McDonald's to mediate with Vic protesters

A Victorian judge ordered mediation between McDonald's and Tecoma residents over a new restaurant. Source: AAP

TALKS between McDonald's and a group of protesters could begin soon after they were ordered into mediation by a Victorian Supreme Court judge.

The protesters are against the fast-food giant's plans for a restaurant at Tecoma, 34km east of Melbourne.

They had tried to thwart demolition at the site by trespassing and obstructing workers, with some even planting themselves on the roof.

Yesterday's decision comes in the same week that a four-person delegation from the group brought a petition against the restaurant to McDonald's headquarters in Chicago.

The online petition received almost 100 thousand signatures.

15.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

New Sea World addition too cute to 'bear'

The first polar bear to be born in Australia in 28 years debuted at Sea World on the Gold Coast. Source: AAP

HE'S so cute he melts women's hearts and even grown men can't bear it.

Meet Henry - an adorable 19-week-old polar bear who is about to make a big splash at Sea World on the Gold Coast.

Staff at the theme park have fallen in love with Henry and he's sure to capture the hearts of hundreds when making his public debut on Saturday.

"Even the males who don't have an emotional bone in their body go 'oooh aaah'," Sea World's Director of Marine Sciences Trevor Long told AAP.

"Some staff members have been brought to tears when they see Henry.

"He is very cute and it is so special that people on the Gold Coast can look at a polar bear because there aren't many zoos in the world which have one."

Mr Long says Henry will captivate crowds as he explores his new exhibit 'Polar Pre-School' which he inhabits with his mother Liya.

However, those wanting to catch a glimpse of the cub should be prepared to fit in with his schedule.

"He plays for about 40 minutes, gets tired, goes for a sleep and then comes out again," Mr Long said.

Mr Long says Henry is about the size of a grown samoyed dog with the energy of a four-year-old child charged up on red cordial.

"He's about 12kg to 15kg," he said.

"He's very adventurous. Being a male he's very inquisitive and wants to learn new things."

Henry's cuteness also won't last forever as he is expected weigh between 550kg and 600kg once fully grown.

Sea World built its polar bear exhibit in 2000 with the aim of breeding the vulnerable species.

The first and last polar bear successfully bred in Australia was born in Adelaide in 1985.

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Pakistan releases senior Taliban detainee

PAKISTAN has released its most senior Afghan Taliban detainee, Abdul Ghani Baradar, a senior official of the interior ministry told AFP.

"Yes Baradar has been released," Omar Hamid, a spokesman for interior ministry told AFP, without elaborating.

The decision to release him on Saturday came after Afghan President Hamid Karzai urged Islamabad, during an official visit in August, to help set up talks with rebels allegedly based in Pakistan.

The ministry has been vague as to whether Baradar would be handed over to Afghan authorities or sent to another country to revive stalled negotiations.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said this week in an interview that Baradar might be sent to either Turkey or Saudi Arabia.

There are reports that talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban might take place in one of the two countries.

Baradar is the most senior of 34 Afghan Taliban detainees Islamabad had released so far.

He was the group's second-in-command until his arrest in 2010 from the southern city of Karachi in a joint raid by Pakistani and US intelligence agencies.

Islamabad said its decision to set free Afghan Taliban officials was aimed at boosting international efforts to end the 12-year-old conflict in Afghanistan.

But there are doubts whether the move can achieve the desired goal.

A member of Afghan High Peace Council, a body Karzai set up to spearhead dialogue with the militant group, last week said Pakistan's release of Taliban leaders has so far had no impact.

Diplomatic and intelligence sources said Baradar may not have the same influence within the militia as before the arrest.

"This is how it happens in insurgencies. Once you are arrested, your loyalty is in doubt," said a Pakistani diplomat.

"This may be true about Baradar."

A spokesman for the Taliban had already announced those who were in custody either in Afghanistan or Pakistan would not have any role in negotiations.

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Firies save homes from large bushfires

LATEST:FIREFIGHTERS have brought a huge bushfire under control after residents had been advised to leave homes for their own safety.

At 5.34pm, the Department of Community and Safety advised the Watch and Act alert for Sunshine Acrews and Nikenbah near Hervey Bay had been cancelled.

