No matter how many times QAnon's predictions prove to be wrong, some supporters keep justifying it to themselves

Chris Dengate, Ange Lavoipierre, Stephen Smiley and Scott Mitchell - 25 February 2021

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The QAnon conspiracy movement predicted that right now, Donald Trump would still be president of the United States but instead, supporters were left disappointed yet again.

The movement keeps prophesying events that never end up happening, but believers are somehow able to keep justifying their continued belief.

Many adherents to the QAnon conspiracy theory believed right up until the moment Joe Biden was inaugurated that Mr Trump was about to enact martial law and arrest Mr Biden, said researcher of extremism and longtime observer of QAnon, Travis View.

"They also thought that he might get sent to Guantanamo Bay or possibly even be executed, along with many other Democrats, for their supposed crimes.

"This was part of the fantasy, certainly."

These false beliefs were widespread among the mob that attacked the US Capitol on January 6.

But those shocking events and the inauguration of President Biden have not had the impact one might think.

"That did cause a minority of QAnon followers to simply walk away or drop off and realise they'd been duped," said Mr View.

"The majority, however, even if they initially expressed shock, they still continue to double down."

A common way followers of QAnon cope with failed prophecies has been to continually move the goalposts. In the latest attempt at this, several prominent QAnon conspiracy theorists have claimed Mr Trump will be inaugurated on March 4.

The date was the original date listed in the US constitution but it has not been used in almost 90 years.

"When this March fourth date passes without incident, yet again, they'll simply set a new date," said Mr View.

What it's like to have a friend become a QAnon believer

Supporters of QAnon believe that a user dubbed Q who began posting on the internet message board 4chan was actually a high-ranking government insider, communicating a secret plan to them in a series cryptic and vague statements referred to as "drops".

Adherents believe there is a global cabal of elite paedophiles who control the world and also believe that former-president Trump is the secret leader of a resistance movement against this cabal and that his plan is to unleash a day of reckoning called "the storm".

The idea has spread beyond American borders and there now are supporters all over the world.

Meagan, an Australian woman who shared her story on condition of anonymity, has been scared by the descent of a longtime friend into the conspiracy theory.

"I've known her for a good 35 years and she's a really smart woman, she runs a business, she's got a family.

"She's always been a solid, wise person in my mind."

Meagan said her friend had been a Trump supporter for a while but late last year, after Mr Trump lost the election, things took a turn.

"She was just absolutely convinced that it was fraudulent and that everything the mainstream media was telling us was was a lie."

Then, she revealed to Meagan that she believed in QAnon and believed that soon celebrities, business people and political leaders would be arrested by pro-Trump forces.

"I was the only person she'd been able to reveal to this extent what her beliefs were."

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Meagan told her friend that if Mr Trump was actually inaugurated as president on January 20, she would eat her hat. Her friend responded that she would do the same if Mr Biden became president.

"I actually started researching bakeries near her to get a MAGA [make America great again] hat made, so that she could actually eat the cake."

But sadly, when Mr Biden was inaugurated, Meagan's friend moved the goalposts on her and said Mr Trump would now be inaugurated on March 4.

"She said that the inauguration was a pre-record.

"She did not believe that Biden was actually the president, even though he had been inaugurated."

Why do followers of debunked conspiracies stay loyal?

The behaviour of QAnon followers who have stuck with the movement is actually quite similar to the behaviour that has been observed among followers of cults, he said.

"What these QAnon followers get out of the community isn't necessarily the predictions.

"They enjoy, basically, being part of the group, feeling like they have esoteric knowledge, feeling like they are part of a revolutionary movement; that they're helping to usher in a golden age and they're helping to do away with evil."

"Studies show that when people are highly committed to this kind of belief system, they can continue to move the goalposts indefinitely."

Mr View said that while some supporters may drift away from the movement, he feared that those who remain could become even more extreme in their views.

"If someone has sort of invested years of their life for QAnon, if someone has made personal sacrifices, such as separating themselves from their friends or their family, it would be very difficult to imagine what, if anything, would allow a QAnon believer to give all that up.

"Giving up QAnon at that point would have to make that person confront the fact that all of that sacrifice was for nothing."

His fear is that followers could become prime targets for recruitment for more organised extremist groups like Neo-Nazis.

"As time goes on, there is a risk that we're going to see even more violence than we have from QAnon followers."

While Meagan remains concerned for her friend and hopes she will find her way out of the movement, she said she was committed to the life-long friendship.

"She's definitely one of my closest friends and somebody I turn to when I need a friend in life."

She hopes there is no violence in future and is instead hoping humour can help break through to her friend.

"Fingers crossed that there is no more violence happening.

"I'm going to be speaking to the cake shop and my friend can expect to be receiving a MAGA hat cake on March fifth."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-25/qanon-keeps-changing-the-goal-posts/13184202

https://twitter.com/travis_view/status/1353441192395075584

>>12941464

AFP writes to Scott Morrison to warn against delays in reporting allegations of criminal conduct

The letter from the Australian Federal Police commissioner comes in the wake of sexual assault allegations made by former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins.

TOM STAYNER - 25 February 2021

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw has written to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, warning that allegations of criminal conduct should be reported without delay.

His letter comes in the wake of serious allegations made by former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins, who says she was raped inside Parliament House in March 2019.

The Morrison government has been sharply criticised for its handling of the allegations, including apparent failures to report the accusations to Mr Morrison.

"I cannot state strongly enough the importance of timely referrals of allegations of criminal conduct," Mr Kershaw said.

"Failure to report alleged criminal behaviour in this manner, or choosing to communicate or disseminate allegations via other means, such as through the media or third parties, risks prejudicing any subsequent police investigation.

"Any delay in reporting criminal conduct can result in the loss of key evidence, continuation of the offending and/or reoffending by the alleged perpetrator."

Ms Higgins chose not to take a complaint over the alleged incident further with police at the time over concerns this would impact her career.

Mr Kershaw said members, senators and their offices should refer any such matters referred to them "taking into account the rights and privacy of the victim".

A spokesperson for the Prime Minister says he requested the letter from the AFP commissioner so guidance could be provided to MPs and Senators.

Mr Morrison has also written to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Senate President asking for Commissioner Kershaw's advice to be circulated among politicians.

"As we all appreciate, these are serious and traumatic events for anyone to deal with," he said.

"The events of the past fortnight have demonstrated why it is so important that all Members and Senators are informed of their responsibilities in these situations, both to provide compassionate support to those who are affected and to ensure that we uphold the rule of law in dealing with these issues."

A number of federal government ministers were aware of the allegations before they were made public last week.

Ms Higgins's employer at the time of the alleged rape, Defence Minister Linda Reynolds, has since apologised over her handling of the alleged incident.

She says she encouraged Ms Higgins to go to the police when she learned of the alleged crime - as does Ms Higgins’ next boss Michaelia Cash.

Mr Morrison has consistently said his office first knew of the allegation on 12 February but his staff then took almost three days to notify him.

He has expressed disappointment that cabinet ministers did not notify him about the alleged incident earlier.

Ms Higgins has since reinstated her formal police complaint over the alleged incident.

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/afp-writes-to-scott-morrison-to-warn-against-delays-in-reporting-allegations-of-criminal-conduct

China’s commerce ministry hopes Australia will ‘do more’ to help bilateral ties

Global Times - Feb 24, 2021

China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on Wednesday said that it hoped that Australia would do more to help bilateral cooperation and mutual trust in line with the spirit of their comprehensive strategic partnership, and promote the sound and stable growth of bilateral ties.

Analysts said the ministry statement sent a clear signal that if Canberra wishes to reverse the current tense China-Australia relations, it should not pay lip service, but have to do more.

The comments were made by Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen when asked by the media when China will stop restricting imports of Australian coal and other goods.

Over the past year, the relationship between China and Australia worsened leading to a near freeze in bilateral trade. Australia's Trade Minister Dan Tehan said that his Chinese counterpart has not responded to his efforts to reach out, according to media reports.

In response, officials from China's Foreign Ministry said previously that "Australia should show its sincerity if it wants to have talks with China."

Remarks from the senior official clearly show that China hopes that Australia will take practical actions to correct its mistakes and earnestly implement the principles and regulations of the WTO and the bilateral free trade agreement, Yu Lei, chief research fellow at the research center for Pacific island countries at Liaocheng University in Shandong Province, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

"The economic and trade relationship between China and Australia should be said to have a very good foundation. In the past 12 years, China has been Australia's largest trading partner, as well as Australia's largest export market and source of imports," Wang, the senior trade official, said on Wednesday.

Last year, when Australia's global trade was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, its total trade volume with China remained steady. Australia's exports to the world fell 8 percent last year, but exports to China fell less than 3 percent, data showed.

"Thus, China-Australia bilateral economic and trade relations have brought benefits to Australia and also China. We believe that this is a mutually beneficial and win-win relationship, and this relationship is worthy of attention and being cherished," Wang said.

It is very regrettable that some people in Australia have politicalized and stigmatized Chinese investments and normal economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. Some have adopted restrictive and even discriminatory measures, which have damaged the atmosphere of bilateral economic and trade cooperation, Wang said.

"We hope that Australia can do more things that are conducive to increasing trust and cooperation, and do more things in line with the spirit of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, and promote the sound and stable development of bilateral economic and trade relations," he added.

