Man planned to kill shop landlord: court

A SEAFOOD shop operator in northern New South Wales has been accused of conspiring to kill his landlord.

Police allege Menniti Seafoods operator Joseph Palermo was planning the murder, having intercepted "concerning phone taps" and finding a shortened shotgun in his car.

Palermo, 36, and his co-accused Trent Daniel Habershon, 25, faced charges of conspiracy to murder in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Saturday.

Palermo was also charged over the possession of the gun that was allegedly wrapped in a towel in his car boot.

Prosecutor acting Senior Sergeant Tara Pease said police phone taps on Wednesday night revealed the men were planning to put a GPS tracking device in the landlord's car.

A conversation between the pair at 5.20pm said: "We have no choice now. We have to go up and get the old man tonight."

Another at 9.20pm indicated the pair were planning to do something at 3am: "It's a better idea, it's cleaner ... we will get him on his way to work."

Acting Sen Sgt Pease said police believed Palermo was conducting surveillance around the landlord's home at Clayfield, in Brisbane's north.

Palermo's mobile had "bounced off" phone towers in the area, she said.

Police stopped the men outside the landlord's home, and uncovered the gun along with two large zip ties, a knife, a baton and printed emails detailing the landlord's behaviour.

Lawyer Jason Buckland, for Palermo, told the court police suspected, but couldn't prove, his client was going to cause damage to the landlord's property.

The conspiracy to murder charge was surprising, he said.

Mr Buckland said Palermo had operated the Tweed Heads seafood business for seven years and had invested about $500,000 in equipment before being locked out of the premises by the landlord over unpaid rent.

Palermo had filed Supreme Court proceedings seeking damages, he said.

Magistrate Jacqui Payne said Palermo was a serious risk and should remain in custody.

Mr Buckland withdrew an application for bail and Palermo was remanded in custody until the case returns to court on February 10.

Habershon made no application for bail and was remanded in custody until February 10.

15.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Order out to arrest PNG opposition leader

ORDERS have been issued for the arrest of Papua New Guinea's opposition leader amid allegations he threatened the police commissioner.

The country's top cop, Tom Kulunga, on Saturday ordered the arrest of Belden Namah on allegations the former deputy prime minister threatened him in a letter.

In the letter Mr Namah allegedly demanded Mr Kulunga reinstate four policemen who were suspended after a warrant was issued for the arrest of Prime Minister Peter O'Neill.

A police spokesman told AAP the order for Mr Namah's arrest was issued on Saturday morning.

Further comment is being sought from police.

Mr Namah is expected to give a press conference on Saturday night.

15.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Twelve homes lost in SA fires

TWELVE homes have been lost in South Australia as thousands of hectares continue to burn out of control across the state.

An emergency warning was issued for residents at the small town of Truro on Saturday afternoon, as the Eden Valley fire made a run towards the Sturt Highway.

The SA Country Fire Service (CFS) warned that the blaze, which has burnt through more than 22,000 hectares since Friday, was putting lives and homes at risk.

About 160 firefighters were supported by nine aircraft at the fire, a CFS spokesman told AAP.

It was not known how many homes were under threat, he said.

The fire was one of five blazes in the state on Saturday.

Of concern was a fire at Bangor in the southern Flinders Ranges, where the CFS said conditions were continually changing.

A watch and act alert was issued in the afternoon with residents urged not to return to the area until advised.

But the CFS spokesman said crews had experienced a "pretty reasonable day" with milder conditions allowing firefighters to get the better of some blazes.

"We have had a day where we have been able to consolidate a lot of fires and nothing new has kicked off."

A band of lightning seen in the morning over the top of the state had caused concerns, however, that seemed to have stabilised, he said.

So far five homes are confirmed to have been lost in the Bangor blaze, with two destroyed in the Billiat park region and five lost in Eden Valley.

However, the CFS said the number could increase as damage assessment crews were deployed.

There has been substantial stock losses.

Premier Jay Weatherill said it would be an achievement if the state came through the fires without loss of life or substantial property loss.

"And it's an achievement which is entirely due to the professionalism and education of our emergency services," he told reporters.

He said the government would meet the needs of families who had lost their homes.

"It's obviously devastating for the families ... we are here making sure we can provide support for those families," he said.

Due to the relatively small number of people affected at this point, he said services expected to be able to contact each of the families to ensure they received direct support and assistance.

About 10 firefighters were injured battling the blazes in the past few days, including for heat-related illness and smoke inhalation.

The Bureau of Meteorology says weather conditions are moderating.

15.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Heater blamed for fire in Chinese town

CHINESE authorities have detained a guesthouse operator whose unattended heater allegedly sparked a fire that burned for nearly 10 hours and destroyed an ancient Tibetan town in southern China, the official Xinhua News Agency says.

More than 2000 firefighters, soldiers, police, local officials and volunteers responded to the early morning blaze on January 11, which destroyed 343 houses and many historic artifacts in Dukezong, Shangri-La county's old neighbourhood.

