NSW posts big reduction in road deaths

NSW police say fewer people have died on the roads in 2013 compared with any year since 1924. Source: AAP

NSW in 2013 recorded its lowest road toll for 89 years, but police are warning drivers not to become complacent.

And fewer people died on the state's roads over the holiday period than in previous years, with 10 fatalities throughout NSW Police's Operation Safe Arrival period from December 20 to January 2.

The toll is seven down on the same period in 2012-2013 when 17 people died in 15 crashes.

The Operation Safe Arrival period is separate from the Australia New Zealand Policing Advisory Board's national road toll period, which started at midnight on December 23 and ends at midnight on January 3.

NSW police carried out 571,664 breath tests and issued 960 drink-driving charges during Operation Safe Arrival.

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn said despite the road toll reduction, there was still unacceptable loss of life on NSW roads.

"We can't become complacent because we have seen a massive reduction in road injury and road death," she told reporters on Friday.

"It really is now the crucial time for us to focus on keeping this road toll as low as we possibly can."

The overall road toll for 2013 of 339 is the lowest since 1924, Ms Burn said.

About 11,540 speeding infringements were also detected over the Christmas-new year period - about 400 more than the same period in 2012.

Assistant Commissioner John Hartley, of the NSW Traffic and Highway Patrol, said the highway patrol had resources on every highway and backstreet in NSW.

While the traffic blitz might be over, police are expecting heavy traffic over the weekend as people return home from holidays.

"Certainly tomorrow will be the day it is change over for accommodation down the coast in NSW," Mr Hartley said.

"So it will be very busy coming out of the city tomorrow and coming in.

He said while the operation in name has stopped, "all the resources are still out there to make sure people get the message".

NSW Police Minister Michael Gallacher said there was no excuse for people not heeding the message from police about speeding and drink driving.

"Quite simply when you see these statistics you really wonder why is it that people are not heeding the message during a period of double demerit points in particular ..." he said.

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Fortescue operations resume after death

Operations have resumed at Fortescue Mining Group's Christmas Creek mine after a contractor's death. Source: AAP

SURFACE mining operations have resumed at Fortescue Metals Group's Christmas Creek mine, four days after the death of a contractor.

The man was carrying out maintenance on a large piece of mining machinery in the Pilbara mine's heavy vehicle workshop when the accident occurred on Monday.

Surface mining operations at Christmas Creek were suspended as WA Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) inspectors carried out a site investigation.

It is the second death at the iron ore mine in less than five months.

The DMP also issued special directions ensuring that Fortescue tightens safety procedures at all of its operations, including lock out/tag out procedures, ahead of a safety audit.

Fortescue said the heavy vehicle workshop was "released" by the coroner and DMP safety inspectors on Thursday, and will now be brought back into service.

The company is now reviewing safety isolation and lock out/tag out procedures.

DMP Director General Richard Sellers said the department was conducting a thorough investigation into the Christmas Creek death and Fortescue was assisting inspectors with investigations.

Another worker who suffered leg and hand injuries in the incident has been released from Royal Perth Hospital.

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Recall NSW parly over booze violence: oppn

The NSW opposition wants parliament to be recalled to pass legislation on alcohol restrictions. Source: AAP

THE NSW opposition wants parliament to be recalled immediately to pass legislation on alcohol restrictions.

As 18-year-old Daniel Christie continues to fight for his life after he was felled by a punch at Kings Cross on New Year's Eve, the opposition is calling for Premier Barry O'Farrell to take action on alcohol-fuelled violence within the next week.

The opposition has repeatedly called for the government to implement its alcohol policy, which includes imposing 1am lockouts and 3am last drinks.

"Barry O'Farrell can recall parliament and this could be brought into policy by next Friday," opposition liquor regulation spokesman, Dr Andrew McDonald, told reporters in Sydney on Friday.

"If he weren't in bed with big alcohol he would have passed this legislation by now."

Dr McDonald said he would love to see legislation passed within the next week if parliament could be recalled for an emergency sitting.

"There will be more deaths from alcohol this summer than we will have on the roads," he said.

The opposition's demands for change have previously been echoed by emergency service workers and doctors, who last month urged the government to implement the plan.

They say the Newcastle trial cut alcohol-fuelled violence by 37 per cent and emergency department admissions by 26 per cent.

But Mr O'Farrell on Thursday said the government had already imposed measures in Kings Cross, which had seen assaults in the precinct drop by one-third.

