Qld police name pair in abduction case

POLICE have publicly named two people they want to question in relation to the abduction of a two-year-old girl from her father's house southwest of Brisbane.

Bella Rose Goulding was taken from a house at Willowbank, near Ipswich, on Saturday night and police say her abductors are known to the family.

Queensland police believe Lisa Maree Carroll, 21, and Michael Kenneth Winning, 42, may be able to assist their investigation but have not said how they are related to Bella.

Acting Inspector Alison Jewell said three men and a woman abducted the toddler from the home, where she was temporarily staying.

"We believe that Bella is in the company of people who are known to the family," Inspector Jewell told reporters outside Yamanto police station.

"However, we still hold concerns for her safety."

The 8pm abduction occurred on Sancroft Street, which is near a park and the Cunningham Highway.

The girl's father Steven declined to speak publicly on Sunday.

Witnesses saw the abductors in a white Holden Commodore and a silver Mitsubishi sedan.

Bella is described as Caucasian with blue eyes and blonde, curly hair. She was last seen wearing a Dora The Explorer t-shirt and grey leggings.

Insp Jewell said there weren't any specific child safety issues but declined to say if her mother was among the people who abducted the girl or with whom she lived permanently.

"We are consistently getting information from the public and we're following all those leads," she said.

15.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pollie pay freeze a stunt: seniors

A pay freeze for federal politicians is a stunt say seniors, who face increased healthcare costs. Source: AAP

A PAY freeze for federal politicians is a stunt say seniors, who face increased healthcare costs and pension changes in the federal budget.

Treasurer Joe Hockey on Sunday confirmed the government would seek to freeze the salaries of federal politicians and senior public servants for a year in the budget.

The measure could cost the prime minister, who earns an annual salary of $500,000, an estimated $10,000, while the average backbencher would miss out on an estimated $3900.

"We've got to send a very clear message to the electorate that whatever we are asking the electorate to contribute to the budget repair task, we are going to contribute ourselves as well," Mr Hockey told the Nine Network on Sunday.

But the measure was rejected as a stunt by National Seniors Australia, who said it showed politicians were increasingly out of touch with those struggling on a fixed income.

Seniors are facing the introduction of a GP co-payment and higher costs for subsidised medicines in the budget, as well as possible changes to the indexation of pensions.

"They'll (seniors) be quite cynical about it - I think they can see through stunts of this kind," National Seniors chief Michael O'Neill told AAP.

"I don't think this measure will increase in any way politicians awareness of the struggles that people face."

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said he was "up for a politicians pay freeze".

But shadow treasurer Chris Bowen said the move wouldn't appease voter anger over what is shaping as a tough budget.

"If he thinks that freezing his salary is going to make Australians feel better about pension cuts, tax rises and other changes, I think he's kidding himself," he told ABC TV.

Liberal frontbencher Scott Morrison said the move would have the support of Mr Abbott's coalition colleagues.

The prime minister has written to the Independent Remuneration Tribunal seeking the pay freeze.

15.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hospitals to suffer under GP co-payment

HOSPITAL emergency wards would be inundated with extra patients under a GP co-payment system being considered by the Abbott government.

A survey, conducted just days ahead of the Tuesday's budget, has found that most Australians oppose paying any co-payment to visit a GP.

The survey of 1000 people, commissioned by the Consumers Health Forum, found 72 per cent thought a $6 co-payment would send more people to hospital emergency wards.

Sixty-nine per cent said a $6 co-payment would also discourage people from visiting their GP.

Consumers Health Forum chief executive Adam Stankevicius said another survey of almost 600 consumers found co-payments would hit the chronically ill and those on low incomes the hardest.

"If people have to pay to see a doctor, a lot of things are going to change," he said in a statement.

"If they are paying $6, then many people who are used to seeing a GP at no cost are going to put off a visit. Any introduction of a co-payment will be a clear barrier to primary health care."

There has been speculation ahead of the budget that the coalition government will introduce a co-payment for GP visits of $7.50.

15.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

New book tells of child's health battle

FOR nine-year-old Kaitie Francis, having a rare and incurable disease has meant close to 40 operations in her short life and dealing with 17 specialist medical departments.

The young South Australian girl has MPS or mucopolysaccharidosis type 1, a rare and progressive genetic disorder that is potentially fatal.

She is one of 25,000 Australians suffering with the condition which in her case has caused intellectual impairment, eye and hearing problems, bone and joint malformation and heart and breathing difficulties.

Born with the condition but not diagnosed until age two, her story has now been told in a new book, Kaitie the Courageous.

It tells the inspirational way in which she and others with MPS attempt to live life to the full.

"Kaitie is a remarkable nine-year-old girl. What she lacks in stature she sure makes up for in personality and spunk," her mother Kimberlee said at the book launch in Adelaide this week.

