Hunter's Jewish community welcomes ban on Nazi symbols

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Hunter's Jewish community is welcoming a push in New South Wales Parliament to ban the display of Nazi symbols in public.

The State's Lower House passed the bill on Tuesday with unanimous support, though it's yet to see the Legislative Council.

Under the legislation, offenders would face penalties including 12 months' imprisonment, and fines up to $11,000 or $55,000 for a corporation.

Newcastle Hebrew Congregation President Max Lenzer says it's an important step forward.

"It's balanced, and I think something most people agree with, that the swastika and Nazi symbols are still strongly associated with anti-Semitism and Nazism and World War II, which would be offensive to Jewish people and other members of the community," he said.

"Especially Jewish people who either were Holocaust survivors, or many people whose families perished in concentration camps and the relatives of Holocaust survivors."

"In addition to offence to Jewish people, it has been adopted by white supremacists as a symbol of hate against other groups and religions, the LGBTQI community as well."

The legislation makes exceptions for the use of Nazi symbols in artistic, academic, or education purposes, or the religious use of the swastika by Buddhists, Hindus, and Jains.

"For certain cultures and countries it's not a symbol of hate and evil, it's a symbol of good luck," Mr Lenzer said.

"In other countries, such as India, Nepal, and Japan, it's also not thought of as obviously a symbol of hate."

Image credit: Newcastle Hebrew Congregation.

Outrageous Waiting Time For People With Parkinson's Disease

BY ELISE AKSNES

Charlestown MP Jodie Harrison has given a Notice of Motion calling on the Health Minister to address the time people with Parkinson's disease have to wait for appointments at a Hunter New England Health Clinic.

Parkinson's is a degenerative disease of the nervous system with symptoms becoming progressively worse over time.

"Experts in the disease say that the day you find out you have Parkinson's you should start planning not just your health care plan, but also your finances and long-term living arrangements," said Ms Harrison.

A resident recently diagnosed has contacted the MP, saying he is very distressed and unsure of what his future holds.

The constituent has told Ms Harrison he had to wait eight months for a post-assessment appointment at the Parkinson's Clinic at New Lambton Heights.

"Eight months is an outrageous wait time which is leaving Parkinson's sufferers without the tools and knowledge to manage their disease," said Ms Harrison.

She is asking the Health Minister to take a look at the waiting time, "realise it is eight months and actively put in measures so people don't have to wait to get appointments."

Ms Harrison added that appointments at the Parkinson's Clinic are important to the people who have been diagnosed, to be able to manage the symptoms long-term.

Member of Charlestown, Jodie Harrison

Further support for vulnerable court victims

By SANZIANA TIMIS


NSW Parliament has made further protective changes to court procedures for vulnerable witnesses of sexual assault trials by allowing evidence to be recorded.

Current victim support laws have now been expanded to include vulnerable witnesses, such as children and people with cognitive impairments, won't be prompted to give evidence multiple times.

This development comes as a package deal of further government reforms to court procedures, also providing a closed court for AVO hearings, which previously did not apply for individuals under 18 years of age.

Victim Impact Statements will also now be able to include details of emotional distress, damage to other relationships and any harm to members of the victim's family.

Kerry Thompson from Victims of Crime Assistance League says the changes are necessary to help victims get through sexual assault trials.

"Giving evidence in court is extremely traumatic, for most victims of crime, many people feel re-traumatized from the process of having to re-tell their story."

"So these changes really put a focus on victims of crime receiving specialized and emotional support, during that very difficult time for them."   

source: https://www.google.com.au/urlsa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiN3dawwaDeAhXLO48KHSGWC_UQjxx6BAgBEAI&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmend.org.uk%2Fnews%2Fman-to-face-trial-for-alleged-racist-abuse-of-muslim-victim%2F&psig=AOvVaw0lRJlqUGf6i7WhynCnqkhS&ust=1540519736703799