Vegan activist group who wreaked havoc in Melbourne have their charity status REVOKED because 'veganism is not in the public interest'

A vegan activist group who caused traffic to come to a standstill in Melbourne in April has had its charity status revoked.

The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission on Tuesday revoked Vegan Rising's charity tax concessions and registration, which it has held since September 2017.

The group had been registered with the purpose of preventing or relieving the suffering of animals.

ACNC Commissioner Dr Gary Johns said revocation of a charity's registration was reserved for the most serious of cases.

'Our approach to regulation focuses on education and guidance first. However, when charities are unwilling to comply with their obligations, or fail to demonstrate commitment to their governance, then we will take stronger action,' he said in a statement.

Although the revocation is displayed on the charity register, the ACNC is prevented from publishing the findings from the investigation.

They also cannot reveal the the nature of the concerns raised due to secrecy provisions in its governing laws.

Dozens of vegan activists obstructed the intersection of Swanston and Flinders streets in Melbourne during peak-hour on April 8, demanding an end to animal husbandry.

They used three rental vans as part of the blockade, chanting for 'animal liberation', with some also sitting on tram tracks and linking arms to stop police attempts to break them up.

Dozens of vegan activists obstructed the intersection of Swanston and Flinders streets in Melbourne on April 8    +6
Dozens of vegan activists obstructed the intersection of Swanston and Flinders streets in Melbourne on April 8

Tow trucks were fielded to move the stationery vehicles while other protesters chained themselves to cars and their counterparts waved placards that read, 'vegan rising' or 'this is a peaceful protest'.

Thirty-eight people were arrested for obstructing a roadway and resisting or obstructing police.

Similar protests were also staged at regional Victorian abattoirs, condemned by farmers and some politicians.

Vegan Rising's website describes the organisation as having one objective - 'to help create a vegan world'.

Last month the charity status was stripped from Aussie Farms, which has similar aims to Vegan Rising.

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Former cops who were caught on camera bashing a drunk man and snapping his finger in 'gruesome' arrest avoid jail

Two police officers who lost their jobs after bashing a 'vulnerable' drunk man and dislocating his finger during a violent arrest have avoided jail. 

Sergeant Nathan Trenberth and constable Julian Donohoe were slapped with fines after the Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC) findings resulted in actions of misconduct.

Horrific footage of the incident showed the former officers throwing punches at John Wells at High Street Mall in Fremantle, Western Australia, in 2017.

Trenberth admitted to the court that he punched the drunk man seven times claiming the first three punches were of reasonable force, compared to the other four which were excessive. He pleaded guilty to one count of common assault

'There was no injury alleged, there was no injury to the male, they were distractionary techniques of little force...' he said, Perth Now reported.

His partner Donohoe pleaded guilty to a charge of assault occasioning bodily harm for his role in the brutal arrest which saw Mr Wells's finger bent backwards causing it to dislocate. 

The court heard Donohoe attacked Mr Wells 'deliberately, vindictively and maliciously'.

Dohohoe told the court he was 'deeply ashamed and appalled by what he did'.

The magistrate described the arrest as 'gruesome' and 'violent', and highlighted the power imbalance between the officers and the 'vulnerable' victim.

Donohoe was fined $3,500 and Trenberth pleaded guilty to a count of common assault given a $1,800 fine. Both have resigned from the police force.

The incident occurred when Mr Wells was trying to light up a cigarette and three police officers approached him asking for some identification.

A police officer grabbed the cigarette which saw the pair wrestle before Mr Wells was repeatedly punched in the face as his arms were held down.

Mr Wells' finger was twisted until it was completely dislocated in the violent arrest in September 2017.

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Tradie is ordered to tear out a strip of fake grass he's had outside of his business for four years - because it might get 'too hot'



So dirt is going to look better??

A tradesman has been ordered to remove a strip fake grass from outside of his business despite it being there for four years - because it could get too hot.

Harry Hatfull, 58, said it took four years for the Sunshine Coast council to notice the 40 square metre patch at the front of his Marcoola building business. 

But despite the construction enterprise being located in a quiet dead-end street, the builder has been told the artificial turf must go. 'I don't like turf and never have, there's not enough area to mow,' Mr Hatfull told the Courier Mail.

'I'm going to have to comply [with the notice to remove the material] and it will look like sh**. 'It's just stupidity.'

The business owner said council became aware of the professionally-laid imitation lawn after someone made a complaint.

The complaint came as a shock, Mr Hatfull said, as the industrial estate area is generally quiet.

The council reviewed its decision at his request, but rejected each of his reasons why the fake grass should stay. 

He argued that water restrictions were about to be introduced and the maintenance of the fake grass was more economical than natural grass.  

Instead, the council referred to Subordinate Local Law No.4 2011 schedule 1, which states that interfering with any turf, sand, clay, soil or other materials on all local government-controlled areas and roads was prohibited. 

Interference under the regulation includes any act of damage, destruction, tampering, removal, alteration, defacing, disturbance or change. 

'The sub-surface may sink or wash out, pinned edges may become loose and present a tripping hazard,' the council's regulation states. 

Animal faeces and urine, leaf drop, food and drink spill and dropped chewing gum may also affect the product or it could attract vandalism, it said.

The council also claimed that studies have shown the sun can make artificial turf rise up to 65 degrees- making it difficult to walk on and increased localised heat. 

And the unnatural product looks noticeably different and does not fit into the 'natural theme' of the landscape.

'They claim it adds to the heat of the neighbourhood, but we are in an industrial estate next to an airport so I don't think it's going to make much of a difference,' Mr Hatfull told Daily Mail Australia.

Mr Hatfull said he will remove the covering by January 14 as ordered. 

The verge, the thoroughfare between properties and roads, is considered council land, but maintenance is the responsibility of householder and must comply with council regulations.

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Pilots to lose jobs as Jetstar cuts fleet

Fallout from industrial action at Jetstar could see up to 50 pilots lose their jobs and another 50 demoted because of a reduction in the airline's Boeing 787-8 fleet

The low-fares carrier on Monday flagged the possibility of three 787-8s being sold following a network and fleet review in the face of dwindling profits. The Australian understands that would mean the loss of as many as 50 pilots while another 50 could be redeployed to less senior roles across the network

It comes after Jetstar warned it would not give in to pilots' demands for upfront pay rises that it says amount to 15 per cent. The Australian Federation of Air Pilots has denied they are seeking that much and has urged Jetstar to return to the negotiating table.

Jetstar announced on Monday the cancellation of 800 domestic flights in January, equivalent to 10 per cent of their schedule, to provide passengers with certainty in the face of on-going disruption. More than 90 services were axed at the weekend because of four-hour stoppages by pilots on Saturday and Sunday and strikes by ground crew, including baggage handlers.

Combined with the reduced services in January, Jetstar estimated it would lose between $20m and $25m in revenue over the summer holiday period. CEO Gareth Evans said the wage claims being made by the AFAP and the Transport Workers Union were unsustainable.

"There's no doubt that industrial action is expensive and frustrating but we have to hold the line on costs or it threatens the long-term sustainability of our business," Mr Evans said. "We apologise to customers whose plans have been caught up in what the unions are doing."

From "The Australian" of 17 December, 2019

 Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).    For a daily critique of Leftist activities,  see DISSECTING LEFTISM.  To keep up with attacks on free speech see Tongue Tied. Also, don't forget your daily roundup  of pro-environment but anti-Greenie  news and commentary at GREENIE WATCH .  Email me  here