Workers protest building industry practices

About 2,000 building workers have rallied in Brisbane's CBD demanding changes to the way the industry is run.

They also want better safety.

Workers carrying a coffin lead the march to the Prime Minister's Brisbane office.

There was another death at a Brisbane construction site yesterday when a concrete beam fell on scaffolding in Brisbane's south.

It is the 18th death in Queensland this year.

Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) state secretary Michael Ravbar says workers are frustrated.

"Safety's become a major problem in our industry and a couple of weeks ago we lost two in a row in one week and they've just had enough," he said.

"The union says the Australian Building and Construction Commission is treating workers unfairly and needs to be abolished.

Similar rallies are being held in Sydney and Melbourne.

Man charged over fatal collision on harbour

Police have charged Percy Small but not Matthew Reynolds the person who allegedly stole the boat that fatal night on Sydney Harbour?

POLICE have charged Percy Small, the man allegedly driving the boat that was in a collision with a fishing trawler in Sydney Harbour earlier this year killing six young people.

Homicide officers arrested the 24-year-old former Sydney barman at a house in Sippy Downs, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, yesterday afternoon.

He was taken to Maroochydore police station and charged with six counts of dangerous navigation occasioning death and driving a boat with a mid-range blood-alcohol content, in accordance with the Marine Safety Act.

He was refused bail and is due to appear today at Maroochydore Magistrates Court, where NSW homicide squad detectives will apply to have him extradited.

Small's family would not discuss the arrest last night.

The arrest is the culmination of an eight-month investigation by detectives in the homicide squad's coronial investigation team, who have been assessing whether charges should be laid over the May 1 crash.

The people who died in the crash were mother-of-two Ashlei Ayres; Jessica Holloway; Stacey Wright; Alexander Rumiz; Elizabeth Holder; and Alexandre Nikakis.

The seven-metre half-cabin runabout allegedly driven by Small was initially reported as having been taken without the knowledge of its owner, Sydney Ship Repair and Engineering, [by Matthew Reynolds.]

Although it was only authorised top carry eight people, 14 were aboard when the crash occurred.

The group allegedly had been drinking at a Balmain hotel on the night of April 30, and Matthew Reynolds had offered to take them for a cruise to Rose Bay and back.

The group made it safely to Rose Bay and at some point it is believed Small took control. Then, about 100 metres off Bradleys Head, the boat was in a collision with the fishing boat Jordon's as it was heading out to sea.

It is understood this is not the end of Strike Force Condor, formed to investigate the incident. Survivor Matthew Reynolds is still considered a person of interest by detectives. [If not why not?]

In August, Mr Reynolds said he was not responsible for the collision and was not behind the wheel of the overcrowded boat. "People need to remember that there were two boats involved that night. The front of their boat hit the side of ours," he said.

Yesterday evening his father, Charlie a [cruser tycoon in QLD], said his son did not want to discuss the arrest or crash. [No doubt as well as the fact that he and the publicans at the Balmain hotel have influence.]

"Whatever he says is never reported that way, so he's not saying anything," Charlie Reynolds said. [Actually not quite correct the corporate media have been reporting lies in his favour and trying to cover-up for him see links below;.

Updated 4:17pm (AEST)

Daily Terror Attacks Wrong Culprit

Percy Small crash skipper on 'coke, dope, booze' FORMER cocktail barman Percy Small was under the influence of a mixture of cocaine, cannabis and alcohol when skippering the runabout that crashed on Sydney Harbour in May, killing six, court papers allege.

Who stole the boat? Then handed Percy Small the wheel? The driver of the vessle is the culprit why are they working on Small? Not enough money or influence. Matthew Reynolds the person who is accused of stealing the boat that fatal night on Sydney Harbour.

Can anyone imagine that they attended a Pub Staff Night Gone Wrong?

Then during the party were invited out on the harbour for a cruise by Matthew Reynolds who allegedly stole the boat. During the cruise one of the passengers somehow or another ends up with the steering-wheel and then the boat hits another boat.

Firstly, it is hard to believe that Reynolds did not have a drink or something. He was hospitalised after the accident 'was his indulgence covered up’? The reason is because it's also hard to believe that the police took 8 months to lay a charge.

Why? Because Sydney Ship Repair and Engineering reported the boat stolen and reiterated that the boat had been stolen.

1) Why would police not act on this information?

2) Why would Percy Small the invited guest be charged and not the person who was, at all material times, the skipper of the vessel, whether he handed over the wheel to someone else during the journey, or not.

3) Hence did police accurately do a drug and alcohol test on Matthew Reynolds and could they cover that up as well?

Questions for the coroner I would have thought.

4) Why was there no coroner’s inquest into the accident?


Related:

Harbour revellers speeding before impact
Amongst other things, like theft and drunken driving, there are dangerous driving charges - occasioning 6 deaths on Sydney Harbour.

Crash survivor won't get on a boat
Who stole the boat that was subsequently overloaded, unregistered, uninsured, and unlicensed? Now you don't have to be a policeman to work that out do you?

Crash skipper named in police cover-up
Who stole the boat that was subsequently overloaded, unregistered, uninsured, and unlicensed? Now you don't have to be a policeman to work that out do you?

Harbour crash 'driver' goes to police
Police "too busy" to question possible driver of boat in fatal harbour crash. Matthew Reynolds, the 31-year-old originally thought to be at the helm of the runabout which collided with a fishing boat on Sydney Harbour in May, killing six people, attended Tweed Heads Police Station today.

Boat safety laws overhauled
The New South Wales Government has announced maritime safety laws will be overhauled, a month after six people died in a boat crash on Sydney Harbour.

Boat tragedy: mystery over driver?
Three weeks after the Sydney Harbour tragedy, police have yet to establish who was driving the runabout that collided with a fishing trawler, killing six young people.

Boat driver in fatal crash revealed: cover-up
Cocktail barman Percy Small has been named as the man at the wheel of the runabout when it crashed into a larger fishing boat, killing six people. It is believed those on board have also claimed that a third person may have been at the wheel during some point in the journey, News Limited [Limited News] reports. [???] [An attempt now to place someone that was allegedly not drunk at the helm???] Quote: "Witnesses have told police that after Mr Reynolds, a qualified skipper, negotiated the boat from Balmain Wharf he handed the controls over to Mr Small. Mr Small, who holds a 'boating licence' and 'did not appear affected by alcohol', safely took the boat across the harbour to Watsons Bay." Unquote. [NSW Police and Limited News Lies? Seems like they got the all clear??? Now all they have to do is inform the boat owners that granting permission to the crew for the journey won't be a liability???]

Harbour death crash: [who stole the boat?]
The father of Matthew Reynolds, [the man originally thought to have stolen the runabout and] the man originally thought to have been at the helm of the runabout at the time of last Thursday's harbour tragedy, says his son knows who was steering the vessel but will not reveal their identity because of "legal implications".

Homicide squad called in over harbour crash
THE homicide squad stamped its authority on the investigation into the harbour tragedy yesterday, with an inspection of the boats that smashed into each other in the cold and dark on Thursday morning.

