Month: May 2019

A young man and woman killed in what police say was a speed-related crash on the Mornington Peninsula were car lovers whose friends and family will pay tribute to them with an organised car meet.

The sister of Pauly Khaled has pleaded with people attending the meet not to hoon or speed, after one friend posted a tribute video that appeared to show the ute the pair were in doing a burnout just hours before deadly crash.

Mr Khaled, 22, and Kalinda Nheu, 18, were both killed when their yellow ute went into the path of another car on the Nepean Highway near Mt Eliza about 11.15pm on Monday.

Their deaths came on a horror night on Victorian roads that killed two other people and left another man fighting for his life.

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A tribute page set up for Mr Khaled and Ms Nheu on Facebook showed they were part of Melbourne's street car culture. Their own Facebook pages were filled with photos and videos of cars.

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On the tribute page, a grieving friend posted a video he said showed one of their final moments.

The video showed a yellow ute and a dark coloured car doing a burnout about two hours before the fatal crash.

"I still can't believe it. This was taken [Monday] night two hours before you left this earth, we love and will see you soon," the friend said in the video posted to Facebook.

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The friend said he had seen Mr Khaled and Ms Nheu just 40 minutes before the crash.

"I saw these two amazing people 40 minutes before they left this earth. I feel [sic] asleep to wake up to this horrific news, all my love goes out to everyone who has been affected by this, this is one of the last videos of them two leaving on their last track you two will always be with us."

Police said the car involved in the fatal crash was a yellow ute.

Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Stephen Leane said it appeared the ute was speeding when it spun out of control.

"Two young people … driving down Nepean Highway quite simply in the rain again just too fast, lost control, and spun out of control into the path of an oncoming car," he said.

"It's very sad circumstances.

"A third of the people who have been involved in fatal collisions [this year] have been involved in excessive speed – they're just travelling too fast.

"We can all slow down just that little bit."

Tributes were flowing for the Mr Khaled, who was from Heatherton, and Ms Nheu, who lived in Pearcedale, on Tuesday.

One friend described watching the horrifying crash unfolded.

"Can't believe I watched this all unfold right in front of me. Still can't believe this happened and I'll never be the same again," Kyle O'Grady wrote on Facebook.

"As I stood next to you in your final moments just know I did whatever I could but it just wasn't enough."

Mr Khaled's sister also took to Facebook, describing the final time she saw him earlier that night.

"Had I known last night was the last time I'd get to see your beautiful eyes sparkle I would have hugged you and never let you go," Marianna Khaled said.

"There are no words to describe how much losing you hurts or how it's made us all feel. I wish you were still here next to me. Who's going to call me a loser now, who's going to eat the food I was saving, who's going to smack me on the back of the head and stomp around the house now? I really really miss you Paul. I know heaven will be so good to you."

Friends and family have organised a car meet at 6.30pm on Tuesday in Oakleigh South to pay tribute to the pair.

Ms Khaled asked people attending the event not to speed or hoon.

"Please no speeding or hooning tonight. That's not what tonight is about. You're welcome to do as you wish any other time but please not tonight while mum dad and I are there," she wrote.

"I ask you all to go home and tell your parents and kids and siblings you love them and give them a hug."

Family was also believed to be visiting the crash scene to put crosses up, according to a post on the event.

Grieving loved ones had raised more than $500 by Tuesday afternoon to help cover funeral costs via a GoFundMe page.

Police believe the yellow ute was travelling north and was speeding when it spun out of control and went into the path of another car on the Nepean Highway near St John's Lane.

A 25-year-old man from Mount Eliza, who was driving the other vehicle, was taken by ambulance to The Alfred hospital in a stable condition with chest injuries.

Horror night on Victorian roads

Four people, including Mr Khaled and Ms Nheu, were killed on Victoria roads on Monday night. The deaths take the 2019 road toll to 138, well above the 88 killed at the same time last year.

A woman, aged in her 40s, was found dead on Ballarat Road in Ardeer about 7.40pm on Monday after an alleged hit-run.

Police believe the woman was struck by a black Holden Commodore VT as she was crossing the road.

A 31-year-old man from Cairnlea handed himself in to police early on Tuesday morning.

The man was charged late on Tuesday with failing to render assistance in a fatal collision.

