Flexi-time beats Melbourne's gridlock in peak hour

MELBURNIANS have been urged to embrace flexible working hours by VicRoads in a bid to fix the congestion crippling our roads.

As motorists battle the worst week of the year for traffic, VicRoads said it was doing all it could to reduce snarls, including providing information about travel conditions and giving priority to certain transport types.

heraldsun.com.au 19 Dec 2012

Melbourne has long been regarded as Australia's worst city for traffic jams, and long touted as one of the world's worst.

Despite this on any given day the authorities or various 'independent' sources claim that Melbourne is the world's most livable city. Another lie perpetuated by the authorities.

Traffic jams now can span 30 kilometres (18.5 miles) during peak hour on major arterials, with queues up to 5 km long in the suburbs.

Authorities have (deliberately) failed to provide an infrastructure that grows with population growth.

The populous are now blamed and punished for creating traffic jams, whereas the fault clearly lies with the authoritie's lack of infrastructure planning and expansion due to population growth.

It has been estimated that standstill traffic consumes an approximate $5 billion in fuel, a welcome bonus for the petrochemical giants but a deep cut into the wallet of the average citizen.

There is no policy to alleviate traffic congestion, even though town planning engineers were brought out from Germany to assess the traffic problems in Melbourne. Once their suggestion were given, they were shipped back to Germany on the first flight home, as the answers were not what the authorities wanted to hear.

Information obtained by corpau from within the industry indicates that the policy is to work in the rears and not for future development and catering for the growing population.

Australia is truly a backwards country when it comes to infrastructure projects.

The population is now told to adjust their lifestyle as a result of government failure.

One in 13 drivers commit an offence

One in 13 drivers commit an offence in St Kilda during Operation Chauffeur

A POLICE operation in St Kilda this weekend found one in 13 drivers committing an offence.

Port Phillip Highway Patrol targeted Greeves St and Grey St in St Kilda on Friday and Saturday night where they detected 75 traffic offences from 1003 motorists pulled over.

Operation Chauffeur also captured 34 drink drivers, with police expressing their disappointment at the high number of offences.

Results included:

A 35-year-old Bacchus Marsh man was charged with offences including drink driving, stating a false name and address, being a suspended driver, soliciting for prostitution and failing to have headlights on;

A 32-year-old Elwood man drink driving returned a reading of .189; and

A 34-year-old St Kilda man returned a reading of .165.

Epping Highway Patrol also ran Operation Face the Music at the same time.

It caught a teenage girl, who has been licensed for only three weeks, drink driving after she was pulled over in her mum’s car on High Street, Northcote, about 5.54am.

The 18-year-old Preston teen blew .087, resulting in an immediate licence suspension.

She was one of 11 drivers caught behind the wheel over the alcohol limit or with drugs in their system.

A man’s driving licence was suspended immediately after he returned a alcohol reading of .126.

He is expected to be charged on summons for drink driving and failing to have an alcohol interlock device fitted to his vehicle.

“The two operations, jointly funded by the TAC, are targeting alcohol and drug driving, speed, fatigue and driver distraction offences during the high-risk Christmas period,” Victoria Police's Acting Sergeant Jessica Rosewarne said.

Victoria Police’s Summer Stay campaign will run across Victoria through to January 9.

“Police are urging motorists to stay safe or stay off the road this summer,” Acting Sgt Rosewarne said.

 heraldsun.com.au 16 Dec 2012

It Australia, the politics is to give out licenses.

Anyone with the least bit of driving skills or coordination is able to obtain a license, paying special attention to overseas migrants with little vehicular control history.

License instructors are easily bribed, and newly appointed migrant instructors give away licenses to the applicants of their country's origin.

Quite simply put trash drivers on the road turn an entire industry, from insurance companies to the automotive repair trade, which as a result turns over many millions of dollars annually at the expence of the general populous.

Honda wind resistance commercial misleading

Honda has aired on Australian television an advertising campaign that is misleading the general populous.