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202102/1216453.shtml

Justin Trudeau Tweet

Had a good conversation with Prime Minister @ScottMorrisonMP last night. We updated each other on the steps we’re taking to fight COVID-19, and also touched on the need to promote democracy and uphold human rights. Thanks for the call, Scott.

https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau/status/1364232891715235843

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison Tweet

Another good call with PM @JustinTrudeau. We also discussed Australia’s media bargaining code, developments in the Indo-Pacific incl. ASEAN’s central role in the region, & Australia & Canada’s strong collaboration as like-minded liberal democracies. Great to chat again Justin.

https://twitter.com/ScottMorrisonMP/status/1364338541128417282

>>12941464

Federal parliament rape scandal continues as tensions boil over

7NEWS Australia

25 Feb 2021

Tempers have boiled over in federal parliament over the alleged sexual assault of a Liberal staffer with a Greens senator accusing Peter Dutton of being a 'rape apologist'. The home affairs minister has told 7NEWS the comments are 'disgraceful and defamatory' and he is now considering legal action.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NjBA2uqqKk

COVID-19 border closures and lockdowns fuelling extremist support in Australia

Extremist movements and radicalism is growing in Australia and they’re being fuelled by two surprising things.

Charles Miranda - February 26, 2021

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COVID-19 related border closures and lockdowns “for relatively low cases” has fuelled anti-government, anti-5G, anti-vaccination and pro-conspiracy narratives, driven by extremist groups to cause societal discord, ASIO has warned.

Both right and left wing extremist views in Australia have risen in the past 12 months, most visibly seen through mass cause rallies and the proliferation of Nazi flags being flown from homes across Australia.

The latest snapshot of extremist movements and radicalism in Australia by our security and law enforcement agencies paints a bleak current picture about the evolution of civil society since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

Notably, radical groups and individuals have sought to “exploit” public fears, isolation, unemployment, family stress and financial hardship during this time to push disinformation and conspiracies.

In its submission to a federal parliamentary inquiry into extremism and radicalism in Australia, ASIO found a disturbing pattern of extremist views and propaganda pushed onto a “home-based audience” during lockdowns.

“COVID-19 has given issue-motivated groups and individuals the chance to share new conspiracy theories, and reinforce existing ones,” ASIO concluded.

“For example, extreme right-wing groups and individuals have seized on COVID-19, believing it reinforces the narratives and conspiracies at the core of their ideologies. They see the pandemic as proof of the failure of globalisation, multiculturalism, and democracy, and confirmation that societal collapse and a ‘race war’ are inevitable.”

In its submission, Victoria Police noted a rise in ideologically motivated violence and threat to public safety largely influenced by overseas events and “fringe elements” looking to exploit current tensions.

“Online commentary on COVID-19 has provided a recruiting tool for Right Wing Extremist groups, linking those interested in alternative wellness, anti-vaccination and anti-authority conspiracy theories with white supremacist ideologies. For those already adhering to extremist ideologies, COVID-19 is seen as an indication of societal collapse and the validity of the ‘accelerationist’ mindset,” Victoria Police stated.

It added: “Continued restrictions and border closures despite relatively low COVID-19 cases has continued to fuel the perception that restrictions are primarily a tool for authoritarian control, rather than for prevention of the spread of COVID-19”.

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Both the right and left presented the pandemic as an attempt to create authoritarian rule, in the case of the left as a human impact on the environment and worsening ecology.

The Australian Federal Police in its submission, found extreme right and left wing groups were acting as a driver for radicalism.

It said its “operational tempo” had remained high during COVID-19 not just for extremist groups but also terrorism, notably returning foreign fighters such as Agim Ajazi who was deported from Turkey to Australia, arrested in Adelaide then extradited to Queensland on charges he was a member of terror group Jabhat Fatah al-Sham.

But it’s the threat from the extreme right wing (XRW) the AFP says is growing, with arrests in Victoria and NSW and also an AFP-led arrest in the UK thwarting actual political-motivated attacks.

“There is a growing cohort of individuals who may align with the XRW ideology, but do not meet the thresholds for counter terrorism investigation,” it noted. “State and territory police continue to detect and respond to persons whose activities do not meet the threshold for counter terrorism investigation.”

It identified gaps in legislation to block offensive hate speech by people who possess or disseminate abhorrent or violent content.

“AFP engagement with state and territory police partners has identified numerous requests by police for homeowners to remove flags considered offensive by the community, including the Nazi flag,” the submission stated. “There does not appear to be a criminal offence which prohibits the display of these items … nor does there appear to be any prohibition on the ability of suppliers and business outlets to important and sell such items.”

It noted XRW views were being expounded by suspects as young as 13.

The inquiry is due to report to Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton in April.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/coronavirus/covid19-border-closures-and-lockdowns-fuelling-extremist-support-in-australia/news-story/b13b7241610d2c1cea4e15ea31af33b3

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Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security

Inquiry into extremist movements and radicalism in Australia

https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Intelligence_and_Security/ExtremistMovements/Submissions

ASIO submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security

https://www.aph.gov.au/DocumentStore.ashx?id=c5cea09a-86aa-4e9b-839d-954daf94a865&subId=702960

Victoria Police submission

https://www.aph.gov.au/DocumentStore.ashx?id=a7d5d1e1-5d96-44e9-8896-ce870d455078&subId=702962

Trump created an anti-American ‘cult’ of followers says Hillary Clinton

Latika Bourke - February 26, 2021

London: Hillary Clinton says Donald Trump created an anti-American cult devoted to attacking the norms of American society, a movement which enjoyed strong support in both the mainstream and online media.

Clinton said US President Joe Biden was trying to “separate” Trump’s followers from him in a bid to unite Americans, 74 million of whom voted for Trump. The ex-president has not ruled out running again in 2024.

“That is our principal political challenge right now,” she said.

“And why I think Biden is approaching it in exactly the right way is because he’s trying to separate Trump, the demagogue, from the Americans who may have bought into his slogans and his reality television performances.”

Clinton, a former US secretary of state, lost to Trump - who campaigned on a platform of America First - in 2016 and was famously criticised for labelling Trump’s supporters as “deplorables”.

She declined to say if she felt vindicated.

“Well, I don’t think about it that way,” she said. “I am profoundly saddened by what he has catalysed and the allies that he has in certain parts of the media, both traditional and online — the way he has, in effect, created a cult against the fundamental values and norms of the United States.”

She said that while she warned Trump was a danger to the American people if elected, she never imagined he would go so far as to incite the January 6 insurrection, when a mob stormed the US Capitol in a rampage that left five dead, including a police officer.

Many of the rioters were hunting for Mike Pence who refused to obey Trump’s wishes to not certify Biden’s election win, as vice-presidents are obliged to do under the US Constitution. Some had erected gallows outside the US Capitol and were also actively hunting down House Speaker and Democrat Nancy Pelosi.

“Even I don’t pretend to have imagined that he would incite a riot and an attack on our Capitol in an effort to reverse an election he clearly lost,” Clinton reflected.

“It’s of no comfort to me that I and others warned about him because the damage that he’s done is so profound.

“Now we’re cleaning up after that … we’re digging ourselves out of that,” Clinton said.

Clinton was speaking - via video link - to the Global Soft Power summit hosted by the London-based firm Brand Finance, which released its second Global Soft Power Index on Wednesday AEDT, showing a collapse in the US’ standing from first to fifth place.

Clinton said Biden was already repairing some damage Trump had caused to America’s standing abroad, by rejoining the World Health Organisation and Climate Paris Accord, at the same time as trying to speed up the domestic vaccination program.

“He’s trying to move on all fronts at once,” she said. “So I think that the next six months, with steady leadership, will stabilise our country.”

“I know that Trump will continue to try and disrupt, and the people who enabled him for all their reasons will continue to be opposed, but I think that we will see progress and I think that the soft power will be demonstrated again.”

The same index showed Germany claiming the top spot from the US while Australia became the only new entrant into the top 10. However, New Zealand, propelled by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s popularity and her near-elimination of COVID-19 from her country’s shores, was the biggest climber in the index - from 22nd place to 16th.

Clinton repeated her claim that women leaders had been proven to manage coronavirus better and said that Ardern and German Chancellor Angela Merkel were successful, in part, because they both tended to shun the perks of power, unlike many male leaders.

“There’s just very little of the trappings of power and perks that too often go with leadership in the world.

“Those two women, and there are others obviously, have been proven right in the way they dealt with some terrible challenges.”

She said women who made it to the top of their fields were often successful because they had had to engage emotional intelligence and adopt a collegial approach to overcome lingering sexism and bias.

Clinton is co-authoring a political thriller with Canadian mystery writer Louise Penny and revealed she would draw heavily on her career as Barack Obama’s secretary of state and as the Democratic presidential nominee five years ago.

“We’re trying to provide a sense of reality about the hard decisions that face the secretary of state - a president and the damage that you inherit from those who do not pay attention to what needs to be tended around the world.”

https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/trump-created-an-anti-american-cult-of-followers-says-hilary-clinton-20210226-p575zh.html

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Tasmania Police took years to charge alleged paedophile nurse who worked with children, review finds

Erin Cooper and Emily Baker - 26 February 2021

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An internal review into how Tasmania Police handled its investigation into an alleged paedophile nurse has revealed the police were told of allegations he was abusing children as early as 2009.

It took another 10 years for police to charge James Geoffrey Griffin, and only after a complaint was received by an alleged victim.

Even after police received the formal complaint, it took from early May until the end of July for his workplace, the Launceston General Hospital, to be informed of the allegations.

The review revealed the agency received information about potential child abuse in relation to Mr Griffin in 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015.

The first report to police came from an interstate police agency alleging Griffin had taken photos of children in a public place.

Police investigated that report by executing a search warrant and speaking to Griffin, but found no evidence of an offence.

Tasmania Police's review found it handled those allegations appropriately.

The 2013 report related to allegations of "inappropriate touching and grooming behaviour" by Mr Griffin.

Police referred the matter to child protection, who spoke to Mr Griffin and the alleged victim.

Both denied the allegations, so the file was closed and police took no further action. Police did not speak to Mr Griffin nor the potential victim.

The 2015 report related to a referral from the Australian Federal Police related to Griffin and sexual offending and child exploitation material.

"Deficiencies in the management of this information by Tasmania Police have been identified and are the subject of a current Professional Standards investigation that relates to the Police Service Code of Conduct," the review said.

