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Investigator’s documents kept out of Sam Duluk MP’s assault case against Connie Bonaros MP

The Speaker of South Australian Parliament’s Lower House has claimed parliamentary privilege over documents gathered by a private investigator into Sam Duluk MP, who allegedly assaulted another politician at a 2019 Christmas party.

Former Liberal, now independent, Mr Duluk fronted Adelaide Magistrates Court yesterday for the second time charged with one count of basic assault.

Mr Duluk will fight allegations he slapped SA Best MLC Connie Bonaros on the backside at an event at a Parliament House Christmas party last December.

He is yet to enter a plea to the charge.

Alleged victim and SA Best MP Connie Bonaros. Photo: Facebook.

In October, lawyers for Mr Duluk asked the court for access to documents from Paul Hocking of Quark & Associates, who conducted an independent investigation into the politician’s behaviour at the event.

Yesterday, the court heard those documents would be covered by parliamentary privilege and not released to Mr Duluk.

Damian O’Leary, for House of Assembly Speaker Josh Teague, told Magistrate John Fahey that his client had provided a letter to the court.

Sam Duluk (right) arriving at the Adelaide Magistrates Court this morning. Photo: ABC News / Meagan Dillon.

“[It] makes a claim that the documents in possession of Quark & Associates relate entirely to the investigative activities undertaken at the request of the former speaker [Vincent Tarzia],” he said.

“In that respect, the documents are only documents that have been brought into existence for the purposes of the investigation that has been made at the request of the [former] speaker and for reporting to Parliament.

“Therefore, it does, in my respectful submission, attract parliamentary privilege — the documents have been brought into existence for the purposes of Parliament.”

Lawyers for Mr Duluk told the court they did not plan to “press against the claim of parliamentary privilege.”

“As I understand it, everything returned is covered by a privilege — we’re not opposing that claim so the summons has been satisfied,” he said.

Police prosecutor Paul Tate agreed there was no opposition to the privilege claim.

Mr Duluk faces a maximum penalty of two years’ jail and will be back before the court in February.

Source: ABC News.

Murder sentence reduced for Amirah Droudis, former partner of Lindt siege gunman

The former partner of Sydney siege gunman Man Monis has had her jail sentence cut by almost a decade on appeal.

Amirah Droudis, 41, will now serve a minimum 26 years and three months behind bars for murdering Monis’ ex-wife so they could be together.

Droudis stabbed the woman 18 times and then set her body alight in her Werrington unit block in 2013.

Monis faked a car accident to give himself an alibi but he was the mastermind of the plan designed to secure custody of his two boys.

Amirah Droudis, the former partner of Lindt siege gunman Man Monis, has had her jail sentence cut by almost a decade.

He died in the Lindt siege before the case went to trial.

“Although the accused demonstrated an established pattern of acting at Monis’ behest, I do not consider that she was naive in her dealings with Monis,” Justice Peter Johnson found.

But on appeal Droudis argued the judge made an error when he found the death of Monis did not assist her.

The appeal court found his absence is relevant when it comes to assessing factors which includes her future dangerous to others.

“Although the applicant committed the murder of her own free will and to achieve a result she regarded as beneficial both to herself and Monis, the fact remains that Monis was the instigator of the crime,” the court found.

“His removal from her life does increase her prospects of rehabilitation.”

Although still adhering to Islam, the appeal court accepted she would not have committed the crime for purely ideological reasons.

“This is particularly the case when the evidence demonstrates that since she has been in prison the applicant has been a polite and co-operative prisoner,” the court found.

“There is nothing to indicate that she has expressed extremist views during her period in prison.”

Droudis was jailed in 2014 and with time served she will be eligible for parole in 2041.

Source: Nine News.

State Premiers send messages of hope to Greek Australians this Christmas

With Christmas Day fast approaching, the Premiers of New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia have all sent messages of hope to their respective Greek communities.

All three messages touch on the difficult year experienced by all due to the coronavirus pandemic, but say there is still a lot to be thankful for such as family and friends.

Here are their messages in full:

Gladys Berejiklian, NSW Premier:

In her Christmas message, the Premier of NSW, Gladys Berejiklian, thanked the Christian community for the “kindness and compassion” they extended to others during their time of need this year.

“In all that we have confronted in 2020 – bushfires, drought, floods and pandemic – you have shown a generosity of spirit that sustains us all,” Ms Berejiklian writes.

“It is a wonderful demonstration of your humanity and your faith.”

Ms Berejiklian then went on to wish everyone “a healthy and harmonious holiday season and a prosperous 2021.”

Full Message:

Daniel Andrews, Victorian Premier:

‘Kαλά Χριστούγεννα’ writes Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews, in his Christmas message to Greek Australians this year.

Mr Andrews begins with the use of the Greek language and goes on to talk about the “strong bond” Australia continues to have with Greece despite the border closures this year.