Tang Ying, operator of the Ruyi Inn guesthouse, was detained and was being investigated for allegedly causing the fire after she forgot to turn off the heater, which later set fire to a curtain, Xinhua said.

The Shangri-La government could not be reached Saturday to confirm the report.

Strong winds caused the fire to spread quickly through the neighbourhood, which had mostly wooden structures.

Local authorities have said a million-dollar fire prevention system failed to prevent the fire, with witnesses saying hydrants failed to pump out water and that fire engines were kept outside the area's narrow alleys.

Critics also have raised questions about whether fire prevention had been overlooked in the rush to develop the old town to attract tourists.

Once called Gyaitang Zong, the county surrounding Dukezong renamed itself Shangri-La in 2001, hoping to draw tourists by referencing the mythical Himalayan land described in James Hilton's 1933 novel.

In 2005, the county started to renovate its ancient Tibetan quarter of Dukezong, which dates back to more than 1,000 years and is known for its preserved cobbled streets, ancient structures and Tibetan culture.

Tourism is virtually the only industry in the traditional Tibetan region.

15.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

US newspaper that bet on print cuts staff

FOLLOWING an aggressive staff expansion that defied trends in the struggling newspaper industry, the publisher of the Orange County Register has announced that he is changing the management team and cutting jobs.

In a memo to staff, Aaron Kushner said 32 jobs were cut.

Among those leaving were longtime editor Ken Brusic and three of his top deputies.

Kushner and a business partner bought the paper's parent company, Freedom Communications, in 2012.

In a heavy bet on print, they increased page counts and quickly added editorial staff, nearly doubling the newsroom ranks from about 200 to 370 after the cuts.

The paper's editor, Nels Jensen, also was replaced.

"As we finish our year, we take stock in all that we have accomplished. We evaluate what worked well and what did not. And then we prepare for making 2014 a year of profitable growth," Kushner wrote to Orange County staff.

Outgoing editor Brusic, who joined the Orange County paper in 1989 and took the top editorial position in 2002, declined a request for comment.

Kushner announced that Brusic would be replaced by Rob Curley, the deputy editor.

Among Curley's newsroom leadership team is former business editor Donna Wares, who will become managing editor and lead the rollout of the Los Angeles Register.

In a story posted on its website on Thursday, the Orange County Register reported that the new daily would debut "in coming months".

Kushner also has expressed interest in purchasing the region's largest paper, the Los Angeles Times.

15.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Relief on the way at last for SA

Adelaide residents are in for their fifth straight day of extreme heat tipped to soar past 40C. Source: AAP

SOUTH Australians are set to get relief after enduring the third worst heatwave in the state's history.

A cool change began to creep across the state on Friday and Adelaide will have top temperatures of just 29C over the weekend.

The break in the weather brings an end to five days of sweltering conditions when the mercury surged past 40C each day.

Only in 1908 and 2009, when Adelaide sizzled through six days above 40C, have there been worse heatwaves.

Bureau of Meteorology acting regional director John Nairn said the change moved into some coastal areas by midday on Friday but would take time to penetrate further inland.

He said Adelaide was not likely to feel any significant relief until close to midnight.

"It is a very shallow, typical summertime change so it is going to be difficult to see it penetrate far inland," he said.

"It will take some time for it to go through."

On Friday Adelaide's top temperature hit 42.7C after tops of 42.1C on Monday, 45.1C on Tuesday, 43.7C on Wednesday and 44.2C on Thursday.

The hottest spot in the state was Port August with 45.4C.

Despite the looming relief, emergency services urged people to continue to be vigilant with hydration and also with taking care in places where they seek relief including swimming pools and at the beach.

No deaths have been directly attributed to the severe conditions but chief public medical officer Stephen Christley says determining in which cases heat was a factor will likely take some months.

The ambulance service says it has taken an extra 400 calls for assistance over the past four days with demand up about 17 per cent.

There have been 275 presentations to hospitals across the state for heat-related conditions.

Power regulators said while electricity demand remained high the state's power network had coped without the need for rolling blackouts.

15.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

WA owner speaks after dogs euthanised

THE owner of two dogs euthanised after mauling a nine-year-old boy south of Perth says she has never had any problems with the dogs before and she is in shock over the attack.

Ambulance crews were called to a Cooper Street home in Mandurah on Friday morning to treat the youngster for head and arm injuries.

He has been transported to Princess Margaret Hospital in Perth after initially being taken to the nearby Peel Health campus.

His mother and grandmother, aged 50 and 29, were also treated for lacerations.

The owner of the female mastiff cross and male American bulldog surrendered the pets to authorities and the animals were then euthanised, a spokeswoman for the City of Mandurah said.

The owner, who did not want to be named, said the three injured people were her relatives and were at the house minding her children while she was out.

"I'm in shock," she told the Mandurah Mail newspaper.

"There was blood everywhere."

The woman said she had owned the dogs since they were puppies and they had never been violent before.