"The person involved in the collision knew that they'd hit another person and left the person on the side of the road," Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Stephen Leane said on Tuesday.

"Not sure what they knew, what the condition of the person was, but sadly a woman has lost their life."

A third fatal crash, in Red Cliffs near Mildura, killed a 31-year-old man and injured two others, aged 38 and 39. All three men were from Red Cliffs.

Australia’s public psychiatric system is in slow and painful decline, with “profoundly disillusioned” psychiatrists leaving for private practice, senior specialists warn.

The “psychiatric breakdown of the public system” is driving away overburdened psychiatrists who were dedicated to treating some of the most vulnerable mentally ill patients, UNSW Scientia Professor Gordon Parker says.

The veteran public hospital psychiatrist and founder of the Black Dog Institute will call for urgent reforms to arrest “the slow death in quality” in public psychiatric care at the launch of the 2019 Australian Mental Health Prize at UNSW on Wednesday.

“The tipping point has been passed,” Professor Parker said. “The system has been under threat of deterioration in quality and sophistication of care for several years.

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“My concern is that so many excellent psychiatrists who have worked in – and solidly contributed to – the public psychiatric sector are leaving or planning to leave the system and to take up more attractive jobs. Principally at private practice.”

The Herald and The Age have learned multiple senior psychiatrists have resigned or are planning to resign from a handful of Sydney psychiatric units within the year.

Other specialties have a shortage of training positions for their oversupply of trainee doctors. But psychiatry is struggling to fill positions with their demanding and unrewarding workloads.

NSW has a record 60 vacant training positions for psychiatric trainees, Professor Parker discovered.

“Trainees are rapidly falling away,” he said. "This is a canary in the coal mine signal."

“I see trainees and young psychiatrists … with a genuine commitment and wish to help those with serious psychiatric problems, who, over the next few years, become profoundly disillusioned.”

He described the stress of overstretched EDs where 50 per cent of up to 30 patients waiting for a psychiatric assessment should be admitted to the psychiatric units that are full to capacity.

Psychiatrists were “under tremendous pressure” to discharge patients before they were fully well to make room for new patients, Professor Parker said.

“[They] end their day aware that they were unable to find a bed for someone at high risk of suicide, that the depressed patient who needed close observation as their treatment unfolded has been prematurely discharged," he said.

“…that the patient who should have been discharged to public housing is now going to sleep rough and that their colleague assaulted by an ice addict may never return to work.

“It’s not surprising that the public system becomes a target for frustration, anger and complaints by those who experience or witness the system close at hand."

Professor Parker criticised the "exponential growth" in hospital middle managers and untenable amounts of paperwork. “Staff are therefore most commonly observed in their offices and nursing stations completing forms and thus having minimal therapeutic time with patients,” he said.

He said the pressure on acute psychiatric units could be reduced by up to 50 per cent by treating three key patient groups in other settings: forensic patients in forensic environments, drug-affected patients in separate facilities, and long-stay patients who cannot be discharged into the community should be treated in fit-for-purpose accommodation with constant care.

NSW chief psychiatrist Dr Murray Wright agreed that the loss of public sector psychiatrists was a serious national issue.

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“It’s a very challenging environment and you’re dealing with a lot of risk. It can be a very heavy burden and really wear people down,” he said.

“But I don’t take the view that the system is a critical as Gordon describes.”

Nor did Dr Wright believe segregating patients was the solution.

“If we had some national windfall and could increase our resources then some of the pressures which are contributing to the dissatisfaction of the medical workforce could be addressed," he said.

“In the meantime, we are working to improve workforce conditions to attract and retain people."

The NSW Health Ministry and RANZCP are collaborating on a psychiatry workforce plan – in line with the state’s mental health workforce plan – to correct workplace culture, improve leadership and address the other drivers of burn out.

Last year, the Sydney Children's Hospital was forced to close its psychiatric ward for several weeks after its only consultant psychiatrist resigned and her position could not be filled. The ward had a long history of high psychiatrist turnover, grueling hours and heavy workloads.

Acting head of the UNSW School of Psychiatry Scientia Professor Henry Brodaty – who backed Dr Parker's concerns – said it was critical to acknowledge the individuals working tirelessly in mental health.

