Cleo brings back the centrefold

ALL the single ladies, all the single ladies, gather round. The Cleo centrefold is back.

And the man who has dared to bare for the spread is Sydney model Jordan Stenmark.

You may have heard your mothers, aunties or big sisters talking about the spread which showcased good looking men wearing very little.

The Cleo centrefold was first introduced in November 1972 by then editor, Ita Buttrose, and actor Jack Thompson was the man brave enough to disrobe for the spread - and disrobe he did with just his hand strategically placed to barely protect his modesty.

The subject of the centrefold also formed part of the plotline for the recent drama Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo.

In 1985, then Cleo editor Lisa Wilkinson replaced the centrefold with the Cleo Bachelor of the Year.

Outgoing Cleo editor, Sharri Markson, said bringing back the centrefold was something she wanted to do for her readers.

"I noticed how much our readers loved Bachelor and it's only once a year, and I think girls want to see gorgeous men every month instead of just once a year," she told AAP on Friday.

The editor said the centrefold has come back over the years from time to time, although mostly with a playful element.

"You know, sometimes they might feature a banana," she said.

Stenmark, 21, has modelled for Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein alongside his identical twin brother, Zac.

"I chose to feature Jordan over Zac as Jordan is single which I prefer because it gives the reader hope," Markson said.

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Vic Labor MPs Madden, Viney to retire

Former Victorian government minister Justin Madden will quit politics at the next state election. Source: AAP

HIGH-PROFILE Labor MP Justin Madden won't contest the next Victorian election, becoming the seventh opposition member to quit the party since the last poll.

The former government minister and AFL footballer says he will step down immediately from the opposition frontbench.

Mr Madden said his decision to step down would allow Labor leader Daniel Andrews to appoint a replacement and help the renewal of the party before the November 2014 election.

As planning minister under the previous Brumby Labor government, Mr Madden came under fire over a planned sham public consultation process concerning the Windsor Hotel redevelopment.

He said he hoped he would be remembered for more than that incident.

Another senior Labor MP, deputy president of the upper house and Eastern Victoria Region MP Matt Viney, will also quit politics at the 2014 election.

Mr Viney, who suffered a minor stroke last month and was not due to return to parliament until December, told Mr Andrews he wanted to put his health first.

Mr Viney and Mr Madden join their Labor colleagues Jo Duncan and Christine Campbell in deciding not to recontest their seats.

Pascoe Vale MP Ms Campbell on Wednesday said she would retire after 17 years of service while Ms Duncan, the member for the marginal seat of Macedon, announced her decision on November 4.

Opting out of public life after more than 20 years in politics, former Labor minister Tim Holding quit on February 15 this year, while former minister Bronwyn Pike retired on May 7 last year.

Former Victorian premier John Brumby quit politics in 2010, one month after he lost the state election to Ted Baillieu.

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Vic speaker should resign: experts

THE only way to overcome the stand-off in Victoria's parliament is for Speaker Ken Smith to quit, political experts say.

Premier Denis Napthine blamed a "childish stunt" by Labor for Mr Smith's decision to shut down parliament on Thursday, after Labor repeatedly tried to expose the Speaker's lack of support on the lower house floor.

But Labor says it will not back down in maintaining Mr Smith has lost support of most lower house members and should resign.

Mr Smith suspended parliament until November 26 in a day of drama which came after former Liberal turned independent MP Geoff Shaw, who holds the balance of power in the lower house, sided with Labor on Tuesday to stall government business and express no confidence in the Speaker.

Dr Napthine says he expects Labor will "do the right thing" and get on with the business of parliament once it resumes.

"What we had yesterday is a crude political stunt, a hijacking of democracy by political stunt," he told ABC radio on Friday.

When asked if he was prepared for the Speaker to suspend parliament again when it is due to sit next, Dr Napthine replied it is not his role to tell the Speaker how to act.

Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews accused Mr Smith of shutting down parliament to save his own skin.

"It's my hope that when we return to parliament on the 26th of November, the Speaker has considered his position. That is his position is untenable and he should go.

"We will stand our ground."