"That's of no comfort to the Christie family but equally, the slogan being put forward by my opponents is of no comfort to someone who was assaulted at 9pm," Mr O'Farrell said.

The Christie family broke their silence on Thursday, saying their lives have been turned upside-down since their son was attacked.

He remains in a critical condition in St Vincent's Hospital.

"We have all been affected so much by this tragedy, and our clear focus remains with our son and brother through this difficult time," the family said in a statement.

They said they didn't agree with the term "king-hit", adding that "coward punch" was more appropriate.

Police Minister Michael Gallacher agreed, saying the term "coward punch" should be used in legislation

People needed to understand king-hitting people and other gutless acts should not be respected, he told reporters on Friday.

"They should not be hidden in words like assault occasioning actual bodily harm or assault occasioning grievous bodily harm," he said.

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Men quick to give up new year diets: study

A poll shows some 26% of men who make a resolution to lose weight abandon their diets after one day. Source: AAP

A QUARTER of men who make a New Year's resolution to lose weight have already given up on their diets by January 2, a poll suggests.

Some 26 per cent of men abandon their diets after one day, a survey found.

Meanwhile, one in 10 women cave in to cravings for unhealthy food after 24 hours and 31 per cent give up their diet within one week, according to health company Bupa.

Its poll of 2000 adults found that a third of Britons thought about losing weight at least once a day.

And while experts say that shedding weight works best with a combination of a healthy diet and exercise, only 30 per cent of people said they would always do physical activity alongside a diet.

Dr Tim Woodman, medical director at Bupa said: "This time of year we see a flurry of diets offering a quick fix.

"Fad diets might help you lose a few pounds at first, but they won't help you stay a healthy weight in the long run.

"The only healthy way to shed excess fat and keep it off is to eat healthy, nutritious meals and increase physical activity."

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Vic saved from scorching heat

Southerly winds are protecting Victoria from a blast of desert heat that's baking other states. Source: AAP

VICTORIANS could be putting on jackets and dodging rain clouds while some parts of the country sweat through record-breaking temperatures.

Weather bureau senior forecaster Terry Ryan says Victoria won't be hit by the blast of hot desert heat that's struck elsewhere.

"We're protected by this generally southwest to southerly air flow," he said on Thursday.

"We've got nothing here that's very hot at all."

Melbourne only reached a high of 20C by midday on Thursday with temperatures forecast to stay between a low of 12C and a high of 24C during the next five to six days.

Even in the far north, Mildura reached the state's highest temperature of 25.5C at 1pm (AEDT).

The town isn't forecast to break above 30C until Wednesday.

A band of rain has also been crossing the state as the remnants of ex-Tropical Cyclone Christine is picked up by southerly winds.

Scattered showers are forecast in Melbourne over the next five days.

Victoria's fire danger ratings have also dropped to low across northern parts of the state.

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Bondi shooting victim in Brothers 4 Life

A MAN found on the streets of Bondi with a gunshot wound in his shoulder has been linked to the Brothers 4 Life gang.

The 31-year-old is also believed to have been on a boat at Rose Bay in Sydney's eastern suburbs on New Year's Day when it was shot at from the shore, police say.

Peppered with bullets, the boat left the wharf but was stopped by police a short time later and towed to Balmain.

The boat, the OSCAR II, is a 105-foot luxury motor yacht available for hire for more than $2000 an hour, Fairfax Media reported on Thursday.

Less than two hours after the shooting, a 31-year-old was discovered at Lamrock Avenue opposite Bondi Beach with a gunshot wound to his shoulder.

The man is believed to be a member of the Brothers 4 Life gang, which is linked to recent shootings throughout Sydney.

A witness said he spoke to the injured man before police arrived.

"We just walked past and this guy's just said, 'Man, I've been shot in the back,' and these coppers just showed up and they've taken over the scene," the man told Fairfax Media.

Emergency services took him to St Vincent's Hospital, from where he has since discharged himself, police say.

It is understood he is not co-operating with police.

Residents of Sydney's west and southwest witnessed gang violence this year as feuds between Brothers 4 Life members erupted in shootings.

The group was founded by Bassam Hamzy, who was jailed in 1998 for the murder of Kris Toumazis outside the Mr Goodbar nightclub in Sydney's inner-city suburb of Darlinghurst.

He has had his jail time increased after orchestrating kidnappings and assaults and running a drug ring from within prison.

