Tony Abbott's first interview

Tony Abbott addresses crowds following his election win. Picture: Gary Ramage. Source: News Limited

TONY Abbott has pledged to be a respectful, thoughtful national leader for all Australians who will drop the "tribal chief" act of opposition.

In his first interview as Australia's Prime Minister-elect, Mr Abbott said he was ready to take on the responsibility that he had been preparing for "my whole life."

Vowing to get his agenda moving to stop the boats and abolish the carbon tax from "Day 1" Mr Abbott said he wanted to govern for all Australians including those who would never vote for him.

"I am very conscious of the fact that opposition leaders are tribal chiefs but prime ministers have to be national leaders,'' Mr Abbott told the Sunday Herald Sun.

"You have to govern for everyone including the people that didn't vote for you and the people who probably won't ever support you. That's the nature of the job. While I certainly can't promise that everyone is going to agree with everything an incoming government does, I certainly intend to be a consultative, collegiate prime minister.

Tony Abbott is congratulated by the crowd after his victory. Source: News Limited

"I intend to be respectful, thoughtful prime minister who as far as humanly possible talks to people before you make decisions rather than simply imposes decisions on people and argues with them afterwards"

Mr Abbott, 55, said he was ready to take on the biggest responsibility of his political life.

"I am conscious of the fact that it is an extraordinary weight of responsibility. It's an extraordinary weight of responsibility,'' he said.

"But there is a sense in which I guess my whole life, particularly the last twenty years in the Parliament, has been a preparation for this moment. And I am confident that I am as ready as any incoming Prime Minister has been."

Mr Abbott warned the Senate not to defy voters verdict.

"Scrapping the carbon tax and stopping the boats are the two most urgent priorities. I expect the Parliament to respect the mandate of an incoming government. And as I have said time and time again I think it would be the height of political folly for the Labor Party should they lose the election, which is referendum on the carbon tax, to persist in support for a carbon tax. It would just prove to the electorate that the Labor Party doesn't listen.''

His biggest lesson watching the chaos of the Rudd-Gillard leadership wars was a simple one.

"Don't tell fibs and don't be incompetent. I mean incompetent, deceitful governments suffer as they should."

Tony Abbott addresses the crowd for the first time after his election win. Source: News Limited

Mr Abbott said he would be back at work today for his first briefings with staff and public servants.

"Our absolute priority will be deliver on our commitments, starting from Day 1. The preparations obviously would start from tomorrow and I would expect to be receiving preliminary briefings from the senior public servants tomorrow,'' he said last night.

"Obviously, we will swiftly implement Operation Sovereign Borders and one component is a much more active program of intercepting vessels and where possible turning them around - rather than escorting them to Christmas Island.''

Mr Abbott said it was tough day for the Labor Party but voters always got it right.

"The tragedy of the current government is that they have overpromised and under delivered. To put it at its most kind. As far as the general public is concerned I think they have been utterly incompetent and utterly untrustworthy. The last thing that I would want to do is not only prejudice the prospects of an incoming government by going on in the same vein as this one but I am determined to do whatever I can to rebuild trust and confidence in the polity more generally. That won't happen through big talk. It will happen through steady, purposeful government which appreciates that in the end it is deeds that matter more than words.''

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Woman faces cemetery murder charge

Baldivis woman Diana Matthews, whose body was found in a lake at the Rockingham Regional Memorial Park on April 29, 2011. Source: PerthNow

Friends and family hold a memorial for Baldivis woman Diana Matthews whose body was found in a lake at the Rockingham Regional Memorial Park on April 29, 2011 Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

POLICE have charged a woman with murder over the death of Baldivis woman Diana Matthews, whose body was found at a Rockingham cemetery in 2011.

Major Crime Detectives made the arrest on Thursday this week following a two-year investigation.

Ms Matthews' body was discovered half-submerged in a man-made lake at Rockingham Regional Memorial Park.

She was last seen alive walking from her Baldivis home to a park on Tamworth Blvd at about 8pm.

Earlier that evening, she was seen at the Caltex service station on Baldivis Rd.

At 11.30pm, less than four hours later, passers-by found the 46-year-old's body at the cemetery.
Detectives have not revealed how Ms Matthews died.

Police have charged a 33-year-old woman with murder.

The accused woman was remanded in custody after appearing in the Perth Magistrates Court this morning.

