Albury Motel Owner Accuses Woman Who Allegedly Set Fire To His Motel Of Racism

Indian origin Hardik Upadhyay, owner of the Albury Central Motel in New South Wales, Australia, has accused a 40-year-old female guest who allegedly set fire to his motel of racism.

Staff Writer

Oct 14, 20252 min read

War Games: Indian Army Contingent Lands In Perth For AustraHind

Australia and India have kicked off the fourth edition of Exercise AUSTRAHIND 2025, a major joint military drill aimed at boosting defence cooperation.

Staff Writer

Oct 14, 20252 min read

Indian Origin Melbourne Landlord Charged with Axe Murder of 44-Year-Old Woman

A Melbourne landlord has been charged with the brutal axe murder of his tenant, a 44-year-old mother of Indian descent, inside her family home in Epping.

Staff Writer

Oct 13, 20252 min read

Aussie Cricket Legend Brett Lee Pays Tribute To Indian Singer Asha Bhosle

Australian cricket icon Brett Lee has paid heartfelt tribute to legendary Indian singer Asha Bhosle, who passed away this week, calling her an artist of “extraordinary talent” and “remarkable humility.”

Posting on Facebook, Lee recalled his memorable collaboration with Bhosle during the recording of You’re the One for Me in 2006 — a cross-cultural duet that blended Indian pop with Western influences.

The song was written by Lee during the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy in India. In the music video, Lee is trying to impress an Indian girl and Asha Bhosle acts as his advisor.

Asha Bhosle, often described as India’s “melody queen,” recorded more than 12,000 songs across multiple Indian languages in a career spanning seven decades.

Bhosle sang everything from soulful ghazals and romantic duets to disco hits in the 1970s and 1980s. Her collaborations crossed boundaries — performing with artists such as Boy George, The Kronos Quartet, and the Australian cricketer himself.

“I had the pleasure of writing and recording You’re the One for Me with Asha Bhosle back in 2006. It’s something I’ll always be incredibly grateful for,” Lee, who plays in a band called Six & Out, wrote in his tribute.

Vale Asha Bhosle

#brettlee #ashabhosle #australiacricket #Indiacricket #Bollywood

In News You Might Have Missed: India Loses Bid To Bar Pakistan From Using Basmati Rice Tag

India lost a bid seeking exclusive certification trademark rights for basmati rice in New Zealand.

The New Zealand High Court dismissed India’s bid to secure exclusive rights over the Basmati Geographical Indication (GI) tag . The court cited the Basmati’s status as a shared heritage product of both India and Pakistan in the eyes of international regulators.

India Loses Bid To Bar Pakistan From Using Basmati Rice Tag

India lost a bid seeking exclusive certification trademark rights for basmati rice in New Zealand.

The New Zealand High Court dismissed India’s bid to secure exclusive rights over the Basmati Geographical Indication (GI) tag . The court cited the Basmati’s status as a shared heritage product of both India and Pakistan in the eyes of international regulators.

The court ruling echoes similar decisions in Australia and Kenya that knocked back India’s bid to prohibit Pakistani rice producers from using the Basmati rice tag.

Read the full story on www.sagatimes.com.au

#basmati #indiavspakistan #Indiansinaustralia #indiansinNZ

F*## Off Indian: Sydney Woman Charged Over Alleged Racist Attack On 63-Year-Old Man In Westfield Parramatta

A 63-year-old Indian-Australian man was punched in the face and called racist slurs last week at the Westfield Shopping Centre in Parramatta in Sydney’s West. NSW Police said they have arrested a 22-year-old woman and charged her for the attack.

NSW Police said they were called to the shopping centre in the evening around 7 on November 10, 2025.

“Officers attached to Parramatta Police Area Command were told a 63-year-old man was assaulted by an unknown woman, before she left in a vehicle,” the police said in a statement. “NSW Ambulance treated the man for a minor injury to the head.”

According to eyewitness, the woman punched the man and shouted “F*** off, Indian. Go back to where you came from.”

The police arrested the woman identified as Mikayla Smith in Westmead on November 14. She was denied bail and the court ordered that she be transferred to a mental health facility for assessment.

NSW Premier Chris Minn led the condemnation of the unprovoked attack. “No one in our state should ever be targeted or intimidated because of their background or identity. Racism has no place in our state and we will always call it out when we see it.”

