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NSW police charge two men after allegedly seizing more than $1m worth of illicit tobacco products
New South Wales police say they have charged two men after officers allegedly found more than $1m worth of illicit cigarettes and tobacco in a ute on a regional highway during a roadside breath test.
In a statement, police said New England district officers were conducting patrols in the Moree area in the state’s north overnight, and stopped the vehicle on the Newell Highway for roadside testing about 2.15am.
Police said they gave the driver – a 19-year-old man – a roadside breath test, which returned a negative result.
However, police said they searched the ute while it was stopped, allegedly finding and seizing 37 boxes containing 434,600 illicit cigarettes, 11 garbage bags containing approximately 60kg of dried tobacco leaf, and $1,620 in cash.
Police said the driver and his 18-year-old passenger were arrested and taken to Moree police station, where the older man was charged with recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime greater than $5,000, and recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime less than or equal to $5,000.
The younger man was charged with recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime greater than $5,000, police said.
They were both were refused bail to appear before bail division court 5 today.
Key events
Here’s some more from that AAP report about the apology for families of those whose remains were taken in secret.
The Tasmanian health minister, Bridget Archer, who moved the motion in the state’s parliament for the formal apology, said recent investigations had fully or partly identified five people likely involved in carrying out the historic, unlawful practice.
This is in addition to now-deceased forensic pathologist Royal Cummings, who was identified in the coronial findings as having provided the majority of the specimens.
Two of the five people had died and none work as pathologists in Tasmania or were employed by the state’s health department, Archer said.
Their names, along with the findings of the investigations, have been referred to the Department of Public Prosecutions, she said.
A further four people were likely involved but their identities cannot be ascertained due to inadequate record keeping at the time, she said.
Archer said the apology was an important step but would not undo past wrongdoing or ongoing harm and that:
double quotation mark It’s important to remember that these were not just body parts, specimens or human remains – they were people.
The Tasmanian opposition leader, Josh Willie, said the practice represented among the “most profound” failures of public institutions in the state’s history.
Formal apology to families of people whose remains were secretly given to a Tasmanian museum
Families of more than 100 people whose remains were secretly kept after autopsies and given to a museum have received a formal apology, as authorities identify five people likely involved in the historic practice, AAP reports.
The apology comes after the state coroner in September released the findings of an investigation into 177 human specimens stored at the University of Tasmania’s RA Rodda Museum from 1966 to 1991.
The remains, which were stored at the pathology museum for teaching and research purposes, were collected without the knowledge or approval of families or loved ones.
Tasmanian politicians of all stripes contributed apologies after the state’s health minister, Bridget Archer, moved a formal motion in the state’s parliament earlier today.
The premier, Jeremy Rockliff, said the motion continued a tradition of acknowledging past wrongs and was needed to pay respects to affected families.
The premier said:
double quotation mark There was no respect given to those who had parts of their body stolen.There was no dignity in the treatment of their bodies or the treatment of their families.
NSW police charge two men after allegedly seizing more than $1m worth of illicit tobacco products
New South Wales police say they have charged two men after officers allegedly found more than $1m worth of illicit cigarettes and tobacco in a ute on a regional highway during a roadside breath test.
In a statement, police said New England district officers were conducting patrols in the Moree area in the state’s north overnight, and stopped the vehicle on the Newell Highway for roadside testing about 2.15am.
Police said they gave the driver – a 19-year-old man – a roadside breath test, which returned a negative result.
However, police said they searched the ute while it was stopped, allegedly finding and seizing 37 boxes containing 434,600 illicit cigarettes, 11 garbage bags containing approximately 60kg of dried tobacco leaf, and $1,620 in cash.
Police said the driver and his 18-year-old passenger were arrested and taken to Moree police station, where the older man was charged with recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime greater than $5,000, and recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime less than or equal to $5,000.
The younger man was charged with recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime greater than $5,000, police said.
They were both were refused bail to appear before bail division court 5 today.