"You can ask our other neighbours - we've never had any trouble with them," she said.

15.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Indonesia 'deplores' border breaches

Asylum seekers say they were given a boat by Australian authorities to return to Indonesia. Source: AAP

INDONESIA has demanded the Abbott government immediately suspend its policy of turning asylum seeker boats back after the Australian navy breached its territorial waters.

The Indonesian government say it deplores the breaches and its navy will also ramp up patrols in areas where the incidents occurred in what appears a serious decline in already fractured relations.

A stern warning from Indonesia, contained in a statement issued on Friday afternoon, came after Immigration Minister Scott Morrison confirmed Australian navy vessels had entered Indonesian waters without permission while conducting border protection operations.

"The government of Indonesia deplores and rejects the violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity by the Australian vessels," the statement read.

"The government of Indonesia underlines that any of such violation of whatever basis constitutes a serious matter in bilateral relations of the two countries.

"Indonesia therefore demands that such violation will not recur in the future.

"The government of Indonesia has the right to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with international laws and the charter of the United Nations.

"Indonesia demands that such operation conducted by the Australian government that led to this incident to be suspended until formal clarification is received and assurances of no recurrence of such incidents has been provided."

"While we take note such assurance that Australia fully respects Indonesia's territorial sovereignty, Indonesia rejects the so-called 'turn back boats' policy and ... any unilateral action which risks the recurrence of similar incidents in the future."

The statement, which was released by the office of Indonesia's Co-ordinating Minister for Politics, Security and Law, also demanded a more detailed explanation as to how Australian navy vessels had strayed into Indonesian waters.

The statement came after a spokesman for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono earlier suggested Indonesia was dissatisfied with Australia's response to the incidents.

Teuku Faizasyah, the president's spokesman on foreign affairs, confirmed to AAP that Dr Yudhoyono had been briefed on reports of the territorial incursions.

He said Dr Yudhoyono had also been made aware of Australia's "expression of regret" in relation to the incidents.

Despite the government repeatedly promising to respect Indonesia's territorial sovereignty, Mr Morrison on Friday admitted to a number of incursions by Australian vessels during Operation Sovereign Borders.

It is unclear whether the navy ships were turning back asylum seeker boats when they entered Indonesian waters.

"This was done unintentionally and without knowledge or sanction by the Australian government," Mr Morrison said.

"The Australian government takes our shared commitment with Indonesia to mutually respect the sovereignty of each nation very, very seriously."

An Indonesian spokesman warned the latest incident was likely to put further strain on relations between Jakarta and Canberra, already at their lowest point in more than a decade in the wake of last year's spying row.

"If they entered Indonesian waters like that, this will only worsen the situation and the relationship between Indonesia and Australia," Agus Barnas said.

A rapprochement between the countries following Jakarta's decision late last year to freeze co-operation with Australia in the wake of the spying row is now in serious jeopardy.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop apologised to her Indonesian counterpart Marty Natalegawa on Thursday, while Mr Morrison said a more formal apology will be provided to the Indonesian government via the Australian embassy in Indonesia.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says the government needs to stop blaming the navy and take responsibility for its own border protection policy.

"These service men and women do an extremely tough job under very difficult circumstances and they shouldn't be blamed for the failings of the Abbott government and its policies," Mr Shorten said.

15.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Warehouse buys Schooltex for $NZ9m

NEW Zealand's largest listed retailer the Warehouse Group has agreed to buy Schooltex from Postie Plus Group for $NZ9 million ($A8.41 million) to add the nation's biggest supplier of school uniforms to its department stores.

"We see the Schooltex uniform brand complementing The Warehouse's existing school apparel and back to school product range," chief executive Mark Powell said in a statement on Wednesday.

Postie Plus shares have shed 57 per cent in the past 12 months and the clothing retailer posted a $NZ13.2 million loss after writing down the value of stock by $NZ4 million.

Sales and margins were also hurt after it outsourced its distribution centre, which got overwhelmed by the transfer of inventory arriving at the same time as new seasonal stock.

The deal will allow Postie Plus to reduce debt to $NZ12.2 million from $NZ21.1 million, giving the retailer more flexibility to invest in its clothing, health and beauty product ranges and complimentary products. It will also free up floor space for new products, it said.

Warehouse will pick up six Schooltex support office and regional staff at the end of February. Schooltex supplies uniforms and sportswear to more than 1,100 schools.

Postie Plus stock last traded at 10 NZ cents. Warehouse last traded at $NZ3.66 and has gained 19 per cent in the past year.

04.28 | 0 komentar | Read More

Nickel again rises while copper falls

BASE metals on the London Metal Exchange (LME) have closed mixed as gains in nickel and lead continue to steal the focus of the market while copper and aluminum drift lower.

"Copper has been surprisingly quiet with the metal trading sideways in a narrow range, while the supporting cast of lead and nickel take the limelight instead," said Standard Bank base metals analyst Leon Westgate.

