For all those who are screaming police state when the various governments enact public health orders to quell a pandemic taking lives; this is what is happening in our most populous state.

http://youtu.be/LGlUhmIpfKI

Why on earth the fixated persons unit of the NSW antiterrorist squad was deployed to arrest the producer of someone who had been highly critical of the ruling party? Why isn't an attack on our democracy deserving of the attention of us all?

Does it take GrahamY having to hand over his IP records to authorities for what has been posted on this forum before people wake up?

Dear Steele,

We do need to watch this case closely.

This use of this particular branch of NSW police
the "Fixated Persons Investigative Unit" (FPIU)
which was appointed in April 2017 as a result of
the Siege Cafe to look into people with "fixated
behaviour" that could be prone to violence - we
do need to question when is the use of this
unit appropriate.

And, what is "fixated behaviour?" It seems that in
this case - they aren't behaving at all appropriately.
Can a politician have this much influence?

Hi SteeleRedux

I admit I've been on "untroubled reading OLO or having to watch 25 minute posted Youtubes - in place of argument" Holiday.

Where you claim or rhetorically raise the question:

"Does it take GrahamY having to hand over his IP records to authorities for what has been posted on this forum before people wake up?"

Did Graham actually have to do that? Details please.

Dear plantagenet,

The video was not in place of argument but to provide background to the question/argument stating:

"Why on earth the fixated persons unit of the NSW antiterrorist squad was deployed to arrest the producer of someone who had been highly critical of the ruling party? Why isn't an attack on our democracy deserving of the attention of us all?"

There are plenty of posts on OLO criticising various governments so the notion that robust criticism of government figures could be silenced by a referral to an anti-terrorist squad on a very weak basis should concern us all. It was my way of putting the 'first they came for the socialists' proposition.

But no, at this stage i am unaware of approaches by law enforcement to secure the details of OLO posters although I suspect one or two may have come close to qualifying.

The video forms part of the NSW parliament inquiry into police matters and the grilling of two high ranking officers as to the appropriateness of how the force acted in the Cristo affair. i actually found it pretty riveting but I understand that will not be the take by all.

SR has planted his pennant.

Free speech by ratbag lefties. Extremely good.

Free speech by the right. Intolerable.

Hasbeen,
Properly summed up !

Questioning the behaviour of people in
positions of power should be allowable in
a democracy - surely? No matter which side
of politics they may be on. We do need to
question when is the use of this unit
appropriate when it was a unit specifically
set up to deal with violence and terrorist,
and "fixated persons."

Hey SteeleRedux,
I watched one of his videos and read an article which gives a better outline of the situation.
Video Here
http://youtu.be/JHMi--hJGqc
Article Here
http://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2021/06/19/friendlyjordies-fixated-persons-unit/
Here
http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jun/14/friendlyjordies-jordan-shanks-producer-charged-allegedly-stalking-john-barilaro

And Here
http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/may/28/youtube-comedian-friendlyjordies-sued-for-defamation-by-nsw-deputy-premier-john-barilaro

I've got to agree with you, I'd argue that use of the fixated persons unit was an overuse of government power.

"In announcing the new unit, NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller referred to people who are 'obsessed about issues, ideals or individuals' and are “plotting acts of violence” or “capable of acts of terrorism”.

"Lawyers for Barilaro say Shanks defamed the deputy premier in a number of 'vile and racist' videos. The NSW deputy premier is now suing Shanks (and Google) for defamation."

>>“By reason of the publication of [the videos] the applicant has been greatly injured in his personal and professional reputation and has been and will be brought into public disrepute, odium, ridicule and contempt,” the statement of claim reads.<<

Ok so he hires the best barrister money can get him because he doesn't the content of the videos; but to use the powers of his office to employ a terrorist unit upon someone who clearly uses youtube as a medium to share their opinions it starts to become questionable, more like a witchhunt.
Saying one has an obsession is one thing, but different in the context of creating stories in the public interest, for their consumption.
- Hardly any different than when Andrew Bolt or Paul Murry from Sky News have their 2 cents.