Former Victorian parliamentary Speaker Ken Coghill says it is hard to see Mr Smith's position will be any more tenable once parliament resumes.

"If the house resumes with things unchanged, then there's no reason to think the parliament will be workable, so sooner or later the Speaker either leaves of his own volition or is forced to leave," Mr Coghill told ABC Radio.

Monash University politics expert Dr Zareh Ghazarian says the events are a major headache for the government, which appears to have lost control of the parliament.

"It just seems they're unable to once and for all deal with essentially the thorn in their side and that is of course Mr Shaw," he said.

Dr Ghazarian says the best option is for the Speaker to quit.

"This is very useful tactics by Labor, aided by the Frankston MP, to really rattle the government, and it's working.

"If it comes to the ultimate point then he would probably have to resign to get around the political impasse."

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Abbott urges inclusion for Sri Lanka

PRIME Minister Tony Abbott has urged Commonwealth leaders to engage and not isolate countries such as Sri Lanka as they emerge from civil strife.

Mr Abbott, Prince Charles and Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa delivered opening ceremony addresses to kick off the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Colombo on Friday.

The summit was mired in controversy after the leaders of Canada, India and Mauritius - the next host country - boycotted it over concerns about Sri Lanka's human rights record after almost three decades of civil war.

Mr Abbott instead urged a "spirit of encouragement, not isolation".

"Sri Lanka's willingness to host this Commonwealth shows its commitment to democratic pluralism and freedom based on law and ought to assure all its citizenship that just as today is better than yesterday, tomorrow will be better than today," Mr Abbott said.

Mr Rajapaksa's government faces global calls for an independent inquiry into alleged human rights breaches and atrocities in the dying months of the war.

Mr Abbott said the peace achieved in Sri Lanka had brought more freedom and prosperity.

"So we are here to praise as much as to judge," he said.

The Sri Lankan president launched a passionate defence of his country's new era of "peace, stability and renewed economic opportunities".

"We asserted the greatest human right - the right to life," he said of how the civil war was brought to an end.

Prince Charles, standing in for the Queen, who is scaling back her international travel, said the Commonwealth was about creating a better future.

"Each one of us is here because of the hope and the trust we place in the Commonwealth to bring that touch of healing to our troubles and deliver the very best future for our people," he said.

Mr Abbott met with British Prime Minister David Cameron and plans bilateral meetings with the leaders of Nauru and Pakistan during the summit, which ends on Sunday.

Human rights advocates say Mr Abbott is toning down his criticism so as not to jeopardise a potential deal with Sri Lanka on stopping people-smuggling.

"So far Australia has forcibly returned well over 1000 Sri Lankans," Emily Howie, of the Human Rights Law Centre, told AAP.

"Australia is failing human rights on two levels: we are failing to speak up for the protection of Sri Lankans' rights and we are doing so in order to cruelly and unlawfully return them to Sri Lanka."

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Foreign Minister Bishop to visit India

FOREIGN Minister Julie Bishop will be the first Abbott government minister to visit India.

Following talks with fellow foreign ministers in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo, Ms Bishop heads to New Delhi and Mumbai for four days of discussions with government and business leaders starting on Friday.

Ms Bishop said India was an "important strategic partner" for Australia.

"I will be following up my recent discussions with Foreign Minister Khurshid in Perth last month, where we explored options for deepening trade and investment links," she said ahead of the visit.

India is Australia's fifth-largest export market and a major source of foreign investment, skilled migrants and international students.

The minister will open Australia's new consulate in Mumbai.

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1 dead, 220 ill in Qld salmonella outbreak

AN elderly woman has died and at least 220 people are ill after a salmonella outbreak linked to Melbourne Cup functions in Brisbane.

The Metro North Hospital and Health Service says a bacteria infection possibly contributed to the 77-year-old woman's death.

The outbreak of salmonella is linked to food served at 40 different Melbourne Cup functions, which was all prepared by the same Brisbane catering firm.

Metro North director Dr Susan Vlack has written to all companies and private function coordinators who used the caterer to advise them of the situation.