Nickel on Tuesday extended its recent strong gains to hit its highest price since late December, as investors anticipated the supply-limiting effects of an export ban in top ore-exporter Indonesia. The ban was enforced on Sunday, although last-minute meetings have left room for exceptions.

The legislation is aimed at locating ore processing activities in Indonesia in order to export higher-value products and reduce the nation's current account deficit. Nickel is used to make stainless steel and feeds China's nickel pig iron industry.

LME three-month nickel on Tuesday closed 1.0 per cent higher at $US14,340 a metric ton, or tonne. In early trading the metal hit its highest value since December 23, at $US14,400 a tonne.

Turnover in other metals was muted, said analysts, with copper and aluminium slipping into consolidating patterns, closing down 0.7 per cent at $US7,270 a tonne and 1.2 per cent at $US1,759.50 per tonne, respectively.

The exception was lead, where trading volumes were robust and prices were pulled higher by nickel. Lead closed 1.0 per cent higher at $US2,187 per tonne.

"The focus has switched back from zinc into lead," added Westgate.

"With positioning, or rather repositioning, in zinc appearing to have run its course, and with lead activity building up, the fundamentals of lead versus zinc should start to reassert themselves again.

"This should allow lead prices to start to extend their lead over the likes of zinc over the coming weeks."

04.28 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rolf Harris to contest sex charges

AUSTRALIAN entertainer Rolf Harris has formally pleaded not guilty to 12 historic sex offences during an appearance in a London court.

Harris - dressed in a blue suit and red tie - was accompanied by a small gathering of family and friends at Tuesday's plea and case management at Southwark Crown Court.

The 83-year-old, appearing relaxed and in better health than his last court appearance in September, answered with a loud and clear "not guilty" as each of the indecent assault charges was read to him in the packed courtroom.

Harris is accused of carrying out sex attacks against four alleged victims over an 18-year period between 1968 and 1986.

The artist, musician and television presenter is also charged with making four indecent images of a child in 2012 but he is yet to be arraigned on those charges.

His trial is scheduled to begin on April 30.

Harris arrived at the court along with a support group that included his elderly wife Alwen, whom he pushed in a wheelchair, and his 49-year-old daughter Bindi.

He hummed a tune to himself as he arrived at the court and sat still in the dock during the hearing, which lasted more than an hour, speaking only briefly to confirm his name and enter his pleas.

The charges heard by the court included allegations Harris digitally penetrated, performed oral sex, or inappropriately touched the girls.

He is accused of six offences of indecent assault against a girl aged 15 in 1980-81 and a further alleged assault when she was 19.

Harris also faces three indecent assault charges against a girl aged 14 in 1986, another charge against a girl aged seven or eight in 1968 or 1969 and one against a girl aged 14 in 1975-76.

Tuesday was Harris' first appearance in court since a hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court in September, when he looked frail and confused at times.

He is expected to attend at least two more hearings before his trial is scheduled to begin.

Harris was remanded on bail by Justice Nigel Sweeney on the condition he does not contact witnesses and lives only at his home address.

The veteran entertainer made no comment to reporters after the hearing as he passed a huge media scrum assembled behind barricades in front of the court.

Harris was questioned under caution in November 2012 by officers working on Operation Yewtree, the national investigation launched after abuse claims were made against Jimmy Savile.

He was then arrested in March, and charged in August. The allegations against Harris have no connection to Savile.

He has not commented on the allegations since he was first named in the press in April.

Harris, who painted a portrait of the Queen in 2005 and performed at her Diamond Jubilee concert last year, has been in the public eye for decades.

He had his first musical hit Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport in 1960, and continued to enjoy success in the industry as well as forging a television career.

Harris has also received a number of honours and was made Officer of the Order of Australia in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2012.

04.28 | 0 komentar | Read More

Drugs found at Bieber home after egg raid

AN associate of pop star Justin Bieber was detained after cocaine was found during a search of the Canadian singer's Los Angeles mansion following allegations of vandalism, officials said.

Los Angeles Sheriff's Department officer Dave Thompson said an individual was arrested after drugs were discovered as deputies combed through Bieber's luxury home in the upmarket enclave of Calabasas.

About a dozen detectives swooped on Bieber's sprawling estate early Tuesday, investigating allegations that the teen idol was responsible for causing thousands of dollars in damage to a neighbour's home after pelting it with eggs.

Thompson said an investigation into a "felony crime" was ongoing.

He said cocaine found at the property was "in plain view of the deputies when they were looking for the evidence".

Bieber, who was in the property during the raid, had been neither "arrested or exonerated" in connection with the vandalism case, Thompson said.

He added that the pop star was "not connected to that cocaine other than the gentleman was staying at his residence".

Officials however dismissed suggestions that the nature of the alleged vandalism - alleged to have caused as much as $US20,000 ($A22,150) in damage - was trivial.

"A felony crime is a felony crime. The damage was from the eggs," Thompson added.

