William O’Sullivan beat his 22-month-old stepson, Mason Lee, to the point where Lee died from his injuries some five days later.
Details of 37-year-old O’Sullivan’s sentencing were released in the Queensland Supreme Court yesterday. He pleaded guilty to four charges, including manslaughter and cruelty to a child under 16-years of age.
O’Sullivan has been sentenced to nine years jail, six years of which are not subject to parole. With time served he may be out in four years.
The story of short, tormented life of Mason Lee is heartbreaking. He died of horrific injuries and in terrible pain.
In 2009, Heidi Strbak inflicted a series of fatal blows on her four-year-old son, Tyrell Cobb, in their Gold Coast home. Last year Strback was found guilty of manslaughter. She was sentenced to nine years in jail. She will be eligible for parole in 2021.
Full column here.
“Au Pair Gate” deepens, Mr. Insider as we read: “Fresh evidence indicates Peter Dutton did not make a third intervention to save an au pair from deportation, calling into question former Border Force commissioner Roman Quaedvlieg’s explosive claims about the Home Affairs Minister’s personal connection to one of the cases.”
Stand back all for a “Duttonation” any time soon!
https://tinyurl.com/y779gwaq
Bit of an interesting leap of logic there Henry. If Dutton didn’t make a third intervention then he may not have made any at all? Nice try that author.
Yvonnetas on the other side attacking a 9 year old child for daring to exercise her right to free speech.
No attack, you tool. Why do you always regard an alternative opinion as an “attack”?
I merely gave my opinion that a nine year should should not be used by parents to further their agenda. At that age she should be playing with her friends – having FUN. She is a young child FGS.
Poor kid – she stands to he bullied by her peers. Not much fun.
I say Boa, the urban dictionary indicates that a “tool” is “a guy with a hugely over-inflated ego, who in an attempt to get un-due attention for himself, will act like a jackass, because, in his deluded state he thinks it is going to make him look cool.” Is this what you had in mind?
And regarding your 9.27am “dog’s balls” comment, I will not have you associating such a disparaging reference to man’s best friend. I ask that you cease and desist.😉
Dismayed, there are an awful lot of people attacking this poor child and I just don’t get it. Seriously I think it is just bringing out the meanness I am seeing lately here in this country. A friend who has decided to live overseas has made the statement that Australia has lost it’s spirit……I’m not sure I agree totally with that, but the country has definitely lost it’s sense of the “fair go”
Dr Penny, media concentration has a lot to do with the polarisation of opinion in Australia I believe. Many will denounce that statement but look at the last decade or so and the correlation is clear. Yvonne remarks earlier about the other side. the comments section are right wing nut case echo chambers. Dismayed does not even get through the net I assume because my comments are not just more of the same right wing delusional hate speech, which they mostly are. Look at today’s Australian online, Bishop J being attacked because she dared to speak the truth for a change. The cons want to command and control but not be held to the same standards. I agree Dr Penny the country has lost it’s sense of the Fair go. When politicians stand in front of the Nation and talk about “lifters and leaner’s” and “illegals” and demonise minorities in the population and this hate speech is promoted as fact by 70% of the media most people have No chance to know what is going on and they are too busy working multiple causal jobs to have time to read the facts, those that do have time are more comfortable in the echo chamber having their bias reinforced rather than having facts presented to them. A recent research report from Harvard confirms this. C’mon Aussie.
Penny, the anger is at the left wing parents who gleefully put their 9 year old daughter into the media spotlight several times to peddle their own views and to get personal publicity – absolutely nothing to do with “fair go”.
JS I guess it is beyond most people of the right and the cons comprehension abilities to consider that the parents said the the 9 yr old child. “Go and do some research and and let us know what you think and feel and we will support you no matter what as long as you look at things across all angles” . Yes it is outside of the abilities of the right wing and cons sheeple to consider kids today can actually think about things for themselves. Poor effort JS No surprises.
Sure. Maybe that might happen on the Brady Bunch.
John Howard. Tony Abbott.
I didn’t see anyone “attacking” the child, Penny.
The general opinion over the wall, some extreme, some less so, was that the parents were at fault.
I agree – and I’m not a redneck.
I would be very concerned for the child. Maybe someone was, and that’s how the press got wind of it.
Children should have a childhood.
Oh, why not reply to my comment over the wall instead of here, Gary?