There is no longer any threat to properties after the bushfire around Vanderwolf Road and Barrenjoey Road, Nikenbah and Pindari Crescent and Barrenjoey Road, Sunshine Acres was brought under control.

Authorities said fire crews will remain on scene to strengthen containment lines and will continue to patrol the blaze tomorrow.

Residents in the area are expected to be affected by a large smoke haze tonight, and are advised to close windows and doors and keep medication close by if suffering from a respiratory condition.

Motorists traveling in the area are advised to drive to conditions.

5.18PM: FIREFIGHTERS are still battling a blaze that has burned an area the size of almost 180 football fields near Hervey Bay.

The fire broke out at Nikenbah just before 3pm and was expected to affect parts of Sunshine Acres.

A Department of Community Safety spokeswoman said about 200ha of land had been burned and residents were urged to enact their bushfire plan.

Those who decide to stay and defend their property should take precautionary measures including:

• Put on protective clothing
• Drink lots of water
• Move car/s to a safe location
• Close windows and doors and shut blinds
• Bring pets inside and restrain them (leash, cage or secure room) and provide water
• Wet down fine fuels close to buildings
• Remove garden furniture, doormats and other items
• Seal all gaps under doors and screens
• Fill containers with water - eg bath, sinks, buckets and wheelie bins
• Have ladders ready for roof space access (inside) and against roof (outside)
• Have generator or petrol pump ready
• Check and patrol outside for embers and extinguish any spot fires and seek shelter as the fire front arrives.

Residents are advised to call Triple Zero (000) if their property comes under threat.

For regular updates, switch on your local radio station or visit the Rural Fire Service Queensland website at ruralfire.qld.gov.au or at fire.qld.gov.au.

EARLIER: A LARGE, fast moving bushfire is burning near Hervey Bay with residents advised to leave their homes for their own safety.

The Rural Fire Service has told residents near Old Rifle Range Rd at Nikenbah to enact their bushfire plan and to leave now if their plan is to do so or if they don't have a plan.

They have been told that leaving is the safest option.

A Department of Community safety warning said only people who had well prepared and defended homes should stay with fire fighters making no guarantees every home can be protected.

Currently, 15 fire crews are working to contain the blaze which is burning near Booral Road and Pindari Crescent at Sunshine Acres.

"Residents should not expect a firefighter at their door," the warning read.

They have warned that property may be consumed by the fire at Nickenbah with the chance power, water and mobile phone supply may be lost in the area over the coming hours while the fire rages.

The fire broke out about 2.45pm at Vanderwolf Rd at Nikenbah and is travelling quickly in a north west direction.

It is expected to effect the areas of Old Rifle Range Rd and Barrenjoey Rd at Nikenbah.

Fire fighters are having difficulty controlling the fire and are warning that spot fires may occur ahead of the fire front and embers are being thrown from the fire.

The Department of Community Safety is warning residents it will be very hot and windy as the fire approaches and it could make breathing, hearing and seeing difficult.

Police are asking motorists to stay away from Booral Road at Sunshine Acres due to the fire.

Motorists are also being urged to not travel to the area.

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O'Brien gaining on Palmer in Fairfax

Major party MPs have defended the Australian Electoral Commission amid attacks by Clive Palmer. Source: AAP

THE Queensland seat of Fairfax is on a knife edge, with only 64 votes separating Clive Palmer and Liberal National Party rival Ted O'Brien.

The mining magnate had a strong lead 10 days ago on election night, but postal and pre-poll votes are flowing to the LNP and had slimmed the gap to just a handful of votes by Tuesday afternoon.

Mr Palmer has formally requested the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) conduct a recount in the Sunshine Coast-based seat, citing vote tampering and "irregularities" with the counting process.

The Palmer United Party leader has over the past week accused both the LNP and AEC of vote fraud and applied for a Federal Court injunction to stop the count in Fairfax.

The case was thrown out of court.

Mr Palmer has griped that there were 768 more Senate pre-poll ballot papers in a booth that did not have corresponding lower-house tickets.

"It would seem on the basis of the evidence that a fraud has been committed and that the AEC is now seeking to cover up this matter by creating and/or transferring ballots between booths," he said in a statement on Tuesday.

