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Articles by Meredith Griffiths
Prepare to burn - ABC listen
Alice Brennan: It’s kinda hard to believe that summer isn’t beginning for another two whole months. That’s because it’s October and in some parts of the country, the bushfire season began four weeks ago, it’s been the most devastating September in this country ever. Michael Gilbert: We're just looking at total devastation on the centre of our property like the fire come through and just burnt everything including animals and wildlife.
"No water, no us"
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ALICE BRENNAN: Hi there, Alice Brennan here, and welcome...to Background Briefing. This week we're taking you to the tiny village of Girilambone... only about 100 people live there. It's mostly houses and old sheds made of corrugated iron and fibro scattered along a handful of streets - many of which are unpaved. MEREDITH GRIFFITHS: Oh god there's actually a school zone, gotta get a photo that, there's no traffic but there's still a school zone. ALICE BRENNAN: Meredith Griffiths...
By Meredith Griffiths, Meghna Bali Verified, Ingrid Wagner, Jen Parsonage, Leila Shunnar, Benjamin Sveen, Alice Brennan Verified
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Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
Verified
"No water, no us"
What happens when we run out of water? That might seem a long way off, but after years of drought, taps are running dry in towns all over central New South Wales. The region's dams have gone from overflowing to almost empty in just three years. So where did all the water go?
State of emergency
Alice Brennan: Hi there, Alice Brennan here and welcome to Background Briefing. We’re bringing you a story produced about a month ago, and that’s because a state of emergency has been declared across New South Wales. We’re talking about this state’s two biggest cities facing imminent danger in circumstances that have literally never happened before. There’s currently 60 fires burning in New South Wales and 47 across the border in Queensland.
Cotton On and Target Australia stop buying cotton from Xinjiang over human rights concerns
Cotton On and Target Australia have stopped sourcing cotton from China's Xinjiang province due to concerns about mass human rights abuses there by Chinese authorities. Cotton On Group completed an internal investigation into its supply chain after Four Corners revealed in July that Uyghur Muslims were being rounded up as part of a detention program and forced to work in textile factories in Xinjiang.
Prepare to burn
Alice Brennan: It’s kinda hard to believe that summer isn’t beginning for another two whole months. That’s because it’s October and in some parts of the country, the bushfire season began four weeks ago, it’s been the most devastating September in this country ever. Michael Gilbert: We're just looking at total devastation on the centre of our property like the fire come through and just burnt everything including animals and wildlife.
The death of Alex Braes still haunts doctors who didn't even know him
By Louise Milligan, Lesley Robinson and Meredith Griffiths Posted September 09, 2019 05:11:42 In the small hours of a Wednesday in an outback town, a teenager struggled to sleep. Eighteen-year-old Alex Braes' knee was so painful, he asked his father to take him to Broken Hill Hospital. The timeline of what happened next is a harrowing account of failure in Australia's regional hospitals, where resources are stretched and staff are under constant pressure.
UTS, Curtin unis announce reviews over links to surveillance tech used by Chinese Government
© Provided by Australian Broadcasting Corporation China has used surveillance technology to track and detain ethnic minorities, including Uyghurs. () Two Australian universities are reviewing funding and research approval procedures due to concerns over links to technology that is being used to carry out mass human rights abuses by the Chinese Government in Xinjiang province.
Cotton On and Target investigate suppliers after forced labour of Uyghurs exposed in China's Xinjiang
© Provided by Australian Broadcasting Corporation Dilnur Abdurehim holds up notes pleading for help during a phone call to her sister. (Supplied) On a cold Melbourne afternoon in June this year, 34-year-old Gulnur Idreis's phone started to ring. It was a video call coming from her elderly parents in Xinjiang, China. Any contact with them was precious. Like all members of the Uyghur Muslim minority in China, they had spent the past two years living through a dystopian nightmare.
Cotton On and Target investigate suppliers after forced labour of Uyghurs exposed in China's Xinjiang
By Sophie McNeill, Jeanavive McGregor, Meredith Griffiths, Michael Walsh, Echo Hui, Bang Xiao Updated July 17, 2019 13:41:33 阅读中文版本 On a cold Melbourne afternoon in June this year, 34-year-old Gulnur Idreis's phone started to ring. It was a video call coming from her elderly parents in Xinjiang, China. Any contact with them was precious.