"The felony comes from the amount of the damage, and this residence sustained a great amount of damage that easily achieve the felony vandalism section.

"I get that the eggs don't seem that significant but it does rise to the level of a felony. There's an extensive amount of damage and I and the sheriff's department take that very seriously."

The department earlier confirmed it had served a warrant at Bieber's home over the egg-throwing allegations.

"The purpose of the search warrant is to seek video surveillance or other possible evidence in the vandalism that occurred on January 9 ... The vandalism damage is estimated by the homeowner to be approximately $US20,000," a statement said.

It is not known what prompted the alleged egg attack.

04.28 | 0 komentar | Read More

Forge shares punished again

FORGE Group's shareholders have been punished after the company announced another profit writedown, bringing the total in less than two months to up to $155 million.

The latest problems for the Perth engineering group relate to a $23 million to $28 million cost blow-out at the West Angelas Power Station Forge is building for Rio Tinto in Western Australia's Pilbara.

The total profit hits associated with that project and its DPS station in Mt Isa to $150-155 million following a $127 million writedown in late November.

On Tuesday morning, Forge's shares came out of a two-day trading halt and plunged 30 per cent.

It clawed back to close 22.5 cents, or 18 cents, down at $1.025, representing a $19 million-plus fall in market capitalisation to below $90 million.

The shares were $6.90 10 months ago.

Forge shares plummeted 84 per cent, losing $300 million in its market value, in one day in late November when it came out of a three-week trading halt to announce gas station writedowns and forecast an annual loss of up to $90 million.

Forge chief executive David Simpson said, in a teleconference, that Rio Tinto, the bank and Forge's other financiers continued to back the company and that the extra net costs of up to $19 million announced on Tuesday would come out of existing funds.

ANZ Bank stepped in as creditors late last year with more generous debt facilities to rescue Forge from a cashflow crisis and possibly administration when it had to find $45 million to complete the gas power station contracts.

However the deal gave ANZ warrant options over 13 per cent of Forge's shares which, if exercised, would dilute other shareholdings.

Mr Simpson said the company had only uncovered the extra engineering and other needed work last week, and that it would delay the West Angelas project by three months.

The plant is due to be completed by August this year.

"The market announcement comes to us today regrettably,' he said.

OptionsXpress market analyst Ben Le Brun said he thought Forge might still need a capital raising, which some thought could be avoided through its new debt deal.

"The downgrade of the power stations was unfortunate as the new power division was expected to insulate the company somewhat in light of the broader mining slowdown," he said.

The company had some good news, however, announcing that it had secured bonding facilities from financiers backing its recently won $1.5 billion contract with Gina Rinehart's Roy Hill iron ore project.

15.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

No bail for Sydney father over shot floor

A SYDNEY man who allegedly fired a shot into the floor of his estranged wife's home after arguing with her as he collected their children has been refused bail.

Mario Alexandridis, 35, didn't apply for bail when he fronted Sydney's Central Local Court on Tuesday on theft and firearms charges.

Police allege Alexandridis fired a shot into the floor of an upstairs bedroom at his estranged wife's Double Bay home in Sydney's east on Monday afternoon following a row between the pair.

He had gone to the home to collect his children, but argued with their mother after putting the children in his car.

Alexandridis also allegedly stole items from the home before driving off.

Following the alleged incidents, Alexandridis called his solicitor, who alerted police.

He turned himself in at Burwood police station.

The children are staying with relatives.

Alexandridis is due to appear before Central Local Court on March 13.

15.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Forecaster says heatwave a class act

ADELAIDE'S heatwave is a "class act" as it challenges records dating back more than 70 years, a senior forecaster says.

Adelaide sweltered through 45C on Tuesday, just one degree short of its all time high of 46.1C set on January 12, 1939.

The heatwave was also forecast to give the city five consecutive days above 40C, making it the city's third longest hot spell.

In 1908 and 2009, Adelaide recorded six days above 40C, but Bureau of Meteorology acting regional director John Nairn said they both came at a time when Australia was gripped by drought.

"It's a class act in terms of a heatwave, so it does deserve our attention," Mr Nairn said.

While Adelaide sizzled, the hottest spot in SA on Tuesday was Keith, in the southeast, where the mercury hit 47.2C while at Pallamana, east of Adelaide, it reached 46.3C and at Lameroo and Port Augusta 46.2C.

The conditions prompted Premier Jay Weatherill to convene a special Emergency Management Council meeting to allow the government and emergency services to discuss the threats posed by the high temperatures.

"People need to closely monitor the weather in their area and ensure they are prepared for extreme circumstances," Mr Weatherill said.

The premier said forecast thunderstorms in some districts were also increasing the risk of major bushfires.

On Tuesday the Country Fire Service battled a string of incidents, including fires in the Adelaide Hills, on Kangaroo Island, on Eyre Peninsula, at Cape Jervis and in the mid-north.

In the Barossa Valley about 1000 homes and businesses lost power while almost 4000 suffered a cut to services across Adelaide's inner-northern suburbs.

