Crise do país preocupa realizadores da campanha “Criança Esperança”

Leandra Leal, Lázaro Ramos, Dira Paes e Flávio Canto no Criança Esperança 2015

 

Colaborar em ações sociais é uma qualidade do povo brasileiro que se renova a cada ano e se manifesta através das mais diferentes campanhas. Em se tratando do veículo TV, isso acontece principalmente no “Criança Esperança”, da parceria Globo e Unesco, e no “Teleton”, do SBT, em prol da AACD.

Neste 2016, como informado por aqui, o evento apoiado pela líder será apresentado mais cedo, no início de julho, dia 2, por causa dos Jogos Olímpicos. A produção já está a todo vapor no Projac e o ponto alto, como sempre, será o “show de sábado” reunindo suas maiores estrelas e convidados.

Dito isto, para comentar que existe uma enorme preocupação dos organizadores do “Criança Esperança” em relação ao que poderá ser arrecadado este ano para suas obras, uma vez que o Brasil vive uma de suas piores crises, na economia, na política, sem contar que o nível de desemprego é assustador.

Com esse triste quadro em cartaz, a pergunta que se faz é a seguinte: “como pedir dinheiro para essa gente?”. Se em 2015 a campanha apresentou números históricos, arrecadando mais de R$ 22 milhões – o maior valor entre todas as suas edições –, há sérias dúvidas sobre o que poderá resultar a edição deste ano. Certamente essa preocupação deve existir também no pessoal do Teleton/SBT.

 

Flávio Ricco com colaboração de José Carlos Nery

Saída do campeonato brasileiro e efeito dominó ameaçam “Pânico” na Band

No domingo da Band, pelo menos até aqui, a saída do campeonato brasileiro provocou estragos apenas em sua antiga faixa de exibição e no “Terceiro Tempo”. Apesar de o evento futebol ser uma alavanca importante, o “Pânico”, nesse primeiro momento, saiu ileso, por mérito exclusivamente do trabalho do seu pessoal.

Dia 8, por exemplo, o programa registrou 7,2 pontos em São Paulo, ante 6,3 do dia 15 (sem bola rolando na emissora), sua média de audiência. O problema é que, como tudo que vem antes desabou, a equipe de Emílio Surita teme ser prejudicada pela ausência de produtos mais competitivos na grade de domingo.

O tal “Só Risos”, inclusive, que o antecede, sempre foi visto como um tapa buraco. Nada mais que isso. A preocupação do””Pânico” é justificada porque uma hora ou outra essa conta vai chegar e o “efeito dominó” não poupará ninguém.

 

Flávio Ricco com colaboração de José Carlos Nery

Vazamento de desfecho revolta autora de “Totalmente Demais”

Paulo Halm e Rosane Svartman, autores de “Totalmente Demais”

A autora Rosane Svartman não esconde de ninguém que ficou revoltada com o vazamento dos últimos capítulos de “Totalmente Demais”. Houve até um trabalho junto aos atores e à produção no sentido de tentar evitar esse problema, mas nada funcionou. Tempo perdido. Ela se sentiu “traída” inclusive dentro da própria casa, de acordo com o pessoal da novela.

A Globo, importante destacar, tem feito esforços para evitar o vazamento de momentos finais de seus programas, porém, sem sucesso. E como não há mais dúvidas sobre o desfecho de “Totalmente Demais” – Eliza(Marina Ruy Barbosa) termina com Jonatas (Felipe Simas), restou aos autores definirem também um final feliz para Arthur (Fábio Assunção) e Carolina (Juliana Paes).

O último capítulo será exibido dia 30, segunda, com reprise terça, antes do “Vale a Pena Ver de Novo”.

 

Flávio Ricco com colaboração de José Carlos Nery

One in 10 young Canberra voters not enrolled to cast their ballot

May 23 2016 – 12:00AM

Natasha Boddy

They say every vote counts but new data reveals nearly a tenth of young voters – and one in four 18-year-olds – in Canberra are not enrolled to cast their ballot despite the ACT having some of the country’s best enrolment rates.

More than 3000 18 to 24-year-olds in Canberra are still missing from the electoral roll, according to data from the Australian Electoral Commission.