A man believed to be his cousin was shot dead in Revesby last year and another man, Omar Ajaj, suffered multiple bullet wounds in the attack.

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Cyrus rang in New Year in Times Square

Miley Cyrus rang in 2014 with a headlining spot at Times Square's annual NYE bash in New York. Source: AAP

MILEY Cyrus rang in 2014 with a headlining spot at Times Square's annual New Year's Eve bash in New York.

The pop star, who scrapped a show in Florida to perform as part of TV network ABC's end-of-year TV marathon, sang Get It Right and Wrecking Ball just before midnight, but it was too cold for her to "twerk" or show off too much skin.

Instead, she and three dancers hit the stage in matching gold outfits and the pop star also wore a floor-length white winter coat to keep off the chill.

Cyrus smiled through the show even though she was ill - shortly before taking to the stage, she tweeted, "This cough/cold is not a good combo. please keep praying for me. If I can just get thru tonight I can have a nice lil break."

She cheered up just before taking the stage when she told host Ryan Seacrest all about her "modest" costume, revealing, "This is the most clothed I've been in all of 2013... Due to standards and practices and also the cold weather, this is what we came up with."

And she started 2014 with high praise from Courtney Love, who ended 2013 with the post: "if it wasn't for @MileyCyrus 2013 would've been a dull dreary year. if you can't agree with that, you're an idiot."

Melissa Etheridge also got the Times Square revellers ready for 2014 by singing John Lennon's peace anthem Imagine just before midnight, and the coverage then bounced to Billy Joel performing across the Big Apple at the Barclays Center just after the famous ball drop and the start of 2014.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Icona Pop and Blondie were also part of the countdown celebrations in Times Square.

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Bon Jovi still highest-grossing tour act

Bon Jovi ended 2013 on a high after banking $US259.5m to score the year's highest-grossing tour. Source: AAP

BON Jovi have re-affirmed their status as the highest-grossing tour act.

The American rockers have ended 2013 on a career high after banking $US259.5 million ($A292.61 million) to score the year's highest-grossing tour.

The Livin' On A Prayer stars have been trekking across the globe on their Because We Can: The Tour shows since February, and their huge success has landed them the top spot in Pollstar.com's annual list.

The figure is a record for the stars themselves, despite guitarist Richie Sambora quitting the gigs in April to spend more time with his daughter.

Beyonce's The Mrs Carter Show World Tour, which kicked off in April, was a distant second with a haul of $US188.6 million, while Pink claimed third place with $US170.6 million for her The Truth About Love tour.

Justin Bieber and Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band rounded out the top five, while Rihanna, Taylor Swift and One Direction also placed high on the list.

The Pollstar data re-affirms Bon Jovi's status as the highest-earning touring act of the year - Billboard magazine editors also honoured the band with the same title in early December.

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Almost 10,000 NSW drivers caught speeding

2013 saw the lowest number of people die on NSW's roads for almost 90 years, the government says. Source: AAP

POLICE nabbed almost 10,000 motorists for speeding on NSW roads during the Christmas holiday period, but no lives have been lost on the state's roads in the past two days.

NSW police said 9972 drivers had been caught speeding since December 20, when this year's Operation Safe Arrival began.

They said 486,087 breath tests had been issued, with 710 drivers charged for drink-driving.

Provisional and learner drivers were "dominating the most serious incidents", police said.

"We are still seeing too many people breaking the road rules - particularly drink-driving and speeding," Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said in a statement.

"The fact we are still seeing learner and provisional drivers continuing to put others at risk by breaking the law is also of concern."

NSW's road toll is at seven, with no reports of fatal crashes on the state's roads on Tuesday or so far on Wednesday.

On Monday, a young girl was killed and five other people injured in a single-vehicle crash about 50 kilometres south of Cessnock.

Earlier on Wednesday, the state government said 2013 had the lowest number of people die on NSW's roads since 1924.

Roads Minister Duncan Gay said provisional figures showed the death toll was 339 last year, down from 369 in 2012.

But cyclist fatalities have doubled since 2012.

The national road toll period runs from midnight December 23, 2013, until midnight January 3, 2014, local times, in line with the Australia New Zealand Policing Advisory Board.

15.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Deadline set for Stradbroke Island exodus

Campers have been told to leave a North Stradbroke Island beach or face being removed by police. Source: AAP

CAMPERS have been told to leave a North Stradbroke Island beach by 4pm (AEST) or face being removed as a large bushfire burns nearby.

