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Major update in case against accused Russian spies

<p>Accused Russian spies Kira and Igor Korolev have had their assets seized by the AFP as the investigation into their espionage-related offences continues. </p> <p>Kira, an Australian Defence Force army private, and her husband became the first Australians to be charged with espionage since 2018 after allegedly working together to leak state secrets to Russia.</p> <p>The couple were <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/aussie-couple-arrested-and-charged-with-spying-for-russia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">arrested</a> in July in their Brisbane home and were charged with one count each of preparing for an espionage offence, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment.</p> <p>Now, as the investigation into their activities continue, the AFP have sought an order to confiscate the apartment, assets and financed.</p> <p>The AFP-led Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) is seeking to confiscate the married couple’s apartment and financial savings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Commonwealth).</p> <p>Last Friday, the Queensland Supreme Court made restraining orders over property owned by the couple, valued in excess of $550,000.</p> <p>The property subject to the restraining orders includes a Brisbane apartment owned by the couple, multiple bank accounts, and the superannuation funds acquired by Ms Korolev during her employment with the ADF.</p> <p>According to authorities, Kira, 40, undertook non-declared travel to Russia while on leave from the ADF and instructed her 62-year-old husband Igor, who remained in Australia, to log into her work account from their Brisbane home.</p> <p>The couple allegedly unlawfully accessed, copied and disseminated information from the Department of Defence computer systems that concerned the national security of Australia.</p> <p>The couple have not entered pleas to the charge against them and remain in custody on remand, and are next scheduled to appear in court in September. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Facebook</em></p>

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AFP commander resigns after drink driving accident

<p>Former Australian Federal Police commander Danielle Anne Woodward has resigned after she drunkenly crashed her car into a tree following a police function in Canberra.</p> <p>The Olympic medalist pleaded guilty to a drink driving charge in the ACT Magistrates Court after blowing nearly three times the legal limit in November 2023. </p> <p>Woodward had attended an end-of-year function on the night of the accident, and intended to walk home or catch an Uber, but felt unwell after drinking champagne, so she decided to take the short drive back home. </p> <p>However, she crashed into a tree on her way home causing “extensive front-end damage” to her Mercedes-Benz. </p> <p>After getting help from members of the public, she immediately reported the incident to her supervisor and told him she had alcohol in her system.</p> <p>She also reportedly co-operated with lower-ranking officials who attended the scene, with the defence saying that she was "frank in her submission". </p> <p>"She was certainly not belligerent," Woodward's lawyer Michael Kukulies-Smith told the court. </p> <p>She was then arrested and taken to the police station for a breath analysis, which came back with a reading of 0.148. </p> <p>A police statement of facts also said that officers found Woodward with a flushed face and sleepy, watery eyes.</p> <p>“Police could smell a strong odour of intoxicating liquor emanating from [Woodward] and formed the opinion that [she] was well under the influence,” the statement of facts read. </p> <p>The court also heard that Woodward had been experiencing a "high level" of stress from her job, so had "at times resorted to alcohol, in a way she has been able to control."</p> <p>"The offending conduct is not only out of character … [but] her actions are usually the complete opposite. They're usually designed to benefit and protect the community," prosecutor Samuel Carmichael said.</p> <p>Woodward's lawyer asked Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker to record a non-conviction, as this was a "one off" offence, and the media coverage of the accident had already caused her "an unusual degree of reputational damage", which has impacted her mental health and career. </p> <p>While Magistrate Walker agreed to a non-conviction, she said that a general deterrence still needed to be served, with Woodward disqualified from driving for six months, taking into account a 90-day immediate suspension notice that was issued after the crash.</p> <p>The Chief Magistrate told the court: "What ultimately influences me … is Ms Woodward is a woman suffering from ill health.</p> <p>"It is often people of good standing in this community … who find themselves before the court for this type of offence."</p> <p>She also said that Woodward had shown “obvious and palpable” remorse, and was not someone who would ordinarily demonstrate “this level of stupidity”. </p> <p>Woodward was a highly decorated police officer who worked for the AFP for almost four decades. She became a commander in 2022 and received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2002.</p> <p>In 2020 she was awarded the Australian Police Medal in the Australia Day honours. </p> <p>Prior to her role in the AFP, she was a a triple Olympian in slalom canoeing and won a silver medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. </p> <p><em>Image: ABC News</em></p>

