Kate Mulqueen
The over-representation of Indigenous people in Australia's jails is at the centre of a new and powerful art exhibition at Melbourne's Heide Museum of Modern Art. Its curator says it's a "call to action".
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News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
NSW government to launch new authority fast-tracking big business projects
The NSW government is launching a new authority to fast-track major projects and an $80m funding package, as the state gears up for a new wave of investment and innovation. The government will invest $17.7m to establish the Investment Delivery Authority - modelled on the Housing Delivery Authority - to accelerate approvals for major projects and attract investment across sectors such as technology and energy. Businesses have raised concerns about lengthy and complex approval processes, which the government says has hampered productivity and discouraged investment. The new authority is expected to assist around 30 large-scale projects annually and help unlock up to $50bn in investment each year. Premier Chris Minns said major projects from the private sector were 'getting bogged down in red tape', making it harder to do business in NSW. 'Our state is open for business and this change will encourage more people to bring their best ideas to life in NSW, all backed by our government,' Mr Minns said. Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the authority would streamline processes and clear bottlenecks. 'We have listened to what we are being told, loud and clear: everything in NSW is awesome, except for how long it takes to get major projects done,' Mr Mookhey said. 'We are creating a way to address the blockages, speed up the process and ensure NSW is properly open for business.' The Investment Delivery Authority will accept expressions of interest from domestic and international investment projects valued at more than $1bn. It will be supported by an investment taskforce within Investment NSW under the premier's department. Its leadership team will include senior public servants from the premier's department, treasury, planning, housing and infrastructure, and Infrastructure NSW. The authority will make recommendations to the treasurer, the planning minister and the minister for industry and trade. Planning Minister Paul Scully said the reforms were a key step toward lifting productivity. 'The Investment Delivery Authority, supported by the Investment Taskforce, will identify and clear barriers that businesses may face, while advising on reforms that promote investment, competition and productivity in NSW,' Mr Scully said. In tandem with the new authority, the government is investing nearly $80m in a wide-ranging innovation funding package to support startups, scale-ups and emerging technologies under the newly launched Innovation Blueprint. 'NSW is not just open for business, it's serious about being a global leader in innovation, industry, and investment,' Mr Minns said. The largest slice of the funding is $38.5m to support Tech Central, followed by $20m for commercialising emerging technologies, particularly in housing and energy. The remaining funding has been split across several areas, including $6m to help manufacturers adopt innovative technologies and $4m each for housing construction innovation and supporting female and regional tech founders. Industry and Trade Minister Anoulack Chanthivong said the investment would help nurture the next generation of tech giants. 'With this nearly $80 million of funding, we will ensure we nurture, grow, and support the next Afterpay, Atlassian, and Canva from the early stages through to the most vulnerable periods of a startup's life cycle,' Mr Chanthivong said. Kate Pounder, former Tech Council of Australia Chair, welcomed the commitment to diversity and regional inclusion. 'This significant investment in innovation will cement NSW as a world leader in the tech sector,' Ms Pounder said. 'Most hearteningly, this money will also go where it is needed most, to female founders, and those from diverse cultures and backgrounds, as well as our budding tech giants living and working in Western Sydney and regional NSW.' Business NSW CEO Daniel Hunter described the changes as 'game-changing'. 'With a clear plan to streamline approvals and coordinate government agencies, the new Investment Delivery Authority is exactly what NSW needs to turn ambition into action,' he said.