Queensland authorities want to have Main Beach cleared of people before they close the only road out.

"We are asking people to evacuate. However, we would suggest if you aren't removed from that area by four o'clock today you will be forced to evacuate," a police spokeswoman told AAP.

The fire, which was set off by lightning, has been burning in thick bushland for days.

It's not threatening lives or property, but authorities are concerned about an expected wind change on Wednesday afternoon.

About 900 campers could be at risk if the fire changes direction, they say.

A massive exodus began earlier on Wednesday and many people are arriving in the town of Dunwich.

Ferries and barges will take the holidaymakers back to the mainland from there.

A Stradbroke Ferries manager told AAP they could not comment because they were too busy organising the evacuation.

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Target Australia gift cards okay

Target Australia says its gift cards have not been affected by a glitch that has hit Target US. Source: AAP

TARGET Australia has assured customers that it is not experiencing any problems with its gift cards, following reports that the shopping giant in the US was having post Christmas troubles.

America's second-largest discount retailer Target US said an unidentified number of gift cards sold over the Christmas period were not properly activated.

"We are aware that some Target gift cards were not fully activated and apologise for the inconvenience," company spokeswoman Molly Snyder said in a statement.

Target Australia said on Wednesday that it has no affiliation with Target US and is in no way affected by their reported issues.

"Target Australia has not had any credit card security issues and all gift cards are working normally," general manager, corporate affairs, Jim Cooper said in a statement.

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Queensland bakes in 'unusual' heatwave

Queensland is about to swelter in a heatwave, with the mercury tipped to reach close to 50C. Source: AAP

QUEENSLAND is about to swelter in a heatwave, with the mercury tipped to reach close to 50C in some parts of the state this week.

In the western Queensland town of Birdsville, the mercury could soar as high as 48C on Thursday which in Brisbane, temperatures are predicted to hit a sultry 39C on Saturday.

Temperatures are expected to be 5C to 10C above the average across the state over the next few days.

Meteorologist Gordon Banks from the Bureau of Meteorology said a large, dry, hot mass of air stagnating in the nation's interior was the cause.

Mr Banks said a run of such high temperatures was rare for Queensland.

"We do get these bursts of several days where we're seeing high 30s to low 40s through the (state's) interior," he said.

"But what we're seeing at the moment is that we're having this run of days where we're seeing mid to high 40s through the interior and that certainly is much more unusual."

Diamantina Shire Mayor Geoff Morton, who lives in Birdsville, said it would be business as usual in the small town on Thursday despite the forecast 48C heat, which is 1.5C shy of the 1972 record.

"Once it gets over 45 (degrees) it doesn't matter whether it's 45 or 55, it's still bloody hot," Mr Morton said on Wednesday.

"Everything's hot, everything's hot to touch, the ground is hot ... A few more degrees is not going to make much of a difference."

The long-time Birdsville resident said melted tar sticks to the tyres of passing freight trucks and locals either spend the day in air conditioning or start work early to avoid the midday heat.

"If you walk down the street from 12 o'clock on you won't see anybody. They're hibernating," he said.

"They've got a pretty simple choice. Inside the pub is 23 degrees and outside is 53."

A slightly cooler change is expected to move through the state from Friday.

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Sydney primed for 2013 big finish

Spectators have begun descending on Sydney's popular spots for the New Year's Eve fireworks show. Source: AAP

PICNIC rugs are in position, beers are in hand and streets have been shut off as Sydney draws closer to its big night.

More than 1.5 million people are expected to gather across the city to view the New Year's Eve fireworks shows, themed Shine, at 9pm, 10.30pm and midnight.

From dawn, eager spectators began filing into the harbour foreshore carrying everything from rugs and chairs to fishing rods and kettles as they vied to snatch the best view.

Access to the Opera House and Blues Point Reserve was shut off from 12.30pm on Tuesday as crowds reached capacity.

As temperatures neared 27 degrees at the Botanic Gardens, some revellers who couldn't get access to shade stripped down to bikinis, or bras and undies. Others just threw water over themselves.

Ross Jollie, from the UK, said he was looking forward to seeing the show firsthand, having spent a lifetime viewing it on television.

"They are the first fireworks you see on TV, so definitely it is the place to be," he told AAP.

At 10.30pm, a one-minute cracker show based on an absurdist self-portrait by the night's artistic ambassador Reg Mombassa will be launched.