Read the full story on www.sagatimes.com.au

#racisminAustralia #IndiansInAustralia #IndiansInSydney #WestfieldParramatta #racist

Council Approves Plans For A New Sikh Temple In Melbourne’s West

Wyndham City Council’s Planning Committee has approved plans for a major Sikh temple and community centre at Hoppers Crossing in Melbourne’s West.

The proposal had received over 100 objections from local residents who had raised concerns about increased traffic, noise and safety.

Councillor Preet Singh, who backed the grant of approval along with eight other councillors, had said that the development had “significant cultural and community importance to both the Sikh and Hindu communities in Wyndham.”

“Sikhs have a proud history in Australia, fighting alongside our forces in both world wars,” Cr Sing said at the planning committee meeting on November 11, 2025.

“This Gurdwara honors this legacy, continuing with the tradition of seva, selfless service and solidarity, Wyndham is growing its diverse and vibrant and full of promise. The Gurdwara will not only serve the Sikh community, but all residents, enriching our region socially, culturally and spiritually.”

The large new Gurudwara - a place of worship for the Sikh community - and community centre is coming up at 405 Sayers Road, Hoppers Crossing. The main building will rise to 18 metres and feature a distinctive five-metre high dome symbolising the community’s Punjab Sikh heritage.

Public opposition to the plans for a new Sikh temple focused on concerns over increased traffic congestion, noise pollution, parking adequacy, and the compatibility of a large assembly centre in a low-density residential zone.
Read the full story on www.sagatimes.com.au

‘Australian Born And Bred Gurmesh Singh Is New NSW Nationals Leader

Regional politics in New South Wales just got a new captain. Coffs Harbour MP “Australian born and bred” Gurmesh Singh has clinched the NSW Nationals leadership after Dugald Saunders’ surprise resignation this week.

Taking over with Kevin Anderson as his deputy, Singh pledged to keep the regional voices loud and proud in Macquarie Street, saying, “It is an honour to be elected by my peers to lead the NSW Nationals...Our team will continue to represent regional NSW to the very best of our abilities”.

Singh, a third-generation immigrant and a two-time MP,, has seen a rapid rise in NSW politics, since his election to the state Parliament in 2019.

Who is Gurmesh Singh?

Gurmesh Singh isn’t your textbook career politician.

Singh, a third-generation local of Coffs Harbour, grew up in a farming family in Woolgoolga, steeped in the realities of banana, blueberry, and macadamia farming. His great-grandfather, Bella Singh, migrated from Punjab, India, to Australia in 1895—literally chasing opportunity halfway around the globe.

Singh’s rapid rise is rooted in the experience and connection to the land and community that he detailed eloquently in his 2019 maiden speech to New South Wales Parliament.

“My path to this Parliament started over 120 years ago with the decision made by my great-grandfather, Bella Singh, to leave Punjab… to seek opportunity on the other side of the world in Australia. I doubt that in his wildest dreams he would ever have imagined that his great-grandson would be standing here today,.”

He however made it clear that he was Australian through and through. “I am proud of my heritage but, as members can clearly hear, I am Australian born and bred. I attended Woolgoolga Public and Woolgoolga High schools and immediately prior to my election in March I was a farmer—I grew macadamias and blueberries in the sandy loam soils of the Corindi range,” Singh said in his 2019 speech.

Read the full story on www.sagatimes.com.au

Sydney Woman Arrested After Social Media Posts Glorifying Martyrdom, Sharing Violent Extremist Content

The Australian Federal Police have arrested a 23-year-old Sydney woman after she shared social media posts glorifying martyrdom and sharing extremist materials.

The woman, a resident of Quakers Hill was charged with possessing 43 files on her mobile phone that contained violent extremist material.

“The AFP will not allow Australia to become a hotbed for violent extremism and will not hesitate to lay charges,” AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt said in a statement.
AFP said it was concerned about the easy availability of extremist material online to young people.

The AFP was first alerted in July 2025 that a Sydney-based social media account was sharing extremist content and glorifying martyrdom. The AFP found that the woman was running two social media accounts which uploaded and shared the violent and extremist material.

AFP officers charged the woman on 16 October 2025, with one count of using a carriage service for violent extremist material and one count of possessing or controlling violent extremist material obtained or accessed using a carriage service. If convicted of the offences the woman faces a jail term of up to five years.

