Aust man faces US sex charge extradition

AN Australian man faces extradition to the US after allegedly posing as a teenage girl or boy online to trick and then extort boys into performing sex acts on the internet.

Mark Anthony Warren, 49, was arrested in NSW after an investigation by the FBI, US attorney for the southern district of New York, Preet Bharara, announced on Friday.

"As alleged, Mark Anthony Warren used social media and phoney profiles to ensnare his minor victims and later force them into engaging in sexually explicit acts that he recorded," Bharara said.

"Warren allegedly believed he could hide behind the anonymity of the internet and use special computer software to escape detection, but he was sorely mistaken."

One of Warren's alleged victims was a 14-year-old New York boy.

When Warren tricked boys into engaging in sexually explicit conduct online, he secretly recorded it and then threatened to disseminate the videos unless the children produced and sent him additional sexually explicit videos, prosecutors allege.

He allegedly created bogus accounts on various social media websites using false teenage girl and boy identities to trick the children.

Warren is charged with one count of production of child pornography and one count of attempted production of child pornography.

Each charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in US federal prison and a maximum 30 years.

He is also charged with receipt and distribution of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 20.

Bharara praised the FBI, NSW Police and the Australian Federal Police.

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Two people hospitalised after Sydney brawl

A 16-YEAR-OLD girl has been charged with assault after allegedly grabbing a woman by the hair and punching her in the face in Sydney.

The 23-year-old was walking along George Street in the city with her friends in the early hours of Saturday morning when she was set upon by three females outside a convenience store, police say.

The three grabbed her by the hair and punched her numerous times in the face and body.

Moments later a group of males trying to intervene became involved in a brawl.

During the melee, a 26-year-old man was knocked unconscious and kicked while he was on the ground, police say.

His friends ran off and got into a taxi where they called Triple 0.

They later returned to Hay Street where the fight restarted.

After police arrived the 23-year-old woman was taken to St Vincent's Hospital with cuts, bruising and a suspected broken jaw.

The 26-year-old man who was knocked unconscious was also hospitalised.

The 16-year-old girl and an 18-year-old man were arrested at the scene.

The girl has since been charged with two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. She has been granted conditional bail to appear at children's court on January 31.

The 18-year-old man has been released without charge pending further investigations.

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One dead and Vic fire crisis could worsen

ONE person has died and a holiday town is under threat with authorities warning Victoria's bushfire crisis could worsen and claim more lives and property.

About 68 fires were burning across the state on Friday afternoon, including a massive inferno in the state's northwest Grampians region that has claimed a person's life at Roses Gap.

Evacuation orders were issued for Halls Gap and a number of surrounding towns, with warnings it could be life-threatening to evacuate after 3pm (AEDT).

A southwesterly wind change due later on Friday had the potential to cause havoc, Fire Services Commissioner Craig Lapsley said.

"Today is one of those days that certainly will be marked in the history of Victoria for the types of fires and the conditions that have led up to it," Mr Lapsley told reporters.

He said the Grampians fire, which is now 21,000 hectares in size, had the potential to claim more lives.

The fire is expected to move into the holiday town of Halls Gap.

"There is a fair chance of losing property and even, if people are caught in the wrong space, a life could be lost," he told reporters.

Mr Lapsley said the fire had caused a 12-kilometre convection column that was creating its own weather.

He said the fire was generating lightning and dropping spotfires around Halls Gap.

Emergency Services Minister Kim Wells said a series of fires burning at Gippsland, in the state's east, could unite and create a fire that was 500,000 hectares in size.

He said efforts would be made to protect electricity transmission assets in the area.

A series of 12 grassfires on Melbourne's northern fringe are believed to have been deliberately lit.

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Australia assists people-smuggler arrests

ALLEGED people-smugglers have been arrested in Vietnam and Sri Lanka with the help of Australian intelligence.

Information provided to Vietnamese national police led to the arrest of a Vietnamese national in southern Vietnam over a number of people-smuggling ventures, Immigration Minister Scott Morrison says.

Sri Lankan authorities have also arrested three people in Sri Lanka for alleged involvement in people-smuggling.

No further details were available.

The latest update on Operation Sovereign Borders released on Friday said there had been no asylum boat arrivals in the past week.

There was a total of 1297 people being processed on Manus Island, 942 people in Nauru and 1987 people in the Christmas Island facilities.

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Residents set to see Perth bushfire horror

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

FIREFIGHTERS appear to have won the battle against the raging Perth hills bushfire, as residents prepare themselves to be view the devastation it has left behind.

The owners of the 52 homes destroyed by the fire which quickly raged out of control on Sunday and into Monday will be taken to see the remains of their properties on Tuesday morning.

Small groups will be escorted through the fire-ravaged area by emergency authorities, with residents likely to be allowed in on their own later in the week.