In the television commercial, a green Honda Civic hatch is portrayed in city driving conditions next to other cars (and people) with parachutes, signifying wind resistance is what is slowing down all objects excluding Honda’s Civic (drag coefficient, Cd 0.30).

Pictured also is the  2012 model Toyota Camry, which according to the manufacturer has a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.27, or or 10% better than the Honda. Incidentally Toyota’s Prius is rated at 0.25.

The claim is made that city driving in other vehicles uses more fuel compared to the Honda’s Civic, which is misleading.

In city driving it is rare to see speeds in excess of 40km/h (25 mph), where the norm is walking pace or even slower during peak periods.

It can be argued that wind resistance come into play over a certain speed, but the reality of the situation is that any alleged fuel savings made on a city trip can easily be negated by a lengthy delay at traffic lights, or by even the use of the car’s air conditioner.

This is just one example of many that corporations are misleading the masses in order to obtain sales of their products, which under Australian law is illegal.

The so called watchdogs are not in any hurry or have any vested interest to kerb false or misleading advertising by the corporate giants.

Whistleblower Allan Kessing 'vindicated' by airport Customs raid

A WHISTLEBLOWER convicted of leaking reports about Customs operations at Sydney airport is questioning why it has taken years to act on security flaws. 
 
Allan Kessing, who in 2007 was convicted of leaking reports about security at Sydney Airport to the Australian newspaper, told reporters on Friday that it was widely known the airport had problems with security.

"It is not possible, it is simply not credible to say that nobody knew there was this extent of corruption," he said.

"Anybody who has the slightest experience of this area knew there were problems.
"The fact that they haven't been acted on until now begs the question, why?"

Mr Kessing - a former Australian Customs officer - wrote two damning reports on Sydney airport security in 2003.

He was convicted four years later of having leaked the reports to media. He had faced a maximum two years jail but was instead handed a nine-month suspended sentence.

Speaking alongside Mr Kessing, Independent senator Nick Xenophon urged the federal government to release Mr Kessing's suppressed reports.

 

"The two reports prepared by Mr Kessing 10 years ago, nine years ago, need to be released as a matter of urgency," Senator Xenophon said.

"It's important that Justice James Woods is given access to those reports."

Mr Kessing said the reports advocated a range of measures to boost security, including stricter background checks for airport staff and more scrutiny of customs officers by their superiors.

It emerged on Thursday that two customs officers and five members of the public have been charged following a joint investigation by law enforcement agencies into corruption and drug smuggling at Sydney airport.

The investigation on Thursday prompted the establishment of a reform board, headed by Justice James Wood, to ensure customs is clean.

heraldsun.com.au 21 Dec 2012

The reporting of crime is allegedly supported by the authorities (including the law enforcers - the police) which is promoted through the corporate media via advertisements encouraging the masses to report crime to 'Crimestoppers',  a police hotline.

When people report crime from the corporate political or legal arenas, or other positions of authority or governance, the story is very different.

The person or persons are then accused, and they are the ones persecuted by authority and summoned by the courts, and not the people the allegations are made against.

Schapelle Corby is a classic case of a victim of crime in the corrupt drug smuggling campaign.

Corby had the be the sacrificial lamb, as there would be too many high ranking officials implicated.

The corrupt legal system is testimony to this.

Model life of Krystle (Meth) Hill, alleged narcotics importer

THREE weeks ago make-up artist and public relations consultant Krystle Hill returned from the Philippines where she had been working for Sydney businessman Jim Byrnes, promoting his limousine company. 

 
Yesterday, the 27-year-old, who previously lived in Port Lincoln in South Australia, found herself in the dock of a Sydney court, accused of being a drug mule. She is charged with conspiring to import a commercial quantity of pseudoephedrine from Thailand.

Ms Hill, who spends six months of the year working in Cannes, was arrested at her grandmother’s house in Adelaide on Monday night.

She is now the centre of a case in which eight people, including Customs officers and quarantine inspectors, were arrested over the alleged importation of narcotics into Australia.

