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Teen sentenced
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SPORT
Proud walk for dads More than 500 people gathered at Berwick’s Old Cheese Factory on Father’s Day for Casey’s annual Man With A Pram event. MORE PHOTOS PAGES 13
Parents ready to explore the Old Cheese Factory. (Stewart Chambers)
Pickering probed One Nation’s Victorian leader Warren Pickering has admitted using drugs and losing his licence twice as a young man, declaring he is “proud” of the person he has become as controversy surrounds his past. The Pakenham candidate said he used speed, ecstasy and marijuana before joining the Austra-
lian Defence Force at 28, while drink-driving offences cost him his licence at 18 and 20. Mr Pickering acknowledged his actions had caused lasting pain but denied more serious allegations reportedly made by his former partner, Jo Scott. Among the claims was that methamphetamine was used inside the family home. Mr Pickering rejected suggestions he had ever taken ice, used drugs around the children or struggled with
addiction. Appearing alongside his daughter and stepson, the former combat engineer said the scrutiny had been difficult but insisted Pauline Hanson and the party continued to support him. His daughter Jhett defended her father, saying his children had always come first. Mr Pickering has sought legal advice over a potential defamation case and said he hoped his experience could encourage others trying to re-
build their lives. However, the controversy widened after ABC and Guardian journalists were ordered to leave before the press conference, continuing One Nation’s exclusion of selected outlets. Press freedom advocate Peter Greste described the practice as censorship, warning politicians should not decide which journalists are permitted to scrutinise them. STORY PAGE 2
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By Nick Wilson, Holly Hales and Melissa Meehan, AAP