Police name 6th harbour crash victim
Thirty-two-year-old Ashlei Ayres, a single mother of two, has now been named as one of the five people who died at the scene of the crash.



Balmain hotels fill as young mourn pub mates
Many of those involved in the accident were from Balmain. Friends gathered, embraced and cried openly on Darling Street, and soon after were intoxicated with alcohol as well as grief. Balmain bar staff described the incident as a pub staff night gone wrong.

Man convicted over internet video footage

A 20-year-old Seymour man has been convicted after Victoria's first prosecution arising out of video footage on popular website YouTube.

The Seymour Magistrates Court heard Matthew Ward made a video of himself with his phone skylarking on a forklift at work.

The court heard the video showed him reversing this forklift at speed, spinning the tyres, driving with the rear wheels raised and failing to wear a seatbelt.

The video clip was viewed 238 times before Matthew Ward was caught.

He was charged after colleagues recognised him and the premises in the video.

He was dismissed from his job at a Kilmore fabrication plant and his forklift license was suspended.

Worksafe prosecutor Karen Argiropolous told the court since 1985 there has been 56 forklift fatalities and that Ward's conduct was aggravated by him recording and promoting the video.

Ward's defence lawyer Greg George said his client did not realise he was placing himself in danger, was very remorseful and had suffered the consequences of his actions.

Magistrate Caitlin English said it was remarkable Ward was not injured.

She said it was a serious offence and it was important to deter other young people from following suit.

He was convicted and ordered to perform fifty hours community service.

Harbour revellers speeding before impact

Amongst other things, like theft and drunken driving, there are dangerous driving charges - occasioning 6 deaths on Sydney Harbour.

THE runabout that collided with a fishing boat on Sydney Harbour in May, killing six young revellers on board, was speeding when the collision occurred, independent tests have shown.

[Also reported were drunk revellers who allegedly stole the boat that was subsequently reported stolen by, Sydney Ship Repair and Engineering and the company who owned the boat reiterated that fact to the Sydney Morning Herald on more than one occasion.]

As detectives enter their 'seventh month' [?] of investigations, a series of tests and re-creations by the Office of Transport Safety Investigations shows the runabout - allegedly driven by the bartender [Matthew Reynolds and now] Percy Small - was travelling at 12 knots (22kmh), a source close to the office has told the Herald. That is two knots over the established limit.

Longstanding marine regulations state a vessel must travel under 10 knots when passing within 30 metres of another craft.

The tests also showed the fishing boat, Jordon's, was not exceeding the 10-knot speed limit.

[But what if the runabout was stolen (reported by the Herald) and the drivers were drunk or on drugs? Reported by the Herald to have come from a pub staff night gone wrong.]

The tests will form part of the police brief of evidence given to the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions, helping prosecutors to decide whether to charge anyone over the crash.

The homicide squad's coronial investigation team is investigating whether anyone is to blame for the crash on May 1.

[Who stole the boat that was subsequently overloaded, unregistered, uninsured, and unlicensed? Now you don't have to be a policeman to work that out do you?]

It occurred when the two-man fishing boat heading out to sea and the runabout with 14 people aboard collided about 2.30am off Bradleys Head.

Six people on the runabout died as a result of the crash.

The Herald has previously reported that charges against two people on the runabout - Percy Small and Matthew Reynolds - are possible. Mr Reynolds, 31, took the boat out for the night, but Mr Small, 24, was allegedly driving it when it collided with Jordon's, which was being driven by Peter Evans.

Mr Evans returned to work in the past fortnight. "We've seen him a couple of times only," said a commercial fishing boat skipper at the Sydney Fish Markets.

"He's just getting back into it, getting used to being on the water again. I mean, he didn't do anything wrong, but it's still a horrible thing to know you were involved in six deaths."

Jordon's is also back in working condition, and can be found moored during the day to a pier at the Sydney Fish Market.

Neither Mr Small nor Mr Reynolds has consented to a police interview, but Mr Reynolds recently agreed to nominate who was driving the boat when it crashed. It is understood he said the driver was Mr Small.

At least one of the pair could face a charge of dangerous driving occasioning death if the Director of Public Prosecutions decides to prosecute.

Police are understood to be seeking a second opinion from a marine expert. Once that is complete, an announcement about any prosecution is expected.

As well as the speeding tests, prosecutors will consider whether both boats were properly lit and if their skippers were driving safely and paying attention.

Six people died as a result of the crash: Mr Reynolds's girlfriend, Ashlie Ayres, a mother of two; Jessica Savanna Holloway, a social worker; Stacey Wright, a bar worker; Alexander Rumiz, a bar worker; Lizzie Holder, a hairdressing apprentice; and Alexandre Nikakis, a Balmain local.

The seven-metre half-cabin runabout, a former navy diving vessel, was initially reported as having been taken without the knowledge of its owner, Sydney Ship Repair and Engineering, and as carrying 14 people although it was authorised for eight.

[If police can ensure that there was no negligence i.e. no wrongdoing on the part of those in the runabout, who it is alleged may have been responsible for the six deaths, then Sydney Ship Repair and Engineering may also claim that the runabout was [not] stolen after all, and after the fact, that they previously had reported it stolen and then reiterated that report in the Sydney Morning Herald on more than one occasion.]

The group had been drinking at a Balmain pub on the night of April 30, and Mr Reynolds had offered to take them for a cruise to Rose Bay and back.

The group made it safely to Rose Bay and at some point it is believed Mr Small took control.

Then, about 100 metres off Bradleys Head, the boat collided with the Jordon's as it was heading to sea to begin its fishing run.

Quote: If anyone is interested this tragedy has been covered-up not only by the NSW Police Force but also News Limited and the Sydney Morning Herald News Papers. Some of the facts have been distorted and twisted by them including who stole the boat, switching drivers to find an alleged sober driver and what state these party revellers were in when they left the wharf. Read the links there are witnesses to the events that they are trying to cover up. Obviously the people they are covering up for are in high places and can even command the NSW Police Force for a Green Light. Just who are these people?

Related:

Crash survivor won't get on a boat
Who stole the boat that was subsequently overloaded, unregistered, uninsured, and unlicensed? Now you don't have to be a policeman to work that out do you?

Crash skipper named in police cover-up
Who stole the boat that was subsequently overloaded, unregistered, uninsured, and unlicensed? Now you don't have to be a policeman to work that out do you?

Harbour crash 'driver' goes to police
Police "too busy" to question possible driver of boat in fatal harbour crash. Matthew Reynolds, the 31-year-old originally thought to be at the helm of the runabout which collided with a fishing boat on Sydney Harbour in May, killing six people, attended Tweed Heads Police Station today.

Boat safety laws overhauled
The New South Wales Government has announced maritime safety laws will be overhauled, a month after six people died in a boat crash on Sydney Harbour.

Boat tragedy: mystery over driver?
Three weeks after the Sydney Harbour tragedy, police have yet to establish who was driving the runabout that collided with a fishing trawler, killing six young people.