"It has been stressed that they need to report to us if they experience sickness, particularly if they are health workers or work in handling food," she said in a statement.

The salmonella bacteria can spread to humans through contaminated food, such as meat, poultry and eggs.

Symptoms include fever, headache, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.

They usually develop between six and 72 hours after exposure to the bacteria but sometimes up to two weeks, and last between four and seven days.

Most people recover, but salmonella infection may cause severe illness in young children and older people.

Dr Vlack has warned as many as 700 people could have been exposed to the bacteria.

"Of the 220 people so far, seven have been hospitalised, though none are in a critical condition," she told reporters.

"Most people will have been sick already or be sick now, but they could also get sick up to two weeks later."

"The next few days is the time to be aware."

Dr Vlack said of the seven people hospitalised two are "reasonably sick".

The 30-strong team of investigators has identified a provisional "common thread" between the cases, but is still working to confirm what happened.

The outbreak is so far believed to have been limited to Melbourne Cup events.

"There were no cases at all evident until three days after the Cup and gradually cases have been presenting," Dr Vlack said.

"People tend to initially dismiss their symptoms and think they will get better in 24-48 hours.

"It is only when they don't get better they think there might be something serious going on and seek some help."

The company being investigated is still operating but the unit where the food was prepared has been shut down.

Dr Vlack said she couldn't reveal who the firm was, pending further investigation and possible legal action.

Brisbane firm Piccalilli Catering admits it is the catering firm at the centre of the outbreak.

Co-owner Helen Grace says it believes the outbreak was caused by eggs they used to make fresh mayonnaise.

The company has dropped the city wholesaler who supplied them and started its own internal investigation.

"We are deeply upset and distressed by this outcome," Ms Grace said in a statement posted online.

"We always pride ourselves on sourcing the freshest Australian ingredients for our kitchens.

"We feel very disappointed and let down that the normally reliable fresh food supply chain has failed us and our clients on this occasion."

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Dangerous driving charge over road death

A 32-YEAR-OLD man has been charged over a crash that killed a 50-year-old woman in Perth's eastern suburbs.

Police allege the man was driving a Proton hatchback in Carlisle just after 12am (WST) on November 6 when he fatally struck the woman.

She was taken to hospital but later died from her injuries.

The man has been charged with dangerous driving occasioning death and is due to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court on December 3.

Police are still seeking information about the crash and urge people to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Greens, Labor row over carbon repeal laws

The Senate could vote on the coalition's carbon tax repeal bill as early as before Christmas. Source: AAP

LABOR has just two weeks to scrutinise the federal government's plan to scrap the carbon tax, after the Australian Greens sided with the coalition to fast-track an inquiry into the bills.

The rare political alliance intensifies the pressure on Labor, which was hoping to delay a Senate vote on the coalition's signature policy for as long as possible.

The government wanted a Senate inquiry into the carbon tax repeal legislation to report back by December 2, so it could put it to a vote before Christmas.

The Greens - while reiterating they opposed the repeal of the carbon tax - argued on Thursday there was no time for "equivocation and delay" and agreed to the government's deadline.

The decision sent Labor into a spin, prompting a furious rebuke from the opposition's climate change spokesman.

"I'm gobsmacked that Christine Milne and the Greens have actually voted to help the coalition quickly and quietly get rid of a legislated price on carbon," Mark Butler said.

He said the move by the Greens had substantially weakened the committee inquiry into the complex repeal laws and the government's climate change strategy.

Greens leader Christine Milne was unapologetic, saying a delay for the inquiry wouldn't change Prime Minister Tony Abbott's mind.

"Labor have backflipped on global warming so many times already, and now they want a delay so they're not forced to vote down Abbott's bad policy," she said.

"If Tony Abbott wants to make destroying action on global warming his first act, the Greens will make voting it down our first act."

Labor had proposed a March 20 deadline to try to delay a vote until a new Senate took over in July 1.

The government wants to avoid legal and administrative problems that could arise if the tax isn't scrapped before the new financial year.