She will next appear in the Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on September 25.

A 36 year-old-man and a 32-year-old woman are currently in custody, assisting Major Crime Squad detectives with their investigation.
 

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Lyon bristles at target claims

Coach Ross Lyon thrilled with the teams performance in overcoming Geelong and defends Zac Dawson for some marginal free kicks given away

Ross Lyon and Zac Dawson after the win.

FIRED-UP Fremantle coach Ross Lyon angrily defended Zac Dawson as his Dockers threw the AFL premiership race wide open.

While many had Hawthorn and Geelong pencilled in for the flag decider, the physical and well-drilled Dockers thumbed their nose at convention, inflicting just the Cats' second loss in 45 matches over six years at their home ground.

The stunning 15-point win wound Fremantle into a $4 second favourite for the flag by pitching the arch rival Hawks and Cats into the same half of the draw and giving the WA team its first home preliminary final.

Dockers stun cats in boilover

But while Lyon urged his team to "stay incredibly focused", he bristled at suggestions he'd charged Dawson - and others - with the task to intimidate the Cats physically.

Dawson gave away a free-kick and was booked for a clash with Geelong forward James Podsiadly before the opening siren.

A tangle with Geelong forward James Podsiadly has left Dawson's fate with the match review committee

The pair jostled several times during the match and the former Saint was also involved in a clash with Geelong skipper Joel Selwood that could come under scrutiny.

But Lyon stood by his full-back, saying the Cats had contributed their fair share to the physical clash.

"(That's) out of line because what I saw was some Docker players go down off the ball," he said.

"It is silly question – we played within the rules. Just go to the behind-the-goals footage and have a look, you'll see what comes out.

"I reviewed them (as) marginal free-kicks at best (with) some body work.

"I just happen to be the coach of the team. I have behind-the-goal vision, I have broadcast vision that I replay and I saw them and they were incredibly marginal, marginal free-kicks.

"That is OK if they get paid, but to then focus on them is really disappointing in the context of the effort we have delivered."

The Dockers will also sweat on a clash, one of several, between gun forward Chris Mayne and Geelong's Steve Johnson, who was left lying on the ground after intitial contact between the pair propelled the Cat into Geelong runner Nigel Lappin.

Lyon was "really pleased for the players that they created an opportunity" after admitting to a mistake in sending chief tagger Ryan Crowley to Mathew Stokes while Johnson threatened to tear apart the game early.

"It was a powerful response in face of a great challenge by the team. We want to be `anywhere-anytime' team and this is a significant challenge and they got it done today."

Lyon walked away from the "garbage" of the debate about playing a final in Geelong for the first time since the 19th century, and also said resting half his team in Round 23 had likely been beneficial.

"It's hard to measure, but the analogy I used is I watched Hawthorn win last night and (then) everyone espouses that they have got a week off to freshen up for a preliminary final, so in theory it is the same model," he said.

"You would not want to be doing it every week, but after 22 home-and-away rounds, it clearly helped."

Lyon said the decision to play key defender Luke McPharlin for the first time in two months after a Round 15 calf injury had been "bold and strong".

Utility Nick Suban was subbed off with an ankle injury, but was walking around without discomfort in the rooms afterwards.

Lyon said Freo had "some sore boys that had plenty of whacks ... and there was plenty of on and off ball things that will probably be looked at I would suggest".

He said big man Aaron Sandilands played his best game of an injury-cruelled season.

"I thought he was significant when he went forward ... a real threat.

"They threw some challenges at him on spread, but we're really confident we can handle that.

"A few of the things they were doing we certainly adjusted to and it was needed ... and then (he and Zac Clarke) were able to play to their strengths, rather than having their strengths taken off them and chasing around opposition ruckmen."

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Live coverage: Labor salvages three WA seats

Alannah MacTiernan celebrates her win with grandchildren Atlas (4) and Umi (7) Schapper. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

Fremantle's Melissa Parke celebrates her impending win. Picture: Sean Middleton Source: PerthNow

Ken Wyatt watches the count with his supporters. Picture: Jordan Shields Source: PerthNow

Alannah MacTiernan, Julie Bishop and David Wirrpanda at the polling booths today. Source: PerthNow

SEE our seat-by-seat WA analysis and relive all the local action from election night in our rolling blog.