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AFP reveal what police dogs found in Erin Patterson's home

<p>The Police Commissioner has revealed what detective dogs found during an extensive search of Erin Patterson's house after her arrest. </p> <p>Patterson, the Gippsland woman at the centre of a mushroom lunch that resulted in the deaths of three people, was charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder late last year. </p> <p>AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw has shared that detective dogs uncovered a series of suspicious items, which were not found during the initial search of Patterson's home. </p> <p>"In November last year, the AFP provided its technology detector dogs to assist our hard-working colleagues at Victoria Police while executing a search warrant relating to individuals who had ingested death cap mushrooms," Kershaw told a Senate estimates hearing.</p> <p>"Technology Detector Dog Georgia found one USB, a micro secure digital card and a sim card."</p> <p>"Technology Detector Dog Alma found a mobile phone, five iPads, a trail camera, and a secure digital card and a smart watch."</p> <p>"These were not found during initial searches undertaken by officers."</p> <p>Patterson remains behind bars while police sift through the newly uncovered evidence, as she is expected to front court again on March 25th. </p> <p>The three murder charges and two of the attempted murder charges relate to a beef wellington lunch allegedly laced with death cap mushrooms that was cooked and served by Patterson at her home on July 29th 2023. </p> <p>The three other attempted murder charges relate to her husband Simon, 48, after he became sick following meals on three occasions between 2021 and 2022.</p> <p>Court documents revealed Patterson is accused of attempting to kill Simon on four occasions - between 16th and 17th November 2021, between 25th and 27th May 2022, on 6th September 2022 and at the mushroom lunch in July 2023. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Nine News / A Current Affair</em></p>

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“Unfathomable”: Former childcare worker facing 1,623 child abuse charges

<p dir="ltr"><em><strong>Warning: This article contains mentions of child sexual abuse that readers may find distressing.</strong></em></p> <p dir="ltr">A man from the Gold Coast is facing charges of child sexual abuse, after spending most of his life as a childcare worker. </p> <p dir="ltr">The 45-year-old has been charged with 1623 child abuse offences, including 136 charges of raping pre-pubescent girls. </p> <p dir="ltr">The alleged offences relate to 87 children in Australia and four overseas, and includes 110 counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 10.</p> <p dir="ltr">Australian Federal Police allege that the man carried out the offences while working at 10 different childcare centres in Brisbane between 2007-13 and 2018-22.</p> <p dir="ltr">The man is further alleged to have carried out offences at a single Sydney centre between 2014-2017, as well as overseas between 2013-14.</p> <p dir="ltr">Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Justine Gough said the man recorded the assaults on his phone and on a separate camera. </p> <p dir="ltr">During a press conference on Tuesday, she described the “chilling news” as “unfathomable”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We are highly confident that all 87 Australian children who were recorded in the alleged child abuse material have been identified,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The parents of all the Australian children recorded in the alleged child abuse material have been informed of the investigation.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Some of the individuals identified in the alleged child abuse material are now aged over 18 years and have been informed.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Assistant Commissioner Gough said officers were still working with law enforcement overseas, in a country they have yet to name, to determine the identity of four more children. </p> <p dir="ltr">The man has been in custody since August 2022 when AFP charged him with two counts of making child exploitation material.</p> <p dir="ltr">Since his initial arrest, police discovered a plethora of the self-produced child abuse material, totaling almost 4,000 images and videos. </p> <p dir="ltr">“The genesis of Operation Tenterfield is linked to police locating alleged child abuse images and videos on the dark web in 2014,” Assistant Commissioner Gough said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The AFP and other agencies examined the images, but they contain a few distinguishable clues for investigators to follow.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The investigation then led police to one of the childcare centres in Brisbane, and the subsequent warrant to raid the man’s home. </p> <p dir="ltr">“That warrant relates to 180 charges of child sexual abuse, and 23 victims are a part of those charges,” he said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Those charges carry life imprisonment. Once this man faces the AFP charges here in Queensland, we will be seeking his extradition.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“This is one of the most horrific child abuse cases that I‘ve seen in nearly 40 years of policing.” </p> <p dir="ltr">“We are absolutely committed to prosecuting anyone who comes after our most vulnerable.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Australian Federal Police</em></p>

