NSW Police fight to keep mug shots of persons found not guilty by courts and succeed

NSW Police has given us more reason not to fall foul of the law – it intends to keep all those physical and digital copies of mug shots even after people are found not guilty by the courts.

The reason why police get to keep these records forever? Well the NSW Administrative Decisions Tribunal tells us it's because those lawmakers in Macquarie Street forgot to consider mug shots and surveillance photos when framing LEPRA.

The Tribunal also says; “NSW Police Force is not required to comply with the information protection principles when taking photographs of a person in lawful custody under s 133 of the LEPRA”

LEPRA allows for the destruction of finger and palm prints, but this legislative oversight leaves the way wide open for police to indulge in some petty revenge by keeping people in the database who have no criminal record.

Now I had a wee hunt back in time and discovered that LEPRA was enthusiastically embraced in 2006 by none other than the present NSW Police Minister who said in Parliament that “We want to re-empower police in relation to arrest and research with what is known as LEPRA—the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act.”

So the O’Farrell Government can’t just blame NSW Labor for the current stupidity.

Here’s one recent example of a person having prints destroyed but photos retained by police.

APN proofreaders asleep at the wheel

As if the matter covered by the item wasn't bad enough, APN's online report about the fire in a Sydney nursing home carried more pain for victims, their families and friends when APN stuffed up big time with the name of the alleged killer.

Catvertising - the new reality?

World's first catvertising agency

http://youtu.be/IkOQw96cfyE

Northern Rivers businesses on notice regarding future carbon tax claims made to consumers

The ACCC has published online a guide for business when making any claim that the carbon tax to be introduced in mid-2012 will increase costs to consumers.

Hopefully the Northern Rivers business community will read this document as there will be local people watching out for any false or misleading claims.

Carbon price claims - Guide for business.pdf (1.6 MB)

Gulaptis becomes new Clarence MP

The National Party’s Chris Gulaptis is the new Member of Parliament for the Clarence Electorate until 2015 and, on his past history this tenure is likely to be one marked by discord between himself and local communities in the Clarence Valley - with the possibility of dissatisfaction also emerging on the Dorrigo Plateau and in the Casino district.

Overall at this election there appears to have been a -16.3% two candidate preferred swing against the Nationals and, according to Antony Green on paper Clarence is the 5th biggest by-election swing since the war. However, the outcome was never in doubt.

At close of counting tonight primary votes and 2CP votes for all 45 booths have been reported with the following results.

National Party result and swings by polling booths overleaf.

Image of lightning strikes over South Grafton on 12 November 2011 found at NBN News

Clarence By-election - links to live cover 19 November 2011

ABC’s Antony Green with live updates at http://www.abc.net.au/elections/nsw/2011/clarence/ from 6pm

NSW Electoral Commission at
http://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/results/by-elections/state/2011_clarence_by-election_results/.
Clarence by-election results will be uploaded as soon as available after 6pm, and will be updated progressively on Election Night and until ballot count ends.

Northern Rivers Greens will be tweeting at https://twitter.com/#!/nrgreens

ABC Local Radio (Grafton/Kempsey/Richmond) news updates at 738 AM and 92.3 FM or 94.5 FM

Starry, starry night

The Giant Nebula, NGC 3603

Thousands of sparkling young stars nestled within the giant nebula NGC 3603. This stellar "jewel box" is one of the most massive young star clusters in the Milky Way Galaxy. NGC 3603 is a prominent star-forming region in the Carina spiral arm of the Milky Way, about 20,000 light-years away. This image shows a young star cluster surrounded by a vast region of dust and gas. The image reveals stages in the life cycle of stars. The nebula was first discovered by Sir John Herschel in 1834. The image spans roughly 17 light-years. Text and Image Credit: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage