Seven Charged in Over $1 Billion Alleged Fraudulent Compensation Scheme in New South Wales

Gareth Ward, the Independent MP for Kiama in New South Wales, is on trial for allegedly raping a 24-year-old political staffer and indecently assaulting an 18-year-old in two separate incidents occurring in 2013 and 2015. The trial at Sydney’s Downing Centre began on May 27, 2025, with crown prosecutor Monika Knowles outlining the allegations against Ward, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges. According to court documents, the first incident allegedly occurred after a Parliament House event in 2015 when Ward invited the complainant to stay at his home. The staffer reports that Ward attempted unwanted physical advances which escalated to sexual assault. The second allegation involves an alleged indecent assault on the 18-year-old in 2013, which reportedly began when the complainant visited Ward’s home after a party. Ward, who was previously a member of the Liberal Party, faced suspension after the allegations came to light in 2022 but was re-elected as an independent in 2023. The trial is expected to last four weeks, and the jury has yet to hear the defense's arguments.

An Australian man, Matthew Radalj, has recounted his nearly five-year ordeal in a Chinese prison, detailing extreme physical and psychological abuse. Radalj, who was sentenced after a 2020 altercation regarding a mobile phone screen, claims he was forced to sign a false confession due to the nation's 100% conviction rate, as reported by the BBC. Upon his arrest, Radalj endured severe maltreatment, including two days of beatings without food or sleep. His confinement in Beijing No. 2 prison entailed living in a filthy, overcrowded cell along with other international inmates, and facing constant sleep deprivation and forced labor. According to Radalj, the food served was mostly inadequate, often consisting of cabbage in dirty water. He also disclosed a “good behaviour points system” that prisoners could navigate to reduce their sentences, which he described as manipulative and psychologically torturous. After being released in October 2024, Radalj has started rebuilding his life, expressing ongoing concerns for other inmates he left behind.

Matthew Radalj, an Australian citizen, has come forward about his harrowing experience of spending five years in Beijing's No. 2 prison, where he endured inhumane conditions, including sleep deprivation, forced labor, and psychological torture. According to Radalj, he was wrongfully convicted following a dispute over an electronics repair and coerced into signing a false confession with the belief it would shorten his sentence. During his time in prison, he described overcrowded cells with never-ending lights, lack of sanitation, and a diet primarily consisting of cabbage and plain bread, leading to widespread malnutrition among inmates. His testimony is corroborated by former prisoners who chose to remain anonymous due to fears of retaliation, as noted by the BBC. The Chinese government did not respond to requests for comment. Radalj, who has now returned to Australia, not only shares his story but is also advocating for the rights of those still incarcerated. He reflects on the psychological impact of his imprisonment, stating, "With freedom comes a great sense of gratitude" and a responsibility to support fellow prisoners.