As a result of the internal review, Tasmania Police said it had now implemented a specialist investigative and policy team to improve processes and procedures related to investigations into child sex abuse.

Mr Griffin took his own life in October 2019 after being charged with multiple child sex offences.

Tasmania Police Commissioner Darren Hine apologised to Mr Griffin's alleged victims for any harm caused by the deficiencies identified in the report.

"We will learn from this, we will make changes, we will do better for victims," he said.

"I think this has fallen short of everyone's standards, we need to make sure we continue to learn and evolve in relation to these matters."

Commissioner Hine said he wanted to reassure victims they could safely come forward and that their "matters will be pursued".

The report identified problems in information sharing across agencies, particularly with the Department of Communities, and called for a review of investigative guidelines of child sex offences.

Premier Peter Gutwein said the government would provide an addition $1.5 million in funding for a historic complaints' review process lead by a specialist team within Tasmania Police, looking particularly at police and Department of Communities files.

"My expectation is that no stone be left unturned," Mr Gutwein said.

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'The voice of victims matters'

Mr Gutwein also apologised to survivors of child sex abuse "where any agency may not have handled information appropriately".

"I want to do this job once, I want to do it right, and I want to make sure I have the strongest protections in place."

"The voice of victims matters, it truly does, and any victims of child sex abuse, whether historic or contemporary, need to know that they can come forward, and that when they do, they will be heard and appropriate action will be taken.

The report won't be made public before the Commission of Inquiry into child abuse in the state service — Tasmania's version of a royal commission - gets underway later this year.

Opposition Leader Rebecca White said the report was "disturbing" and that the fallout would "be a big issue for Tasmanians for some time".

"This is a complete failure of agencies to take seriously the very real and heartbreaking stories of members of our community and children who've raised concerns about adults who should never have done these acts," she said.

The Government announced the Commission last year and since then 14 state service employees have been stood down over historical allegations of sexual abuse.

Some questions from the media would not be answered by Commissioner Hine and Mr Gutwein because they said they didn't want to prejudice the commission's proceedings.

"We are being as open and transparent as we can; on legal advice we cannot provide more information other than the Outcomes Report without prejudicing the Commission of Inquiry or identifying victims," Commissioner Hine said in a statement.

"It is essential that the Inquiry is not impeded in its full examination of all matters."

There is also a continuing internal police investigation around how information was dealt with, but Commissioner Hine wouldn't be drawn on the number of people involved in that because it is ongoing.

Mr Gutwein said this report was a starting point for a lot more improvements and a lot more shocking developments.

"I am very disappointed with this, shocked, to be frank, and this has just reaffirmed my resolve," he said.

"In terms of the commission of inquiry, Tasmanians needs to brace themselves, I think there will be a range of matters brought forward that will concern and shock Tasmanians."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-26/police-took-years-to-investigate-alleged-paedophile-nurse/13196044

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Tasmania Police - Outcomes Report of the Griffin Matter

https://www.police.tas.gov.au/information-disclosure/outcomes-report-of-the-griffin-matter/

https://www.police.tas.gov.au/uploads/Outcomes-Report-James-Geoffrey-Griffin.pdf

>>12941464

Scott Morrison, senators and AFP told of historical rape allegation against Cabinet Minister

Louise Milligan - 26 February 2021

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Australian Federal Police have been notified of a letter sent to Prime Minister Scott Morrison detailing an alleged historical rape by a Cabinet Minister in the federal government.

The letter requests urgent action be taken by the Prime Minister to investigate the alleged rape, which occurred in 1988 before the accused man entered politics.

The matter has also been referred to the Australian Federal Police.

The letter was forwarded to AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw by Labor's Leader in the Senate, Penny Wong, and Greens Senator Hanson-Young, who were also recipients of the letter.

Four Corners understands that Commissioner Kershaw has briefed South Australia Police and NSW Police.

The letter, shared with Four Corners by a friend of the complainant, attaches a detailed statement prepared by the complainant for her lawyer about the brutal rape she alleges took place.

NSW Police set up strike force

Last year, NSW Police set up a strike force with a view to commencing an investigation into the historical allegations about the Cabinet Minister after the woman came forward.

Strike Force Wyndarra was established by police after she reported in Sydney in February 2020 to detectives from the NSW Police Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad that she had been raped by the man.

The woman had engaged a lawyer and told many friends about the allegation, but took her own life in June last year.

In a statement today to Four Corners, Ms Hanson-Young said: "This morning I received information regarding a disturbing and a very serious allegation of a criminal nature against a senior member of the government.

"Following the advice given to the Prime Minister by the AFP Commissioner this week, I have spoken with the Police Commissioner today, who is now taking steps in relation to this information."

Senator Wong told Four Corners in a statement today that she had notified NSW, SA Police and the AFP, and would assist in any investigations.

"I have also written to the Prime Minister and Senator Hanson-Young to outline the steps I have taken, following receipt of this anonymous letter," Senator Wong said.

"It is my hope that appropriate action is taken to examine the allegation."

South Australia Police are investigating the circumstances of the woman's death for the State Coroner.

Four Corners has seen the woman's statement and has spoken to many friends of the complainant whom she told about what she alleged took place and who knew her at the time of the alleged incident.

The letter urges the Prime Minister to set up an independent parliamentary investigation into the matter, similar to that commissioned by the High Court into allegations against former Justice, Dyson Heydon.

"When news of [the complainant's alleged] rape becomes widely known to the public (as it most likely will), legitimate questions will be asked as to who knew what, when they knew and what they did," the correspondent wrote.

"This is occurring today in relation to Brittany Higgins.

"In [the complainant's] case, the loss of respect for our political institutions will be exacerbated by the aggravating factor of [the accused perpetrator's seniority].

"There will be considerable damage to community perceptions of justice… and the parliament when this story becomes public if it is simultaneously revealed that senior people (like yourselves) were aware of the accusation but had done nothing…

"Failing to take parliamentary action because the NSW Police cannot take criminal action [due to the complainant's death] would seem like wilful blindness."

Wong, Turnbull also made aware of allegations

Senator Wong, who was made aware of limited detail surrounding the woman's allegation last year by the complainant herself, made a statement to South Australia Police when she discovered the complainant had died.

The woman had also written in 2019 to former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, and he too wrote to South Australia Police with his knowledge of the allegations upon learning of her death.

South Australia Police had originally referred the woman to their NSW counterparts because she alleged the incident occurred in Sydney. SA Police are currently preparing a report into the circumstances of her death for the State's Coroner, including her early release from a psychiatric institution in Melbourne.

The Coroner will then determine whether to conduct a public inquest into her death.

(continued)

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The woman alleged the sexual assault took place in Sydney in 1988, long before the man's political career commenced.

NSW Police provided a statement to the ABC about the case:

"In February [2020], NSW Police received a report of alleged historic sexual abuse. Inquiries were commenced by officers from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad under Strike Force Wyndarra."

COVID-19 outbreak delays investigation

Detectives from Strike Force Wyndarra were due to travel to Adelaide to take the woman's formal statement in March 2020 but their trip was postponed after the COVID-19 outbreak erupted and state borders were closed.

Friends of the woman, who had years earlier been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, say her mental health deteriorated in the weeks before she took her life. She had made previous suicide attempts.

The NSW Police statement said: "On Wednesday 24 June 2020, the body of a 49-year-old woman was located at a home at Adelaide by South Australia Police (SA Pol)."

The day before she took her life, the woman informed NSW Police that she no longer wished to proceed with the investigation.

She would have turned 50 this week.

"NSW Police understand that reporting sexual assault can be distressing and traumatic for victims — and it (is) always the choice of an individual whether to proceed with an investigation or not," the statement said.

'This is my story, plain and simple'

The woman's death means a criminal investigation into the politician can no longer proceed because the allegations cannot be tested.

The woman, who had been a brilliant and celebrated student at the time of the alleged incident, had prepared a long statement for her solicitor at the end of 2019.

"This is my story, plain and simple. It's not pretty, but it is mine," she wrote in the statement.

"And I stand by it, every single word and image in this document is true."

In her statement, the woman alleged she had been anally raped by the man when she was aged 16.

"All I really want, in the end, is for this to have been reported to the NSW Police Force and to know that a copy of this document, and a transcript of any interview they might do with me, is in their archives…

"If this story does become public knowledge, I hope that it will encourage other women to come forward.

"Not for me, but for themselves… I also hope that other people who have endured similar traumas, should these facts become public knowledge, will feel less alone."

The woman had told numerous friends who had become leaders in business, politics, the law and the arts and the ABC has spoken to many of them.

"She was caught on a jag, in a very specific era, around a very specific incident. That really seemed completely consuming and completely debilitating to her," one friend told the ABC.

"She was consumed with a trauma which she told me, deeply and consistently, was as result of an assault that had occurred, early in 1988, and her life at that point was really devoted to exploring how she could get some kind of justice, accountability and peace from that."

In the months before the incident, the woman had attended a psychiatric clinic in Melbourne.

"There were many of us that were willing to support and help her carry that burden to the extent that we could. And ultimately, of course, we couldn't do everything we hoped," the friend said, crying.

Another friend, who had been helping the woman find rape support counselling and who has also come forward to NSW and South Australia Police to assist with their investigations, said the woman had been frustrated because COVID had delayed police from flying from Sydney to see her in Adelaide to carry out their investigations.

"[I feel] enormous sadness," the friend said.

A third friend told the ABC it was "such a waste".

"A beautiful, clever, young woman with so much potential has a life squandered and a life ended far too early," he said.

In a statement, South Australia Police told the ABC that a full report into the woman's death is being prepared for the Coroner.

"It is not completed yet and there is no timeframe provided. SAPOL will not be making any further comment as this is a matter for the Coroner."