Boat driver in fatal crash revealed: cover-up
Cocktail barman Percy Small has been named as the man at the wheel of the runabout when it crashed into a larger fishing boat, killing six people. It is believed those on board have also claimed that a third person may have been at the wheel during some point in the journey, News Limited [Limited News] reports. [???] [An attempt now to place someone that was allegedly not drunk at the helm???] Quote: "Witnesses have told police that after Mr Reynolds, a qualified skipper, negotiated the boat from Balmain Wharf he handed the controls over to Mr Small. Mr Small, who holds a 'boating licence' and 'did not appear affected by alcohol', safely took the boat across the harbour to Watsons Bay." Unquote. [NSW Police and Limited News Lies? Seems like they got the all clear??? Now all they have to do is inform the boat owners that granting permission to the crew for the journey won't be a liability???]

Harbour death crash: [who stole the boat?]
The father of Matthew Reynolds, [the man originally thought to have stolen the runabout and] the man originally thought to have been at the helm of the runabout at the time of last Thursday's harbour tragedy, says his son knows who was steering the vessel but will not reveal their identity because of "legal implications".

Homicide squad called in over harbour crash
THE homicide squad stamped its authority on the investigation into the harbour tragedy yesterday, with an inspection of the boats that smashed into each other in the cold and dark on Thursday morning.

Police name 6th harbour crash victim
Thirty-two-year-old Ashlei Ayres, a single mother of two, has now been named as one of the five people who died at the scene of the crash.



Balmain hotels fill as young mourn pub mates
Many of those involved in the accident were from Balmain. Friends gathered, embraced and cried openly on Darling Street, and soon after were intoxicated with alcohol as well as grief. Balmain bar staff described the incident as a pub staff night gone wrong.

Teen pregnancy, suicide rates a 'wake-up-call'

A report that shows Australia is not the lucky country for its youth should act as a policy wake-up call, the federal government says.

The Research Alliance for Children and Youth compared health, education, employment and family relationships of Australians aged up to 24 with those in other developed nations.

Overall, non-indigenous Australian youths fared relatively well in each category but not compared with youngsters from the best performing countries. And indigenous young people compared miserably on every indicator.

"Despite our economic prosperity, Australian children do not perform as well as modern society would like to think," the report said.

Federal Families and Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin said the report would be a "shock" to many people.

"We are falling far behind many, many comparable countries ... where we would have thought we were doing so much better," Ms Macklin said.

"We all know the shocking gap that exists between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians but ... I don't think that people are aware of the extraordinary differences between our children and children in other developed countries."

Pregnancy rates were much higher than the OECD average, and rates for indigenous Australians were the highest, the report found.

Youth road deaths are the third highest in the OECD and indigenous young people have the second highest suicide rate behind Finland.

Children of indigenous youths have the second highest infant mortality rate and recorded the lowest birth weights.

More than 15 per cent of Australians aged 18-24 years claim to experience high or very high levels of psychological distress.

Australia also performed poorly in the transition between education and employment, and family relationships.

Head of the study, Professor Fiona Stanley, said the findings suggested government policy had failed children for many years.

"If this was the Olympics, Australian's would be horrified that we've failed to bring home a single gold," she said.

Prof Stanley said Australia can do better and the indicator levels were "very policy sensitive and responsive".

Ms Macklin agreed, saying paid parental leave and a focus on early childhood education would help boost Australia's performance.

"It does need to be a wake up call ... as a nation we have to do better," she said.

Eleven-year-old Isha Menon, selected to be acting Children's Commissioner for the day, said one area of focus should be better work-life balance for families.

"Many children in my class have to go home alone and sometimes around 4.30 they are still hanging around and playing with friends," she said.

"They probably never see their parents because they work long hours.

"We must support parents to spend more time with their children."

The wellbeing of Australian youth compared to other Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations

Infant mortality: Australians 20/27

Indigenous Australians 26/28

Low birth rate: Australians 7/18

Indigenous Australians 19/19

Mental health: Australians 13/23

Indigenous Australians 23/24

Accidental injury: Australia 7/8

Education

Reading: Australians 6/29

Indigenous Australians 29/31

Maths: Australians 29/31

Indigenous Australians 29/31

Science: Australians 5/30

Indigenous Australians 29/31

Transition to employment: Australia 17/25

Peer and family relationships

Parents "just talking" with children: Australians 18/27

Indigenous Australians 17/28

Sense of belonging: Australians 11/29 Indigenous Australians 29/30

Teenage fertility: Australians 21/30 Indigenous Australians 31/31

Road deaths: Australia 20/23

Source: The Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY).

Related:

Rise in deaths of children at risk
THERE has been a surge in the number of deaths of children at risk in NSW in 2007, despite a $1.2 billion funding injection into the Department of Community Services over the previous five years.

Children needing protection 'has tripled'
The biggest increase in the number of notifications was in NSW. New research shows state governments have failed to put in place appropriate child protection measures despite a sharp rise in the number of children needing protection from violent and sexual abuse in the last 10 years.

Child removal rate similar to Stolen Generations
A Queensland Government report shows Aboriginal children are being removed from their families at a rate similar to the Stolen Generations of the 1920s.

Parents lack life skills, means, time: Stanley
ONE in five Australian parents are poor caregivers because they don't have the means or life skills, child health expert Professor Fiona Stanley says.

Mental illness more prevalent among youth
A new report on children's health shows that young people's mental health may not be improving, as was previously thought.

Taking the scalpel to DOCS
Overloaded on one front, the state's child protection agency fails all. When the body of a boy was found in a suitcase last year, and a girl was later found starved to death, the State Government could no longer ignore the calls for a major inquiry into the state's child protection system.

Formal sorry to child abuse victims
The Mullighan Inquiry recently exposed hundreds of cases of abuse, some dating back to the 1960s. Commissioner Ted Mullighan called it a foul undercurrent of abuse in SA institutions.

Principals agree: cut out social subjects
"The curriculum is far too crowded and we know from our research that not all schools can do what is being asked of them," she said. "The social responsibilities being placed on primary schools are ever increasing, taking time and resources away from our core business."

Rise in deaths of children at risk

THERE has been a surge in the number of deaths of children at risk in NSW in 2007, despite a $1.2 billion funding injection into the Department of Community Services over the previous five years.

The revelation came at an estimates hearing at State Parliament yesterday, as an inquiry is finalising its recommendations as to whether the Government is doing enough to protect children at risk.

The Minister for Community Services, Linda Burney, said yesterday 156 children at risk had died in 2007, up from 114 in 2006. In all cases, the children were known to DOCS as being at risk.

For several years the number of deaths of children at risk has hovered at 100-110 a year. Criticism over the continued high level of deaths led last September to the Wood inquiry, headed by retired Supreme Court judge James Wood, QC. It is to report its findings by year end.

The number of deaths of children at risk is usually disclosed by the Ombudsman, Bruce Barbour, although Ms Burney said yesterday she had told him that if asked during the committee hearings, she would disclose the data.

