The Australian

[Coin]

He's got peas for brains?

 

Yeah, I'm terrible at this.

[krashr]

he just finds directing traffic to be very appeasing

[Officer620]

Could have been an escapea from a local psychiatric hospital.

 

Cheers!

[Shaundi.]

Could have been an escapea from a local psychiatric hospeatal.

 

Cheers!

Fixed

[Acehilm]

Fourth Qantas flight in 48 hours makes unscheduled landing

 

What the f*ck is going on? Are they doing training drills for a terrorist attack or something, since it's getting closer to New Years and our terrorism level is on high. I don't know, but the whole thing sounds a bit strange.

Edited December 9, 2014 by Coat.

[Finn 7 five 11]

It's open season on Abbott now, I'm seeing another morning show host (a step in host too) rip on Abbott, that's the third in like a week.

 

Everyone is firing back against him, big time.

Edited December 9, 2014 by Finn 7 five 11

[PhillBellic]

It's open season on Abbott now, I'm seeing another morning show host (a step in host too) rip on Abbott, that's the third in like a week.

 

Everyone is firing back against him, big time.

You know your in the sh*t when even Kochie calls you out. I have a feeling that Tony Abbott's days as PM are increasingly numbered.

[Finn 7 five 11]

 

 

It's open season on Abbott now, I'm seeing another morning show host (a step in host too) rip on Abbott, that's the third in like a week.

 

Everyone is firing back against him, big time.

You know your in the sh*t when even Kochie calls you out. I have a feeling that Tony Abbott's days as PM are increasingly numbered.

Some lady filling in for Lisa Kudrow on the Today show was who I was alluding to hahaha.

Kochi had a good go to, that was funny.

Karl Stefanovic started the trend.

 

Yeah I'm hoping to get him out soon.

[Pyrrhic]

 

 

It's open season on Abbott now, I'm seeing another morning show host (a step in host too) rip on Abbott, that's the third in like a week.

 

Everyone is firing back against him, big time.

You know your in the sh*t when even Kochie calls you out. I have a feeling that Tony Abbott's days as PM are increasingly numbered.

Some lady filling in for Lisa Kudrow on the Today show was who I was alluding to hahaha.

Kochi had a good go to, that was funny.

Karl Stefanovic started the trend.

 

Yeah I'm hoping to get him out soon.

 

Lisa Kudrow you reckon?

 

 

Haha I'm guessing you mean Wilkinson.

 

I really hope Abbott is gone soon. I'm not usually someone to throw around personal insults but that guy is an ultimate scumbag.

Edited December 10, 2014 by Linc.

[M22]

Good news for most aussies, petrol prices are slowly falling due to an OPEC announcement making the average price around $1.26 a litre compared usually to $1.55 a litre.

[krashr]

clearly huge fans

 

[M22]

MARTIN PLACE SIEGE IN SYDNEY

Atricle:

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/martin-place-siege-hostages-taken-in-lindt-chocolate-shop-by-armed-robber/story-fni0cx4q-1227156245751

 

It is believed there are 12 hostages in the Lindt Chocolat cafe.

Witnesses described seeing cafe staff and shoppers pinned up against the building’s front window, with their arms raised and a black and white Islamic flag in the window.

At least two gunmen are believed to be in the cafe.

A squad of heavily armed specialist police officers have gathered on the corner of Elizabeth Street and Martin Place.

Picture : Richard Dobson

Picture : Richard Dobson

Picture : Richard Dobson

Police have cordoned off a huge chunk of the CBD as worried crowds gather at the perimeter.

Castlereagh Street is swarming with hundreds of shocked onlookers and media personnel.

All schools and government buildings in the city are in lockdown.

A number of senior level state government officials are holed up in their Martin Place offices, overlooking the siege below.

They are awaiting instructions from police. One government source said they could see the terrified faces of the hostages looking up at them.

The area was shut down and scores of police are surrounding the building after the alarm was raised about 9.45am.