It comes as analysis from carbon advisory firm RepuTex forecasts the government will pay an average $13 per tonne of emissions abatement in the first year of its Direct Action plan.

A study by Climate Action Tracker claims Direct Action could cause a substantial increase in Australia's carbon emissions by 2020, rather than reducing them by five per cent as promised.

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Working for minister made me sick: ex-aide

A FORMER Newman government staffer says he suffered a breakdown after working in the "dysfunctional" office of former arts minister Ros Bates.

Peter Epstein, who has terminal cancer, was a senior adviser in Ms Bates' ministerial office for three months before he claims he was forced to resign in July last year.

He is pursuing compensation for psychological injury in the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission after WorkCover rejected his claim.

On the second day of hearings, Mr Epstein told the commission he was a senior policy advisor who was forced to take on media adviser duties without extra pay.

He said requests for help with the overwhelming workload were ignored even as he battled non-Hodgkin lymphoma, after a 2010 diagnosis gave him two years to live.

Mr Epstein says Ms Bates refused his request to work part time and he was bullied into resigning by another senior staffer, who threatened to make up "all sorts of stuff" about him and have him frogmarched from the building.

"I was a physical and emotional wreck," Mr Epstein told the commission, adding that he was bedridden for days and prescribed anti-depressants.

The commission heard Mr Epstein told a doctor that he had concerns about the way Ms Bates' office was being run, including omissions in her lobbyist register, instances of nepotism and her failure to declare fundraising donations.

He also worried Ms Bates was an alcoholic who had suffered two falls while drunk, according to part of the doctor's report which was read out by WorkCover barrister Charles Clark.

Mr Epstein denied that his mental breakdown was caused by his illness, family problems or a demotion at work.

Ms Bates resigned as arts and IT minister in February following nepotism allegations and questions over her contact with lobbyists and taking of extended leave.

The hearing continues on Thursday, with Ms Bates expected to give evidence on Thursday or Friday.

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Pollies need to lighten up, Xenophon says

FEDERAL politicians could soon lose one protection from being held up to ridicule, with independent senator Nick Xenophon introducing a bill that would allow the satirical rebroadcasting of parliament.

Current laws prevent shows such as The Chaser or The Project using the broadcast of federal parliament to make fun of politicians, a situation that Senator Xenophon says is itself "deserving of ridicule".

"It is both pompous and precious to expect to be above reproach, and it also demonstrates an unwillingness to own up to mistakes, gaffes or just plain stupidity," Senator Xenophon said on Wednesday.

The bill would prevent the Joint Committee on the Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings from prohibiting the satirical use of the parliamentary broadcast.

"Quite frankly, it's time to lighten up and open our parliament to the sharp knives of satirists everywhere," Senator Xenophon said.

"The reasons behind this are more than just a belief that politicians shouldn't be above reproach. It is also based on the fact that satire has become a valid source of news and information for many people."

Debate on the Parliamentary Proceedings Broadcasting Amendment Bill 2013 has been adjourned to a later date.

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Egypt ends state of emergency

An Egyptian court has ordered an end to a state of emergency two days ahead of schedule. Source: AAP

AN Egyptian court has ordered an end to a state of emergency two days ahead of schedule, and three months after it was imposed during a crackdown on Islamist protesters.

The decision was welcomed by the United States, which sounded a note of caution by urging the military-installed government to "respect the rights of all Egyptians" amid reports it is preparing to tighten rules on protests.

The cabinet says it will respect the ruling but wait for official notification from the court before implementing it.

"The government is committed to implement judicial rulings ... (and) is waiting for the text of the ruling," a statement said.

Interim president Adly Mansour declared the state of emergency on August 14 as violence gripped Egypt after police dispersed two large protest camps in Cairo set up by supporters of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.

Hundreds of people, mainly Morsi supporters, were killed in clashes during the crackdown, while Islamists elsewhere retaliated by attacking security forces and Christian churches, businesses and homes.

The state of emergency, accompanied by a night-time curfew, had been scheduled to expire on Thursday.

The administrative court dismissed an appeal against the state of emergency and instead ruled that it ended on Tuesday, the official MENA news agency reported.