Federal election 2019: Clive Palmer supporter fined for allegedly exposing himself at Sydney polling booth
Updated May 18, 2019 16:08:20 A man believed to be a volunteer for Clive Palmer's United Australia Party has been fined for allegedly exposing himself at a polling station in western Sydney. Police said the 67-year-old committed the offensive act after getting into a dispute at the voting centre at Bankstown Public School. It is alleged he exposed himself in front of at least three women and a man. He was issued with an infringement notice and ordered to move on.
Facebook bans breast cancer fundraising ads on grounds of nudity
Posted May 03, 2019 09:28:11 Breast Cancer Australia says it is "deeply disappointed" after Facebook decided to ban images from its latest campaign which features topless survivors. The images show women's scars and mastectomies and while the fundraising ads were approved by Facebook last month, the social media giant had a last-minute backflip before today's campaign launch.
'Gateway drug to the internet': Online-only homework riles parents
Parents have described a new program that gives children as young as eight digital homework as a "gateway drug" to the internet.
Scott Morrison rules out changes to Villers-Bretonneux Anzac Day dawn service
Updated February 25, 2019 11:54:44 Prime Minister Scott Morrison has overruled a decision by one of his ministers to cancel the Anzac Day dawn service on the Western Front in France.
'Dire consequences': NSW court quashes plans for new coal mine
Posted February 08, 2019 11:16:47 A new coal mine near Gloucester on the NSW mid-north coast has been refused by the Chief Justice of the Land and Environment Court, who ruled the development would increase greenhouse gas emissions at time when they urgently need to be cut.
Sex offenders on parole in NSW to be electronically tracked, Corrective Services Minister says
Sex offenders on parole in NSW to be electronically tracked, Corrective Services Minister says Posted November 30, 2018 11:10:41 Paedophiles, rapists and all other serious sex offenders on parole in New South Wales will be outfitted with electronic tracking devices.
ICAC rules Australian of the Year finalist stole $750,000 from charities
An Australian of the Year finalist who ran two charities spent more than $750,000 of their money on herself and her family, NSW's Independent Commission against Corruption (ICAC) has found. The ICAC today found Eman Sharobeem should be referred to the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions after acting improperly while running the Immigrant Women's Health Service (IWHS) and the Non-English Speaking Women's Housing Scheme Inc (NESH).
Sydney Airport curfew review urged to ease congestion woes
The consumer watchdog is urging a review of the curfew on Sydney Airport, saying it has likely made it harder to manage congestion in Australia's busiest airport. In a submission to the Productivity Commission on Monday, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said the Federal Government should periodically review the curfew and hourly aircraft movement caps at Sydney Airport.
Two injured after car crashes into Miranda netball facility
A car has crashed into spectators at a netball complex in Sydney's south, injuring two people — one critically. The Sutherland Shire Netball Association said the driver appeared to lose control of the vehicle in the car park of the Bellingara Road complex in Miranda about 10:00am this morning. A woman was pinned between the car and a fence — members of the public helped free her — while a man has suffered a head injury, NSW Police said. They were taken to St George Hospital.
Junior Fenika wouldn't have died at Goulburn jail if officers checked in, inquest hears
A coroner has found that the suicide of a prisoner in Goulburn's Supermax jail could have been prevented if officers had checked on him properly. Junior Fenika, 24, took his own life while being held in September 2015, a month after completing his seven-year sentence. He was awaiting deportation to New Zealand because his visa had been cancelled on the grounds of his character. On the night he died he the used the prison intercom twice to tell a guard he had harmed himself.
Singulair and Montelukast asthma medication, linked to psychotic episodes in children, to be sold with warnings
A popular asthma tablet linked to cases of suicidal thoughts and depression in children will now be sold with side effect warnings inside its packaging. The drug, known as Montelukast or Singulair, is prescribed for children aged two to 14 with frequent intermittent, mild persistent or exercise-induced asthma. In 2017, the ABC revealed parental concerns about the medication. Vanessa Sellick's son Harrison had been taking the drug since he was two years old and suffered serious behavioural changes.
