NEWS DESK
Danger at sea for older boaters OLDER boaters are much more likely to find themselves in trouble when out on the water than youngsters, according to Maritime Safety Victoria’s latest incident statistics. Figures for 2015-16 show the most likely cause of them being in the water is capsizing their boat. In just two days in early August, five people in two different incidents found themselves immersed in cold water after they capsized and none of them was able to call for help immediately. Of the five, four were aged 60 or over and their two boats had capsized, which continued the trend identified in the MSV statistics. Three of the five were off Merricks in Western Port and the other two were in Port Phillip. All managed to either swim to safety or were helped
Restructure: Administrators for Frankston Football Club are sifting through accounts before speaking to creditors. Pic: Gary Sissons
Dolphins seek way ahead Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au THE administrator tasked with sorting through Frankston Football Club’s finances says it is too early to determine the way ahead for the Dolphins. Worrells Solvency and Forensic Accountants managing partner Paul Burness said he hoped to have a clearer picture of the Victorian Football League club’s financial position this week. About $800,000 in debts is believed to have caused the football club to put itself into voluntary administration this month (“Dolphins sink under”, The Times 29/8/16). Tabcorp Gaming Solutions is owed
money for pokies machine licences. The 27 electronic gaming machines at the Dolphins’ stadium and function centre, rebuilt at a cost of $3.4 million last year, were removed by the club in May. “Tabcorp are a large creditor, there are other large creditors as well,” Mr Burness said. “As far as the plan to resolve the position, probably a lot depends on what falls out of our financial analysis. We’re not quite there yet but we’re working very hard on it.” Frankston Council, who contributed $1.5 million of ratepayers’ money to the redevelopment of the Dolphins’ stadium and function centre, hoped “a positive way forward” can be found
by other boat owners. Maritime Safety director Peter Corcoran said boaters should have some way of raising the alarm when they go out. “The five people rescued were all wearing lifejackets, which is the first step to surviving when you fall into the water,” he said. “Step two is having a means of raising the alarm that will work when and where you need it. Don’t rely on your mobile phone or being seen. “Wearing a comfortable, well-fitted lifejacket that has been serviced will give you time to raise the alarm or wait for help and could be the difference between life and death. “Last year there were nine fatalities – a number I want to see going down and not up.”
for the club. “Council is aware of Frankston Football Club’s financial situation and is currently working with key stakeholders including the appointed administrators, club representatives and AFL Victoria,” council CEO Dennis Hovenden said. “All stakeholders have the same objective of working toward a positive outcome for the club. The club is a tenant of council’s and is vital to the fabric of the Frankston community.” Worrells will hold meetings with creditors this month and is working with the Dolphins board, AFL Victoria and the VFL “to explore all potential resolutions for the club’s current financial position”.
Tough new laws for carjacking, home invasions Stephen Taylor steve@baysidenews.com.au CARJACKINGS and home invasions were the focus of new legislation introduced into state parliament last week. The Crimes Act 1958 will be amended to create new offences of carjacking, aggravated carjacking, home invasion and aggravated home invasion. The legislated offences will attract harsher penalties and give police the “laws they need to keep the community safe”. The legislation, developed in consultation with Victoria Police, will include statutory minimum sentences for aggravated carjacking and aggravated home invasion. And, to combat the rise
of youth gangs, the legislation’s showcause provisions will apply regardless of the age of the offender. Southern Metro Region 4 Divisional Commander Glenn Weir – who oversees the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston areas – said carjackings were “very rare in our area but any extra tools, such as the presumption against bail for these types of offences, are of value to us”. The senior policeman said he “appreciates any extra ability provided to us to deal with these types of offences”. He would not comment on harsher sentences which he said were “matters for the judiciary”. Carjackings and home invasions have become more common in the
southern suburbs over the past two years. They are often linked to the rise of youth gangs out “missioning” – or breaking into houses at night to steal car keys – or bumping into cars and attacking vehicle owners who hop out to exchange names and addresses, traumatising victims. The Bail Act 1977 will also be amended to include a presumption against bail for aggravated carjacking, home invasion and aggravated home invasion. This means the accused will need to justify why they should not be remanded. The new offence of carjacking will carry a maximum penalty of 15 years and aggravated carjacking 25 years. A statutory minimum non-parole period
of three years will also apply to aggravated carjacking. A home invasion conviction will carry a maximum penalty of 25 years and aggravated home invasion a statutory minimum non-parole period of three years. A home invasion is defined as someone committing a burglary while armed or where there is a person in the house. To recognise the traumatic effect on victims, the Bill specifically introduces an element of “strict liability” which means it is irrelevant whether the offender knew if there was someone home at the time. Aggravated home invasion applies where at least three armed offenders commit a burglary where a person is present and the offender knew, or was
reckless, as to whether there were people in the home. Carjacking applies when offenders steal a vehicle using force or threaten to use force. Aggravated carjacking occurs when the person committing the offence has an offensive weapon or causes injury to another person while committing the offence. Police Minister Lisa Neville said although carjackings and home invasions were happening in small numbers across Victoria “they are appalling crimes which take a huge toll on their victims and impact communities”. “The community expects that police will have the powers and resources they need to target these criminals – and that’s exactly what we’re giving them.”
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BLAIRGOWRIE • DROMANA • MORNINGTON • ROSEBUD • SEAFORD • TOORAK Frankston Times
5 September 2016
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