Perth | Hasluck | Brand | Swan | Fremantle | Curtin | Other seats

WA will have one of its strongest ever representations of MPs in Federal Government, with 12 Lower House Liberal and National Party candidates to be part of a Tony Abbott-led Coalition.

Labor had another night to forget, but the result could have been worse - it held onto its three seats: Perth, Fremantle and Brand.

As expected, Alannah MacTiernan won Perth, but the party's defeat meant she was headed to the opposition benches.

Former Resources Minister Gary Gray claimed victory in Brand last night, with a swing against him (after preferences) of less than 2 per cent, enough for him to hang on.

It was a devastating result for Liberal candidate Donna Gordin, who was hopeful of victory after being narrowly defeated in the seat three years ago.

WA Labor senator Louise Pratt, who was fighting for her political career, said Labor had only itself to blame for the defeat.

"We governed the country very well, but not ourselves well," she said. "I think we need to take collective responsibility for that."

Senior Liberal sources said the Coalition victory would see at least four WA Liberals rewarded with ministries - Curtin MP Julie Bishop, Stirling MP Michael Keenan and senators David Johnston and Mathias Cormann.

Statewide wrap - see below for key individual seats

 
Labor's star candidate Alannah MacTiernan has likened Labor's leadership woes to a "Greek tragedy", blaming it on the election loss.

Shortly after claiming victory in retiring Defence Minister Stephen Smith's seat of Perth, Ms MacTiernan said Anthony Albanese or Mark Butler were best placed to take on the Labor leadership in opposition.

"We've gone through something that I guess we had to go through and I am really energised by the amount of enthusiasm out there," she said.

Alannah MacTiernan addresses a vocal crowd at the North Perth Town Hall. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

"I'm so glad that we've returned all three seats in WA and that the loss hasn't been as great as has been predicted around Australia.

"I think we're going to form a very credible opposition and rebuild for the future."

Full Perth wrap

  HASLUCK
KEN Wyatt says he is prepared to embrace a bigger role if Tony Abbott hands him one.

Mr Wyatt defeated Labor's Adrian Evans in the marginal seat, with a healthy swing to the Liberals of 4.2 per cent.

He won Hasluck by a 0.6 per cent slither in 2010.

Mr Wyatt is set to create history -  he'd be the first sitting member to retain Hasluck since the electorate was created in 2001.

Ken Wyatt watches the count with his supporters. Picture: Jordan Shields Source: PerthNow

Mr Wyatt said he appreciated the opportunity to work for his electorate.

"I really want to be back here to continue the work that I've been doing and building that strong community ethos," the history-maker said.

Full Hasluck wrap

  BRAND
FORMER Rudd Labor government minister Gary Gray has claimed the seat of Brand.

Mr Gray said at a time when the ALP had been under stress nationally, there had been a swing to the party in the electorate which covers Rockingham, Kwinana and some parts of Mandurah.

With more than half the votes counted, there was a 2.7 per cent swing to Labor after preferences. Mr Gray's primary vote was up 0.5 per cent.

"We've had a very strong result in Brand," Mr Gray said, shortly after 8pm.

Federal MP Gary Gray addresses the crowd at his function. Picture: Matthew Poon Source: PerthNow

"We've got more counting yet to do but it appears that I've held the seat and it appears that my vote has increased which is very heartening after a long and arduous campaign that concluded on the strong issues for Labor and the issues that really do concern Rockingham, Kwinana and Mandurah.

"That's about education, it's about health care and it's about infrastructure.

"I'm pleased to be re-elected for another three year term."

Full Brand wrap

  SWAN
A TRIUMPHANT Steve Irons was staying mum about his ambitions to become an Abbott frontbencher last night.

The Liberal MP, who won the seat by just 164 votes in 2007, was on track to tighten his grip on Swan, with a 3.6 per cent swing in his favour.

He told his supporters after six years in opposition he was looking forward to government.

"I am humbled by the fact that I am going back to be in a government," he said.

Steve Irons and wife Cheryle at the Amherst Street Hockey Pavilion in South Perth. Picture: Richard Polden Source: PerthNow

He said the support of his "dynamo" wife had made a "helluva difference" to his political and personal life.

"It's hard to put into words, but I guess it has completed my life," Mr Irons said. "We're part of a team now."