"Massive evidence is mounting to suggest this election has been rigged."

Mr Palmer also aired his grievances on ABC television on Monday night, claiming former military officers were controlling the electoral commission and rigging the election.

Senator Nick Xenophon, who was also on the Q&A program, called on Mr Palmer to apologise to the AEC.

"Clive Palmer would simply be a national laughing stock if his comments didn't impugn the integrity of the AEC," Senator Xenophon said.

"This follows his previous unsubstantiated and baseless statements that Greenpeace is funded by the CIA and (Rupert Murdoch's ex-wife) Wendy Deng is a Chinese spy.

"The integrity and decency of the AEC is beyond question, and to publicly impugn divisional returning officers simply because they're former military officers is grossly offensive to both serving and former military officers."

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Regis doubles full year profit

REGIS Resources has more than doubled its full year profit due to a boost in gold sales and higher prices.

The gold miner made a net profit of $145.7 million in the year to June 30, up from $68.2 million in the previous year.

Gold sales more than doubled to 253 ounces, from 107 ounces during the same period in the previous year.

That helped to boost gold sales revenue to $416.1 million.

The average sale price increased to $1,599 per ounce, up from $1,574 per ounce.

However, the cash cost of production rose 10 per cent in the full year, due to cost increases at the company's Moolart Well operation in Western Australia.

Regis said the development of its Rosemont Gold project, also in WA, would be completed in the December quarter.

"Gold production will commence in the December 2013 quarter and is expected to contribute 48,000 to 53,000 ounces of production for the 2014 financial year as the operation is ramped up," the company said.

Meanwhile, Regis forecasts gold production at WA's Garden Well for 2014 to be between 190,000 to 210,000 ounces and Moolart Well is expected to produce between 95,000 and 105,000 ounces during the same period.

Regis declared a maiden dividend of 15 cents per share, fully franked.

Regis shares dropped 30 cents, or 7.5 per cent, to $3.70.

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Further rate cut possible, but not yet

The RBA has signalled that another rate cut is possible, but says it is not going to happen soon. Source: AAP

THE Reserve Bank is inclined to make another interest rate cut, but it doesn't look like it will happen soon.

"Members agreed that the Bank should neither close off the possibility of reducing rates further nor signal an imminent intention to reduce them," the RBA said in the minutes of its September 3 board meeting.

The central bank said June quarter economic growth was a little below trend, but housing market conditions were continuing to improve in more recent months in response to low lending rates.

The RBA last reduced the cash rate in August, by quarter of a percentage point, to a new record low of 2.5 per cent.

It said the historically low lending rates and the lower Australian dollar are continuing to provide a substantial degree of stimulus to the economy.

The RBA said this would help the Australian economy negotiate its transition away from being driven by investment in resources.

JP Morgan economist Ben Jarman said the RBA did not want to declare an end to its cycle of reducing the cash rate, but stopped short of saying there was scope to cut further.

"The minutes struggled to get very excited about the progress achieved so far," he said.

"Officials are not totally defeatist, and still are putting emphasis on monetary policy's long and variable lags."

The decision to cut the cash rate again will be dependent on future economic data and how far the Australian dollar will fall, Commonwealth Bank economist Diana Mousina said.

But she added that 2.5 per cent will be the low point for the cash rate in this easing cycle.

"On balance, the economy is progressing at a pace in line with the RBA's expectations. So a rate cut is not imminent," Ms Mousina said.

"We also suspect that policy makers would prefer to see any further easing in monetary conditions to come via a lower Aussie dollar."

The release of September quarter inflation figures on October 23 - two weeks before the RBA's Melbourne Cup day board meeting - is one of the key pieces of economic data to be released in the coming months.

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Barnett bites back at striking teachers

TEACHERS in Western Australia have been accused by Premier Colin Barnett of disrupting hundreds of thousands of children and families with "a strike for the sake of having a strike".

In an unprecedented alliance, three unions have called on 10,000 angry teachers, education assistants, library staff, lab technicians, cleaners and gardeners to attend a two-hour stop work meeting on Thursday.