That was confirmed after emergency authorities said the fire was officially under control, despite the possibility of flare-ups from gusty winds.

Firefighters will continue to mop up, as more hot weather is forecast for Perth this weekend.

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

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

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

He could not be reached by ambulance officers and died at the scene.

One resident tried to get back to their house on Monday afternoon and suffered burns to the hands and feet.

Four people who were feared missing in the blaze were accounted for on Monday.

Power remains out for thousands of hills residents, and is not expected to be restored until the weekend. 150 poles and 6km of power line will need to be restored.

It is believed the cause of the fire was a power pole on private property.

The West Australian government will donate $1 million to the Lord Mayor's Distress Relief Fund to help victims.

It will also provide $3000 to those whose homes had been destroyed and $1000 for damaged houses.

Attorney-General George Brandis says the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment will also be provided to eligible residents.

People can claim a payment of $1000 an adult and $400 for each child.

Insurers have declared the fire a catastrophic event.

The Australian Bankers Association (ABA) revealed several banks would be offering emergency relief packages to people affected by the bushfires in the Perth Hills

Most of the major retail banks, including the Commonwealth, ANZ, Bankwest and Westpac, would be offering their hardship assistance packages to affected families and businesses.

"It's not a time when people want to be worrying about their finances," said Steven Munchenberg, chief executive of the ABA.

The emergency packages can include deferring home loan repayments and an increase on credit card limits.

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Two accused one-punch murderers in court

AS two accused murderers came before the same court charged over one-punch killings in Sydney, yet another grieving family has called for justice for the "tragedy of inexcusable proportions".

The murder cases against Shaun McNeil, 25, and Nicholas Lambaditis, 33, were briefly mentioned in Central Local Court on Tuesday, with neither man required to appear in court.

McNeil is accused of murdering Daniel Christie by punching him in an unprovoked attack at Kings Cross on New Year's Eve.

The murder charge was formally laid against McNeil in court in the wake of 18-year-old Mr Christie's death at St Vincent's Hospital on Saturday.

Lambaditis is charged with murdering 34-year-old Lucio Stein Rodrigues, a Brazilian national he allegedly punched outside a bar in Sydney's CBD last November.

Like Mr Christie, Mr Rodrigues's life support was turned off days after the attack due to irreparable brain damage.

In a statement read outside court by their lawyer, the Rodrigues family expressed their grief and anger at the death of their son.

"Lucio hasn't been mentioned in the media much at all lately and it's very important that he's not forgotten," the statement said.

"His family are extremely distraught over the death of their son and they desperately want justice to be done.

"We need to ensure the community and the judiciary understand the family's outrage, that his death will be in vain if the accused is treated as leniently as other one-punch offenders in recent times."

They were referring to Kieran Loveridge, who was jailed for four years for killing 18-year-old Thomas Kelly with a single punch in July 2012.

Mr Kelly was attacked just yards from where Mr Christie was punched in Kings Cross.

Both attacks, along with a string of other one-punch attacks over the summer break, have prompted calls for tougher sentencing laws for alcohol-fuelled violence.

On Monday Mr Kelly's father delivered a petition with 132,000 signatures to the NSW government demanding minimum sentencing laws for manslaughter.

Mr Christie's family have termed single punches or so-called king hits a "coward's punch".

In a statement released after their son's death, they described him as a "beacon of morality".

He died while shielding three younger boys who were allegedly punched to the ground by McNeil, who allegedly boasted he was a mixed martial arts fighter before punching Mr Christie.

His brother, Peter Christie, also suffered a split lip in the alleged attack.

"No family should be forced to deal with this situation, however we are not the first and we fear that we won't be the last," the Christies said.

The Rodrigues family agreed, saying their son's death was a "tragedy of inexcusable proportions".

In a statement that echoed the Christies' sentiments, they said Mr Rodrigues was a "beacon of the community".

"He came from a good family, was well educated, well respected and dearly loved by many," they said.

"(We are) seeking to ensure that with Lucio's death, a line is drawn in the sand and offenders are dealt with in accordance with community expectations."

Lambaditis, who has not yet entered a plea, is also charged with assault causing grievous bodily harm and assaulting another man.

McNeil is facing a string of assault charges.

Both men were formally refused bail and will appear before the same court on March 4.

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Protesters fight Maules Creek mine

PROTESTERS have locked themselves onto bulldozers as they fight against the development of the controversial Maules Creek coal mine in northwest NSW.

About 30 activists, including local Aboriginal community members, on Monday blockaded heavy vehicles which are at the Boggabri site to build roads and a rail line, Georgina Woods from the Leard Forest Alliance told AAP .

If the road to Whitehaven Coal's proposed $767 million open-cut mine is cut through the forest then animals, plants and sacred Aboriginal sites would be lost, she said.