Alice Adams 19, and Georgie Ringler 19.  Photo: Jamila Toderas

The figures also reveal more than a quarter of 18-year-olds in the ACT are not enrolled to vote either, prompting calls for young voters to register ahead of the roll closing at 8pm on Monday.

AEC spokesman Evan Ekin-Smyth said Canberra fared better than most of the country when it came to young voter enrolment, but more could still be done considering almost a tenth of 18 to 24-year-olds were still not enrolled to cast their ballot.

ANU student Victoria Silton 20, and Katherine Carrington 21. Photo: Jamila Toderas

“Canberra in general is a little bit better compared to the rest of the nation, however, it still means there are people who are missing out on their vote if they don’t get enrolled by the 8pm deadline on Monday,” he said.

“In Australia, it’s a great democracy and you get to have your say on who your local member will be, who your senator will be and these people have a real impact on your life going forward.”

Victoria Silton, 20, recently re-enrolled to vote in the ACT after moving from Sydney to Canberra.

“Your vote does matter everywhere, but I feel like my vote has more influence in the ACT than it does in my very safe Liberal seat in NSW,” she said.

Thomas Hutchison 21. Photo: Jamila Toderas

Ms Silton said she did think some young voters felt disenfranchised and disconnected from the major political parties.

“You kind of feel your vote doesn’t matter, [but] if you sit out, then that perpetuates the cycle I think,” she said.

She felt political parties needed to speak more to young voters “but in a way that it’s genuine and actually connects rather than just ‘we need to tick off the demographic’.”

Canberra university students Alice Adams, 19, and Georgie Ringler, 19, both agreed it was important for young people to enrol to vote.

“I think being at ANU, it’s quite a political university, I think it’s well advertised across the university, there’s been a lot on Facebook and social media about getting young people to vote,” Ms Adams said.

Ms Ringler said: “I think at university, we are encouraged to remember that there is a lot information out there and we should be looking to educate ourselves on the importance of voting.

“We are reminded that our vote is significant no matter who you vote for and every vote does count in Australia.”

Katherine Carrington, 21, felt it was her “civic duty” to vote, even though she thought “voting doesn’t actually matter”.

“I’m a citizen of Australia so I should be voting and participating in democracy,” she said.

“I feel like no matter what age I’ll be, I’ll feel a little disenfranchised from the democratic process just because votes don’t actually matter on an individual basis no matter which seat you’re in, if you’re in a safe seat or a seat that swings.”

 

Source : Canberra Times

IBAC set to reveal victim of alleged police brutality was serving police officer

May 22, 2016 – 10:00PM

Cameron Houston and Chris Vedelago

Several officers based at Ballarat police station at the time of the incident are expected to be subpoenaed to give evidence at the public examination.

EXCLUSIVE

A vulnerable woman allegedly assaulted by two Ballarat police officers was also a serving member of Victoria Police arrested for public drunkenness while on sick leave last year, a hearing by the state’s anti-corruption watchdog is expected to reveal.

Fairfax Media can reveal the alleged victim had served more than 30 years with Victoria Police, including a stint with the former Ethical Standards Department, which investigates corruption in the force.

The Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission will begin its public examination on Monday, which is expected to include graphic footage from closed-circuit cameras inside the Ballarat Police Station where the woman was held for more than 16 hours before charges were laid.

The confronting video could corroborate claims the woman was kicked and stomped by a male and female officer as she huddled on the ground in handcuffs.

It is also alleged that the former policewoman was doused with capsicum spray, forcibly strip-searched in the presence of a male officer and thrown under a hot shower. The police said to have assaulted her are alleged to have known she was also in the force.

In December last year, an internal police investigation by Professional Standards Command found the two officers had not committed any criminal offences and overturned their suspensions.

But the investigation did find “a number of poor decisions were made in the management of a prisoner”, which could still lead to disciplinary charges against the officers, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

The findings of Professional Standards Command are in stark contrast to claims by IBAC’s lawyer Ted Woodward, SC, who said “some of the conduct borders on gratuitous brutality”.

In a submission to the Supreme Court of Appeals last September, Mr Woodward said the CCTV footage of the incident provided the “exceptional circumstances” that warranted a public hearing.

When arrested on January 14, 2015, the woman was on extended sick leave over claims of bullying by colleagues.

