Dealing with uncommunicative boss

DO you have a boss that doesn't communicate with you - doesn't provide the information you need to do your job, doesn't listen and appears unable to help progress your career.

YES? Well, what can you do?

First, ask for what you need, and also think of alternative ways to proceed if the boss doesn't come through.Not all people with manager titles are good at managing people. Organisations often promote people with strong technical skills but do not teach them how to lead.This leaves the worker having to take the lead, to push for the support they need.And, that may, or may not, be successful.If this applies to your workplace, then, to start, reflect on the situation, focus on your breath to help you let go of disappointment so that you can look objectively at the factors at play.What is your vision for your relationship with your manager? How often would you interact and what would those interactions include? People have a variety of levels of need. They are not right or wrong, but be sure that you are clear on what you'd like. Think in terms of day-to-day direction as well as higher-level career development aspects. If you're having trouble imagining this, think back on experiences with past managers, good or bad, to define your ideal.Now, consider your current manager, and detail your concerns. What behaviours cause you to feel unheard? For example, do you hear keyboard clicks if you're on the phone or does he fiddle with his smartphone during meetings? Or is it subtler than that?If you want the situation to improve, you'll need to discuss this with your manager. Preparation will be key, and you probably don't want to spring it on him without warning. For example, consider setting up a meeting to touch base on your new working relationship.In planning for the meeting, develop one or two key messages that you want to convey. If there are positive aspects, be ready to mention those. If there are specific behaviours that you find challenging, highlight those, using "I" messages: "When I hear you typing when we talk, I feel disappointed because it seems like you're not really paying attention to our conversation."There may also be needs you can bring up; for example, "I'd like to set up some structured career-development discussion time" so that he knows it's important to you.These conversations may not yield the results you hope for, so develop a Plan B. It's always a good idea to have mentors, so look around your organisation or broader network to identify people who could provide extra support.If, after all your efforts, the relationship is unsustainable, consider other, more extreme, options. You could talk to your boss' boss for ideas on making it work. Or you could look for a new job, recognising that you may not actually end up with a better outcome.

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Vic drug dealers stripped of all assets

SERIOUS drug offenders face losing almost everything they own as well as copping a hefty jail term in Victoria.

PEOPLE convicted of trafficking or cultivating large volumes of drugs will be stripped of all assets save for basic household goods, tools and a modestly priced car under new forfeiture laws.

The changes come on top of an increase in the average jail term offenders face, which will be lifted to 14 years under sentencing legislation also before parliament.Premier Denis Napthine says drug dealers peddle death and misery and need to be hit hard."Large-scale drug offenders will do significant jail time and they will forfeit almost everything they own," Dr Napthine said.The changes, which will come before parliament this week, mean there will be no need to prove the offender's property came from the proceeds of crime."This will send a very strong message to criminals in Victoria," he said.The laws will apply to offenders' assets whether they are lawfully obtained or not.Offenders will not be able to sell off their assets.Once they are charged, orders restricting the sale of their property will be put in place until the outcome of their trial, or the charges are dropped."Not only will they go to jail, they will lose almost everything they own," Attorney-General Robert Clark said."Any financial gain drug traffickers may have stood to gain will be wiped out."Mr Clark says the new laws will also give police greater ability to disrupt gangs.Police will be given stronger powers to ban criminal bikie gangs, restrict their activities and strip members of their firearms.The laws will also stop gang members escaping the law by quitting one gang and joining another.Families of drug dealers will be able to apply for limited funding to seek accommodation, Mr Clark said.Basic household items like clothing will not be included.Labor says it is looking carefully at the legislation.

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Jobs could go, Qld health minister says

Queensland's health minister concedes jobs could be lost as local health boards take over staffing. Source: AAP

QUEENSLAND'S health minister has conceded jobs could be lost as local health boards gain control of staffing from a centralised bureaucracy.

FROM July 1, eight of the state's 16 regional Hospital and Health Services (HHS) boards will take control of staffing from Queensland Health.

The other eight HHS boards will gain staffing control in July 2015.Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said the transfer of staffing power from Queensland Health to local health and hospital boards could lead to job losses in the department."That's the simple reality. I think everyone understands those sorts of things," he told ABC Radio on Monday."As you put more of the focus into efficient management at a local level, there's ultimately going to be transfer of some of those resources as well, and positions may not ultimately be needed."The government established the HHS boards in July 2012 in a bid to decentralise the health bureaucracy.From July, three HHS boards take ownership of land and buildings.Another six boards will own these assets in December, with the remaining seven HHS boards taking control of infrastructure from July 2015.Opposition health spokeswoman Jo-Ann Miller said Mr Springborg was shirking his portfolio responsibilities by offloading them to health boards."Make no mistake, the Newman government is trying to dodge responsibility for cuts to the health service, responsibility for its management and the possible future sale of assets," she said."We see a health minister who is running scared from the health portfolio and becoming the minister for buck passing."The state's public sector union estimates thousands more jobs could go in health."All that will change is how the government defines the jobs it cuts - not that jobs will be cut," Together Union secretary Alex Scott said."They cut jobs in health and then redefine them to say they weren't frontline services."

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Jodhi Meares charged with DUI

Jodhi Meares is heading to court after allegedly being caught drink driving in Sydney's east. Source: AAP

JAMES Packer's ex-wife Jodhi Meares will face court in August on drink driving charges after crashing into three parked cars in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

THE 43-year-old had to be rescued from her Range Rover, which rolled after the smash in upmarket Bellevue Hill on Saturday night.

The fashion designer, who is engaged to rocker Jon Stevens, was given a roadside breath test before being taken to the local police station.Police say she recorded a 0.181 blood alcohol reading, almost four times the legal limit.She was charged with drink driving and driving while suspended and is due to appear at Waverley Local Court on August 5.It's reported Meares could face the possibility of 18 months in jail and a fine of $3300.After a long engagement, Meares and Stevens were reportedly planning to tie the knot in September.

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NSW teenager survives 80m cliff fall

A TEENAGER'S survival from an 80-metre cliff plunge in NSW's Hunter Valley is "mind-boggling".

THE 17-year-old and a group of friends were trying to get into a dance party in Watagan State Forest, 20 kilometres west of Lake Macquarie, on Saturday night when he fell down the sheer rock face about 10.30pm on Saturday.

Emergency services and local volunteers abseiled down the cliff about 4am and spent the rest of the night with the injured teenager.He was winched to safety about 10.30am and flown to Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital with broken bones and suspected internal injuries and is in a serious but stable condition."I don't know how he has survived, and the doctors and the paramedics are saying the same thing," said a spokesman for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.Acting Superintendent Murray Lundberg said the teenager's survival was "mind boggling"."I haven't got words to describe his fortunate luck," he said.He said the teenager and his mates were camping in the forest when they came across the dance party and were denied entry.The youth apparently thought he could get into the function from around the back, through the bush, with no lights and no knowledge of the terrain, "and he's just fallen off the side of a cliff".A number of trees had to be chopped down before the teen could be winched aboard the helicopter.It's understood the boy was trying to get into Solstium Shadows - A Winter Solstice Bush Gathering.The two-day rave was being held at a site off Rope Road, in the heart of the forest.

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Qld ministers meeting in Palmer's seat

QUEENSLAND cabinet ministers are meeting in Clive Palmer's Sunshine Coast electorate only days after the mining magnate confirmed he would be suing the deputy premier.

MINISTERS and department heads are holding a community forum, with approved participants, at Maroochydore on Sunday afternoon followed by a cabinet meeting in the same beachside suburb on Monday, at the Mike Ahern Centre.

Maroochydore is within Mr Palmer's federal electorate of Fairfax.The cabinet meeting would also be held just three days after Mr Palmer lodged a defamation writ against Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney in the Supreme Court.Mr Palmer is suing Mr Seeney for defamation over an ABC television interview where he alleged the mining tycoon sought special favours for his Waratah Coal interests in the Galilee Basin in 2012.The federal MP is also suing Premier Campbell Newman for defamation after the premier claimed that he tried to "buy" the Queensland government.A spokesman for Mr Newman denied there was any symbolism with a community cabinet being held in Mr Palmer's seat."No symbolism there," he told AAP, adding community cabinets had been held across regional Queensland in Bowen, Cooktown and Townsville."Don't read too much into it."Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk said the premier had not held a media conference during the past week, which included the governor's approval of controversial chief justice pick Tim Carmody."The premier has been in hiding now for over a week, afraid to front the music, afraid to talk to people in this state," she told reporters in Brisbane on Sunday.The premier held his first news conference in five days on Sunday on the Sunshine Coast.He hadn't faced reporters since a Mount Isa event on Tuesday.

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Policeman charged with domestic violence

A NSW police officer has been stood down after being charged with a domestic violence offence. Source: AAP

A NSW police officer has been stood down after being charged with a domestic violence offence.

THE male sergeant, attached to a corporate services command, was involved in an incident while off duty on Friday night, police say.

He's been charged with stalking or intimidating intending to cause fear or physical harm.He's due to appear in Burwood Local Court on June 27.No one was injured during the incident.

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GM could face another fine

AN old email from a General Motors employee warning of a "serious safety problem" could help trigger another government fine against the automaker.