Read the full story on www.sagatimes.com.au

#australianfederalpolice #extremism #stephennutt

Australian Dentist Ian Lomax Suspended After Alleged Neo-Nazi Links Surface

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) has suspended Ballarat dentist Ian Lomax after reports allegedly linked him to the neo Nazi group National Socialist Network.

Media reports also alleged that Lomax attended the attack on Camp Sovereignty in Melbourne's Kings Domain, following an anti-immigration rally in the city on August 31.

Victoria Police arrested 15 people for the attack, including NSN leader Thomas Sewell. Lomax has not been charged with any offence by Victoria Police.

Lomax was employed with Drummond Dental in Ballarat. Drummond Dental sacked Lomax, following a September 6 media report, exposing the dentist’s links to neo-Nazi groups and attendance at their rallies.

Read the full story on www.sagatimes.com.au
#neoNazi #august31 #ianlomax #antiimmigration #farrightAustralia

7 Out Of 10 Indian Students Want to Stay In Australia Permanently

Seventy-seven per cent of Indian students choose Australia with a clear goal in mind: to settle permanently, according to the latest report by Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA).

Indian students now make up the second-largest international student group in Australia, after Chinese students. This is driven largely by the country’s attractive migration pathways tied to study.
The JSA study reveals that many treat Australian qualifications less as an end and more as a means to secure a future in Australia.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs such as nursing, commercial cookery, and hospitality are especially popular with international students, as these align with permanent residency occupation lists.
The JSA report reveals that about 35–40% of international students who began studying in the early 2010s have gained permanent residency within ten years—more than double previous estimates. For those who work during or after their studies, the chance jumps to over 50%. Indian students rank highly among those successfully transitioning from student visas to permanent residents.

However, the path is not without hurdles. Many graduates work below their skill levels or outside their fields, with wage disparities common. English language barriers and a lack of practical work experience also hinder employment prospects.
Read the full story on www.sagatimes.com.au

#studyinAustralia #indiansinAustralia #internationalstudents #jobsAustralia

Melbourne Council’s Indian Origin Mayor Pradeep Tiwari Makes Triumphant Return After Court Fine

“Dear community, I’m back.” That’s how a Melbourne council’s Indian-origin Mayor Pradeep Tiwari marked his triumphant return to public office this week. This followed a turbulent two months of legal battles, media scrutiny, and backlash that led Maribyrnong City Council Mayor Tiwari to step aside from his mayoral duties in August.

On Monday, the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court imposed a $450 fine without conviction against Tiwari for a minor traffic offence — driving with an unrestrained child passenger.

According to court records and Victoria Police, Tiwari was initially charged with three offences: dangerous driving, using a phone while driving, and carrying an unrestrained passenger. By October, two charges were withdrawn, and Tiwari received a $450 fine for the seatbelt breach, with the judge noting this would usually attract only an on-the-spot fine.

The end of the prosecution cleared the way for the Maribyrnong leader to resume his role as mayor. Pradeep Tiwari was appointed as mayor of the City of Maribyrnong in November 2024, marking a historic milestone as Victoria’s first Indian-origin mayor.
Read the full story www.sagatimes.com.au

#mayorpradeeptiwari #indiansinAustralia #MaribyrnongCityCouncil #indiansinMelbourne

Albury Motel Owner Accuses Woman Who Allegedly Set Fire To His Motel Of Racism

Indian origin Hardik Upadhyay, owner of the Albury Central Motel in New South Wales, Australia, has accused a 40-year-old female guest who allegedly set fire to his motel of racism.

According to NSW Police, the blaze broke out at 7.15 am on Saturday, October 11, destroying the northern wing of the Young Street property and forcing the evacuation of all twenty rooms.

NSW Police said that around 11.30 am, they arrested a 40-year-old woman on Kiewa Street, Albury.

“She was taken to Albury Police Station before she was taken to Albury Base Hospital under police guard for assessment. Inquiries are continuing,” the police statement said.
Motel owner, Hardik Upadhyay said the guest had checked in as a walk-in late Thursday, October 9 and had reportedly caused repeated disturbances.

Upadhyay accused the woman of deliberately setting off the fire and alleged racism could be a motivation. “Her behaviour was unacceptable, and her racism was evident when she shouted at the reception after the fire,” Upadhyay said in a post in a community Facebook group.