Ms Burney pointed to the "significant increase" in the number of deaths, which would be of public concern.

"The most frequently-recorded risk factors in reports about children and young people who died in 2007 were domestic violence and parental substance abuse," Ms Burney told the parliamentary committee hearing. "These issues seriously erode our children's safety, accompanied by a third social problem, mental health issues for parents."

Of the 156 deaths, 72 were from natural causes, 18 were babies who died of sudden infant death syndrome, known as SIDS, eight were suicides, eight died in car accidents, five drowned, three died from fires, three from accidental choking or smothering, 11 died in uncommon circumstances such as from a snake bite, four died from fatal physical assaults, and the remaining 19 died due to causes unknown or undetermined.

In all, 55 per cent were involved either directly, or their sibling, in instances of domestic violence in the three years before their death, and there was also 55 per cent in cases where there was suspicion of parental substance abuse, and 24 per cent showing parental mental health concerns

"The Opposition has been calling for a royal commission into DOCS for quite some time," the Opposition spokeswoman on community services, Katrina Hodgkinson, said. She blamed the department for not working closely with other government agencies, a culture of bullying in the department, and a "revolving door of junior ministers" handling the portfolio for the chronic problems.

During the committee hearing, the director-general of the Department of Community Services, Jenny Mason, said that despite successes in hiring more case workers, staff turnover remains high, at 8.9 per cent in 2006-07.

Related:

Children needing protection 'has tripled'
The biggest increase in the number of notifications was in NSW. New research shows state governments have failed to put in place appropriate child protection measures despite a sharp rise in the number of children needing protection from violent and sexual abuse in the last 10 years.

Child removal rate similar to Stolen Generations
A Queensland Government report shows Aboriginal children are being removed from their families at a rate similar to the Stolen Generations of the 1920s.

Parents lack life skills, means, time: Stanley
ONE in five Australian parents are poor caregivers because they don't have the means or life skills, child health expert Professor Fiona Stanley says.

Mental illness more prevalent among youth
A new report on children's health shows that young people's mental health may not be improving, as was previously thought.

Taking the scalpel to DOCS
Overloaded on one front, the state's child protection agency fails all. When the body of a boy was found in a suitcase last year, and a girl was later found starved to death, the State Government could no longer ignore the calls for a major inquiry into the state's child protection system.

Formal sorry to child abuse victims
The Mullighan Inquiry recently exposed hundreds of cases of abuse, some dating back to the 1960s. Commissioner Ted Mullighan called it a foul undercurrent of abuse in SA institutions.

Principals agree: cut out social subjects
"The curriculum is far too crowded and we know from our research that not all schools can do what is being asked of them," she said. "The social responsibilities being placed on primary schools are ever increasing, taking time and resources away from our core business."

Cycle protest shuts Swanston Street

Cyclists walk their bikes past the town hall in Swanston St.

Hundreds of cyclists silently walked their bicycles down Swanston Street this morning protesting for safer cycling conditions along the busy inner-city route.

- Ride to Work Day
- Hundreds join protest
- 'Safe cycling' demand

Traffic police instructed trams, vehicles and pedestrians to wait as a column of about 700 cyclists made its way from the state library to Federation Square.

The protest was organised by Jeremy Rawlins, whose wife Carolyn died in an accident while cycling down Swanston Street last month, and coincides with National Ride to Work Day.

Mrs Rawlins was hit by a tour bus on the corner of Bourke and Swanston streets after her bicycle slipped over on tram tracks as she cycled to work on September 18.

There were several tour buses parked on the corner where Ms Rawlins died this morning, even as the protesters, led by Mr Rawlins,made their way down Swanston Street.

Some of the protesters carried signs reading: "Make Swanston Street safe for cyclists".

Fellow organiser Michael Frazzetto said Melbourne City Council is responsible for building a safer bicycle lane.

"We are calling on the experts in Melbourne City Council to fix up the street. The council has a duty to provide safer conditions," Mr Frazzetto says.

Meanwhile, hundreds more cyclists were taking part in official Ride to Work Day activities at Federation Square.

The day is jointly sponsored by the government, health groups and cycling advocacy groups and aims to encourage non-cyclists to try cycling into work by offering free breakfast and peer support. Over 1000 people arrived at Federation Square this morning where they were offered advice on helmet hair, free reflective ankle straps, free massages and breakfast.

Most people at the breakfast said they cycle to work and into town regularly.

Stuart Schnaars of Diamond Creek, who cycles for an hour into work three to four times a week, says organisation is the key to commuting by cycle.

"People probably just cannot be bothered," he said.

"You have have a change of clothes and all your showing gear at work because it is too far to ride carrying all the extra luggage".

Andrew Libby from Rosanna says he started cycling into work regularly four or five years ago because he was sick of sitting in traffic each morning.

"The traffic is so bad, it is quicker for me to ride home than drive," Mr Libby says.

"If I drive home, leaving at 6pm, it is an hour and a half because the traffic is just so bad everywhere you go."

Michelle Milton from St Kilda says she finds the on-road routes too dangerous at peak hours, so takes a longer route to work.

"I go all the way through Albert Park to stay away from cars because even though there is a bike lane for cyclists, cars just do not give you the privilege to ride down the roads," Ms Milton said.

There was a lot of lycra, fluorescent clothing and helmets walking around Federation Square this morning, but Ms Milton says the cycling `uniform' is all about safety.

"There is a lot of fluoro, but you want to be seen on the roads."

Victoria Police were also on hand to engrave bicycles with identification numbers so they can be returned to owners if they are lost or stolen.

A spokesman for Victoria Police said the engraving service is available throughout the year from all police stations.

There were some non-cyclists who had been encouraged to cycle into work for the first time by friends and work colleagues.

Hung Chau, from Oakleigh, says he cycled in with colleagues.

"It is my first time today, although I cycle into the city on weekends," Mr Chau says.

"I might cycle more regularly if I get fitter," he joked.

Martine Ward was also encouraged by friends to cycle into work from her home in Fitzroy for the first time today .

Ms Ward says she was primarily motivated by environmental issues and borrowed a bicycle from a work colleague for today's ride.

"I would cycle in again if I had my own bike," she said.

"It was an easy ride, about 25 minutes, but I was a bit wobbly at first" she giggled.

Woman escapes jail after wedding day crash

A woman who ran into another car on her wedding day, near the Blue Mountains killing the driver, has escaped jail time.

Jennifer Thomas had been on her way to get dressed for her wedding in 2006, when she ran into the back of a car at Kurrajong, being driven by 79-year-old Ronald Hawkins.

Mr Hawkins showed no signs of being significantly hurt, but 16 hours later he died in hospital from brain injuries.

Thomas was charged with negligent driving occasioning death, but the court has heard that everything that could have been done at the scene of the crash was carried out.

While sentencing, magistrate Margaret Quinn described the case as “unusual”.
"The moral culpability ... is low," Ms Quinn said during sentencing.
"Ms Thomas has no record and ... it's not a case of a situation where there have been other matters on (her) record."

Thomas has had her driver’s licence disqualified for 12 months.