THE email, dated August 30, 2005, surfaced Wednesday during a House subcommittee hearing on GM's delayed recall of 2.6 million small cars with ignition switch problem. This email outlined a similar issue with a larger car.

Employee Laura Andres wrote that she was driving a 2006 Chevrolet Impala home from work when she hit a bump and the engine stalled on a busy road near Detroit. The car behind her had to swerve to avoid a crash. A GM mechanic told her the cause was likely a faulty ignition switch."I think this is a serious safety problem ... I'm thinking big recall," Andres wrote in an email to 11 GM colleagues.Yet it wasn't until Monday that GM recalled the Impalas, Buick LaCrosses and other models with the same switch, almost nine years after Andres' email. Safety regulators received dozens of similar complaints about the cars during that time.GM said that excess weight on a keychain could cause the ignition switch to move out of the "run" position if the car is jarred, like when it hits a pothole. The engine stalls, and the drivers loses power steering and power brakes.Under federal law, automakers must notify the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within five business days of determining a safety defect exists. A maximum $35 million fine is possible if the agency finds an automaker took too long to report a problem.GM paid a $35 million fine last month for its 11-year delay in reporting defective ignition switches in the Chevrolet Cobalt and other small cars.Multiple fines are not without precedent. From 2010 through 2012, NHTSA fined Toyota Motor Corp. four times for a total of $66 million due to safety-related violations.GM wouldn't comment Thursday on the possibility of another fine. NHTSA also wouldn't comment on the Impala case, but said it reviews all recalls to make sure they comply with the notification law and it takes "appropriate action" when it finds problems.Andres's e-mail alone isn't enough to trigger the five-day rule, because it only suggests the ignitions are unsafe. But it's proof that some GM employees knew about a potential problem for almost a decade. GM has not yet submitted a required timeline to NHTSA that will say when it officially determined the Impala switches were defective.Andres, who still works for GM in design and engineering, could not be reached for comment. But in her 2005 email, she urged engineers to build a "stronger" switch.Andres' warning was brushed off by GM engineer Ray DeGiorgio, who replied that he had recently driven a 2006 Impala and "did not experience this condition." He also noted that the Impala had "a completely different column/ignition switch" than the one that was causing problems in GM's small cars.DeGiorgio is a central figure in the small-car recall saga. GM says he approved using the switches even though they failed to meet company specifications, and then took actions that hid the defect for years.Andres's email wasn't the only indication of problems. NHTSA's Web site lists more than 100 complaints about stalling for 2006-2009 Impalas alone. Those are complaints GM would have had access to.In one 2012 complaint, an Impala stalled in the middle of a large intersection. The owner took it to a dealer four times but couldn't get it repaired."I'm fearful I will be the one causing a fatal pile-up," the driver wrote.

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Mantra shares hit the ASX

SHARES in Australia's second largest hotel and resort operator have fallen since it listed on the Australian Securities Exchange on Friday.

MANTRA Group shares began trading on the Australian share market at $1.80 each at 1200 AEST, valuing the company at $449 million.

By 1400 AEST, its share price was down by seven cents, or 3.9 per cent, to $1.73.Lonsec senior client adviser Michael Heffernan says he's not expecting a rush of buyers for Mantra in light of a dip in consumer confidence linked to the May federal budget which signalled spending cuts and new taxes."Hotels are still in the consumer spending area and are susceptible to falls in consumer confidence," he said.Mantra chief executive Bob East said the reception from investors was positive."Our new shareholders include a strong representation of blue-chip Australian investment institutions and we are looking forward to welcoming many retail investors into ownership of the company," he said.The company operates 113 hotels, resorts and serviced apartments across Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia, catering for about two million guests a year.Its network includes the Peppers and BreakFree chain of hotels and resorts.Mantra has sold slightly more than half of its shares to the public in a bid to reduce its debt.It made a profit of $24.6 million in 2012/13, and expects that to grow to $27.4 million in the current financial year.Mantra says it has a good quality portfolio of properties in a strong sector of the Australian economy, although it does acknowledge it is exposed to downturns in economic conditions, such as weak consumer confidence and fluctuating exchange rates.Confidence has been hampered by spending cuts announced in May's federal budget, with travel group Flight Centre recently warning its profit could be hit by a fall in holiday bookings since mid-April.Mr East has 20 years experience in tourism, and has led the company since 2007, while chairman Peter Bush is a former chairman of McDonald's Australia and Nine Entertainment.

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Vic building workers face drug tests

BUILDING workers on Victorian government projects will face random drug and alcohol testing from July 1.

VICTORIAN Finance Minister Robert Clark said requiring all building companies that tender for taxpayer-funded projects worth $10 million or more to test workers for drug and alcohol use among measures he said would cut substance abuse, intoxication and drug dealing on building sites.

Head contractors must perform a minimum number of random tests on workers each month and identify what methods they will use, Mr Clark said on Friday.Contractors will determine the level of intoxication they deem unsafe and how workers will be sanctioned if drugs or alcohol are detected in their systems, he said.Tenderers will have to list site security measures, which may include CCTV, a swipe card access system and photographic or biometric security systems in a bid to stamp out criminal activity."We believe this will save taxpayers' money and it will help ensure law-abiding workplaces," Mr Clark said."We are introducing these guidelines to ensure that every contractor that tenders for Victorian government construction projects needs to commit to have processes in place to guard against drug and alcohol abuse in their workplaces and also to ensure site security."When the guidelines were first announced, Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) Victorian secretary John Setka said the guidelines would unfairly single out construction workers."There is no epidemic of drug taking on construction sites," he said.

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Sunken Malaysia boat was overloaded: govt

THE boat that sank off Malaysia with 97 Indonesian illegal migrants was likely carrying three times more passengers than it could safely transport, authorities say as they expand a search for 26 still missing.

NINE bodies have been found after the vessel, overloaded with people heading home to Indonesia for the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, sank early on Wednesday not far from shore off western Malaysia.

Sixty-two people have been rescued and officials believe some of the 26 still missing made it to land and fled the area to avoid being apprehended by police.Authorities said the boat was believed to measure no more than nine metres long and two metres wide."The boat is too small to ferry 97 people. The boat must have been very cramped," said Mohamad Zuhri, spokesman for the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).Mohamad said the capacity of a boat of such dimensions was about 30 passengers.On Thursday, divers were deployed, more vessels brought in and the search zone expanded along the coast in hope of finding more survivors, said Mohamad Hambali Yaakup, coordinator of the response for the MMEA."We have deployed divers and a total of 25 marine craft and a helicopter to sweep the coastal area for possible survivors," he said.The incident occurred at night near Port Klang, the country's main seaport.Hambali said the divers would try to determine what caused the boat to sink and to view any markings that would help identify the boat's owner and operator.The survivors include 49 men, 12 women and one child, he said.They have been detained by police and were not available to speak with the media.Large numbers of Indonesians return home annually from Malaysia for Ramadan, which this year begins around the end of June and will culminate in late July with Eid al-Fitr, Islam's biggest festival.Both Malaysia and Indonesia are Muslim-majority.Relatively affluent Malaysia is a magnet for migrant workers from poorer neighbours such as Indonesia, Bangladesh and Myanmar seeking low-paying plantation, construction, and factory work that is typically shunned by Malaysians.Around two million illegal immigrants - the vast majority of them Indonesian - are estimated to be working in the country.Accidents, however, are frequent as thousands risk the sea journey to and from Malaysia in rickety boats, often adding to the danger by travelling at night to avoid detection.

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Native title win for Kulkalgal people

THE Kulkalgal people have won native title rights to the uninhabited island of Zuizin in the Torres Strait.

SITTING in the Thursday Island Magistrates Court, the Federal Court approved a consent determination on Thursday giving the Kulkalgal people exclusive rights and interests over the island.

The decision means there are now 22 native title determinations in the Torres Strait region, north of Queensland's Cape York Peninsula.Torres Strait Regional Authority chairman Joseph Elu, whose organisation legally represented the Kulkalgal people, described the decision as another important milestone."This comes just weeks after Mabo Day 2014 where we celebrated the High Court's historic decision in 1992, which inspired Torres Strait Islanders and Aboriginals to fight for Native Title rights," he said.Mr Elu said his office had negotiated more than 55 indigenous land use agreements in the Torres Straits.He said he expected all native title matters in the region to be finalised by the end of 2015.

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Former NSW premier lashes church on abuse

Barry O'Farrell has called for a Catholic bishop to be sacked for not reporting child sexual abuse. Source: AAP

FORMER NSW premier Barry O'Farrell has called for a high-ranking Catholic bishop to be sacked from a key leadership position for not reporting child sexual abuse to police.

MR O'Farrell in a speech to parliament on Tuesday night called for Father Brian Lucas, general secretary of the Catholic Bishops Conference, to be stood down.