According to an interim constitution decreed by Mansour, extending the state of emergency any longer would have required a referendum.

The military also says it will continue to enforce the nightly curfew until receiving official notification.

The state of emergency granted broad powers of arrest to soldiers deployed on the streets, especially during curfew hours.

"In practice, the state of emergency was only being used for the curfew and arrest powers for the military," said Heba Morayef, head of Human Rights Watch in Egypt.

"It was the symbolism. The interior ministry seems to have this belief that repressive laws are a deterrent."

Egypt has been under almost continuous emergency law since 1967, with breaks in 1981 and after president Hosni Mubarak's overthrow in early 2011.

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Row over new parliamentary rules

The government is imposing changes to parliamentary rules which Labor says will curb dissent. Source: AAP

THE federal government is imposing changes to parliamentary rules which Labor says will curb dissent and turn the Speaker into a "censorship board".

The new battle erupted on Wednesday after government house leader Christopher Pyne introduced a raft of changes to standing orders.

While most were uncontroversial, Labor and the cross-bench bitterly opposed several.

These included cutting the time allocated to private members' business, reducing the time devoted to matter of public importance (MPI) debates, removing the right to ask supplementary questions and authorising the Speaker to act against remarks thought critical of other members.

Mr Pyne made a brief speech justifying the changes.

He said the supplementary questions were being removed because the old Labor government abused them and the Speaker should be able to decide if "outrageous" remarks are disorderly.

He also supported the introduction of "interventions", which would enable members to briefly interrupt a debate to ask a question or make a comment and would lead to a more free-flowing debate.

Opposition house leader Tony Burke said the coalition was happy to use supplementary questions when it was in opposition.

"They asked them and used them and now want to use their numbers to get rid of them," he said.

Mr Burke said the provision allowing the Speaker to find criticisms disorderly would involve the chair in making political judgments.

It would turn the Speaker into a "censorship board" and put the parliamentary umpire in an impossible position.

Mr Burke said reducing the time for MPIs would deny talented government backbenchers the chance to show they were streets ahead of some of their ministers.

He said the government was silencing debate and taking away the right to dissent.

The cross-bench joined the opposition, with Australian Greens MP Adam Bandt saying the government is turning parliament back to a "two-party closed shop".

Mr Bandt gave a spirited defence of the old hung parliament which had brought "a new era of transparency" and allowed private members to sponsor measures that would not have been considered under previous rules.

The key reason for this was the time given to private members.

He said that not only was private members' time being cut, there would also no longer be a cross-bench place on the selection committee, which decides how the lower house's business is arranged.

The government used its numbers to gag the debate and force the measure through the lower house.

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WesTrac to cut 630 jobs

Earthmoving company WesTrac is cutting 630 jobs as the mining investment hits machinery sales. Source: AAP

EARTHMOVING company WesTrac is cutting 630 jobs as the mining investment downturn hits machinery sales.

The cuts will be implemented in the next month as part of a restructure of the business, which is owned by Seven Group.

The changes will cost $13 million, and come in addition to 375 redundancies announced earlier in 2013 year at a cost of $8 million.

The latest staff cuts will be achieved through a combination of redundancies, a reduction in contractors, and natural attrition as a downturn in the mining sector causes a slump in machinery sales.

"WesTrac has implemented a series of efficiency and productivity initiatives over the past twelve months in an effort to streamline its cost base, but these measures alone have not been sufficient in view of continuing challenging market conditions," Seven Group said in a statement.

WesTrac distributes earth moving equipment and has a workforce of around 3,350 in Western Australia, NSW and the ACT.

In August, Seven Group said it expected WesTrac's full year earnings to fall by more than a third due to a slowdown in mining investment, with businesses attached to the struggling NSW coal industry suffering the most.

The group now expects overall full year underlying earnings to be at the lower end of its previous guidance of 30 to 40 per cent below the prior year.

WesTrac would continue to provide services to the mining and construction industries following the restructure, Seven Group said on Tuesday.

Seven Group also owns major stakes in Seven West Media, Prime Media Group and Coates Hire.