Full Swan wrap

  FREMANTLE
MELISSA Parke's victory in the seat of Fremantle is bittersweet, with the Labor MP losing her new place on the frontbench.

Parke told supporters at a Labor function tonight that: "we won the battle in Fremantle but we lost the war".

As Kevin Rudd conceded defeat, the former UN lawyer said goodbye to the international development portfolio she was handed just two months ago when Rudd returned to the leadership.

Ms Parke, who retained her seat with 54.2 per cent of the votes at 10pm, told PerthNow the Federal Labor party had "a lot to be proud of".

Fremantle's Melissa Parke celebrates her impending win. Picture: Sean Middleton Source: PerthNow

"It was not the wipeout that was predicted, so I think we've done really well, given what really was relentless negativity, not just in this campaign but since we formed minority government in 2010," she said.

"We now have a very important role to be an intelligent and conscientious opposition."

Full Fremantle wrap

  CURTIN
JULIE Bishop has promised a new era of WA-Canberra co-operation under Abbott government.

"Can WA expect a better deal? Absolutely. I'm a West Australian first," Ms Bishop declared.

Dressed in bright royal blue, the Foreign Affairs minister-in-waiting said she was proud to increase her margin - with a 1.4 per cent swing  to 67.6 per cent.

An A-list of political identities converged on the Subiaco community centre where the Bishop camp were not doing things by halves - a big marquee, flowing drinks, three TV flatscreens and maybe 300 or more helium-filled blue balloons.

Julie Bishop celebrates with WA Premier Colin Barnett. Picture: Ross Swanborough Source: PerthNow

Premier Colin Barnett and wife Lyn were happy to quaff red wine in celebratory mood.

"When the party was at its darkest moment, Julie held the team together," Mr Barnett said.

Full Curtin wrap

   OTHER WA SEATS
THE National Party looks like retaining O'Connor after winning the seat three years ago.

Early polling indicated Chub Witham would win the seat, despite a close contest with Liberal candidate Rick Wilson.

Retiring National MHR Tony Crook won O'Connor from Wilson Tuckey in 2010.

In Durack, Melissa Price is poised to retain the seat for the Liberals, following the retirement of Barry Haase.

Meanwhile, Member for Pearce Judi Moylan said she wished Christian Porter the best of luck in the safe Liberal seat.

She said she "never had any doubt" that he was the fit candidate for the seat, which she had held for 20 years.

"It's very nice for me as the retiring member to have such a candidate take over," Mrs Moylan said.

"I think he's going to make a fantastic member and will hopefully increase the margin."

Wrap of remaining WA seats

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'Today Fairfax, tomorrow the nation'

Barnaby Joyce asks what Clive Palmer is all about as news breaks of Palmer apparently taking the seat of Fairfax. Courtesy: ABC TV

BILLIONAIRE Clive Palmer believes he will win the seat of Fairfax on preferences and says he will use it as a platform to win over Australia at the next election.

Mr Palmer, who whipped up his own party in four months, was jubilant and already looking to the future.

"By winning the seat of Fairfax we can win the entire country over the next three years," he said.

He is hosting a function for 250 supporters at his Coolum resort on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

A official result is not expected tonight although experts believe Mr Palmer has a good chance of defeating the LNP's Ted O'Brien once preferences are taken into account.

CLIVE Palmer addresses the media on the Sunshine Coast tonight.

The ABC earlier reported that the founder of the Palmer United Party had attracted more than 29 per cent of the primary vote with about 50 per cent of the vote counted

 The Liberal National Party incumbent for the  Sunshine Coast seat, Ted O'Brien, has seen an 11 per cent drop in his primary vote.

Mr Palmer has accused the Australian Electoral Commission of influencing the result of the election and has already flagged a possible High Court challenge, the ABC reported.

Spirits are high at Camp Clive on the Sunshine Coast where up to 250 Palmer United Party supporters are feeling positive about their whirlwind campaign.

Clive Palmer with wife Anna at the Mt Coolum Day Care centre polling booth. Pic Megan Slade.

Mr  Palmer is hosting a function at the Captain's Table restaurant at his luxury resort at Coolum.

 "The mood here is very upbeat," a Palmer spokesman said. "There is a festive atmosphere and everyone feels satisfied and positive.

"It's amazing how far we have come in four months."