The state's ambulance service reported a 12 per cent rise in demand for its services with about 20 heat-related admissions to local hospitals in the 24 hours to 8am (CDST) on Tuesday.

An ambulance service spokesman said Wednesday and Thursday were likely to be the worst days for heat-related calls.

Temperatures are expected to hit 45C on Wednesday and 46C on Thursday before a cool changes sweeps across the state on Friday.

After the Emergency Management Council meeting, Mr Weatherill said he was confident the situation remained under control.

"But there are great concerns about the very extreme weather conditions which are quite changeable," the premier told Network 10.

He said emergency services still had plenty of spare capacity and were liaising with interstate authorities to supplement resources if necessary.

"We're well placed at the moment and everybody understands the nature of the threat and is well prepared to respond to it," Mr Weatherill said.

15.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Locals return to Perth hills devastation

The Perth hills bushfire is officially under control as residents prepare to tour the area. Source: AAP

THE flames may be out, but the recovery for the Perth hills after Sunday's devastating firestorm is just beginning as residents who lost homes return to view the damage.

As firefighters mopped up in Stoneville, Parkerville and Mt Helena, the toll of properties lost was finalised at 52, with more than $13 million in damage already reported by insurers.

And those worst affected made the grim trip back to what remained of their houses, to literally start picking up the pieces.

"The glass didn't shatter, it melted," Stoneville resident Stacey Delich told AAP.

"We will have to contact the insurance company and see if we can salvage anything. If we can find anything, that's a bonus.

"But they're things that can't be found any more ... they're all gone."

Counselling services have been made available to the dozens of people confronted with the reality of their loss.

"To be told verbally is one thing, to see it visually is quite another," said Deputy Fire Commissioner Brad Stringer.

The loss was mixed with growing frustration for other residents, who were asked to prove their address before being given a permit to be allowed to return to their homes to assess the damage.

Fire commissioner Wayne Gregson, a Hills resident himself, said he could understand the heightened emotion.

"I accept that as a potential possibility, some people will say bugger the authorities and go back in," Commissioner Gregson said.

"They are putting themselves at risk by ignoring the roadblocks, but I can understand that - if it was my house I'd be equally as anxious to know."

Nearly a dozen people were forced to sleep at the emergency evacuation centre set up in nearby Swan View, with dozens more displaced families relying on the goodwill of friends and family.

The generosity of locals had been so overwhelming with donations of clothes, toys, blankets, and personal items that people have been asked to use a local Salvation Army depot to drop off donations, or donate money to a disaster fund instead.

The fire is being blamed for the death of one man, 62 year-old Ron Shaw, who collapsed as he stood on the roof of his Hovea home to prepare for the flames.

Insurance assessors began reviewing claims in the bushfire-affected communities, with more than 300 claims topping $13 million.

Power remained out for around 450 homes late on Tuesday.

As the emergency response gave way to investigation, Commissioner Gregson confirmed the fire was most likely sparked by a fallen power pole on private property, which remains the responsibility of the homeowner to maintain.

Thousands of private power poles are spread across the state, and have already been blamed for sparking a bushfire last January which threatened houses in Chidlow.

Mr Gregson suggested the time had come to review the responsibilities placed on homeowners to maintain poles on their land.

"Is it fair and reasonable to expect an owner to be responsible for that type of infrastructure?" he said on ABC radio.

15.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Five killed on Vic roads in 24 hours

Two people are in hospital and three others have been killed in a two car collision in Melbourne. Source: AAP

TWO people have died and five have been injured in a car crash in Victoria's northwest.

Police said seven people were in a car that lost control and crashed on the Murchison Violet Town Road, near Violet Town, about 2pm (AEDT) on Monday.

A 30-year-old man has been flown to The Alfred hospital in a critical condition, an Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said.

Four other males were taken to Shepparton hospital, one in serious condition, she said.

It follows the deaths of three people, including a pedestrian, hit by an allegedly speeding car in Melbourne on Sunday night.

Police say a 45-year-old man was crossing Dandenong Road in Oakleigh on a green light with his wife when he was fatally hit by a white Kia hatchback about 11.40pm (AEDT).

He died at the scene.

The hatchback then collided with a silver Ford sedan, killing husband and wife passengers and leaving the car's driver in critical condition.

Police say the hatchback was travelling well over the 80km/h speed limit.

The 29-year-old male driver of the hatchback was under police guard at the Royal Melbourne Hospital overnight with serious injuries, fractures and bruising.

"At this stage, certainly we are investigating criminal offences involved in this incident," Detective Senior Sergeant Gerard Clanchy told Fairfax Radio on Monday.

"Speed is one of the factors.

"We have had a witness come forward to indicate that prior to this collision they were overtaken by the Kia and saw it go through an intersection further back."

Det Sen Sgt Clanchy said the pedestrian had a green light when he crossed the road.

"Tragically, the pedestrian was crossing with his wife, so she's witnessed her husband getting struck by the car," he said.