Caitlin Cassidy
‘You have lost your decency,’ father of Australian on flotilla to Gaza tells Australian government
Chris O’Connor, the father of student Neve O’Connor, became emotional when he spoke of his daughter’s detention. It is the second time she has been held by Israel while attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
He said when he looked at the global flotilla, he saw a “cross-section of decent humans across the world”, made up of:
double quotation mark Different nationalities, different genders, different religions, different age groups. However, when I look at the Albanese and Wong government, I wonder where is the red line? We have watched the genocide in Gaza … Israel has introduced a death penalty only for Palestinians. We see no sanctions from the Albanese government. The only conclusion that we can make is that they agree with the actions of the state of Israel.I say clearly to Anthony Albanese and Senator [Penny] Wong, you have lost your decency, you have lost your dignity. If you wish to reclaim them, you will sanction Israel now and you will ensure that the 11 Australians held hostage are returned safely and quickly.
Catie McLeod
Hello, I hope you’ve had a nice day so far. I’ll take you through the rest of the news this afternoon.
Nick Visser
That’s all from me. Catie McLeod will take things from here. Take care.
NT health officials urge caution after two deaths linked to Murray Valley encephalitis
Health officials in the Northern Territory have urged residents and visitors to take precautions after two deaths linked to Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) this year.
NT Health said two people died from the virus in Alice Springs in April and May this year. MVE is a rare but serious and potentially deadly mosquito-borne disease that can be transmitted after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
The virus has been detected in the NT, with transmission most common between February and June, and most cases between March and May.
Health officials said the risk area for MVE had been extended to include all regions in the territory due to a period of significant rainfall this year.
Symptoms of MVE include severe headaches, fever, nausea and vomiting, muscle aches, drowsiness, confusion and seizures.
Mosquito populations are expected to remain high in large parts of the NT until the end of July.
Caitlin Cassidy
Mother of Australian detained by Israel says she is ‘terrified’ for her safety
Family of the Australians detained while attempting to transport aid to Gaza on a global flotilla have held an emotional press conference in Melbourne where they have urged the federal government to stand up to the government of Israel.
Suzie O’Toole, the mother of 23-year-old Gemma O’Toole, who was detained by Israel yesterday evening, said she and her husband were “terrified” about their daughter’s wellbeing.
She said her daughter was onboard the Adala ship, which translates to “justice”.
double quotation mark Gemma feels very strongly about justice. She’s determined to take a stand against racism, the genocide and ethnic cleansing against the Palestinians. She was taken hostage last night and is being held by Israel … for standing up and doing what needs to be done …We are terrified about Gemma’s wellbeing. We demand the Australian government do everything they can to bring her home safely … These people would not have been sailing on these ships but for the fact that the Australian government has failed so pathetically to push back and take a stand against Israel.
Kelly Burke
Greens skeptical of NSW police shift on drug dogs
The operational shift has drawn skepticism from Greens MP Cate Faehrmann, who said it indicated that police were spreading their operations further rather than listening to health-based evidence.
“This first sounded like the police had finally acted on the expert evidence linking the use of drug dogs at music festivals with riskier drug taking behaviour from festival-goers by stopping the practice altogether,” Faehrmann said in a statement on Tuesday.
double quotation mark But they’re actually spreading their operations further. Whether police and drug dogs are at the entrance to the music festival or just around the corner, people will still react the same.
Kelly Burke
NSW police say they will wind back use of drug dogs targeting music festival patrons
The era of police officers and drug-detection dogs targeting music festival goers as they enter a venue is at an end, a senior member of NSW police told a parliamentary inquiry on Monday.
NSW police assistant commissioner Paul Dunstan confirmed the strategic shift, saying that operations would move away from high-visibility entrance chokepoints.
“We’ve now pivoted to a more drug supply focus,” Dunstan told the inquiry into live music.
double quotation mark The days of young people attending festivals, going through a gauntlet of police lined with drug dogs are behind us.
However, Dunstan said this did not rule out the presence of drug dogs at festivals.
double quotation mark We don’t apologise for having drug dogs in and around the festivals, but we focus on the supply of drugs, not the possession.So you’ll see us more often around train stations, in parks or areas en route to the festival, trying to identify and locate those who are responsible for the supply of prohibited drugs.
