Dony Black

"Mummy's boys are home now"

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 25 Oktober 2013 | 22.16

Happier times... Brisbane's draft class of 2011 (from left) Sam Docherty, Elliott Yeo, Patrick Weardon and Billy Longer. Source: News Limited

THE "Go Home Five" will not be missed at the Gabba.

The homesick Lions quintet of Billy Longer (St Kilda), Jared Polec (Port Adelaide), Sam Docherty (Carlton), Elliot Yeo (West Coast) and Patrick Karnezis (Collingwood) all returned to their home states in the last two days of AFL Trade period, effectively wiping out the 2010 and 2011 draft for Brisbane.

Lions stars Tom Rockliff and Pearce Hanley took to Twitter to fire parting shots at the departing players, with Hanley tagging his message #mummiesboysarehomenow.

Senior Brisbane players are also livid at the five young guns suggesting homesickness struck when they were unable to secure a regular place in the senior side.

New Brisbane senior coach Justin Leppitsch did his best to convince Longer, Yeo and Docherty to stay.

Karnezis and Polec were lost causes. Neither attended the Brisbane club champion dinner last month while Karnezis left for Melbourne before Brisbane's NEAFL commitments were completed.

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$50m plan for Perth to play Hollywood

WA film producer Stephen Van Mil at the proposed site for the $50 million Warner-Bros style film studio at Murdoch University. Picture: Will Russell Source: PerthNow

A $50 million Hollywood-style film studio is being proposed for Perth.

Perth film producer Stephen Van Mil said he hoped work would begin on the new complex next year and that it would open in 2016.

He said the studio would include a 260-room hotel for cast and crew, bars, restaurants, a convention centre, cinema and a gymnasium.

An artist's impression of the $50 million film studio at Murdoch University. Picture: Will Russell Source: PerthNow

Mr Van Mil said the facility would allow the local film industry to become internationally competitive.

Talks were under way with Murdoch University for the complex to be built on university land.

"We don't have a proper studio here and no post production studios of any note,'' Mr Van Mil said.

WA film producer Stephen Van Mil at the proposed site for the $50 million Warner-Bros style film studio at Murdoch University. Picture: Will Russell Source: PerthNow

"It's remarkable we're getting any films made here.''

What do you think of the plan? Have your say below

WA has had a number of hit films made in the state in recent years.

In 2011, local producer Nelson Woss's Red Dog made more than $21 million at the box office, becoming the eighth highest grossing Australian film ever.

The 2010 film adaptation of the stage show, Bran Nue Dae, was filmed in Broome, with stars including Jessica Mauboy and Missy Higgins.

This year, major film projects in Perth have included Son of a Gun, starring Ewan McGregor, The Turning (based on a Tim Winton novel) with Cate Blanchett and Kill Me Three Times with Simon Pegg.

Mr Van Mil said the studio complex began to take shape after a chance meeting with an executive of a UK film studio franchise company, Extraordinary Ltd.

The project was hoped to be run as a joint venture between Murdoch university and a WA company set up to manage it.

Overseas investors were expected to take equity in the local company, through Extraordinary. It was also hoped to attract local investors.

An artist's impression of the $50 million film studio at Murdoch University. Picture: Will Russell Source: PerthNow

Mr Van Mil said local film makers were currently using make-shift facilities at a former nursing home on the Nedlands foreshore.

"The beauty of this design is that no studio anywhere has the foresight to put in the accomodation for the cast and crew,'' he said.

"This way everyone stays at the one place.''

He said a 1973 book which looked at the critical elements that made Los Angeles the film capital of the world mentioned Perth's similarity.

Los Angeles: The Architecture of Four Ecologies noted: "Los Angeles' notable rival, in fact, is Rio de Janeiro (though the open ocean-beaches of Los Angeles are preferable in many ways) and its only rival in potential is, probably, Perth, Western Australia", Mr Van Mil said.

Mr Van Mil's production company Impian Films is currently working on a several projects, including The Drowner, based on the life of CY O'Connor.

He said production and post-production film companies would be invited to take up residence at the new facility, creating a local film hub.

Murdoch University vice chancellor Professor Richard Higgott said today the university was excited about the proposal.

He said he met with Extraordinary Ltd CEO Chris Samwells and Mr Van Mil last week.

"I certainly share their excitement and enthusiasm for the possibility of having WA's first studio facility as part of our campus,'' he said.

"I was also able to meet with some of the investors who will underwrite the project.''

Mr Higgott said the university was looking forward to receiving a formal proposal for the project soon.

"It is anticipated that such a complex would be located on Murdoch's eastern precinct, however an exact location would not be determined by the university until we have seen the formal proposal,'' he said.

Professor Higgott said the facility would give Murdoch students the chance to get practical experience in world-class facilities.

The hotel would also provide a conference facility for the university.

Extraordinary Ltd CEO Chris Samwells this week reportedly told US film industry news site Hollywood Reporter that he hoped complexes in Perth and Spain would become the first of six micro-movie studios around the world.

The company also had eyes on Goa in India, the Caribbean island of Tobago, Winnipeg in Canada and Las Cruces in New Mexico.

Mr Samwells' attempt to launch a studio operation in Spain a few years ago failed amid an economic crisis in the country, according to the news site.

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Miners evacuated after pop star visit

Jessica Mauboy performs at Cloudbreak shortly before the evacuation began.