Ms Hill’s Facebook page said she graduated from Port Lincoln High School.

The court heard Hill was working as a waitress in a Five Dock hotel when she and another woman were recruited by two men - Joseph Harb and a Customs officer who cannot be named for legal reasons - and offered $10,000 to go to Thailand and bring the drug back in their luggage.

The Customs officer allegedly told the two women "everything would be ok" and assured them their suitcases would not be searched, as he would be working on the planned day of their return.

He also advised them not to get "too dressed up" as they would draw too much attention to themselves, facts tendered to the court alleged.

The court was told Harb left for Thailand on June 10, 2009 and bought 10kg of pseudoephedrine from a chemist in Phuket.

Hill and her accomplice allegedly arrived three days later and - after a six-day stay - arrived home with the drugs hidden in their suitcases.

Another Customs officer, Paul Katralias, who was charged last August with drug offences, was allegedly also recruited and paid $5000 cash and human growth hormone worth about $1800 to turn a blind eye and not search the women at the airport.

But Katralias was allegedly diverted to other duties on the day the women returned and did not facilitate their passage through the customs area.

The court heard the Customs officer, who was later to become Hill's boyfriend, was arrested on Monday and charged over his role in the drug importation. Hill, who spends six months of the year working in Cannes, was arrested at her grandmother's Adelaide home on Monday night.

She was extradited to Sydney to face the charges yesterday. Defence barrister Wayne Baffsky told the court there was no proof the pseudoephedrine was intended to be used in the manufacture of drugs.

"It's a weak case at one end, and hopeless at the other," Mr Baffsky said.

He said the drugs had not been seized by police and had allegedly been onsold by Harb, due to be sentenced on January 16 for his role in the alleged importation.

Wearing a leather jacket and looking pale faced, Hill sobbed in the dock as magistrate Beverley Schurr agreed the prosecution did not have a strong case, and granted her conditional bail.

Byrnes, an acquaintance of Hill, sat in the back of the court during the bail application. He attempted to pay Hill's bail with $20,000 cash but was told by court staff he needed a cheque.

"I think everyone is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty," Byrnes said after being asked why he had posted Hill's bail.

"She is one of those very holistic, natural, very honest people. A kind and gentle person. To suggest she has anything to do with this is completely out of character for the person I have come to know."

In the end, Byrnes could not post bail for Hill after the prosecution objected to his involvement, saying his criminal history did not make him an acceptable person.

Hill's friend Shani Moffatt, who heads a PR firm, was able to post the surety and bail was granted.

Hill emerged from the holding cells and said she was grateful to the good friends who were supporting her.
"I'll definitely be fighting the charges," she said. Hill will reappear in court on February 27.

news.com.au 21 Dec 2012

Drugs are rampant in entertainment, music, and sport, just to name a few industries.

 

Famous rock 'gurus' are drugged out of their minds, interviewing music legends, who are also drugged, but that is not only acceptable by the corporate media, and police but is rather promoted as a high point once one is in the industry.

The police (or authorities) do not convict or jail offenders of this caliber, as they are the role models for the children of the cannon fodder.

It is deliberate politics not to do 'drug busts' on the entertainment industry.

Police allegedly campaign against drugs, but some people are untouchable by the law, the same law that applies to commoners as well as others.

The nickname known among peers Krystle (Meth) Hill, indicating the use of crystal methylone otherwise known as moon rock.

Sydney custom officers suspected: reports

A NETWORK of custom officers at Sydney Airport has allegedly been working with organised crime figures to import drugs, according to media reports. 
 
The group of up to 20 officials are suspected to be involved in either serious misconduct or corrupt dealings, Fairfax media reported on Thursday.

The activity ranges from criminal association and leaking information to drug trafficking and bribery.
According to the report, airport baggage handlers are also involved, with the group operating since at least 2009.

