NSW deaths push road toll to seven

THE nation's Easter road toll stands at seven following two fatal NSW collisions.

The latest death was that of a cyclist, killed instantly when struck by a car on Sydney's north shore on Saturday afternoon.

Police said the male driver of the Mercedes sedan was uninjured but had been taken to hospital for mandatory blood and urine testing.

Two-and-a-half hours earlier, a man was killed when his car and a truck collided in the state's north at Tyndale.

The deceased driver is yet to be identified, while the man behind the wheel of the truck and his passenger both suffered non life-threatening injuries and were taken to Coffs Harbour Hospital.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash and witnesses are urged to come forward. A report will also be prepared for the Coroner.

The deaths follow tragedies in Western Australia, Tasmania and Queensland over the holiday period.

Three of the fatalities were on WA roads and involved young men aged 17-20.

A Chinese tourist was killed in Tasmania and a Queensland woman died after being struck by a car.

The 67-year-old woman died on the way to hospital on Thursday after she was hit by a station wagon while crossing the road in Beaudesert, south of Brisbane.

On Thursday afternoon, a 17-year-old boy died after being thrown from a car which rolled several times on the Gnaraloo-Quobba Road near the West Australian town of Carnarvon.

The East Carnarvon boy was taken to Carnarvon Regional Hospital but was unable to be revived.

Hours later, a 20-year-old man was killed when his Ford Falcon ute hit a tree on Collie-Williams Road near Collie.

His passenger, a 22-year-old man from Bunbury, was knocked unconscious and taken to hospital after a passing motorist pulled him from the burning wreckage.

On Thursday night, a 19-year-old Bruce Rock man died after his car hit a large tree near Bruce Rock east of Perth.

Also on Thursday, a 32-year-old Chinese tourist died following a head-on collision on a Tasmanian highway.

The woman from China was a passenger in a vehicle being driven by her 30-year-old husband.

Their Volkswagen hatchback collided with the Hyundai delivery van on the Bass Highway, west of Port Latta.

The couple were taken to the North West Regional Hospital, where the woman died. The man has undergone multiple surgeries and is in a serious condition.

(EDS: The Easter road toll figures are for the period 0001 April 17 to 2359 April 21)

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Off-duty policeman over the limit

AN off-duty policeman has been caught drink driving in Victoria.

The officer encountered a random breath testing site on the Old Princes Highway, at Beaconsfield in Melbourne's south-east, just after 8pm (AEST) on Friday.

The Leading Senior Constable is alleged to have recorded a blood alcohol level of .077 per cent, which is mid-range offence.

The officer was issued a penalty notice for $433, which also carries a loss of license for six months.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

MH370 search at 'critical juncture'

An underwater drone is continuing its Indian Ocean search for the Malaysia Airlines plane wreck. Source: AAP

THE effort to find missing flight MH370 is at a "very critical juncture", Malaysia's transport minister says as authorities mull whether to reassess a challenging search of the Indian Ocean seabed that has so far found nothing.

"The search for today and tomorrow is at a very critical juncture. So I appeal for everybody around the world to pray and pray hard that we find something to work on," Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said on Saturday.

The jet is believed to have crashed in deep and remote waters far off Western Australia.

But with no results from the multi-national search operation for the Boeing 777, which vanished on March 8 carrying 239 people, Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Thursday set a one-week deadline to locate the plane by mini-submarine.

The Australian-led search effort is relying on a single US Navy submersible sonar scanning device to scour an uncharted seabed at depths of around 4,500 metres or more.

Technical hitches, including the fact that the torpedo-shaped Bluefin-21 is operating at the extent of its depth limit, made for a slow start to the search.

Launched from an Australian naval vessel, the device has so far made six deep-sea scanning runs but has detected nothing.

"We have pursued every possible lead presented to us at this stage, and with every passing day the search has become more difficult," Hishammuddin, who is heading up the Malaysian government's response to MH370, told reporters in Kuala Lumpur.

As the search and rescue effort expected to be the costliest in aviation history wears on, authorities have indicated alternative methods may be needed, including possibly deeper-diving devices.

Hishammuddin said adjustments "may include widening the scope of the search and utilising other assets that could be relevant in the search operation", but he stressed the search would not be abandoned.

Earlier on Saturday Australian officials said experts were analysing data relayed by the underwater drone on its sixth mission and it had embarked on its seventh.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Speeding man overtakes Vic police car

A YOUNG man in Australia on a student visa allegedly drove his hire car more than 150km/h on a Victorian highway in peak Easter holiday traffic.

Police say the Chinese man was observed overtaking a tourist bus and numerous cars, including an unmarked police car, at high speed on the Bass Highway on Friday afternoon.

He was intercepted by highway patrol officers just before 5pm (AEST) after driving in holiday traffic and in excess of the highway's 100km/h speed limit.

The 22-year-old allegedly told officers he was "running late to get to Phillip Island".

Police did not impound the vehicle as it was a hire car, however, the man is facing multiple charges including driving at a dangerous speed.

He will face court on a date to be set.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Good Friday processions in Jerusalem

The crucifixion of Jesus is being remembered in prayers and processions throughout Jerusalem. Source: AAP

CHRISTIANS in the Holy Land are commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in Good Friday prayers and processions through Jerusalem's Old City.

