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501 appeal: ‘Milk bar bandit’ Matthew Euese deported from Australia, leaving behind his children

Published

3 years ago

January 17, 2024

A young man who held up several Melbourne milk bars with a hatchet and was labelled a ‘milk bar bandit’ by Australian media has been banished to New Zealand.

Kiwi-born Matthew Euese, now 27, has been forced to leave behind his young children after the controversial section 501 of Australia’s Migration Act was triggered following his spate of criminal offending.

He had been living in Australia for 15 years when he was jailed in June 2021 for four years and two months on a count of intentionally causing injury.

The random victim suffered severe injuries, including a brain bleed, in a sudden attack at the hands of Euese who punched the man twice and then “threw” him in the gutter where he was left unconscious.

While it was the serious violence and lengthy prison sentence that led to the cancellation of Euese’s Special Category (Temporary) visa, which allowed him to remain in Australia, he has an extensive history of offending including four armed robberies, and one attempted armed robbery.

Details of his robbery spree around Melbourne were included in a decision released late last year by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal of Australia, after Euese made a plea to the authority to remain in the country.

It stated that in late 2017, he and his partner at the time held up five milk bars in four days, making off with thousands in cash and cigarettes.

Euese, then 20, stood over the shop attendants with a hatchet and made his demands.

Australian media reported the woman joined in the last robbery with a knife and a baseball bat, dubbing them the “milk bar bandits”.

The tribunal’s decision stated that following the robberies, the pair went to a bar where they were involved in an altercation that led to Euese assaulting a bartender and a patron.

They were arrested and Euese assaulted a police officer.

He was sent to jail for nine months for the robberies, the bar assault, the assault on the officer, and other charges.

The street attack on the stranger for which Euese was sentenced in June 2021 occurred within three or four months of his release from prison, and whilst he was on parole and subject to the terms of a Community Correction Order.

He has been in custody and immigration detention since his arrest for the street attack.

In his appeal against the decision to cancel his visa, the tribunal heard Euese has significant immediate and extended family ties to Australia.

He arrived in Australia in January 2006 with his parents and siblings when he was nine years old and has lived there ever since.

His parents and siblings remain across the ditch and he also has two young Australian-born sons who reside there.

Euese has maintained contact with his children throughout his incarceration and told the tribunal of his desire to build a conventional father-son relationship with them.

He argued that for various reasons it would be difficult to re-establish himself if he was returned to New Zealand, including that he would find himself isolated.

Euese said he was remorseful for his offending and was making positive steps to rehabilitate.

The decision stated his criminal history in Australia dates back to 2015 and referred to several factors from his background believed to have contributed to his offending, including homelessness, family violence, alcohol and drug abuse.

A counsellor told the tribunal that she had been meeting with Euese weekly since he was placed in immigration detention and that he had grown and learned a great deal during that time.

She said he had completed several courses including a diploma in mindfulness, become more aware of his triggers to poor behaviour or criminality, and identified the “appropriate” kind of person he wanted to be.

His sons were a “powerful motivating factor” and he has a strong desire to be a good father and a decent role model, she told the tribunal.

“He wishes to be the kind of parent that he did not have when growing up. [She] believes that the applicant is now equipped to achieve that objective.”

When determining his appeal, the tribunal accepted Euese has significant ties to Australia and that it was in the best interests of his children for him to remain there.

But it also highlighted the frequency of his repeat violent offending and found the gravity of his crimes to be extremely serious.

In affirming the decision to revoke Euese’s visa, the tribunal stated his risk of reoffending was “simply unacceptable”.

“The harm that would be caused if the offending were to be repeated, may be so serious that even the relatively strong countervailing considerations raised by the applicant are insufficient to justify revoking the mandatory cancellation of his visa.”

An online petition was launched in September last year, before the tribunal heard the appeal, calling for Clare O’Neil, Minister for Home Affairs of Australia, to allow Euese to remain in Australia. It gathered almost 700 signatures.

* This story originally appeared in the New Zealand Herald.

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Police say person who fired gun at officers still at large

Published

2 days ago

November 12, 2026

News Staff

Police say a person who fired a gun at officers in Napier is still at large.

Eastern District Commander Superintendent Joel Lamb said Police tried to stop a vehicle in the Pirimai Area at about 10pm on Tuesday.

He said someone in the back seat pointed what was presumed to be a firearm at officers pursuing the vehicle.

“Staff have then heard two distinct gunshots as the firearm was discharged.

“Fortunately, neither of our officers were injured, and the patrol vehicle did not sustain any damage.”

He said hours later, the vehicle was seen travelling north on the Waikato Expressway towards Auckland.

Police seized the vehicle at an address in Manurewa, but they had not found the alleged offender.

Lamb said people who lived at the Manurewa address were engaging with Police.

He said Eastern District and Counties Manukau Police were making enquiries.

“Presenting a firearm at a Police officer is a serious escalation that puts our staff and the wider community at risk. This behaviour is entirely unacceptable.

“We are taking this incident extremely seriously and will be pursuing all lines of enquiry to locate the offender and hold them accountable.”

Police asked anyone who witnessed the incident to contact Police on 105 or online using the reference number 261111/3764.

Information could also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

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New Zealand sides named for RLWC finals

Published

3 days ago

November 11, 2026

News Staff

The players tasked with ending Australia’s Rugby League World Cup dominance have been named.

The Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns have announced their squads for this Sunday’s World Cup finals in Brisbane.