UNSW’s Australian Mental Health Prize is awarded annually to an Australian who has made outstanding contributions to either the promotion of mental health or the prevention or treatment of mental illness.

Nomination forms can be found at australianmentalhealthprize.org.au.

Applications close August 30.

The fate of a $29 million plan to build a library resembling a Scottish castle at a private boys' school in Sydney's east will be decided by an independent panel, after residents complained the project would worsen traffic woes and encroach on harbour views.

Amid debate about the extent of taxpayer funding for private schools, Scots College in Bellevue Hill wants to transform its existing library into a structure with a rooftop terrace overlooking Sydney Harbour, a turret, bay windows and exterior cladding in the "Scottish Baronial architectural style".

The NSW Department of Planning and Environment is supporting the proposal, despite reservations from Woollahra Council and objections from some of the exclusive suburb's homeowners, including one on behalf of multimillionaire property developer Ian Joye.

Because there were more than 25 submissions against the project, the department referred the "state significant" development to the Independent Planning Commission this month.

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The college has lodged plans to demolish part of the Stevenson Library – built in 1988 – to add a fifth storey, a castle-like tower, an atrium, a pitched roof and new entrances from a quadrangle and oval.

As well as the library and learning spaces, the proposed building's interior will include a grand hall, boardroom, 100-seat theatre, counselling rooms and a dining area for events.

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The school says on its website the existing library on its senior campus is "no longer fit-for-purpose" and the major upgrade would provide "essential student amenities and learning spaces with a focus on learning support, student counselling, academic research and professional learning".

Residents from the Concerned Scots Neighbours group were among those who said that the project should be rejected. They said there was "significant disquiet" among locals who "fervently" opposed the new building.

"The traffic and parking impacts existing at both the Scots Bellevue Hill [senior and junior] campuses are well beyond unacceptable," their submission said.

The group feared the project would exacerbate congestion and parking shortages due to rising enrolments at the college, which has previously fought to increase its student numbers.

An objection was also received on behalf of Mr Joye, who owns the suburb's sprawling Barford estate, over concerns the project would impinge on the property's sweeping harbour views.

But, although the Victoria Road trophy home was deemed the most affected by any view impacts, it would suffer only "minor loss of distant water views" towards Rose Bay, with the biggest impact to views from the driveway and garden terrace, the department said.

"However, the vast majority of harbour, distant and district views from internal habitable areas would be unaffected," the department said in its referral.

Woollahra Council was "generally supportive" of the proposal. But it said fixing the traffic problems was of "primary importance" and echoed concerns the school was breaching its cap of 1120 students.

"This has direct impacts on traffic and parking problems in the vicinity of Scots College, including arrangements for the drop off and pick up of students during peak times," the council said.

In its response to the submissions, Scots College said the makeover would have "no impact on access, traffic generation or car parking".

"No increase in student numbers is sought by the subject application and the college is in course of preparation of a concept development application which will address this issue and seek approval for a new masterplan for the Victoria Road campus of the college."

The college said it had lodged separate plans with the council for an 80-space car park beneath the school's tennis courts and an additional student drop-off area on the western side of Victoria Road.

If approved by the commission, the revamp is due to be completed in 2021. The college said most of the $28.86 million project would be paid for through donations and fundraising.

The NSW Heritage Council submitted the "complicated and more massive roof form, with its high turret and dormer protrusions, and prominent balustrading to the rooftop terrace" would "overshadow and diminish" the school's neighbouring 1883 boarding residence Aspinall House.

But Scottish architectural expert Alastair Disley, who was a consultant on the proposal, said the complex roof form was "essential".

"The integrity of Scots' Baronial design depends on its faithful replication of historic roofline
elements – typically from 15th to 17th century Scottish castles – to balance the more modern
wall elements below – such as large 19th century plate glass windows," Dr Disley said.

The school's website says the design concept reflected "a fortified building, a defensible structure, a safe stronghold; in short, a sanctuary. In the Scots context, it embodies a safe place for boys."

The Department of Planning recommended the building's approval on the basis it was in the public interest to deliver improved educational facilities. It said any traffic and parking problems could be managed and the project would create more than 400 construction jobs.

Court documents made public in London this week reveal that a woman suspected by British authorities of having ill-gotten wealth spent £600,000  ($1.10 million) in one day at upmarket department store Harrods and once forked out £30,000 ($58,825) on chocolates.