Read the full story on www.sagatimes.com.au
#alburymotelfire #racisminAustralia #Indiansinaustralia #nswpolice

War Games: Indian Army Contingent Lands In Perth For AustraHind

Australia and India have kicked off the fourth edition of Exercise AUSTRAHIND 2025, a major joint military drill aimed at boosting defence cooperation and enhancing operational interoperability between the two armies.

The two-week exercise, running from October 13 to 26, is being hosted at Irwin Barracks in Perth, Western Australia.

An Indian Army contingent comprising 120 personnel, led by a battalion of the famed Gorkha Rifles, has arrived in Perth to participate alongside Australian troops from various arms and services.

“The exercise aims to further strengthen the operational capabilities of both the armies in undertaking joint Company level operations in urban & semi-urban terrain,” the Indian Army said in a social media post.

In a joint statement during the recent Australia-India Defence Ministers’ Dialogue, Defence Ministers Richard Marles and Rajnath Singh reaffirmed their commitment to expanding army-to-army cooperation.
“(Both sides) underscored the value of sharing best practices in emerging and critical domains such as integrated air and missile defence, secure communications, uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), counter-UAS, and special operations through subject matter expert exchanges,” the joint statement said.
Read the full story on www.sagatimes.com.au
#australianarmy #defenceaustralia #indianarmy #indiansinAustralia #austrahind

Indian Origin Melbourne Landlord Charged With Axe Murder Of 44-Year-Old Woman

A Melbourne landlord has been charged with the brutal axe murder of his tenant, a 44-year-old mother of Indian descent, inside her family home in Epping.

Rajwinder Kaur’s life was cut tragically short on Thursday afternoon when police allege her landlord, Jaswinder Gill, 50, attacked her in the rented property on Gottloh Street. The horrifying incident unfolded in less than 30 minutes. Kaur’s family had recently arrived in India.

Gill, from Rockbank, reportedly arrived at the house in a maroon Toyota Camry with its plates removed. Court documents allege he then changed into a white hazmat suit before launching the violent assault.

CCTV footage captured the moment the victim’s son knocked on neighbour Ross Albinelli’s door. “Help, my mum’s dead. I don’t know what to do,” Kaur’s son told Albinelli.
Read the full story on www.sagatimes.com.au
#melbournecrime #indiansinaustralia #indiansinmelbourne #crimesagainstwomen

One Case a Day: Human Trafficking and Forced Marriages Surge in Australia

Every single day, the Australian Federal Police gets a new report of human trafficking, forced marriage, or modern slavery. The numbers are stark—420 cases in the last year, more than double compared to five years ago.

Exit trafficking—a crime where coercion, threats, or deception are used to force or attempt to force a person to leave Australia—soared by more than 100 percent in a single year, with 75 reports, up from just 35. Reports of forced marriage also spiked, leaping from 91 to 118 incidents. Cases of sexual servitude increased to 84, up from 59 last year, while reports related to modern slavery more than doubled, from fewer than five to 12.

Even child trafficking and domestic servitude have seen increases.

Most victims of exit trafficking are women. The crime is often hidden and can tear families apart, rob children of safety, and leave survivors reeling from trauma.

The AFP says this is the highest level ever seen in Australia. Commander Helen Schneider described the figures as “just the tip of the iceberg.”
Source: AFP Read the full story on www.sagatimes.com.au #forcedmarriage #australianfederalpolice #afp #humantraffickingawareness

Labor MP Hill Torches Andrew Hastie, Jacinta price: Australia Does Not Have Mass Migration Like The US, Europe

Labor MP Julian Hill has unleashed a blistering attack on opposition figures Andrew Hastie and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, accusing them of “taking the coward’s route” by fuelling anti-migrant sentiment and parroting “extremist, racist talking points” in what he called a “race to the bottom on race and migration.”

Speaking at the National Migration Conference in Melbourne on Friday — and in a follow-up radio interview — Hill sharpened his attack on the Opposition’s stance, accusing them of regurgitating “extremist and racist talking points”

“Contrary to ridiculous claims, including by actual Nazis and most of the Liberal Party, Australia does not suffer from mass migration,” he declared. “Our borders are tightly controlled, and our migration system is highly targeted, orderly and operates with very high integrity.”

Hill named Hastie and Price and said that “the Liberal Party of today is not the Liberal Party of old.”

“ It's not just a few extremists or populists – Hastie, Price and their cabal blowing the dog whistle now: the Liberals are alltaking the coward's route,” Hill said.