Thousands of Christian pilgrims filled the cobblestone alleyways of the Old City on Friday along the Via Dolorosa, Latin for the "Way of Suffering."

They are carrying wooden crosses and following the 14 stations ending at the ancient Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Tradition says the church was built on the site where Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected.

The Easter holiday and Jewish Passover coincide this year.

According to the Gospels, Jesus ate his last supper - a Passover meal - hours before he was betrayed. Christians believe Jesus was crucified on Good Friday and resurrected on Easter Sunday.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Kate delights kids during hospice visit

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have visited Bear Cottage as part of their visit to Sydney. Source: AAP

IT was the simple things that the Duchess of Cambridge did that made the difference. A personal greeting and chat, a smile, singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star alongside small children facing the biggest fight.

There were no airs and graces, just a young mother bringing smiles to sick young children being cared for at Bear Cottage in Manly, one of only two children's hospices in Australia.

The palliative care of sick children is a cause close to Kate's heart, as she is the royal patron of East Anglia's Children's Hospices in the UK and has visited similar centres in Malaysia and New Zealand.

While Kate toured the centre's playroom, quiet room and music therapy garden, meeting with children some of whom were wheelchair bound or confined to stretchers, Prince William met privately with families.

Wearing a cream lace Zimmermann dress, Kate sat on a wooden garden bench and played a drum, singing the nursery rhyme with the children taking part in music therapy.

During an informal afternoon tea attended by families and centre staff as well as NSW Premier Mike Baird and Prime Minister Tony Abbott, the duchess made her first speech of the visit.

"It really is wonderful to be here today - having the chance to meet you all and to see the incredible work of Bear Cottage," the duchess said.

"The haven that you have created here is inspirational, and there is so much that you can share with each other as you continue to support and nurture those in your care."

There was a special moment for 16-year-old Daniel Howarth, who suffers from a lung disease and had a Union Jack flag strapped to his wheelchair.

"Very nice to meet you, Daniel," Kate said.

His dad Adam, 44, said it was amazing for Daniel to meet the duchess.

"We explained to Kate that Daniel's got chronic lung disease and cerebral palsy and we've been coming here for 10 years after major surgery," said Mr Howarth, who was at the centre with his wife Deborah, 43, Daniel, and 10-year-old son Lachlan.

"Daniel likes sport, Chelsea, so she was asking us all about sport and telling us her husband supports Aston Villa, and we talked a little about the English Premier League. She's so natural, engaging and friendly."

Sophie Martyr, 16, wearing a red bandanna after undergoing cancer treatment, was still shaking after presenting the couple with an artwork painted by Bear Cottage kids.

"It was amazing, it was just unforgettable," Ms Martyr told AAP.

"He (William) asked me about how I'm going and how I'm feeling."

Bear Cottage nurse Philly Smith, 44, talked with the duke in the garden.

"I think he made the families feel very special," Ms Smith said.

"One of the children is a similar age to his so he talked about that."

The royals then left - 20 minutes late - but before getting in the royal motorcade, Kate thrilled the crowd by meeting a number of fans and receiving flowers and a toy footy.

On his way out, Mr Abbott said it was a "fabulous afternoon for Bear Cottage".

"These are magnificent people here. There are some very special and brave kids here," Mr Abbott told AAP.

"To get this visit from Prince William and the duchess is just extraordinary."

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Easter road toll stands at four lives lost

AUSTRALIA'S Easter road toll now stands at four after a tragic opening to the holiday long weekend in both Western Australia and Tasmania.

Young men aged 17 to 20 account for three of the deaths, all in WA, and the fourth fatal crash involved a Chinese woman who was on holiday in Tasmania.

All of the fatal crashes occurred on Thursday and authorities have not reported a road death on Good Friday.

On Thursday afternoon, a 17-year-old boy died after being thrown from a car which rolled several times on the Gnaraloo-Quobba Road near the WA town of Carnarvon.

Police said the East Carnarvon boy was a passenger in a Nissan Patrol when the driver lost control of the vehicle.

People who had been following the vehicle stopped and performed CPR on the boy until ambulance crews arrived. He was taken to Carnarvon Regional Hospital but was unable to be revived.

The 17-year-old male driver was treated for cuts and bruises.

Hours later, a 20-year-old man was killed when a Ford Falcon ute he was driving hit a tree on the Collie-Williams Road near Collie at about 3pm (WST).

His passenger, a 22-year-old man from Bunbury, was knocked unconscious and taken to hospital after a passing motorist pulled him from the burning wreckage.

On Thursday evening and again in WA, a 19-year-old Bruce Rock man died after his car hit a large tree on Narembeen Rd near Bruce Rock east of Perth.

In Tasmania, the 32-year-old Chinese woman was a passenger in a vehicle being driven by her 30-year-old husband, also a Chinese national.

Their Volkswagen hatchback was involved in a head-on collision with a Hyundai delivery van on the Bass Highway, west of Port Latta, on Thursday afternoon.

The couple were taken to the North West Regional Hospital, where the woman died. The man has undergone multiple surgeries and is in a serious condition.

A 31-year-old Burnie man who was driving the van suffered minor injuries but has been released.