She’s also been fined $308.

ADFA cadet 12 months jail over fatal crash

An ACT Supreme Court judge has sentenced an Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) cadet to a minimum of six months in jail after a fatal car accident in Canberra.

Ahmed Alzaabi was the driver of a car that slammed into a concrete barrier in Russell in June this year.

One of the passengers, ADFA cadet Benjamin John Taylor from Queensland, died in the crash, and two other cadets were seriously injured.

The ACT Supreme Court heard the 24-year-old was driving at twice the speed limit and had a very high blood alcohol level when he lost control of the car.

Alzaabi told the court that he blames no one else for what happened, and that he will never forgive himself.

In sentencing, Chief Justice Terence Higgins said the two aggravating factors, speed and alcohol, were a recipe for tragedy.

He sentenced Alzaabi to 12 months in jail, but he will be eligible for release in six months.

Crash survivor won't get on a boat

Who stole the boat that was subsequently overloaded, unregistered, uninsured, and unlicensed? Now you don't have to be a policeman to work that out do you?

THE water has always been a big part of Mathew Reynolds life - fisherman, charter operator, diver, water sports, movie shoots and skippering million-dollar cruisers.

But after the Sydney Harbour boat tragedy that killed six of his friends on May 1, the 31-year-old has revealed he will never return to the water again.

Mr Reynolds, whose father Charlie is a charter boat operator at Tweed Heads, said yesterday: "I am sorry for the loss we have all been put through."

The veteran skipper with a clean maritime record was a passenger and not at the helm of the runabout on the tragic night. He hit back at claims that with 14 people on board a boat licensed to carry eight, it was on a joy ride.

"The night in relation to the accident was not a party cruise, we were not out lairising," said Mr Reynolds, who has appeared in maritime safety ads in Queensland.

He said they were on the Harbour to drop off keys and paper work from the staff at Balmain's Commercial Hotel.

Mr Reynolds' girlfriend, mother-of-two Ashlie Ayres, was among those killed in the accident.

Also killed were Lizzie Holder, Stacey Wright, Savannah Holloway, Alex Nikakis and Alex Rumiz.

Police last month sent a brief of evidence on the accident to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Related:

Crash skipper named in police cover-up
Who stole the boat that was subsequently overloaded, unregistered, uninsured, and unlicensed? Now you don't have to be a policeman to work that out do you?

Harbour crash 'driver' goes to police
Police "too busy" to question possible driver of boat in fatal harbour crash. Matthew Reynolds, the 31-year-old originally thought to be at the helm of the runabout which collided with a fishing boat on Sydney Harbour in May, killing six people, attended Tweed Heads Police Station today.

Boat safety laws overhauled
The New South Wales Government has announced maritime safety laws will be overhauled, a month after six people died in a boat crash on Sydney Harbour.

Boat tragedy: mystery over driver?
Three weeks after the Sydney Harbour tragedy, police have yet to establish who was driving the runabout that collided with a fishing trawler, killing six young people.

Boat driver in fatal crash revealed: cover-up
Cocktail barman Percy Small has been named as the man at the wheel of the runabout when it crashed into a larger fishing boat, killing six people. It is believed those on board have also claimed that a third person may have been at the wheel during some point in the journey, News Limited [Limited News] reports. [???] [An attempt now to place someone that was allegedly not drunk at the helm???] Quote: "Witnesses have told police that after Mr Reynolds, a qualified skipper, negotiated the boat from Balmain Wharf he handed the controls over to Mr Small. Mr Small, who holds a 'boating licence' and 'did not appear affected by alcohol', safely took the boat across the harbour to Watsons Bay." Unquote. [NSW Police and Limited News Lies? Seems like they got the all clear??? Now all they have to do is inform the boat owners that granting permission to the crew for the journey won't be a liability???]

Harbour death crash: [who stole the boat?]
The father of Matthew Reynolds, [the man originally thought to have stolen the runabout and] the man originally thought to have been at the helm of the runabout at the time of last Thursday's harbour tragedy, says his son knows who was steering the vessel but will not reveal their identity because of "legal implications".

Homicide squad called in over harbour crash
THE homicide squad stamped its authority on the investigation into the harbour tragedy yesterday, with an inspection of the boats that smashed into each other in the cold and dark on Thursday morning.

Police name 6th harbour crash victim
Thirty-two-year-old Ashlei Ayres, a single mother of two, has now been named as one of the five people who died at the scene of the crash.



Balmain hotels fill as young mourn pub mates
Many of those involved in the accident were from Balmain. Friends gathered, embraced and cried openly on Darling Street, and soon after were intoxicated with alcohol as well as grief. Balmain bar staff described the incident as a pub staff night gone wrong.

Emergency vehicles causing car crashes

Figures from a car insurance agency suggest that as many as 10 road accidents a week are being caused by drivers reacting poorly to the sirens and flashing lights of emergency services vehicles.

The data, collected by NRMA Insurance, has prompted calls for drivers not to panic when they hear sirens while driving.

Steve Beatty from NRMA Insurance says drivers have to be more aware of their surroundings.

"Don't panic, stay calm," he said.

"It really isn't about any erratic sort of behaviour at all. It really is about responding very, very calmly to people who are doing their job."

Crash skipper named in police cover-up

Who stole the boat that was subsequently overloaded, unregistered, uninsured, and unlicensed? Now you don't have to be a policeman to work that out do you?

POLICE investigating the collision on Sydney Harbour that killed six young people in May have asked for charges to be considered against a bartender, Percy Small, in a brief of evidence handed to the Director of Public Prosecutions on Friday.

After an investigation of 2½ months, police yesterday said that Mr Small was allegedly driving the runabout when it collided with a fishing trawler.

Mr Small, 24, had worked at the Commercial Hotel, Balmain, with other crash survivors.

It is understood a charge of dangerous driving occasioning death is possible.

[If you read the links though, police switched skippers replacing Mr Small with Matthew Reynolds who stole the boat and skippered it from the wharf, overloaded, unregistered, uninsured, and obviously unlicensed. The question is was he drunk or affected by drugs?]

However, now Mr Small who it is alleged has refused to do a formal interview with police over the crash, which occurred early on May 1.

Contacted through his family yesterday, he refused to comment on the investigation or who was driving the boat when the crash occurred.

It is understood he has told police he was not driving the boat.

Mr Small was part of a group that climbed aboard the runabout at Darling Street wharf, Balmain. They had planned to take the boat to Watsons Bay and back but collided with the trawler Jordon's just off Bradleys Head about 2.30am.

At first attention focused on Matthew Reynolds, 31, who had taken [stolen] the runabout out for the night. While he has also refused to be interviewed by police, he recently agreed to nominate who he says was driving the boat when it crashed.

It is believed he nominated Mr Small.

The Homicide Squad's coronial investigation team is allegedly awaiting several biomechanical reports on the injuries sustained by those on the runabout.

The types of injuries and their locations will [allegedly] help police establish where each person was on the boat when the accident occurred, and if that matches their statement.