Tathra bushfire inquiry finds 'palpable animosity' between rival firefighting agencies
Four months since bushfires ripped through Tathra on the New South Wales far south coast, an independent review has found "palpable animosity" between the state's firefighting organisations and called for urgent reform. The inquiry observed that friction between members of Fire and Rescue (FRNSW) and the Rural Fire Service (RFS) meant "the common enemy of fires is sometimes overlooked". Sixty-five homes, 70 caravans and 1,250 hectares were destroyed in the fire that broke out on March 18.
St Andrew's Cathedral School principal warns parents over aggression towards teachers
John Collier says parents tend to react defensively when they perceive their child is being threatened. The principal of an elite Sydney private school has urged parents to "chill" and told them the fees they pay do not entitle them to behave aggressively towards teachers.
St Andrew's Cathedral School principal warns parents over aggression towards teachers
The principal of an elite Sydney private school has urged parents to "chill" and told them the fees they pay do not entitle them to behave aggressively towards teachers. In a recent school newsletter, the head of St Andrew's Cathedral School, Dr John Collier, wrote that he was "very displeased at the current level of agitation from a minority of parents" and that he was having to deal with "too many parents who have verbally abused, physically threatened or shouted at a staff member".
Chau Chak Wing defamation case: Judge says it's 'extraordinary' ABC, Fairfax used MP's comments
A Federal Court judge has criticised the ABC and Fairfax for attempting to use comments made by a federal MP as proof allegations of bribery against Chau Chak Wing were true. The Chinese-Australian businessman and political donor is suing the two media organisations, as well as journalist Nick McKenzie, for defamation over a Four Corners program and accompanying online story published on June 5, 2017.
Strengthened hate speech laws pass NSW Parliament in 'great day' for Australia
Inciting violence against a community or person based on their race in New South Wales could result in three years in jail under new laws which have passed State Parliament. The Keep New South Wales Safe Alliance, a coalition of about 31 community organisations and leaders, has been lobbying for the changes for three years, saying that previous provisions in the Anti-Discrimination Act had not led to a single prosecution.
Biohacker Meow-Ludo Disco Gamma Meow-Meow who implanted Opal Card into hand escapes conviction
Biohacker Meow-Ludo Disco Gamma Meow-Meow who was fined for implanting an Opal Card chip into his hand has had his conviction overturned. Mr Meow-Meow, 33, pleaded guilty to using public transport without a valid ticket and for not producing a ticket to transport officers. In March, he was fined $220 for breaching the Opal Card terms of use and was ordered to pay $1,000 in legal costs. Mr Meow-Meow appealed against the conviction in the District Court and today it was quashed.
'Outrageous and insulting': Former Fairfax journalist accused of 'straight out lie' in defamation trial
A former Fairfax reporter being sued for defamation has labelled accusations he lied in an article "outrageous and insulting", telling a Sydney court he did not take any glee in hurting someone's reputation.
'I thought it was probably true': Journalist defends bribery involvement allegations against Chinese businessman
A former Fairfax reporter and foreign policy advisor to the Prime Minister says he did not write that political donor Chau Chak Wing had bribed an UN official, only that was he suspected of involvement in the matter. Mr Chau, who has donated money to both the Liberal and Labor parties, is suing John Garnaut and Fairfax Media for defamation over an article published online in October 2015.
French wine, the businessman and the journo: fmr Fairfax reporter claims wine gift 'reciprocity trap'
Former Fairfax journalist John Garnaut says Chinese-Australian businessman Chau Chak Wing gifted him more than $10,000 worth of French wine, a gift which he feared could become a "reciprocity trap", the Federal Court has heard.
Chinese-Australian businessman Chau Chak Wing sues Fairfax, says article caused 'great damage'
Wealthy Chinese-Australian businessman Chau Chak Wing has denied allegations of bribery, saying he "never did anything illegal", a court has heard. Dr Chau is suing Fairfax and reporter John Garnaut for defamation over an article published online in October 2015, which said he was suspected of bribing a United Nations official. Under cross-examination in the Federal Court in Sydney today, Dr Chau said he was "very upset" when his daughter phoned to tell him about the article.