The company's shares were down 12 cents, or 1.4 per cent, at $7.60 at 1525 AEDT.

15.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

International aid pours in for Philippines

INTERNATIONAL aid is pouring in for the Philippines as authorities step up efforts to reach survivors driven to looting after one of the world's strongest typhoons devastated their towns.

About $A100 million in emergency assistance has been pledged so far, and more is on its way as the country struggles with the destruction from Typhoon Haiyan, which killed at least 1774 people.

Australia is sending a 36-member medical team, and equipment and supplies with the capacity to treat up to 4000 patients over a two-week period in a temporary 50-bed hospital, Health Minister Peter Dutton said.

This was in addition to $A10 million in disaster relief announced on Monday by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop. NSW has also pledged $A500,000 in aid.

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered the aircraft carrier USS George Washington and other American ships to head to the Philippines.

The carrier, which has 5000 sailors and more than 80 aircraft aboard, was expected to arrive from Hong Kong within two days. It would be accompanied by the cruisers USS Antietam and USS Cowpens, and the destroyer USS Mustin while the USS Lassen, also a destroyer, was also on the way. A supply ship, the USNS Charles Drew, was already under way.

The carrier group has helicopters while the US Marine Corps was sending four MV-22B Ospreys and three KC-130J Hercules planes to the disaster zone.

The US had earlier said it was providing $US20 million ($A21.3 million) in humanitarian aid as well as additional troops - it has 90 soldiers on the ground at present.

The United Nations had allocated $US25 million in emergency relief fund and $US2 million from the UN World Food Program. UNICEF was airlifting 66 tons of emergency supplies from Copenhagen including water purification systems, storage equipment and sanitation supplies.

Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron pledged STG10 million ($A17.17 million) worth of humanitarian aid, and was deploying a Royal Navy warship and Royal Air Force military transport aircraft to help in relief efforts.

The European Union, which already sent 3 million euros ($A4.33 million) for relief, was allocating another 10 million euros for rehabilitation efforts, Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs said in Manila on Tuesday.

"There is a need to increase humanitarian support for the operations in the affected areas," he said.

"The extent of the damage is not fully known, but what we clearly know is that they are in a state of calamity."

Piebalgs said an EU humanitarian assistance team has been trying to send help to areas not yet reached by aid agencies, but access has been impossible.

"We don't know at this stage what the needs will be, it can take weeks or months, but I think the 10 million euros is a rather solid support at this stage," he added.

Germany said early on Tuesday that it would increase its aid to the typhoon-stricken Philippines to 1 million euros, up from the 500,000 euros announced at the weekend.

China had pledged $US100,000, Japan $US10 million, and Taiwan, $US200,000.

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Perth beach re-opens after shark sighting

A PERTH beach has been re-opened following the sighting of a great white shark close to shore.

Surf Life Saving WA (SLSWA) tweeted on Tuesday afternoon that a four-metre shark was sighted by a surfer 50m off shore at Trigg beach.

A helicopter was sent to investigate, but did not see a shark so the beach was re-opened, SLSWA said.

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Vic independent MP sides with opposition

INDEPENDENT Victorian MP Geoff Shaw has sided with the Labor opposition to stall government business and express no confidence in the Speaker.

Mr Shaw sided with the Labor Party in parliament on a vote which means government business cannot proceed and legislation cannot be put or passed this week.

"I think parliament's been degraded by people in this place, by the opposition, but by the person who runs it the most, the position of speaker," Mr Shaw told parliament on Tuesday.

Jacinta Allan, manager of opposition business, said the vote is unprecedented and the Napthine government is paralysed and in disarray.

"For the first time ever the government has lost a vote on the introduction of a government business program," she said.

"It's clear the government Denis Napthine leads doesn't have the support of the parliament."

Ms Allan said the Speaker, Liberal MP Ken Smith, does not have the support of the majority of the house and has no option but to consider his position.

Labor has for some time raised concerns about the Speaker's conduct in his role.

Mr Shaw made it clear to the opposition before the vote about losing confidence in the office of Speaker, Ms Allan said.