(EDS: The Easter road toll figures are for the period 0001 April 17 to 2359 April 21)

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Call for sanctions against N. Korea

Michael Kirby, the head of a special UN inquiry, has urged the UN to slap sanctions on North Korea. Source: AAP

THE United Nations Security Council should slap targeted sanctions on North Korean officials responsible for grave human rights abuses, the head of a special UN inquiry says.

Michael Kirby told an informal meeting of the Security Council convened by Australia, France and the US that he also wanted the reclusive regime hauled before the International Criminal Court (ICC) for prosecution.

"More monitoring and engagement alone cannot suffice in the face of crimes that shock the conscience of humanity," said Kirby, a former Australian High Court justice. "Perpetrators must be held accountable, it is necessary to deter further crimes."

North Korea did not send a representative and the meeting was snubbed by China, Pyongyang's sole major ally, and Russia.

"A new generation of senior officials now surround the supreme leader Kim Jong-Un," Kirby said.

"They must be made to understand that they will themselves face personal accountability if they join in the commission of crimes against humanity or fail to prevent them where they could.

"The commission of inquiry therefore recommends to the Security Council the adoption of targeted sanctions against those individuals most responsible for crimes against humanity."

Kirby said the proposal to refer North Koreans to the ICC had found favour with most countries present, but UN diplomats said any move would likely face fierce opposition from China, the North's economic lifeline.

In March, the UN's top rights body also called on the Security Council to act against officials responsible for a litany of crimes against humanity in North Korea.

Kirby's commission of inquiry on North Korea released a hard-hitting report on the nuclear-armed totalitarian state in February that documented a range of gross human rights abuses, including extermination, enslavement and sexual violence.

North Korea refused to co-operate with the probe and said the evidence was "fabricated" by "forces hostile" to the country.

After the meeting, US ambassador to the UN Samantha Power praised council members for joining other countries for the first time to discuss the North's "tragic human rights situation in North Korea".

"We heard directly from the authors of a thorough, objective and credible UN report, and from victims of North Korean atrocities themselves," she said.

"These firsthand accounts - horrific stories of torture, rape, forced abortions and forced infanticide, extermination and murder - paint a chilling picture of the regime's systematic and remorseless repression of its citizens."

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Aust journalist faces 7 years in Thai jail

AN Australian journalist and a Thai reporter have faced court in Phuket on charges of defaming Thailand's navy in an online news report which alleged security forces were involved in people smuggling.

Alan Morison, 66, formerly of Melbourne, and local reporter Chutima Sidasathien, face prison terms of up to seven years as well as fines of 100,000 baht (A$3,300) if found guilty of criminal defamation and breaches of the Computer Crimes Act.

Prior to the hearing, Morison told AAP both he and his female colleague would refuse to pay bail as a matter of protest, even if it meant being jailed during the trial.

"We've said in principle that we won't pay bail as a matter of protest against the law, but it appears as though (their lawyers) are less happy with us going to jail so the bail is likely to be paid by others whether we want it to be paid or not," he said.

Morison is editor of the online English language news service Phuketwan which last July published a story which carried excerpts from a Reuters report alleging the Thai military was involved in trafficking refugees from Myanmar's ethnic Rohingya minority to Malaysia.

Outbreaks of ethnic conflict in Myanmar in recent years have led to thousands of Rohingya, who are largely denied citizenship in Myanmar, to flee the country.

But the boats often drift into Thai waters. The Reuters report alleged Thai naval forces and police cooperate with human traffickers to send Rohingya to primitive camps until families can pay a ransom.

Morison says the charges, filed by the navy, are a "set up" and part of efforts to shut down his website which has long reported on the trafficking of Rohingya.

Human rights organisations and the media have called for the charges to be dropped.

A spokesman from US-based Human Rights Watch, Brad Adams, called the trial "unjustified".

The navy "should have debated these journalists publicly if they had concerns with the story rather than insisting on their prosecution under the draconian Computer Crimes Act and criminal libel statutes," Mr Adams said.

The Bangkok-based Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand said it shared the view of the UN Human Rights Commissioner "that such a prosecution serves only to stifle media freedom on an issue of profound importance to the rights of a persecuted people".

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Vic man in court over partner's murder

A man wanted over the fatal stabbing of his partner in a busy Melbourne street remains at large. Source: AAP

A MELBOURNE man allegedly murdered his partner after they'd been in court about a family violence order, a court has heard.

Craig McDermott, 38, is charged with murdering his de facto wife of 18 years, Fiona Joy Warzywoda, in a Sunshine shopping strip on Wednesday.

McDermott, of Sunshine North, briefly appeared in Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Thursday afternoon.

Ms Warzywoda was in Sunshine Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning over a family violence order in place against McDermott.

The mother of four left her solicitor's office just three minutes before she was killed, police said on Wednesday.

She was stabbed multiple times in front of lunchtime shoppers in Sunshine's busy Hampshire Road shopping district.

Passers-by performed CPR but could not save the 33-year-old Melton West woman.

McDermott handed himself in to police on Thursday morning.

Prosecutor Tim Bourbon said police would speak to a number of eyewitnesses and examine a significant amount of CCTV footage.

"The incident occurred in a public place," he told the Melbourne Magistrates Court.

"The CCTV footage covers the lead-up to the incident."

The footage may also include Ms Warzywoda's death, he said.

