Rant 1 - Speaking Freely

Rant 2 - First Lismore Visit

Rant 3 - Second Lismore Visit

Rant 4 - Third Lismore Visit

Rant 1

When I think about matters of a public nature, I believe that every individual should not only have the right to speak freely about or criticise our government departments and our representatives, we also have a responsibility to do so in order to keep them honest or ensure they do the best job possible for the community who empowers them in democratic societies.

An individual is often criticised for sharing their views particularly when those views are not popular. Sadly, many individuals are also often criticised for sharing views that many agree with but few will voice publicly. Criticism may sometimes manifest itself into abuse, threats or even violence. However, it is the individual which is the ultimate power in a democracy as it only takes one person to start the ball rolling to implement change.

It is unclear why many avoid speaking freely. It might be a fear of being ridiculed or being the odd one out. It could be a fear of repercussions from decision makers or the general public. Whether such fears are physically or financially based or result from a need to be accepted socially are very real concerns. It might even be that people could not be bothered or just don't care.

Whatever the reason, a choice not to speak freely should be respected as much as a choice to share views. Fortunately, there are also options available to those who choose to remain silent so that they may still be heard. Anonymous contact with representatives or some government agencies may be the chosen path. A chat with a friend might be the best solution for others. There is always someone willing to listen and to champion a cause. Never giving up is the key to success.

Over the years I have personally experienced considerable criticism, plenty of abuse, some threats and a bit of violence simply for publicly sharing my views. My businesses also suffer as individuals who do not know me or understand my views attempt to stop others from frequenting my business.

Since I am so very passionate and so vocal about local politics and local policing issues, I have even endured severe repercussions from local council and local police together with inequitable treatment on many levels. This inequitable treatment continues today and the financial burden has been considerable. So much energy and time is also wasted on standing my ground but it is important to stay strong and never back down.

I decided to do a radio show so more people could hear my views and thoughts instead of listening to the often biased comments of others. I do not hate council or police but I will not hesitate to criticise either for doing what I believe is the wrong thing. A clear distinction should be remembered - criticism does not mean hate.

Unfortunately, government departments employ people and people are slaves to human nature. We do not like those who criticise us or cause us difficulty and impartial decisions often disappear as people move into what I call 'C.Y.A. Mode' or 'Cover Your Arse Mode'. Instead of taking ownership of our mistakes and trying to remedy them, we tend to try and hide them so we don't look bad to our employers, fellow employees, friends, family or the general public.

It is time for serious change!!!

I plan to share some personal stories about some of my experiences with police and council throughout the rest of this show and during future shows. The police stories always seem more interesting to everyone so I will focus on those for the rest of this show.

Don't forget that the show is interactive while being broadcast on 92.9 River FM. You can join me at facebook.com/BigRobsOz spelt B-I-G-R-O-B-S-O-Z.

You can also follow the Big Rob’s Rant links on the Big Rob’s website at bigrobs.com.au.

Rant 2

I still remember my first visit to Lismore so vividly. I was driving a 2002 GTO Monaro. Of course it was red so it went faster. I just got back from an extended trip to France and had earlier picked up my car from where it was being stored on the Gold Coast. I drove to Lismore to visit friends and I was later shown around by a local who was helping me find a place to live in the area. It was fairly late on a week night in winter so nothing was open except the 24 hour service stations.

We decided to drive through the CBD to look at the shops. An unmarked police vehicle came up behind me in Molesworth Street and activated its warning lights. There were two police officers in the car who approached me. They advised I was stopped for the purpose of a random breath test and then made me stand on the footpath next to my friend while they went to make some enquiries back in their vehicle.

I moved a couple of steps towards a rubbish bin after a few minutes of standing unattended. The officers jumped out of their vehicle and one called out at me not to move. It looked like he had his hand on his gun as if he was ready to draw down on me. I immediately placed my hands on my head and walked towards him telling him to stay calm and that I was not doing anything. As I got closer, I turned my back to him and he pushed me down on my car and body searched me.