Zamira Hajiyeva is the first person subject to an Unexplained Wealth Order, which allows British authorities to seize assets from people suspected of corruption or links to organised crime until the owners account for how they were acquired.

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Britain's National Crime Agency wants to know where Hajiyeva, whose banker husband is in jail in Azerbaijan, got the money to fund her spending and buy two British properties worth £22 million ($40 million) – including a house just around the corner from Harrods.

Investigators say Hajiyeva spent £16 million ($35 million) at Harrods between 2006 and 2016, using 35 credit cards issued by a bank led by her husband.

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Harrods records disclosed at the High Court detail spending that includes £5.75 million ($10.5 million) at jewellers Boucheron and Cartier, £1 million ($1.82 million) in Harrods' toy department and £30,000 at chocolatier Godiva.

Harrods said in a stament that it complied with "the strongest anti-money laundering policies."

"In this instance, where Harrods cooperated with a wider investigation, there has never been any suggestion that Harrods has operated in any way other than in full compliance with the highest regulatory and legal standards," it said.

Hajiyeva's husband, former International Bank of Azerbaijan Chairman Jahangir Hajiyev, was sentenced to 15 years in jail in 2016 for fraud and embezzlement.

Hajiyeva, 55, denies wrongdoing and has been granted permission to challenge her wealth order at the Court of Appeal. She is also fighting extradition to Azerbaijan.

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Brad Fittler believes the State of Origin series is at a tipping point, with a new generation of superstars set to determine which team creates the next winning streak.

Fittler has shaken up the interstate series since his appointment, throwing in 11 debutants during last year’s win. The NSW coach has blooded a further five new faces – Nick Cotric, Cody Walker, Jack Wighton, Payne Haas and Cameron Murray – for the opening match at Suncorp stadium in a bid to begin a dynasty.

Queensland are undergoing their own generational change after stalwarts Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk, Johnathan Thurston and Greg Inglis finally left the scene. It has left Origin ascendancy in the balance as both sides prepare to again battle for supremacy.

“Origin feels like it’s at a point, everyone is surprised at how strong the [Queensland] team looks, they’re in a lot of form,” Fittler said.

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“I just feel like one side could make a statement or some players could really make a statement. That group of Queenslanders now is gone – Johnathan, Billy, Cameron, Cooper – they’ve all moved on. Everyone is saying, 'Who will be the next superstars?’

“The thing they did very well was that they were consistent, they were consistent at their club. That’s what I’m trying to get our players to be like. If you want to be great at Origin, you have to be great when you go back to your club as well.”

The Maroons had won 11 of the previous 12 series until Fittler’s "Baby Blues" broke through for a victory last year. Now "Freddy" believes another state is on the verge of a winning streak.

“I feel like that,” Fittler said. “It seemed like a feeling that when those [dominant Queensland] players go, that Origin would die. It feels like it’s kicked again, if anything the interest has kicked again.

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“Now you’ve got Pongas [Kalyn Ponga], Tedescos [James Tedesco] and all of these superstars coming through. It’s now up to them to do it week in and week out, which they’re doing at the moment.

“Getting our kids playing is the key, trusting the game. The best way to do that is to have heroes. To be a hero, you have to handle pressure. You have to deal with it and excel, play tough. That’s what the kids demand of their heroes. There were a few last year and they’ve got to do it again.”

South Sydney forward Murray represents part of the next Blues wave, picked after a series of eye-catching performances in just his third season of NRL.

“Being picked in the side is a great honour, but I need to prove to myself more than anyone that I’m ready for this, that I can handle it,” Murray said.

“I need to get my body right and my mind right, get my combinations right to be successful on Wednesday.

Canberra three-quarter Cotric is another youngster that has forced Fittler’s hand after a strong start to his career.

“Marking up on Corey Oates is going to be a good test, I can’t wait,” Cotric said.

The Maroons coaching and playing staff have refused to even mention the Blues by name, seemingly the result of ‘football whisperer’ Bradley Charles Stubbs’ influence on Kevin Walters. The Queensland coach has talked up his side, perhaps the first time in Origin history the northerners haven’t embraced the underdog tag.

Fittler hadn’t witnessed Walters’ “This is War” press conference, but isn’t concerned by Queensland’s change in tack.