“Both terrified of yet cuddling up to One Nation, calling for "massive" cuts to migration, but never saying how or where that should occur. Pauline Hanson now lives rent free inside their heads. This is today's Liberal Party, it's who they are now.”

Do you agree Australia does not have a mass migration problem like the US and Europe?

Read the full story on www.sagatimes.com.au

#jacintaprice #andrewhastie #Julianhill #massmigration #australia

King Charles Awarded This Mumbai-Born Designer An MBE, Now Her New Work Is At @ngvmelbourne

Mumbai-born, London-based designer Nipa Doshi has brought an intimate, deeply personal work to Australian audiences, unveiling A Room of My Own and a debut typeface as part of the 2025 MECCA x NGV Women in Design Commission at NGV International.

As one half of Doshi Levien, the design studio she founded with Jonathan Levien in 2000, she has worked with leading furniture houses and exhibited at premier cultural institutions including London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, and MoMA in New York.
In 2024 she was awarded an MBE by King Charles for her contribution to design.

Doshi’s A Room of My Own takes the form of a handcrafted, multidimensional cabinet that is at once a shrine, dressing table, and repository for memory. Inspired by the kaavad� — portable shrines from India — the work merges functional design with emotional storytelling.
Nipa Doshi: MECCA x NGV Women in Design Commission 2025 is on display at NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne, until 1 April 2026. Entry is free.
Read the full story at www.sagatimes.com.au
#ngvmelbourne #nipadoshi #womeninarts #ngvinternational #mecca

Australian Politician Pauline Hanson Calls For Law To Ban Burqas, ‘Masked Thugs’

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has announced her latest crusade and is rekindling old flames.

Hanson on Thursday announced a fresh push to ban burqas and other face coverings in public — a move she claims is about “protecting public safety”. The controversial politician cited new legislation being introduced across parts of Europe to ban burqas.

Hanson said Australia must “get on board” as more than 20 countries — from France to Italy — tighten laws around religious or full‑face coverings. She argued the measure was necessary to address “increasing security threats from political Islam” and “masked violence on Australian streets.”

Here’s what she’s calling for 👇
⚠️ A nationwide ban on burqas and full‑face veils in public.
⚠️ Harsher penalties for criminals or protesters who hide behind masks.
⚠️ Tighter national security laws against what she calls “political Islam” and “extremism.”
What do you think of Pauline Hanson’s call for a nationwide burqa ban?

Read the full story on www.sagatimes.com.au
#PaulineHanson #BurqaBan #OneNation #AustralianPolitics #Islamophobia

This Is The Real Reason India’s Defence Minister Is In Australia

India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh touched down in Australia on Wednesday — and he’s here for more than just handshakes
🔥 Here’s what’s making waves:
Annual Defence Ministers’ Talks locked in — from now on, it’s every year.
New pact on Submarine Rescue Support — our navies will have each other’s backs.
India locked in for Exercise Talisman Sabre 2027 — Australia’s biggest war games.
Defence industries joining forces on new military tech and ship repairs.
First Indian cadet at Australia’s ADF Academy in 2027.
💡 Why it matters: From the Indian Ocean to the Pacific, Australia and India are building a frontline partnership the region can’t ignore.

Read the full story on www.sagatimes.com.au

#IndiaAustralia #IndoPacific #richardmarles #PMAlbanese #indiansinAustralia

Australia Names New Parental Leave Law After Baby Priya

Baby Priya’s story began as a tragedy but has now become a catalyst for national change.

At just 42 days of age, Priya’s life was cut short, leaving her parents to grapple with unimaginable grief.

As they tried to make sense of their loss, another cruel blow arrived: Priya’s mother was told her paid parental leave was cancelled, and that she should prepare to return to work—while still deep in mourning. What happened next would change the law for grieving parents across Australia.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s labor government moved to enshrine greater support for grieving parents with the introduction of a landmark law, the Fair Work Amendment (“Baby Priya’s”) Bill 2025.

Read the full story on www.sagatimes.com.au
#pmalbanese #babypriya #fairwork #parentalleave #australiajobs

India’s Spin Star R Ashwin Joins Australia’s T20 Cricket League, Makes History

Sydney Thunder has pulled off one of the biggest coups in Big Bash League history, signing Indian cricket legend Ravichandran Ashwin to play the full 2025-26 BBL season—making him the first capped Indian male cricketer ever to compete in Australia’s top T20 league.