Four Corners has contacted the Prime Minister's office for comment.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-26/pm-senators-afp-told-historical-rape-allegation-cabinet-minister/13197248

Security co-operation ‘vital to counter China’, says Japanese ambassador

DENNIS SHANAHAN - FEBRUARY 26, 2021

Japan’s new ambassador has praised the Morrison government’s strategic approach to the South China Sea and declared expanding Australian-Japanese security co-operation was important because of concerns about “reckless behaviour” towards Taiwan.

Ambassador Shingo Yama­gami said security co-operation, as a “relatively new and fast-growing pillar” of relations, was becoming even more important for peace in the Indo-Pacific.

As China threatens Taiwan and proposes to build a new $39bn city with a major seaport, industrial area and free-trade zone on Papua New Guinea’s south coast, just kilometres from Australian territory, Mr Yamagami said co-operation on investment in Pacific nations was vital.

Mr Yamagami, as a former head of the Intelligence and Analysis Service of the Japanese Foreign Ministry, also expressed profound appreciation for Australia’s co-operation on intelligence while there are accusations in China that the Five Eyes intelligence group — Australia, the US, the UK, Canada and New Zealand — is an “axis of white supremacy”.

“The situation surrounding Taiwan remains a bilateral and international concern because any reckless or coercive action there could gravely affect the peace and stability of the entire Indo-Pacific region,” Mr Yamagami said in an article in The Australian.

“This increases the importance of Australia and Japan working together in the East China Sea in ­addition to our joint efforts in the South China Sea,” he said.

Mr Yamagami said Scott Morrison’s visit to Tokyo to see the new Japanese Prime Minister, Yoshi­hide Suga, despite the need for a two-week quarantine, helped the great asset of mutual trust between Australia and Japan.

“Australia and Japan are natural partners since we share not only basic values such as democracy, a market economy, respect for human rights and the rule of law, but also strategic interests in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

“Joint exercises and the transiting of the South China Sea are some great examples of this partnership,” Mr Yamagami said.

“Security co-operation, for example, is a relatively new and fast-growing pillar in the relationship.

“Australia and Japan also co-operate in the East China Sea to prevent any ship-to-ship transfer in contravention of UN Security Council resolutions regarding nuclear weapon and missile development by North Korea,” he said.

Japan also welcomed Australia’s participation in the four-way military exercises involving Japan, the US, Australia and India as part of the expansion of the trilateral security agreements to quadrilateral agreements including India.

“Japan is delighted that Australia participated in the Malabar maritime exercises with India, US and Japan last year for the first time in 13 years,” Mr Yamagami said.

Chinese diplomats in Australia have recently called on the Morrison government to “abandon ideological principles” and treat China with more respect as Chinese companies seek to spread more influence and projects into the South Pacific.

The Prime Minister described the plan for the $39bn Chinese controlled free-trade zone in PNG as “highly speculative”.

Mr Yamagami said the days of scepticism about investment from Japan was “long gone” and the Japanese government, Japanese banks and businesses were keen to support building projects in the ­region and promote investment in low carbon emissions technology in Australia.

“The possibilities for Japan and Australia to co-operate on emerging low-emissions energy technologies are endless. We are also stepping up co-operation with Indo-Pacific countries.”

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/security-cooperation-vital-to-counter-china-says-japanese-ambassador/news-story/de2e8d98a60088d774c9426a334cb0ca

>>13055026

Australia and Japan have a great partnership built on strong pillars

SHINGO YAMAGAMI - FEBRUARY 26, 2021

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Australia is a plum post for Japanese diplomats. It is even more so for Japanese business people. Before I departed Tokyo for Canberra, I tried to meet executives of every big company doing business in Australia. To my surprise, everywhere I went I was greeted by the chairperson and/or president of those companies. Without exception, all of these executives emphasised how important Australia was to their businesses and expressed fond feelings towards their partners from Down Under.

Since my arrival at the end of last year, I have met many Aussie business people and heard similar sentiments expressed towards their Japanese counterparts.

For a long time, Australia has served as a reliable supplier of raw material and energy, while Japan has made a long-term commitment to Australia through technology transfer and employment opportunities. Japanese investment is increasing and is on par with British investment, behind only that from the US. This mutual trust is a great asset to both countries and our people.

With this as a background, Scott Morrison became the first foreign leader to pay a visit to new Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. We intend to reciprocate the visit this year to further consolidate the personal relationship both leaders established.

Aussie-Japanese economic relations are rapidly expanding in scope and depth. These include energy-related investment of an unprecedented scale, such as the Ichthys project in the Northern Territory, and new types of investment such as building a smart-city in western Sydney and producing hydrogen in Victoria for shipment to Japan. The three mega-banks of Japan are leading the list of providers for project financing.

Space also has emerged as a new frontier for co-operation. The possibilities for Japan and Australia to co-operate on emerging low-emissions energy technologies are endless.

The economy is but one pillar supporting the relationship. Security co-operation is a relatively new and fast-growing pillar. Australia and Japan are natural partners since we share basic values such as democracy, a market economy, respect for human rights and the rule of law, as well as strategic interests in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Joint exercises and the transiting of the South China Sea are examples of this partnership.

(continued)

>>13055039

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Australia and Japan also co-operate in the East China Sea to prevent any ship-to-ship transfer in contravention of UN Security Council resolutions regarding nuclear weapon and missile development by North Korea. Japan is delighted that Australia participated in the Malabar maritime exercises with India, the US and Japan last year for the first time in 13 years. The situation surrounding Taiwan remains a concern because any reckless or coercive action there could affect the peace and stability of the entire Indo-Pacific region. This increases the importance of Australia and Japan working together.

The Reciprocal Access Agreement is to institutionalise the framework for activities including joint drills and training in both countries. Its long-awaited conclusion will pave the way for enhanced co-operation between the Australian Defence Force and the Japan Self-Defence Forces.

Another pillar related to security co-operation is intelligence co-operation. As the former head of the Intelligence and Analysis Service of the Japanese Foreign Ministry, I appreciate the importance of such co-operation.

Then there is the pillar of co-oper­ation in multilateral and regional forums as well as international co-operation. Australia and Japan will work together to expand the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and to ensure the successful implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership to better reflect our mutual interest in advancing a high standard of trade liberalisation and rules-making. As staunch believers in the rules-based multilateral trading system, Australia and Japan are committed to the reform of the World Trade Organisation, including its dispute resolution mechanism. Should he be elected as OECD secretary-general, Japan would be delighted to work closely with former finance minister Mathias Cormann.

We are also stepping up co-operation with Indo-Pacific countries. Australia’s Pacific step-up initiative as well as its Southeast Asian development partnership program and the greater level of Australian engagement with that region are encouraging. Japan is also expanding diplomatic, economic and security engagement in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

Tripartite co-operation with the US has led to projects such as the extension of the branch submarine line from the US-Singapore to Palau. Our co-operation on this project will be a significant step towards the realisation of our shared goal of constructing high-quality infrastructure to support a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Aussie-Japanese relations are developing at a remarkable speed in breadth and depth. Indeed, there is much Australia and Japan can accomplish together. I shall not spare any effort to advance this great partnership.

Shingo Yamagami is ambassador of Japan to Australia.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/australia-and-japan-have-a-great-partnership-built-on-strong-pillars/news-story/7ab8df2b94d492f6609d3d66ac88310b

>>13055026

>>13055039

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga Tweets

本日、モリソン豪首相と電話会談を行いました。「自由で開かれたインド太平洋」の実現に向けた協力、日米豪印での連携、地域情勢などについて、有意義な意見交換を行いました。「特別な戦略的パートナー」である日豪の間で、安全保障や経済等の幅広い分野で協力を一層深めていきます。

(Google translation)

Today, we had a telephone conversation with Australian Prime Minister Morrison. We exchanged meaningful opinions on cooperation toward the realization of a "free and open Indo-Pacific", cooperation between Japan, the United States, Australia and India, and regional affairs. We will further deepen cooperation between Japan and Australia, which are "special strategic partners," in a wide range of fields such as security and the economy.

https://twitter.com/sugawitter/status/1364871006108536832

—

Today, I had a great conversation with my friend ScoMo @ScottMorrisonMP, discussing our cooperation towards the realization of a Free and Open IndoPacific, collaboration through the Quad, and regional issues.

https://twitter.com/sugawitter/status/1364871091416489985

—

We, as Special Strategic Partners, will further deepen our cooperation in a wide range of areas such as security and economy.

https://twitter.com/sugawitter/status/1364871199759605763

—

Prime Minister Scott Morrison Tweet

Thanks to my good friend PM @sugawitter for a great call. We discussed strengthening a free & open Indo-Pacific, cooperation with ASEAN & through the Quad, energy technology partnerships & our new digital platform laws. I wished him all the best for #TokyoOlympics

https://twitter.com/ScottMorrisonMP/status/1364861392906428416

>>12889276

Anzac Day parade in Melbourne to go ahead

AAP - FEBRUARY 26 2021

This year's Anzac Day parade in Melbourne is back on and will be "as close to normal as possible".

The traditional April 25 march had been cancelled because of COVID-19 concerns, however it will now go ahead with COVID-safe precautions.

The reversed decision follows a "productive" Friday meeting between Returned and Services League Victoria and Department of Health and Human Services officials, an RSL spokesperson said.

The meeting came on the same day as a significant easing of social gathering restrictions, announced by Premier Daniel Andrews.

Other than the parade, decisions are yet to be made about other commemorative events.

"RSL Victoria also discussed the more than 400 RSL-led Anzac Day services and events currently planned at war memorials and cenotaphs across the state," the spokesperson said.

The RSL said it was confident a resolution would be reached soon.

The 2021 public holiday will be a welcome change from Anzac Day 2020, which was a quiet affair as Victorians stayed home and stood in their driveways to pay their respects to service men and women.