“We’re ok with that,” Fittler said. “I don’t know who they are going to smash at the moment, it’s not until June 5.

“We’re trying to worry about our footy, do the best we can during the week to handle the pressure and then get out and execute and perform. We’ll be hard by June 5, we’ll be ready to go.”

Sometimes blind luck falls your way. Trainer Robbie Laing knows that more than most after Missrock topped the first day of the Magic Millions broodmare sale at $2.3 million.

Laing sat back with owners Ray and Susie Montague toasting a sales ring success. Missrock had been a quality sprinter on track, twice a runner-up in the Goodwood, a group 3 winner but more a nearly horse on the track that earned more than $1.3 million.

She was also nearly a nearly horse in the ring, according to Laing.

He smiled as he told the story of when he first set eyes on the filly at Magic Millions in 2015, just before she was to be sold.

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“I had a horse breaker from Melbourne with me and he was asking what I look for in a horse,” Laing started.

“She walked past and I wasn’t paying that much attention and said that colt there.

“He looked at me and I don’t why I’m asking you because that’s a filly.

“I thought it looked like a $1 million horse and just watched her walk and went around the front.”

Laing still didn’t have any intention of buying the daughter of Fastnet Rock and watched as the Hawkes stable got to $450,000 and couldn't help but to have a shot at $475,000.

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“That was it. No more bids and she was passed in. Barry Bowditch, who was spotting, came up and told me they want 500,” Laing said.

“I didn’t have a buyer, so I rang Ray and then my vet to find out if there were any problems with her. I knew the Hawkes were bidding on her, so they would have done more homework than me.

“Ray got back to me and said he would take more than half.”

Montague and his wife Susie know a bit about racing fairytales. Susie is the producer of the Michelle Payne film Ride Like A Girl, documenting the first Melbourne Cup win by a female jockey, but since that day in 2015 they hadn’t been having much luck.

“We had bid on four or five [yearlings] and got blown out the water. Robbie rang and I trusted him, so I asked Susie and we decided to buy her,” Montague said.

"When we saw her and she was just magnificent, we just had a good feeling the first time we saw her."

Laing went to the vendor – Cressfield Stud’s Bruce Neill – and closed the deal.

“I offered him 480 and he said 500 or I’m taking her home. We had come that far so I said OK,” Laing said.

Neill remembered the day.

“I sold him to good people and we have become good friends and I have put some into Susie's film about Michelle Payne,” Neill said. “It has opened up a different world to me. It is strange how good this story has been for everyone.”

Missrock won a Debutant Stakes and Percy Sykes Stakes as a two-year-old before being placed in a Wakeful Stakes at three over 2000m, but it was as the older sprinter that she would make her name.

“We had quiet a bit of fun with her and were so close to winning that group 1. We got it today,” Laing said. “Coming here today we were hopeful that she would get close to $2 million but you never know.

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“It is a great result for everyone.”

As the bidding went past the amount Missrock earned on the track, the Magic Millions arena fell silent with Arrowfield Stud and Coolmore Stud still in the mix.

But the hammer feel to Bowditch, now the boss of Magic Millions, who was on the phone was to Queen Elizabeth’s bloodstock advisor John Warren. He was buying for a private owner from Highclere Stud in England.

Missrock was one of five mares to break the seven-figure barrier on Tuesday with one-time Everest contender Invincible Star bringing $1.45 million and Whispering Brook $1.1 million while Oregon’s Day, which will run in next month’s Tatts Tiara, and Savvy Coup each brought an even $1 million.

Meanwhile, a sale of eight stallion services raised $283,500 for injured jockey Tye Angland to close Tuesday's session.

Selections based on a good track.

RACE 1 – 12.50PM: TAB HANDICAP (1400m)

1. Sedgemoor went down by the barest of margins to a handy type on debut a few weeks back and looks to get control of this race. Can only be fitter and just has to run up to his Canterbury effort to take this out.

Dangers: 5. Tawaret has had a few chances but caught the eye chasing a progressive stablemate home at the Scone carnival last start. Probably should have finished a touch closer too. If that’s a good pointer then she’s right in the finish. 3. Milunka resumes after a couple of Canterbury placings back in January, she was game on debut after a wide run then had every chance in the second of them. Can’t get any guide from her very quiet trial but kicking off at 1400m is a flashing light. Keep safe. 2. Royal Captain is racing consistently but just can’t seem to break through at present. Kept trying at Newcastle last start and with only a small field he can’t be overlooked.
How to play it: Sedgemoor to win.