Ashwin, 39, joins the Thunder after a storied international career that saw him claim 537 Test wickets for India and win both the Cricket World Cup (2011) and Champions Trophy (2013).

His presence is set to electrify Australian cricket fans, with Thunder management and Cricket Australia calling the deal “historic” and “the biggest overseas signing since the league’s inception”.

Speaking after the signing, Ashwin explained, “Thunder were crystal clear about how they’d use me and brave enough to back it. My conversations with the leadership were excellent, and we’re fully aligned on my role. I love how Dave Warner plays the game... I can’t wait to perform for the Thunder Nation”.

Sydney Thunder, alongside Ashwin, have also added Pakistan’s Shadab Khan and New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson to their squad, setting the stage for an exciting BBL season.

Do you think R Ashwin will be a game changer for Sydney Thunder and the BBL?
Read the full story on www.sagatimes.com.au
#rashwin #sydneythunder #BBL #indiancricket #australiancricket #Indiansinaustralia

Buddhist Monk Faces Child Sexual Abuse Trial After Decades Leading Melbourne Temple

A highly respected Buddhist monk who has spent more than three decades guiding Victoria’s Sri Lankan community is now at the centre of a major criminal trial.

Naotunne Vijitha, 70, is accused of sexually abusing six children over a near-three decade period while serving as head of the Dhamma Sarana Buddhist temple in Melbourne’s south-east.

Reverend Vijitha faces a total of 19 charges, including nine counts of sexual penetration of a child under 16 and ten counts of indecent acts against children, allegedly committed between the mid-1990s and early 2000s at the Dhamma Sarana Buddhist temple in Springvale and later Keysborough.

According to prosecutors, the alleged offences took place in a variety of settings — from the monk’s living quarters and prayer rooms to Sunday school gatherings that he led for children of families.

The youngest victim was just four years old when the alleged abuse began, with other children reporting incidents spanning ages nine to 12.

Vijitha, who is currently out on bail, has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Read the full story on www.sagatimes.com.au

#buddhistmonk #DhammaSaranatemple #NaotunneVijitha #srilankansinAustralia #childsexualabuse

Sydney Student Nikhil Sapkota’s Tragic Death Shocks Nepalese Community

A young Nepalese student who dreamed of building a future in Australia has tragically lost his life, sparking shock and grief across the Sydney Nepalese community.

The Nepalese community has rallied around and an online campaign to help his family navigate the heartbreak of repatriation has raised over $17,000 dollars in two days.

Nikhil Sapkota, just 21, arrived in Sydney from Bardaghat, Nawalparasi, Nepal, less than a year ago to pursue a diploma and a new beginning. But what began with hope and promise ended in tragedy on October 5th.

“He came to Australia as an international student, full of dreams and hopes for a better future. Unfortunately, he faced immense pressure from university studies and was misguided by the education consultancy that brought him here. The stress and challenges he endured became too much for him to handle,” Nikhil’s brother Ganesh Regmi said in an heartfelt plea on GoFundMe.

many on social media have called for better oversight of education consultancies and for universities to ramp up outreach, especially for international students who may find it difficult to ask for help until it’s too late.
Vale Nikhil Sapkota

Read the full story on www.sagatimes.com.au

#nikhilsapkota #nepalinAustralia #studyinAustralia #SydneyStudents #nepal

$3000 hit for Sydney’s dodgy taxi drivers:

Taxi drivers who refuse fares, dodge their meters or overcharge passengers will soon be hit with fines of up to $3000, under a major crackdown on rogue behaviour across New South Wales’ cab industry.
The Minns Labor Government has announced that penalties for fare-related offences will triple from $1000 to $3000 in an effort to stamp out dodgy practices and restore public trust.
Transport Minister John Graham said the penalty hike was about sending a “big flashing light” to drivers tempted to break the rules.
Last month, the government introduced a flat $60 fare from Sydney Airport to the CBD to stop rorts that have hit incoming tourists and first-time visitors. The scheme mirrors systems in other major cities like New York, where flat airport fares have minimised disputes and set expectations upfront.
Recent prosecutions show why the tougher stance is needed. One Sydney driver was fined $2000 after charging an overseas family $188 for a 13-kilometre trip without using the meter. Others have faced penalties of up to $12,000 for overcharging or offensive behaviour.
Read the full story on sagatimes.com.au