“I’m proud that the heart of the Greek diaspora in Australia beats loudest and proudest in Victoria and I’m thankful for the way that Greek Victorians have shared their culture and way of life so generously,” Mr Andrews wrote.

The Premier continued by saying that although Christmas will be celebrated differently this year, with Zoom gatherings for example, there is still a lot to be thankful for such as good health and “delicious food around the table.”

Full Message:

Steven Marshall, Premier of South Australia:

In his special Christmas message to the Greek community of South Australia, Premier Steven Marshall wished everyone a “happy and safe festive season.”

He later congratulated the state’s Greek community for their contribution to Australia’s society.

“I congratulate and thank our vibrant Greek community of South Australia for the significant contributions you have made to multiculturalism in our state,” Mr Marshall writes.

“It is wonderful our Greek community can now come together and celebrate the festive season and the special traditions passed down from generation to generation.”

Mr Marshall later stressed the importance of spending time with friends, family and loved ones this Christmas, as well as spreading generosity to others, particularly those who are less fortunate.

Full Message:

Australia to benefit from Greece’s decision to lend artifacts to foreign museums for up to 50 years

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The Greek Parliament is to vote on Thursday on a bill which paves the way for the lending of ancient and modern Greek artifacts to foreign museums for up to 50 years.

The bill provides for the possibility of borrowing movable monuments from Greek museums for 25 years, with the possibility of extending for an additional 25 years.

The Ministry of Culture says this will allow the country to promote Greek art and culture on a global basis, especially in areas where there is a strong expatriate element such as Australia and the US.

“The museums of our country have tens of millions of movable monuments, which are kept in their warehouses,” the Ministry says in a statement.

“Of these, some, selected by the museums themselves and after obtaining the approval of the competent services of the Ministry of Culture and Sports and of course the Central Archaeological Council, in full application of the provisions of the Archaeological Law (Law 3028/2002), will be able to be exhibited as a single collection with long-term borrowing in museums or exhibition spaces abroad, necessarily retaining the name of the museum that lends its objects.”

READ MORE: ‘Bid for the Benaki’: Greek Museum launches online art auction.

The Benaki Museum is set to benefit from the new legislation.

The statement goes on to say the bill will specifically help the Benaki Museum, which has been approached by the Hellenic Museum of Melbourne to house some of its collection outside of Greece.

READ MORE: New Benaki Museum in Melbourne set to be first of its kind outside of Greece.

“In this way, the identity of the Greek community is strengthened, the comparative advantage of its homeland is highlighted in the best way and people all over the world come in contact with the Greek culture,” the Ministry says in a statement.

The current legal framework stipulates that an object can be transferred from a museum in Greece to a museum abroad for only five years, with the possibility of extension for another five years after a new decision. This limit is greatly expanded with the new proposed regulation.

EU to toughen sanctions on Turkish drilling, draft summit statement says

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The European Union will impose sanctions on more Turkish individuals and companies responsible for drilling in contested waters in the Mediterranean, according to a draft statement prepared for EU leaders to agree to at a summit on Thursday.

If agreed, the EU will “prepare additional listings” on the basis of a sanctions list already in place since 2019 and “if need be work on the extension” of its scope, the draft statement, as seen by Reuters, says.

Negotiations over the two-page statement are still ongoing and Greece and Cyprus, which accuse Turkey of drilling for hydrocarbons off its continental shelf, believe the sanctions do not go far enough, according to diplomats briefed on internal discussions.

READ MORE: The European Parliament votes in favor of sanctions against Turkey.

Tensions between Turkey and Greece escalated over the summer after Turkey sent Oruc Reis, escorted by navy frigates, into disputed waters.

This news comes in the face of Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, brushing off possible European Union sanctions against Turkey on Wednesday, saying they would not affect his country.

Speaking to reporters before departing for a visit to Azerbaijan, Erdogan also accused the EU of acting “dishonestly” toward Turkey and of failing to keep its promises.

“Any decision to impose sanctions against Turkey won’t be of great concern to Turkey,” Erdogan told reporters.

READ MORE: Turkey rejects European Parliament call for sanctions.

Tensions between NATO allies Turkey and Greece escalated over the summer with a military build-up after Turkey sent Oruc Reis, escorted by navy frigates, into disputed waters.

The move prompted Greece to also send its warships and both countries conducted military exercises to assert their claims.

Turkey says it is standing up for its energy rights, as well as those of breakaway Turkish Cypriots, while Athens and Nicosia call Turkey’s actions an illegal incursion into areas where they have exclusive offshore exploitation rights.

READ MORE: EU threaten Turkey with sanctions if ships don’t withdraw from Greek waters.