A second police vehicle then attended with the police supervisor on board. He did not get involved as he seemed content just monitoring the situation.

I thought I had left this sort of treatment in Sydney some 10 to 15 years earlier. I guess I had stepped back in time when I arrived in Lismore. I am referring to my heritage and my appearance. Although born and bred in Australia, I have been reminded so many times over so many years by so many that I am a 'wog'. My Middle Eastern appearance has caused me many problems over the years and here was another one.

After being completely body searched on the street in Molesworth Street, the police officers decided to search my car. I allowed them to do so since I had nothing to hide. I regretted this as soon as I saw them going through the vehicle. They were pulling everything out which included the boot lining. I was not driving a $5,000 P.O.S. but a $50,000 beast with full leather interior. I never did get that boot lining back in after they ripped it out.

After finding nothing illegal on me or in my vehicle, I was issued with almost $1,000 worth of fines for being unregistered and uninsured. It seems I had forgotten that my registration had expired while I was overseas. The renewal papers were sitting on my desk in Sydney and I had not yet made it home to see them to remind me. I never did tell the police officers the purpose of my extended trip to France or why I had forgotten about the registration as it made me uncomfortable. Needless to say now, I was in France while my mother was dying slowly from cancer and my mind was not on vehicle registrations. I copped that one on the chin.

Join me at facebook.com/BigRobsOz spelt B-I-G-R-O-B-S-O-Z or follow the Big Rob’s Rant links on the Big Rob’s website at bigrobs.com.au if you would like to make a comment.

Rant 3

A later visit to Lismore soon after being fined for being unregistered and uninsured was also an interesting experience. It was the night of an Indigenous football knockout. I drove along Woodlark Street and police again came up behind me. They activated their warning lights and I stopped directly in front of the 24 hour Caltex service station. There were a lot of people around on the street.

After asking the reason for being stopped, I was again advised that I was stopped for the purpose of a random breath test. I completed the breath test but police wanted to make further enquiries with my licence. They returned wanting to search me and my vehicle. I locked the vehicle and refused to comply.

I advised police that they did not have a reasonable suspicion to search as I was stopped for a random breath test and explained what happened on the previous occasion with the damage to my vehicle's boot lining. I also advised them that I would defend myself and my property if they tried to force the issue without first arresting me for an offence. The two officers returned to their vehicle with my driver's licence.

A short time later, more police arrived. The first two officers then approached me again and stated they were going to search me and my vehicle whether I liked it or not. I had my back to my car and was surrounded by specialist police officers from the Public Order and Riot Squad. Two van loads of these very large police officers were pretty intimidating. I got on the phone and got hold of the supervisor at the station who promptly made his way to the scene.

Fortunately for me, the supervisor was the same police officer who attended as back up during my first visit to Lismore. He approached me and we walked away from the many other police officers that were present. He took the time to listen and understood about the damage to my vehicle. He offered that if I would provide access to what police wanted to see, police would not touch my vehicle. I agreed.

The supervisor asked to look in the glovebox and in the car. I opened the doors and police looked through it with torches. They then asked to look through the items in the glovebox. I agreed to this. I was asked about a fuel receipt with a Lismore service station on it from my previous visit. The police officer asked why I was hanging around. I thought his question was ridiculous so I ignored it.

Police then asked to check a bag I had and I allowed that. Finally, the police wanted to check the boot. I gladly opened it and pointed out the damaged boot lining so they could all take note. A few cheeky remarks were made by some officers. The supervisor thanked me, handed back my licence and said I was free to go. The police seemed happy with themselves. I went on my merry way and let this one go.

I am still posting on the Big Rob’s Facebook page at facebook.com/BigRobsOz spelt B-I-G-R-O-B-S-O-Z or you can follow the Big Rob’s Rant links on the Big Rob’s website at bigrobs.com.au if you want to post your views.