The decision comes days after Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced dawn services, marches and public commemorations would return in that state.

Meanwhile, traditional marches in NSW, including through Sydney's CBD, will be limited to 500 participants.

Tasmania's main Anzac parade in Hobart has been cancelled because of social distancing requirements.

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7145223/anzac-day-parade-in-melbourne-to-go-ahead/

U.S. Attorney Durham Announces Departure from Office

Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office - District of Connecticut

February 26, 2021

After serving as the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut for more than three years, and as a federal prosecutor in Connecticut for more than 38 years, John H. Durham today announced his resignation from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, effective at midnight on February 28.

“My career has been as fulfilling as I could ever have imagined when I graduated from law school way back in 1975,” said U.S. Attorney Durham. “Much of that fulfillment has come from all the people with whom I’ve been blessed to share this workplace, and in our partner law enforcement agencies. My love and respect for this Office and the vitally important work done here have never diminished. It has been a tremendous honor to serve as U.S. Attorney, and as a career prosecutor before that, and I will sorely miss it.”

Prior to his appointment as an interim U.S. Attorney in November 2017 and subsequently as the presidentially appointed U.S. Attorney in February 2018, Mr. Durham served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in various positions in the District of Connecticut for 35 years, prosecuting complex organized crime, violent crime, public corruption and financial fraud matters. From 1978 to 1982, he served as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, and from 1977 to 1978, he served as a Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Leonard C Boyle will serve as Acting U.S. Attorney upon Mr. Durham’s departure.

“The Office will be in the extraordinarily capable hands of Len and our superb supervisory team who, together, guarantee that the proper administration of justice will continue uninterrupted in our District.”

Mr. Boyle has served as First Assistant U.S. Attorney since June 2018, when he returned to the U.S. Attorney’s Office after serving as Deputy Chief State’s Attorney in Connecticut for approximately nine years. He previously served in the U.S. Attorney’s Office from 1986 to 1998, and from 1999 to 2004.

Mr. Boyle is the 53rd U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, an office that was established in 1789.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is charged with enforcing federal criminal laws in Connecticut and representing the federal government in civil litigation. The Office is composed of approximately 68 Assistant U.S. Attorneys and approximately 54 staff members at offices in New Haven, Hartford and Bridgeport.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/us-attorney-durham-announces-departure-office

https://qanon.pub/#3674

>>13055733

George Papadopoulos Tweet

Durham resigned from his position in Connecticut NOT from his appointment as special counsel. Facts.

https://twitter.com/GeorgePapa19/status/1365403621437829123

>>13055733

>>13055741

John Durham to remain as special counsel in Russia probe, but step aside as U.S. Attorney in Connecticut

EDMUND H. MAHONY - FEB 09, 2021

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John H. Durham will continue as special counsel in the investigation of the origins on the Trump-Russia inquiry, but is being asked to resign as U.S. Attorney, as the Biden administration begins replacing top federal prosecutors appointed by former President Donald Trump with its own nominees.

Among the federal prosecutors appointed by Trump, only Durham and David C. Weiss, the U.S. Attorney in Delaware, whose office is directing a tax investigation of Biden’s son Hunter Biden, are expected to remain with the justice department after the incoming administration asks for the resignations of the Trump appointees who have not already left.

Requests by incoming administrations for the resignations of U.S. Attorneys — the top federal law enforcement officers in their districts — are in most cases routine and Durham’s office has anticipated and planned for the transition. But Durham’s position directing the politically explosive inquiry into the Russia probe — and Weiss’ role in the Hunter Biden investigation — presented a challenge for the Biden administration.

Durham could not be reached Tuesday to discuss his plans. His office in New Haven declined comment.

A justice department spokesman said, “Continuing the practice of new administrations, President Biden and the Department of Justice have begun the transition process for the U.S. Attorneys.” An official said the remaining Trump U.S. Attorneys have been given to the end of the month to depart.

It is unclear how quickly the Biden administration will be able to move to appoint federal prosecutors; a number of lawyers in Connecticut already are maneuvering for Durham’s office in New Haven. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, who sits on the judiciary committee, has said the nomination of senior justice officers will take precedence over the U.S. Attorneys.

The appointment process also faces delays caused by an historic second impeachment of Trump, the trial of which is to begin in the Senate today. Senior justice nominees and U.S. Attorneys must be confirmed by the Senate.

Durham was sworn in as U.S. Attorney in February 2018 and, not long after, was brought to Washington by former U.S. Attorney General William Barr to investigate leaks of confidential law enforcement and intelligence information associated with an FBI investigation of now-discredited allegations that the Trump campaign had colluded with Russia. In May 2019, Barr appointed Durham to lead the Trump-Russia inquiry based on his experience in the leak investigation, as well as prior experience investigating the Central Intelligence Agency in 2008 and 2009.

Six months after his appointment to the Russia inquiry, Durham made news by publicly disputing the Justice Department inspector general who had concluded that the FBI was justified in opening its Russia collusion probe.

“Based on the evidence collected to date, and while our investigation is ongoing, last month we advised the Inspector General that we do not agree with some of the report’s conclusions as to predication and how the FBI case was opened,” Durham said.

(continued)

>>13056166

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In October, with the presidential election approaching, Barr quietly appointed Durham as a special counsel on the Russia inquiry, a decision that many in federal law enforcement viewed as a guarantee that he would be permitted to complete his work. The appointment gave Durham a degree of independence from the justice department.

Barr revealed the special counsel appointment in a letter to Congress two months later: “In advance of the presidential election, I decided to appoint Mr. Durham as a special counsel to provide him and his team with the assurance that they could complete their work, without regard to the outcome of the election.”

Durham became the most visible face of federal law enforcement in Connecticut, long before his appointment as U.S. Attorney or assignment to the Russia inquiry.

He joined the U.S. Attorney’s office in 1982 after working as a state prosecutor assigned to target career criminals. Durham, who rarely speaks or appears in public, was assigned to the federal justice department’s secret organized crime strike force. By the late 1990s, he was the senior prosecutor on a state and federal law enforcement task force that helped take down the Patriarca crime family, the ruthless mob that controlled the New England underworld.

After an extraordinary, months-long trial in Hartford, Durham convicted the Patriarca mob’s southern New England leadership — after presenting the jury with, among other things, the first ever recording of the mafia’s secret initiation ceremony.

In the late 1990s, former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno sent Durham to Boston with orders to put together a law enforcement team from around the country and determine how legendary gangster James “Whitey” Bulger was able — for years — to infiltrate and subvert the local FBI office. Durham, working with others, proved that a decorated former FBI mob investigator had been a secret member of Bulger’s Winter Hill Gang.

In the CIA inquiry, Durham was assigned by the justice departments under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama in 2008 and 2009 to investigate whether the agency used torture in interrogations after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and its destruction of certain videotapes showing the torture of suspected terrorists.

Three years later, Durham directed the Connecticut aspect of history’s biggest art heist — the theft of $500 million in art masterworks from Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.

Over nearly four decades at the U.S. Attorney’s office in New Haven, Durham has held a variety of positions, including deputy U.S. Attorney, as well as acting an interim U.S. Attorney.

https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-news-john-durham-resignation-20210209-20210209-b5fpaekr7ndtnnck2cvz7aer4m-story.html

>>13050955

Photo emerges of alleged rape victim and minister on night of claimed incident

A photograph has emerged showing a minister and the woman who accused him of rape pictured together on the night of the alleged incident.

Samantha Maiden - MARCH 2, 2021

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EXCLUSIVE: It’s the photograph that the woman who accused a serving minister of raping her as a teenager said proves they were together earlier that night.

He is wearing a pinstriped shirt. She claims in the unsworn affidavit that he asked her to iron it for him before that night, telling her she would “make someone a wonderful wife” one day.

Scott Morrison has revealed the Liberal minister accused of rape, who has not been identified, “vigorously” denies the allegations and categorically refutes that he ever raped the Adelaide woman when she was a 16-year-old teenager.

But the woman’s friends say that the photograph was taken on Saturday, January 9, proving at least they were together before the woman alleges she was raped.

The woman said he told her that night as she ironed his shirt that she was “not only smart and so pretty” but could do “good housewife things”.

She said he went on to say he would need a “smart, pretty wife to help his political career, then boasted that he would be prime minister one day. By the age of 50, he predicted”.

That night, they went out drinking and dancing in Sydney’s Kings Cross district.

She had consented to a sexual act in 1988, but not sex or oral sex, but claims he then forced her to have oral sex and raped her.

“I did this repeatedly by saying ‘Please don’t make me’ and ‘No, I don’t want to.’”

After she vomited on her dress she said the man put her in the bath. She said that she then woke to him raping her. She claims the only thing she remembers when he was raping her was that he said “I don’t want to get you pregnant”.

She writes that she was shocked and embarrassed the next day and bleeding.

“I told no one what happened. All I could cope with, as I remembered parts of the evening gingerly, was the idea that things had gone ‘a bit too far’. But it was OK, I reassured myself, because we were going to get married one day.”

In the unsworn witness statement, the woman reveals that she knew the man for several years in the lead up to the incident and that he made a number of sexist, belittling comments to her over the years.

She also reveals at one social event he told her: “You should be wearing a bikini. Pity your tits are too small.”

Another time, they had gone to a Thai restaurant with friends in Sydney. The woman, who had battled eating disorders, ordered a salad with alfalfa sprouts.

She said the man said to her: “Oh look (the complainant) is eating sperm.”

Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the minister must now “out himself” in respect for his colleagues and the country.

“He should out himself and he should provide a comprehensive statement,’’ he said.

“He should describe when he knew the woman, how he knew the woman, what dealings he had with the woman after the event. We need to know what he knew about the complaint and when he knew about it.

“Frankly, it’s not good enough for the Prime Minister to say “Oh, it’s a matter for police” The Prime Minister cannot outsource his responsibility for composing his ministry to the police.”