The latest fatalities take Victoria's road toll to 10, compared with four for the same time last year.

15.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Four people unaccounted for in bushfire

Four people are unaccounted for and 46 homes have been destroyed by a bushfire in the Perth hills. Source: AAP

FEARS are held for four people who remain unaccounted for in the Perth hills bushfire which have already claimed one life and destroyed 46 homes.

Fire Commissioner Wayne Gregson fears the missing people could be in the fire zone.

"It could well be that some individuals have been victims of the fire," he said.

A 62-year-old man in nearby Hovea collapsed on the roof of his house and died on Sunday afternoon.

The blaze, which tore through 650 hectares in the Shire of Mundaring on Sunday, was contained on Monday afternoon but firefighters were still battling to control it.

A watch and act alert remains in place for the eastern part of Parkerville, Stoneville and Mount Helena.

Emergency Services Minister Joe Francis believes a power pole on private property caused the fire.

About 500 people gathered for a community meeting in Swan View on Monday, including Premier Colin Barnett, and were told there were 13 roadblocks and they would probably not be able to return home until Wednesday.

And around 100 people were housed in two emergency welfare centres in Swan View and Mundaring on Monday night, while the fate of livestock and pets is unknown but residents are bracing for the worst.

Some firefighters have been treated for heat exhaustion and bee stings.

Mr Francis said the "catastrophic" fire was something West Australians always thought might happen and prayed would not, but he said it could have been a lot worse.

"Modelling shows that had the resources not been available at the time ... it could have been 450 houses," he said.

"We pray this is the last fire we see like this, but there are no guarantees.

"We deal with the lottery dealt out by Mother Nature."

The state government announced it would donate $1 million to the Lord Mayor's Distress Relief Fund to help victims.

Acting Premier Kim Hames said the state government would also provide $3000 to those whose homes had been destroyed and $1000 for damaged houses.

Western Power says about 1000 properties are without power in Parkerville and Mundaring and 150 poles are down.

"Rebuilding of the network is expected to take three to four days but reconnection to individual homes will take longer as some property owners will need qualified electricians to check their household powerline is safe before the power is turned back on," a spokeswoman said.

The Red Cross State Inquiry Centre is operational and people seeking information on family members can call 1800 015 337.

Mundaring Shire president Helen Dullard said knowing so many homes had been lost increased the devastation tremendously, and many residents were relieved to escape the flames.

"Visually, it was a very ugly fire. It was scary," she told AAP.

Ms Dullard said the local council would manage relief funds.

Insurers have declared the fire a catastrophic event.

15.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sydney train cleaners opt for redundancies

THE NSW government is accused of trying to privatise Sydney's public transport "via stealth", as it flags redundancies for bus and train cleaning staff.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) says that after three years of "restructures", Sydney's train cleaners have had enough, and more than 60 per cent of staff have applied for redundancies.

It says 437 of 713 staff have expressed interest in taking a redundancy, as the government plans to outsource about 35 per cent of its cleaning of the network.

RTBU State Secretary Alex Claassens said the outsourcing had stoked concerns the government was "silo-ing divisions of the network, gutting them and then moving to privatise them".

"Workers and the union have long suspected the government's privatisation plans, but outsourcing jobs within the cleaning division is the first public move to privatise jobs and sell off the network," he said in a statement on Monday.

The RTBU said the government sent out expressions of interest for redundancies or redeployment in December to more than 100 cleaners working on Sydney's buses.

However, the union's acting state secretary, David Woollams, said he did not believe the take-up of redundancies would be as high by bus employees as those on trains.

"The buses haven't gone through major restructures like the rail has," he told AAP on Monday.

Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian has defended the move on Sydney's trains, saying that "having the same staff doing the same old thing is not working".

"Anyone who thinks trains are as clean as they can be is kidding themselves," she said in a statement.

She said the push to outsource one-third of the workforce would drive innovation and improved service.

"Successful tenders will have to meet market-leading standards of cleaning, so our customers will notice even more improvement."

Sydney Trains said work practices meant a number of senior cleaning staff spent more time filling out reports than cleaning trains and stations.

In a position statement, Sydney Trains claimed it was time to review practices to give customers cleaner trains and taxpayers better value.

Tenders for cleaning functions are expected to be released to the market in coming months.

New arrangements are expected to be implemented by September 2014.

15.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

SA swelters through day one of heatwave

Emergency services are on alert as much of SA faces a severe heatwave over the next week. Source: AAP

South Australia has escaped relatively unscathed after the first day of an expected five-day heatwave with temperatures pushing into the 40s in Adelaide and many regional centres.

The conditions prompted a severe heat warning from the State Emergency Service and the Country Fire Service (CFS) is on high alert.

Conditions in some centres were hotter than the forecast highs.

CFS crews were deployed to a stubble fire near Stansbury, on Yorke Peninsula, which they quickly brought under control.