The are suspected to have imported pseudoephedrine, cocaine, steroids and possibly even weapons.
When media reports surfaced on Wednesday of allegations that up to 30 custom officials were involved in drug importations, a spokesman for the Australian Federal Police (AFP) refused to comment.

He told AAP that a press conference was set to be held in Sydney on Thursday.

An Australian Customs spokesman would also make no comment on Wednesday's reports.

According to Fairfax, customs documents from dating back to 2007 outlined numerous warnings that the body lacked the resources to detect corruption and that its anti-corruption framework was "outdated".
Acting customs CEO Mike Pezzullo told Fairfax that "more needs to be done".

news.com.au 20 Dec 2012

It is not only Sydney Airport where the organised crime syndicate operates from.

Australia's major airports are monitored by the drug syndicate, which has been operational for decades.

The corporate media give the impression that is is only just been happening recently.

Corrupt personnel inform their interstate counterparts of incoming goods which are then distributed via the appropriate channels.

The drug airport smuggling network, which also includes police as well as high ranking officials, numbers staff in the hundreds and not tens.

Another blind eye turned by the corrupt authorities.

Vodafone lies in order to obtain sales

Australia’s telecommunications industry is technically a monopoly held to ransom by Telstra.

Even though other companies are allowed to enter the market, e.g. SingTel (Optus), Vodafone, etc their operations are ultimately stifled by (the previously government owned Telecom), Telstra, which still functions on the old government mentality.

As Telstra’s profits soar over $6 billion dollars annually, telecommunications service decreases across the board by blame put on the public for using, for example wireless broadband services.

Companies are rather reluctant to reinvest into the infrastructure, as this takes away the dollars from profits, but rather are on the road to oversubscribing customers, resulting in severe degradation of services.

Vodafone is no stranger to this kind of business model. Rather than investing in tower structure upgrades and expansion Vodafone neglected much essential upgrades which resulted in customers in the hundreds leaving every day.

In disaster recovery mode, Vodafone then embarked on an aggressive marketing campaign to inform the masses that there is a huge upgrade  in place, in order to win back customers.

The road to recovery is a slow process, as Australia’s two largest telecommunications companies Telstra and Optus are significantly ahead of tower placement and population coverage.

Companies are just about willing to do anything in order to obtain sales, which includes breaking the law.

Misleading customers or false advertising or incorrect product placement or specification claims are against Australian laws, which can result in (steep?) fines.

Prior to the expiry of a contract, a sales team is given the heads up to call the customer in order to obtain another locked in contract, usually for two years. The sales team then offers the customer a deal that will entice them to continue with the service provider. These deals may not be available to the ‘off the street’ customer.

Vodafone have been caught out providing false information in order to obtain a sale. 

The manner in which it is done is as follows. 

In order to keep the customer locked into another contract (for 2 years), the hot ticket item currently is the iPhone 5, Vodafone stated that they will be able to provide the handset to customers for $7 per month. This was confirmed by Vodafone staff on two separate occasions. Once the customer decided to take the offer, which was still valid and proceeded to realise the agreement, Vodafone then falsely stated that no such offer was given, and no such record was ever taken. Vodafone records all conversations with customers (for quality and assurance purposes only).

The authorities whether it be the Telecoms Industry Ombudsman (TIO) or the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) are biased (some say spineless) government institutions that generally favour corporate enterprise. There may be a win for Mr. Joe Average in terms of annulling a service contract to the telco, for poor service, which incidentally is a miniscule financial transaction, but when it comes the large scale transactions the corruption can be seen from towers away.

Optus was only fined $2 million for providing false information in order to obtain many more dollars in sales. A penalty well worth it.

An example of the Masonic brethren looking after their ‘kind’.

Racing identity accused of involvement in ecstasy ring

A RACING figure has been identified as a key player in a major drug bust that was almost ruined by suspected police corruption.

The drug bust also involved bikies and a notorious crime gang.

Blanket suppression orders mean the man cannot be identified, even though he was named this week on the Supreme Court website as being involved in the multi-million-dollar ecstasy ring.