I'm not as focused about the environment as Jordon is inclined, so he's not really my cup of tea, but I think he has a right to his opinions.

I'd almost argue that John Barilaro himself is unfairly using the powers of his office “to cause fear of physical or mental harm” by employing this unit.

Doesn't being sued enable Jordon discovery on when Barilaro contacted this unit and whom he spoke to?

Jordon seems to recognise his limits in not saying anything that can't be substantiated, he doesn't seem to make untruthful claims, despite him showing Barilaro in a bad light.

- Definitely have to agree with Hasbeen though.

Dear Hasbeen,

Well you have got me there. I was the one who didn't support the right of Man Monis, the Lynd Street Cafe terrorist, to send letters to the wives of dead Australian servicemen but right wingers on this forum stood up for his right to do so. This was before the attack.

But how are you conflating my stance on this and other extremists with Friendly Jordies' producer being arrested at his families home and thrown to the ground and handcuffed by a unit attached to the antiterrorism squad?

This isn't so much about free speech anyway, it is about the unwarranted use of excessive policing to silence dissenters.

If you want to live in a world where potentially corrupt politicians are protected through their use of heavy handed policing to silence criticism then go live in another country because I don't want it here.

Dear Armchair Critic,

A decent dive into the issue so well done.

We do have to remember to separate the defamation case of Jordan Shanks which is a civil matter and the violent arrest of his producer on criminal grounds.

http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/episodes/jordies/13404388

Dear Foxy,

Indeed this should be something both sides of politics can agree on. It is just a little disingenuous of the hard core free speech advocates to let this go through to the keeper.

Dear Steele,

It seems that some of our resident free speech advocates
are selective in who they think should be allowed
to practice free speech. I'm actually surprised that so
few question the use of this particular police unit in
this way - when they question just about everything
else.

This is why the fixated person laws are in place:

"The Labour MP Jo Cox was repeatedly shot and stabbed in a “brutal, cowardly” and politically motivated murder, the trial of the man accused of the killing was told on Monday.

Thomas Mair uttered the words “Britain first” and “keep Britain independent” as he carried out the attack, Richard Whittam QC, prosecuting, told the Old Bailey.

The killer struck as Cox went about her business in her Yorkshire constituency during the European referendum campaign, in which she had supported the campaign to remain in the EU."

In spite of how SR wants to play it, this is not primarily a free speech issue. If this left whinger had emailed the MP instead of accosting him in the street and screaming in his face while the event was videoed he wouldn't be in the crap now.

Both SR and Foxy have form in opposing free speech, both being perfectly happy that Folau should have their career ruined from posting a biblical quote on his private Instagram page.

shadow minister,

You're bringing Folau into this - when the man had
signed a contract, a work agreement, which he broke,
and over which he had been warned multiple times
by his bosses to curb his behaviour. Shame on you.

Shame on you Foxy,

Firstly, Folau's contract did not stipulate anything about social media so he didn't break his contract, they brought in a new "code of conduct" later which legally was on shaky ground. The end result was that they had to pay out his contract in full and all his legal fees.

Secondly, his "crime" was a biblical quote on his Instagram page which is way less serious than what this "producer" did.

For some reason, the left whingers think it's OK to assault and abuse people but others should be severely punished for the slightest offense against random snowflakes.

shadow minister,

How on earth can I argue with your logic?

Shadowminister,

The number of times you get things wrong should disturb even you.

The fixated persons unit was set up here in AUSTRALIA because of the Lynd Street Cafe perpetrator not because of the stabbing of a politician in the UK.

And Christo did not scream at Barilaro but addressed him in a very measured manner at his car.

But you already knew that because we have discussed this before.

But I know a fix here. This is even Andrew Bolt on Sky News questioning the arrest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBOSdEfX97w

There, you now have permission to question it yourself secure in the knowledge you have not gone off message.

Foxy,

Let me use simple terms to explain. I used the murder of Jo Cox as an example of why the fixated person's unit was established not as the sole cause.

Secondly, the establishment of the unit had been planned before the Lindt cafe siege but was only formal set up after with the purpose of stopping people before they committed atrocities not just terrorists.