Picture: Twitter

Picture: Twitter

The Opera House has been abandoned following the discovery of a suspicious package.

Police are investigating however it is not known if it is linked to the siege at Martin Place.

Police have closed off Martin Place between Macquarie and Elizabeth Streets, and Martin Place train station has been cleared. Police have cordoned off the area to about 150m and a special police operations unit is outside the building.

Picture : Richard Dobson

Picture : Richard Dobson

The scene of a seige at the Lindt Cafe in Sydney's Martin Place.

Armed police in Sydney's Martin Place.

Hostages hold up an Islamic flag at Lindt Cafe in Sydney's Martin Place.

The scene of a seige at the Lindt Cafe in Sydney's Martin Place.

Martin Place.

The scene of a seige at the Lindt Cafe in Sydney's Martin Place.

The scene of a seige at the Lindt Cafe in Sydney's Martin Place.

Public transport between Central and Bondi Junction has been stopped.

Buses are diverting away from Elizabeth St and Hunter St.

Police are investigating reports of a suspicious package at the Opera House however they believe it is not related to the siege at Martin Place.

Police said they were receiving a host of reports all over Sydney from alarmed citizens.

There are various road closures in place and motorists are advised to stay away from the area.

In September Federal Police made a host of arrests after allegedly uncovering a plot to abduct a random Australian and execute them by beheading in a public place, possibly Martin Place and post the act on social media.

Hostage in the Lindt Cafe in Sydney's Maritin Place.

Lindt Cafe in Sydney's Maritin Place.

Just before 10am it is believed an attempted robbery was taking place when the offender then took a number of hostages inside the Lindt Chocolate shop.

The area has been cordoned off and police are urging people to stay away.

Police do not know how many hostages are in the shop or what the offender is armed with.

The Lindt shop is usually very busy with four or five staff at this time.

[Naomi]

Heya fellow Aussies,

 

In light of today's events in Sydney I thought I should inform fellow Sydney siders here at GTAForums of news I received recently from my mother.

I'll quote my own Facebook page: Please read and inform everyone you know. Thank you.

 

 

"IMPORTANT: A patient at my mother's hospital who is Islamic informed the staff to not be in Sydney city on New Years' Eve after they saved his life.

Please advise everyone you know to NOT celebrate NYE in Sydney city regions. NB: I'm not implying that the man in question is in any way connected with terrorist organisations, but that he has at the very least heard through the grapevine of these terrible intentions.

I should add that the man in question may himself be afraid of reprisals for even informing others of this situation. So let's not forget that we should remain calm and remember that decency and goodwill comes in all forms."

Edited December 15, 2014 by Naomi

[Wayne Daniels]

There is around 40-50 hostages now...

[Algonquin Assassin]

That's scary. Hopefully it resolves peacefully.

[MikeyBelic]

Prayers that all this resolves peacefully and everyone leaves safe and healthy. Australia isn't the place for this, nor is anywhere else in the world, never thought I'd see this in our beautiful country.

[Choymz]

https://twitter.com/9NewsSyd/status/544300945820352512

Wow. all i can say is that i would have never ever expected this in our country in a million years.

[Officer620]

https://twitter.com/9NewsSyd/status/544300945820352512

Wow. all i can say is that i would have never ever expected this in our country in a million years.

 

"Reports gunman says..." I wouldn't take that as a fact, more as speculation put in a headline to generate media views.

 

While it is still a good idea to exercise caution, it remains nothing more than an unconfirmed report. I do agree with what you said about not expecting this type of thing in Australia. It's very out of the ordinary. Alas, these are the times we live in.

 

Cheers!

[Choymz]

 

https://twitter.com/9NewsSyd/status/544300945820352512

Wow. all i can say is that i would have never ever expected this in our country in a million years.

 

"Reports gunman says..." I wouldn't take that as a fact, more as speculation put in a headline to generate media views.

 

While it is still a good idea to exercise caution, it remains nothing more than an unconfirmed report. I do agree with what you said about not expecting this type of thing in Australia. It's very out of the ordinary. Alas, these are the times we live in.