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RACE 2 – 1.25PM: PRESS STATEMENT @ VINERY HANDICAP (1200m)

6. Mercury has come up favourite and if he stays solid in the market he’s the one to be with first-up. Had some support on debut in Melbourne and pulled up lame and spelled so forgive that. Loved his latest trial, blinkers on and he should go close.
Dangers: 15. California Salto was a bit of a hidden run on debut at Kembla on May 11. She had plenty of traffic to negotiate in the straight and didn’t get full opportunity to wind up yet made good late ground. Up to 1200m and with a bit of luck from the barrier she could surprise. 11. All Saint’s Eve is a half-sister to an NZ group 1 winner and she worked home quite nicely in her only public trial a couple of weeks back. Drawn well and one to keep an eye on. 5. Kavalmo wasn’t asked for anything serious in his only trial this prep, he did trial back in November, and from barrier one is worth throwing in the multiples. If there’s any support it would be encouraging too.
How to play it: Mercury to win, trifecta 6/5,11,15/5,11,15.

RACE 3 – 2.00PM: EVENTS BY ATC PLATE (1200m)

Somewhat keen on 3. Front Sight, a gelding which showed plenty of promise in his first prep in the summer. Knocked over late by Kolding on debut then again claimed in the shadows on a heavy track before a break. Nice trial win recently and is very hard to beat.
Dangers: 2. Embracer went under as a $1.09 favourite at Wyong two weeks ago where she led and was headed before the turn. Pulled up lame there so perhaps some excuse and blinkers go on. She may win but can’t possibly back her at odds-on off the latest run. 4. Heimberg is an interesting runner, first-up for Joe Pride and is a half-brother to his star sprinters Terravista, Tiger Tees and Ball Of Muscle. Latest trial wasn’t too bad and no surprise to see him show up. 1. Azoustic is another first-up for the Pride yard and he’s trialled in the same heats as Heimberg for a 1-1 scoreline. Trainer speaks highly enough of both horses, suggesting they will win races so pay to keep them both safe.
How to play it: Front Sight to win.

RACE 4 – 2.35PM: TAB REWARDS HANDICAP (1600m)

Hard to go past 6. High Shine considering she’s been so impressive in her two wins this time in and gets out to a mile which should suit her even better. That’s evidenced in the way she ground them down at Scone second-up. Creeping up in class but sure to take holding out.

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Dangers: 7. Primitivo atoned for a costly Wagga defeat with a very brave win over this course two weeks ago where he fought back after being headed to win. Showed there he can race handier and from a good gate he should be in the finish again. 5. Calculated may not have been suited to leading at Rosehill last time but he did box on OK in stronger grade. Back to a mile here and is entitled to one more chance. 1. Destiny’s Own did a very big job to win second-up here and is now into his comfort zone distance-wise. He’ll be somewhere on the pace from a perfect draw for him and can’t be left out. 9. Vega and 10. Watchdog have form around the top two selections and are also definite chances.
How to play it: High Shine to win, trifecta 6/1,5,7/1,5,7.

RACE 5 – 3.10PM: ANZ BLOODSTOCK NEWS HANDICAP (1600m)

1. Bergen is a real winner and the way he scored at Warwick Farm two weeks ago suggested he’ll relish the mile, which he gets here. Drawn to track the speed, in-form apprentice on and no reason he can’t keep the winning run going. And he’s each-way odds too.
Dangers: 14. Statuesquely bumped into a handy one on debut then was never going to be beaten at Kembla second-up. Should lead and bred to appreciate the extra trip. This is a handy enough midweek field so she’ll need to be above average and she might just be that. 3. Total Power was a bit disappointing at Newcastle two starts back after hitting the lead but he punched above his weight when running third in a strong Scone Guineas. First try at a mile and he’ll be in this for a long way. 2. Charretera is more than good enough to win this but I do have a small question mark at the trip looking at his last start third here at 1400m. If he has the right run and is looking for ground then he’s righ in it. Just that small doubt for mine.
How to play it: Bergen each-way, box quinella 1, 3, 14.

