Police apologise
Ocean Grove football players’ bashing of a Jewish man in Melbourne has prompted Victoria Police to announce it will set up a special unit to address issues of prejudice, racism and bias.
Police revealed at a media conference this week that Ocean Grove Football Club had recommended the unit in the wash up of various legal proceedings over the 2006 assault on Menachem Vorchheimer.
Swan visits
Australian Treasurer Wayne Swan has visited Geelong to reassure business and industry leaders about the impacts of a proposed emissions trading scheme on jobs and investment in the region.
Mr Swan told a breakfast meeting that the scheme was essential despite fears it could put hundreds of workers out of jobs at companies such as Ford, Shell and Alcoa.
TAFE stopped
Teachers from Geelong’s Gordon Institute of TAFE have attended a stop-work meeting in Melbourne to demand pay rises.
The meeting was part of a statewide Australian Education Union push for more staff and higher pay after a successful campaign on behalf of primary and secondary teachers earlier this year.
Berths ‘desperate’
Authorities must increase berthing capacity on Geelong’s waterfront to capitalise on its hosting rights to the largest sailing regatta in the Southern Hemisphere, according to organisers.
Event coordinator Doug Jarvis said the capacity must increase “as quickly as possible” for Skandia Geelong Week, which produced an economic windfall for the city of $11 million this year.
Tariffs threat
Geelong’s Ford plant faces a tougher future after a new government report recommended sticking to a schedule cutting tariffs to five per cent in 2010.
However, the review of former Premier Steve Bracks recommended billions of dollars in industry support for domestic manufacturers.
Pier locks
State Government will trial a lock-out as part of an upgrade of Portarlington Pier, according to Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville.
She said gates would close off an outer-arm of the pier overnight to improve security for moored boats.
Tidy Lara
Lara has reached the finals of Victoria’s Tidy Towns Awards.
Organisers said Lara was up for the overall award as well as contributing finalists for the community pride, heritage and culture, biodiversity and conservation categories.