But manager of government business Louise Asher said she was "completely relaxed" about the situation and it simply means the lower house will now operate as the upper house.

"The house will have to handle each bill, bill by bill, and if necessary clause by clause."

Ms Asher says the Speaker will remain as there was no vote in relation to him.

"The real issue for the government is how Mr Shaw will vote on the bills.

"The situation is the Speaker is still in the chair and the government will debate a series of bills throughout the week and the lower house will have to behave like the upper house."

Debate is continuing in the parliament on the first bill and a vote will be taken when all MPs who want to have spoken on it.

Mr Shaw controls the balance of power in the Victorian parliament.

He quit the Liberal Party in March and moved to the crossbenches. His vote keeps the government in power.

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Macdonald link in Obeid ICAC inquiry

A STAFFER for corrupt former NSW minister Ian Macdonald made inquiries about water licences attached to a Hunter Valley farm that was being bought by then-MP Eddie Obeid's family, the anti-graft watchdog has heard.

The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is investigating whether Obeid used his political clout in 2008 to secure unusually generous water allowances covering a $3.65 million farm his family had purchased in the Bylong Valley.

Obeid has already been declared corrupt as a result of previous ICAC investigations.

The commission on Monday was shown a 2007 email, in which Adam Badenoch, then the chief-of-staff to minister for energy and primary industries Mr Macdonald, asked water licensing director Brian Gardoll to "chase up" licences attached to the land.

Mr Macdonald has not been listed as a witness in this latest inquiry - but former ports minister Joe Tripodi has.

Mr Tripodi has given evidence as part of a concurrent ICAC investigation about Obeid-owned cafes at Sydney's Circular Quay, but has indicated he may correct that testimony.

Counsel assisting the commission Ian Temby QC on Monday said Mr Tripodi had asked to be recalled to the witness box.

"He wishes to correct certain evidence he gave previously," Mr Temby said.

The commission also heard allegations on Monday that senior NSW bureaucrats signed off on generous water allowances for the Obeids' Cherrydale Farm without inspecting the property to verify irrigation levels or other water needs.

"I suggest to you that you were incompetently and arrogantly making a determination notwithstanding a complete absence of verifying material," Mr Temby said to former water licensing officer Brian McDougall.

"Except for my knowledge of the property," Mr McDougall responded.

He had visited the site once, nearly four years earlier, ICAC heard.

Dennis Milling, another former top bureaucrat, denied suggestions from junior counsel assisting Ben Katekar that "had it not been for the Obeid name" and pressure from Peter Leihn, who has been described as department chief Mark Duffy's "runner", he would not have given the water allocation without a property inspection.

Mr Duffy has already been foreshadowed as a contender for corruption findings as part of this inquiry and is due to take the stand on Wednesday.

15.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Govt urged to scrap Sydney plane cap

MORE planes should be allowed to fly in and out of Sydney Airport until a second airport is built at Badgerys Creek, a tourism industry body says.

The Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF) believes the current cap of 80 plane movements per hour at Kingsford Smith Airport should be lifted to boost visitor traffic in and out of Sydney.

TTF chief executive Ken Morrison said the cap - brought in two decades ago - was outdated.

"The number of people flying to and from Sydney is forecast to double over the next 20 years," he said in a statement.

"The current restrictions make it harder than it needs to be for Sydney Airport to manage that demand."

But should the federal government heed the TTF's call, Labor says it won't support an increase to the cap on aircraft movements at the Sydney Airport.

Shadow minister for infrastructure and transport Anthony Albanese says the solution to Sydney's aviation capacity constraints is a second Sydney Airport.

Mr Morrison backed the construction of another airport at Badgerys Creek, in western Sydney, but said it would be years until any second airport opened.

In the meantime, freeing up capacity at Sydney Airport would help NSW double its visitor intake by 2020.

"We are urging the federal government to ensure the need to modernise Sydney Airport's operating conditions is part of any consideration of Sydney's future aviation needs," Mr Morrison said.