RACE 6 – 3.45PM: WINTER RACING HANDICAP (1100m)

Had to be impressed with the way 7. Phaistos attacked the line in winning first-up at Scone. He had to weave through a bit but once he balanced up he was so strong. Stays at 1100m and may need some breaks if he’s buried back in the field but can’t go past him.
Dangers: Big watch on 11. Accelerato who is having his first run for Joe Pride on the back of a very nice trial win over Alassio recently where he led and put a margin on her. Fresh form is patchy but if there’s support he should run well. 4. Inanup has form that ties in with Phaistos through running down Great Affair first-up at Wyong four weeks ago so he’s worth including. Yet to win second-up but kept fresh. 15. Great Affair is also here if he gains a run and with that aforementioned form can’t be left out of the chances. Not sure what to do with 2. Tchaikovsky who was fair in a similar race here first-up. If he puts it together he can win but would like to see him do it first.
How to play it: Phaistos to win.

RACE 7 – 4.20PM: AUSTRALIAN TURF CLUB HANDICAP (1300m)

10. England was another impressive winner at the Scone carnival and while he’s well found in betting now he’s posted a win he can build on it. Had form around some smart ones in his first prep and it’d be a surprise if he’s not in the finish of this.

Dangers: 13. Handspun finished like he was shot out of a cannon when he won at Kembla third-up continuing his good form this campaign. This isn’t a lot harder and he’s in super form so definite chance. 5. El Mo has the blinkers on after his close second here two weeks ago at 1400m. Consistent type who has drawn well and he’s an each-way chance at least. 1. Groundbreak had cardiac arrhythmia when he failed before a spell in Melbourne and there was a bit to like about his tria
behind Desert Lord. Drawn out, if he runs here I’d suggest to keep an eye on him for next time but he can place. 11. Love My Cashews won easily second-up to make it two from two, question mark on the strength of the form but she had panels on them last time so rather include than dismiss.
How to play it: England to win, trifecta 10/1,5,13/1,5,13.

Best bets:
Race 3 (3) Front Sight
Race 6 (7) Phaistos

Best value:
Race 5 (1) Bergen

Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays at www.racingnsw.com.au

St George Illawarra will have the opportunity to go to market for a Jack de Belin replacement after the NRL granted a dispensation to replace the stood down star forward.

The Dragons will have up to $239,000 to spend on a new forward, the amount the Red V is paying him for the remainder of the season. De Belin, who has pleaded not guilty to aggravated sexual assault, is sidelined until the conclusion of his criminal court case.

De Belin was the first player stood down under the NRL’s ‘no fault’ policy, which withstood a Federal Court legal challenge from the 28-year-old.

The game’s tough new stance on player behaviour was deemed valid by Justice Melissa Perry, although the Rugby League Players’ Association has issued the NRL a dispute, citing a lack of consultation as required under the collective bargaining agreement.

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While the Dragons have been given the approval to seek a replacement for de Belin, there are few options on the open market.

Some clubs seeking to free up salary cap space before June 30 may be interested in offloading a player, although the situation could be complicated if de Belin is acquitted.

Trent Merrin has been linked to a return to the Dragons after struggling in his Super League stint with Leeds but he would need to take a sizeable pay cut in order to return to the NRL.

The Herald revealed the Dragons had asked the NRL to pay for de Belin’s replacement, although it’s unlikely head office will foot the bill.

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The man responsible for community safety and multiculturalism in Scott Morrison's new ministry has pledged to work closely with Islamic, Sudanese and other key communities but is making no apology for leading the charge against "African gangs" in his home city.

Liberal MP Jason Wood, a supporter of Peter Dutton in last year's leadership coup, will now work underneath Mr Dutton in the Home Affairs portfolio as assistant minister for customs, community safety and multicultural affairs.

While Mr Wood was yet to be sworn in and receive his first briefings, he said he intended to focus on nationwide versions of integration and intervention programs that had already succeeded in his own multicultural electorate of La Trobe, in outer-eastern Melbourne.

"When you say 'there's nothing to see, nothing to worry about', you then can't go and get funding for all these programs," Mr Wood told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age on Tuesday as he prepared to join Mr Morrison's outer ministry.