The former leader made the comments while criticising the church's response to Commissioner Margaret Cunneen's damning report in late May into an alleged cover-up of child sexual abuse in the Catholic diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.Father Lucas gave evidence on Tuesday at the royal commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse in Canberra."He is also a lawyer, which is a relevant fact because he, more than anyone involved in the sorry, squalid and scandalous saga, should have respected the law and reported illegal activities to police," Mr O'Farrell said."It is time the Catholic bishops took a strong stand against clergy abuse within the church, sent a clear message about the responsibility of all its religious (members) to report such crimes to police and extended to victims and their families every possible support and redress."Removing Father Lucas from his position as General Secretary to the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference would be a worthwhile first step.Mr O'Farrell also took aim at Maitland-Newcastle diocese head, Bishop William Wright, for his response to the report.The report made adverse findings against Father William Burston and Monsignor Allan Hart, and found senior church officials did have information relating to child sex abuse that would have assisted the police."On the day the report was made public, Bishop Wright issued a statement that suggested the report would be scrutinised, its findings taken on board and action taken," Mr O'Farrell said."Yet last week, despite the damning exposition by the commission of Monsignor Hart's lack of action in 1993, Bishop Wright simply stood him aside from advisory positions in the diocese."As a response to such a damning inquiry it was completely underwhelming, more a sign of spin."Mr O'Farrell said he agreed with calls from the Clergy Abused Network for Monsignor Hart to retire or to resign.Comment is being sought from Bishop Wright.

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WA MP's staffer in faux pot purchase

A POLITICIAN'S staffer was given cash and instructed to purchase synthetic cannabis to prove how easily accessible the drug is in Western Australia.

MP Phil Edman said he was appalled his staffer was able to buy $70 worth of the synthetic drugs at two shops in the Rockingham area, one of which is opposite a high school, and even given a receipt.

"I sent my staff down there on Monday with some cash and they quite simply bought some (synthetic) cannabis with ease," Mr Edman told Fairfax radio on Wednesday."They were actually told how to use it and you either use it in a cone or a bong or a pipe."But they made it very clear to start with (use) small amounts and build up in strength and quantity, and this is to help limit any adverse reaction to the chemicals as they're not sure what chemicals are in it."Mr Edman said the current WA legislation banning synthetic drugs could not keep up with manufacturers who continued to abuse a legal loophole in the law by altering a product's chemical composition, making it exempt from the ban."What I've asked the government is `why can't we look at broader legislation that completely stamps out synthetic cannabis with chemicals?'"These shops are preying on the weak minded and probably people with mental illness."I'm also concerned that minors might be able to purchase these dangerous products."When asked live on air by Fairfax radio, one of the shops denied selling synthetic cannabis.Mental Health Minister Helen Morton said an initial ban on 22 substances had held the government in good stead and legislation banning another 33 substances was three weeks away."It has been difficult to stay in front of the people who dream up these new substances," she said.Ms Morton said the government was working on legislation to ban any psychoactive substance unless there was a therapeutic use for it.

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NZ burglar battered by chip shop vent

A NEW Zealand man's plan to burgle a fish and chip shop has come embarrassingly unstuck.

THE man decided the best way to break into the store in suburban Papanui, north of Christchurch's CBD, was through an extractor fan vent.

But he was left red-faced when he become wedged in the vent and unable to get himself out, Inspector Rick Jury of police communications says."Someone heard him calling for help, and the Fire Service was needed to free him," he told AAP.The man, who was covered in oil from the vent, was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure, but he's now helping police with inquiries.

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Govt defends bikie boss visa cancellation

IMMIGRATION Minister Scott Morrison has defended cancelling the visa of the Rebels bikie gang leader, who was visiting his native Malta when the decision was made.

THE Rebels motorcycle club national president Alex Vella had his visa cancelled last Friday under character provisions in the Migration Act.

Mr Morrison would not elaborate on what prompted the visa cancellation, only to say it was his duty to respond to the work of state and federal law enforcement."When something is asked of me in this area, it is my duty to respond," he told Fairfax Radio on Tuesday.Mr Morrison said he had received briefings about activities of the Rebels club.It is not the first time an Australian government has tried to keep Mr Vella, who does not have citizenship, from coming into the country.In 2007, when he went to Japan to watch his boxer son Adam Vella in a fight, Mr Vella struggled to return after his visa expired.He returned to Australia three weeks later after police failed to provide evidence for revoking his visa on character grounds.In 1995, he was convicted of possessing a trafficable quantity of cannabis.His property was later raided by police who seized and froze $3 million worth of his assets.Mr Vella clawed his assets back after paying a $650,000 settlement to the NSW Crime Commission.Friends and supporters have leapt to Mr Vella's defence, claiming the 60-year-old club leader has contributed more to Australia than most will in a lifetime."Much to their surprise, this man actually goes to church every week and is always willing to lend a helping hand, unlike the hypocrites that sit in government," Motorcycle Clubs Australia posted on Facebook."What has he done to deserve what they have been doing to him for so many years."Everyone has a hobby in life and his is riding motorcycles."Mr Vella told Fairfax Media on Tuesday he was a innocent man."We are not a criminal organisation despite what the police continue to say about us," he said."We are simply easy targets."

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Greens fail to make tax hike permanent

AN attempt by the Australian Greens to make the federal government's debt levy on the rich permanent has failed to get parliamentary support.

THE minor party on Monday tried to rally support in the Senate to make the government's proposed temporary tax hike on high income earners a permanent impost.

But the amendment failed to lift off, with just independent senator Nick Xenophon joining the nine Greens senators in backing the idea.It was overwhelmingly defeated by the government and Labor, which supports the debt levy proposal.Under the legislation, the top tax rate applying to income earned over $180,000 would be increased from 45 per cent to 47 per cent.The tax hike would take effect from July and last three years.Debate has adjourned on the Tax Laws Amendment (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014.

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Cleaner Vic coal plant a distraction: ALP

100 jobs will be created in a $119 million coal plant development in Victoria's Latrobe Valley. Source: AAP

A $119 million demonstration coal plant in regional Victoria has been labelled a "distraction", as conservation groups vow to oppose it.

THE state and federal governments have given Chinese giant Shanghai Electric $25 million towards developing the plant at Loy Yang A power station in Morwell.

Energy and Resources Minister Russell Northe said the plant would upgrade brown coal, generating fewer emissions and making potential export more likely."Victoria is home to one of the world's largest brown coal reserves and this joint investment will enable the development of new smarter, cleaner and sustainable uses for this important resource," Mr Northe said on Monday.He said more than 100 jobs could be created during construction of the $119 million plant, and up to 40 jobs during the project's operation.But Deputy Opposition Leader James Merlino said the plant was a distraction from Morwell's problems following the 45-day Hazelwood coal mine fire."There are roofs full of ash, there are children still sick, the community's still hurting," Mr Merlino said."This is a demonstration plant. Any benefit for the Latrobe Valley and the Victorian community is years away."Friends of the Earth spokesman Shaun Murray said using public money to attempt to establish a brown coal export industry was "perverse"."We will blockade coal trains if necessary to stop this dangerous and unnecessary industry from proceeding," Mr Murray said.Wendy Farmer, President of Voices of the Valley, said public money should not go to an international company when people in Morwell were suffering from the effects of the blaze."It's quite bewildering that our state and federal governments think that funding these new projects is a higher priority - we feel betrayed and abandoned," Ms Farmer said.

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Qld chief justice critics told to shut up

Queensland science minister has lashed out at critics of Tim Carmody's appointment to chief justice. Source: AAP

A QUEENSLAND government minister has lashed out at critics of Chief Magistrate Tim Carmody's appointment to chief justice, saying they should "shut up".

SCIENCE Minister Ian Walker, a former lawyer, says the "war of words" over Mr Carmody's promotion to chief justice of Queensland has got to stop.

"People have got to put a sock in it, they've got to shut up, and they've got to let Justice Carmody get on with the job," he told reporters in Brisbane on Sunday."He deserves a fair go at the job, the debate should stop and Justice Carmody should be allowed to get on with the job that he's been appointed to do."Mr Walker's comments follow calls for Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie to step down over the appointment, which has caused great unrest in legal circles.Bar Association of Queensland president Peter Davis quit on Friday saying private discussions with Mr Bleijie in which he didn't recommend Mr Carmody for the job were leaked to others, including Mr Carmody.Australian Bar Association president Mark Livesey said it was accepted practice that consultation before any appointment is kept confidential."The Attorney-General of Queensland must consider whether the breakdown in trust can be repaired," Mr Livesey told The Sunday Mail."If confidentiality in the judicial appointment process cannot be assured he must reconsider whether he can continue in his position."State Opposition leader Annastacia Palaszczuk said Mr Bleijie couldn't be trusted and wasn't fit to hold office.Mr Carmody's appointment has been criticised by senior Queensland legal figures who question his experience and say he's too close to the government.It's been revealed that days after Mr Carmody was appointed chief magistrate in September 2013, he and Mr Bleijie had a private dinner at an upmarket Brisbane restaurant.The attorney-general has described the meeting as a social catch-up.

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Firies cancer law not ruled out: Vic govt

Volunteer firefighters rally in Melbourne for access to compensation for cancer contracted at work. Source: AAP

THE Victorian government says it hasn't ruled out changing the way firefighters access cancer compensation as hundreds rallied in Melbourne to try to break down barriers to claims.

THE government says it simplified cancer claims for firefighters and encouraged both career and volunteer firefighters to lodge a claim if they believe they had contracted cancer as a result of their duties.