She was believed to have been intoxicated after drinking at a Ballarat hotel, when arrested and taken to the station where police conducted a mental health assessment.

The allegations to be tested during a five-day hearing in Ballarat are part of a broader investigation by IBAC’s Operation Ross to determine if human rights violations had occurred at Ballarat Police Station, which has the state’s worst record for complaints about excessive force.

Fairfax Media understands that at least three other woman have made complaints to IBAC about serious mistreatment at the hands of Ballarat officers.

Several officers based at Ballarat police station at the time of the incident are expected to be subpoenaed to give evidence at the public examination.

A Victoria Police spokesman declined to make any comment while the matter was under investigation.

Source : The Age

Liberal voters give tick of approval to Malcolm Turnbull’s leadership takeover

14 minutes ago

NICK CLARK

Federal Political Editor

TheMercury

TASMANIAN Liberal voters have resoundingly backed the party’s decision to dump Tony Abbott as leader in favour of Malcolm Turnbull.

In an exclusive ReachTEL poll for the Mercury, 55.6 per cent of Liberal voters said they were more likely to vote for the Coalition because of the change last September.

Just 9.5 per cent said they were less likely to vote for the Coalition while 35 per cent said their vote would be unchanged.

It comes after Mr Abbott’s former chief of staff Peta Credlin told Sky News recently that Mr Abbott would campaign in Tasmanian seats during the election campaign.

The poll result came despite Mr Abbott being perceived as a frequent visitor and strong supporter of Tasmania who founded the Joint Commonwealth and Tasmanian Economic Council and extended the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme.

Across all voters, 44 per cent said they were more likely to vote for the Coalition compared with 20 per cent being less likely.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull takes a selfie at the Taste Orange Food and Wine festival at Watsons Bay, Sydney. Picture: LYNDON MECHIELSEN

Contrary to popular opinion that Mr Abbott was unpopular with women voters, it was men (46.7 per cent) rather than women (41.8 per cent) who were more likely to vote for the Coalition as a result of the ascension of Mr Turnbull.

University of Tasmania political scientist Richard Eccleston said Malcolm Turnbull’s prime ministership had disappointed many but he was still significantly more popular than Mr Abbott.

“He also remains more popular than Bill Shorten,” Prof Eccleston said.

“The Three Amigos [Liberal MPs Eric Hutchinson, Andrew Nikolic and Brett Whiteley] may have supported Mr Abbott but their political careers are much better off because of the change in leadership.”

While six Tasmanian Liberal members of parliament supported Mr Abbott in the September spill, Devonport-based Senator Richard Colbeck opted for Mr Turnbull.

Last month Senator Colbeck was dropped to the No. 5 five spot on the Senate ticket as the conservative forces organised by Tasmanian party powerbroker and strong Tony Abbott supporter Senator Eric Abetz retained control of the Tasmanian division.

 

Source : The Mercury

ACT government seeks more Canberra property for new public housing

May 23, 2016

Emma Kelly

All Homes Editor

Chief Minister Andrew Barr is aiming to deliver “high-quality accommodation”. Photo: Chris Pearce

The ACT government is searching for more property throughout Canberra for the development of public housing.

The Public Housing Renewal Taskforce has opened a second round of expressions of interest for suitable residential developments the government can buy to re-boost its stock.

The government has already secured contracts for 14 projects as a result of the first round, which closed in July, at a cost of $69.8 million.

This included 157 dwellings in Belconnen, Tuggeranong, Gungahlin and the inner north.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr said a number of contracts had been settled, with 30 of the properties now housing tenants.

Mr Barr announced the second round of property buybacks in February.

The latest expressions of interest will remain open until the end of 2018 or until the taskforce has secured enough replacement housing.

Mr Barr said the process allowed the government to build new homes, or find existing properties, to replace outdated and unsuitable housing stock.

It’s part of the ACT government’s plan to continue moving about 1500 public housing tenants from ageing buildings, including from along Northbourne Avenue and the Allawah and Bega Court flats.

The government aims to continue the territory’s “salt and pepper” approach to the distribution of public housing throughout Canberra, breaking up concentrations in the inner north and inner south.