They are protesting the loss of 500 education jobs, a freeze on teacher numbers and reduced funding for special programs to improve literacy, numeracy, attendance and behaviour.

But in a combative retort, Mr Barnett said the strike was unnecessary and unjustified.

"This is a strike for the sake of having a strike - what are they striking over? They are the best-paid teachers in Australia," Mr Barnett told parliament.

"It will cause distress to parents, and so many parents will be angry on Thursday if they go on strike. They will be fearful for the care of their children, that is the reality."

The State School Teachers Union, United Voice and the Community and Public Sector Union have directed members to attend stop-work meetings at Gloucester Park and in country areas.

Anger has been rising since the post-budget revelation that as many as 500 education assistants and support staff will lose their jobs as a result of a funding reallocation for WA schools.

The state government insists the cuts are not happening, pointing to a $300 million increase in funding for education this year, saying the budget is higher now than before the Liberals came into power.

Sharyn O'Neill, director general of WA's Department of Education, said it was not yet clear how many schools may shut on Thursday, but she was anticipating it would be only a handful.

"It is too early to speculate on the numbers of staff involved. It is possible that I may have to endorse the closure of some schools if they cannot provide adequate supervision for students," Ms O'Neill said.

State School Teachers' Union president Anne Gisborne said she wanted the premier to acknowledge the issues his reform would present to hundreds of schools.

"We have got a belligerent premier and a belligerent minister who are holding the line that there will be no cuts and everything will be hunky dory," Ms Gisborne said.

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Endangered tamarins born in Adelaide

A PAIR of endangered golden lion tamarins have been born at the Adelaide Zoo.

Officials said the twins were born to parents Aurora and Rio on September 6 following the introduction of Aurora from Florida's Palm Beach Zoo in March.

She was introduced to help spread the genetic diversity of the captive population in the Australasian region.

Senior primate keeper Althea Guinsberg says mother and babies are doing well.

"Both babies are a good size and their positions holding onto mum and curled tails are a good sign that they are both healthy and strong," she said.

Golden lion tamarins are found along the coast of Brazil and are an endangered species due to deforestation and the illegal pet trade.

15.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Indie game development scene targets apps

GAME developers left out of work after some of Australia's biggest studios closed their doors have poured into the growing independent scene.

The unrelentingly high Australian dollar spelt the end of many developers over recent years including Team Bondi, which made the critically acclaimed L.A. Noire, THQ Australia, Pandemic Studios and more recently SEGA Studios Australia.

Sydney-based Leigh Harris - who started Flat Earth Games with his brother Rohan after leaving Grand Theft Auto developer Rockstar Games - said the big developers in Australia had all but vanished, prompting some talented folk to seek work overseas.

But others had embraced the freedoms - and the financial challenges - of independent development.

"Australia has been re-shaping its game development teams for the past four or five years now, away from the big AAA studios and those that were owned by overseas companies, and into indie, so now we have a fairly strong indie scene," Harris told AAP.

"There are a lot of cool start-ups, incubators and things like that that are pushing things along."

Harris said one of the saddest losses was the closure of KMM Interactive, which comprised the remnants of the L.A. Noire team, but a couple of mini studios were formed out of the wreckage.

"So there's, I suppose, a silver lining.

"We managed to get one of their designers and one of the programmers to help us out for a couple of weeks."

Flat Earth's small team can't yet afford to work on games full time, but that's the plan.

The small firm has spent the past two years developing an app-based resource management game called TownCraft in their spare time, so no-one has been paid a wage, but they plan to share the profits.

The Harris brothers agreed it was liberating working on a small project, without needing to jump through hoops to get signed-up by a video game publisher.

And they knew they were on the right track when all who beta-tested their game - which was inspired by city-building hits Caesar, Pharaoh and Settlers - became instantly addicted.

"That's when I knew we were doing OK ... I was playing and almost missed my train."

15.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Australia has 160,000 toxic sites: expert

THERE are close to 160,000 toxic sites in Australia, says an environmental health expert whose main concerns include mines and old railways.

There's not much people can do about toxic dust or poison leaching into groundwater, says Professor Ravi Naidu.

However, at the very least they should keep away from old railway lines, which are poisoned with herbicides and pesticides that include arsenic.