"The Victorian government is not ruling out presumptive legislation and will continue to consider new medical and scientific evidence as it becomes available," a government spokesperson said.Volunteer Fire Brigades president Bill Watson said firefighters wanted a law that lists the 12 typical "firefighter" cancers and presumes them to be work-related, providing the firefighter has enough years of service behind him or her and relevant risk exposure.Mr Watson said there is plenty of evidence firefighters are more likely to suffer certain cancers, but it can be difficult to prove which fire or chemical incident caused their illness."It's not like a broken bone where you know exactly when and where it happened," Mr Watson said."The burning car or house fire you attended today may cause a cancer that doesn't show up for decades, which makes it nearly impossible to prove it was work related."The federal government introduced presumptive legislation in 2011.Tasmania, Western Australia and South Australia also have laws that recognise the link between firefighting and cancer.Mr Watson said any legislation would have to include eligibility guidelines."We're not after a free ride," he said."We just want to make sure they're looked after if they get sick."The Victorian government has been under pressure to make changes to the way compensation is accessed after a 2012 report found firefighters who trained at the CFA Fiskville site had been exposed to dangerous chemicals going as far back as the 1970s.Last year they introduced a review panel to assist both volunteer and career firefighters seeking compensation for cancer caused by their work.Opposition leader Daniel Andrews said Labor would introduce the legislation if elected in November."I have committed to the introduction of presumptive rights," Mr Andrews said.

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Sailor killed in Darwin car crash named

DEFENCE has named a naval officer killed in a car crash in Darwin as Lieutenant Scott Jarman.

ANOTHER officer was injured in the three-car pile-up in the Darwin suburb of Woolner on Thursday afternoon.

His name has not been released."On behalf of all navy members, the Chief of Navy, Vice-Admiral Ray Griggs, extends his deepest condolences to Scott's family as they come to terms with their loss," Defence said in a brief statement.It said the accident was under investigation by local authorities and it could not comment further.

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Two bodies found in west Sydney home

THE body of a man and a woman have been found in a home west of Sydney.

POLICE were called to the Leonay home, near Penrith, after concerns were raised.

About 11am on Saturday police discovered the bodies.It is believed the pair are in their 60s.Police say they are investigating the deaths but are not looking for an offender.

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Expert questions rushing woman's syndrome

A MENTAL health expert has dismissed the "medical condition" that Lisa Curry says played a role in her break-up with Grant Kenny.

IN an interview with A Current Affair, the former swimming star says she suffered from "rushing woman's syndrome", which created tension in her marriage by turning her into "an absolute bitch".

"I had days where I felt completely out of control," she told the Nine Network program on Thursday night."I was moody, I would cry for no reason, I wanted to kill the world."The 52-year-old said she was able to treat the condition with a "natural" hormone treatment, which she is endorsing as part of her 10-week online weight-loss program.Rushing woman's syndrome is the subject of a book by Sydney-based biochemist and "holistic nutrition specialist" Libby Weaver.Weaver says the syndrome can cause hormonal imbalances that are making women depressed, overweight and in some cases infertile.According to her website, women who want to benefit from the "Dr Libby method" can arrange a 90-minute consultation with her for $600.A search of the medical literature by AAP failed to find any published reference to the disorder.Psychologist Dr Janine Clarke of the Black Dog Institute said it was not a recognised condition and described the hormonal explanation as simplistic and undermining."There's no such diagnosis," she told AAP."There are vulnerable people who are willing to pay almost anything for an answer."But they should talk to someone close to them if they can. Or they can also see a GP, who might refer them to a mental health professional as opposed to a biochemistry expert."The syndrome was also ridiculed on Twitter."Rushing Woman's Syndrome....really? I'm sure these 'news' articles will help sell a certain book," one user tweeted.Former ironman Grant Kenny split from Curry in 2009 and is dating TV personality Fifi Box.

12.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Fuel excise plan stands: Hockey

Joe Hockey is sticking with plan to reinstate fuel excise indexation despite a surge in oil prices. Source: AAP

MOTORISTS could face higher petrol prices in the next few weeks if the surge in world oil prices driven by turmoil in Iraq continues.

BUT this will not deter Treasurer Joe Hockey from going ahead with a budget measure to reinstate the indexation of fuel excise.

"You can't make long-term policy on the basis of day-to-day spikes or falls in oil prices. If you did that, you'd be ripping your hair out," Mr Hockey told reporters in Cairns on Friday.From August 1, fuel excise will rise twice a year in line with inflation, after being locked at 38.1 cents since the Howard coalition government froze automatic indexation in 2001.World oil prices have leapt to their highest level in nearly nine months on rising concerns that turmoil in Iraq will disrupt Middle East supplies.

12.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

At least 15,000 at Vic budget protest

Thousands of people have marched through Melbourne in protest against tough federal budget cuts. Source: AAP

AT least 15,000 people brought central Melbourne to a standstill, demanding an end to the federal government's budget cuts.

Construction workers and unionists rallied outside Trades Hall in Carlton before leading a "Bust the Budget" march through the city to parliament house on Thursday.

Trades Hall Council estimates put the crowd at almost 40,000 but police, who turned out in large numbers, say the crowd was closer to 15,000. There were no arrests.

ACTU secretary Dave Oliver said the budget was cruel and an attack on ordinary people and the Australian way of life.

"Generations of Australians have fought hard to establish working conditions and dignity at work. They have struggled hard to build a better life and a decent society, to educate our children and to care for our sick and to look after our elderly," he said.

"But now we have a prime minister that is keen to keep the billionaires happy, and he is willing to pull all that down regardless of the cost to workers and their families.

"Why should the people who can least afford it be forced to take the hit?"

Rally organisers said the column of marchers who arrived outside parliament house stretched back to Bourke Street, almost one kilometre away.

Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union national secretary Michael O'Connor said the federal government was attacking jobs.

"We have never before seen a government try to destroy the jobs of Australians like this government has," he told the crowd.

"They are trying to change our commitment to a fair go, our commitment to justice, our democratic right to organise. They think they are going to get away with it. We say they ain't."

United Voice Victorian secretary Jess Walsh said workers were angry.

"We're angry at a government that wants to make us work harder and work longer for less money and we are here today because we deserve better, and we are here on the streets with you today because we are ready to fight," she said.

Rally organisers pledged to hold further protests.

12.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sydney among most expensive to visit

SYDNEY is one of the most expensive city destinations in the world, a survey reveals.

The NSW capital came in 10th on a city cost-of-touring table compiled by TripAdvisor, with London the most expensive destination for visitors.

A meal with wine for two, plus pre-meal cocktails, two short taxi journeys and a one-night stay at a four-star hotel in Sydney costs on average $404.

The package cost $561 in London, $550 in second-placed Paris, followed by New York at $540 and Stockholm with $516.

The rest of the 10 most-expensive cities were Oslo, Zurich, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Toronto and Sydney.

The world's best-value destination surveyed was Hanoi in Vietnam, which came in at an average of $165.

While a four-star hotel in Sydney was priced more reasonably than London, Paris and New York at $211 a night, Sydney ranked the third most expensive city in the world for a meal at $140 for two with wine, behind Stockholm and Oslo, respectively.

TripAdvisor spokesman Scott Wegener said the results showed that Asian destinations were still the most affordable, while European destinations continued to top the most expensive list.

"However, eastern European countries such as Bulgaria and the Czech Republic seem to be bucking this trend, so may serve as the alternative places for Australian travellers looking for a city break in Europe."

The TripIndex Cities study compares the cost of an evening out in 48 key tourist cities.

12.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

NBN fixed wireless network in regional SA

THE Coorong has become the first district in regional South Australia to connect to NBN's fixed wireless network, a move some locals hope will help tourism.

More than 975 farms, homes and businesses in parts of Tailem Bend, Meningie, Naracoorte North, Coonalpyn and Tintinara can now switch on the National Broadband Network.

"NBN Co's fixed wireless service is designed to deliver internet speeds to regional South Australia that are today taken for granted in the cities," spokesman Joe Dennis said on Wednesday.

"For the Coorong, it means local businesses can participate in the digital economy and maximise the tourism potential of the proposed Motor Sports Precinct in Tailem Bend.

"Residents will also gain improved access to services such as e-health, distance education and online entertainment through superior connectivity."

NBN Co has also begun construction of 15 additional fixed wireless installations in regional SA, meaning an extra 4,200 more premises will be able to connect to the NBN by the end of 2014.

Those areas include Cape Jervis, Moorak East, Second Valley and Yankalilla.

12.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Shark sighted near dead whale off WA

Farmer may have to 'walk off land'

THE line "it was the best of times, it was the worst of times'' from A Tale Of Two Cities aptly describes the current scene in rural NSW: Drought in the north, rain in the south.

Doctors cry for joy at 'miracle boy'

CURTIS Landers' transfer to The Children's Hospital at Westmead marks another milestone in his recovery from a broken neck.

Fair Go champ soars to new heights

WATCH the amazing video of $10,000 Fair Go For the West Young Achiever grant winner Ben Camua, 11, kicking the stuffing out of our reporter Matt Bamford.

Arts hub set to rise to the top

A $25 MILLION arts hub for dancers, musicians, actors, film makers and visual artists will be housed in Sydney's tallest residential tower in the heart of the CBD.