Magistrate Peter Reardon agreed to allow the media to publish the fact that there was a family violence order, saying it was in the public interest to highlight cases of domestic violence.

"The victim, or the affected family member, had attended Sunshine Magistrates Court," he said.

"Subsequently she was murdered.

"In light of recent events ... in these circumstances it is in the public interest and just."

McDermott appeared in the dock with his left hand heavily bandaged.

He was remanded in custody for a committal mention on August 7.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Numbers man Baird vows to transform NSW

Mike Baird (pic) looks set to become NSW Premier, with Gladys Berejiklian to stand for deputy. Source: AAP

NSW Treasurer Mike Baird is expected to replace Barry O'Farrell as premier.

The Liberal Party room will meet at 3pm on Thursday when it is expected Mr Baird will be elected unopposed as the state's 44th premier.

After Mr O'Farrell on Wednesday spectacularly announced his resignation from the top job, Mr Baird and Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian emerged as favourites to replace him.

Liberal sources said Ms Berejiklian had the slight edge over her rival in the party room, but in the end, she decided to run for deputy leader on a joint ticket with Mr Baird.

Her decision avoids a messy factional fight between the party's left, who are strongly backing Ms Berejiklian, and the right, who were lining up behind Mr Baird.

Health Minister Jillian Skinner and western Sydney MP Stuart Ayres have publicly thrown their support behind the Baird/Berejiklian ticket.

Community Services Minister Pru Goward pulled out of the running for the deputy position, only hours after saying she would nominate.

At Thursday's meeting, Liberal MPs will formally accept Mr O'Farrell's resignation and confirm the new premier.

If Mr Baird is successful, he will become the state's sixth premier in almost 10 years.

Mr Baird said earlier that maintaining party unity was important.

"It is important that we all come together, clearly unity has been a hallmark of what we have been about in the past few years," he told the Seven Network.

Mr O'Farrell has previously named Ms Berejiklian as the best candidate to succeed him.

But Mr Baird has the backing of right faction MPs, who have been impressed with his aggressive push to privatise the state's assets.

Mr Baird is the son of Bruce Baird, who was a lower house federal MP in John Howard's government, and represents the northern beaches electorate of Manly.

Ms Berejiklian is the daughter of Armenian immigrants and holds the north shore electorate of Willoughby.

After the ballot, a ministerial reshuffle will be on the cards.

But, in line with a coalition agreement, the role of deputy premier will still be held by Nationals MP Andrew Stoner.

Mr O'Farrell resigned after giving misleading evidence to the Independent Commission Against Corruption about a $3000 bottle of wine.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Oil slick not linked to MH370: authorities

The search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 will push on over the Easter long weekend. Source: AAP

AN oil slick in the southern Indian Ocean is not linked to a missing Malaysian Airlines jet, Australia's search agency says.

The slick was found in a focus search area on Sunday, further raising hopes that the global effort to find flight MH370 might have narrowed in on the patch of ocean where the airliner went down on March 8, carrying 239 passengers and crew.

But late on Thursday, the Joint Agency Coordination Centre (JACC) ruled out any connection.

"Preliminary analysis of the sample collected ... has confirmed that it is not aircraft engine oil or hydraulic fluid."

Despite the news the search will continue throughout the Easter long weekend, with both aerial and underwater sweeps planned.

A Bluefin-21 underwater drone is scanning the Indian Ocean seabed, more than 2000 kilometres northwest of Perth, but is yet to find the wreckage.

The JACC also refuted US Navy claims from earlier in the week that the drone would take up to two months to sweep the search area.

In its latest statement, it revealed that the underwater search area has been "significantly narrowed" in recent days.

The drone has also been cleared to reach depths of more than 4.5 kilometres, with a small but acceptable level of risk.

"This expansion of the operating parameters allows the Bluefin-21 to search the sea floor within the predicted limits of the current search area."

But there has been criticism of the Bluefin-21 system, which has to surface to download information for analysis.

Richard Gillespie, who led the search for aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart's plane in the Pacific Ocean has told CNN that the Bluefin-21 "didn't work for us".

The US Navy has offered Australia the use of its Orion-towed search system, which can send back real-time data.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott is confident the search is focused on the right area, based on acoustic signals detected by a pinger locator towed by an Australian Navy vessel.

He told the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday that the best leads would be exhausted in about a week.

"If we don't find wreckage, we stop, we regroup, we reconsider," he said.

Saturday will mark six weeks since the disappearance of flight MH370.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Candidates line up to replace O'Farrell

THE blood had barely dried from Barry O'Farrell falling on his sword before his heir apparent Gladys Berejiklian was doing the numbers.

Within an hour of Mr O'Farrell's announcement that he was quitting as NSW Premier, the transport minister was believed to be hard at work trying to win over Liberal MPs to support her bid to replace the outgoing premier.

Ms Berejiklian, who is one of the key leaders of the party's left faction, is tipped to be the frontrunner to replace Mr O'Farrell along with Treasurer Mike Baird.

Mr O'Farrell has always seen Ms Berejiklian as his favoured candidate to succeed him.

Mr Baird is expected to win the support of the party's right faction, who have been impressed with his aggressive push to privatise the state's assets.