“He should require the minister to speak up. He owes it to his colleagues and the country.”

Mr Turnbull said the matter needed to be brought to a head before parliament resumes in a fortnight.

“It is impossible for him to function in that cabinet,’’ he said.

“It’s not tenable.”

Despite the woman having made previous attempts on her own life in the years leading up to the suicide, Mr Turnbull admits it’s “counterintuitive” but is now calling for a full coronial inquiry and police investigation.

“All I know is that she is dead. It certainly has been reported in the media as a suicide. I have a question mark in my own mind about the timing of it because it seems counter intuitive,’’ he said.

“Now it’s said that she suicided. Did she?”

(continued)

>>13083780

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RAPE INVESTIGATION AFTER VICTIM HAS PASSED

Legal sources in South Australia have told news.com.au that a coronial inquiry cannot be conducted into the woman’s death in Adelaide until police had completed their own investigation.

The NSW police declared the “case closed” today in a statement following legal advice based on insufficient evidence to proceed.

“In November 2019, a woman then aged 48, attended an Adelaide (South Australia) police station seeking advice about reporting historical sexual offences, which allegedly occurred in 1988 in Sydney (New South Wales),’’ it states.

“The matter was then referred to the NSW Police Force and an investigation by the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced under Strike Force Wyndarra.

“NSW Police Force has been the lead agency in respect to this investigation since February 2020.

“For various reasons, the woman did not detail her allegations in a formal statement to NSW Police.

“The woman passed away in June 2020.

“Following the woman’s death, NSW Police came into possession of a personal document purportedly made by the woman previously.

“NSW Police have since sought legal advice in relation to these matters.

“Based on information provided to NSW Police, there is insufficient admissible evidence to proceed.

“As such, NSW Police Force has determined the matter is now closed.”

Mr Morrison said he first heard about the complaint letter on Wednesday evening and spoke to the accused man and the AFP commissioner that same night.

“Did I raise it? Yes, I did. And he vigorously and completely denied the allegations,’’ the Prime Minister said.

Asked if he believed the denials, Mr Morrison said “I am not the police commissioner”. He said it was a matter for police.

The Prime Minister confirmed he had also discussed the matter with the AFP commissioner Reece Kershaw.

“And in my discussions with the Commissioner, there was nothing immediate that he considered that was necessary for me to take any action on,’’ he said.

https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/photo-emerges-of-alleged-rape-victim-and-minister-on-night-of-claimed-incident/news-story/b4cec5893213beea0d67967075284bbf

>>13050955

NSW Police close investigation into historical rape allegation against federal Cabinet Minister

Jade Macmillan - 2 March 2021

New South Wales Police say their investigation into a historical rape allegation against a federal Cabinet Minister is now closed.

An anonymous letter, sent to several members of Parliament, alleged a woman was raped when she was a teenager in 1988 by a man who is now a Minister in the federal government.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Minister "absolutely rejects" the allegation.

In a statement, NSW Police said the woman contacted officers in 2019 but did not detail her allegation in a formal statement before taking her own life last year.

Police said they sought legal advice after receiving a document "purportedly made by the woman" before she died.

However, they said there was "insufficient admissible evidence" to proceed, and that the matter was now closed.

Earlier, Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw had said his counterpart in New South Wales was seeking legal advice about the allegation.

Politicians who received the letter last week, including Mr Morrison and Labor's leader in the Senate Penny Wong, referred the allegation to the AFP.

However the AFP said it did not have jurisdiction over the matter.

The NSW Police investigation was suspended after the woman took her life in June las year.

Separately, police in South Australia are preparing a report into her death for the coroner.

Before the NSW Police announcement, Commissioner Kershaw was asked on Nine Radio about the challenges police would face, given the woman had died.

"It's very problematic and it's something the New South Wales Commissioner has talked to me about, about him seeking further legal advice in relation to that matter," he told Nine Radio.

"And that's something that myself and the South Australian Police Commissioner will be discussing.

"Just to clarify … the AFP's role is to liaise and support and provide whatever advice those jurisdictions need in this matter."

AFP to contact man accused of Brittany Higgins assault

Commissioner Kershaw was also asked about a separate allegation, made by former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins, who says she was raped by a colleague at Parliament House in 2019.

She made a formal complaint to the AFP last week and Commissioner Kershaw said officers would be speaking to the accused man.

"That's a process that we're going through now, and obviously we'll be making contact with that individual at the appropriate time," he said.

"It's in the hands of our ACT Policing, what we call our Sexual Assault Child Abuse taskforce, which are experienced in these matters.

"And they'll be working with no doubt NSW Police and other partner agencies in relation to this."

Ms Higgins originally met with the AFP shortly after the alleged incident but asked officers not to pursue an investigation in April 2019.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-02/nsw-police-close-investigation-into-historical-rape-allegation/13206372

Victoria's coronavirus state of emergency powers set to be extended

Bridget Rollason - 2 March 2021

Victoria's state of emergency powers look set to be extended for another nine months, after negotiations between the Andrews government and the crossbench.

A debate on the laws, which give the Chief Health Officer wide-ranging powers to enforce public health orders including hotel quarantine and mask wearing, is taking place in the Upper House this afternoon.

The bill has already passed the Lower House.

The amended laws were circulated to MPs just hours before the debate was about to begin.

They include reducing penalties for young people who are fined for COVID-19 breaches, and changes to the appeals processes for people with detention orders.

A key recommendation from the Victorian Ombudsman report into the lockdown of Melbourne's public housing towers included allowing a person subject to a detention order to apply to the Chief Health Officer and VCAT for a review of the decision.

Both amendments arose out of negotiations with Victorian Greens leader Samantha Ratnam and Reason Party leader Fiona Patten.

The government needs three crossbench votes for the legislation to pass, and the Animal Justice Party has previously been supportive.

Ms Ratnam said the Greens had secured a commitment that specific legislation for managing COVID-19 would be developed in nine months' time, to replace the current state of emergency powers.

"While COVID is still a risk in the community we must continue to keep people safe, but that shouldn't come at the expense of people's democratic rights and rights to social justice," she said.

She said the new laws would mean this would be the last time a state of emergency was used in Victoria for coronavirus.

The leader of the opposition in the Upper House, David Davis, said the government had been provided with a "blank cheque", with "unbridled power until Christmas".

"This looks like a sell-out," Mr Davis said.

"This appears to be a deal where the government has got no serious checks on powers."

The state of emergency laws were due to expire on March 16.

If the bill is passed, a state of emergency will remain in place until December 16.

Victoria has been under a continuous state of emergency since March last year.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-02/victoria-state-of-emergency-with-help-from-greens/13206694

>>13050558

Neo-Nazi group Sonnenkrieg Division to become first right-wing terrorist organisation listed in Australia

Tom Lowrey and David Lipson - 2 March 2021

A right-wing extremist group is set to be formally listed as a terrorist organisation for the first time in Australia.

Sonnenkrieg Division, a UK-based neo-Nazi group, will be effectively banned in Australia once its listing as a terror group is confirmed.

The group has been outlawed in the UK since early last year, and members have been convicted of encouraging terrorism, disseminating terror material, and preparations for a terrorist act.

Two Sonnenkrieg Division members were convicted in 2019 for plotting to attack the British royal family.

Decisions to list terror groups are made on the advice of security agencies like ASIO.

As a result of the listing, it will become an offence to be a member of the group, fund the group, or in some circumstances associate with members of the group.

Penalties can range to up to 25 years in prison.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has written to Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese, and all state and territory leaders, proposing the listing.

There are currently 27 listed terror groups in Australia, including Islamic terror groups like Al Qaeda, Islamic State, Boko Haram and Jemaah Islamiyah.

Increasing focus on right-wing terror

Australian security agencies have advised there are currently no Australians directly involved with Sonnenkrieg Division.

But a gathering of white supremacists in regional Victoria in January prompted calls for other right-wing groups to be listed.

Stickers promoting the "National Socialist Network" were reported by some residents in the Grampians during the group's visit.

Some reported the group burned a cross, performed Nazi salutes and chanted white supremacist slogans.

Despite police investigations, no laws were found to be broken, which led to some experts to call for the National Socialist Network to be similarly listed.

Mr Dutton has previously asked Federal Parliament's powerful Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security to look into groups that fall short of meeting the threshold for listing, but still pose a threat.

The committee would consider what possible law changes could be made to better address such groups.

Labor has previously called for the government to declare far-right group Proud Boys as terrorists.

Groups on Australia's terror watch list

Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG)

Al Qaeda (AQ)

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS)

Al Qaeda in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)

Al Shabaab

Boko Haram

Hamas' Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades

Hizballah's External Security Organisation (ESO)

Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan

Islamic State

Islamic State East Asia

Islamic State in Libya (IS-Libya)

Islamic State Khorasan Province

Islamic State Sinai Province (IS-Sinai)

Islamic State Somalia

Islamic State West Africa Province

Jabhat Fatah al-Sham

Jaish-e-Mohammad

Jama'at Mujahideen Bangladesh

Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin

Jemaah Anshorut Daulah

Jemaah Islamiyah (JI)

Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)

Lashkar-e-Jhangvi

Lashkar-e-Tayyiba

Palestinian Islamic Jihad

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-02/sonnenkrieg-division-first-right-wing-terror-group-listed/13206756

>>13083891

Victorian parliamentary committee set to announce decision on banning Nazi symbols

abc.net.au - 2 March 2021

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Tomorrow morning, a Victorian parliamentary committee will announce its decision on whether the swastika and other Nazi symbols should be banned from public display.

Dvir Abramovich, who chairs the non-government Anti-Defamation Commission, hopes the committee members will "take the high moral ground and say enough is enough".

"I don't think the day is far away when we will see neo-Nazis marching in the streets of Melbourne's CBD with neo-Nazi flags. And if we don't change the laws, nothing will stop them," he said.