Convicted paedophile Milton Orkopoulos avoids jail time after flouting parole rules

Disgraced former NSW Labor MP Milton Orkopoulos has avoided jail for flouting his reporting obligations as a convicted child sex offender, after a magistrate said the court’s power to impose a harsher sentence was “fettered”.

On Wednesday Local Court Magistrate Philip Stewart sentenced Orkopoulos to a two-year community correction order after convicting him of one count of failing to comply with his reporting obligations under the Child Protection (Offenders Registration) Act.

The charge related to the use of a non-authorised mobile phone with internet access to call his lawyer and his sister. This was a breach of his obligation to report to police details of “any carriage service used, or intended to be used” by him.

Milton Orkopoulos before arriving at Waverley Court for breaching bail conditions. In Sydney on January 22. (Isabella Porras/Sydney Morning Herald)

Orkopoulos pleaded guilty. During the sentencing process, the magistrate also took into account four other breaches, including setting up an Instagram account and speaking briefly to a child while on the phone to another adult.

The former MP was released on parole in December last year after serving 11½ years of his prison term of 13 years and eight months for sex offences against teenage boys and supplying them with drugs.

“Given the offender’s demonstrated attitude of ambivalence to his reporting obligations … I am unable to find that he is unlikely to reoffend,” Mr Stewart said.

He said 12 months’ imprisonment would “sheet home” to Orkopoulos the importance of compliance, and he was “not satisfied” the community would be protected by a non-custodial sentence when Orkopolous offended while on parole.

Disgraced former NSW Labor minister and sex offender Milton Orkopoulos is seen during his release from Long Bay Correctional Centre in Sydney, Friday, December 20, 2019. (AAP)

However, under the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act, the Local Court was prevented from imposing a new term of imprisonment “in circumstances where the offender is serving a sentence of 5 years or more”. Orkopoulos’ existing sentence does not expire until next year.

“The unintended consequence … is that a person serving a lengthy sentence can avoid further custodial penalty when dealt with in the Local Court, whereas a person with a less significant record or no record at all could be imprisoned,” Mr Stewart said.

“This effectively provides impunity for some offenders on parole serving lengthy sentences, including Mr Orkopoulos,” he said.

Under the community correction order, Orkopoulos is not allowed to use an internet-enabled phone, must abstain from drug use, and must continue participating in rehabilitation programs.

The breaches of reporting obligations were considered parole breaches by the State Parole Authority and Orkopoulos’ parole was revoked until the matters were dealt with in court.

Sourced By: Sydney Morning Herald

Greek Fringe digital event set to showcase Cretan band from Melbourne

International art movement, Greek Fringe, is holding its next digital event on Friday, December 11 at 8.30pm (AEST), and there’s some amazing talent lined up.

First up is Greek folk-guitar band, Kadinelia, which features Thanasis Zikas and Evi Seitanidou. The duo are well-known for incorporating elements from blues, funk and gypsy music into their original tracks, while using only two guitars.

But during the Greek Fringe event, viewers can expect to see them introduce two new instruments – the tsabouna (the bagpipe of the Aegean) and the lyra of Pontus.

Greek folk-guitar band, Kadinelia. Photo supplied.

“We are very excited to participate in this initiative that vivifies the arts, especially in our days. In Greece, we are enduring the second lockdown and the future of actual live performances seems very uncertain. Virtual concerts offer at least a way for art to function and interact with people,” Thanasis and Evi from Kadinelia tell The Greek Herald exclusively.

“We have prepared a 45-minute set of our most beloved songs, with the two guitars on the frontline, but featuring also the Pontic-lyra and the tsabouna, the bagpipe of the Aegean.”

Their act will be followed by popular Cretan fusion band from Melbourne, Delyrium. The diasporic band embraces the gusty rhythms and driving grooves of Cretan music to produce a sound that connects the timelessness of folk music with the edginess of the now.

Some of Australia’s leading musicians feature in the band, including George Vardakis on the lyra and vocals, Paddy Montgomery plays the lute and does vocals, while Daniel Watkins plays the acoustic guitar.

With such a stellar cast lined up, we’re sure people will be rushing home on December 11 to attend the virtual event at 8.30pm. Tickets, which can be bought online via the website, are optional but encouraged to support the performing artists.

Sarikas family ‘thrilled’ after receiving ‘Pharmacy of the Year’ award at North Shore Business Awards

Bridgepoint Pharmacy owner John Sarikas expressed overwhelming thanks and gratitude towards his staff and customers after receiving the 2020 North Shore Local Business Award for ‘Pharmacy of the Year’.

John and his wife, Denise, were awarded the trophy on Monday at the Gala Presentation Evening. Speaking to The Greek Herald, John said he wanted to thank his staff for their “tireless efforts, commitment, and dedication this year”.

“As a very proud 3rd generation Australian born Greek, I’m thrilled to receive this award for Bridgepoint Pharmacy in Mosman,” John said to The Greek Herald.