"The cranium universe display will basically be the stars, the planets and the sun inside someone's head but on the sky," he told reporters on Tuesday.

While remaining tight-lipped about the particulars, Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the bridge effect, to be unveiled just after midnight, will be "bigger than ever".

For the first time in a decade, more than 1000 fireworks will also be launched off the Opera House's sails.

But it hasn't been good news for all.

About 10,000 people have missed out on a New Year's Eve party at the newly opened Wet'n'Wild theme park in Sydney, after promoters cancelled the event just hours before it was due to kick off.

Event organiser One Cube Entertainment said it had to cancel the festival because of "a major technical production issue" and will hold a replacement concert on Australia Day.

NSW Fair Trading Minister Stuart Ayres said a case manager has been appointed to deal with complaints and to ensure full refunds are granted where requested.

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WA government funds four shark projects

Four projects will share funding as part of the WA government's shark hazard mitigation strategy. Source: AAP

SURFBOARD fins with electronic shark deterrents and an acoustic system to detect sharks at beaches are among four research projects to share in almost $1 million as part of the West Australian government's shark hazard mitigation strategy.

WA company Shark Shield will receive $300,000 over two years to develop surfboard fins with an in-built shark deterrent device that can be retro-fitted to all modern surfboards.

Curtin University's Centre for Marine Science and Technology will receive $130,124 over three years to develop systems that mask the noises of beachgoers that attract sharks.

The University of Western Australia (UWA) will receive $252,417 to develop an acoustic system to detect sharks as they approach beaches.

A further $284,620 will be granted for a separate project at UWA to define the visual, electrical and vibrational cues that trigger shark attacks to help design shark deterrents.

Premier Colin Barnett said there was not one simple way to minimise shark attacks.

"Finding out more about sharks and developing new methods to detect and deter sharks is obviously central," he said.

The premier said the projects would complement research undertaken under the first round of the program, including research into existing shark deterrents and unique deterrents such as strobe lights, bubble curtains and using underwater sounds.

That first round of grants also funded Curtin University's research into sonar detection and imaging of sharks and a project at UWA looking at the development of algorithms to improve visual shark detection.

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Small business to take tax-break hit

The government is dumping an asset write-off for small businesses that was linked to the mining tax. Source: AAP

THE federal government is setting a "tax trap" for small business by drastically reducing a tax break before legislation for it has passed, the opposition claims.

Small Business Minister Bruce Billson's office has confirmed that the $6500 instant asset write-off introduced by the former Labor government will end from January 1.

Instead, businesses will be able to get instant tax break for assets worth up to only $1000.

The tax break was linked to the mining tax.

Its formal dumping is contained in the mining tax repeal bill, currently stuck in the Senate, but legislation for tax measures can be applied retrospectively.

Acting opposition leader Penny Wong said it was a "tax trap for 2.7 million Australian small businesses and sole traders".

Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen said it was highly unusual for a government to make tax such changes and not publicise them.

"Have we seen any information campaign for small business saying listen, if you want to make an investment you'd better make it now because your tax write-off ends on 1 January? No," he told reporters in Sydney on Tuesday.

"I don't think they're very proud of this change."

Dropping the level of the instant asset write-off was part of the coalition's election commitments.

Information on the Australian Taxation Office's website, dated December 18, says the change is "expected to come into effect" on January 1.

Business representatives - the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Australian Industry Group - have told the government that they'd like to see the asset write-off funded in the next federal budget.

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Private sector credit growing modestly

Credit growth was moderate in November as consumers and business are wary about taking on more debt. Source: AAP

CREDIT growth was moderate in November as consumers and business are still wary about taking on more debt.

The amount of private sector credit issued by banks and other lenders was up 0.3 per cent in November, after rising by the same about in October, seasonally adjusted data from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) shows.

Over the 12 months to November, total credit rose 3.8 per cent.

Commonwealth Bank senior economist Michael Workman said record low interest rates are not having the desired affect on spending.

"It's not just about interest rate levels. In our view, moderate credit growth indicates that consumers and businesses remain cautious about increasing leverage because of uncertainty over job security and profitability," he said.

"To be fair, the consumer and business (confidence) surveys are gradually improving. Better news on jobs and the growth outlook are required."

Housing credit went up 0.5 per cent in November, and rose 5.1 per cent over the year to November.

Mr Workman said firm growth in home lending is being offset by relatively high repayment rates.