There was certainly nothing to stop a group of around 40 neo-Nazis from marching through Halls Gap in January, wearing Nazi symbols and throwing Nazi salutes.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews called it a "deficiency in the law" in 2019, when the state was similarly powerless to stop a planned neo-Nazi music festival in Melbourne.

In the end, public outcry stopped the festival from going ahead. Soon afterward, the Victorian Parliament's Legal and Social Issues Committee began inquiring into whether Victoria's racial vilification laws were fit for purpose.

Today, the Premier gave a strong hint he would be receptive to a recommendation to ban Nazi symbols from public display.

"There's no place for those views, there's no place for those symbols, there's no place for those attitude and conduct in a modern Victoria," he said.

Numerous submissions to the inquiry have argued they are not — saying the bar is too high to bring charges, and that the penalties for convictions are too low.

But Dr Abramovich said more legal tools were needed to put a stop to the growing threat of emboldened far right groups.

"They are posting, they're escalating, they are signalling to everybody that we are going to be front and centre on the public stage," he said.

Experts say the extreme right is becoming bolder than ever

The Grampians gathering was a clear example. But there are others.

On Monday, a leader of one neo-Nazi group attacked a black security guard at Channel Nine, then uploaded the video to the web.

Two weeks ago, members of another far-right group in Albury-Wodonga posted videos of themselves making threats at the workplace and home of people who had criticised them on social media.

After going underground in the wake of the Christchurch massacre, experts say the extreme right is back — and bolder than ever.

"The principal individuals in these groups have always had neo-Nazi politics. They just concealed them for pragmatic reasons," said Andy Fleming, who runs the anti-fascist blog Slackbastard and has tracked the far right for several years.

"For the most part, those pretences have been abandoned."

Victoria University academic Debra Smith, who specialises in terrorism and political violence, said the tactics used by extreme right groups had changed.

"Prior to the Christchurch massacre, there was a very strong street movement strategy around the far right — a lot of protests, a lot of 'reclaiming' of beaches, flag protests and these sorts of marches," she said.

"That's a tactic they feel clearly the need to go back to, which means that they're probably on a bit of a recruitment drive."

(continued)

>>13083949

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'The more divisive the politics, the better for the far right'

Dr Smith, who advises police and security agencies on violent extremist groups, said recruiters had been feeding off the discontent caused by lockdowns, especially in Victoria.

"I think the more divisive the politics, the better for the far right," she said.

"They really flourish in environments where there's greater polarisation, and where the clear messaging around democratic principles is blurred."

Andy Fleming agrees. "It would be a surprise if they weren't seeking to capitalise on the discontent over the past year," he said.

Dr Smith believes there has been a shift not just in tactics, but in tone — and she is concerned the potential for violence is escalating.

"One of the things we noticed that was really quite concerning was a real change in how the state was perceived," she said.

"When we first started to attend rallies, people would say to you: 'The police are here to protect us.' But 18 months later, it was: 'The police are the enemy, the state is the enemy, the state is illegitimate.'

"This is something you see a lot in movements that are heading towards violence. Whether that translates into a violent attack, we don't know."

Security agencies taking far-right extremism more seriously

Australian security agencies scrambled to pivot toward far-right groups after Christchurch.

Two days before the massacre, the head of the Home Affairs department didn't even mention far-right extremism as one of the seven "gathering storms" threatening Australia's national security.

ASIO says white supremacist groups now take up around a third of its counterterrorism resources, while the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security is investigating whether Commonwealth counter terrorism laws are fit for purpose.

This week, Home Affairs designated its first far-right group as a terrorist organisation in Australia — the UK-based Sonnenkrieg Division.

It's the first such group to be added to Australia's list of banned organisations, long dominated by Islamist groups like ISIS and Al Qaeda.

Other Five Eyes countries, including Canada, are ahead of Australia in designating white supremacist groups as terror organisations, which gives police greater powers to intercept and charge members before an atrocity is committed.

'One of the hallmarks of a democracy is what it tolerates'

Victorians, meanwhile, are waiting to hear which state laws may change to rein in the far right — like banning Nazi symbols.

On that question, Mr Fleming said he was ambivalent.

"We have experience with these sorts of measures being undertaken by various European states, along with the criminalisation of Holocaust denial. And that did put a brake on the development of extreme and the far right in places like Germany," he said.

"However, it also meant those who would otherwise have been running around waving a swastika were forced to adapt. So they adopted new symbols."

Dr Abramovich said failing to ban Nazi symbols would be a mistake.

"It sends a message to the white supremacists that they still have a foothold in our country, and also that our government is too weak or too indifferent to actually do anything about it," he said.

"One of the hallmarks of a democracy is what it tolerates. And if we as a democracy are tolerating this, it says a lot about who we are."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-02/victoria-parliament-considering-swastika-ban/13205700

Julian Assange's father comes to Bendigo ahead of extradition judgement appeal

Tara Cosoleto - MARCH 2 2021

THE father of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is in Bendigo calling for support to release his imprisoned son.

Mr Assange is being held in an English jail awaiting a United States appeal, after a judge refused his extradition to the US on the basis of his poor health.

The US wants Mr Assange to be trialled on charges of spying and hacking relating to information released through Wikileaks

Mr Assange's father John Shipton and members of the Central Victorian Home Run for Julian group were stationed outside Federal Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters' office on Tuesday morning.

They also spent some time outside the Bendigo Law Courts as part of the national tour.

"There are two purposes," Mr Shipton said. "The first is that the support for Julian is from the bottom up. It percolated up into parliament so we have to say thanks.

"The second is to bring about more people joining and insisting that Julian returns home to Victoria."

Mr Shipton said the group would be moving through Victoria and NSW on their way to Canberra.

He said while there were no planned meetings with Ms Chesters, the group would be discussing Mr Assange's case with federal politicians.

"We have a meeting in Canberra," Mr Shipton said. "There are 24 members of the Assange cross-party parliamentary committee.

"A powerful mixed party group that supports Julian's return home to us."

Mr Shipton will be going to Albury on Wednesday to continue the tour.

https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/7148943/julian-assanges-father-comes-to-bendigo-in-show-of-support-for-son/

Australia needs to reflect on flight of Chinese investment: FM spokesperson

Global Times - Mar 01, 2021

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson urged the Australian government to seriously reflect on itself against the backdrop of a plunge of Chinese investment in Australia last year when China's outward foreign direct investment grew by 3.3 percent.

This came as Chinese direct investment in Australia fell 61 percent to $783 million in 2020, the lowest level in six years, according to a study by an institute of the Australian National University which was released on Sunday.

Against the backdrop of China's outward direct investment growing by 3.3 percent last year, investment in Australia has fallen off a cliff and the Australian side should seriously reflect on itself over the reason, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at the regular press conference on Monday, in responding to the questions over the study by the Australian university.

The figures reflect practical problems within China-Australia relations, said Wang.

Wang noted that Australia has repeatedly used the excuse of "national security" to block Chinese investments and arbitrarily imposed restrictions on normal bilateral exchanges, which has seriously affected the confidence of Chinese companies in investing in Australia.

China-Australia economic, trade and investment cooperation is mutually beneficial and win-win in nature, and Chinese enterprises' investment in Australia has made great contribution to local economic development and people's livelihood over the years.

The Australian government's politicizing of economic and trade issues runs counter to Australia's consistent commitment to market rules and the principle of free competition. It also harms Australia's own interests and reputation, said the spokesperson.

Wang urged the Australian government to take measures to provide a fair, open and non-discriminatory investment environment for foreign investors, including Chinese companies, and create favorable conditions for bilateral practical cooperation in various fields.

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202103/1216900.shtml

—

Transcript - Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on March 1, 2021

China Daily: According to a report released by the Institute of East Asian Economics at the Australian National University on February 28, China's direct investment to Australia dropped 61 percent to 783 million US dollars in 2020, hitting a six-year low. The report says this is partly due to the pandemic, and partly to Australia's tightened scrutiny of Chinese investment. Could I have China's comment on that?

Wang Wenbin: The figures you mentioned tell a lot about some practical problems in China-Australia relations. China-Australia trade is mutually beneficial in nature. Over the years, Chinese investment in Australia has given a great boost to local economic development and livelihood improvement. In 2020, while China's outward direct investment (ODI) grew by 3.3%, China's investment to Australia took a nosedive, a contrast that deserves some serious thoughts by the Australian side. In recent years, the Australian side has repeatedly used "national security" as an excuse to veto Chinese companies' investment projects and arbitrarily imposed restrictions on normal exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in various fields, which has seriously dampened the confidence of Chinese investors. Such practice of politicizing economic and trade issues runs counter to Australia's self-proclaimed commitment to market rules and the principle of free competition, and puts Australia's own interests and reputation in jeopardy. The Australian government should take steps to provide a fair, open and non-discriminatory investment environment for investors, who are from not only China, but also other countries, so as to facilitate practical cooperation between China and Australia in various fields.

https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/xwfw_665399/s2510_665401/t1857624.shtml

>>13084430

China condemns Australia for granting 'protection visas' to Hong Hong residents

Global Times - Mar 02, 2021

China's Foreign Ministry on Monday urged Australia to abandon its interference in China's Hong Kong Special Administration Region (HKSAR) affairs, after the Australian government granted protection visas to Hong Kong passport holders in December, which came following years of rejected applications.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin on Monday said China's position on Hong Kong-related issues is consistent and clear. "Hong Kong affairs fall entirely within China's internal affairs. No foreign country has the right to interfere," Wang said.

"China urges Australia to stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs in any way, to avoid further damage to China-Australia relations," Wang said.

A report from Australia's Department of Home Affairs on the processing of Subclass 866 onshore protection visas indicated that fewer than five Hong Kong passport holders had their applications approved in December. The allocation marked the first time that such visas were granted to passport holders from the region since at least 2010, Australian media outlet SBS reported on Monday.