#sydneytaxi #taxirort #taxidrivers #sydneyairporttaxi

Meet Paramjeet - Australia Border Force’s Newest Recruit

When Parmjeet stepped off a plane into her new life in Australia 18 years ago, she didn’t expect a uniform to figure so strongly in her future.
But one instant – catching sight of Australian Border Force officers at work – sparked a commitment she would carry for nearly two decades.
This year, that promise came full circle as she graduated into the ABF through its specialised BFORT program, fulfilling both a personal ambition and a professional calling.
Paramjeet recently completed the force’s BFORT training program, a pathway designed to prepare recruits for roles protecting the nation’s front line. (Photos:ABF)

Read the full story on sagatimes.com.au
#abf #australianborderforce #Indiansinaustralia #australiajobs

Servo Operators Hit With Over $233k In Fines For Ripping Off International Student Staff

Former operators of United Petroleum outlets across Australia have been hit with more than $233,000 in court-ordered fines after the Fair Work Ombudsman uncovered systematic underpayments of international student workers and breaches of basic workplace laws.

The Fair Work Ombudsman initiated audits of 20 stores across South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, Queensland and New South Wales after widespread concerns about underpayment and non-compliance.

The Fair Work Ombudsman uncovered systematic underpayments of international student workers and breaches of basic workplace laws.

The Federal Circuit and Family Court imposed a $35,000 penalty on Sai Enterprises Pty Ltd, which formerly operated the United Petroleum outlet at Queenstown, Adelaide, and an additional $3,500 on former site manager Raman Monga.

In February this year, the FWO secured $179,221 in penalties against two United Petroleum outlets in Tasmania.

Another case in August saw Brisbane operator Navaneeth Gogikar fined $15,984.

One remaining action involving Melbourne operator Bharathi Karnati is still before the courts.
In the seven financial years to June 2024, Fair Work Ombudsman said it had filed 146 litigations involving visa holder workers and secured nearly $23 million in penalties.
Read the full story on www,sagatimes.com.au

#fairworkaustralia #wagetheft #internationalstudents #Indiansinaustralia ##unitedpetroleum

‘Degrees Revoked’ : Western Sydney University Hit With Massive Cyber Security Breach

Western Sydney University (WSU) said it has referred a widespread scam email campaign to NSW Police after hundreds of students and graduates received fraudulent messages falsely claiming their qualifications had been revoked or that they were excluded from the university.

The university confirmed the emails are illegitimate and apologised for the distress caused, stressing that no degrees have been cancelled or affected by the scam.

Social media platforms, including Reddit, quickly filled with stories from recipients, many of whom suffered significant distress before discovering the messages were not genuine.

One Reddit user described the anxiety wrought by the scam: “My sister has received a degree revoked email at 2:50 AM on a public holiday. She finished her studies and graduated earlier this year in March… She is super stressed and doesn’t know what to do other than contacting uni tomorrow”.

WSU sought to redress student fears, and emphasised that all student enrolments and qualifications remain wholly unaffected.
In its statement, the university said: “Western Sydney University is aware of fraudulent emails sent to students and graduates, with some falsely claiming that they have been excluded from the University or that their qualifications have been revoked."
"These emails are not legitimate and were not issued by the University. We have informed NSW Police. As this is part of ongoing police investigation, we are unable to provide further comment at this time. We sincerely apologise for any concern this may have caused”.

Read the full story on www.sagatimes.com.au

#wsu #westernsydneyuniversity #emailscam #cybersecurity #databreach

Cricket Fever: Fans Snap Up Tickets For Epic Australia vs India Showdown

Cricket Australia announced that public tickets for the highly anticipated Melbourne T20 international between Australia and India have sold out more than three weeks ahead of the match.

Public allocations for matches in Sydney and Canberra’s Manuka Oval have already sold out, while the Adelaide ODI and Gabba T20I venues are close to capacity.

Overall, ticket sales across the BKT Tyres Men’s ODI and T20I series against India have surpassed 175,000, with just over 30,000 tickets left for the remaining eight matches in the series.

This sell-out follows a similar trend for the 2025 Ashes series, with public ticket allocations for 12 days of the historic Australia versus England Test matches completely exhausted.

This surge in ticket sales reflects the deep popularity of cricket in Australia, boosted particularly by its growing South Asian population and the immense following for India’s players, including T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav, ODI captain Shubham Gill and Rohit Sharma.