Rant 4

Not long after my second encounter with Lismore's finest, I was back in town. I was hungry so I decided to pull into the 24 hour Caltex service station on Woodlark Street. It was not very late. I parked my vehicle and purchased a sausage roll and a coke which I commenced eating and drinking beside my car while reminiscing about my previous visit. A few minutes later a police vehicle pulled into the service station and parked behind my vehicle so that I could not get out.

I finished my sausage roll and was having a drink of coke when the police approached me and asked for my licence. I asked the reason and they yet again stated for the purpose of a random breath test. I asked if they were joking and they said no.

I then asked if they noticed that I was not driving and I was parked on private property. One of the police officers tried to tell me that I was on a road-related area. After explaining to her that the service station was private property and how I thought the owner would be offended by any different assertion, I asked if they were sure the purpose for approaching me was for a random breath test. They said yes so I agreed. I handed them my driver's licence and they returned to their vehicle to make further enquiries.

Quite a number of minutes passed so I went over to the police vehicle to ask what was taking so long. I had finished my coke and wanted to leave. Both police ignored me so I tapped on the driver’s window and the passenger jumped out and asked what my problem was. I explained that I wanted to go and asked could they do their breath test. He grabbed the machine and came around and conducted the breath test. It was a negative result as expected since I do not consume alcohol.

I asked for my licence to be returned and they declined. Another police vehicle entered the driveway and all the police got out. I was now surrounded by four police officers who then told me they were going to search me and my vehicle. As on the previous occasion, I refused the search. I placed my keys down my pants and again advised police that I will defend myself and my property if anyone touches either without first placing me under arrest for an offence. I also offered my hands forward to be handcuffed to show I had no intention of resisting any attempt to arrest me.

A few minutes later a third vehicle arrived with a supervisor. He was quite aggressive so nothing was resolved. At one point I asked what was going on and he said they were looking for something to book me with. We had a strong verbal confrontation about his response during which I told him he was a dinosaur and I called him a tosser. He did not like that at all.

Police continued to refuse to return my licence or let me leave and I was refusing a search without arrest since they had no reasonable suspicion. They clearly stated their purpose for approaching me was for a random breath test. I gave them the opportunity to state another purpose but they declined. I would have let them search if they stated a reasonable purpose.

Some time later a fourth vehicle arrived. It was a highway patrol officer who got out with a clipboard. He was approached by another police officer and then started writing. I walked over to see what he was doing and noticed he now had my licence. I requested it and he refused. I had now been detained for a good 40 minutes without reason or arrest even after a negative breath test.

The highway patrol officer and two other police officers started looking around my car, through the windows and underneath it with torches. None of them touched it. The highway patrol officer then started writing again. I asked what he was doing. He stated that I was going to be issued with two infringement notices for a defective vehicle. I asked what those were and he stated I had illegal wheels and no rear muffler. As I know very little about cars, I asked him to give me the fines and my licence so I could leave. I was allowed to leave about an hour after this all started with my infringement notices.

The next day I spoke with some local mechanics who advised me there was nothing illegal about my car. I had two rear mufflers but they were located in front of the rear axel and were standard on that vehicle. The police missed them. They also told me the wheels were not illegal for technical reasons that I won't bore you all with here.

I wrote to the police to explain this and provided them with the information supporting it but they decided against withdrawing the infringement notices. I sent them off to be challenged. I spoke with the prosecutor at the mention and he also decided to continue. A hearing date was set. I then wrote to police stating that if I had to defend, I would commence a civil action seeking compensation.

It got to the day before the scheduled hearing date and I was preparing to defend myself in court. I heard my dogs go crazy so I looked outside. A police vehicle was in front of my house. I came out and they handed me an envelope containing a letter. They explained both matters had been withdrawn and the court would be advised the next day. I thanked them but said I would still attend to make sure. Sure enough, the matter was formally withdrawn the next day.

Such a waste of everyone's time and money!!!

Still going on the Big Rob’s Facebook page at facebook.com/BigRobsOz spelt B-I-G-R-O-B-S-O-Z or you can find me by visiting the Big Rob’s website at bigrobs.com.au and following the Big Rob’s Rant links.