Luca Ittimani
Sydney hikes developer taxes to fund $320m for affordable housing
The City of Sydney has raised its levies on property developers, aiming to collect an extra $320m revenue to fund dedicated housing for people on lower incomes over the next decade.
The city charges developers a 3% levy on residential projects, 1% on commercial and extra for rezoned extensions, collecting at least $20m annually which it gives to community housing providers. The program has supported the delivery of 1,525 affordable homes to date, which are rented out at a maximum of 30% of the tenant’s income.
The new proposal, approved on Monday night, will boost those levy base rates, with developers charged more if they’re in more expensive suburbs or fail to deliver actual apartments.
Sylvie Ellsmore, a Sydney Greens councillor, said:
double quotation mark The City of Sydney now has the most ambitious affordable housing program in the country.Every year Council generates millions in wealth for private landholders when we rezone land: because of our changes we’ll raise an additional $320 million for rent-controlled homes over the next ten years.
You can read more about the affordable housing projects funded by Sydney’s developer levies here:
Caitlin Cassidy
Greens say federal government has refused to ‘stand up’ for Australians detained by IDF
The Greens have accused the federal government of “refusing to stand up” for its Australian citizens after 11 were detained in international waters off Cyprus overnight.
The Australians were part of the Global Sumud flotilla that has been attempting to transport humanitarian aid to Gaza. Twenty-two ships were previously intercepted off the coast of Crete a fortnight ago, including six Australians.
The Greens deputy leader and spokesperson for international aid and global justice, senator Mehreen Faruqi, said “it is frightening how little the Australian government cares”.
double quotation mark Israel is able to commit acts of piracy and kidnapping in international waters with complete impunity because countries like Australia refuse to stand up for their citizens …It is beyond comprehension that this Labor government still calls Israel a friend after two years of genocide, and even the capture of Australian citizens is apparently not a red line for them. It is appalling. In the face of our government’s inaction and our government’s complicity, these courageous humanitarians have stood up and said enough is enough.
The foreign minister, Penny Wong, and the Israel foreign ministry have been approached for comment.
Patrick Commins
Budget receives ‘very mixed’ review from gloomy consumers
Households remain “deeply pessimistic” despite a small improvement in consumer confidence as petrol prices retreated from their March peaks, as the federal budget received a “very mixed” review.
Westpac’s latest monthly survey showed households are about as gloomy as they were at the depths of the pandemic. Easing concerns around family finances thanks to lower fuel costs was offset by worries about higher interest rates and the outlook for the economy amid the global oil shock.
The survey asked participants whether their family finances would be better or worse off under the budget.
The share of respondents saying they would be worse off was 34%, versus 15% saying they would be better off.
After excluding the 7% who said they didn’t know, that represented a gap of 21% and was about the 16-year average, said Matthew Hassan, a senior economist at Westpac:
double quotation mark While that’s typical, it is a significant deterioration on the 10% gap last year, and well down on the 3% gap in 2024 when the ‘stage 3’ tax cuts were centre stage.
Hassan said the “intergenerational” aspect of the budget – including proposals to raise investor property taxes and abolishing negative gearing – was evident in the response to the budget by age.
double quotation mark Among baby boomers and generation X, those expecting to be worse off outnumbered those expecting to benefit by 30-36% compared with a gap of just 9% for millennials and small net positive spread (+1%) among generation Z.
Caitlin Cassidy
Violet Coco’s husband says Australian government must ‘publicly condemn’ Israel’s detainment of its citizens
The husband of prominent activist Violet Coco, who has been detained while attempting to transport aid to Gaza on a flotilla, says Australia should “follow the lead” of Spain in accusing Israel of violating international law.
Brad Homewood said he last spoke to Coco via FaceTime on Monday evening when they went into an “orange alert”. Coco was onboard the Perseverance alongside seven others, including fellow Australian Helen O’Sullivan.
double quotation mark Her spirits were good. She’s obviously very concerned, but they’ve had a lot of training. She was very determined to follow through with the mission.
