Connect with us

National News

Sex Offender Timing Matches at White Hills Junior Football Club Raises Safety Concerns

Published

on

The White Hills Junior Football Club in Bendigo, Victoria, has come under fire after allowing a father with a history of sex offences to serve as a timekeeper during his son’s match on July 20 this year.

The individual involved, Sonny Middleton, a former player at the club, was sentenced to six months in prison in 2024 for indecent assault against an 18-year-old woman. When interviewed by ABC, Middleton was unable to confirm whether he held a valid Working with Children Check—a certificate required for all volunteers in Victoria working with children.

Several parents expressed concern after witnessing the situation. In a joint statement with the Australian Football League (AFL), the White Hills club said it is investigating the incident. They emphasized that the father was only filling in temporarily due to the absence of a regular timekeeper and had no direct interaction with players. The club reaffirmed its commitment to child safety.

Sport Integrity Australia noted that volunteer clubs have a legal responsibility to ensure their volunteers hold a valid Working with Children Check, in compliance with Victoria’s child safety standards.

Continue Reading

National News

QantasLink Considers Closing Staff Bases in Canberra, Hobart, and Mildura

Published

on

On October 1, 2025, QantasLink announced it is reviewing its staff bases in Canberra, Hobart, and Mildura, considering possible closures. If employees are required to commute from Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane, flight delays or cancellations may occur.

QantasLink stated that around 70 employees would be affected if the bases close, including about 8 in Mildura. Currently, Mildura operates approximately 50 QantasLink flights per week, and the airline says services there would continue unaffected. Employees have the option to transfer to other major city bases.

CEO Rachel Yangoyan said the move aims to improve flight reliability and expand regional routes. However, Transport Workers Union (TWU) National Secretary Michael Kaine expressed concern, noting potential uncertainty for regional communities and stressing the need to avoid repeating the failures of airlines like Rex and Bonza.

Continue Reading

National News

ACMA Issues Warning to “The Kyle and Jackie O Show”

Published

on

On October 1, 2025, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) issued a formal warning to the Kyle and Jackie O Show, citing seven breaches of program content standards and two breaches of audience complaint handling regulations for 2024 broadcasts in Sydney and Melbourne.

The investigation found the program included audio of male and female employees urinating, descriptions of genitalia, explicit references to menstruation and sexual positions, and discussion of pornography websites. ACMA also noted the program failed to respond to audience complaints within the required 30 days.

ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin stated that despite prior requests to increase oversight, the program continued broadcasting inappropriate content, indicating systemic issues. ACMA is considering further enforcement action against the Australian Radio Network (ARN) to ensure accountability for broadcast content.

Continue Reading

National News

NSW Police Urged to Stop Strip-Searching People

Published

on

On October 1, 2025, the Supreme Court of New South Wales ruled that police cannot legally conduct strip searches based solely on the suspicion of drug possession and highlighted systemic abuse in the execution of such searches.

The case was brought by Slater and Gordon Lawyers and the Redfern Legal Centre, challenging police strip searches at music festivals between 2016 and 2022, many of which were deemed unlawful, including searches of minors. A notable case involved teenage girl Raya Meredith, who was strip-searched at a 2019 music festival, describing the experience as humiliating and frightening, sparking national debate on police misconduct.

The court ruled that suspicion of drug possession alone does not provide legal grounds for strip searches. It also found that police failed to comply with the law regarding necessity and proportionality, particularly in urgent situations.

While the case is ongoing, critics argue that procedural changes alone are insufficient and call for comprehensive legal reform to protect citizens’ basic rights.

Continue Reading

Trending