But election analyst Antony Green expects it to be a "close contest" between the LNP and Palmer United Party in the seat of Fairfax.

With 41.4 per cent of the vote counted, PUP's Clive Palmer is on 29.2 per cent of the vote and the LNP's Ted O'Brien is on 38.5 per cent.

"What we are getting from the electoral commission is a Labor versus LNP preference count, and that turns into a comfortable victory for the LNP," election analyst Antony Green said.

"But I'll now go into the computer and turn off the received preference count because in my view it is only a contest between the LNP and the PUP and this stage it is a very close contest."

"We will not know the result of that election tonight."

Today Show's Karl Stefanovic seems stunned by candidate Clive Palmer's reaction to a report by The Australian's Thomas. Courtesy Nine Network, TODAY

22.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cleveland kidnapper took his own life

Ariel Castro was found dead in his prison cell, officials believe that he has committed suicide. Source: Fox News

Ariel Castro. Photo: AP Source: Supplied

CLEVELAND kidnapper Ariel Castro has been found dead in his state prison cell.

Ohio Rehabilitation and Correction officials said convicted kidnapper Castro, 52, was found hanged in his prison cell at the Correctional Reception Centre in Orient, Ohio at about 9:20pm local time.

Prison medical staff performed CPR, and Castro was transported to the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Centre. He was pronounced dead at 10:52pm.

Officials say he committed suicide and his lawyers have pointed out that they had unsuccessfully tried to have him put under psychological examination before he was handed over to state authorities.

Castro's death is being investigated by the Ohio State Police and the Department of Corrections, which stated that Castro was being kept in protective custody, isolated from other inmates due to his high profile, and was subject to checks every 30 minutes.

He was taken off county jail suicide watch in early June after authorities determined he was not a suicide risk.

Castro was recently sentenced to life in prison plus 1000 years for holding three women - Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michele Knight - captive for more than a decade and repeatedly raping them.

Held captive ... Amanda Berry. (AP Photo/Hennes Paynter Communications) Source: AP

Held captive ... Gina DeJesus. (AP Photo/Hennes Paynter Communications) Source: AP

Held captive ... Michelle Knight. (AP Photo/Hennes Paynter Communications) Source: AP

Castro even fathered a daughter with Berry, but was barred from seeing the child after a judge rejected his request for visitation rights as a consequence of his sentence. Investigators say the women were bound with chains, repeatedly raped and deprived of food and bathroom facilities. Knight told investigators she was beaten and starved several times to force her to miscarry.

The three women disappeared between 2002 and 2004. They escaped on May 6, when one of them yelled to neighbours for help.

The sister of former hostage Gina DeJesus said her family was not making a statement regarding Castro's death, but called it a "sad situation".

One of Castro's relatives said she was distraught.

"I cried for several reasons," cousin Maria Castro Montes told CNN. "My first thoughts were if the girls knew. I am talking about the victims. I immediately thought of them and what is going through their minds. Maybe this was for the best. I don't think they were ever going to find peace with him alive."

Ohio Department of Correction spokeswoman JoEllen Smith said Castro "was in a cell by himself and rounds are required every 30 minutes at staggered intervals". He was reportedly on suicide watch.

"Upon finding inmate Castro, prison medical staff began performing life saving measures. Shortly after he was transported to OSUMC where he was pronounced dead at 10:52pm," Smith said in a statement.

"A thorough review of this incident is under way and more information can be provided as it becomes available pending the status of the investigation."

Castro's lawyers tried unsuccessfully to have a psychological examination of Castro done at the Cuyahoga County Jail, where Castro was housed before he was turned over to state authorities following his conviction, attorney Jaye Schlachet told The Associated Press. Schlachet said he could not immediately comment further.

In an interview last month after Castro's conviction, Schlachet and attorney Craig Weintraub said their client clearly fitted the profile of sociopathic disorder and that they hoped researchers would study him for clues that could be used to stop other predators.

At his sentencing hearing on August 1, Castro had insisted he was not evil but rather addicted to sex.

"I'm not a monster. I'm sick,'' he pleaded.

Held captive for 10 years ... Michelle Knight sits in the courtroom during a break in the sentencing phase for Ariel Castro. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak) Source: Supplied

Despite having pleaded guilty to 977 charges related to his victims' brutal decade-long ordeal, including many rapes and the murder of a foetus through beating its mother, Castro said he was not a violent man.