Among the hottest spots in SA on Monday were Port Augusta, in the mid-north, with 45C, while Tarcoola, in the far north, and Wudinna, on Eyre Peninsula, reached 44.2C.

Roxby Downs topped 44C.

The coolest spot in SA was Stenhouse Bay, on the tip of Yorke Peninsula, where the mercury peaked at 27.8C.

In Adelaide the temperature reached 42.1C at 3.39pm (CDST), two degrees above the forecast.

The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts tops of 42C on Tuesday, 43C on Wednesday and Thursday and 40C on Friday before a cool change sweeps across the state.

Premier Jay Weatherill has urged all people to take care of those most vulnerable in the heat, including elderly relatives, friends and neighbours.

He says people without air-conditioning at home should consider heading to cooler public facilities such as cinemas, shopping centres and libraries.

The air-conditioned Adelaide Central Bus Station will be open at all hours to provide respite.

Transport Department staff will distribute bottled water to public transport commuters while the extreme conditions persist.

15.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Trade pact close to reality, says Robb

Australian Minister of Trade Andrew Robb says a free trade agreement is close to being "sealed". Source: AAP

THE 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement is close to being "sealed", Australian Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew Robb says.

Mr Robb, in the US to lead the Australian government's delegation for the G'Day USA promotion, says the Obama administration has attempted to entice him to Washington DC for TPP talks.

Mr Robb told AAP on Saturday he would wait for formal TPP discussions scheduled "in a couple of weeks".

The TPP is being negotiated between Australia, the US, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Peru, Chile, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam - countries that comprise almost 40 per cent of the world's GDP.

US President Barack Obama had set a deadline to clinch the TPP deal by the end of 2013 and is facing growing pressure from members of Congress critical of the secrecy around the discussions.

Mr Robb dismissed similar critics in Australia.

"It is nonsense to suggest that people are in the dark," Mr Robb, who attended the G'Day USA ball in Los Angeles on Saturday, told AAP.

He was upbeat about the countries agreeing to the TPP.

"It's ready to be sealed," Robb said.

"A few big things have to end up back on the table yet, but it is close.

"I would hope we are going to see progress obviously this year and sooner rather than later."

15.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Vic Liberal minister to stand down at poll

VICTORIAN government minister Nicholas Kotsiras has announced he will step down at the November state election.

The Greek-born member for Bulleen, whose portfolios include multicultural affairs and energy and resources, says he will end his parliamentary career to spend more time with his family.

"Fifty years ago my parents landed at Station Pier, so it's symbolic that I announce my retirement today," a teary Mr Kotsiras told reporters at the same Port Melbourne pier on Sunday.

Mr Kotsiras, 54, said his proudest achievement is his work in multicultural and "the fact that we live in the most harmonious state in Australia".

The exit of the former school principal who was elected in 1999 raises the prospect that frontbencher Matthew Guy, touted a Liberal leadership aspirant, will move from the upper house to take over his lower house seat.

Mr Kotsiras said while branch members will elect the new candidate, he backed Mr Guy if he chose to run.

"I think he'll make a very, very good member. I would support Matthew Guy," he said.

Mr Kotsiras said it has been a great privilege to serve in public life but he is looking forward to spending time with his grandchildren.

"Family is very important and I've missed my children growing up and I've got four wonderful grandchildren today," he said.

Premier Denis Napthine said Mr Kotsiras had made an outstanding contribution to Victoria, particularly in multicultural affairs.

"Nick is the epitome of achievement for somebody who arrived here as a young person, who worked hard and has really reached the pinnacle in our democratic institution," he told reporters.

Dr Napthine said a decision on whether Mr Kotsiras will remain minister until the November 29 election will be made after Liberal and National party preselections are finalised and he discusses the make up of the cabinet with deputy premier and Nationals leader Peter Ryan.

15.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Police hunt gang who set WA man on fire

POLICE in Perth are searching for a gang of men who set another man on fire during an argument, leaving him with burns to almost half his body and fighting for life in hospital.

The police station in Cannington, south-east of Perth, had to be closed on Sunday after the 20-year-old man from East Cannington collapsed there while seeking help.

WA police said he was shirtless when he arrived at the police station as he had taken it off as he put out the fire.

Investigators say they are searching for a gang of five men they believe are responsible for the man's injuries, which are mainly to his legs and stomach, with minor burns to his face.

The victim is in Royal Perth Hospital in a critical but stable condition.

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Rob Jamieson told reporters authorities believed the incident happened near Mallard Road and Hamilton Street between 4am and 4.30am.

Acting Det Sen Sgt Jamieson said the victim was out walking when he was approached by five dark-skinned males.

"During an altercation some form of accelerant is believed to have been poured or sprayed onto the victim and he was set alight," he said.

At the time of the incident the victim was wearing black jeans or shorts, white sneakers and a black singlet.

One of the offenders is described as aged between 18 and 25, about 175 centimetres tall, of slim build, wearing black-and-red basketball shorts and no shirt.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

15.02 | 0 komentar | Read More