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Dangerous traffic crash rocks Scott Morrison

<p dir="ltr">Scott Morrison’s dedicated security team have been involved in a serious car crash. </p> <p dir="ltr">The Prime Minister who is currently campaigning in Tasmania, was not in the vehicle which collided with another car near Elizabeth Town on Thursday afternoon. </p> <p dir="ltr">Luckily, no one was killed.</p> <p dir="ltr">The security team were in transit when they were hit by the other car, which saw their vehicle roll onto an embankment and flip onto its side.</p> <p dir="ltr">The four men - two from Tasmania Police and two from the Australian Federal Police - were all transferred to hospital. </p> <p dir="ltr">The driver of the other vehicle was not injured in the crash. </p> <p dir="ltr">A spokesperson from Mr Morrison’s office confirmed the men were conscious with the prime minister being updated of their condition. </p> <p dir="ltr">"Family members of the officers have been contacted and are being kept informed of their condition," they said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"The PM is always extremely grateful for the protection provided by his security team and extends his best wishes for their recovery and to their families.</p> <p dir="ltr">"This afternoon's event has been cancelled."</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Morrison was at Brunie for a defence industries event when the collision occurred. </p> <p dir="ltr">The event was immediately cancelled with Mr Morrison and his press team taken back to the airport. </p> <p dir="ltr">On Thursday afternoon, the prime minister released a statement sending well wishes to the officers.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Earlier this afternoon two of my protective detail, along with two Tasmanian police officers were involved in a terrible car accident, while they were supporting my visit to Northern Tasmania," he wrote. </p> <p dir="ltr">"I am relieved they have all been safely transferred to hospital where they are receiving care.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Our police do an amazing job in keeping us all safe. I am incredibly grateful to all the police who look after me and my family. </p> <p dir="ltr">"We have all got to know each other over the year. They are selfless, professional and incredibly generous. I hope to hear further good news about their condition.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Jen and I also send our thanks, love and best wishes to them and their families."</p> <p dir="ltr">Opposition leader Anthony Alabanese also thanked the officers for their incredible work.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Best wishes to the @AusFedPolice and @TasmaniaPolice personnel assisting the PM who were involved in the car crash in Tasmania today. They do a fantastic job and I wish all a speedy recovery," he tweeted.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Twitter</em></p>

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Alleged right-wing extremist planned to 3D-print gun

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A man from New South Wales’ Central West region has </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/news/crime/nsw-man-with-nazi-flag-in-bedroom-arrested-c-3950729" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">been arrested</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> by counter-terrorism police for planning to produce a 3D gun.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">26-year-old Michael Priest has been charged for possessing a blueprint to 3D print a gun - which is prohibited by NSW firearm laws and carries a penalty of 14 years in prison.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844024/arrest-dubbo2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/788c57198f884c7ca9dbca51f26035fd" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Police Multimedia / AFP</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Police began investigating Mr Priest less than two weeks ago, after the Australian Border Force intercepted a package containing a firearm component addressed to the man.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Upon further investigation by the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism (JCTT) team, they discovered the man listed as the recipient of the package was also a right-wing extremist.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">His home was searched by police on Friday, where they discovered a Nazi flag and a map of the state hanging on his bedroom wall.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844023/arrest-dubbo1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/de74f9783a8c4647985b852da2139b7c" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Police Multimedia / AFP</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mr Priest has allegedly been importing “legally obtained items” since the middle of 2020, which police said were to be used to manufacture weapons.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The Joint Counter Terrorism Team acted early to prevent him manufacturing a firearm, even though he allegedly made significant preparations to be able to do so,” Stephen Dametto, the counter-terrorism commander of the Australian Federal Police, said in a statement.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The JCTT is made up of officers from the AFP and NSW Police, as well as investigators from intelligence agency ASIO and the NSW Crime Commission.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The potential for 3D printers to print firearms, or their components, is something police are constantly monitoring, and we will take action if we have evidence a person intends to manufacture a firearm,” Dametto said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">NSW Police said homemade firearms were often poorly made, adding to the danger.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“These types of firearms add another layer of risk in terms of the safety of the community as they are unstable, and many are unable to maintain integrity once fired,” Detective Superintendent Mick Sheehy of the NSW Police and Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Command said in a statement.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We will not hesitate to take action if we believe there is a possibility that a firearm could land in the wrong hands.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mr Priest appeared before a Dubbo magistrate on Monday, where he was refused bail.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He is due to appear in court again on September 27.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Police Multimedia / AFP</span></em></p>