Castro said he had himself been sexually abused as a child and had grown up obsessed with sex, addicted to pornography and a compulsive masturbator.

He said he had not plotted the three kidnaps, but had acted on impulse.

``I am not a monster. I am a normal person. I am just sick. I have an addiction just like an alcoholic has an addiction,'' he said.

Fox News reports that police are investigating the 911 dispatch handling of the Amanda Berry call as well as digging for evidence. Fox News

Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michele Knight have appeared for the first time since their incredible escape from years of captivity.

Watch incredible mobile phone vision showing Amanda Berry's moment of freedom.

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Property or 'the poor house'

A property investment could be the key to a well-funded retirement, one group says. Source: Supplied

INVEST in a house – or end up in the poor house.

That's the shock finding of one group which claims today's average income earner is destined to finish up with barely enough non-government superannuation to cover three years of retirement if a male, and two if a female.

At the same time, by 2033, the group says the median house price will hit $2.2 million.

Kevin Young, founder of mum-and-dad investment group the Property Club and himself the owner of a 189-property real estate portfolio, claims he has reviewed average superannuation figures and analysed inflationary trends to determine just how much super Australians will need to retire comfortably.

Mr Young said today's average super balances ($84,293 for a 45-year-old man and $47,480 for a woman of the same age, based on ABS stats) will not last the distance.

"Even with the compulsory super increases from July 1 this year, a man with an average wage and super balance would retire in 20 years' time on $422,021 and a woman on $303,782, assuming their wages remain consistent over the period," Mr Young said.

"While $41,090 is considered a 'comfortable' retirement income for today, inflationary pressures are likely to significantly increase the cost of living in 20 years' time.

"My analysis shows that in 2033 a $130,000 income will be needed to cover weekly food bills of $500 and average rents at $2000 for singles, leaving today's average single man little more than three comfortable years in retirement, and the female a pitiful two.

"Both might then be forced to live on the aged pension if, of course, they qualify with increases to the commencement age of the pension."

Mr Young says property markets may well be the key to a well-funded retirement.

Projecting a "conservative growth estimate" to 2033, he forecasts the national median property price to be $2.2 million "if you consider that the national weighted median house price was reported in June as $534,0155 and the value of a house is said to double once every property cycle, or approximately every 7-10 years," he said.

1.   Mr Young tipped:

* Now is the ideal time to invest in residential property.

``Interest rates are at their lowest in more than 40 years and housing supply is short, leading to long-term price growth as demand from our ever increasing population grows.

``Property finance on the other hand is projected to stay low for the next five years.

``Many banks are currently offering fixed-rate loans of 5 per cent for the next five years.

``That's half a property cycle.

``What's more, rents too are returning a 5 per cent yield, effectively cancelling out the cost of a mortgage.''

* Leverage your existing assets

``Many of us have never thought of using increased equity in the family home to start our investment portfolio.

``In this scenario, unlocking equity enables you to purchase an income-producing asset which, if managed on a cash-flow-neutral basis, won't require additional income today to grow a significantly better retirement fund.''

* Consider residential property funds

``Consider using some of your super to invest in a residential property fund.

``Unlike a self-managed super fund, which typically requires at $150,000 deposit and a combined income of approximately $150,000 per annum to purchase a modest property valued at $400,000, residential property funds have a far lower entry point of approximately $5000.

``These funds allow you to take advantage of property as an asset class which has consistently outperformed shares measured in both 10- and 20-year periods.

``Residential property growth rates were 8.0 per cent p.a. and 9.0 per cent p.a. respectively while Australian shares returned only 6.1 per cent p.a. and 8.7 per cent p.a.

``To find out more go to: www.pfsuper.com.au.''

* Choose your advisors carefully

``Planning to fund your retirement with property investments and, more importantly, getting it right requires expertise.

``While there are many professional advice options to choose from, always look for advisors who have your interests in mind.

``If you go it alone, beware of those who represent property vendors.

``When going it alone, first-time investors can be prey to the many too-good-to-be-true properties, schemes, seminars and events hawked by property vendors.

``And if you're using your biggest asset  the family home  as collateral, it pays to do your homework before plunging head-first into the property market.''

* Have a 10-year commitment plan

``Whatever your life stage, don't get bogged down in the daily grid and keep putting off creating a financial plan to fund your retirement.