Law allows molester to escape jail

A MAGISTRATE was forced to allow a child molester to escape jail because of a dated law, despite the "catastrophic" impact on the victim.

12.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Scottish backpacker missing in Melb

WITH no passport, money or a place to stay, backpacker Jonathan Ansell was distressed when he called his mother back in Scotland two weeks ago.

The 27-year-old said he was in Melbourne and had lost his passport and mobile phone, before the call ended abruptly. He has been missing ever since.

"I think he must have been calling from a phone box and didn't have any more money and it just got cut off," Judith Ansell, who has travelled to Australia to search for her son, told reporters in Melbourne on Tuesday.

"He said he had run out of money, and was living rough."

Mr Ansell came to Australia on a work visa in April 2013 and was employed on Hamilton Island before hitting the road and visiting Sydney and Byron Bay.

In February, he met up with friends in Sydney, where his Scottish bank records indicate the last use of a credit card.

Victoria Police are checking to see if he had an Australian bank account that could shed more light on his movements.

Mr Ansell's work visa ran out in April 2014.

Mrs Ansell described her son as affable, but extremely quiet and he was unlikely to approach people to ask for help.

His sister Kate has started a social media campaign which has been shared more than 2000 times on Facebook.

A picture of Mr Ansell has been released and anyone with information is urged to contact police.

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Unemployment tipped to hit 5.9% in May

AUSTRALIA'S jobless rate is tipped to rise as the non-mining sector fails to pick up the slack from the wind down in mining investment.

Unemployment is expected to have reached 5.9 per cent in May, from 5.8 per cent in April, when the Australian Bureau of Statistics releases the latest jobs figures on Thursday.

The economy is expected to have added 10,000 jobs while the participation rate - those that have a job, are looking for work or are ready to start work - is expected to have remained steady at 64.7 per cent, an AAP survey of 13 economists found.

The problem is that while jobs are being shed following the end of the mining investment boom, businesses outside the resources sector remain too cautious to pick up the slack and hire people, JP Morgan chief economist Stephen Walters says.

There's also 16,500 jobs being cut from the public sector, as revealed in the federal government's May budget.

"The mining investment boom was very labour intensive but the export phase of the boom is much less intensive," Mr Walters said.

"So there's a lot of jobs, probably 40,000 or 50,000 jobs, being spun out of the mining investment boom and they need to be taken up somewhere else.

"But it doesn't seem like there's a lot of appetite out there for hiring, particularly in retail, manufacturing and finance."

Businesses are worried about consumer confidence, which recently took a hit from the tough spending cuts outlined in the May budget.

Consumer caution, along with the high Australian dollar and an increase to the minimum wage last week, are all disincentives for firms to hire people, Mr Walters said.

Figures released by ANZ on Tuesday showed the number of job advertisements had fallen for the first time in five months in May.

AMP Capital chief economist Shane Oliver said jobs growth would dip after a strong start to the year but bounce back later in 2014.

"The main thing business needs to see is stronger demand, which has been given a boost by low interest rates and the decline in the Aussie dollar from 2011 levels," he said.

"At some point, confidence will bounce back after the hit from the budget, which was a short-term risk to the economy and the unemployment rate.

"Basically what businesses want to see is increased demand and I think as the year proceeds, we will start to see that."

12.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ski season opens with no snow

THE official opening of the ski season has come and gone but fields in Australia's alpine regions remain largely bare.

A scan of the webcams dotted around the various resorts in NSW and Victoria confirm there is little or no snow to speak of, with conditions unlikely to greatly improve anytime soon.

The Bureau of Meteorology says there is potential for "a little more than snow dust" to arrive this Friday with snow expected above 1200 metres.

The bureau has blamed the lack of snow on unusually warm weather with Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide recording their longest stretch of warm autumn days on record.

12.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Perth man charged over motorised esky-pade

IT probably seemed like harmless fun at the time.

But for one young man in Perth, riding a motorised esky loaded with alcohol down a busy street has led to trouble with the law.

Police said they were patrolling the Hilarys area on Friday night when they saw the 22-year-old man riding the esky down the middle of West Coast Drive.

The Sorrento man has been charged with driving under the influence and will appear in court on a date yet to be set.

It's not the first time a drunken reveller has been pinged for an esky-pade.

In March, a drunken 38-year-old man from Scarness, Queensland was charged with drink driving after he was caught riding a motorised esky crammed with beer, cask wine and bourbon pre-mix drinks on a bike path.

In August 2011, a drunken 23-year-old man was fined $500 and was disqualified from driving for nine months for taking his four-strike "extreme cooler" for a "test drive" on a main road in Noosa Heads, Queensland "for a bit of a giggle".

12.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Man dies in cliff fall south of Sydney

A MAN has died after falling over a cliff in the Royal National Park south of Sydney.

It's believed the man was with a group of walkers when he fell about 10 metres down the cliff, north of Little Marley Beach, about 10.30am on Sunday.

Police say the operation to retrieve the body will take several hours.

12.22 | 0 komentar | Read More

WA woman's death due to 'misadventure'

A WOMAN who died after a case of misdiagnosis still may not have survived if doctors had correctly identified her ailments sooner, a West Australian coroner has found.

Julissa Teresa Gilbert, 57, was an obese smoker with a history of hypertension, arthritis, asthma and chronic obstructive airways disease.

On September 17, 2008, she ate a hotdog for lunch, felt abdominal pain and vomited that night.

She visited Geraldton Regional Hospital and had an appendectomy the next morning.

The doctor who saw Ms Gilbert after her surgery believed her subsequent hypotension was due to septic shock and ordered more fluids with increased Aramine infusions.

But Ms Gilbert died a little over two hours later from an intra-abdominal haemorrhage.

In her findings, Deputy State Coroner Evelyn Vicker noted that because the doctor determined Ms Gilbert was suffering from septic shock rather than an internal haemorrhage, he considered it a medical problem rather than a surgical or anaesthetic problem.

As a result, he did not consult the surgeon or an anaesthetist, who may have offered a different perspective, Ms Vicker said.

"This may have presented an alternative view for the deceased's deterioration, but may still have been too late to have altered the outcome," she said.

The coroner noted there was some doubt about whether there would have been enough time to supply Ms Gilbert with sufficient blood products and return her to surgery to stem the bleed and save her.

Given how rapidly her condition deteriorated, it was impossible to predict whether a correct diagnosis earlier would have saved her, Ms Vicker said.

"The deceased needed blood or blood products in sufficient quantities to replace the loss and provide appropriate perfusion, and surgery to correct the source of the blood loss, if it could be located," she said.

Ms Vicker noted there had been changes made to medical practices since 2008, including improvements in the management of deteriorating patients.

She concluded that Ms Gilbert died due to misadventure.

12.22 | 0 komentar | Read More

NSW govt to extend home owner grant

Next week's NSW budget will extend eligibility criteria for a first home owner grant. Source: AAP

THE NSW government has freed land for 6600 new homes in Sydney's northwest and will extend the first home owner grant in this month's budget.

Land at Marsden Park North, Richmond and Blacktown has been released or rezoned for housing, Premier Mike Baird announced on Saturday.

The Marsden Park land has space for 4000 new homes and is close to where the North West Rail Link is being built, while the land at Blacktown is on an old golf course.

"In western Sydney, there is a massive housing boom occurring and the unlocking of up to 6600 new housing lots at three sites will boost housing supply and make homes more affordable," Mr Baird said in a statement.

The government claims 100,000 new homes have been built across NSW since the March 2011 election.

Treasurer Andrew Constance also announced that the June 17 state budget will extend eligibility criteria for the first home owner grant by $100,000.

It means first-time buyers who purchase new properties worth up to $750,000 will qualify for the $15,000 payment. The previous threshold was $650,000.

12.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Missing trio in Tassie bush found

THREE men missing in central Tasmanian bushland have been found safe and well.

Police were alerted on Friday four men staying in the Waddamana area, near Bothwell, might have become lost.

One of the men was later found safe and well but police held significant concerns for the others and launched a helicopter search early on Saturday.

By Saturday afternoon, all men were found safe and well.

"All parties were exhausted but did not require any medical treatment," Tasmania Police said in a statement.

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NZ's North Island rattled by 5.1 quake

NEW Zealand's central North Island has been rattled by a 5.1 magnitude quake.

The 76km deep earthquake was centred 20km west of Ohakune, in the Tongariro National Park, just before 4pm on Friday.

Thousands reported feeling the moderate quake on the GeoNet site, with people as far afield as Central Otago town Palmerston reporting a shake.

The GeoNet website is run by the Earthquake Commission and GNS Science.

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Settlement in WA baby flu vaccination case

A CONFIDENTIAL settlement has been reached between pharmaceutical manufacturer CSL Ltd and a five-year-old West Australian girl who became severely disabled after receiving a flu vaccination.

Saba Button was about to celebrate her first birthday in April 2010 when a GP injected a 0.25ml dose of CSL 2010 Fluvax into her left arm.

As a consequence of the vaccination, she suffered hypoxic brain injury and severe disabilities.

Her life expectancy has been significant shortened and she will require constant care for the rest of her life.