He is the son of Bruce Baird, who was a lower house federal MP in John Howard's government, and represents the northern beaches electorate of Manly.

Ms Berejiklian is the daughter of Armenian immigrants and holds the north shore electorate of Willoughby.

She entered the political scene as president of the Young Liberals and has gone on to become one of the better performing ministers in the O'Farrell government, managing the tough transport portfolio.

She recently launched the pay-as-you-go Opal transport card and has committed billions to the new north-west train line.

Finance Minister Andrew Constance and Community Services Minister Pru Goward are also understood to be in the running for next week's ballot.

Mr Constance may garner some support from the left and Ms Goward, who has been a particularly strong media performer on social issues, is popular among regional MPs.

Mr Baird said he was "incredibly saddened and shocked" by Mr O'Farrell's resignation but wouldn't comment on whether he'd run for the top job.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Note and 'memory fail' claim O'Farrell

BARRY O'Farrell swept to power on a promise of cleaning up NSW politics only to be brought down by his own hand and a $3000 bottle of wine.

The premier, previously described as a political cleanskin, made the shock announcement on Wednesday morning that he would resign, before appearing at the corruption watchdog to admit that evidence he gave a day earlier was mistaken.

At issue was a bottle of 1959 Penfolds Grange Hermitage - a gift from Australian Water Holdings chief executive Nick Di Girolamo that, on Tuesday, Mr O'Farrell had insisted he had not received and knew nothing about.

On Wednesday morning, Mr O'Farrell's handwritten note of thanks to Mr Di Girolamo for the wine - a gift marking his 2011 election win - was presented in evidence to ICAC.

The note read: "Dear Nick and Jodie. We wanted to thank you for your kind note & the wonderful wine. 1959 was a good year, even if it is getting even further away! Thanks for all your support. Kind Regards, Barry and Rosemary."

Mr O'Farrell maintained he had no recollection of receiving the gift during the busy first weeks of forming a new government but he accepted the handwriting was his.

"This has clearly been a significant memory fail on my part," he said.

But Mr O'Farrell had no choice but to resign.

"As someone who believes in accountability, in responsibility, I accept the consequences of my actions," he told reporters.

The outgoing premier returned to ICAC where, in a 20-minute appearance, he repeated that he had no recollection of receiving the wine on April 20, 2011.

Under questions from counsel assisting the inquiry Geoffrey Watson, SC, Mr O'Farrell maintained he did not know about a call from his mobile to Mr Di Girolamo's phone at about 9.30pm that night.

ICAC has heard that in 2011 Mr Di Girolamo was chief executive of Australian Water Holdings - a water infrastructure company with alleged secret links to corrupt ex-Labor MP Eddie Obeid.

Mr O'Farrell had been due to share the national stage with Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Wednesday to welcome visiting royals Prince William and Princess Kate and their son, Prince George.

Mr Abbott, who learned of Mr O'Farrell's decision following a text message, said the NSW premier had "innocently" and "inadvertently" misled the inquiry and done the "utterly honourable" thing by stepping down.

"We are seeing an act of integrity and an act of honour," he said.

NSW opposition leader John Robertson attacked the government, saying public confidence in the state's politicians had been "rocked to the core".

"What we see today is not about a bottle of wine," he said.

"Today is an insight into how the Liberal Party operates in NSW."

"They have allowed donors and lobbyists to get involved in the public administration of this state."

Mr O'Farrell was elected to state parliament in 1995 and became premier in March 2011.

No corruption allegations have been levelled against Mr O'Farrell.

The outgoing premier said he expects to formally resign next week, when his replacement will be announced.

Treasurer Mike Baird and Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian are considered frontrunners to become the 44th premier of NSW.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Perth airport road closed after threat

THE road that links Perth's domestic and international airports, and parts of a shopping centre in the city's southern suburbs have been closed after suspicious mail items were found.

Sections of the Riverton Forum Shopping Centre were evacuated after suspicious piece mail was found at the electorate offices of WA Premier Colin Barnett and Treasurer Mike Nahan.

That followed the discovery of three suspicious items at the Australia Post depot on Boud Avenue, Redcliffe, which links the two airports.

The suspicious items at the mailing centre near Perth Airport were analysed, and confirmed not to contain dangerous substances, police said in a statement.

A spokesman for Mr Nahan said he was not in his office at the time.

Employees at the mail sorting depot and other nearby businesses were evacuated as the police tactical response group's bomb unit investigated.

The items at the depot were deemed to be suspicious because of threatening words written on them, police said.

One was addressed to The West Australian newspaper.

At least three of the mail items contain a powder-like substance.

Police spokesman Sam Dinnison said officers were investigating whether they had the same origin "given the timing".

Road blocks have been set up on Boud Avenue and Dunreath Drive in Redcliffe, although both airports can still be reached via other roads.

Mr Dinnison said police would look into whether any other suspicious items may have already been delivered.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Singer Weller's photos worth STG10,000

Singer Paul Weller has won $A10,720 in damages after a newspaper published pictures of his children. Source: AAP

BRITISH singer Paul Weller has won $US10,000 ($A10,720) privacy damages for three of his children whose faces were "plastered" over a newspaper website.

Weller, 55, sued Associated Newspapers for misuse of private information on behalf of daughter Dylan, who was 16 when the seven unpixelated pictures appeared on MailOnline in October 2012, and twin sons John Paul and Bowie, who were 10 months old.