Close to 1300 units are being built to replace existing public housing, with newly-built dwellings to make up about 10 per cent of the territory’s total public housing stock.

“The public housing renewal program will ensure our tenants have high-quality accommodation that meets their needs,” Mr Barr said.

“The construction of new homes also supports more than 2500 construction jobs over the life of the program.”

Mr Barr said the taskforce was looking for one- to four-bedroom freestanding houses, cluster houses, townhouses and apartments across Canberra, “particularly mid-Canberra suburbs with low concentrations of public housing”.

“It will consider housing at all stages of development, from land held under option to newly-constructed developments and completed projects with units available for vacant possession,” Mr Barr said.

“Local builders who took part in the first EOI [expressions of interest] found it was great for their business.

“The savings and benefits provided through working with the taskforce, such as reduced holding and finance costs, minimised finance requirements and expedited settlement on completion allowed them to take on housing renewal projects in addition to their existing work.”

The expressions of interest stage is a rolling tender process, allowing the taskforce to continuously assess proposals.

For more information, visit www.tenders.act.gov.au or contact the taskforce on 6207 0991 or by emailing housingrenewal@act.gov.au

 

Source : Canberra Times

Unsolved homicide investigation reopens into Sydney’s gay killings

May 22, 2016 – 10:51PM

Ava Benny-Morrison

Journalist

For the third time in three decades, the deaths of three men in Sydney’s eastern suburbs will be investigated after being linked years later to a spate of gay-hate crimes.

John Russell’s body was found at the bottom of the Bondi-Tamarama cliffs in 1989, four months before Ross Warren disappeared and his possessions were found in the same area.

Gilles Mattaini, also a gay man, went missing from the same coastal stretch in 1985.

John Russell’s body was found at the bottom of the Bondi-Tamarama cliffs in 1989. Photo: Jacky Ghossein

Almost two decades after the botched initial police investigations into their deaths, a coroner found Mr Russell and Mr Warren were murdered and Ms Mattaini probably met a similar fate.

Now the NSW Unsolved Homicide Team has reopened the investigation into the three men’s deaths in the hope of putting their killers behind bars.

Fairfax Media understands Homicide Squad commander Detective Superintendent Mick Willing reopened the investigation earlier this year after the cases were reviewed.

Ross Warren disappeared and his possessions were found in the same area as John Russell’s body. Photo: Tara Axford

It was partly prompted by information detectives came about while investigating the Manly cliff death of 27-year-old Scott Johnson.

“Flowing on from the UHT’s ongoing investigation into the death of Scott Johnson, the investigations into the deaths of Gilles Mattaini, John Russell, and Ross Warren have been recommenced,” Superintendent Willing said.

“As the death of Scott Johnson is subject to an upcoming coronial inquiry, and will touch on these matters, I’m not in a position to comment further.

Gilles Mattaini, also a gay man, went missing from the same coastal stretch in 1985.

“I would like to remind the community there are government rewards on offer for information in each investigation.”

The investigation will be overseen by Detective Inspector Chris Olen, who led the investigations into the Lin family murders and the death of Senior Constable David Rixon.

Mr Johnson’s body was found at the bottom of cliffs near Blue Fish Point in Manly in 1988.

The last family photo of Scott Johnson, who died in 1988. Photo: NSW Police

After hearing gay-hate assaults might have been behind Mr Russell’s, Mr Warren’s and Mr Mattaini’s deaths, the Johnson family questioned if that had happened to their loved one.

They don’t support the suggestion he committed suicide.

Mr Johnson’s case will go to inquest for the third time in July.

It will also be the third time the Bondi-Tamarama deaths have been investigated by police, and the victim’s families hope this time it will lead to justice.

“They welcome the fresh investigation after 27 years,” Support After Murder Group president Peter Rolfe said on behalf of Mr Warren’s mother, Kay, and Mr Russell’s father, Ted. “We hope that something comes of it.”

The body of Mr Russell, 31, was found at the bottom of the cliffs at Marks Park, a well-known gay beat, on November 23, 1989.

Hours earlier, the barman had been socialising with a friend at the Bondi Hotel and was last seen alive at 11pm.

It emerged years later the area his body was found was also a drawcard for roaming gangs that targeted homosexuals with violent assaults.