Team photo of Bridgepoint Pharmacy in Mosman. Photo: Supplied

“This year, trading through Covid, has without a doubt been the most challenging in my 40 years of business.

“Winning Best Pharmacy in the North Shore in 2020 was a wonderful reward for providing and maintaining quality health care to our customers through this difficult time.”

John and Denise have owned the pharmacy for over two years, with this award being the first for the business since they took ownership. John added that the pharmacy underwent a major renovation last year, which helped them to provide quality service to their customers this year.

“We emphasise customer service as all good Greeks do, my wife and I work in partnership at the pharmacy and we work very hard,” John added.

The Bridgepoint Pharmacy in Mosman, Sydney, was one of up to thirty award recipients at the North Shore Local Business Awards ceremony.

Team photo of Bridgepoint Pharmacy in Mosman. Photo: Supplied

Australia extends ban on outbound international travel to at least March 17

International travel bans will remain in place until at least March 17 as the federal government sets out to extend its biosecurity emergency period by another three months.

The move followed advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) that COVID-19 was an ongoing threat and still posed significant public health risk despite the emergence of the Pfizer vaccine.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said the coronavirus situation was still escalating in many other countries.

“The disease is spreading as quickly as ever,” he said.

“The international world remains a challenging and dangerous environment and Australia won‘t be fully safe until the international community is safe.”

The biosecurity emergency period was set to end on December 17, but the three month extension meant limits would remain on outbound international travel and on international cruise ship arrivals.

Australians can only leave the country with specific exemptions, with Mr Hunt revealing 95,325 exemptions had been granted since the emergency period was first put in place on March 18.

The advice to extend the declaration was accepted by the National Security Committee and will be put to the Governor-General for final approval on Thursday.

Getty Images: Zinkevych

Acting Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly said it was a difficult, but necessary decision.

“We weighed up all of the issues, as the Minister has pointed out, but particularly the ongoing situation internationally and the sort of risks that could come to Australia if we relaxed at this point,” he said.

Sourced By: news.com.au

Scott Morrison sends special message of thanks to multicultural communities

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has sent a personalised message to Australia’s multicultural communities to thank them for the incredible service they have demonstrated during this difficult year.

The Prime Minister added that the task now is to complete the transition to a business-led economic recovery in a COVID-safe way, with hard-working multicultural communities and citizens being at the forefront.

Australian Prime Minister’s Message

This year has asked a great deal of our multicultural communities.

You’ve all been called on to make some very big sacrifices.

Especially when it comes to the social networks that bind you.

And your community and cultural activities, that reach out and bring joy to so many Australians.

You’ve all played a part, you’ve done whatever it takes, to keep each other safe.

That’s also meant enduring enormous disruption to your all-important faith traditions.  

Your perseverance and sacrifices underscore why Australia is the most successful multicultural nation in the world.

A place where we all buy in and draw strength from our shared values – such as mutual respect and individual responsibility.

By your efforts, you have helped the country that you have adopted – and that we all love – to lead the world in our response to the pandemic.

So today, I say thank you to our multicultural communities for everything you have done to help get us through this difficult year.

Leading on the health response has also enabled Australia to lead on the economic response.

The task now is to complete the transition to a business-led economic recovery in a COVID-safe way.

Our hard-working multicultural communities and citizens will be critical to this ambition.

That’s because they’re more likely to start and own a business.

They’re more likely to employ other Australians.

With eight out of 10 jobs in the private sector, we need businesses back out there employing people, investing and claiming the new ground.

Our Government will be supporting you, having already brought forward tax cuts and delivered a range of business incentives.

The recovery must also be about maximising job outcomes for migrants by helping them gain a strong command of English.

With this in mind, we recently made substantial changes to our Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP).

The $1 billion program (over four years) provides eligible migrants with a legislated entitlement of 510 hours of free language tuition, but only 21 percent have been leaving with functional spoken English.

Learning a new language is complex and takes time. Research shows 510 hours is insufficient to reach functional English, and that for many people around 2000 hours may be required. 

Our changes mean that more migrants will be able to access free English language tuition for longer and until they reach a higher level of proficiency. 

As we look ahead to a better and brighter 2021, the unprecedented focus and investment on a coronavirus vaccine is returning very good early results.

I believe we will see a vaccine next year – boosting capacity and confidence around our ability to live and work with COVID-19.

Science and research is not just helping us fight the virus.

It’s at the heart of helping our economy and society grow back stronger.

Australians overwhelmingly appreciate the enormous contribution of our multicultural communities.

During this pandemic year, we’ve seen again why.

We’re getting through this together.

And I know people everywhere are excited about a return to the national days and the cultural and religious events, festivals and celebrations that make multicultural Australia so special.

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas, a wonderful summer and a happier new year.

Scott Morrison is the Prime Minister of Australia