News in brief
ADB to investigate John Laws, 2SM vilification claim
The NSW Anti-Discrimination Board (ADB) has confirmed it has taken on a complaint by Sydney equality campaigner Gary Burns against radio broadcaster John Laws and Sydney radio station 2SM over alleged homosexual vilification. The complaint concerns Mr Laws mocking Mr Burns with a lisp on The John Laws Morning Show on Wednesday, September 26 last year and comments subsequently posted by listeners on the show’s Facebook page, which described Mr Burns as a “poofter” and “faggot”. Mr Burns, who sued Mr Laws for $10,000 for homophobic comments in 2005, said he was seeking “the maximum aggregate damages of $100,000 under the jurisdiction of The NSW Anti-Discrimination Act 1977”. Mr Laws and 2SM declined to comment.
Police seek help after pedestrians run down
NSW Police have called for witnesses to assist with their enquiries after a woman pushing a child in a pram was hit by a car in Glebe on Monday, January 21. At about 12.40pm, a 33-year-old woman was pushing her 18-month-old daughter in a pram at a pedestrian crossing controlled by traffic lights on Glebe Point Rd. As the light turned green, the woman began to cross the road when a sedan, driven by a 22-year-old woman, made a right hand turn into Glebe Point Rd from St Johns Rd, hitting the mother and child. The woman remains in hospital with serious head injuries while her daughter suffered minor cuts and bruises.
Witnesses are urged to contact Crime Stoppers at https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au or on 1800 333 000.
Sydney’s got talent
Do you have what it takes to become an international singing sensation? Yes? Then get ready to grab the microphone and cut the rug at the City of Sydney Council’s annual Chinese New Year Karaoke Competition. Now in its fourth year, the competition offers fans of Mando-Pop (Mandarin popular music), J-Pop (Japanese pop) and K-Pop (Korean pop) the chance to show off their musical talents and battle it out for the title of Sydney’s karaoke champion. Entrants will be in the running to sing at the Chinese New Year Markets in Belmore Park on Saturday, February 9, with a slew of prizes up for grabs.
Heats will be held from 3-6pm on Saturday, January 26 and Saturday, February 2 at Mizuya Japanese Restaurant and Karaoke, 614 George Street. Email info@mizuya.com.au or phone (02) 9266 0866 to register.