"Detective Senior Constable Lapham asserted that the investigation had established that (Mohammed) Oueida was supplying chemicals for illicit drug manufacture to (the horse racing identity)," the Court of Appeal heard.

"He further said that Oueida and (the identity) were involved in the joint manufacture of these illicit drugs, which included ecstasy tablets."

The figure - who was once lauded as a champion - was banned in the mid-1990s over horse doping claims.

He was one of a number of people picked up by Taskforce Rossa, a joint AFP, VicPol and Australian Crime Commission probe into a major drug syndicate.

The ring allegedly sourced precursor chemicals imported by a licensed pharmacist, with the ecstasy pills then made in rural Victoria.

Police located and seized a commercial pill press with an M-shaped marking stamp and a large quantity of tablets and powders.

"The pill press, and the location at which it was found, were linked to (the horse racing identity)," the Court of Appeal heard.

Oueida is a known associate of a notorious crime family, and was once charged over a vicious home invasion in which shots were fired.

Taskforce Rossa was compromised after sensitive files on its operation were leaked.

Officials were also concerned that a tip-off from a rogue officer meant Oueida was able to find a hidden surveillance camera.

Oueida has been linked to outlaw bikie gangs.

heraldsun.com.au 17 Dec 2012

More police are involved in criminal activity than the corporate media make out.

From prostitution rings in St. Kilda, to luxury car theft rackets, and drug trade, Victoria Police's criminal activities go unnoticed under the darkness when the masses are asleep, not to exclude daylight trading.

Police constable caught up in bikie net

A police operation targeting members of the Comanchero bikie gang has lead to a Victoria Police constable being charged with serious drug offences.

Two bikies also face drugs and weapons charges over the investigation, which allegedly uncovered steroids, ammunition and body armour.

The ethical standards command and Taskforce Echo, which was formed to crackdown on outlaw motorcycle gangs, were involved in the operation.

Dean Gibbs, a 26-year-old constable from the North West Metro Region, was charged with trafficking and possessing a drug of dependence.

He faced an out of sessions court on December 16 and was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on March 26 next year.

Gibbs has been suspended from duty without pay. It is believed he had recently graduated from the police academy.

Taskforce Echo detectives also arrested two 34-year-old men who are confirmed members of the Comancheros.

The first bikie, from Cranbourne East, was charged with trafficking a drug of dependence, possessing steroids, possessing ammunition without a licence or permit, possessing body armour and possessing a prohibited weapon.

The second man, from Pakenham, was charged with trafficking a drug of dependence, possessing a drug of dependence and possessing the proceeds of crime.

Both have been bailed by police to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on March 28 next year.

Detectives also arrested a 26-year-old Rowville man who was charged with trafficking and possessing a drug of dependence and bailed by police to appear at Ringwood Magistrates' Court on March 1 next year.
A 25-year-old woman from Rowville was also interviewed in relation to drug offences and released pending further information.

The Comanchero were founded in Sydney, but have club houses in Hallam and Williamstown.
Fairfax Media revealed earlier this year that the Comanchero, Rebels and Finks were looking at expanding their territory, with tattoo parlours also increasingly coming under the control of outlaw motorcycle gangs.

theage.com.au 18 Dec 2012

This is just one of many crooked cops, that 'authorities' are turning a blind eye to.

It is not only the police that are involved with the criminal 'biker' element, but also lawyers anf judges, who rule in favour of the biker drug trade.

Police officers in Melbourne's northern crime precinct, Broadmeadows, are also involved in criminal activities with local Middle Eastern crime families, and have been for years but there is no action there.

Those who are 'uncomfortable' to the authorities are put on display, so that others get the message.

Wife begs for protection as out-of-jail drug trafficker Elie Malkoun eyes return home

A WOMAN who married into a Melbourne major crime family has pleaded with police to save her from her violent husband who is due to return to Australia after serving two years in a US prison for gun offences. 

Convicted heroin trafficker Elie Malkoun was due to be released at the weekend after earlier telling US authorities his wife Manal Malkoun and his five young children were not coping without him.