News.com.au
5 hours ago
- News.com.au
Family demands answers after Jason Rigby's ‘suicide' stabbing death in Fiji
The family of an Australian man who died under mysterious circumstances while working at a hotel in Fiji, are demanding answers after his death was ruled a suicide. Jason Rigby, 40, was working as acting manager of Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort on December 14 last year when he was found unconscious in the bathroom of a suite with stab wounds to his chest. Speaking to 60 Minutes, friend and colleague Arushi Arora said Jason was found by two people with stab wounds. Upon finding Jason, one person called Ms Arora and ordered her to call an ambulance, adding Jason had 'stabbed himself' in the apartment. Ms Arora then ran into the bathroom, where she said she found the 40yo 'half lying there' with a 'couple of injuries to his chest'. He was declared dead at the scene. Born in Christchurch, Jason eventually settled on the Gold Coast, where he became a surf lifesaver and eventually followed his father's footsteps by entering the hotel business. Remembered as a fun-loving and adventure-seeking guy, his brother Chris told The Australian he 'loved his freedom and doing what he wanted'. Jason's heartbroken family said they were left in the dark about his death for 10 hours, when they learned the news from Queensland Police. When brother Peter Rigby spoke to Jason's girlfriend, she said she understood his death was a suicide. Fiji Police also said the cause of death was suicide, and confirmed there would be 'no criminal investigation' into the incident. However, Jason's family are demanding an investigation be launched into his death, adding they were offered 'little-to-no information' about the circumstances of the incident. They have enlisted a private investigator and former UK police detective, Phil Jones, to unearth any evidence about the death. Chris doesn't think his brother's death was a suicide, and believes there was 'foul play' involved. 'I think something's happened a couple of days leading up (to James' death),' he told 60 Minutes. 'We don't know what that is, but, um we could be missing something.' Professor Roger Byard said the official explanation for Jason's death didn't add up, and said the local police should have treated his death as a homicide immediately. 'Suicidal stabbings are so uncommon, and you don't want to miss a homicide,' he said. They have since hired legal representation to push the case, which they said has been upgraded into a murder investigation. Jason's family said investigations into his death determined the knife found at the scene did not belong to him, sparking further questions about its origins. 'We're going to keep fighting until we, until we get those answers,' Chris said. 'We just want justice for him. We can't bring him back ... but at least justice. That's what we want.' The family said Jason's death was now the subject of a coronial inquest at the Nadi Magistrates Court. However, on Sunday, Fiji Police Assistant Commissioner of Police Crime Mesake Waqa told local outlet Fijivillage there was no indication of any foul play. He added investigations into Jason's death were ongoing and urged for the family's patience.
The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'Truly tragic': woman killed and mother loses unborn baby in horrific crash
Two lives have been lost and many others irreparably damaged after a "horrible" car accident in Newcastle in the early hours of Sunday morning. The crash occurred at 2.40am on Sunday at North Lambton when a white Holden Commodore, allegedly driven by a 19-year-old male, veered onto the wrong side of the dual carriageway of Newcastle Road while travelling west and trying to evade police. The Commodore then collided with a white Hyundai sedan that was travelling east near the Arthur Street intersection. The passenger of the Hyundai, a 55-year-old Indian woman who arrived in Australia only last week to visit family, died in the crash. The 28-year-old female driver of the Hyundai, who was 26 weeks pregnant, sustained serious leg injuries in the two-car crash. The pregnant woman also lost her baby in the crash and is in a serious condition at the John Hunter Hospital. It is alleged that the 19-year-old male driver of the Commodore and a 17-year-old female passenger, who is the registered owner of the vehicle, fled the scene on foot following the crash. Two girls aged 15 and 17 were in the backseat of the Commodore and were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital under police guard. Northern Region Commander, acting assistant commissioner Paul Dunstan, said it was a "horrible incident." "What's occurred is truly tragic," he said. "Two women driving around innocently. "One has lost their life; one has lost their unborn child." The crash caused the closure of Newcastle Road eastbound between the Jesmond roundabout and the Croudace Street intersection for the majority of Sunday morning. Assistant commissioner Dunstan said an officer on a motorcycle initially attempted to engage with the Commodore on Newcastle Road when it was noticed to have an incorrect licence plate. The officer followed the sedan for 30 seconds and then turned on its sirens and lights, which caused the Commodore to veer onto the wrong side of Newcastle Road. At that point, it was deemed unsafe to pursue the vehicle. Three to four minutes later, a police car spotted the Commodore on Newcastle Road at the intersection with Croudace Street. "Once again, that vehicle took off on the wrong side of the dual carriageway, travelling against the line of traffic," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "A short time later, police became aware that the Commodore collided with a Hyundai sedan travelling on Newcastle Road." Assistant commissioner Dunstan said the 