The DPP's office confirmed that it had received a "partial" brief but was still waiting for more evidence, believed to be the biomechanical tests.

The DPP will [allegedly] assess the evidence [given to them by police] before giving police advice on whether a prosecution is likely to succeed.

Related:

Harbour crash 'driver' goes to police
Police "too busy" to question possible driver of boat in fatal harbour crash. Matthew Reynolds, the 31-year-old originally thought to be at the helm of the runabout which collided with a fishing boat on Sydney Harbour in May, killing six people, attended Tweed Heads Police Station today.

Boat safety laws overhauled
The New South Wales Government has announced maritime safety laws will be overhauled, a month after six people died in a boat crash on Sydney Harbour.

Boat tragedy: mystery over driver?
Three weeks after the Sydney Harbour tragedy, police have yet to establish who was driving the runabout that collided with a fishing trawler, killing six young people.

Boat driver in fatal crash revealed: cover-up
Cocktail barman Percy Small has been named as the man at the wheel of the runabout when it crashed into a larger fishing boat, killing six people. It is believed those on board have also claimed that a third person may have been at the wheel during some point in the journey, News Limited [Limited News] reports. [???] [An attempt now to place someone that was allegedly not drunk at the helm???] Quote: "Witnesses have told police that after Mr Reynolds, a qualified skipper, negotiated the boat from Balmain Wharf he handed the controls over to Mr Small. Mr Small, who holds a 'boating licence' and 'did not appear affected by alcohol', safely took the boat across the harbour to Watsons Bay." Unquote. [NSW Police and Limited News Lies? Seems like they got the all clear??? Now all they have to do is inform the boat owners that granting permission to the crew for the journey won't be a liability???]

Harbour death crash: [who stole the boat?]
The father of Matthew Reynolds, [the man originally thought to have stolen the runabout and] the man originally thought to have been at the helm of the runabout at the time of last Thursday's harbour tragedy, says his son knows who was steering the vessel but will not reveal their identity because of "legal implications".

Homicide squad called in over harbour crash
THE homicide squad stamped its authority on the investigation into the harbour tragedy yesterday, with an inspection of the boats that smashed into each other in the cold and dark on Thursday morning.

Police name 6th harbour crash victim
Thirty-two-year-old Ashlei Ayres, a single mother of two, has now been named as one of the five people who died at the scene of the crash.

Balmain hotels fill as young mourn pub mates
Many of those involved in the accident were from Balmain. Friends gathered, embraced and cried openly on Darling Street, and soon after were intoxicated with alcohol as well as grief. Balmain bar staff described the incident as a pub staff night gone wrong.

Identity of crash boat skipper cover-up

Balmain bar staff described the incident as a pub staff night gone wrong.

MATTHEW REYNOLDS who was seen skippering a stolen boat, taken without the owners permission, that left a wharf at Balmain in Sydney with 14 people in party mode and then crashed killing 6 people, has now told police he was not driving the runabout when it collided with a fishing trawler on Sydney Harbour.

Some said they could not understand the decision to pile into a small boat built for eight people. "I don't know why they did it; I just wish they hadn't done it," said another friend of the victims.


Andre Ogle, from Russell Lea in Sydney's inner west, was fishing at Darling Street Wharf when he saw the runabout arrive between 1am and 1.30am.

He described the people on the boat as "a whole bunch of young people in party mode" and said a man who skippered the vessel away from the wharf said his name was "Matt". Mr Ogle confirmed May 7 2008, that Matt was at the helm when the runabout left the wharf. "Yes he definitely was," Mr Ogle said. "But the police have asked me not to make any more statements to the media."

The company that owns the runabout denied a statement by Mr Reynolds' lawyer that the 31-year-old had permission to use the boat. "Sydney Ship Repair and Engineering Pty Ltd confirmed on May 7, 2008 that its earlier statement that the boat involved in the accident was being used without authorisation or its knowledge,'' the statement read.

More than two months later, exactly what happened in the accident remains murky because police were too busy to find out. Mr Reynolds, 31, of Tweed Heads, was seen skippering the runabout early on May 1, when the two boats crashed near Bradleys Head killing five people and leaving another to die later in hospital.

A week after the crash his high profile father, Charlie Reynolds, told News Limited his son was not driving the seven-metre work boat at the time.

Fourteen people were on the runabout when it left its mooring in Balmain with Mr Reynolds at the helm. Mr Reynolds, went to Tweed Heads police station on Friday morning and gave a statement because the police were too busy.

He told them who he believed was driving the runabout at the time of the crash.

He has not undertaken a formal interview with police, and none has been scheduled.

His lawyer, Greg Walsh, said yesterday that he was unaware of any further interaction with police, and nor was Charlie Reynolds, who said it was up to police to contact his son if they wished to speak further to him.

A police spokesman said there was "every possibility" that they might need to speak again to a man he would identify only as a 31-year-old from Tweed Heads, but it depended on the course of the inquiry.

"They are still investigating," he said. "There may be a requirement to speak to him or clarify things with him."

It appears that the offence of skippering an overloaded stolen boat that then crashed killing six people doesn't seem to worry or concern the police.

Related:

Identity of Sydney harbour crashed runabout thief no mystery
Mathew Reynolds who was seen skippering a stolen boat taken without the owner’s permission, that left a wharf at Balmain in Sydney with 14 people and then crashed killing 6 people, has now told police he borrowed the runabout without permission before it collided with a fishing trawler on Sydney Harbour.

Police "too busy" to question possible driver of boat in fatal harbour crash We decided to help the police with their enquiry because they are overloaded with work. See witness statements chronology and timeline. Were blood tests done on the people to see if alcohol or drugs played a role in the tragedy? Overloaded stolen boat. Were the lights on? Did the boats smash into each other or did the stolen boat smash into the trawler? The boat was reported stolen. Therefore the boat was unregistered, uninsured and unlicensed. Did the police try to replace the skipper with a sober person? Why the delay in charges being laid? Are there special corporate interests to consider? Who is directing traffic? News Limited? The police? The Boys Club? All of them? None of them?

Harbour crash 'driver' goes to police
Seems clearly obvious police and the corporate media intend to cover-up for the publicans and high profile people in this case to the extent that facts will be changed or no interest shown. If you read the links the cover-up here is inescapable as the facts are changed and distorted. However if these people had been from Macquarie Fields those who broke the law would have been charged the day after the incident or as soon as they were released from hospital. It just depends on what class people come from and whom they know as well as the corporate media, pubs and cops work hand in hand to protect corporate and business interests.

Boat safety laws overhauled
The New South Wales Government has announced maritime safety laws will be overhauled, a month after six people died in a boat crash on Sydney Harbour.

Boat tragedy: mystery over driver?
Three weeks after the Sydney Harbour tragedy, police have yet to establish who was driving the runabout that collided with a fishing trawler, killing six young people.