With her mother Kirsten Button acting as her representative, Saba launched proceedings against CSL, claiming substantial compensation for the loss and damage she suffered as a result of receiving the vaccination.

CSL filed a defence denying any liability to Saba and claiming that the State of Western Australia and the state's health minister were responsible for any compensation due.

CSL also cross claimed against the state and the minister for a contribution in the event its defence were to fail.

The State and the minister filed a defence to the cross claim denying any liability in the matter.

The claim and cross claim were privately mediated, resulting in the parties making a settlement deed.

On Friday, Federal Court of Australia Justice Michael Barker approved the agreement.

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Newman to defend Palmer court action

Queensland Premier Campbell Newman (pic) will defend a defamation suit taken by Clive Palmer. Source: AAP

QUEENSLAND Premier Campbell Newman has stood by claims Clive Palmer tried to buy his government, saying the public deserved to know how the businessman-turned-politician operates.

Mr Newman's lawyers on Wednesday lodged a defence against a statement of claim for defamation the Palmer United Party leader made against him last month, seeking $1.1 million in damages.

Mr Palmer alleges the premier has damaged his reputation by describing him in a press conference in April as "a guy who tried to buy ... my government".

But in the defence claim, Mr Newman's lawyers say the comment was in the public interest.

"The public had an interest in receiving information that might lead them to ask (how Mr Palmer) ... in his capacity as a businessman sought to influence government decision making in relation to his business interests," the defence documents read.

It goes on to detail a meeting with Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney in 2012 where Mr Palmer wanted him to allow the development of "Port Palmer" at Abbot Point and give him exclusive access to a rail corridor to the Galilee Basin.

"(He said) he had paid substantial sums to the LNP to have the LNP elected and that he had a lot more money to support the LNP in the future," it read, adding Mr Seeney refused the offer.

Mr Newman's lawyers also claimed former Liberal National Party MPs Carl Judge and Alex Douglas received "substantial gifts" from Mr Palmer and his companies to switch allegiances.

The premier said Mr Palmer didn't complain to the police or Crime and Misconduct Commission about his comments or even seek an apology.

Mr Palmer has denied claims he offered donations to the LNP for favourable treatment.

"Campbell Newman is simply telling untruths or he has been told lies by Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney and is using them to try and defend the defamation action," Mr Palmer said in a statement on Thursday.

"This is nothing more than a desperate attempt by desperate people to discredit me."

Mr Newman said his last donation to the LNP was in 2010 - two years before the Newman government was elected.

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Qld to absorb pensioner, senior cuts

The Queensland government will absorb all federal concession cuts to pensioners and seniors. Source: AAP

QUEENSLAND'S pensioners and seniors will be better off after the Newman government backflipped on concessions.

The federal government cut $223 million for water, electricity and rate concessions over four years, and the Tuesday state budget only picked up 10 per cent of the shortfall.

The grey army took the Newman government to task on talk-back radio and on Thursday Premier Campbell Newman announced he'll now fund the full gap.

"We're not only listening to Queenslanders, but we're acting within the space of two days to reinstate the full level of pensioner and senior concessions," he told parliament.

Government backbenchers Sean Choate and Neil Symes Tweeted that Mr Newman had "directed" the treasurer Tim Nicholls to come to the table, but Mr Choate has since said it was a poor choice of words.

Mr Nicholls said he was "absolutely not" overruled.

While the treasurer didn't say when he changed his mind, he had listened to the Queensland Council of Social Services at a breakfast on Thursday morning.

"It is better for us to relieve pensioners and concession card holders of the worry," Mr Nicholls said.

To pay for the shortfall, Queensland would consider withholding or recoup funding from commonwealth programs they ask states to contribute to.

Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk said the misstep won't be quickly forgotten.

"The ink isn't even dry on this budget and the premier has scrambled to save his own political skin," she said.

"He made a choice in his budget where he could help Queensland pensioners or hurt them.

"He chose to hurt them."

The opposition delivered its budget reply speech on Thursday.

Exactly how Labor would pay down Queensland's $80 billion debt won't be revealed until closer to next year's election.

The Newman government has given voters an ultimatum - $33 billion worth of assets must be sold to fund new infrastructure and pay down debt.

Ms Palaszczuk says it is a political strategy tailored to create a slush fund to buy votes.

It would lead to higher charges and an "Americanised economy" of low wages and no job security, Ms Palaszczuk said.

Labor would hold onto assets and use their revenue to lower debt and invest in new infrastructure.

But a detailed strategy wasn't released in Ms Palaszczuk's budget reply speech on Thursday.

"We will be releasing a comprehensive plan ahead of the next state election to pay down the increase in general government debt under the Newman government," she told parliament.

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Timing wrong on new fighter news: ADA

A DEFENCE lobby group believes the government got its timing wrong in announcing plans for $12 billion worth of jet fighters then embarking on budget cuts to education, health and social services.

There are many in the community who think this expense is the reason for their budget pain, the Australia Defence Association (ADA) says.

The plan to buy 58 more F-35 joint strike fighter aircraft was announced on April 23, during the leadup to the May 13 budget.

ADA says the government failed to properly explain that this would be funded from already programmed defence budget allocations over decades.

"As a consequence, many thought the touted $12 billion acquisition cost was being made from this year's budget alone rather than over decades and was therefore the cause of this year's belt tightening," ADA said in a post-budget commentary.

ADA said general community ignorance or apathy explained much of this.

But that was no excuse for the media commentators and others who claimed that changes to social security were somehow linked to acquisition of replacement fighters.

12.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Shipyards warned projects may go overseas

THE federal government has warned local shipbuilders it could look overseas for new frigates if they don't lift their game in constructing three new air warfare destroyers.

The $8.5 billion AWD project is now running almost two years late and costing $360 million more than planned, with shipbuilders performing well below international standards.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann says the project is in serious trouble and getting worse.

A remediation plan - the third for AWD - aims to get it back on track, starting with "the urgent insertion" of an experienced shipbuilding management team into prime contractor, the government-owned ASC.

Construction of ship modules will then be re-allocated among three firms doing this work .

"This is a final opportunity to get this right - there's no two ways about it," Senator Cormann told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.

Defence Minister David Johnston warned there might not be local capacity for future projects if Australian firms couldn't achieve acceptable productivity.

"I don't believe the government will support an enterprise that cannot deliver productively," he said.

That includes eight new vessels to replace the Navy's Australian-made Anzac frigates.

Under the AWD project, launched in 2007, the Navy will field three high-tech warships able to defend vast areas of ocean against aircraft and missile attack.

But costs are over target and first ship, HMAS Hobart, will be delivered in March 2016 rather than December 2014.

A review conducted by former US Navy secretary Don Winter found a range of problems including inadequate management and contractor performance - in line with an audit office report and regular reviews by UK consultant First Marine International.

World benchmark for warship production is 60 man hours per tonne. Hobart is coming in at 150 man hours per tonne.

In its review of ASC and sub-contractors BAE Systems in Melbourne and Forgacs in Newcastle, FMI found in all but a few measures they were outside performance benchmark standards.

Under contract arrangements, cost over-runs are met half from Defence and half from final success fees to contractors.

Senator Cormann confirmed the commonwealth and taxpayers would face some costs.

"We will seek to minimise whatever exposure there is for the government and for the taxpayers," he said.

12.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Modelling missing on Medicare co-payment

Indigenous health advocates say a proposed Medicare co-payment is breaching human rights. Source: AAP

THE Abbott government did no modelling on how its $7 Medicare co-payment would impact on emergency departments, despite doctors and the states warning patients may inundate hospitals to avoid it.

Doctors groups such as the Australian Medical Association have for months said a GP co-payment would cause some to delay going to the doctor, and could instead drive them into hospital emergency wards.

But health officials have revealed they did not undertake any modelling on whether a co-payment would cause a spike in hospital visits.

Instead they relied on analysis of the introduction of quicker four-hour targets for emergency department visits, which showed the measure did not create the feared "honeypot" for traditional GP clients.

The revelation shocked Greens Senator Richard Di Natale, who said the four-hour access target was "a completely different scenario" to the co-payment.

"You asked if we'd modelled what might occur with the introduction of a co-payment - we haven't done that," deputy health secretary Kerry Flanagan told a Senate estimates hearing in Canberra.

May's budget lifted restrictions on hospitals charging patients for GP attendances to address state and territory concerns.

However, most have already ruled out introducing such a payment.

"Some states and territories have already come out and said they're not intending to do that but it is up to the states and territories to make those decisions," Ms Flanagan said.

Earlier on Monday a prominent indigenous health advocate said the Abbott government was breaching human rights with the co-payment.

Julie Tongs, from the Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal health service in Canberra, said the charge would have a major impact on the centre.

"Health is a human right. And by doing what they are doing they are taking away that human right," she said.

12.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

No tax hike or service cuts in Qld budget

Union protesters will rally to speak out against expected assets sales in the Queensland budget. Source: AAP

THERE will be no tax increases or service cuts in the Queensland budget, Treasurer Tim Nicholls says.

Cabinet on Monday signed off on the budget, which will be handed down on Tuesday.

The government had been considering service cuts, tax increases or asset sales to help pay down $80 billion worth of debt and fund infrastructure.