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New explosive details revealed in Higgins case

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Australian Federal Police have revealed that Peter Dutton’s office was alerted to an alleged sexual assault in Parliament House in October, 2019, a date years earlier than previously disclosed.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The new date provided by the AFP is years before that date Mr Dutton maintains he personally learned of the alleged sexual assault of Brittany Higgins in February, 2021.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After an anonymous whistleblower contacted a media organisation claiming to have details of a sexual assault at Parliament House led to a media query to the AFP and the eventual 2019 tip-off.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Then Home Affairs Minister Mr Dutton disclosed earlier this year that he was personally notified by AFP commissioner Reece Kershaw about the allegation that a Liberal staffer was raped in Parliament House on February 11, 2021, which was under “sensitive investigation” disclosure guidelines because she contacted police six days prior.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I was advised on 11 February, and I received updates last week and this week,” he told parliament.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When asked to provide details of when the AFP first contacted the office of the former Minister for Home Affairs or Mr Dutton himself about an incident in Senator Linda Reynolds’ office on March 23, 2019, a new timeline was provided.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“In accordance with routine practices, in October 2019 AFP Media notified the then Minister’s office in relation to a media enquiry received by ACT Policing, about an alleged sexual assault at Parliament House,” the AFP said in its response.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The discussions aimed to “inform the Minister’s office that a media inquiry had been received and that ACT Policing was responding.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The AFP Media team said it contacted officers in the ministerial office but did not contact Mr Dutton directly.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The first recorded contact with the then Minister for Home Affairs was 11 February, 2021,” the AFP said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The AFP Commissioner had a discussion with the then Minister about the matter. In accordance with routine practices, AFP Media has informed the Minister’s office about media inquiries received in relation to this matter during 2021.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When Ms Higgins contacted the AFP after quitting her job in February to indicate she was considering reopening the investigation, she didn’t know the AFP was duty bound to inform the Home Affairs Minister under new guidelines.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mr Dutton was informed of the rape allegation on February 11, the same day the AFP held a Sensitive Investigations Board meeting, chaired by AFP deputy commissioner Ian McArtney.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mr Dutton did not alert the Prime Minister’s office at the time, arguing it involved a sensitive matter.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though Mr Dutton and Employment Minister Michaelia Cash were informed of the allegation on February 11 and 5 respectively, and Defence Minister Linda Reynolds knew in March 2019, they didn’t inform the Prime Minister or his office.</span></p>

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ScoMo shares school snap as police warn about back to school pictures

<p>Prime Minister Scott Morrison shared a school snap of him as a youngster to mark the first day back at school for children around the country.</p> <p>He shared the snap on his Facebook page, deciding to share the "super cute" photo with his followers.</p> <p>“Lots of kids will be heading back to school this week, and some will be starting for the first time. Wishing them all (and their mums and dads) a happy first day,” he wrote in the post.</p> <p>“2020 was a really tough year for our children with #COVID-19 causing lots of interruption and uncertainty,” he added, saying that while there are more challenges ahead, he hopes 2021 “will be a better year”.</p> <p>“Good luck also to all those students heading into Year 12 and their final year of school.”</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fscottmorrison4cook%2Fposts%2F3936562373054803&amp;width=500&amp;show_text=true&amp;height=666&amp;appId" width="500" height="666" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></p> <p>The Prime Minister shared the school snap despite warnings from the Australian Federal Police, with the AFP<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/police-issue-warning-over-children-s-first-day-of-school-photos" target="_blank">warning</a><span> </span>that school photos are an easy way for offenders to find out where children go to school.</p> <p>"There's no reason why parents and carers cannot continue to take those wonderful happy snaps and post them online," Commander Sirec said.</p> <p>"However, we are urging parents and carers who are sharing those images to make sure they're using secure privacy settings and only sharing images with people they know and trust."</p> <p>Commander Sirec also warned offenders use the information included in posts to start grooming kids.</p> <p>"It is more important than ever to ensure parents, carers and our young people are educated about online safety. The increase of children being online during the pandemic year has also meant offenders have more opportunities to target potential victims," Commander Sirec said.</p>