The one-time frontman of The Jam and the Style Council was not at London's High Court to hear the ruling.

The pictures were published after a paparazzo followed Weller and the children on a shopping trip through the streets of Santa Monica, California, taking photos without their consent despite being asked to stop.

Associated Newspapers argued that they were entirely innocuous and inoffensive images taken in public places and that the Wellers had previously chosen to open up their private family life to public gaze to a significant degree.

Ruling that there was a misuse of private information and a breach of the Data Protection Act, the judge awarded STG5000 to Dylan and STG2500 each to John Paul and Bowie.

He said the Wellers, whose lawyers had asked for at least STG15,000 for each child, would have refused to give consent for the photos showing the faces of the children if asked and this was their consistent approach to dealings with the media.

"We are deeply disappointed by this judgment," a spokesman for MailOnline said.

"At the outset, when concerns were first raised, we made it clear to Mr and Mrs Weller that MailOnline would not re-publish these photos.

"The photographs showed nothing more than Paul Weller and three of his children out and about in public places. There was no claim and no finding that we had followed, harassed or targeted Mr Weller or his children and no request had ever been made to pixelate the children's faces."

The publication says it intends to appeal the decision.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Vic govt to consider IBAC changes

VICTORIA'S corruption watchdog could be beefed up after complaining it can't investigate some claims.

The Victorian government says it will consider changes to the integrity regime after the year-old watchdog called for stronger investigative powers.

The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) says there are cases where it has felt unable to investigate corruption claims because the allegations do not meet a high enough threshold under the legislation.

The IBAC also wants parliament to consider making it mandatory for heads of public sector bodies and local councils to notify it of corrupt conduct, as is already the case in other states.

The change should apply at the very least for more serious matters within the public sector, IBAC says.

Victorian Attorney-General Robert Clark said the government would carefully consider the various recommendations and suggestions made by IBAC.

In its report on its first year of operation, IBAC says it has been hamstrung by restrictions in the legislation which set it up.

"There have been corrupt conduct allegations where IBAC has not felt able to commence investigations because of threshold restrictions in the IBAC Act," IBAC says in the report released Tuesday.

Not all the cases were suitable to be referred elsewhere and this may have undermined its objectives, it says.

IBAC also wants powers to investigate misconduct in public office, as is the case under other Australian integrity regimes.

In addition, it flagged the need for stronger protection for whistleblowers.

The watchdog says there are cases where people who have disclosed information appear not to qualify for whistleblower protection and this may deter whistleblowers coming forward with valuable information.

Mr Clark said the government has made clear it will monitor the IBAC legislation and take into account feedback from the IBAC commissioner about amendments.

"The government will now carefully consider the various recommendations and suggestions made by IBAC," he said.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sydney boy aged four hit by car, dies

A YOUNG boy who was run over by a car in Sydney's west has died in hospital.

The four-year-old was crossing a residential road in Westmead on Tuesday afternoon with his mother and brother when he was hit, leaving him with serious head injuries, police said.

Paramedics tried to revive the child at the scene before taking him to Westmead Hospital, where he later died.

"The child's mother sustained minor injuries in the collision and was also taken to Westmead Hospital for treatment. The other child was not injured," police said.

The woman driver wasn't hurt and has been taken for mandatory blood and urine tests.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

PM keen to get 2nd airport off the ground

Western Sydney residents want the federal government to hurry up and approve a second airport. Source: AAP

LADIES and gentlemen welcome to Sydney's Badgerys Creek Airport.

The federal government has ended decades of indecision about Sydney's second airport, confirming work will begin in 2016 at the site, 56km west of the CBD.

But please remain seated - flights aren't due to touch down until the mid-2020s.

"There's been decades of procrastination here so we do want to get cracking," Prime Minister Tony Abbott said.

Private sector investment will cover the $2.5 billion bill for construction, including a 2.5km runway through paddocks, while the commonwealth will pick up planning and design costs.

In its initial stages the government forecasts a "modest" operation with a single runway and mix of intra-state, interstate, international and cargo flights.

Billions of dollars and some 60,000 jobs are expected to flow from the airport development by 2060, which has the in-principle support of Labor.

"When we see the detail we will be out there examining it," opposition transport spokesman Anthony Albanese told Sky News, while offering support for the announcement.

But Mr Abbott faces possible internal party dissidence over his hints at a curfew-free airport.

"We deserve what's best for our community and I don't support a 24-hour airport," Western Sydney Liberal MP Fiona Scott said.

Community consultation will be a compulsory part of the planning process, with concerns about aircraft noise and air pollution already being voiced.

The operator of Sydney Airport has first dibs on running the new facility, with two years to confirm their interest.

"Let's hope that they have a look at this and don't beat around the bush but quickly decide," an eager Mr Abbott told Fairfax Radio.

If Sydney Airport declines, the government will swiftly approach the open market and is confident of attracting strong interest.

Sydney Airport acknowledged the announcement, but pointed to the need for improved transport links and fuel lines for the Badgerys Creek site.

"The government's approach will be roads first, airport second," Mr Abbott said, adding that light rail services would be a state government responsibility.

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell is expected to meet with the prime minister on Wednesday to reveal further details of transport upgrades for the region.

