room, a traditional kafenio, retail spaces, community offices, a potential after-hours school, a consular office, a rooftop garden, and 50 apartments, all anchored by underground parking. However, the path to realisation has presented its share of challenges.
An artist’s impression of the original 10-storey development that is no longer going ahead.
Merri-bek City Council confirmed planning is underway.
“Conditions of the planning permit require the submission of revised plans and other expert reports to be approved by Council before the development can proceed,” a Council spokesperson told The Greek Herald.
Theophanous confirmed to The Greek Herald that these documents have been submitted, and the project is now navigating the amendment process.
“We have sent through required documentation, but there has been a to-and-fro process and some obstacles,” he explained.
“We resolved the noise issue, and after submitting documents, we need a few more amendments. Getting the plan endorsed is only part of the issue. We have to make a few adjustments to the endorsed VCAT plan, not in terms of height, but in terms of the car park.”
CCMV President Theo Theophanous at this year’s Halloumi Festival.
Specifically, soil tests revealed a high water table, necessitating adjustments to the car park’s design.
“Soil tests showed that the water table is at a certain level that allows us two levels [of underground parking],” Theophanous said, highlighting the need for detailed revisions. “I estimate that the amendment would just take a couple of months.”
“My objective is to knock down the building before the end of the year,” he affirmed.
The old Cyprus Community of Victoria building.
He also stressed the importance of securing pre-sales for 15-16 apartments to trigger the developer’s contractual obligations.
“We are providing leads of people who may be interested in buying, especially those who would be attracted to living in a Greek, Cypriot building,” he said, adding that several CCMV board members are also considering buying apartments.
“It is exciting because it is close to the tram line, central, surrounded by restaurants.”
The CCMV redevelopment project’s potential for community enrichment is undeniable. The new building will serve as a vital hub for cultural events, gatherings, and essential community services and is a significant investment in the Cypriot community’s future and the broader Merri-bek area.
The CCMV redevelopment project’s potential for community enrichment is undeniable. Pictured: VIP guests at this year’s Halloumi Festival.
Theophanous hopes the popular Halloumi Festival will gain even more momentum with the new building, jump-starting a mini-Antipodes Festival. Successful even without government funding, Theophanous hopes that the government will see its value sooner or later.
“Merri-bek City Council welcomes applications from community groups to reserve venues and public spaces available for special events,” a Council spokesperson said.
Theophanous is already looking at next year’s Halloumi Festival venue and is open to all suggestions.
Stefanos Tsitsipas extended his win streak to seven matches on Sunday, March 9, at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, defeating Matteo Berrettini 6-3, 6-3.
The eighth seed delivered a strong performance, using the slower court conditions to his advantage, and outplayed Berrettini for the second time in as many weeks.
“I have to focus on my serve, that’s the priority,” Tsitsipas said.
“I’m thinking of how I am going to hold serve, how I’m going to press the opponent. There’s an added bonus of holding easier, you have more time to focus on the return.”
Tsitsipas won 92% of his first-serve points (22/24) during the match, according to Infosys ATP Stats.
The death toll from two days of clashes between Syrian security forces and loyalists of ousted president Bashar Assad has surpassed 1,000, making it one of the deadliest acts of violence since the Syrian conflict began 14 years ago.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Saturday, March 8, that 745 civilians, primarily shot at close range, along with 125 government security members and 148 Assad-affiliated militants, were killed.
The Greek foreign ministry expressed concern over the “numerous civilian clashes” reported in Syria, issuing a statement on X.
“We are deeply alarmed by reports of violent clashes with numerous civilian casualties in Syria. We call on all sides to show responsibility and seek peaceful solutions, refraining from actions that would further inflame tensions,” the ministry said.
We are deeply alarmed by reports of violent clashes with numerous civilian casualties in Syria. We call on all sides to show responsibility and seek peaceful solutions, refraining from actions that would further inflame tensions.
The statement emphasised that these developments highlight the urgent need for an inclusive political transition and the protection of all ethnic and religious communities, promoting national unity.
The violence, which began Thursday, marked a major escalation following the removal of Assad from power three months ago.
The government attributed the clashes to attacks from Assad’s loyalists, while revenge killings by Sunni Muslim gunmen against Assad’s Alawite supporters have added to the bloodshed.
In towns like Baniyas, bodies were left on the streets for hours, with some residents recounting the gunmen checking ID cards to target individuals based on their sect.
These developments increase the urgency for an inclusive political transition process and securing the protection of all ethnic and religious communities, in the spirit of national unity.
Looting and arson have also been reported, with many Alawites fleeing to nearby mountains for safety. The violence halted on Saturday, but the devastation is profound, with reports of entire families killed.
Syria’s state news agency announced that government forces have regained control of much of the area, while the international community, including France and Lebanon, has expressed concern over the escalating violence. Lebanon reported that many are fleeing to its borders for refuge.
The latest clashes began when government forces attempted to detain a wanted individual near Jableh and were ambushed by Assad loyalists.
The Greek Fire Service has discovered remnants of the missing cabin from the second engine of the freight train involved in the deadly February 2023 Tempi collision.
The wreckage was found during an inspection at Koulouri in Larissa, where the remains of the train are stored.
According to a February 27 report from the Hellenic Air and Rail Accident Investigation Authority (EODASAAM), part of the second engine was previously missing.
Sources confirmed to Kathimerini that the Fire Service’s arson crimes directorate (DAEE) found clear evidence of the cabin, including the driver’s seat and controls. A metallurgist has been called in to verify the findings.
The investigation at Koulouri will continue next week. An appellate judge overseeing the case has ordered an inspection of the missing section, and DAEE plans to expand its search to include the train’s dining car and first-class passenger section.
Greek pole vaulter Emmanouil Karalis made history for Greece at the European Indoor Athletics Championships in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, on Sunday, March 9, securing the nation’s first and only medal at the event.
Karalis, the Olympic bronze medalist, shared the gold with Dutch athlete Menno Vloon after both cleared 5.90 metres with identical attempts, resulting in a tie for first place.
Karalis had a smooth path to the final, needing just two jumps—clearing 5.65m and 5.75m—to qualify. A total of 11 athletes advanced to the final, with seven reaching 5.75m and four more progressing with 5.65m.
Entering the competition as the gold-medal favourite after posting a season-best 6.02m on February 28, Karalis delivered an impressive performance.
He cleared 5.60m on his first attempt, skipped 5.70m, and then cleared 5.80m. After struggling at 5.85m with two failed attempts, he succeeded on his third try.
Karalis cleared 5.90m on his first attempt, keeping his medal hopes alive. Both he and Vloon failed to clear 5.95m on three attempts each.
With Norway’s Sondre Guttormsen unable to clear 6.00m, Karalis and Vloon decided to share the gold, concluding an unforgettable final.