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The serious crime that has spiked during COVID-19

<p>Public tipoffs about online child sexual exploitation material have surged during the coronavirus pandemic, with authorities to say, statistically, every Australian would know an abuser.</p> <p>Reports made by members of the public to the Australian Centre of Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) increased by 122 per cent as the country went into coronavirus lockdowns through April, May and June.</p> <p>Only last week, over nine men faced court after Australian Federal Police (AFP) investigated against child exploitation. </p> <p>Speaking to the ABC, the coordinator of AFP forensics in NSW, Nathan Green, said people were spending more time online and meant offenders were spending more time with potential victims.</p> <p>"The restrictions that COVID has brought in have resulted in families being locked up at home, and if in that family there happens to be an abuser it's fairly apparent what's going to happen," he said.</p> <p>ACCCE has received 21,000 reports in the 12 months to July 2020, last year the number was 14,000 during the same time period.</p> <p>Jennifer Garcia, a digital forensic examiner with the AFP, has never been busier, issuing back-to-back warrants around the clock in recent weeks.</p> <p>In a single investigation conducted by Ms Garcia’s team has resulted in 40 children in NSW being rescued from abusive situations.</p> <p>"They were children in direct harm, being sexually, physically or emotionally abused, or a combination of all three," she said.</p> <p>In any given month the AFP’s digital forensics team in NSW could be dealing with 30 to 40 active investigations.</p>

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Have you seen these people? 16 missing Aussies to feature on milk bottles

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Photos of 16 missing people from all around Australia will be featured on milk bottles in a new joint campaign with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) and Canberra Milk.</p> <p>The profiles of 16 long-term missing people will be printed on 1 litre bottles and their stories will be shared on social media.</p> <p>"One person featured in last year's Canberra Milk campaign was located." AFP Assistant Commissioner Lesa Gale said.</p> <p>"It is initiatives like these that remind people that missing persons are real people, and this is something that needs to be spoken about more."</p> <p>Relatives of the missing people are on board with the campaign, saying that it brings them hope that their loved one might be found.</p> <p>"Our missing you is deepened by that of not knowing where you are. But campaigns like this prove we are not alone in our search," Jason Sallese, son of long-term missing Nicola Sallese, said.</p> <p>The 16 people that will be featured on the milk bottles are:</p> <ul> <li><strong>David Abuoi, ACT</strong><span> </span>who has been missing in Canberra on July 10, 2012</li> <li><strong>Laura Haworth, ACT</strong><span> </span>who has been missing since January 5, 2008 after she disappeared from Queanbeyan in NSW</li> <li><strong>Robert Jacob, ACT<span> </span></strong>who was last seen on November 12, 2015 in the ACT</li> <li><strong>Ruth Ridley, NSW</strong><span> </span>who was last seen on November 18, 2019 travelling from her home in Port Macquarie to Tumbarumba</li> <li><strong>Kylee-Ann Schaffer, NSW</strong><span> </span>who was last seen on September 11, 2004 when she went to a party at Willawarren</li> <li><strong>John Brown, QLD,<span> </span></strong>who was last seen on June 15, 2016</li> <li><strong>Ronya Livoni, NT</strong><span> </span>who was last seen on March 10, 2980</li> <li><strong>Richard Roe, NT<span> </span></strong>who was last seen on November 2, 2016</li> <li><strong>Danny Walker, QLD</strong><span> </span>who was last seen on May 21, 2008</li> <li><strong>Christine Redford, SA</strong><span> </span>who was last seen at her home on June 30, 1998</li> <li><strong>Eve Askew, TAS<span> </span></strong>who was last seen by her family on November 16, 1991</li> <li><strong>Nicola (Nick) Sallese, TAS</strong><span> </span>who has not been seen since November 17, 2008</li> <li><strong>Andrew Oleenik, VIC</strong><span> </span>who was last seen in Queenscliff on March 7, 2005</li> <li><strong>Lorrin Whitehead, VIC</strong><span> </span>who was last seen on February 8, 2013</li> <li><strong>Dragon Jankovic, WA<span> </span></strong>who was last seen since March 10, 2019</li> <li><strong>Josephine Jennings, WA<span> </span></strong>who was has not been seen since September 1995 </li> </ul> <p><em>Photo credit  </em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.afp.gov.au/news-media/media-releases/missing-australians-featured-milk-bottles-second-year" target="_blank"><em>Australian Federal Police</em></a></p> </div> </div> </div>