Infrastructure Minister Warren Truss told ABC TV he expects the NSW government will build a rail line offering improved service to Western Sydney.

"Perhaps there could be a station at Badgerys Creek in due course," he said, but added that a rail line to the airport in the early stages is unnecessary.

Caltex, which supplies fuel to Kingsford Smith Airport, has a pipeline which runs from Botany via Silverwater, nearby Badgerys Creek.

Airlines will decide which of the Sydney airports they will use.

Qantas boss Alan Joyce welcomed news of the "vital" facility for Sydney and Australia and hoped the airline will be involved in the planning process.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

It's a royal croc block for George

THE royals aren't the only ones who cause a kerfuffle when travelling - it has proven so difficult to fly George the royal crocodile from Darwin to Sydney to meet his namesake that the two remain tragically separated by the tyranny of distance.

Young Prince George won't be accompanying his parents, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, when they visit the Northern Territory next week.

That means he won't be able to meet his crocodile namesake at Crocasaurus Cove, named George after he hatched on December 12, the day the royal pregnancy was announced.

"We did try to get the crocodile George to meet Prince George in Sydney, but unfortunately quarantine regulations did not allow the crocodile to get into Taronga Zoo," Northern Territory Chief Minister Adam Giles told reporters in Darwin on Tuesday.

"We don't know if there's any friendly political rivalry there, because I understand (NSW Premier) Barry O'Farrell is very keen for the bilby to be showcased to the royals, and the Territory wanted to showcase our crocs, because we do have the best and biggest crocodiles ... it's very unfortunate the crocodile won't get to meet the royals."

Flying crocodile George to Uluru to meet William and Kate is too logistically difficult, Mr Giles said.

Instead, the chief minister will take a group of nine secondary school students from around the NT for a half-hour meeting with the royal couple.

"This is an unreal opportunity," said Emma Kellaway, a year 12 student at Taminmin College.

"I'm very excited," said Tarra Brain, from Casuarina Senior College.

Grace Tozer, from Palmerston Senior College, wants to ask the duchess what it's like being swept up in the royal life despite not being born into it.

When teachers approached the family of Chevez Kirkman, from the remote community of Mutitjulu near Uluru, they weren't sure how they would react.

"We thought, oh jeez, some people still think of it as the invasion and all that, but when his father heard he'd been selected he was absolutely beside himself with excitement," Terry Brown, deputy principal of Nyangatjatjara College, told AAP.

The duke and duchess touch down in Yulara on Tuesday, and will present graduation certificates to students of the National Indigenous Training Academy before walking around Uluru.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Stocks to watch at close on Monday

STOCKS to watch on the Australian stock exchange at the close on Monday:

API - AUSTRALIAN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES - in trading halt, last traded at 56.5 cents

Drugs wholesaler and pharmacies operator Australian Pharmaceutical Industries is set to make an announcement about the carrying value of its assets.

BRL - BATHURST RESOURCES - in trading halt, last traded at seven cents

Bathurst Resources, which has cut jobs and delayed the start to its controversial Escarpment open-cut coal mine on New Zealand's Denniston Plateau, may raise up to $NZ6.87 million ($A6.41 million) in a discounted share placement.

ELD - ELDERS - down 0.5 cents, or 4.55 per cent, at 10.5 cents

Agribusiness Elders has appointed two more non-executive directors who it says will add to the depth of financial management and agricultural experience on the board.

WDC - WESTFIELD GROUP - down 13 cents, or 1.2 per cent, at $10.44

WRT - WESTFIELD RETAIL TRUST - down two cents, or 0.65 per cent, at $3.04

Shopping centre group Westfield's split of its Australian and New Zealand assets from its international operations has been backed by financial services firm KPMG.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Body of woman found in SA

SA police hope tourists in a motorhome can help shed light on the disappearance of a Frenchwoman. Source: AAP

A BODY believed to be that of missing French tourist Aurelie Lhorme has been found at the base of a cliff on South Australia's far west coast, police say.

Ms Lhorme, 30, was last seen in her parked car near the Head of the Bight Whale Watching Centre, near the Nullarbor Plain, on Saturday night.

"Police can confirm that the body of a woman has been found at the base of a cliff near Head of Bight," police said in a statement on Monday evening.

"The body is yet to be formally identified."

Police Special Tasks and Rescue officers abseiled down the cliff on Monday and confirmed the body of a woman had been found.

Staff at the centre had spoken to her after she appeared to be sleeping in her car on an access road.

Her car was found in the same spot the following morning, along with her mobile phone, wallet and passport.

A search on Sunday, involving an Aboriginal tracker, failed to find the woman and resumed on Monday.

Police want to speak to the occupants of a Jayco motorhome, which was parked next to the whale watching centre on Saturday night, who may have had contact with Ms Lhorme.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Man charged with murder of elderly woman

A MAN who allegedly beat an elderly woman to death has been charged with murder.

Police found the 61-year-old woman with severe head injuries when they were called to a Redfern home on Friday night on reports she was being assaulted.

"She was taken to St Vincent's Hospital where she died a short time later," police said in a statement.

They arrested a man, 38, at the scene and took him to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

He was under police guard until he was released on Monday afternoon, taken to Redfern police station and charged with murder.