Fast rail could turn Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle into 'mega region'
A fast train network connecting greater Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle as a "mega region" could create more than 10,000 new jobs, according to a new report. A planning lobby group, the Committee for Sydney, said such a rail network could slash the commutes from Gosford to Sydney, and from Wollongong to Liverpool, by half.
Death of elderly woman Marcia Clark highlights need for better carer support: coroner
Marcia and Nardia Clark didn't like people coming to their home on the New South Wales mid-north coast. Yet in the end, that is what has drawn the mother and daughter to public view. In 2014, Marcia Clark died from severe malnutrition and infection, three days after being admitted to Manning Base hospital in Taree. A coronial inquest has found that the 83-year-old died from natural causes after a period of being neglected by her daughter and carer, Nardia.
Author Colleen McCulloch was 'very unwell' before making disputed will, court hears
Australian author Colleen McCullough's solicitor was concerned for the writer's welfare when she visited her at home in 2014 and discussed a will leaving her entire estate to her husband, the New South Wales Supreme Court has heard. Piria Coleman is giving evidence at a hearing to determine who inherits the estate of Dr McCullough, who had huge international literary success with The Thorn Birds and a series of novels about Ancient Rome.
Author Colleen McCullough wrote second will leaving estate to husband, court hears
A new document has emerged suggesting Australian author Colleen McCullough wrote a fresh will leaving her estate to her husband, the New South Wales Supreme Court has heard. The internationally acclaimed author of The Thorn Birds and a series of novels about the Roman Empire, died in hospital on Norfolk Island in January 2015, aged 77. The Supreme Court was today due to begin a seven-day hearing about who inherits her estate.
Craig McLachlan 'rarely leaves home' following misconduct allegations, court documents reveal
© Provided by ABC News The court heard McLachlan was the subject of allegations dating back to the 1990s. Actor Craig McLachlan has become "reclusive" and "rarely leaves home" since the ABC and Fairfax published stories accusing him of misconduct, a court has been told. In the Supreme Court of New South Wales today, the media organisations' defence barrister Lyndelle Barnett said the preparation of their defences had been delayed, in part because more alleged victims had come forward.
Craig McLachlan 'rarely leaves home' following misconduct allegations, court documents reveal
Actor Craig McLachlan has become "reclusive" and "rarely leaves home" since the ABC and Fairfax published stories accusing him of misconduct, a court has been told. Mr McLachlan claims he was defamed by articles and reports alleging sexual misconduct, harassment, bullying and indecent assault against three female cast members during a 2014 production of the Rocky Horror Show. He commenced legal action in February and the media companies and Ms Browne were ordered to file a defence by May 4.
'Can I please talk to you?': Man charged with Sydney terror attack apologises to victim
The man charged with committing a terrorist act over the stabbing of his neighbour on a suburban Sydney street has called out an apology to the man he put in hospital. Wayne Greenhalgh suffered life threatening injuries when he was stabbed by Ihsas Khan on a Minto street as he walked his dog in 2016. A Supreme Court jury today watched a video of a police interview Mr Greenhalgh gave the day after in which he said he was lucky some of his neighbours were outside and ran over to help him.
'They killed our people, he should be killed too': terrorism accused on trial over stabbing
A man charged with committing a terrorist attack in Sydney wanted to be a martyr, egging on police to shoot him after he stabbed his neighbour with a hunting knife, the Supreme Court has heard. Ihsas Khan was charged with committing a terrorist act with the intent to influence the Australian Government. He was also charged with attempted murder.
Forty Thousand Years Mural in Redfern restored in the face of gentrification
The Redfern community is celebrating the restoration of an iconic mural at the entrance to the Block. Indigenous artists, TAFE students and conservationists have been tracing and repainting the 40 Thousand Years Mural for the past six weeks. Stretching the length of the railway bridge, the mural is one of the first things people see when they leave Redfern station. Donna Ingram grew up in Redfern and remembers when she first laid eyes on the mural when it was painted in 1983.