I’ll tell you why – because you are a coward who throws abuse from behind a non-de-plume – apart from the fact that your offensive posts would be instantly deleted on that side.
Its amusing watching you having to be polite over the wall. And don’t bother frothing at the mouth. Your style is very distinctive. Stands out like dogs’ balls.
ahh Yvonne your obsession runs unabated. thank you for saying I have distinctive style. Every now and then you make a correct comment. That is the first in while. the rest of your language is unbecoming. No Surprises.
For God’s sake woman, it’s dog’s balls not bloody dogs’ balls.
And while we’re talking about treatment of children, how is it that all these big brave media and politician types while talking about free speech and ignoring PC behaviour are belittling a 9 year old girl because she won’t stand for the National Anthem? This girl believes that the national anthem is not inclusive of indigenous Australians and she is right. Some politician even said that her parents were using her as a political pawn and by not standing for the anthem she was insulting Veterans and the country. As Advance Australia Fair was not the anthem during WW2 nor Vietnam I can’t see it myself. But hey when we can lock up children in detention for years, we simply cannot have a 9 year old showing perhaps more depth of compassion than a lot of the adults who are supposedly in charge.
Ah, the old upsetting veterans argument. Pretty sure servicemen fought for freedom which includes the freedom to dissent.
Just another attack on freedoms isn’t it. Freedom of speech, freedom to boycott the national anthem, freedom to disagree with popular ideas. Tattoo my arm with the barcode now please and get it over with.
Seems like any excuse to play it too. Was at the RNA show a few weeks ago and they played the anthem before the fireworks. WTF? I said in a loud voice so people close to me could hear, “What? Is the Bledisoe Cup match here?” Got a few chuckles.
“Tattoo my arm with the barcode”
What a frightening thought MtK but sadly it does seem we’re going that way.
Probably do it with an implant these days Bella, 21st century population control. Tattoos are so 20th century.
Hear hear Dr Penny, Hear hear. 1984 Advance Australia Fair became the national anthem. People are claiming soldiers fought and stood to this anthem during the world wars and Vietnam police action? It is clear in Australia today the right and conservative believe they alone are allowed to have an opinion and will rewrite history to prove it. Hysterical outrage daily from the the right and the cons. No surprises.
If not splendid examples of daily hysterical outrage how would you describe your rants Possum?
Rubbish Penny
At 9 years old she is reflecting her parent’s opinion.
It is called brain washing.
So the 9 year old child should accept the official orthodoxy and conform? That sounds like brainwashing.
An overweening respect for authority is a dangerous thing. The child might well inspire others to question and that can only be a good thing.
Precisely, JS.
Yes, the noisy old FSWs of the Right are pretty selective. They’ll scream themselves hoarse over the “right” to racially vilify (they’re at it as we speak), but at the same time, attack a little girl whose opinion offends them. And not a word in defence of the journalist the government is trying to jail for exposing its misdeeds in East Timor, which is a core example of what real suppression of free speech looks like.
New anthem, flag and Australia Day please. First part of the anthem should be sung in the dialect of the Aboriginal people who were present when the first fleet landed.
Mind you I disagree with the girl doing what she is doing. Rules are rules, particularly at school. No place for political or religous activism. That’s why we shouldn’t have pastors in state schools.
What a great idea Razor, definitely a new Anthem anyway. I’ve recently heard the song “We are Australian” sung in Aboriginal dialect and it really is wonderful to hear. I tend to agree with you (gasp) about the rules being rules though and note that the school did offer her the alternative of standing outside which she refused to do. The story though is such a non-event and by reporting on it gave all the Mark Latham’s and Pauline Hanson’s in this country opportunity to once again sprout their garbage. I note also that there are more people on the girls side in other media forums than are not.
I think getting a 9yr old child to take a political stance in the schoolyard is unwise. Year 10-12 kid maybe, but she is too young.
I have no doubt that she is parrotting her parents’ views Penny. My daughter at nine refused to eat cereal and it didn’t make national news. This is a story that should never have made it out of the schoolyard.
In another 70 years, if she is actually precocious and smart, they’ll probably look at her the way we do Germaine Greer today. A loudmouthed pain in the arse.
I think she should be deported, the little snot.
Who?
Not your daughter, Trivalve.
I wish my kid(s) did the same. Cereal costs a fortune.
Top post Penny.
The insistence on conformity is disturbing. It’s a bit creepy in fact.