China has deplored and opposed the groundless accusations many times made by the Australian government on Hong Kong issues, calling them a violation of international law and basic norms governing international relations and gross interference in China's internal affairs.

Colluding with other members of the Five Eyes alliance, Australia has shown hostile policies toward China regarding Hong Kong and Xinjiang regions.

Following Canada, Australia in 2020 suspended its extradition agreement with Hong Kong and will offer visa extensions and a pathway to permanent residence to Hong Hong residents in Australia.

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202103/1216965.shtml

—

Transcript - Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on March 1, 2021

FSN: Australian media reports today said that the Australian government has granted its first humanitarian visas to Hong Kong passport holders since 2010. What is your comment?

Wang Wenbin: China's position on Hong Kong-related issues is consistent and clear. Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong, and every bit of Hong Kong affairs belongs to China's internal affairs, in which no other country has the right to interfere. The Chinese side urges the Australian side to stop meddling in Hong Kong's affairs and China's internal affairs in any way. Otherwise the China-Australia relations will only sustain further damage.

https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/xwfw_665399/s2510_665401/t1857624.shtml

Chinese envoy defends ‘panda huggers’ and blames media over ‘totally ridiculous’ concerns

WILL GLASGOW - MARCH 2, 2021

A senior Chinese diplomat in Canberra has blamed the Australian media and “totally ridiculous” security concerns for the breakdown in Australia’s relationship with China.

Addressing an audience of business people at a Chinese Lunar New Year dinner, China’s deputy head of mission Wang Xining said the rising power would remember who was on its side during the bilateral dispute.

“History will prove that it is wise and visionary to be China’s friends,” said Minister Xining in the first lengthy address given by China’s embassy in Canberra since he spoke at the National Press Club six months ago

Mr Wang also delivered a warning to those “people in Australia [who] choose to make enemies to sustain a living”.

“Those who deliberately vilify China and sabotage the friendship between our two countries … will be [cast] aside in history,” he said.

“Their children will be ashamed of mentioning their names,” he said, according to a transcript of the speech posted on the Embassy’s website.

The combative speech – given on Thursday night at Ruby Chinese, a restaurant in Dickson that was once owned by the father of movie star Jackie Chan – is the latest public intervention by China’s Canberra embassy since the already strained bilateral relationship spiralled to historic depths last April after the Morrison government called for an inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus without forewarning their Chinese counterparts.

Weeks after Foreign Minister Marise Payne first called for the inquiry on the ABC’s Insiders show, China’s ambassador Cheng Jingye gave an interview in which he warned of a boycott of Australian beef, wine and universities.

‘Rift will hurt millions’

In late August — by which time Beijing had imposed a crippling 80 per cent tariff on Australian barley exports to China, suspended multiple beef abattoirs and threatened huge tariffs for Australian wine – Minister Wang gave a relatively conciliatory speech about the frayed relationship, which he compared to marriage.

“While a rift between husband and wife hurts one family, a rift between two countries will hurt millions,” he said in August.

The next day, the Morrison government revealed legislation that allowed the federal government to rescind Victoria’s Belt and Road deal.

In November, diplomats at China’s embassy in Canberra circulated a list of 14 grievances with Australia, which included restrictions on Chinese investment, the ban on Huawei’s involvement in the 5G network and investigations into foreign interference.

By the end of 2020, more than $20b of annual Australian exports to China — over 10 per cent of the total — had been banned or interfered.

Minister Wang’s latest speech — titled “It Is So Difficult to be China‘s Friends in Australia Today” — was given at a dinner held by the ACT branch of the Australian China Business Council.

The Chinese diplomat said many of the business association’s members understood his country better than most Australians.

“Maybe you don’t fully agree with our model of governance and administration, but at least you respect and understand the reason behind our development path and model of governance.”

Media blamed for bad sentiment

Minister Wang said much of the bad sentiment in Australia towards China was the media’s fault.

“If these people are immersed by those negative portraits of China by the major media outlets and brainwashed by the vulgarised and simplified political slogans, how would they understand China and agree with your assessment and impression of China.”

He said it was now a “really difficult time to be China’s friend in Australia”.

“Currently, the friends of China are given a nickname ‘panda-hugger’. It used to be a word of appreciation but now it carries derogatory meanings. It seems that being friendly to China, to be a friend of China becomes a sin and mistake in Australia.”

In addition to the media, Minister Wang said the bilateral relationship had been undermined by the suspicions of “a small number of people”, who he did not name.

“The excuse for such suspicion is China’s threats to Australian sovereignty and security, which is totally ridiculous. Because up to today no one single case has been substantiated or supported by evidence,” he said.

“And based on my observation, most of those people are siphoning off Australia’s financial coffer, and they squander on the cornucopia which is the hard-won product of the majority of Australian labour force.”

“When these people were barking loud, our friends had to bite the bullet,” he added.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/chinese-envoy-defends-panda-huggers-and-blames-media-over-totally-ridiculous-concerns/news-story/d5cac44ab06701cfcb810ce43d7ab09a

>>13065677

>>13076739

>>13083804

NSW police rape case closure means there is clear precedent on how to behave

DENNIS SHANAHAN - MARCH 2, 2021

Now that the NSW police have announced they are closing the case on historical rape allegations against a cabinet minister in the Morrison government some prominent politicians and the media have a clear precedent on how to behave.

And that’s not how they have been behaving in this febrile, highly politicised few weeks.

Parliamentarians, politicians, media and victims’ advocates all have a template based on their own behaviour when Bill Shorten, who had been subjected to a decades-old rape allegation, was told Victorian police would not proceed with the case for lack of evidence he identified himself.

The then opposition leader said how terrible it had been, how abhorrent the allegation was and how it was untrue.

It was a difficult but correct decision and it received the correct and proper response from his colleagues, the media, the prime minister and his political opponents, including Malcolm Turnbull.

But the lead-up to the dismissal of the allegations against Shorten were entirely different to those facing the current cabinet minister.

When the allegation was made against Shorten and police began to investigate there were no anonymous calls for action, no letters to Labor leaders and frontbenchers, no allegations on the ABC and no calls for him to step aside.

When the police investigation into the allegations was first reported there was no name of the alleged perpetrator only that it was a “senior Labor figure”.

There were no calls for the person to self-identify, no calls for someone to stand down from their position, no broadcast of the evidence and no suggestions that anyone but the police should deal with the matter.

Insufficient evidence

Shorten had co-operated with police, denied the claims of the event when he was 19 and gained the full support of Labor and Coalition MPs.

Turnbull, then communications minister, said Shorten did the right thing in coming forward and sympathised with how terrible it would have been facing an “unjust accusation”.

Tony Abbott, as prime minister, said there had been allegations “in the ether” and Shorten had done the best thing. Tanya Plibersek, then the deputy Labor leader, said it was time to “draw a line under” the events because it had been so stressful for Shorten.

There were no calls for an independent investigation, no complaints from Labor frontbenchers, no point scoring in parliament and no suggestion that leaving the matter to the police was not the right thing to do.

Even when the complainant sought to revive the allegations in the final days of the 2019 election campaign — by going to the police seeking a reopening of the case — the media barely reported it and Plibersek, Kristina Keneally and Penny Wong all continued on the campaign trail with Shorten without comment.

That’s how everyone behaved then: accepting the police decision; not politicising a sexual allegation; not denying Shorten’s word and; not calling for a removal from office. Let’s see how they behave now.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/nsw-police-rape-case-closure-means-there-is-clear-precedent-on-how-to-behave/news-story/496b6fbec520e93d52a42b1208be8026

>>13050955

>>13083804

Cabinet Minister at the centre of historical rape allegation to break silence

James Glenday and Andrew Probyn - 2 March 2021

The Cabinet Minister who is the focus of a historical rape allegation is likely to break his silence tomorrow.

Sources within the government say the man is likely to make a statement and take several questions from journalists.

It is understood he will not step down and will strongly deny any wrongdoing.

The Cabinet Minister has sought advice from eminent defamation lawyer Peter Bartlett, a partner at MinterEllison, who is very highly regarded within the industry.

The Minister's statement was still being drafted on Tuesday night, and the government is hopeful his appearance will mark the end of the matter.

The sexual assault allegation has dominated national media attention and loomed large over the 16 men in the Coalition government's Cabinet ever since an anonymous letter was sent to several members of Parliament last week.

It alleged a woman was raped when she was a teenager in 1988 by a man who is now a Minister in the federal government.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Minister "absolutely rejects" the sexual assault allegation, and insisted it was a matter for police.

Earlier today, police in New South Wales announced their investigation into the matter was closed.

In a statement, they said the woman contacted officers in 2019 but did not detail her allegation in a formal statement before she took her own life last year.

Police sought legal advice after receiving a document "purportedly made by the woman" before she died.

However, they said there was "insufficient admissible evidence" to proceed.

Separately, police in South Australia have prepared a report into her death for the coroner.

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull had called for the Cabinet Minister to speak publicly, arguing it would be the best thing for the government and his colleagues.

"He knows who he is, everyone knows who he is, he may have known about these allegations for a long time," Mr Turnbull said.

Several Liberals currently serving in the government have been torn about the best way forward.

Some worry the man will face trial by media and will be denied natural justice, while others recognise that the crisis, which comes after a fortnight of intense discussion about the workplace culture in Parliament House, has the potential to damage the standing of the Cabinet in the community.

Friends of the woman who made the historical allegation have urged Mr Morrison to hold an inquiry into the allegation, arguing there was always almost no likelihood of a criminal prosecution.

They believe it should be similar to the investigation commissioned by the High Court into allegations of sexual harassment against former Justice Dyson Heydon.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-02/cabinet-minister-anonymous-letter-allegation-to-speak/13208284