 

Cheers!

 

Example being the overhyped reports of a man being arrested 200m away. It turned out to be unrelated which was good. Our PM is due to make a statement in a few minutues.

[Officer620]

Responsible reporting indeed by the major news providers...

 

Cheers!

[krashr]

wow i saw this on the news while i was at lunch. crazy sh*t

[ArcadeWilliamz]

Just an another day in Sydney.

[Acehilm]

Just an another day in Sydney.

 

Not really.

[M22]

For people in Sydney travelling home:

Motorists and public transport passengers travelling through Sydney's CBD can expect significant delays getting home as the Martin Place siege continues to paralyse the city.

The police response to the hostage situation at the Lindt Chocolat Cafe at Martin Place has shut down an area from George to Macquarie streets and from Park Street to Circular Quay.

Police have blocked streets in the city. Photo: Peter Rae

The Transport Management Centre has told passengers and motorists to leave at their regular time but to expect heavy traffic and long waits.

Advertisement

Contrary to some earlier media reports, the Sydney Harbour Bridge has not been closed but access from York Street and Harbour Street has been blocked; the Cahill Expressway was closed in both directions.

"Citybound motorists are urged to continue to avoid the Sydney CBD and the Sydney Harbour Bridge as the police operation continues. Motorists can consider using the Sydney Harbour Tunnel and the Gladesville Bridge as alternative routes," the TMC said in a statement.

A map showing the siege location in Sydney's CBD, and some of the surrounding prominent buildings.

"Motorists travelling over the Sydney Harbour Bridge continue to be diverted via the Western Distributor."

Trains have resumed but are skipping Martin Place station. Ferry and light rail customers are advised to travel as normal.

The following bus routes are affected.

Roads affected by closures in the CBD due to the police operation in Martin Place.

• All eastern suburbs services that normally start from Circular Quay including Castlereagh Street services will start from St James Station in Elizabeth Street.

• Newtown services 422, 423, 426 and 428 heading out of the city via Castlereagh Street will operate on George Street instead.

• All CDC/Hillsbus and Forest Bus services will be picking up from Clarence Street instead of the QVB.

Public transport passengers can use their tickets across any transport type.

A spokeswoman for Sydney Airport said flights out of the city were unaffected.

Earlier reports that Sydney airspace had been closed were incorrect.

A spokeswoman for Airservices Australia said: "Sydney operations are continuing and Sydney airspace has not been closed."

This was confirmed by a spokesman for federal Transport Minister Warren Truss.

"There are choppers in the air and air traffic is being rerouted accordingly," the spokesman said.

Keep up to date with traffic conditions here

[Acehilm]

One of my mates father works on Hunter Street. Apparently it went into lockdown, but now they have evacuated.

[PhillBellic]

Just an another day in Sydney.

Maybe in some parts of the world, but in Sydney no it is not another day.

[Campo.]

What I can't work out is theres so many hostages and only 1 or possibly 2 gunmen? You'd have to think someone would attempt to overrule them?

[Ai®a©ob®a]

What I can't work out is theres so many hostages and only 1 or possibly 2 gunmen? You'd have to think someone would attempt to overrule them?

There is one gunman.

 

This isn't like the movies,

 

You have a gun pointed at your head and you have 14 other people in there with you.

 

It's too dangerous too try and do it also you don't know if he has a kill switch which he is claiming to have a bomb.

 

You are safer following his order than trying to overtake him

[Acehilm]

What I can't work out is theres so many hostages and only 1 or possibly 2 gunmen? You'd have to think someone would attempt to overrule them?

 

So you'd try to overrule them? I don't think so.

Edited December 15, 2014 by Coat.

[Coin]

What I can't work out is theres so many hostages and only 1 or possibly 2 gunmen? You'd have to think someone would attempt to overrule them?

 

Pump action shotgun means a few people are going to die or end up seriously injured before the gunman can be 'overruled'. And that's assuming everyone acts of similar mind.