"Mortgage payers have been reluctant to reduce their repayments in line with lower mortgage rates over the past two years," he said.

"Some recent RBA research has indicated that households appear to have used about two thirds of the savings from lower interest rates to repay debt.

"In some respects it negates the effectiveness of monetary policy. While housing lending has responded to lower interest rates, some of the more interest rate sensitive areas of the economy, like non-mining business investment, remain subdued."

Business credit decreased 0.1 per cent in November, after a 0.1 per cent rise in October, and over the year to November it was up 1.9 per cent.

Other personal credit was unchanged in November, after decreasing 0.1 per cent the month before and rose 0.8 per cent in the 12 months to November.

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Older Qld drivers face more checks

ELDERLY Queensland drivers will have to have annual medical checks if they want to stay on the road under laws that come into effect on Wednesday, among legislation changes for next year that will also include tattooists.

At present, motorists aged 75 or older must carry a medical certificate when driving.

The doctor's certificate can be valid up to five years but legislative amendments that come into effect on January 1 mean certificates will be valid up to 12 months.

The amendment is designed to improve road safety and only applies to medical certificates issued from January 1, 2014.

Meanwhile, Queensland's Office of Fair Trading is advising tattooists and owners of tattoo parlours to apply for a licence from January 6 when a new licensing scheme is introduced.

From July 1, 2014, it will be an offence to operate a tattoo business or work as a tattooist without a permit under Queensland's Tattoo Parlours Act.

Members of criminal organisations such as bikie gangs, non-residents of Australia and under-18s cannot apply.

The laws were among a package of recent reforms targeting the state's bikie gangs.

15.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Fortescue receives reprimand after deaths

A man has died in an accident at Fortescue Metals' Christmas Creek mine in Western Australia. Source: AAP

FORTESCUE Metals Group has been ordered to improve its safety procedures by the mines regulator following the death of a man at its Christmas Creek mine.

The 23-year-old contractor was carrying out maintenance on a surface miner, a large piece of mining machinery, in the Pilbara mine's heavy vehicle workshop when the accident occurred overnight on Monday.

It is the second death at the iron ore mine in less than five months.

The WA Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) has issued special directions ensuring that Fortescue tightens safety procedures at all of its operations, including lock out/tag out procedures, ahead of a safety audit in the new year.

Surface mining operations at Christmas Creek have been suspended as DMP inspectors carry out a site investigation.

"The inspectorate has so far determined that a number of recent incidents at Fortescue Metals Group mine sites appear to have involved an ineffectual isolation and lock out/tag out process," State mining engineer Simon Ridge said.

"This may or may not be a contributory factor in this most recent incident."

He said the legal directions would remain in place until Fortescue could ensure lock out/tag out procedures were effective.

Staff at Christmas Creek have been offered chaplains and other counselling services following the man's death.

His name is yet to be released by police.

Unions are concerned the company's efficiency program is being prioritised over safety.

CFMEU Construction Division WA secretary Mick Buchan said his union had received complaints about safety concerns at Christmas Creek in recent months, including anonymous emails from workers who were worried about identifying themselves.

"We want the full gamut of potential contributing factors to be examined in detail, including potentially unsafe working hours on site, the capacity of unions to access the site to assess safety, the replacement of experienced workers with cheaper alternatives - the lot," Mr Buchan said.

He said the death was a huge alarm that something was wrong on the site.

"We need to get to the bottom of it quickly and accurately before anyone else is killed or hurt."

Fortescue said another worker had suffered leg injuries in the incident.

The man's death comes four-and-a-half months after electrician Kurt Williams, 24, was crushed to death while carrying out maintenance work on a large motor in the crushing plant at Christmas Creek.

Mr Williams' death broke a two-year fatality-free run at Western Australia's mines.

At the time, Electrical Trades Union WA secretary Les McLaughlan said the union had raised concerns about safety practices and specific concerns about the kind of work Mr Williams was undertaking.

In October, truck driver had his leg amputated after being crushed at the Christmas Creek mine.

Earlier this month, a contract construction worker Stephen Hampton was killed at Newcrest's Telfer gold mining operations when a large piece of pipework rolled onto him.

15.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

All set for party of the year

Australia's skies are set to explode with colour this New Year's Eve, the biggest party of the year. Source: AAP

AUSTRALIANS are preparing to celebrate the biggest party of the year, with the skies above the nation's capital cities expected to explode with colour on New Year's Eve.