Despite Mr Nicholls ruling out two of the three choices, he still wouldn't say whether the government will sell up to $32 billion worth of assets if it wins the next election.

"You'll have to come along tomorrow," he said.

"There will be no cuts to services, nor will there be any new taxes, fees or charges.

"It will continue our strong and methodical approach to fixing these state of Queensland's finances."

While Mr Nicholls says the Queensland government will not make cuts, the budget is expected to show the full cost of federal reductions.

The Commonwealth cancelled the $50 million paid to the states to help supply pensioner concessions for water, transport and electricity.

"Unfortunately, there will be some decisions that will have to be made where we have not been able to absorb all of the changes that have been made at the federal level," he said.

"Some of those changes may well flow through to the concessions."

Mr Nicholls is still promising a return to surplus in 2015/16 as planned, despite the projected deficit quadrupling to $2.27 billion from six months ago.

There had been a $600 million write-down in coal royalties, and Queensland is also waiting to be reimbursed a billion from the federal government for recovery work down after cyclone Yasi, Oswald and Ita.

"That is a timing mismatch that we anticipate will be cleared up over the next 18 months," he said.

Alex Scott, the secretary of the public sector union Together, expects increased royalties from coal seam gas and liquefied natural gas will negate the need for service cuts in the budget.

"We think the budget should return to surplus in 2015/16 but the government's got to be serious ... about delivering quality services for Queenslanders rather than delivering to their political donors," he told reporters.

"We don't believe there is a debt problem in Queensland.

"Return to surplus will mean the debt is serviceable and the surplus can also be directed towards debt reduction."

12.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mickelson says he's co-operating with FBI

US golfer Phil Mickelson confirms that FBI agents investigating insider trading approached him. Source: AAP

US golfer Phil Mickelson has confirmed that FBI agents investigating insider trading approached him at a tournament this week.

The winner of five major championships says he has done "absolutely nothing wrong".

A federal official briefed on the investigation has said the FBI and Securities and Exchange Commission are analysing trades Mickelson and Las Vegas gambler Billy Walters made involving Clorox at the same time activist investor Carl Icahn was attempting to take over the company.

The official was unauthorised to speak about the ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Reports of the investigation appeared in several newspapers, including the Wall Street Journal.

Smiling as he stood before a room packed with reporters and cameras, Mickelson said the investigation had not been a distraction until FBI agents approached him after Thursday's opening round of the Memorial Tournament.

He did not offer any other details, including his relationship with Walters or any stock advice he might have received.

He said it would not affect his preparations for the US Open in two weeks, the only major he lacks for the career Grand Slam.

"It's not going to change the way I carry myself," Mickelson said after an even-par 72 at Muirfield Village left him far behind the leaders.

"Honestly, I've done nothing wrong. I'm not going to walk around any other way."

The federal official told the AP that Mickelson and Walters placed their trades at about the same time in 2011.

Federal investigators are looking into whether Icahn shared information of his takeover attempt of Clorox with Walters, and whether Walters passed that information to Mickelson.

The New York offices of the US Attorney and the FBI declined to comment.

The newspaper reports said federal officials also were examining trades by Mickelson and Walters involving Dean Foods Co in 2012.

After a brief interview, Mickelson stepped outside and signed autographs for about 20 minutes, like it was any other day at a tournament.

Fans were supportive as ever on the golf course, and Mickelson gave away so many golf balls to children that his caddie had to ask a tour official to retrieve more balls from his locker when they reached the turn.

He released a statement early on Saturday.

"I can't really go into much right now, but as I said in my statement, I have done absolutely nothing wrong," Mickelson said.

"And that's why I've been fully co-operating with the FBI agents, and I'm happy to do in the future, too, until this gets resolved."

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Man charged after baby attacked

Show us what you're doing at 3.03pm!

We want to know what you are doing, and where in Western Sydney. Take a picture at 3.03 on Sunday, and upload your piece of art to see it in Monday's paper.

The poet with a heart of gold

BULLDOGS fan Taylor Griffiths, 17, has come across more occupations than most kids his age. Oncologists. Immunologists. Surgeons. But until about a week ago, he had never met a poet.

Party drug smuggler faces life in jail

A UK man faces life in prison after being caught at Sydney Airport attempting to smuggle over 2kg of ecstasy in five tins of bath salts off a flight from Abu Dhabi.

Tooth decay costs taxpayers $2.7m

NSW taxpayers could be up for $2.7 million to help fund four north coast fluoride dosing plants in the state's worst tooth decay region as a result of the Byron Shire Council banning the dental booster from its water supply.

Diplomas or a debt trap?

COMPETITION to sign up students to expensive tertiary diploma courses is spiralling out of control, with offers of lavish inducements including free iPads, laptops and $1000 shopping vouchers.

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Australia grim, senator tells NZ Greens

Greens senator Scott Ludlam has told the NZ Green Party annual conference life in Australia is grim. Source: AAP

AUSTRALIAN Greens senator Scott Ludlam has given the New Zealand Green Party's annual conference a grim account of life in his country under Tony Abbott's government.

"I didn't come here for sympathy, but things are in a pretty bad way," Senator Ludlam said.

"Unfortunately, what you're hearing about Australia in the media is true."

The Western Australia Greens senator was guest speaker at the conference on Saturday, and was introduced as a hero.

He told 160 delegates the Australian government had cancelled funding for public transport projects, gutted funding for Aboriginal services and abandoned all the progress that had been made to achieve a clean energy economy.

"Immigration policy is toxic," he said.

"There are huge housing problems in Australia - and the government's answer to that is to blame families from Sri Lanka."

Senator Ludlam said the Australian Labor Party was floundering and divided, and he had some advice for his New Zealand brethren: "Try to pick a coalition partner that isn't entirely dysfunctional."

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UnionsWA backs asbestos compo review

The WA Law Reform Commission will examine compensation for asbestos disease and injury victims. Source: AAP

UNIONS have welcomed a West Australian government move to widen the ability of victims of asbestos-related illnesses and injuries to seek further compensation.

Attorney-General Michael Mischin announced on Saturday he had asked the state's Law Reform Commission to launch an inquiry into compensation for asbestos victims, including whether or not the "once and for all ruler" applied to personal injury claims should remain.

This would mean if a victim develops an injury or disease that differs or is more serious than the one they have already received compensation for, a court may be able to award further damages in some circumstances.

UnionsWA secretary Meredith Hammat described the announcement as "a welcome move".

"At present a victim of, for example, asbestosis who settled a compensation claim many years ago, cannot return to the court if another asbestos related disease such as mesothelioma subsequently results in care and other needs as a result of asbestos exposure," she said.

"WA's laws are well below the standard of those elsewhere.

"WA had a long and highly profitable history of asbestos mining that has left us with many suffering workers and their families."

But Ms Hammat said the WA government had recently failed to support a private member's bill that would have made the compensation process fairer.

"More years of indecision by government will mean victims will die while they and their families go without care needs being properly met," she said.

The WA Law Reform Commission will report back to Mr Mischin by June 30 next year.

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China fines eye-care companies on pricing

CHINA has fined Johnson & Johnson, Nikon Corp and five other makers of eyeglasses and contact lenses on price-fixing charges in its latest effort to use anti-monopoly law to control consumer prices.

Manufacturers were fined a total of 19 million yuan ($A3.35 million) for setting minimum prices for retailers and limiting their ability to offer discounts, the Cabinet's planning agency said on Thursday.

Other companies fined included Essilor International SA of France, Germany's Car Zeiss AG, Hoya Corp. and Bausch + Lomb, owned by Canada's Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. One Chinese company was fined, Shanghai Weicon Optics Co.

Setting minimum prices is common in some markets to help companies maintain an image as a premium brand. But lawyers say Chinese regulators appear to regard such limits on distributors as illegal.

In August, six suppliers of baby formula were fined a total of $US109 million on similar charges.

Investigators have targeted contracts that set minimum retail prices as prohibited "vertical price-fixing" under China's 2008 anti-monopoly law. Most targets so far have been foreign-owned.

Officials and state media complain foreign suppliers of products from milk to luxury cars overcharge Chinese consumers. Automakers have rejected the accusation, saying higher prices in China are due to import taxes and distribution costs.

The latest investigation began in August after a complaint from the public, the National Development and Reform Commission said.

"Findings showed that some manufacturers had exerted price control on distributors and retailers, which violates anti-monopoly laws," the agency said on its website.

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Higher nickel prices help expansion plans

NICKEL miner Western Areas plans to expand its operations and pay down debt as higher nickel prices make marginal projects more viable.

Nickel prices have more than doubled since the depths of the global financial crisis, allowing the West Australian miner to consider adding to its Forrestania operations in the state's south west.

Chief executive Dan Lougher said the favourable price environment had given the company a boost and allowed it to think beyond its two high grade underground mines, Spotted Quoll and Flying Fox.

"Fundamentally we'll finish off this year quite strongly, probably well above guidance in terms of completing fiscal 2014," Mr Lougher told AAP.

But the Perth-based company is still finalising its mine plans and costs and development requirements for the full year 2015 budget.

Western Areas is continuing to drill for the stainless steel ingredient around its New Morning resource which is located between its two existing mines.

"That's certainly an area that we're interested in getting across the line and into a production project," Mr Lougher said.