19-year-old driver is known to police. He is described as being of Indigenous descent, of medium build, 165 centimetres tall and approximately 65 kilograms. Teenage joyrides and dangerous late-night driving have been a growing concern for police in Newcastle over the past year. "I must emphasise that this is not a stolen vehicle at this stage," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "It has not been reported, and we don't believe it's a stolen vehicle. "Joyriding and driving in a dangerous manner are always real concerns for us here in the Newcastle area." A critical incident team from Hunter Valley Police District is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command and overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC). "The incident has been determined a critical incident, with independent police investigating what has occurred," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "That investigation will be subject to oversight from the law enforcement conduct commission and the police professional standards command." Two lives have been lost and many others irreparably damaged after a "horrible" car accident in Newcastle in the early hours of Sunday morning. The crash occurred at 2.40am on Sunday at North Lambton when a white Holden Commodore, allegedly driven by a 19-year-old male, veered onto the wrong side of the dual carriageway of Newcastle Road while travelling west and trying to evade police. The Commodore then collided with a white Hyundai sedan that was travelling east near the Arthur Street intersection. The passenger of the Hyundai, a 55-year-old Indian woman who arrived in Australia only last week to visit family, died in the crash. The 28-year-old female driver of the Hyundai, who was 26 weeks pregnant, sustained serious leg injuries in the two-car crash. The pregnant woman also lost her baby in the crash and is in a serious condition at the John Hunter Hospital. It is alleged that the 19-year-old male driver of the Commodore and a 17-year-old female passenger, who is the registered owner of the vehicle, fled the scene on foot following the crash. Two girls aged 15 and 17 were in the backseat of the Commodore and were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital under police guard. Northern Region Commander, acting assistant commissioner Paul Dunstan, said it was a "horrible incident." "What's occurred is truly tragic," he said. "Two women driving around innocently. "One has lost their life; one has lost their unborn child." The crash caused the closure of Newcastle Road eastbound between the Jesmond roundabout and the Croudace Street intersection for the majority of Sunday morning. Assistant commissioner Dunstan said an officer on a motorcycle initially attempted to engage with the Commodore on Newcastle Road when it was noticed to have an incorrect licence plate. The officer followed the sedan for 30 seconds and then turned on its sirens and lights, which caused the Commodore to veer onto the wrong side of Newcastle Road. At that point, it was deemed unsafe to pursue the vehicle. Three to four minutes later, a police car spotted the Commodore on Newcastle Road at the intersection with Croudace Street. "Once again, that vehicle took off on the wrong side of the dual carriageway, travelling against the line of traffic," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "A short time later, police became aware that the Commodore collided with a Hyundai sedan travelling on Newcastle Road." Assistant commissioner Dunstan said the 19-year-old driver is known to police. He is described as being of Indigenous descent, of medium build, 165 centimetres tall and approximately 65 kilograms. Teenage joyrides and dangerous late-night driving have been a growing concern for police in Newcastle over the past year. "I must emphasise that this is not a stolen vehicle at this stage," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "It has not been reported, and we don't believe it's a stolen vehicle. "Joyriding and driving in a dangerous manner are always real concerns for us here in the Newcastle area." A critical incident team from Hunter Valley Police District is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command and overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC). "The incident has been determined a critical incident, with independent police investigating what has occurred," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "That investigation will be subject to oversight from the law enforcement conduct commission and the police professional standards command." Two lives have been lost and many others irreparably damaged after a "horrible" car accident in Newcastle in the early hours of Sunday morning. The crash occurred at 2.40am on Sunday at North Lambton when a white Holden Commodore, allegedly driven by a 19-year-old male, veered onto the wrong side of the dual carriageway of Newcastle Road while travelling west and trying to evade police. The Commodore then collided with a white Hyundai sedan that was travelling east near the Arthur Street intersection. The passenger of the Hyundai, a 55-year-old Indian woman who arrived in Australia only last week to visit family, died in the crash. The 28-year-old female driver of the Hyundai, who was 26 weeks pregnant, sustained serious leg injuries in the two-car crash. The pregnant woman also lost her baby in the crash and is in a serious condition at the John Hunter Hospital. It is alleged that the 19-year-old male driver of the Commodore and a 17-year-old female passenger, who is the registered owner of the vehicle, fled the scene on foot following the crash. Two girls aged 15 and 17 were in the backseat of the Commodore and were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital under police guard. Northern Region Commander, acting