At the country's drawcard event in Sydney, seven tonnes of fireworks will light up the sky on Tuesday in the form of 11,000 aerial shells and 25,000 shooting comets launched from seven barges spread across six kilometres of Sydney Harbour.

For the first time in a decade, 1000 fireworks will also be shot from the top of the Opera House, as well as from the Harbour Bridge and jet skis stationed in the harbour.

Organisers expect die-hard revellers to start arriving at the iconic new year's locale between 5am and 6am, Sydney New Year's Eve producer Aneurin Coffey said.

"They are the really die-hard fans that get there early and then another group come about 8am," he told AAP.

Keen boaties won't be taking any chances, with more than 2000 vessels expected to vie for an ideal spot from about 10am, he said.

Sydneysiders will share the new year with more than 2,500 police officers expected to be deployed in the city on the night.

Victorians will ring in the new year with a fireworks show promised to be seen from anywhere that has a view of the city skyline.

More than 500,000 revellers are expected to pack the city centre, with 7.5 tonnes of fireworks to be launched from 22 locations, including city rooftops, by a team of 44 pyrotechnists.

Brisbanites will see the state's largest fireworks show yet to welcome the new year.

The skies above the river city will be lit up with five tonnes of fireworks, or 30,000 pyrotechnic effects, fired from three barges and three city rooftops at 8.30pm and midnight.

In Tasmania, tens of thousands will converge on the waterfront and Salamanca, where the state's biggest food festival, Taste, combines with the finish to the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

Fireworks will explode over the docks at 9.30pm and midnight as foodies gorge themselves.

More than 70,000 revellers are expected at South Bank Parklands, Kangaroo Point, the Botanic Gardens and Eagle St Pier.

SA will beat the new year's drum with some live music in Adelaide's Elder Park, where local bands will provide the entertainment on top of fireworks.

Western Australia will largely leave its patch of sky alone on the night, with Perth saving up its pyrotechnics display for Australia Day.

But for those not keen to cross the country for Sydney's spectacular display, there are still a few places to ring in 2014 with a bang, including Rockingham and the Shelley foreshore.

A key draw promises to be the headline act for the Salt on the Beach NYE party at North Fremantle, New York hip-hop trio De La Soul.

15.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

NSW workers comp changes for 2014

INJURED workers and children attending childcare will be among the winners and losers at the start of 2014, as new laws kick in across NSW.

Among the raft of new legislation to come into effect on January 1 are controversial changes to workers compensation introduced by the O'Farrell government to rein in a $4 billion budget blowout.

Up to 20,000 injured workers across the state who need ongoing medical treatment will lose out in 2014 due to the changes, the Law Society of NSW says.

"For example a worker with an amputation injury who has, up until now, been having their artificial limbs replaced by the insurer will now lose this entitlement," President John Dobson said.

Meanwhile kids will no longer be able to enrol into a childcare facility unless their parent or guardian provides an immunisation record.

Parents or guardians reluctant to vaccinate on religious or other grounds or due to medical conditions will also have to produce documentation.

"No longer will it be at the discretion of child care operators to accept or deny children who aren't immunised," Health Minister Jillian Skinner said in a statement.

"By law these operators will be unable to do so and should they do so they can be fined."

People looking to swap the city for the country air will be some of the winners in the new year with a number of grants rolling out.

From Wednesday a move to regional NSW for full-time employment will see eligible people pocket $10,000.

An existing $7000 grant to city homeowners purchasing properties in regional areas will be extended to include long-term renters in metropolitan Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong who make the country change from January 1.

"This is about attracting much-needed skills to our regions and developing sustainable and more vibrant regional communities," Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner said.

Meanwhile the tax free threshold for land tax will increase from $406,000 to $412,000.

For those into combat sports, such as boxing, cage fighting and Ultimate Fighting, stronger health and safety requirements will come into effect, including that combatants comply with protective clothing or equipment.

The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal will also commence in 2014.

The tribunal is billed as a one-stop shop for 22 state tribunals, which the government says "will improve their quality, consistency and transparency".

"NCAT enables these services to exist as a network, rather than in isolation, which will improve their quality, consistency and transparency," acting Justice Minister Michael Gallacher said in a statement.

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Times Square preps for New Year's Eve bash

NEW York City's Times Square is getting ready for New Year's Eve.

The square will host millions on Tuesday night counting down the last few moments of 2013.