Bail was refused and he's due before Central Local Court on Tuesday.

Investigations are continuing and police have asked for any witnesses to come forward.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Woolies breached shopper docket agreement

Retailer Woolworths has breached an agreement it had with the ACCC over its fuel shopper dockets. Source: AAP

MOTORISTS will still be able to get big fuel discounts by combining supermarket and petrol fuel discounts offered by retail giants Coles and Woolworths, a court has found.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) had argued that a Coles petrol discount of 14 cents breached undertakings the company had agreed with the consumer watchdog.

The undertaking prevented Coles from offering a discount of more than four cents, when it was contingent on a supermarket purchase.

But Justice Alan Robertson on Monday found that Coles' 14 cent discount was not in breach of that agreement.

He said that although the total discount that customers were able to get at the fuel pump was well above the four cents, the full offer was not linked to supermarket purchases.

"In my opinion, four cents per litre of the offer only was contingent on supermarket purchases and 10 cents per litre of the offer only was contingent on an acquisition of goods or services from Coles Express," he said.

ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said he was disappointed by the decision.

"We will carefully consider the judgment and its implications for competition in fuel markets and any detrimental price impact on fuel consumers," he said.

Justice Robertson did, however, find that Woolworths had breached the ACCC undertakings in its eight cents discount.

Customers were able to obtain an eight cent per litre discount on fuel if they spent at least $30 in a Woolworths supermarket as well as $5 or more at a petrol station.

The consumer watchdog had argued this was in breach of its undertaking with the retailer because the discount was only available to customers who made a supermarket purchase.

A Woolworths spokeswoman welcomed the decision, saying it provided it with clarity.

"We said at the time when we sought a declaration from the Federal Court that we accepted we needed to make our discounts independent of each other, and this change was implemented some time ago," she said in a statement.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ita heading south as category one

Cyclone Ita will menace the Queensland coast for at least another day bringing torrential rain. Source: AAP

QUEENSLAND - cyclone one day, sunshine the next.

Premier Campbell Newman is pleading with southerners not to cancel their Easter breaks, as the far north dries out and cleans up after Cyclone Ita.

"The sun, by the way, is shining again," he said.

"You're bound to have a great time."

On Sunday, the premier choppered into Hope Vale and Cooktown, which bore the brunt of Ita when it crossed the coast as a category four storm on Friday night.

He predicted it would take about eight to 12 weeks to "really crack the back of the recovery task".

"It's good that there is no loss of life but I can't stress enough (that) people have got to sit tight."

About 50 buildings were damaged in Cooktown and another five written off.

The town's water supply was critically low and it's hoped power can be restored to the water treatment plant by Sunday night.

In Hope Vale, the banana farm which sustains the local economy was razed.

While the sun was shining in the towns on Sunday as well as in Cairns, the danger is not over yet.

Cyclone Ita is expected to remain its category one status until late on Monday as it weaves on and off the coast south to central Queensland.

Up to 15,000 homes are without power and regional towns are flooding.

On Sunday evening, the popular tourist destinations of Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays were being lashed by 90km/h winds, and up to 400mm of rain could soak some areas.

Just north, Bowen copped 200mm in a short period of time, overloading the storm water system.

While there has been no reports of property damage as of yet, Mr Newman says the situation is worsening.

"There is an issue where the Don River is rising very fast and expected to peak at 9pm, and that may well cause flooding problems again," Mr Newman said.

On Monday morning, the premier will travel to Ingham where sugar cane crops have been flattened. The town is cut in two by a swollen creek and the Bruce Highway remain closed to its south.

Mayor Rodger Bow warned locals there was raw sewerage in the water and people risked disease if they ventured out.

"We had severe rain, about 300mm, and I don't know what kilometre an hour winds, but we have trees blown down," Cr Bow said.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Greens call for Vic clean energy fund

THE Greens want the Victorian government to establish a state-based clean energy fund to make solar panels more affordable.

Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne call for the creation of a Victorian Solar Fund to help homes and businesses deal with the upfront costs of solar panels.

Senator Milne said the fund would make money for the state and reduce power bills.

"Australia is a leader in solar science but is underinvested in solar power, depriving us of jobs that the community is calling out for," she said on Sunday.

"We can create the financial incentives to put solar panels on roofs, for no money down, delivering immediate savings on electricity bills."

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Man who stole Sydney cab charged

IT'S hard to find a free cab on the weekend but one drunk Sydney man may have gone too far.

When a taxi driver stopped to break up an argument on a Bondi road in the early hours of Sunday morning, one of the men involved slid behind the wheel and took off.

He was tracked to a Randwick street by the cab's GPS unit, but when police tried to stop him, he sped away.

Police caught the 26-year-old a short time later and breath tested him.

He allegedly blew 0.189 and was charged with high-rang drink driving, taking a car without consent, resisting police and failing to stop.

Bail was granted and he's due before Waverley Local Court in May.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Motorcyclist killed in Victorian collision

A WOMAN is dead after her motorcycle and a ute collided in northeast Victoria.

Police said the collision happened on Happy Valley Road at Rosewhite on Sunday afternoon.

The motorcyclist died at the scene, while the ute's female driver suffered minor injuries.

The state's road toll stands at 77, six higher than the same time last year.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More