Prof Naidu's organisation, CRC CARE, is hosting 150 delegates from 40 countries at CleanUp 2013, a Melbourne conference aimed at finding solutions for toxic sites around the world.

Topics discussed at the conference include the world's ever-growing garbage pile of electronic waste and how it is poisoning children.

Delegates are also discussing global contamination and its impact on health, economies and ecosystems.

Poisons like lead and arsenic are big problems in Australia because of past practices in the mining industry, says Prof Naidu.

Electronic waste is also a problem because it used to be disposed in landfill sites before appropriate legislation was passed.

"We have many old landfill sites that have received electronic waste but do not have appropriate barriers.

"As a consequence we have contaminants leaching from the electronic waste and there is evidence of this in ground water."

For children the biggest concern is toxic substances in the air.

These could be from domestic carpets, for example. But children living close to mining areas are at particular risk of being exposed to lead in dust particles.

"The main message for Australians is to be aware of the danger of toxic substances in the air and to be aware that contaminants are present where ever there are old railway tracks.

"Keep your children away from them. They are not always fenced off."

He says the government and industry needs to do more.

"There should be improved mine processing techniques that do not generate as much dust."

Most toxic sites in Australia are in urban environments and people living nearby are often not aware.

"We should be concerned that with so many potentially contaminated sites the pace with we are rehabilitating them is very slow," says Prof Naidu.

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Labor slams Abbott for one-woman cabinet

IT'S a sad day for the nation when the cabinet of Afghanistan has more women in it than the cabinet of Australia, says acting Labor leader Chris Bowen.

Prime Minister-elect Tony Abbott unveiled his ministerial line up on Monday, revealing the only woman in the cabinet is Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop.

The outgoing Labor government had six, Mr Bowen said.

"The cabinet of Afghanistan now has more women (three) in it," Mr Bowen said.

"It is a disappointing day when Australia goes so backwards, so backwards."

But equally worrying were the large sectors of the community that will be ignored by Mr Abbott's decision not to have a minister for disability care, seniors/ageing, tourism, resources, energy and the financial services sector, Mr Bowen said.

Mr Bowen also criticised the coalition for an emerging pattern of promising one thing before the election and then doing another thing after.

He highlighted reports Mr Abbott's government would not release their mid-year economic forecast until the January holidays.

He said it was a cynical breach of the promise Mr Abbott gave at his campaign launch last month to show the state of the books within 100 days of winning office.

"There will not be the normal scrutiny that you get in this building in other months of the year," Mr Bowen said.

Mr Bowen also slammed Mr Abbott for not visiting Indonesia within a week of winning the election to discuss key issues between the neighbouring countries.

"Now we're told (Foreign Affairs) Minister Bishop will catch up with (Indonesian Foreign) Minister Marty Natalegawa in New York for coffee," he said.

Australian Greens Senator Richard Di Natale said Mr Abbott's frontbench ignored the major challenges of the 21st century.

"Tony Abbott has made an art out of ignoring the science of climate change so it's no surprise that he has failed to include science or research," Senator Di Natale said.

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Shots fired in abandoned Melbourne factory

Police are investigating after shots were fired into a factory in Melbourne's southeast. Source: AAP

SHOTS have been fired into a factory in Melbourne's south-east.

It is believed 70 shots were fired into the empty factory in Clayton South just before 11.30pm (AEST) on Saturday.

Shots were also fired into a number of vehicles outside the factory.

No one was injured and a crime scene guard has been established.

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Comedian Simon Pegg in Perth for film

Shaun of the Dead star Simon Pegg has arrived in Perth to film Kill Me Three Times. Source: AAP

ENGLISH actor and comedian Simon Pegg has arrived in Perth to work on the Australian film, Kill Me Three Times.

The star of Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead and the recently released The World's End tweeted on Friday: "G'day Perth. Let's make a film."

Pegg seemed to enjoy Perth's sunshine on Sunday too, tweeting: "Beautiful day in Perth, WA. I might even leave the hotel, if I can find the exit."

An hour later he joked: "People keep recommending a bar called The Lucky Shag. Australia, you beautiful bitch, I don't think I could love you more at this point."