Starting on Saturday, six Citibikes from the city's bike share program were being installed in Times Square and connected to 12-volt deep cycle batteries.

New Yorkers and tourists will generate power by pedalling. That will help illuminate the famed ball that will descend New Year's Eve.

Each bike will generate an average of 75 watts an hour. It takes 50,000 watts to power the ball, which is lit by 30,000 LEDs.

Additionally, a giant paper shredder and a dumpster were installed in Times Square on Saturday to allow visitors to destroy bad memories of 2013.

The annual event is dubbed Good Riddance Day.

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Quakes sink part of Mexico highway near US

A section of a Mexican highway near the US border has collapsed after a series of small earthquakes. Source: AAP

A 275-METRE section of a Mexican highway near the US border has collapsed, sinking about 30m after a series of small earthquakes.

Mexico's federal highway authority says the collapse occurred about 93km south of the border city of Tijuana.

The road leads to the port city of Ensenada, on the Baja California peninsula.

The agency said on Saturday the road was closed in the early morning hours, after the collapse was detected.

The agency said the collapse was caused by seven small earthquakes ranging in magnitude from 1.3 to 4.3.

It said the roadway runs over a known geological fault in the area, and that it had been raining heavily.

No injuries were reported.

Traffic was being diverted onto a smaller, non-toll highway.

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Icebreaker on track to reach stuck ship

An Aussie icebreaker is about 100 nautical miles from a ship trapped in sea ice near Antarctica. Source: AAP

FEDERAL authorities say a rescue mission by an Australian icebreaker remains on track as it closes in on a ship wedged in sea ice near Antarctica.

A group of scientists, explorers and tourists has been stuck on the Russian research ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy about 1500 nautical miles south of Hobart for the past five days.

Although the expedition's leader says spirits among those on the ship remain high, a retired Brisbane teacher aboard as a tourist says frustration is building.

Two icebreakers have given up on efforts to push through the thick and dangerous ice floes near Antarctica to try to free the trapped research vessel.

A third icebreaker, Australia's Aurora Australis, is on its way to the stranded ship and is due to arrive about 11pm (AEDT) on Sunday.

It is the last ship in the area that will be able to help.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) says Aurora Australis is about 85 nautical miles from the trapped ship.

"The Aurora Australis remains on track to arrive in the vicinity around 11pm AEDT," an AMSA spokeswoman said in a statement.

If the icebreaker can't battle through the ice, AMSA says a second option may be to consider ferrying trapped passengers with a helicopter.

The locked-in ship, with 74 people on board, including several New Zealanders, sent a distress call on Christmas Day after becoming trapped in heavy sea ice.

The ship had been undertaking the Spirit of Mawson voyage, which is retracing Sir Douglas Mawson's Antarctic expedition.

Professor Chris Turney of the University of NSW is leading the expedition, consisting of scientists, explorers and enthusiasts undertaking climate research.

He insisted during several interviews with international media outlets that everyone was in good spirits despite the ordeal.

But retired Brisbane teacher Kayleen Lawson, aboard the stricken vessel as a tourist, said frustration was building.

"It was meant to be the trip of a lifetime, and it still is ... but it's turning out a little differently to what I expected," Ms Lawson told News Corp during a satellite phone interview.

The Aurora icebreaker is rated at being able to push through ice slightly deeper than one metre thick.

China's Snow Dragon icebreaker, which came within six and a half nautical miles of the stuck ship before turning back out of safety fears, is standing by in case its helicopter will be needed.

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Cyclone closer to WA's north coast

A CATEGORY two cyclone off Western Australia's Kimberley coast is expected to intensify as it heads towards the Pilbara.

Tropical Cyclone Christine was 280 kilometres off Broome at 2pm (WST) on Sunday and was moving towards the Pilbara coast about 10 kilometres an hour, the Bureau of Meteorology said.

The bureau said the cyclone was "expected to intensify further as it moves towards the Pilbara coast".

It is forecasting the cyclone to bring heavy rainfall and gales of up to 100km/h south of Cape Leveque on Sunday.

Gales are expected to extend further west along the Pilbara coast to Whim Creek late on Sunday or Monday morning as the cyclone approaches.

On Monday, the cyclone is forecast to bring "very destructive" gales and heavy rainfall to Mardie and possibly as far west as Exmouth, with winds possibly reaching 165km/h.

Coastal communities between Pardoo and Mardie have been warned of the potential for a dangerous storm tide late on Monday or early on Tuesday.

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