Boat driver in fatal crash revealed: cover-up
Cocktail barman Percy Small has been named as the man at the wheel of the runabout when it crashed into a larger fishing boat, killing six people. It is believed those on board have also claimed that a third person may have been at the wheel during some point in the journey, News Limited [Limited News] reports. [???] [An attempt now to place someone that was allegedly not drunk at the helm???] Quote: "Witnesses have told police that after Mr Reynolds, a qualified skipper, negotiated the boat from Balmain Wharf he handed the controls over to Mr Small. Mr Small, who holds a 'boating licence' and 'did not appear affected by alcohol', safely took the boat across the harbour to Watsons Bay." Unquote. [NSW Police and Limited News Lies? Seems like they got the all clear??? Now all they have to do is inform the boat owners that granting permission to the crew for the journey won't be a liability???]

Harbour death crash: [who stole the boat?]
The father of Matthew Reynolds, [the man originally thought to have stolen the runabout and] the man originally thought to have been at the helm of the runabout at the time of last Thursday's harbour tragedy, says his son knows who was steering the vessel but will not reveal their identity because of "legal implications".

Homicide squad called in over harbour crash
THE homicide squad stamped its authority on the investigation into the harbour tragedy yesterday, with an inspection of the boats that smashed into each other in the cold and dark on Thursday morning.

Police name 6th harbour crash victim
Thirty-two-year-old Ashlei Ayres, a single mother of two, has now been named as one of the five people who died at the scene of the crash.

Balmain hotels fill as young mourn pub mates
Many of those involved in the accident were from Balmain. Friends gathered, embraced and cried openly on Darling Street, and soon after were intoxicated with alcohol as well as grief. Balmain bar staff described the incident as a pub staff night gone wrong.

Harbour crash 'driver' goes to police

Police "too busy" to question possible driver of boat in fatal harbour crash.

Matthew Reynolds, the 31-year-old originally thought to be at the helm of the runabout which collided with a fishing boat on Sydney Harbour in May, killing six people, attended Tweed Heads Police Station today.

Mr Reynolds, who said he was too ill to be interviewed by police in the days and weeks after the May 1 collision while he recovered in hospital, finally went to talk to investigators today.

But police were too busy to talk to him, his father says.

Mr Reynolds father Charlie said in May that his son was not steering the runabout at the time of the crash but did know who was.

He said at the time his son would not reveal the identity of the driver because of "legal implications".

Charlie Reynolds today said he drove his son to the police station this morning because police "wanted to ask him a question''.

"[Matthew] hasn't spoken to any police today, no,'' Charlie Reynolds said.

"They have got other work on, more pressing engagements.''

"A 31-year-old man this morning attended Tweed Heads Police Station as part of ongoing investigations into the fatal boat collision on Sydney Harbour in May," a police spokesman said.

"No arrests have been made, no charges have been laid and the investigation is ongoing."

Charlie Reynolds hit back at claims his son had not co-operated with police investigating the harbour tragedy, saying police only asked to see Matthew for the first time two days ago.

"[Police] called the day before yesterday to make an appointment, whenever they want something he will talk to them,'' Charlie Reynolds said.

"He hasn't been avoiding the police or anything. It's been total co-operation.''

The father said Matthew was recovering "slowly'' from injuries sustained in the crash.

Killed in the crash were Stacey Wright, 21, Alex Rumiz, 22, Mr Reynolds's girlfriend Ashlei Ayres, 32, US citizen Jessica Holloway, 25, Elizabeth Holder, 20 and Alexandre Nikakis, 30.

Quote: Seems clearly obvious police and the corporate media intend to cover-up for the publicans and high profile people in this case to the extent that facts will be changed or no interest shown. If you read the links the cover-up here is inescapable as the facts are changed and distorted. However if these people had been from Macquarie Fields those who broke the law would have been charged the day after the incident or as soon as they were released from hospital. It just depends on what class people come from and whom they know as well as the corporate media, pubs and cops work hand in hand to protect corporate and business interests.

Related:

Boat safety laws overhauled
The New South Wales Government has announced maritime safety laws will be overhauled, a month after six people died in a boat crash on Sydney Harbour.

Boat tragedy: mystery over driver?
Three weeks after the Sydney Harbour tragedy, police have yet to establish who was driving the runabout that collided with a fishing trawler, killing six young people.

Boat driver in fatal crash revealed: cover-up
Cocktail barman Percy Small has been named as the man at the wheel of the runabout when it crashed into a larger fishing boat, killing six people. It is believed those on board have also claimed that a third person may have been at the wheel during some point in the journey, News Limited [Limited News] reports. [???] [An attempt now to place someone that was allegedly not drunk at the helm???] Quote: "Witnesses have told police that after Mr Reynolds, a qualified skipper, negotiated the boat from Balmain Wharf he handed the controls over to Mr Small. Mr Small, who holds a 'boating licence' and 'did not appear affected by alcohol', safely took the boat across the harbour to Watsons Bay." Unquote. [NSW Police and Limited News Lies? Seems like they got the all clear??? Now all they have to do is inform the boat owners that granting permission to the crew for the journey won't be a liability???]

Harbour death crash: [who stole the boat?]
The father of Matthew Reynolds, [the man originally thought to have stolen the runabout and] the man originally thought to have been at the helm of the runabout at the time of last Thursday's harbour tragedy, says his son knows who was steering the vessel but will not reveal their identity because of "legal implications".

Homicide squad called in over harbour crash
THE homicide squad stamped its authority on the investigation into the harbour tragedy yesterday, with an inspection of the boats that smashed into each other in the cold and dark on Thursday morning.

Police name 6th harbour crash victim
Thirty-two-year-old Ashlei Ayres, a single mother of two, has now been named as one of the five people who died at the scene of the crash.

Balmain hotels fill as young mourn pub mates
Many of those involved in the accident were from Balmain. Friends gathered, embraced and cried openly on Darling Street, and soon after were intoxicated with alcohol as well as grief. Balmain bar staff described the incident as a pub staff night gone wrong.

Boat safety laws overhauled

Six people were killed in a crash on Sydney Harbour last month. Balmain bar staff described the incident as a pub staff night gone wrong..

The New South Wales Government has announced maritime safety laws will be overhauled, a month after six people died in a boat crash on Sydney Harbour.

Ports and Waterways Minister Joe Tripodi says the reforms include new penalties for dangerous behaviour and a compulsory practical component for aspiring boat skippers.

Mr Tripodi says the number of nights patrolled has increased from 6 per cent to 15 per cent in the past six months.

He says there are plans to increase that further.

"In times of heightened risk, for example New Year's Eve, there'll be more maritime officers out there patrolling the waterways," he said.

"It'll be a risk-based approach but what we have done already is increased the night patrols by 150 per cent."

NSW Maritime acting chief executive Steve Dunn says patrol plans are dictated by the time of year and weather conditions.

Mr Dunn says patrols cannot possibly cover the entire harbour, so extra services will not necessarily reduce the risk of fatal boat accidents.

"We would love to have patrols out there more often but obviously, we react to the perceived need of the risk that's facing us at a particular time," he said.

"We can't have a boating service officer on every headland so we put our resources where they are needed, when they are needed."