The Lucky Shag is a waterfront bar in Perth's CBD.

Written by James McFarland and steered by Red Dog director Kriv Stenders, Kill Me Three Times is a crime thriller set in the Australian surfing town of Eagle's Nest.

It tells the story of a young woman linked to three tales of murder, blackmail and revenge.

Pegg will play a murderer in the film, in stark contrast to his previous good guy roles.

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Worst over in Vic baby illness mystery

More than a dozen babies in Melbourne's Royal Women's Hospital have fallen ill to a mystery bug. Source: AAP

VICTORIAN Health Minister David Davis says the worst is over after more than a dozen babies in a hospital nursery came down with a mysterious infection.

Fifteen newborns being cared for in The Royal Women's Hospital's intensive and special care nursery were quarantined when the illness emerged nine days ago.

Two babies had to have surgery for an inflammatory bowel condition.

Mr Davis said the outbreak was a challenge that had been well-managed.

"An infection in neonatal has been worked through and followed up with the support of the chief health officer of Victoria," he said.

"We are now eight days since any further infection. This can happen from time-to-time but has been handled appropriately and carefully."

Mr Davis said state opposition allegations that funding cuts were to blame for stress in neonatal units were false and bed numbers were at record numbers.

He said adequate bed numbers in neonatal units was a long-term challenge for government that was separate to the infection.

"From time-to-time there are peaks in demand (of beds) and there is pressure. However the state government is working to ensure their sufficient capacity," he said.

A hospital spokeswoman said there was no danger to new arrivals and that the babies are getting better.

Australian Nursing Federation state secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said she was concerned about the stress on neonatal care units across the state.

"There is continuing pressure put on those units and we know that there has been an issue this week with 20 babies still being barrier nursed," Ms Fitzpatrick said.

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London mayor Johnson backs UK fracking

London Mayor Boris Johnson says wind farms are a "disease" and the UK should embrace nuclear power. Source: AAP

WIND farms are a "disease" which have blighted Britain's countryside and the country should embrace nuclear power and fracking to meet its energy needs, London Mayor Boris Johnson says.

Johnson accused the energy companies of "ruthlessly exploiting" a shortage of supply as he insisted the UK must stop "pussy-footing around" and start exploiting shale gas reserves.

The senior Tory said turning to a new generation of nuclear plants and fracking would cut energy bills and boost the economy.

Writing in The Sun on Sunday he said he was shocked by the number of wind turbines he saw on a recent drive to Scotland.

"It is a good 20 years since I last drove all the way to Scotland, and in the interim something unbelievable has been done - in our name - to our green, pleasant and precious countryside," he said.

"I mean the windmills, the turbines - whatever they are called. I mean the things that look like some hideous Venusian invasion, marching over the moors and destroying the dales; the colossal seaside toys plonked erratically across our ancient landscape; the endless parade of waving white-armed old lunatics, gesticulating feebly at each other across the fields and the glens.

"They seemed to be everywhere, and I asked myself, when were we consulted? Was there a referendum? Did someone ever warn the British people that these moaning seagull slicers were going to be erected on some of the most sensational scenery that God ever called into being?

"The answer is that no one warned us, because no one really took the decision to do it. It just sort of happened. We have contracted these mills like a disease, because of our pathetic apology for an energy policy."

Claiming that the turbines would not meet the UK's needs he blamed the last Labour administration for failing to get to grips with the issue, leaving the UK facing an energy crisis.

"It is time to take the fight to the energy companies, who have been ruthlessly exploiting their position - and the best answer is an enormous increase in supply. We can do it, and we can do it in a way that is as clean and green as any technology on earth," he said.

"First we need to grow some collective cojones and launch the nuclear energy programme that this country has too long delayed. Do you know how much of their juice the French get from their nuclear programme? Almost 80%. They are laughing at us - us, the nation that split the atom!"

He added: "Next, we must stop pussy-footing around, and get fracking. Even if we have 100s of fracking pads, they are nothing like as ugly as windmills, and they can be dismantled as soon as the gas is extracted."

Mr Johnson said shale was "clean and green" and would help the UK secure its own energy supply without relying on gas from countries such as Russia.

15.02 | 0 komentar | Read More