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"If you want someone in this role to say, 'everything's fine, everything's dandy' – I'm not the guy for the job."

Amid raised eyebrows within multicultural groups about Mr Wood's appointment, the chair of the South Sudanese Community Association of Victoria, Achol Marial, told The Guardian the MP's rhetoric on African gangs was "quite disturbing".

As recently as last month, Mr Wood used his Facebook page to rail against "African youth gangs" who were "out of control" and demanded the deportation of "foreign-born thugs".

Mr Wood said he had "no regrets" about calling out African gang crime, and claimed many members of the Sudanese and other migrant communities had applauded his efforts and even joined his re-election campaign.

"They say: you're tough, you call this out," he said. "They look at us [the Liberals] as the ones who can get them jobs. My end goal is to keep the kids in school, keep them active in sport and recreation, and you have to get jobs. English, training and jobs."

Mr Wood said his role was to listen to the concerns of multicultural communities and respond accordingly. But equally, "if fifth-generation Australians have concerns about integration and how it works, that's obviously my concern as well".

He said integration was about more than learning English. "Most migrants when they come here don't know what it means to be Australian. It's more [about] making the effort to get multicultural groups together and mix with the other more traditional, sporting groups.

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"If you're here and you're doing your absolute utmost to get involved in the Australian community, it's our job to do everything we can to help you get a job and be part of that."

Mr Wood did not resile from his view – repeatedly expressed on Facebook – that criminal non-citizens should be deported, and doubted whether such "thugs" could be rehabilitated during incarceration.

"You put these guys in jail and they don't come out clean shaven and ready to work, they come out ready to go to the next level in the world of crime," he said.

"If you're on a visa here and you commit a carjacking or home invasion … I don't care where you're from, if that's what you do, you go home."

Mr Wood said he wanted to prioritise early intervention in communities where young people are vulnerable to unemployment, boredom and crime. He also wanted to work with other portfolio ministers on programs to tackle domestic violence and bullying at schools.

Mohammad Al-Khafaji, chief executive of the Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia, said he hoped Mr Wood's appointment would see him deepen his connections with a broad range of migrant groups.

"We know that migrants are not over-represented in crime statistics. We also understand that focusing on specific ethnic groups when discussing these issues is counter-productive," he said.

"The best way to combat crime in modern Australia is to address the disadvantage and disenfranchisement that often drives it, regardless of race or religion."

The Liberal Party is considering new rules to disqualify candidates who disobey instructions and run their own rogue election campaigns, following the "dishonourable" performance of spurned Senator Jim Molan.

Liberal MP and former party president Trent Zimmerman said while Senator Molan's "below-the-line" campaign to be re-elected did not breach any rules, it disrespected the Liberal Party and undermined its coalition agreement with the Nationals.

Senator Molan, whose term expires on June 30, was relegated to an unwinnable fourth position on the Coalition's Senate ticket in NSW at the May 18 election. In response, he mounted his own campaign asking supporters to give him their first preference by voting below the line on their ballot paper rather than following official Liberal how-to-vote cards.

Critics accused him of confusing voters and undermining the Coalition's campaign by recruiting Liberal volunteers to wear “Jim Molan” T-shirts and hand out his how-to-vote cards when they should have been supporting other Liberal candidates.

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Mr Zimmerman, who sat on the party's state executive in NSW for 11 years, including two as president, said new rules were needed to disqualify candidates who engaged in such activity.

"This episode showed a gap in our existing rules and candidate agreements," he said.

"There is a strong case for introducing a requirement that a candidate for an upper house position can only campaign for the position for which they have been pre-selected."

It is understood discussions are already underway at senior levels of the party about introducing such rules.

Mr Zimmerman described Senator Molan's conduct as dishonourable, especially because it undermined the success of the third person on the ticket, the Nationals' Perin Davey.

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"It was dishonourable because it showed no respect for the democratic process that the Liberal Party undertook," he said.

"Secondly, it obviously caused angst for the National Party under the coalition agreement, whose position he was effectively targeting."

While the final results of the Senate ballot are yet to be declared, it is expected Ms Davey will be elected while Senator Molan has been unsuccessful. However, he may be able to re-enter the Senate through the vacancy created by Arthur Sinodinos’ appointment as ambassador to the United States.

Senator Molan was contacted for comment on Tuesday.

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