Related:

Boat tragedy: mystery over driver?
Three weeks after the Sydney Harbour tragedy, police have yet to establish who was driving the runabout that collided with a fishing trawler, killing six young people.

Boat driver in fatal crash revealed: cover-up
Cocktail barman Percy Small has been named as the man at the wheel of the runabout when it crashed into a larger fishing boat, killing six people. It is believed those on board have also claimed that a third person may have been at the wheel during some point in the journey, News Limited [Limited News] reports. [???] [An attempt now to place someone that was allegedly not drunk at the helm???] Quote: "Witnesses have told police that after Mr Reynolds, a qualified skipper, negotiated the boat from Balmain Wharf he handed the controls over to Mr Small. Mr Small, who holds a 'boating licence' and 'did not appear affected by alcohol', safely took the boat across the harbour to Watsons Bay." Unquote. [NSW Police and Limited News Lies? Seems like they got the all clear??? Now all they have to do is inform the boat owners that granting permission to the crew for the journey won't be a liability???]

Harbour death crash: [who stole the boat?]
The father of Matthew Reynolds, [the man originally thought to have stolen the runabout and] the man originally thought to have been at the helm of the runabout at the time of last Thursday's harbour tragedy, says his son knows who was steering the vessel but will not reveal their identity because of "legal implications".

Homicide squad called in over harbour crash
THE homicide squad stamped its authority on the investigation into the harbour tragedy yesterday, with an inspection of the boats that smashed into each other in the cold and dark on Thursday morning.

Police name 6th harbour crash victim
Thirty-two-year-old Ashlei Ayres, a single mother of two, has now been named as one of the five people who died at the scene of the crash.

Balmain hotels fill as young mourn pub mates
Many of those involved in the accident were from Balmain. Friends gathered, embraced and cried openly on Darling Street, and soon after were intoxicated with alcohol as well as grief. Balmain bar staff described the incident as a pub staff night gone wrong.

No jail for 'disconnected brakes' fatal

A man who disconnected the rear brakes of his car has escaped a prison term for killing an Adelaide woman in a crash, three years ago.

The District Court heard that Rhys Enar Parker, 27, of Aldinga Beach had disconnected the brakes more than a month before the fatal crash at Lonsdale.

Parker's car hit the side of another, driven by 72-year-old Beth Latz, who died instantly.

Sentencing Parker to two years and 10 months in jail, Judge David Lovell told Parker that disconnecting the brakes was an "act of stupidity" that he would "have to live with for the rest of his life".

The court had been told that Parker lied to police when confronted with the braking issue.

Judge Lovell suspended the jail sentence, noting that Parker was young, had no previous convictions and had begun rehabilitation.

Homicide squad called in over harbour crash

THE homicide squad stamped its authority on the investigation into the harbour tragedy yesterday, with an inspection of the boats that smashed into each other in the cold and dark on Thursday morning.

Flanked by two of his detectives, the homicide squad commander, Superintendent Geoff Beresford, arrived at water police headquarters yesterday afternoon. He spent about an hour examining the boats, moored at the headquarters pier since the accident, and then talked to investigating officers.

It was an indication of how seriously police are taking the investigation that Superintendent Beresford came personally to talk to officers attached to Strike Force Condor - which is led by the Coronial Investigation Unit with assistance from the water police and central metropolitan region detectives. The coronial unit, attached to the homicide squad, investigates matters expected to end up before the coroner.

About an hour before Superintendent Beresford's arrival, Chloe Dickey - the teenager who lost six friends when the 12-metre Jordon's and the boat she was in collided - arrived at the Balmain headquarters for a formal interview.

With a brace around her neck and her right arm in a sling, the teary 18-year-old cut a tragic figure when she left the building - her hand over her mouth and large dark glasses covering her eyes. Her mother shielded her from the media with a magazine as they walked away.

"The homicide squad commander is here to meet with the strike force detectives [and to] discuss the ongoing investigation," a spokeswoman, Wendy Valois, said.

Ms Valois confirmed that police were yet to speak to 31-year-old Matthew Reynolds, who remains in hospital with several broken vertebrae.

"One person remains in hospital and will be interviewed when he's deemed medically fit to do so," she said.

Police would not be commenting on the particulars of the case until everyone had been interviewed and the case was more advanced, she said. "There is still more investigating to be done."

On Saturday, the head of the coronial unit, Detective Inspector David Laidlaw, said police would not rule out criminal charges.

The families of victims are bracing themselves for a procession of funerals to be held over the next week-and-a-half.

Over the past few days a memorial book has been passed around at the Unity Hall Hotel in Balmain, where one of the dead, 21-year-old Stacey Wright, worked. It was signed by patrons and friends of Ms Wright and will be presented to her family in Wollongong before her funeral this morning.

A large contingent from the hotel is expected to travel to the South Coast for the service. Her parents have asked that her friends send a donation to the Breast Cancer Foundation instead of sending flowers.

The family of Ashlie Ayres, 32, plan to bury her on the North Coast, while the body of Jessica Holloway, a 25-year-old American youth worker, will be repatriated to the US.

Thursday's tragedy came 13 months after four people died when a HarbourCat hit the pleasure boat Merinda on the harbour. The crash was blamed on human error and lack of navigation lights aboard the Merinda.

Last financial year, there were 23 fatalities on waterways in NSW, the highest number since records began in 1992.

Related:

Police name 6th harbour crash victim
Thirty-two-year-old Ashlei Ayres, a single mother of two, has now been named as one of the five people who died at the scene of the crash.

Balmain hotels fill as young mourn pub mates
Many of those involved in the accident were from Balmain. Friends gathered, embraced and cried openly on Darling Street, and soon after were intoxicated with alcohol as well as grief. Balmain bar staff described the incident as a pub staff night gone wrong.

Calls for binge warnings on alcohol packaging
The Public Health Association (PHA) says warnings about the dangers of binge drinking should be pasted on all forms of packaged alcoholic drinks.

Support for booze public education
A SURVEY of 1000 Australians found more than three-quarters of those questioned about attitudes to drinking said there was not enough public education about the dangers of alcohol, despite the Rudd Government's promise of a multimillion-dollar binge-drinking strategy

Parents warned over toddler drowning stats

The Royal Lifesaving Society says a lack of parental supervision may be to blame for the rising number of toddler drownings.

New figures released by the society estimate that drownings could rise by 20 per cent this year, resulting in 40 deaths.

Rob Bradley from Royal Life Saving Australia says that while faulty pool fences are also to blame, parents must be accountable for supervising their children.

"Parents are becoming a little complacent perhaps. They are aware of the message but they don't seem to be able to ensure that there is constant supervision of those children," he said.

"At the end of the day it is the parent's responsibility."

"For every drowning there's probably four hospitalisations and of those one to two will have permanent neurological damage."

Quote: Yes but also remember that parents can only do their best and sometimes circumstances have it that no intervention was perceived. Any person has to perceive the danger before any action can be taken. Hence public awareness is essential to be able to focus on that. So those who failed to perceive the danger ought not feel guilt.