``While it's never too early to start, funding your retirement with property investments requires on average a minimum 10-year commitment.

``Ideally, you want to reap the rewards of at least one property cycle and do so when you've actually retired, when you're more likely to be in a lower marginal tax rate.''

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Housemates cry after PM video

Kevin Rudd's election message about marriage equality brought some of the Big Brother housemates to tears. Courtesy Big Brother, Channel Nine

Source: The Daily Telegraph

TONY Abbott, Clive Palmer, Christine Milne and Kevin Rudd have pitched for votes from the Big Brother housemates - but only the Prime Minister's video made them cry.

Tony Abbott ended his message with another squirmworthy and excruciating moment for his long suffering daughters, who look horrified as he finishes his pitch by talking up their good looks.

"If you want to know who to vote for, I'm the guy with the not bad looking daughters," he said.

The Big Brother housemates clearly think it a big wacky, and some can be heard saying "weird" during his pitch.

But Kevin Rudd's video, which focused heavily on gay marriage, prompted tears from several housemates.

Reflecting on his own marriage to Therese Rein, Mr Rudd said: "No matter who we love, we should all be able to make the same promise I was able to make to Therese," he said.

"If you support gay marriage, I will need your support in this election."

"it's time for marriage equality."

Opposition leader Tony Abbott tells the Big Brother housemates in a special election message 'I'm the guy with the not bad-looking daughters.' Courtesy Channel Nine.

FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL WITH OUR LIVE BLOG AND VIDEOS.

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Perth man acquitted of drugs charges

Perth man Dominic Bird is facing the death penalty in Malaysia. Dominic Jude Christopher Bird, 32, was arrested in March last year for alleged possession of 167 grams of methamphetamine. Source: Supplied

PERTH man Dominic Bird has walked free after a court in Malaysia acquitted him of drug-trafficking charges that carry a mandatory death penalty.

The 34-year-old, originally from the southern Perth suburb of Success, was over the moon following today's verdict.

"I couldn't be more ecstatic that I'm out of the handcuffs and back to my normal life,'' he said.

"I can't wait to get back home to Australia and see my family, and see my friends and spend some time with them.''

He said he had spoken to his sister in Australia by phone: "All she could say was `oh my God, oh my God, oh my God'. I think she was crying.''

He said he had not spoken to his father yet because his phone was switched off.

Asked what he would do tonight, Mr Bird replied, "I'll probably eat some junk food and have a drink.

"I've still got to get my arse out of the country.''

However, Mr Bird's freedom was short-lived. He was taken into custody by the immigration department because his visa had expired.

Officials said it was merely a technicality and the issue of his visa and passport would be sorted out within the next few days. He would then be free to return to Australia.

In delivering the ruling, Kuala Lumpur High Court's Justice Kamardin Hashim found the prosecution failed to prove its case and the defence raised reasonable doubt.

Mr Bird's lawyer, Muhammed Shafee Abdullah, earlier told the court his client should be acquitted because he was the victim of a "deep-seeded vendetta'' on the part of the undercover police officer who had arrested him.

Mr Bird was taken into custody in Kuala Lumpur on March 1 last year, accused of supplying an undercover policeman with 167 grams of methamphetamine.

Inspector Luther Nurjib, the prosecution's star witness, was last week found guilty of contempt of court, for which he was fined RM2000 ($A665), after it emerged he had threatened and attempted to bribe a witness in the case.

Mr Shafee told the court Mr Bird had been "set up'' by Insp Nurjib, repeating allegations made earlier in the trial that the detective had a history of shaking down drug dealers to finance a lavish lifestyle.

It has also been alleged Insp Nurjib supplied a smaller five gram sample of methamphetamine, which the police officer claims he obtained from Mr Bird, to another dealer.

It's alleged the police officer had also borrowed so-called "flash money'' to purchase the sample of drugs.

"He is a drug trafficker through and through,'' Mr Shafee said of Insp Nurjib.

"He is a common criminal dressed in a police uniform,'' he said, adding that Insp Nurjib's entire testimony should be disregarded as his credibility had been destroyed.

Insp Nurjib has since been moved from the narcotics division of the Dang Wangi district police headquarters, and could face further charges.

The prosecution has not decided whether it will appeal the verdict.

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