Thirdly, JB did not refer this idiot to the FPU, but a complaint was made by his staff to the police of harassment. The police decided that the behaviour was persistent and threatening and referred him.

All the above I gleaned from watching the video linked above.

The case is before the court and if he can show that his harassment of JB was not planned or threatening he will walk free.

Meanwhile, Kristo Langker will continue to face his defamation action which he can win if he can prove his allegations on youtube.

SR,

You are being more than disingenuous. Kristo Langker's approach was by any definition harassment. If screaming a question that Kristo already knew the answer to repeatedly in a voice that could be heard a block away is calm and measured then you and I have different definitions of the concept. There is far more evidence against him than there ever was against Pell.

Kristo is unlikely to serve a jail sentence but it should be a big wake up call to those that think violence and abuse are OK.

Jordan Shanks is about to learn an expensive lesson that criticism and humour are OK but defamation and libel are not.

Why do the Jews who broke Covid restrictions in Melbourne have their faces obscured?
Nobody else who broke covid restrictions gets this special treatment.

I googled 'Jews break covid restrictions' and I get so many responses I find it insulting to our country, their flouting of the rules.

http://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=jews+break+covid+restrictions

Yesterday Melbourne
http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/sep/07/victorian-police-monitoring-ultra-orthodox-synagogue-for-alleged-breach-of-covid-rules

3 Weeks ago in Melbourne
http://www.haaretz.com/jewish/news/.premium-australians-outraged-after-jewish-family-defies-covid-rules-for-engagement-party-1.10125938

March - Melbourne
http://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/prayer-groups-defy-coronavirus-lockdown-restrictions-20200326-p54e3r.html

October 2020 Melbourne
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8829979/Moment-furious-Melbourne-locals-accuse-orthodox-Jews-breaking-lockdown-laws-heated-row.html

Some Jews claim it's anti-semitism to call it out.
http://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/when-covid-19-rules-are-flouted-ultra-orthodox-jews-it-ncna1243590

Others try the apologist point of view
http://theconversation.com/jewish-history-explains-why-some-ultra-orthodox-communities-defy-coronavirus-restrictions-135292

Even in Israel, they flout the rules
http://apnews.com/article/pandemics-israel-weddings-coronavirus-pandemic-jerusalem-3d878012f21b061e244ccea43ba9e292

Why are they getting special treatment when they are repeat offenders?
A bit different to say that footy players wife Nadia Bartel who broke the rules.
Their are literally dozens and dozens of videos about her.
http://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=nadia+bartel

Yet she did not have multiple gatherings of 70 - 100 people like these other people have.

Shadowminister,

I had written: “The number of times you get things wrong should disturb even you.”

Yet you are still at it: “Meanwhile, Kristo Langker will continue to face his defamation action which he can win if he can prove his allegations on youtube.”

It is Jordan Shanks who is being sued for defamation not Kristo.

And to still describe Kristo's actions as screaming after watching the video is just ludicrous.

Dear Armchair Critic,

I'm not sure why you have posted the above here but I take your point to a degree. If this had been an illegal gathering aa a mosque for instance the Murdoch press would have been all over it.

AC,

I see your antisemitism is alive and well. The issue is not that what this Jewish family did was wrong it is that this type of behaviour occurs amongst every ethnic group probably the least in Jewish families, and when reported the ethnic grouping is not mentioned. That this single family was singled out for ethnic exposure is what makes this racist.

If their Jewishness had not been mentioned their images would not need to be blurred.

Maybe you could point out the Muslims reported for breaking the same laws, which apparently is far more common.

I fully agree. What does their ethnicity have to do
with their breaking the rules? It appears to
deliberately select and target certain people.
We need to ask not why their faces were blurred but
why mention their ethnicity?

SR,

It was a typo that I subsequently corrected and you clearly missed. You also misspelt Kristo. Note that Auckland just had an attack by a Muslim extremist that could have been stopped if they had a similar law.

Your claim that Kristo "addressed him in a very measured manner at his car." is also BS.