Mistakenly, police initially deemed his death accidental and Mr Russell’s death was put down to “the effect of multiple injuries sustained … when he fell from a cliff to the rocks below …”.

Four months earlier in July 1989, WIN TV presenter Ross Warren’s keys were found on the rocks below the cliffs in the same area.

The 25-year-old’s last contact was with a friend in Oxford Street in Sydney and, when he failed to contact his friends, they reported him missing.

His car was found close to Marks Park but his body was never found.

An investigator on Mr Warren’s case decided within a week he had somehow fallen into the ocean.

Frenchman Gilles Mattaini was last seen by a neighbour walking the Bondi to Tamarama coastal track in September 1985.

A friend claimed he reported Mr Mattaini missing but a police report was never found.

The death and disappearances were looked at together when former detective Stephen Page began examining a series of violent gay-hate crimes in Sydney’s east many years later.

He investigated all three cases under Operation Taradale, which reached the NSW Coroner’s Court for inquest in 2005.

It was then deputy state coroner Jacqueline Milledge launched a scathing attack on the investigation into Mr Warren’s case, labelling it shameful and grossly inadequate.

“Indeed, to characterise it as an investigation is to give it a label it does not deserve,” she wrote at the time.

While Mr Russell’s investigation was better, it was far from adequate, Ms Milledge continued.

She eventually found that Mr Warren was murdered and Mr Russell was thrown from the cliff onto rocks.

She found there was a strong possibility Mr Mattaini met a similar fate.

Rewards totalling $300,000 are on offer for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of killers in each case.

Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Source : Sydney Morning Herald

Man, 42, charged with kidnap, carnal knowledge of a child

May 22 2016 – 10:05PM
Anne-Louise Brown

A 42-year-old man has been charged with kidnapping and carnal knowledge of a child under 16 after being arrested in Bundaberg.

The charges come after a girl was reported missing in central Queensland last month.

A 42-year-old man has been charged with kidnapping and carnal knowledge of a child under 16 after being arrested in Bundaberg. Photo: Supplied

It is alleged the girl, aged under 16, was taken by a man known to her on April 30.

Following police investigations, the girl was located uninjured in Bundaberg on Sunday afternoon.

The Kelso man has been charged with one count each of abduction of a child under 16 and carnal knowledge of a child under 16 years.

He will appear in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Monday.

Anyone with information can contact Crime Stopper on 1800 333 000.

 

Source : Brisbane Times

Darwin primary school won’t reimburse $150k worth of charges

May 22, 2016 6:42am

MARIA BILLIAS

NT News

A Darwin primary school accused of duping parents into using Back to School vouchers has ruled out reimbursing three years’ worth of charges. PICTURE: Supplied

A Darwin primary school accused of duping parents into using Back to School vouchers to pay for voluntary contributions has ruled out reimbursing three years worth of charges worth $150,000.

The NT Government earlier this year dismissed suggestions for an investigation into its popular Back to School voucher system after allegations from parents that they had been made to use them for standard curriculum programs and facilities — including $15 for a library hire fee.

Back to School Vouchers were introduced by the NT Government in 2009 to assist parents with the cost of items such as school uniforms, hats or stationery and book packs.

Each child receives a $150 voucher. It has been claimed that parents at Leanyer Primary School could have paid more than $150,000 over three years on voluntary parental contributions presented as “essential and compulsory” by being bundled in with essential book packs.

The NT News understands some parents have started legal action to recoup costs.

“These are standard curriculum items that should not have been charged for. These are unlawful appropriations,” one paren said.

Education Minister Peter Chandler has previously denied any wrongdoing by the school saying all money was used by the school council to provide students with “educational items’’.

However, since the NT News revealed earlier this year how parents were being made to use the vouchers on school supplies totalling up to $320 a year for preschoolers, the charge was dropped to $80 a year.

The $15 fee to use the school library each year was also dropped.

In a statement, the Department of Education said advice of the matter had been provided to the NT Ombudsman.

“The Ombudsman was satisfied with actions taken by the department and the documentation from the school for the 2016 school year,” the statement read.

“The Department of Education, Leanyer Primary School and its school council have made every effort to meet with parents to ensure that all concerns have been raised, discussed and worked through.”

Source : NT News