Journalist Stan Grant subjected to grotesque racist abuse; quits

Respected Wiradjuri journalist Stan Grant has announced his departure from ABC's flagship programme Q+A in response to the racism he has suffered after the broadcaster's coronation coverage

In a heartfelt column published by the ABC, Grant (pictured above) said people in the media lied and distorted what he said during the coverage.

As a panellist on ABC's hour-long program titled: ‘The Coronation: A discussion about the Monarchy in 2023’, Grant said the crown represents invasion, dispossession, the removal of children and massacres “It [the coronation] holds weight for First Nations people, because that Crown put a weight on us, and we are still dealing with that,” he said during the panel Grant says the media has since depicted him as “hate filled” They have accused me of maligning Australia,” he wrote “Nothing could be further from the truth My ancestors would not allow me to be filled with hate.“I speak truth with love, I offer Yindyamarra ”

ABC Director of News Justin Steward issued a statement responding to Grant stepping away, in which he admits Grant had been subject to “grotesque racist abuse”.

“This has become particularly virulent since he appeared as part of the ABC’s Coronation coverage,” he wrote Stan is one of Australia’s best and most respected journalists and broadcasters. “The ABC stands by him and condemns the attacks directed towards him ”

Stevens said any threats made to Stan Grant will be referred to the police “Any complaints, criticism – or vitriol –regarding the coverage should be directed to me, not to him,” Stevens said Stan Grant announced a temporary leave of absence with no set return date He leaves the chair not yet a year into the position, having been appointed in July of 2022

Hundreds walked out of the ABC's innerSydney headquarters in solidarity with Wiradjuri journalist Stan Grant Jr also from Melbourne, Canberra and other locations in support sations in Australia were far-right, though experts have warned far-right groups tend to have more fluid structures, making them harder to proscribe

Mr Albanese said Australia's intelligence agencies would "have every support" from the government if it recommended additional groups be listed

Coalition leader Peter Dutton described the scenes in Melbourne as "deeply concerning", warning social media was rapidly accelerating the process of radicalisation “It's galling They're scumbags, they're sick individuals,” he told ABC radio

“Of all causes to take up, how on earth anybody in their right mind could take up a Nazi cause, or wave that flag, or salute in a way that that a monster taught them to salute, is beyond me.”

New logo for Bishop Darwin’s diocese

The Maltese bishop Charles Gauci has unveiled a new logo for the Darwin Diocese, which represents the Holy Spirit and the Northern Territory.

Developed after wide consultation, the new logo is a significant departure from the previous practice of using the coat of arms of the bishop of the time as the Diocesan logo.

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Two incidents of force being used on elderly women with dementia have been in the spotlight Why is force being used on patients in aged care homes?

Two separate incidents took place in aged care homes in NSW and resulted elderly women with dementia have raised questions about the actions of police and the use of force So why is force being used against patients in aged care facilities, are there rules around it, and is it ever warranted?

When it comes to aged care facilities, the federal government's Aged Care Quality Standards require aged care service providers to have systems in place to provide protections and safeguards around delivery of care and services.

Facilities are required to respond effectively to incidents of abuse, to report any relevant incidents, and to raise awareness in the organisation to lower the risk of elder abuse.

The government's Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) is designed to be used after incidents and near misses (situations that did not result in harm, but could have) and aims to support those affected and reduce the risk of recurrence

According to SIRS, unreasonable use of force is physical contact that ranges from use of unwarranted physical force to a deliberate and violent physical attack, and includes behaviour such as shoving, pushing, hitting, punching, kicking or rough handling

The government also funds Dementia Training Australia to deliver the Dementia Training Program, and the revised Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) will include mandatory components on supporting people with dementia

Mental health gets donation Land, assets grab by the ACT

Businessman James Packer is donating $7 million of his fortune towards Australian research into mental health The billionaire businessman's mental health challenges have been extensively documented, revealing in 2020 he had bipolar disorder

“It is no secret that I have struggled with mental health problems in the past,” Mr Packer said in a statement.

“I am a passionate advocate of finding ways to improve mental health outcomes and I am hopeful that my contribution towards this research will generate positive outcomes in this field and in so doing significantly improve the lives of people battling mental health issues both in Australia and around the world.”

Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP has criticised the planned takeover of Canberra’s Calvary Public Hospital, accusing the ACT Government of an “extreme land-and-assets grab” in an attempt to implement an “anti-life agenda” suicide in the future,” he wrote

“Taking the land, buildings and hospital equipment and transferring staff employment across to Canberra Health Services allows them to push their anti-life agenda right through the hospital ” It comes as a bill for voluntary assisted dying laws is expected to be introduced to parliament later this year

Darwin Diocese’s new logo

The $7 million will support mental health research at the University of NSW in Sydney and establish the James Packer Chair in Mood Disorders The professorial chair will lead a new unit at the university and the Mindgardens Neuroscience Network, that will conduct mental health research with a particular focus on mood disorders such as bipolar

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“Up until now, there has not been a diocesan logo,” Bishop Gauci said. “That to me is not sufficient The diocese needs to have its own logo irrespective of who is bishop at the time ”

The new logo features a dove that represents the Holy Spirit, with the right wing of the dove in the shape of the Northern Territory The red ochre, which is widely used by NT’s First Nations people and is also incorporated in the NT flag, is also a prominent feature. The dots forming the Cross represent the dot painting that is widely used by First Nations people The opening in the dove represents being open to the flow of the Holy Spirit, and the curved blue line represents the water of Baptism and the Arafura Sea

“We are a Church with a mission A Church for the World A Church called to embrace all with the fire of love, and we want our logo to embody this,” Bishop Gauci said

The rationale of the logo explained by Bishop Charles can be viewed on the Diocese’s website The new logo features a dove that represents the Holy Spirit, with the right wing of the dove in the shape of the Northern Territory (Darwin Diocese)

Mental health is a pressing global challenge, and this gift will help to make real progress in this critical area of research.

The comments by Archbishop came a week after the Labor ACT Government introduced legislation to enable Canberra Health Services to take over the ownership and management of Calvary’s Bruce campus in early July In a call to arms, Archbishop Fisher said Calvary Health Care had been operating hospitals and aged care facilities for decades, providing “quality health care to Canberrans regardless of their religious belief”

“It’s no secret that the ACT Government want to force Calvary Hospital to provide abortions now, and euthanasia and assisted

“It’s also not just an issue for the ACT If the ACT Government is successful in this radical action, it could serve as a blueprint for other governments as well,” he said

ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith has previously conceded that relationship’s with the Catholic provider have been difficult at times but said the acquisition was about ensuring the government was delivering efficient outcomes in a system plagued by problems