I saw Australian Story online last night. It certainly seemed as though there was no immediate sense that Lynn Dawson had met with foul play as the husband appeared to be the sole person doling out the information and that appeared to be trusted. In hindsight it doesn’t seem unusual for someone to take a ‘break’ from her husband if they were having marriage problems but that doesn’t explain why she would still phone her husband and tell him that she needed more time but not call her family or friends, or just one of them, to let them know what was going on. None of that makes sense, or seems plausible, yet I can still see the dispassionate view of the DPP.
I read today that after all Hedley’s digging that they are or will be digging soon.
So Bella and Boa, I went along last night to hear Quentin Beresford talk about his Adani book and other things. I was happy to hear no outrageous claims from him and he spoke well, in the company of Canberra Times legend Jack Waterford. Interestingly, there were very few people in the audience under 70. Ageing boomer greenies, constantly grunting and nodding in studious agreement. I felt like a mole, a fossil fuel spy in a room full of fossils. They’re all off to blockade the railway if a sod is ever turned. They’d better pack the AED’s.
Good on them Trivalve, you’re never too old to change the things you can’t accept I say & if a “fossil-fuel spy” such as yourself found Beresford’s claims to be honest, did it alter your view of the proposed environmental catastrophe Adani would create? Serious question.
Also did you buy the book mate?
Bella, no, I didn’t support the Carmichael mine in the first place. I’ve met with them but that was my job. We never did the work (I’m not sure that anyone did). I just didn’t want to hear any outrageous lies. I thought about buying the book but I am so behind that I would not get to it. There’s a few things I’d like to tell you but at present I can’t.
The best part is that I was alerted to several more good author sessions coming up, including a night with Eric Idle of Monty Python.
Why just Adani Bella? You nod know what else is proposed for the Gallillee don’t you?
I know what is proposed mate but Adani have already commenced illegal operations by sinking six dewatering bores by drilling into the Great Artesian Basin aquifers WITHOUT APPROVAL.
That is extremely concerning since Adani have proceeded without completing confirmation that the aquifer feeding the Springs is not going to be disturbed.
Going on how bloody dirty & corrupt this company has proven to be, I’m not surprised but it still shocks me that you approve of this environmental disaster, for a few hundred jobs that will not be permanent anyway.
They still have no finance for the rail line with the Premier ruling out taxpayer funds from the NAIF & the big four refusing to finance it, so we maintain hope thst this filfthy scam is cactus.
God help the Galilee Basin particularly at a time of climate change and drought Razor.
I do, but if I told you…….well you know the rest.
Yes, I also thought Beresford was unhysterical in his assessment of Adani, the man.
Nice man (Beresford), who seems to have done his research.
We were just discussing the very same thing yesterday – why the predominance of elderly at these types of talks?
Ah, because they are responsible for the mess was the opinion.
Well maybe, but I think its a pity that more in the 40ish age group aren’t represented – the future leaders who will be fixing the mess. Hooefullyvtheg nay be too busy fixingcthings to attend!!
Well today’s news is that he’s close to a deal, Triv.
Interesting times ahead for our politicians one would think
Who?
Amazing how some people recognised Serena in spite of all the gendered, racist stereotyping?! I think Johannes Leak did one with her in it the other day; let’s hope that doesn’t stir any more of this ridiculous hysteria that is designed to silence/censor.
That Morrison, he’s kind of, weird.
Just kidding, he’s really weird. I have a bad feeling he thinks God chose him*, and a worse feeling that God did choose him to lead us into the end days. He, Morrison that is, doesn’t care about the planet he just wants us to have cheaper electricity. If he thinks the punters believe that he is definitely in the throes of pre rapture.
*Which would make him clearly more holy than the other sky fairy dingbats in the parliament.
He also vastly underestimates the interests of ordinary Australians but that’s been the overwhelming stupidity of the LibNats since Abbott the onion took the wheel JB.
If Morrison actually thinks he is the chosen one then all he needs is a big red cap with ‘Make Australia Great Again’ embroidered on it.
Reminds me of some other raging narcissist. He too won’t qualify for those much sought-after pearly gates. 🤐
They’re continuing the self-destructing as we speak, Bella. I had nothing against Turnbull as a person – I thought him a decent bloke even though not an effective politician. I am really surprised he seems unable to let go and is doing an ”Abbott” on Dutton. I thought he was bigger than that – but there you go.
