Victorian father Robert Farquharson found guilty of murder of three sons

Farquharson, 41, has been sentenced to three life terms for murdering his three sons by driving them into a dam on Father's Day. That was the second time he was found guilty as his first trial has been quashed by the Court of Appeal. His supporters, including his sisters, wept.



Farquharson pleaded not gulity by saying that he had coughing fit, blacked out and woke up in the dam where his sons die. His lawyer also claims that the fact where he invited a friend to join their trip to Geelong can be the evidence that he had no intention to kill the boys. Farquharson is said to be a shy and uneducated man who loves his own sons.



For further references: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/father-guilty-of-murder-of-three-sons/story-e6frg6nf-1225895749405

Brothel owner employed schoolgirl

Andrew Hewinson, the owner of Brunswick brothel Pickwood Lodge, and his former manager, Janette Woods are charged in court for allowing 14-years old girl to work as a prostitute in their brothel in last 3 years. Woods was found guilty of allowing the child to work with him ignoring the facts that she was not in the legal age. He has been placed on the sex offenders register for life and given 125 hours of unpaid community service. While, Mr Hewinson was facing the same charges but the case on him did not proceed. He claims that he never met that girl and being understood that she was 24 years old. Now, he intends to buy Kryal Castle and turn it into casino and brothel replacing the Pickwood Lodge which he has sold.

For further references: http://www.watoday.com.au/breaking-news-national/brothel-owner-employed-schoolgirl-20100721-10l1b.html

Program to stop teens courting trouble

A tournament called Midnight Basketball is a free program for children from 12 to 18 years old. It is going to be held for eight weeks beginning next week. This programme includes dinner, life-skills workshop, tournament match plus transportation to home. It is organized by Salisbury Council and Elizabeth Blue Light. Their main aim is to keep those at-risk teenagers away from the streets starts at 7.30pm untill midnight. This programme had once held in Geraldton, Western Australia and Kempsey, New South Wales which results in positive feedback from the police officers in both places regarding the decreases in any violence accidents during the tournament period. This programme is still open for new registration as participants or volunteers.


For further references: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/program-to-stop-teens-courting-trouble/story-e6frea83-1225892944428

UNSW students in dark as union bans bite amid pay dispute

About 70 academic staffs in University of New South Wales are having strikes on submitting students' assignment and exams mark. This is regarding the disagreement over their fixed contracts and wages. With the support from NTEU(National Tertiary Education Union), they seek for changes of conditions in their contracts to match up with the modern award. However, the university claims that they need full flexibility to adjust employment arrangements. As a result, the university management decides to dock pay from those involved. NTEU responses by saying that they will continue the bans. Their action may give big impact to the students when they get back from their holiday such as classes disruption.



+++From my point of view, this is really unbeneficial. There are still many other ways to seek for better fulfill of workers' welfare. Plus, in this situation, the students are affected too. Both side should be more aware on these negative externalities from their actions.+++


For further reference: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/unsw-students-in-dark-as-union-bans-bite-amid-pay-dispute/story-e6frgcjx-1225891486317