Footage showed the Perseverance being boarded by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the activists being detained. Homewood said the French embassy had provided advice that they would be transported to Ashdod prison in Israel, a claim not verified by Guardian Australia.
Homewood described his wife as a “genuine humanitarian with a heart of gold”.
double quotation mark We’ve both wept on numerous occasions about the situation in Gaza … She was determined to … put her body on the line with one of the most vicious regimes that the world has ever known.What we’re calling on the Australian government to do is follow the lead of the Spanish prime minister and publicly condemn these blatant acts of piracy, but also call for justice in the international court and for an end to the genocide and an end to the ethnic cleansing.
Albanese government secures 100m litres of jet fuel from China and new fertiliser shipments from Brunei
The Albanese government announced a new deal with China this morning, securing 100m litres of jet fuel for the country. The jet fuel will arrive in three cargos from China from early June.
Anthony Albanese also said the government had secured 38,500 tonnes of fertiliser from Brunei, bound for Australian farmers to keep the country’s “food and fiber production systems strong”. The prime minister said:
double quotation mark The additional 600,000 barrels of jet fuel will help keep Australia moving, and the extra fertiliser will help provide certainty to our farmers.
To put that in context, according to the latest government statistics, Australia has 970 megalitres of aviation kerosene as at 10 May, which amounts to 35 days of supply. So the new shipment of 100ML corresponds to about 3.6 days of supply.
Melissa Davey
Four in five tobacco purchases among young adult smokers are illegal
New research from the Cancer Council NSW Generation Vape found illicit tobacco has become normalised among young adults, with almost 80% of their recent tobacco product purchases likely to be illegal.
The findings come as the government faces growing pressure from the tobacco industry to weaken evidence-based tobacco control measures, including tobacco tax settings, which have been shown to discourage smoking uptake while promoting quitting.
Earlier this month, health experts accused the Coalition of secretly giving tobacco giants access to a parliamentary inquiry into illicit tobacco, a move they say undermines more than 15 years of precedent to protect public health. The companies want the tobacco tax lowered.
The survey of young Australians aged 18-24 who smoke shows they are buying illicit tobacco, with nearly 80% of their recent cigarette or roll-your-own purchases likely to be illicit.
The findings come from 232 participants, whose responses were analysed to determine whether their most recently bought tobacco product was likely illicit or not based on factors such as price paid, whether or not the product was mentholated, the brand name and the image uploaded. It was determined that 184 had very likely bought an illicit product as their most recent purchase.
The Generation Vape study is a national research project involving surveys at six month intervals, and interviews and focus groups at 12 month intervals.
Chief investigator on the study, Prof Becky Freeman, said the push by the tobacco industry to lower tobacco taxes would only further push down the price of illicit tobacco and increase availability.
“Making all cigarettes cheaper, both taxed and illicit products, will in no way improve public safety or public health,” she said.
Burnet Institute deeply concerned by Australia’s biggest diphtheria outbreak in decades
Dr Milena Dalton, the head of immunisation at the Burnet Institute, has said the spread of diphtheria from the Northern Territory into Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia is “deeply concerning”.
Dalton released a statement a short time ago, after the federal health minister, Mark Butler, said the outbreak was Australia’s biggest in decades and that almost all of the cases were in Indigenous Australians.
Speaking to ABC radio, Butler confirmed that there had been reports of a death from the outbreak, but said the NT government was still investigating.
In her statement, Dalton said:
double quotation mark This is no longer an isolated outbreak and it highlights how quickly vaccine-preventable diseases can re-emerge when there are immunity gaps.Diphtheria remains rare in Australia because vaccination works. But this outbreak is a reminder that rare does not mean impossible, and that protection needs to be maintained through timely boosters for adolescents and adults.
The most important message is that diphtheria is preventable.
Dalton said that the fact the outbreak was affecting Aboriginal communities highlighted the need for a rapid and culturally safe public health response, working with community-controlled health services, trusted local leaders and frontline workers to make testing, treatment and vaccination as accessible as possible.