The series itself consists of three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), running from October 19 to November 8 across cities including Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Hobart, Gold Coast, and Brisbane.

Key fixtures for fans:

BKT Tyres Men’s ODI Series v India:
October 19: Perth Stadium (Day/Night)
October 23: Adelaide Oval (Day/Night)
October 25: Sydney Cricket Ground (Day/Night)

BKT Tyres Men’s T20I Series v India:
October 29: Manuka Oval, Canberra (Night)
October 31: Melbourne Cricket Ground (Night) - sold out to public
November 2: Bellerive Oval, Hobart (Night)
November 6: Gold Coast Stadium (Night)
November 8: The Gabba, Brisbane (Night)

The entire series will be available live on Kayo Sports and Foxtel, with ball-by-ball radio coverage on ABC, Triple M, and SEN. (Photos: Cricket Australia/ AusCricketTeam/ Team India/ MCG -Facebook)

Read the full story on www.sagatimes.com.au

#cricketaustralia #teamindia #indiavsaustralia #t20 #mcg

Who Is The Indian Billionaire That PM Albanese Has Invited To Australia… And Can He Take On Coles And Woolworths?

Australia may be on the cusp of a major retail shake-up after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese extended an invitation to billionaire businessman M.A. Yusuff Ali, founder of Lulu Group International, to bring his supermarket empire to Australian shores.

"One of the great things about the (LuLu Group) chairman's company, there are 300 supermarkets just like this one. I have encouraged him to come to Australia as well. We need more competition in the Australian supermarket sector, and we have had a little discussion about that: PM Anthony Albanese.

M.A. Yusuff Ali is one of India’s most celebrated retail magnates, although his empire was built far from his birthplace in Kerala.

Today, Lulu runs more than 250 hypermarkets and supermarkets across 23 countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
With an estimated net worth exceeding US$5 billion, Ali has been consistently ranked among the wealthiest Indians abroad.

The Albanese government’s direct outreach to Ali signals a renewed focus on attracting foreign retail investment, particularly from markets with growing ties to South Asia and the Middle East.

It is also another way to open up markets in the UAE and other countries to Australian produce and products.

"Australian produce is the best there is. I want to see it shared with the world," Albanese posted on social media on his visit to the Lulu Hypermarket in the UAE.
Is Australia ready for a taste of the Lulu experience — and are Coles and Woolworths ready for the fight?

Read the full story on www.sagatimes.com.au #albo #anthonyalbanese #luluhypermarket #coles #woolworths

Vishal Jethwa and Ishaan Khatter Are The Beating Heart Of Neeraj Ghaywan’s 'Homebound': Our film critic @avivekr reviews ‘Homebound’.

Neeraj Ghaywaan’s 'Homebound' does not merely tell a story; it forces us to confront our own privilege.

Ghaywaan speaks from the heart. '’Homebound'' is a blow to the gut. It is a hard-hitting reality rendered with devastating clarity, refusing to let us look away.

The film essentially belongs to Vishal Jethwa and Ishaan Khatter, who inhabit Chandan and Shoaib with raw, unflinching honesty. Their performances are the film’s beating heart. Janhvi Kapoor gives Sudha a believable presence who complements the friendship trio.

At its core, ‘Homebound’ is the story of friendship and survival.
Read the full review on www.sagatimes.com.au #homebound #ishaankhatter #janhvikapoor #vishaljethwa

Melbourne Couple’s Kiss At Indian Festival Sparks Backlash, Police Complaints

A Melbourne couple’s innocent gesture of affection has ignited a storm of outrage in India. A video of the couple sharing a kiss during a Navratri dance in the Indian state of Gujarat went viral, sparking police complaints, social media fury, and calls for legal action.

The incident unfolded at United Way Garba, one of the biggest Navratri events in the city of Vadodara in Gujarat.

Pratik Patel and his wife, both Australian citizens of Indian origin, were filmed kissing on the festival grounds.

Members of the Sanatan Sant Samiti, a Hindu group, declared the kiss an affront and demanded that the police act against event organisers for allowing “indecent” behaviour.

Summoned by police, the couple – married for 16 years and parents to two children – issued a written apology. Officers said the pair admitted their actions were inappropriate. Read the full story on sagatimes.com.au #indiansinmelbourne #indiansinaustralia #navratri #garbadance

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