'I just want justice for my son' mother says following inquest into toddler's death
The mother of a toddler who was fed a powerful antidepressant at Singleton in the New South Wales Hunter Valley in 2005 says she is still looking for justice over her son's death. Speaking following the final day of an inquest at the Glebe Coroner's Court into her son's death, Bernice Swales, the mother of 21-month-old Jordan Thompson, said she missed her son dearly. "I just want the truth and I want justice for my son," Mrs Swales said.
New car loans a trap for young players, with casual worker falling victim to 'scam'
Like so many young people, Justin Crawley needed a car to get to work, so in 2010 he went to a dealership in Parramatta looking to buy a second-hand car. He was 20 years old, had $6,000 to spend but was expecting he would need to borrow another $4,000 to get the vehicle he needed. Justin was told he would not be able to get a loan to buy a second-hand car and that if he needed to borrow money, he would need to buy a brand-new car. The car salesman said he would sort out the financing for him.
Parents fear social media and technology more than drugs, alcohol or smoking
Australian parents are more worried about their children using social media and technology than drugs, alcohol or smoking, according to new research. The youth mental health support service ReachOut surveyed parents of 12 to 18-year-olds about their concerns and found that 45 per cent were worried about their children's use of social media. Technology closely followed at 42 per cent. In comparison, 25 per cent were worried about their children using drugs, alcohol or smoking.
Sydney couple accused of breaching UN sanctions with nickel exports to Iran
A man and woman from New South Wales who allegedly exported 90 tonnes of nickel alloys to Iran have become the first people in Australia ever charged with breaches of UN sanctions. Foreign companies are banned from sending nickel alloys to Iran under regulation 10 of the Charter of the United Nations, which was introduced in 2008 to target Tehran's nuclear program.
Bizarre footage emerges of truck pushing a car sideways along highway
Police are investigating after vision emerged of a huge truck pushing a car along a stretch of busy highway in inner Sydney yesterday. Paul Joyner witnessed it from his desk overlooking the Princes Highway at Sydenham. "It started when I heard the tyre squeal," he said. He looked out his window to see the truck pushing the car along the road. Mr Joyner said there was someone in the car at the time. "There was about 20 or 30 seconds of tyre squeal," he said.
Baby boomers re-entering the dating game more vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections
Straight male baby boomers are less likely than younger men to use condoms or know much about sexual health, leaving them vulnerable to infections, according to new research. Family Planning New South Wales surveyed 2,339 heterosexual men who were using an online dating service in 2014. The survey found men aged 50 or older were less likely to use condoms and more likely than younger men to think that condoms reduced sexual interest.
William Hill might leave Australia over tighter gambling regulations
Global gambling company William Hill has announced it is reviewing its Australian operations because of changes to betting laws that take effect next month. The company, which has 284,000 customers, claims tighter regulation would cut its profits. Federal and state governments agreed last year to ban online betting companies from extending lines of credit to customers.
Love is in the Air: Songwriters sue US pop duo, Air France over alleged copyright breach
The songwriters behind one of Australia's biggest pop hits, Love Is In The Air, are taking court action against an American band and Air France for allegedly ripping off the tune. Written by Harry Vanda and the late George Young, the song has been a hit since it was first performed in 1977.
American musos and Air France accused of ripping off "Love Is In The Air"
KIM LANDERS: The songwriters behind one of Australia's biggest pop hits, 'Love Is In The Air,' are taking court action against an American band and Air France for allegedly ripping off the tune. JOHN PAUL YOUNG (sings): Love is in the air, everywhere I look around... MEREDITH GRIFFITHS: It's been a hit since first performed in 1977. JOHN PAUL YOUNG (sings): Love is in the air, every sight and every sound...
Vanuatu rejects claims that China funds "useless" aid projects
Comments by Australia's International Development Minister that China has been funding useless aid projects in the Pacific have been rejected by many people in Vanuatu. They say they decide which aid projects they need and that the success or failure depends on the government of Vanuatu.
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