The call comes after Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce last month confirmed there was no reason why Qantas and Jetstar couldn't operate out of Badgerys Creek - putting to bed the idea that major airlines wouldn't use the facility.

Locals oppose the Badgerys Creek plan, first proposed 30 years ago, saying it would mean round-the-clock noise.

The federal government has previously called the Badgerys Creek site a "prime contender" for a second airport, but says it will also look at the capacity of Richmond and the existing airport at Mascot.

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Teens think slim cigarettes safer

Adolescents associate slim and decorative cigarettes with glamour and coolness, says a UK study. Source: AAP

YOUNG teenagers rate slimline cigarettes as stylish, feminine and possibly safer than regular brands, researchers say.

Thinner cigarettes are generally seen as weaker, more palatable, and less harmful by a focus group of 15-year-olds from Glasgow.

In fact, some super-slim brands contain more dangerous tobacco chemicals than their bulkier counterparts, according to the study authors.

Teenagers are most attracted to slim and super-slim cigarettes with white filters and decorative features, describing them as "classy" and "nicer", says Cancer Research UK.

In contrast a long brown cigarettes was viewed as particularly harmful and labelled "disgusting", "really, really strong", and "old fashioned".

The researchers asked 48 teenage boys and girls about eight cigarette brands that differed in length, diameter, colour, and design.

Professor Gerard Hastings, Cancer Research UK's social marketing expert at the University of Stirling and one of the study authors, said: "Our research confirms previous studies that both the pack and the product are powerful marketing tools in the hands of the tobacco industry which it is using to recruit a new generation of smokers. It's time policy makers moved to standardise both."

Co-author Allison Ford, also from the University of Stirling, said: "This important study reveals for the first time that adolescents associate slim and decorative cigarettes with glamour and coolness, rating them as a cleaner, milder and safer smoke.

"It is incredibly worrying to hear that adolescents believe that a stylishly designed cigarette gives a softer option."

Cancer Research UK is campaigning for plain standardised packaging of cigarettes and has launched an online film accusing the tobacco industry of encouraging children to smoke.

The study found that teenagers thought white tips and longer cigarettes portrayed a cleaner, feminine image reminiscent of glamorous female stars from old movies. The image softened perceptions that smoking was harmful, said the scientists.

Cigarettes with white tips were also associated with menthol, which was perceived as weaker and less harmful.

In their paper, published in the European Journal of Public Health, the researchers wrote: "The slimmer diameters of these cigarettes communicated weaker tasting and less harmful-looking cigarettes. This was closely linked to appeal as thinness implied a more pleasant and palatable smoke for young smokers.

"This exploratory study provides some support that standardising cigarette appearance could reduce the appeal of cigarettes in adolescents and reduce the opportunity for stick design to mislead young smokers in terms of harm."

The House of Lords will debate standardising cigarette packaging over the next few weeks.

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Outpouring for ex-homeless US man

A homeless US man had his benefits cut after money he found and gave to police was returned to him. Source: AAP

OFFERS of support have been pouring in from around the US for a formerly homeless man whose good deed proved costly.

James Brady of Hackensack, New Jersey was notified recently that his government benefits were being suspended after he failed to report as income the $US850 ($A902) he had found on a footpath and handed in to police.

Brady, who was homeless when he found the money on a sidewalk in April after leaving a local shelter, turned the cash over to police. He was allowed to keep it six months later after no one claimed it during a mandated waiting period.

But the Hackensack Human Services Department denied him General Assistance and Medicaid benefits through December 31 because he failed to report the cash as new income. The director of human services said the agency was just following the rules.

The 59 year-old Brady is a former photographer and market data analyst who has suffered from depression since losing his job a decade ago, according to The Record of Woodland Park newspaper.

Brady told The Record that he hadn't realised he was required to report the money. Formerly homeless, he had recently found housing and was seeing a therapist and a psychiatrist and taking medication, but was unsure he'd be able to afford continuing care after his benefits were cut off.

The newspaper says offers of support for Brady have been pouring in from readers.

Bergen County's United Way has also set up an account specifically for Brady through its Compassion Fund.

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