"While her future if full of unknowns, what I know is that Kaitie has a depth of care for her peers that is uncommon for a child her age.

"She has an infectious giggle, a wicked sense of humour and is undoubtedly courageous."

Coinciding with the book launch, the MPS Society has also revived calls for a national rare disease plan to end the disjointed and uncertain care offered to MPS patients.

The society believes there is a lack of coordinated support for people affected by rare diseases and their families.

"Clearly Kaitie, as well as the 1.2 million Australians battling a rare disease deserve to know that they are not alone in their fight," MPS Society national manager Nicole Millis said.

"They deserve to know they have access to co-ordinated care, services and treatments which can improve their quality of life."

15.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tasmanian forest peace deal to be repealed

TASMANIA'S new government has introduced legislation to repeal the state's forestry peace deal.

The Tasmanian Forests Agreement took more than three years to negotiate between environmentalists and the timber industry after it was instigated by the previous Labor-Green government.

The state's new Liberal government has tabled its Forestry (Rebuilding the Forest Industry) Bill in the first week of the new parliament.

"The Tasmanian government has said enough is enough," resources minister Paul Harriss told parliament on Thursday.

"Enough to additional reserves made through a process that has alienated so many in the community.

"Enough to government-funded initiatives to wind down the forest industry."

The bill converts 400,000 hectares slated for protection to potential production forest.

A six-year moratorium on logging native forest in those areas will be in place to "reassess" their best use.

Mr Harriss unveiled a range of measures designed to boost the ailing sector, including a new ministerial advisory council.

Tougher penalties for protesters who invade workplaces such as timber processors will also be put in place.

The minister said Will Hodgman's government had a mandate to rip up the peace deal, which would have meant protection for 500,000 hectares in return for green groups' support in markets.

About $100 million of federal government money was also unlocked by the deal, much of which is still to flow but to which the Abbott government has committed.

"It is time to step back from the brink, reassess the events of the last four years and plot a new course for the native forest industry ... based on science, not politics," Mr Harriss said.

Opposition leader and former forestry minister Bryan Green accused the new government of duplicity over its election commitments.

"They promised to unlock Tasmania," Mr Green said.

"What they're saying ... is they'll unlock it potentially, maybe in six years' time."

Labor and the Greens both attacked the government over its pledge to stop propping up the loss-making logging agency Forestry Tasmania.

"This all points to a repeat of the bankrupted Robin Gray era when Forestry borrowed millions, but the taxpayer ended up paying the debt," Greens leader Kim Booth said.

15.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sydney venues to use ID scanners from June

HIGH-RISK Kings Cross clubs, pubs and hotels will from next month use ID scanners as part of the NSW government's crackdown on alcohol-related violence.

The scanners were originally supposed to be rolled out across 35 Kings Cross licensed venues in December, but will now be used from June, Hospitality Minister Troy Grant confirmed on Thursday.

"This is a vital tool for the police," he told parliament during question time.

"The ID scanner system will make Kings Cross' high-risk venues safer by stopping trouble-makers at the door."

Mr Grant, who spent 22 years in the police force before entering parliament, said the Baird government was focused on combating alcohol-fuelled violence.

The scanners capture the name, date of birth, address and photograph of all patrons entering the venues.

They alert staff and police if a patron who is on a banned list tries to enter a high-risk premise.

Banned patrons face fines of up to $5500 for entering or attempting to enter any high-risk venue during the course of a ban.

High-risk venues are those that trade after midnight at least once a week with a capacity of more than 120 people.

Venues affected by Thursday's announcement include Bada Bing Night Spot, Iguana Bar & Restaurant and Showgirls.

15.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pyne signals uni fee hikes

EDUCATION Minister Christopher Pyne is sending strong signals university students will have to pay more for their degrees but they won't be slugged upfront.

He's also hinted the government will consider deregulating fees and will make an in-principle decision to uncap the number of undergraduate students who attract funding.

Speaking at Monash University in Melbourne, Mr Pyne said growth in university participation was good but it strained the budget.

"As the number of students keeps growing, the cost to taxpayers rises with it," he said."

Taxpayers now pay $6 for every $4 students put in.

The government is weighing up changes to the proportion of course costs students pay, or defer through the higher education loans program (HELP).

The national commission of audit recommended students should pay 55 per cent.

"Whatever we decide about that question, opportunities for students must continue to be provided without them having to pay a dollar up-front," Mr Pyne said.

"Costs would be shared fairly between students and taxpayers."

However, he said Australia's tertiary sector was constrained by an out-of-date funding system where the government continued to dictate how much students were charged.

Vice-chancellors from several of Australia's top universities have been pushing for fee deregulation.

Mr Pyne also sketched how expanding demand-driven funding to diplomas and non-university institutions.