Malkoun was jailed after being caught buying three illegal pistols - including one with a laser sight - at an Arizona gun show.

He is the brother of Amad "Jay" Malkoun - the Victorian president of the Comanchero motorcycle gang.
The two brothers spent much of the 1990s in prison after being convicted over what was at the time Victoria's largest heroin bust.

The brothers were caught in a National Crime Authority sting, which saw 14 people prosecuted over the $5 million heroin ring.

The brothers, who trafficked the heroin in Melbourne and Perth through a network connected to nightclub scenes, emerged from prison to become regulars on Melbourne's King St nightclub strip.

Manal Malkoun has alleged her husband has regularly assaulted her during their 14-year relationship.

Friends say he punched her in the face shortly after the birth of their first child, dragging her down stairs and humiliating her in front of family members.

On January 31, 2009 - just months before he travelled to the US - Malkoun left his wife with serious injuries after beating her in front of their children.

Police wearing flak jackets were called after his wife managed to escape the house and Malkoun was charged over the incident. But his wife refused to give a statement and no conviction was recorded.
Friends say he has continued to threaten his wife from his Texas prison cell.

Mrs Malkoun last week declined to talk about her husband, but sources say she has asked authorities to help protect her once he returns home.

"I don't want to speak about him. I'm scared of him and fear for my safety. I'm just trying to move on with my life and look after my children," she said.

Malkoun faced up to 37 months in prison, but argued his wife had suffered "many breakdowns" since his arrest and that his children "need (him) home so I can care for them".

Malkoun's associates engaged psychologist Tim Watson-Munro who compiled a report based on interviews with family members.

Dr Watson-Munro said Mrs Malkoun had told him her husband was fascinated by guns. A report compiled by a US psychologist concluded Malkoun suffered borderline Asperger's syndrome and found it hard to make reasoned decisions.

They also found he was suffering long-term damage from injuries incurred during a kickboxing career and prison fights.

But the image of a depressed family man presented to US authorities doesn't tally with those who know the family.

Since doing jail time in the 1990s, Malkoun has managed to build his wealth, moving from Oak Park to a $1.8 million Brighton home, despite working only sporadically.

Malkoun failed to declare his criminal past when he entered the US. He was quizzed by Customs officials for more than an hour, but was allowed entry after telling them he was there to buy boats for export to Australia.
Prosecutors said Malkoun had tried and failed to buy guns at a gun shop in Arizona, but was knocked back when he could not show US identification. He then tried to persuade others to buy a gun for him.

In April, US authorities told the Sunday Herald Sun they were concerned by Malkoun's possible links to Mexican crime gangs.

"It would appear that on face value, it was more than him securing weapons for himself," one source said.
Colby Goodman, a researcher into international arms trafficking, said in April he doubted the guns Malkoun had bought were destined for Australia. "Either he was trying to get the guns into Mexico, or use them in the US. Without knowing, you can guess. He has a history of drug trafficking."

heraldsun.com.au 19 Dec 2012

Authorities have no interest in protecting people from criminals, as stated by a police insider.

Corruption in the Australian Tax Office together with the legal system allows drug lords to keep multimillion dollar properties from the proceeds of criminal activity.

The tax department targets easy customers, whereas criminals and their organisations are left alone. This practice has been going on for decades, to which there is an eerie silence from the corporate media.

What the general populous is not aware of is that the Australian government knowingly imports criminals at an alarming rate, as this is government policy, where corrupt politicians and the legal system and the police also use the drugs supplied.

The United States government also 'deliberately' allowed a criminal to enter its shores, conversely to what the masses are officially told, that being there is strict border security the deals with criminals.

The best time to be a criminal is now in Australia, as the current policy is to support them.

Australia's drug industry is worth approximately $1,200 million per month.

Known drug associates are left alone by the corrupt police and legal system, where only the undesirable new players are weeded out, and shown to the public that there is a fight against crime.