However, if AVOs were acted on by the police an AVO against approaching within 50m with harsh penalties might have sufficed

Well there really does seem to be an unseemly haste to curb discussion on Kristo's case.

“NSW Police have asked a Sydney court to find YouTuber Jordan Shanks in contempt of court over a video he posted in August that airs a statement from NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro, which forms part of their case against a Friendlyjordies producer.”
http://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/nsw-police-ask-court-to-find-youtuber-in-contempt-over-barilaro-video-20210908-p58pys.html

The use of the law to shut down dissent in NSW should be worrying to many of us. This is what a police state looks like with law enforcement becoming an arm of politics.

In Victoria contempt of court is: "any conduct that interferes with the ability of the courts to perform their role. This can include conduct inside a courtroom, such as a witness refusing to answer questions, or conduct outside a courtroom, such as publishing information about an accused person that has not been heard in court."

But Barilaro is not the accused and quoting directly from a police statement shouldn't be contempt.

shadowminister,

Calling out to someone is not screaming at them no matter how much you try an define it as such. But happy to see a slight concession from you about an AVO. See, I knew quoting Bolt would give you permission to ease up a bit.

I'm paywalled out of the full article:
However - "NSW Police have asked a Sydney court to find YouTuber Jordan Shanks in contempt of court over a video he posted in August that airs a statement from NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro, which forms part of their case against a Friendlyjordies producer.

Kristo Langker, 21 was arrested by The Fixated Persons Unit in June and charged with stalking Mr Barilaro after he approached the politician twice, at maquarie University and on a street near parliament, to speak to him in videos filmed for the Friendlyjordies YouTube Channel."

Umm yes, that's what media who cover stories of interest are supposed to do, or did we all forget that's what is actually supposed to happen.

If we weren't all dumbed down that we buy into the official media liason role of 'Move on, nothing to see here!'

SR,

A bit full of yourself aren't you. If AVOs had a lot more teeth then it could be a good alternative, however, the way the AVO system works presently is insufficient and generally, breaches are either ignored or a warning is issued after several breaches and enforcements are often only after an assault.

As Jordan and Kristo show little regard for the law it would be worthless. An AVO with an immediate month in jail if breached, would do the trick.

Secondly, "calling out" to someone 2 meters from you in a voice loud enough to be heard a block away is not measured or reasonable and cannot be covered by "journalism

shadowminister,

You write: "Jordan and Kristo show little regard for the law".

Rubbish. Where on earth is it the law in this country that you can't approach a politician in the street and ask a question?

Kristo has fully complied with any law enforcement directions imposed by the court.

You seem hell bent on creating a police state when any questioning of authority is deserving of sanction. Or is it just if those politicians are potentially corrupt members of the LNP?

SR,

The last time I checked stalking was illegal. Defamation is generally frowned upon under the law as well.

Many people happily question authority. They don't get arrested because they don't slander, abuse or stalk people.

shadowminister,

Stalking? AVOs? Get your hand off it mate.

Kristo went with Friendly Jordies to the Politics at the Pub night at the university to confront Barilaro then while walking from his job at the Conservatory of Music back to his family home saw Barilaro about to get into his car and called out to him.

That does not amount ot stalking in anyone's language except those determined to support the actions of a police state.

As to AVOs, they are Apprehended Violence Orders. How on earth can Kristo's conduct amount to any threat of violence? If it did Howard would have had the Chasers jailed on multiple occasions. He didn't, more over he accepted it as part of normal politics.

Bloody rightwing snowflakes are going to be the death of us as we march blithely into a Police state supported by a cheer squad of shadowminister types.

SR,

Both Kristo and Jordan would have been perfectly aware of why they were being sued for defamation. Stalking him and screaming at him cannot be considered as anything other than intentional abuse.

That left whinge snowflakes think that it is OK to defame, threaten and abuse people is probably because they get away with it and the purpose of the fixated person's unit is precisely to protect those in high office from fanatical nut jobs.

I don't think that the decision to prosecute Kristo was taken lightly and the courts will be able to decide.