The 320,000 tonne New Morning resource would require a 2.5 kilometre access tunnel from the Spotted Quoll mine at a price tag of around $20 million to $25 million.

Meanwhile, the company's lower grade Diggers South project, which has been on the drawing board for many years, would require the nickel price to be sustained at around $US10 per pound.

"There's more drilling to do there before we finalise anything and say how many nickel tonnes we've got but they are the areas we're reviewing and in a rising nickel price those reviews become a bit easier," he said.

Nickel is trading around $US8.50 per pound following price weakness in recent years.

Mr Lougher said the company, which employs around 500 people, would produce significantly more cash if prices reached nine to ten dollars, giving it the ability to boost its $15 million exploration budget next year.

"We'll certainly be seeing $US8.50 a pound by the end of the year and it looks like we'll see $US9 in 2015," Mr Lougher said.

He said there were signs of demand improving in European stainless steel markets.

In addition, China, which uses half of the world's nickel, was continuing to grow as the Indonesian ban remained in place.

"It all stacks up to be positive upward momentum," he said.

The company, which has accumulated 900 square kilometres of land in the Forrestania region, is also keen to team up with some junior companies to fund joint venture exploration projects.

Western Areas shares were two cents, or 0.43 per cent, lower at 1435 AEST.

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MP shows off home state art

A MYSTERIOUS face stares across Teresa Gambaro's parliamentary office, looming out of a canvas covered in crosshatches.

The character, drawn by Vernon Ah Kee, will greet visitors to the Liberal MP's digs in Parliament House until September as part of her "shamelessly parochial" bid to promote Queensland artists.

Tired of seeing the same artworks from the official collection, Ms Gambaro approached the Institute of Modern Art in her Brisbane electorate.

The result is Officework in Canberra, an exhibition that showcases modern and emerging artists with works changing about every four months.

As the chairwoman of the foreign affairs committee, Ms Gambaro often hosts national and international visitors, who will now get a taste of Queensland's artistic offerings.

The first six works on show have already been a big talking point, her spokesman told AAP.

Ms Gambaro hopes to inspire other politicians to host similar office art exhibitions.

Officework in Canberra will officially open in mid-July.

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Qld cracks down on Uber taxi service

QUEENSLAND has followed in NSW's footsteps by banning start-up taxi company Uber.

The government issued a cease-and-desist notice last week to the web-based driver hire company, which allows non-taxi drivers to offer a taxi service.

Uber's ride-sharing service, which started in Brisbane last month, is limited to licensed drivers aged at least 24 whose vehicle has at least four doors and was made after 2005.

Transport Minister Scott Emerson says the company needs to meet existing taxi service laws, such as driver accreditation and vehicle standards.

"The department is working with Uber to outline what safety regulations it needs to meet in order to operate in Queensland, including driver authorisation, which includes detailed criminal history checks, vehicle standards and taxi licences," he said.

Premier Campbell Newman expressed concern that the service might not be as safe as traditional taxis, and said he wouldn't want his daughters to use it.

"I do have some concerns over the whole thing," the premier said.

"I've got daughters, 19 and 21, I would prefer them catching a cab because I know about all the safeguards, cameras, trained drivers, GPs locations of cabs real-time.

"Yes, [Uber] has safeguards in there as well, but I'd prefer to use a ridgy-didge cab."

Mr Newman had earlier said the government didn't believe in red tape and regulation unless it was absolutely necessary, but later updated his advice following advice from Mr Emerson's office.

Taxi Council Queensland CEO Benjamin Wash said it was only fair Uber complied with existing regulation.

"Companies that do not meet regulatory requirements jeopardise the industry's reputation, put lives at risk and hurt small business people who have invested heavily in meeting the regulations," he said.

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New technology keeps close eye on sky

NEW Australian flight-tracking technology is off the radar.

After a decade in the pipeline, Airservices Australia has revealed details of a surveillance system that checks the position of an aircraft twice per second.

The satellite-based technology supplies information to air traffic controllers and pilots without the need for conventional radar, Airservices said in a statement on Wednesday.

The system is considered a breakthrough for the monitoring of aircraft in remote areas not previously covered by radar.

Pinpointing aircraft will enable more traffic to use preferred flight routes and create more efficient diversions around bad weather and restricted areas.

The Automatic Dependant Surveillance Broadcast, or ADS-B, uses a network of 61 ground stations across the country, and has been mandated for use by domestic and international aircraft.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service has championed the technology, adding it is particularly useful during flights to remote parts of Australia.

An additional 15 ground stations are due to be added over the next three years, providing higher level coverage offshore.

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Indian Ocean rowing attempt imminent

A 36-YEAR-OLD Victorian policeman and his eight-man crew are preparing for a world record attempt to row 8500km across the Indian Ocean.

Tim Spiteri and his team expect to depart from Geraldton in Western Australia's Mid West region in coming days, weather permitting, with the aim of reaching Durban in South Africa in less than 57 days.

The epic journey could take as little as 50 days and as much as 70 days, the crew estimate.

They will be totally unsupported, with each rower manning the oars for two hours followed by two hours of rest in a continuous shift cycle.

They say no rowing crew has ever made the crossing non-stop as most teams end their journey in Mauritius, which is about 1700km from mainland Africa.

Mr Spiteri, whose mother suffers from multiple sclerosis and is writing a children's book about the voyage, hopes to raise $250,000 for MS Australia.

He has so far raised more than $26,000.

Mr Spiteri completed an Atlantic Ocean crossing last year in 35 days, 12 hours and 41 seconds, which was the sixth fastest crossing in history.

Last year, Dutch adventurer Ralph Tuijn was attempting to row solo across the Indian Ocean when a tanker struck him in the darkness of night while he was some 2000km from Cocos Island and about 4600km from the Australian mainland.

Remarkably, Tuijn didn't require medical treatment and was rescued by the tanker LNG Sokoto.

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Rogerson treated like a dog: lawyer

ROGER Rogerson's lawyer says the disgraced former policeman has been "treated like a dog" after being forcibly taken from his Sydney home for questioning over the alleged murder of university student Jamie Gao.

"We're back to the Gestapo days now," a handcuffed Rogerson said as he was escorted by detectives through a media scrum outside his home in Sydney's southwest.

He was taken to Bankstown police station where he was later joined by his lawyer Paul Kenny.

Detective Inspector Mick Sheehy and Detective Inspector Russell Oxford, who were unable to track down Rogerson in Queensland on Monday, also arrived at the police station.

Rogerson was meeting with Mr Kenny on Tuesday morning when police swooped, banging on his door and surrounding his Padstow Heights home.

Mr Kenny said he would be calling NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione to complain about his client's treatment.

"He was treated like a dog. I've never seen conduct like this by NSW police," Mr Kenny said.

"This is like something off a TV show, but a bad TV show."

Mr Kenny said Rogerson, 73, was just about to head off to a meeting with police when the officers arrived.

"Police starting smashing at the door and a number of them came into Mr Rogerson's office where we were having a legal conference to make arrangements to go into the city," he said.

"I was just about to call Superintendent (Luke) Moore to let him know we were on our way."

Mr Kenny said Rogerson would be defending any possible charges.

"It was just very distressing and disturbing ... just the way they spoke to Mr Rogerson, it's most unnecessary," he said.

But NSW Police said in a statement that they were not satisfied with Rogerson's arrangements and decided to arrest him.

Fellow former Sydney detective and self-titled whistleblower Glen McNamara was charged on Monday with Gao's murder.

Police allege Mr Gao was killed last Tuesday after a drug deal went wrong.

Mr Kenny said earlier on Tuesday said that Rogerson was shocked at being linked to the murder.

He also appealed for calm, telling journalists Rogerson wanted to avoid any media hysteria.

"We don't want any OJ Simpson situation," he said.

Rogerson is one of the most infamous policemen in NSW history.

The highly-decorated detective was dismissed from the force in 1986 before being convicted of conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

His police career was later depicted in the ABC drama series Blue Murder.

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Shot Melbourne man stays silent

A MELBOURNE man who was shot in the groin is refusing to co-operate with police attempting to find who tried to kill him.

Police believe the 31-year-old man may know who shot him at close range with a shotgun.

The Keysborough man was visiting a friend at her St Kilda East home when he was shot on the afternoon of April 14, with two men seen fleeing from the flat.

Detective Sergeant Brett Kahan said the victim won't co-operate with police, refusing to identify the gunman or say if he knew him.

"There's many reasons why victims don't co-operate. Certainly fear is one of those factors," Det Sgt Kahan told reporters on Tuesday.

"Our investigations tend to suggest that he was shot with the intention of being killed."

Police suspect the shooting may have been drug-related.

Det Sgt Kahan said the victim is known to police.

The 31-year-old has undergone several surgeries and has been released from hospital.

"Anyone shot at such close range with a shotgun will suffer injuries consistently right through his life," Det Sgt Kahan said.

The woman who lives at the home has said she doesn't know who shot her friend.

Police believe the two men got into a car after leaving the unit block.

They believe someone will have seen them and have released CCTV footage of the men and a face image of the gunman.

One of the men wore a light-coloured T-shirt, the other wore dark-coloured track pants and a jumper with large words on the back.

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