Canberra woman scammed out of $1.6 million inheritance adding firepower to federal scam protections campaign – 18 September 2024
Canberran Harriet Spring, who was scammed out of $1.6 million, has taken her fight for better scam victim financial compensation to Parliament House. The federal government’s new draft legislation would put in place new rules about detecting, preventing and responding to scams. Online consultation for the draft anti-scam laws is open until October 4.
MLA calls for parliamentary inquiry into NT Independent Commissioner Against Corruption – 20 September 2024
An independent MLA will call for a parliamentary inquiry into the NT’s corruption watchdog when the legislative assembly resumes next month. The NT Independent Commissioner Against Corruption has faced a series of scandals since it was formed in 2018. The proposed inquiry will need the support of the new Country Liberal Party government if it is to be established.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-20/mla-calls-for-parliamentary-inquiry-into-nt-icac/104378554
Singapore ex-minister convicted in rare graft trial – 25 September 2024
S. Iswaran, a Singaporean former minister has been convicted of obstruction of justice and accepting illegal gifts. He has been hit with 35 charges mostly related to graft in a nation often cited as one of the world’s least corrupt.
IBAC report finds Metropolitan Fire Brigade employees improperly accessed executive emails to help union – 25 September 2024
An anti-corruption investigation has found Victorian fire service employees repeatedly accessed sensitive information and fed it to the powerful United Firefighters Union (UFU). IBAC has today released the findings of a long-running probe named Operation Turton, which asks Fire Rescue to report on how it’s implementing its recommendations within six months.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-25/ibac-mfb-ufu-peter-marshall-operation-turton/104394046
NSW premier says commissioner will commit to reforming police culture after ‘harrowing’ allegations – 26 September 2024
NSW Premier Chris Minns has addressed “harrowing” allegations about the state police force following an ABC investigation.
Former and current NSW Police officers said they had experienced bullying, nepotism, sexism and a lack of mental health support.
Mr Minns said NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb was committed to reform, but did not commit to an independent inquiry.
Queensland man charged over alleged phishing scam, sending millions of texts – 26 September 2024
A North Queensland man has been charged over an alleged phishing scam involving millions of fake text messages. Police say they seized more than 1,200 SIM cards and equipment capable of sending mass messages. The man has appeared in court and was remanded in custody.
Queensland Fire Department commissioner calls for end of bullying and harassment within organisation in leaked video – 26 September 2024
A leaked video shows QFD Commissioner Stephen Smith asking for service members to call out bullying and harassment. It comes in the wake of ABC reporting on cultural issues within the department. The department says the findings of a review into its complaints management framework are imminent.
New York Mayor Eric Adams charged on five criminal counts in ‘multi-year’ Turkish bribery and fraud scheme – 27 September 2024
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been implicated in a bribery and fraud scheme, becoming the first of the city’s 110 mayors to be criminally charged while in office.
The 64-year-old Democrat has denied wrongdoing and said he would “continue to do my job” while fighting the charges in court. Mr Adams faces a 57-page indictment and the case is likely to complicate any bid for re-election next year.
Relative of OMCG member is third woman jailed in WA over illicit cash investigation – 27 September 2024
The West Australian sister of an offshore Outlaw Motorcycle Gang member has been sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of seven and a half months, for possessing more than $800,000 of suspected proceeds of crime. She is the third woman to be convicted over the matter.
Mount Gambier MP Troy Bell has been found guilty of theft and dishonesty — what happens now? – 27 September 2024
After a three-month trial, and years facing and fighting charges, Mount Gambier MP Troy Bell was found guilty, by a jury, of 20 counts of theft and five counts of dishonest dealing with documents. In the seven years since he was accused of stealing $430,000 from not-for-profit educational organisations.