SR,

If someone accosted Juliar Gillard and shouted repeated at her repeatedly "why are you such a liar" while she was alone whilst frequently producing videos claiming that she was corrupt would you consider that harmless?

Shadowminister,

In the first interaction at the university politics in the pub Kristo asked of Barilaro the following?

“I want to know why you are threatening to sue?”

When Barilaro said he was suing he asked:

“Why are you suing?”

On the second occasion he said the following:

Hey John? John? John? Hey John. I've got something for you. John, you're suing my boss. John? John?

That is it.

https://youtu.be/OXtq4a8829g?t=465

It wasn't screamed as you asserted, it wasn't done in a threatening manner, he didn't call him a liar, it wasn't even shouted either.

Nor was Barilaro alone as you asset. He was with his dive. it was Kristo who was alone.

You, in your usual fashion are doubling down on your utter falsehoods. Pretty pathetic.

This is about a politician who continues to act in a manner which causes so many to question his integrity.

http://youtu.be/vWsJ1hoeh34?t=62

Why are you defending him?

SR,

My interest does not lie really with the pissant little youtube channel of Jordan Skanks and his sidekick Kristo, but with the defamation case and the inclusion of Google in the suit.

That Jordan's claims that JB is corrupt haven't a single jot of evidence makes the defamation case as close to a slam dunk as possible. This is why I believe that JB and mates are using this to clip Google's wings as taking on Google is not to be taken lightly.

No matter how you try and spin this all you are doing is damaging any shred of credibility you might have had.

As Google has refused to take down the defamatory videos any protection as an uninvolved carrier has evaporated, and while it may have deep enough pockets to cover legal costs and damages, contempt of court has real teeth as does the precedent it sets.

That the police have independently determined that Kristo's actions meet the legal standards of a fixated person does not help their case.

If Jordan loses, his war chest of $1m from left whinge follows is likely to evaporate just meeting damages and legal fees, and certainly would not be ready for round 2.

Shadowminister,

Jordan Shanks has more subscribers to his channel that both Channel 7 and Channel 10 news and he is fast catching up to Channel 9 so hardly pissant to anyone with a brain.

You now care more about the defamation case purely because your lies and exaggerations about Kristo's interactions with Barilaro were shown to be complete distortions.

But even you should be able to discern the difference between being sued for defamation and being charged with a criminal offence. There is the potential for the deprivation of freedom in the form of detention behind bars. It is designed to curb dissent and is a direct result of a politician or his staff directing a goon squad to arrest Kristo on spurious grounds.

This would worry most Australians, even Bolt, why doesn't it you?

SR

You are becoming even worse a liar than Paul. While I humoured your bulls1t spin on Kristo's stalking your arguments have zero believability. Jordan and Kristo's only topic is JB and the term fixated is appropriate. Similarly, your comparison between the clickbait subscribers to a youtube channel and viewers on channel 9 is laughable.

While the pissant Kristo is crapping his pants for petty crimes, the real issue is whether Google will be held responsible for hosting and refusing to take down defamatory material.

From what I can see Skanks' trial date is today. I am keen to see how it goes.

Not today. Only a Maria shanks

shadowminister,

Homoured me? Hardly. you gave up because your assertions were repeatedly shown to be crap.

Here is the list of FJs videos. Barilaro is a small proportion of them. He had earlier gone after Palmer and Palmer in turn sued him but later withdrew.

Look I know your side of politics are full of Barilaros skirting the edges of acceptable behaviour but the rest of us really don't have to stomach it. Instead we are more than happy to see someone like FJ hold them to account.

SR,

I believe that only Left whinge snowflakes jerk off to the pissant youtube videos produced by this narcissistic duo. This is basically preaching to the choir.

Your arguments are complete bollocks and I never gave up. Kristo and Jordan Skanks were stalking JB precisely because JB's suing them. The trial is set for March 22 after which the only skidmark these pissants will leave in history is a record of how badly to lose a court case.

As for JB Skanks has yet to produce a single jot of evidence that he has done anything wrong, and compared to the vastly corrupt NSW Labor these guys are angels.