And while admitting that stopping the project was "a bit of a long shot," Ms Woods said the protesters, stationed throughout the large forest, wouldn't be leaving anytime soon.

"It's our intention to remain here the rest of the week and until this forest gets a reprieve and it's protected from this coal mine," she said.

About 20 police were at Monday's protest.

"Police rescue have gone in. They will be trying to remove our protesters," Ms Woods said.

"But we think they're set up in a way that they won't be able to be removed quickly."

Protesters also blockaded the site in December after the Federal Court dismissed an application by the Northern Inland Council for the Environment (NICE), which had called for the approval granted by former environment minister Tony Burke to be overturned.

Police cut the activists free before arresting them.

Whitehaven has previously said the project would create 800-plus jobs and enjoyed support from most local residents.

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Redcliffe by-election set for February 22

THE by-election for the Queensland state seat of Redcliffe, north of Brisbane, will be held on February 22.

The seat became vacant after former LNP member Scott Driscoll quit parliament in November because he was found guilty of misleading the house about his financial and business interests.

He had already quit the party, having moved to the parliamentary crossbenches, in April 2013 when the allegations surfaced.

Premier Campbell Newman announced the by-election date on Monday after touring the Redcliffe Hospital.

He apologised and pleaded with voters to not judge the LNP for Mr Driscoll's failures.

Registered nurse Kerri-Anne Dooley will represent the LNP at the Redcliffe by-election.

Labor's candidate is former federal MP Yvette D'Ath.

Mr Newman said the LNP would be the underdog because of Mr Driscoll.

"There'll be people on the (Redcliffe) peninsula who are angry," he told reporters.

"Well, we are all angry about what happened but that's not a reason for a protest vote, which I'm sure the other side will be urging."

Mr Newman said February 22 was chosen to give voters four weeks after the holiday season and time before the campaign proper began after Australia Day.

Ms Dooley, who ran for the Family First Party during the 2012 state election, said she supported the LNP's policies and was impressed by what the government had achieved.

She also admitted she may receive a backlash because of Mr Driscoll's legacy.

"The anger and grief of the community is the reason why I put my hand up," she said.

"I want to be the strong, local, passionate voice to deliver with the Newman government what we can for the people of Redcliffe."

Mr Newman also ruled out speculation there would be an early general election.

He vowed he would serve his full term and call an election next year.

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Suspicious fire destroys mowing company

FIFTY firefighters were needed to bring a roaring fire under control at a lawn-mowing business north of Adelaide.

The blaze in Willaston, which was well alight by 5am on Sunday, is being treated as suspicious.

A fire service spokeswoman says it took two hours to contain the fire, and it would take several hours to extinguish it.

"The damage bill has been set at about $500,000 and the cause is believed to be suspicious," she said.

Sergeant Andrew Pomeray said investigations were under way into the cause of the fire.

"We believe there may be some evidence of a break-in," he said.

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Vic to erase convictions for gay sex

Victoria is set to announce plans to erase the convictions of men for having consensual gay sex. Source: AAP

VICTORIAN men prosecuted for having gay sex will be able to apply to have their convictions erased under laws before state parliament this year.

Gay rights advocates welcomed the move, saying it will help end the stigma and shame endured by hundreds of men based on discriminatory laws more than 30 years ago.

Denis Napthine made the announcement to delete gay criminal records as he became the first Victorian premier to open Melbourne's 26th annual Midsumma carnival, which drew thousands of revellers to celebrate gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex (GLBTI) culture on Sunday.

"This is a good piece of legislation," Dr Napthine told reporters in Melbourne.

"I'm surprised it's taken this long but this is fair and reasonable."

The Hamer Liberal government decriminalised homosexuality in Victoria in 1981.

Under legislation before parliament this year, those convicted of consensual sexual acts with other men can apply to have the convictions expunged.

"I recognise the GLBTI community has a great contribution to make to this great state and the diversity of this state," Dr Napthine earlier told reporters.

"What we want is people to be able to enjoy their sexuality in whatever form it takes within the privacy of their own home".

Human Rights Law Centre advocacy director Anna Brown said deleting unjust convictions will help end shame endured by gay men unfairly burdened with criminal records.

"Acknowledging these laws were wrong and legislating to abolish the left-over convictions will start to heal the harm these discriminatory laws have caused," she said.

Until 1981, gay men were convicted and even jailed for offences including buggery and loitering for homosexual purposes, which created barriers to work, volunteering and travel.

In some cases, men who would now be treated as sex abuse victims were charged.

Victorian man Noel Tovey says he pleased he can remove the black mark from his name.

"It's good to know at the age of 80, that I am no longer a criminal in the eyes of the law and society," he said.

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