So ….., the Member for Melbourne’s spouse is “hot” and he’s a global warming enthusiast. They’re perfectly matched I’d say.
All AFLW players should wear head protection, in view of the fact that women have thinner bones in the skull and another head clash will happen. $0.02
AFL players should too. They collide harder. But soccer players, especially women should wear head protection because heading the ball causes brain damage.
Theres considerable debate in the medical research field whether gayness in soccer generally is caused by the lesions in the brain from heading the ball or whether soccer players started off more inclined anyway.
$1.00.
I’m only guessing but all that time lathering up in the showers with other chaps could harden ones inclination to gayness if one had a disposition (or dat position!).
Most would argue they were born that way.
Interesting. It occurs to me that “soap on a rope” might have found the inspiration for it’s origin in that environment.
You’re either born gay or born straight.
Why would a room full of straight same-sex athletes be sexually attracted to each other?
It’s not rocket science. 😨
Whats a “straight same self sex athlete?”
Do you think gay conversion therapy as practiced by some of the more conservative religions could work on these poor souls JB? A quick game of soccer then instead of a shower and beers or a Pimms , straight off to the local Baptist church for a bit of anti-gayness.
Your thoughts?
Oh God no Razor. We don’t have enough gays as it is. I’m all for soccer conversion therapy though and yes soccer players should all be given electric shocks when they are shown images of a round ball.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aotlEpmAFVQ
At the risk of attracting at least one ever-enthusiastic commenter on the female form, here’s a piece on damage to breasts in contact sports.
https://medium.com/@jennah.ladycrunch/you-can-kiss-your-boobs-good-bye-fe433f806dd9
Control yourself Milt…this is serious…🤐
I don’t like females punching and kicking each other Bella, though it is their choice. That vid with the kick boxer was pretty awful and it stands to reason damage will be done as female breasts are designed to serve different purposes than mens. I won’t go into the myriad uses!
I’m all for saving and nurturing breasts.
There was a womens soccer comp that started in Sydney in the 60’s. Shock, horror. They had a special rule that let them use their arms to stop the ball if it was going to hit their chests. Long gone.
I have often wondered about Nth is Bella but for fear of being labeled a sexist I’ve been careful who I discuss it with. Mrs Razor and myself have been watching a bit of the womens NRL and have discussed this exact subject, our conclusion being this cannot be good for them. I don’t have the answer but I fear in years to come we’ll see some unfortunate results.
It’s bloody good footy by the way. Just like the game used to be played.
It already has.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-08-31/tragedy-strikes-for-travis-varcoe-sister-passes-away
the hohns disgrace continues. No Maxwell in the Australian squad. What does he have to do. It is clear he is not given the opportunities he deserves, So many young quicks around the country and they bring back Siddle. until hohns is removed from the selection panel Australia will be hampered.
Tend to agree Dismayed. Maybe Siddle because of the unrelenting slog that bowling in tests in the Emirates is. Don’t sacrifice one of the up-and-comer’s shins?
If you listen to Thommo, Lillee, Lennie Pascoe, Hoggy Michael Holding etc etc all the blokes that would play club, state, county and international cricket, bowl in the nets for hours each night they will all say it is because the young blokes are not allowed to bowl enough that they break down constantly. Tremain also from Victoria led the shield wicket takers last year he is no Pup. They will play 2 spinner and one of the batsmen along with the VC. M. Marsh will also bowl. They still only bowl 90 overs a day over there. The selection of Doggett I have no issue with but he bowls at about 135km/h he is not express through the air as hohns is trying to claim. Richardson X 2 either one of those should be gong ahead of Siddle in fact ther are probably half a dozen blokes who should have been picked before him. We see under Langer already it is about who you know what you can actually do. Maxwell averaged over 50 in the shield last year S.Marsh and Finch combined together averaged just over that in the shield last year. I have always been a Finch supporter but his red ball stats say it all. Hohns is and always has been the issue in selection.
Maxi told now he must make more hundreds. Travis head has played more first class games than Maxi and scored the same amount of hundreds. . Where is Darcy Short? He can bat from 1 to 6 and bowls very handy left arm leg spin. aagghhh
I say, steady up old chap, there are standards you know. If a fella isn’t quite pukka in conforming to the societal expectations of noble and glorious cricket and the gentlemanly establishment winning must become a secondary consideration. While fiddling with the leather and getting caught out is unfortunate, it’s not the same thing as poor deportment and imperfect reverence for ones betters.