assistant commissioner Paul Dunstan, said it was a "horrible incident." "What's occurred is truly tragic," he said. "Two women driving around innocently. "One has lost their life; one has lost their unborn child." The crash caused the closure of Newcastle Road eastbound between the Jesmond roundabout and the Croudace Street intersection for the majority of Sunday morning. Assistant commissioner Dunstan said an officer on a motorcycle initially attempted to engage with the Commodore on Newcastle Road when it was noticed to have an incorrect licence plate. The officer followed the sedan for 30 seconds and then turned on its sirens and lights, which caused the Commodore to veer onto the wrong side of Newcastle Road. At that point, it was deemed unsafe to pursue the vehicle. Three to four minutes later, a police car spotted the Commodore on Newcastle Road at the intersection with Croudace Street. "Once again, that vehicle took off on the wrong side of the dual carriageway, travelling against the line of traffic," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "A short time later, police became aware that the Commodore collided with a Hyundai sedan travelling on Newcastle Road." Assistant commissioner Dunstan said the 19-year-old driver is known to police. He is described as being of Indigenous descent, of medium build, 165 centimetres tall and approximately 65 kilograms. Teenage joyrides and dangerous late-night driving have been a growing concern for police in Newcastle over the past year. "I must emphasise that this is not a stolen vehicle at this stage," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "It has not been reported, and we don't believe it's a stolen vehicle. "Joyriding and driving in a dangerous manner are always real concerns for us here in the Newcastle area." A critical incident team from Hunter Valley Police District is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command and overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC). "The incident has been determined a critical incident, with independent police investigating what has occurred," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "That investigation will be subject to oversight from the law enforcement conduct commission and the police professional standards command." Two lives have been lost and many others irreparably damaged after a "horrible" car accident in Newcastle in the early hours of Sunday morning. The crash occurred at 2.40am on Sunday at North Lambton when a white Holden Commodore, allegedly driven by a 19-year-old male, veered onto the wrong side of the dual carriageway of Newcastle Road while travelling west and trying to evade police. The Commodore then collided with a white Hyundai sedan that was travelling east near the Arthur Street intersection. The passenger of the Hyundai, a 55-year-old Indian woman who arrived in Australia only last week to visit family, died in the crash. The 28-year-old female driver of the Hyundai, who was 26 weeks pregnant, sustained serious leg injuries in the two-car crash. The pregnant woman also lost her baby in the crash and is in a serious condition at the John Hunter Hospital. It is alleged that the 19-year-old male driver of the Commodore and a 17-year-old female passenger, who is the registered owner of the vehicle, fled the scene on foot following the crash. Two girls aged 15 and 17 were in the backseat of the Commodore and were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital under police guard. Northern Region Commander, acting assistant commissioner Paul Dunstan, said it was a "horrible incident." "What's occurred is truly tragic," he said. "Two women driving around innocently. "One has lost their life; one has lost their unborn child." The crash caused the closure of Newcastle Road eastbound between the Jesmond roundabout and the Croudace Street intersection for the majority of Sunday morning. Assistant commissioner Dunstan said an officer on a motorcycle initially attempted to engage with the Commodore on Newcastle Road when it was noticed to have an incorrect licence plate. The officer followed the sedan for 30 seconds and then turned on its sirens and lights, which caused the Commodore to veer onto the wrong side of Newcastle Road. At that point, it was deemed unsafe to pursue the vehicle. Three to four minutes later, a police car spotted the Commodore on Newcastle Road at the intersection with Croudace Street. "Once again, that vehicle took off on the wrong side of the dual carriageway, travelling against the line of traffic," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "A short time later, police became aware that the Commodore collided with a Hyundai sedan travelling on Newcastle Road." Assistant commissioner Dunstan said the 19-year-old driver is known to police. He is described as being of Indigenous descent, of medium build, 165 centimetres tall and approximately 65 kilograms. Teenage joyrides and dangerous late-night driving have been a growing concern for police in Newcastle over the past year. "I must emphasise that this is not a stolen vehicle at this stage," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "It has not been reported, and we don't believe it's a stolen vehicle. "Joyriding and driving in a dangerous manner are always real concerns for us here in the Newcastle area." A critical incident team from Hunter Valley Police District is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command and overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC). "The incident has been determined a critical incident, with independent police investigating what has occurred," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "That investigation will be subject to oversight from the law enforcement conduct commission and the police professional standards command."