Only providers registered with the tertiary quality agency would be eligible, courses would have to be accredited and non-university providers would likely get less money than universities.

15.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Qld hospital evacuated after small fire

PATIENTS and staff were taken from a hospital ward southwest of Brisbane after a small fire started in an X-ray room.

An electrical fault at Ipswich Hospital is understood to have started shortly before 3pm on Wednesday.

A smell of smoke in an electrical panel sparked the evacuation, a hospital spokeswoman said.

"There were no acutely ill patients involved," she told AAP.

Police inspector Michelle Stenner said a small fire in the medical imaging room, which handles X-rays and ultrasounds, caused the small fire on the fourth floor.

"That fire was contained," she told ABC News.

"The electrician attended and made that situation safe."

No one was injured during the fire or evacuation.

Firefighters attended the scene.

15.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Port privatisations hurt economy: Asciano

THE head of ports and rail operator Asciano fears the high-priced privatisation of Australia's ports is damaging the economy.

The short-term benefits to public coffers of realising massive prices by selling public assets could ultimately hurt people more, chief executive John Mullen says.

That happened when the consortiums that bought ports ensured returns by charging high rents to port operators such as Asciano, whose rental costs had jumped 350 per cent at one port.

Asciano and its competitors then pass costs on to importer and exporter customers.

But Mr Mullen says that then risks damaging competitiveness and causing higher costs to consumers.

"It starts to become a tax on trade," he told an American Chamber of Commerce lunch in Melbourne on Wednesday.

"Governments just want to get a fantastic price for it and use those funds to develop other things in the state and there is nothing wrong with that.

"But if the owner has to put prices up to try get a return, ultimately the consumer or manufacturers or exporters are paying that bill and it is probably not good for Australia in the long run."

Mr Mullen said he supported privatising freight and infrastructure assets but only if it improved Australia's productivity and way of life.

Control mechanisms on pricing should be inserted in the sales process, he said.

The NSW government received $5.07 billion for the sale of Port Botany and Port Kembla last year.

It will also reap more than $1 billion for Newcastle port's sale, while the Victorian government plans to private the Port of Melbourne.

There would always be a need for visionary, nation building investment from government even when it took years for the economic returns to come, Mr Mullen said.

Mr Mullen also called for a greater investment in rail infrastructure including a "nation building" inland rail track between Melbourne and Brisbane.

More than 95 per cent of total freight moved between Melbourne and Sydney was by road - the most intensive in the world - but rail could achieve the most economically efficient movement of goods, reduced congestion and helped the environment, he said.

15.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

CLP-linked research foundation under fire

THE Northern Territory's chief minister has refused to investigate links between his party and a private organisation that Labor is calling a CLP slush fund.

In her first parliamentary appearance since defecting to the Palmer United Party, former Country Liberal Party MLA Alison Anderson asked Chief Minister Adam Giles whether he or any other elected officials had ever received funds or favours from Foundation 51.

Ms Anderson also asked whether the foundation was affiliated with the CLP, and whether it had paid for any election campaigns.

Information on the private subscription-based organisation is scarce, save for a 2009 flier that states it is an initiative of the CLP and conducts commercial research, with annual membership levels then ranging from $5500 to $22,000.

Mr Giles responded with a single "no" on Wednesday during Parliament when asked whether he would have the legal and constitutional affairs committee investigate the revelations and establish an anti-corruption body.

During question time, Labor MLAs repeatedly called the foundation a CLP slush fund, but Mr Giles said questions about political donations should be directed to the party rather than MPs.

"A smart politician does not handle money," he said.

Shadow Minister for Justice Michael Gunner said Mr Giles is being "a little bit too cheeky and a little bit slippery."

"Adam Giles is the leader of the CLP in the NT. He is refusing to answer questions ... There is no doubt that Foundation 51 and its relationship with the CLP is worthy of inquiry," Mr Gunner said.

Magistrate and former CLP MLA Peter Maley and Graeme Lewis, NT Land Development Board chairman and CLP management committee member, are both directors of the foundation.

Mr Lewis previously denied setting it up to enable businesses to make large political donations without having to declare them.

He says Foundation 51 "is simply a supporter of the CLP in political terms, as are many other business organisations in the NT, and has no financial relationship with the CLP".

But when the CLP's former deputy treasurer Eli Melky looked into the matter, he was told it was none of his business whether or not the foundation was associated with the party, he told the ABC.

Mr Elky recently defected to the PUP along with Ms Anderson, before making his queries about the foundation public.

In an email sent to CLP president Ross Connolly, Mr Lewis said he had contributed significantly to last month's Blain by-election, which he later said was only research.

The email stated that Mr Giles was aware of his concerns that the foundation might need to be shut down following Mr Elky's probing.

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