Both sides are chasing their first titles since 2008, and both are looking to end their opponents run of three crowns in a row.

“Our Kiwi Ferns have been so dominant in years gone by, and we want to bring dominance back to this jersey, so I think it will be a case of who wants it more,” said co-captain Georgia Hale of the impending clash.

The Kiwis get a major boost for the final as they welcome back Ronaldo Mulitalo after he served a one-match ban for a high tackle against Fiji Bati.

Mulitalo replaces Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, who moves to the six-man bench, which again includes utility Te Maire Martin, middle forwards Naufahu Whyte, Erin Clark and Xavier Willison plus fullback Keano Kini.

Loose forward Joseph Tapine will make his 30th Test appearance in a familiar pack again, including second-rowers Isaiah Papali’i and Briton Nikora, and props James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota.

Winger Jamayne Isaako is on the cusp of claiming the New Zealand record for most Test points.

His five goals against Tonga lifted his career points tally to 225 – level with Shaun Johnson – while centre Casey McLean goes into the final with 16 tries in just eight Tests.

Fisher-Harris will again captain the team.

Fullback Ponga said the goal of the group was clear.

“We have high expectations around what we want to achieve, and obviously winning a world Cup is one of them.”

Meanwhile, Ricky Henry has selected a settled side to take on the Jillaroos, led by their lethal centre combination of Stacey Waaka and Mele Hufanga.

Veteran Apii Nicholls takes the number one jersey, Leianne Tufuga and Mackenzie Wiki on the wings.

Henry has stuck with his halves pairing of Chantay Kiria-Ratu and Raecene McGregor with Alexis Tauaneai, Georgia Hale and Otesa Pule up front.

Rounding out the starting pack is Shaniece Monschau, Kaiyah Atai, and Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa.

“We have been building well throughout the tournament; we understand the Jillaroos side, and will give it our all to make New Zealand proud this weekend,” said Henry.

RLWC Finals:

Kiwi Ferns vs Jillaroos- 6.10pm

Kiwis vs Kangaroos – 9.35pm

Sunday November 15

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Live blog updates on RNZ

Kiwi Ferns:

1. Apii Nicholls 2. Leianne Tufuga 3. Mele Hufanga 4. Stacey Waaka 5. Mackenzie Wiki 6. Chantay Kiria-Ratu 7. Raecene McGregor 8. Alexis Tauaneai 9. Georgia Hale 10. Otesa Pule 11. Shaniece Monschau 12. Kaiyah Atai 13. Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa.

Interchange: 14. Ashleigh Quinlan 15. Annessa Biddle 16. Shannon Mato 17. Ivana Lauitiiti.

Reserves: 18. Brooke Anderson 19. Zahara Temara 20. Brianna Clark 21. Abigail Roache 22. Tenika Willison.

Kiwis:

1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Casey McLean, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. James Fisher-Harris (c), 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Moses Leota, 11. Isaiah Papali’i, 12. Briton Nikora, 13. Joseph Tapine (v/c).

Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Naufahu Whyte, 16. Erin Clark, 17. Xavier Willison.

Reserves: 18. Keano Kini, 19. Phoenix Crossland, 20. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 21. Scott Sorensen, 22. Leo Thompson.

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Latest News

Parliamentary Service working on extra chairs and offices for increased number of MPs

Published

3 days ago

November 11, 2026

News Staff

The chief executive of the Parliamentary Service is confident there will be enough room to accommodate the increased number of MPs and their staff coming into Parliament.

On current numbers, up to 131 MPs could be sitting in the Chamber following the election, brought on by a record overhang result.

Clerk of the House of Representatives Dr David Wilson told the Spinoff that currently the debating chamber had enough chairs to seat 124 MPs – including the Speaker of the House – and work was being done to accommodate more by altering the seating arrangement.

In a statement, Parliamentary Service chief executive Rafael Gonzalez-Montero said planning for a larger Parliament had been going for “some time”.

“Now that the election results have confirmed an increase to the number of members we are looking at several options.

“We are confident we will be able to accommodate all members within the Chamber.”

Chief Executive of the Parliamentary Service Rafael Gonzalez-Montero appears before select committee. — Parliamentary Service chief executive Rafael Gonzalez-Montero.

VNP / Phil Smith

Gonzalez-Montero said office accommodation for members and their staff would be “stretched” for a short time, but the new Members’ Building was only a few months away from “practical completion”.

That building – located behind Parliament – was due to be ready to occupy in April next year and had capacity to accommodate around 30 backbench MPs.

“All members should be in fit-for-purpose accommodation from that point,” Gonzalez-Montero said.

Following the 2023 election, 123 MPs sat in the Chamber – a record number at the time. That decreased to 122 following the resignation of National MP Judith Collins.

Collins held the seat of Papakura and stepped down in May and Parliament voted against holding a by-election because it was too close to the election.

The election result also meant high-ranking National Party MPs like Chris Bishop, Paul Goldsmith, Nicola Willis and Gerry Brownlee – Speaker of the House and an MP for 30 years – would likely not make it back into Parliament.

Only resigning or retiring MPs were permitted to give a valedictory speech meaning none of them would get the chance to give a valedictory statement.

Asked if their would be special allowances for valedictories, Wilson said in a statement that normally only MPs were allowed to speak in the House but the House could suspend its own rules or temporarily alter them.

“It could do so to allow former members to address the House.”

Wilson said no such arrangements could be made until the next Parliament opened and members sworn in.

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