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“I don’t know the answer to that”: Peter Dutton's awkward moment on Insiders

<p>Peter Dutton has confirmed on ABC’s <em>Insiders</em> that he does not know whether anyone charged with serious offences has arrived in Australia under the medivac bill.</p> <p>The bill makes it easier for refugees and asylum seekers on Manus Island and Nauru to come to Australia for medical treatment. However, when the bill was brought into action, it prompted the Coalition to warn that we would see “a flood of about 300 immediate transfers”, which could include paedophiles, rapists and murderers, according to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/how-can-you-not-know-peter-dutton-grilled-over-refugee-and-asylum-seeker-transfers/news-story/faf6ae55050975f672c047efa72d4ba5" target="_blank">news.com.au</a>.</p> <p>Dutton told fill-in host Annabel Crabb that “only just over 30” people have been transferred under the new legislation, but he “did not know” whether any were charged with serious offences.</p> <p>“The fact is we’ve got people who are charged with serious offences on Manus, for example,” said Mr Dutton.</p> <p>“I understand that, but have any of those people been brought here?” the host asked.</p> <p>“Well I don’t know the answer to that question in terms of the concerns we have about individuals,” explained Dutton.</p> <p>“How can you not know the answer to that question though? You were very worried,” Crabb fired back.</p> <p>“We don’t bring anyone to our country where we can’t mitigate the risk, Annabel,” Dutton said.</p> <p>He continued with:</p> <p>“The medivac bill was set up on the basis that people wouldn’t be brought here if they needed medical attention. It was complete nonsense. We’ve brought hundreds of people that have required attention, and we’ve been able to reduce the number significantly off Manus and Nauru.”</p> <p>The host also asked Dutton about a controversial transfer deal with the US that saw Australia take in two alleged murderers.</p> <p>The two men in question were Rwandan men who were accused of butchering a group of tourists in the 1990s.</p> <p>“Can you reassure us about those two men? You were talking about the danger of bringing alleged murderers from Nauru and Manus, but when you were making those comments you already knew we had brought these two guys who had confessed to the murder of western tourists in Uganda,” asked the host.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> <p dir="ltr">“We don’t have plans to bring any others from America at this stage.” <a href="https://twitter.com/peterdutton?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@peterDutton</a> confirms two Rwandans are the only people to have arrived in Australia under the US-Australia refugee transfer deal. <a href="https://twitter.com/annabelcrabb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@annabelcrabb</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/lenoretaylor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@lenoretaylor</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PhillipCoorey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PhillipCoorey</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/markgkenny?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@markgkenny</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Insiders?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Insiders</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/auspol?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#auspol</a> <a href="https://t.co/R2qptr2yJz">pic.twitter.com/R2qptr2yJz</a></p> — Insiders ABC (@InsidersABC) <a href="https://twitter.com/InsidersABC/status/1140064602727710720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">16 June 2019</a></blockquote> <p>Mr Dutton said he was “not sure all those facts are correct”.</p> <p>“You’ve got to look at all of the facts of individual cases, you’ve got to look at the historical perspective, around the circumstances, what’s happened in the intervening period,” he said.</p> <p>“And that’s a different situation from somebody who has just sexually assaulted a girl on Manus in the last 12 months.</p> <p>“So we’ll look at individual cases — AFP, ASIO, our international partners will inform the discussion properly,” Dutton explained.</p> <p>“They’ll take all of the information into consideration and we base our decisions on that information, which is assessed and analysed as to whether or not there’s a risk here.</p> <p>“We will not take somebody who we believe is a risk to the Australian people.”</p>

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