The fire as seen from the camp at Cloudbreak yesterday. Source: PerthNow

Jessica Mauboy was playing a gig at the Cloudbreak mine shortly before the camp was evacuated. Source: PerthNow

Smoke billows above the Cloudbreak mine as buses line up outside. Source: Supplied

Fire appears dangerously close to miner's accommodation dongas at Cloudbreak. Source: Supplied

TIRED workers have been evacuated from the Cloudbreak iron ore mine after a fire started by lightning escalated overnight.

Up to 2000 workers are being transported from the Fortescue Metals Group mine site in the Pilbara region to their nearby Solomon Hub.

The bushfire as seen from Cloudbreak yesterday. Source: PerthNow

An FMG worker told PerthNow the fire broke out at the Cloudbreak site, about 170km north of Newman, some time early Wednesday morning, possibly from lightning.

Are you near the fire? Send us pics or let us know here

Workers were at the Cloudbreak pub last night watching Jessica Mauboy live on stage when they were told to evacuate.

"Everyone was partying and having a good time, watching Jess, and then we went to bed but soon got evacuated," the FMG worker said.

Jessica Mauboy performing at Cloudbreak last night, shortly before the evacuation began. Source: PerthNow

The group of workers were evacuated at 11.30pm and driven 50km to the Christmas Creek mine site in the middle of the night, where they waited on an oval and in a dining room until flying to the Solomon Hub at 6am this morning.

"It hasn't been fun, there's a lot of people who need to be evacuated and we're all tired but it's been handled pretty well," the worker said.

The bushfire at the Cloudbreak mine site, which escalated this morning. Source: PerthNow

Remaining employees at the Cloudbreak site are expected to arrive at Solomon later today, with six to seven planes required to evacuate the entire camp.

Another worker told PerthNow a lightning strike caused the fire.

"There was a lightning strike 200m from the camp on which left an area of bush smoldering," he said.

"It managed to escalate to a large bushfire in the early hours of this morning."

The bushfire at the Cloudbreak mine site, which escalated this morning. Source: PerthNow

It is unclear how much damage the fire has caused but the Shire of East Pilbara is helping to fight the blaze.

FMG today said its accommodation village at Cloudbreak was evacuated overnight due to the close proximity of the bushfire.

"Personnel were evacuated to Christmas Creek mine, 50km east of Cloudbreak, and will be returned to the accommodation village when it is safe to do so," FMG said in a statement.

"There have been no injuries or significant damage and we are working to contain the fire."

And did pop star Mauboy make it out safely?

"She flew to Perth from Christmas Creek this morning on the flight she was originally booked on," a spokesperson said.

"She stayed at Christmas Creek while she visited the Fortescue Chichester Hub and was not impacted by the evacuation at Cloudbreak."

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Utility's $50k splurge before job cuts

WESTERN Power has come under fire for spending $50,000 on two workshops in the wake of proposed job cuts.

The power utility spent $25,850 on a weekend workshop in July and $24,940 on another weekend workshop in October – at the Novotel Vines Resort.

The spend-up was despite plans to cut 150 jobs from its head office.

But Western Power's chairman Alan Mulgrew said it was money well spent.

"In response to customer expectations, Western Power has embarked on a reform process aimed at placing downward pressure on electricity prices,'' he said.

"The 2013 review was conducted by 36 staff representing the core functions of the business.

"The total cost of the review is approximately $20,000.

"The board is satisfied that this is money well spent ... and is encouraged by Western Power's progress over the past 12 months, in particular a $25 million dollar reduction in operating costs.

"The board has required Western Power to conduct an annual review, to ensure this momentum is maintained.''

State Opposition energy spokesman Bill Johnston said the spend-up was excessive.

"Mike Nahan promised that the culture of excess was in the past,'' Mr Johnston said.

"It's about time he accepted responsibility for his own failings.''

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Perth couple feared ruin after holiday drug trap

Elderly Perth couple used as $7m drug mules after competition 'win'

Part of the haul of drugs which an elderly Perth couple were duped into smuggling into WA from Canada. Picture: Andrew Nelson Channel Nine Source: Supplied

An AFP officer with the drugs an elderly Perth couple were duped into smuggling into WA from Canada. Picture: Andrew Nelson Channel Nine Source: Supplied

A PERTH couple who were unwittingly conned into become multi-million dollar drug mules after winning a dream trip to Canada feared they could have spent the rest of the lives in prison.

The elaborate con duped the couple by taking them to Canada as 'winners' of an all-expenses paid trip, which included accommodation and new luggage.

But after a dream week in North America, the couple became suspicious about their bags on their return to Western Australia and reported themselves to Customs.

Australian Customs discovered $7 million worth of methamphetamine in rock form in the luggage, with 3.5kg of the drug found hidden inside each case.

The 64-year-old woman, who only wants to be known as Sue, said they were looking online for a holiday, and after entering an online competition she was contacted.

"Be very careful if you win anything,'' Sue said.

"I could have ended up in jail for 25 years, and they could have ruined my life.

"So be very wary, be very careful and check everything out.''

The cruel scam was uncovered by the AFP and Australian Customs officials earlier this month.

The alleged con involved a Canadian-based website targeting elderly Australian couples with the potential to win the all-expenses paid trip.

Authorities today detailed how the WA couple, a man aged 72 and woman, 64, were the "lucky'' winners.

The AFP will allege their luggage was swapped while in Canada, with the couple having no clue they were then being duped into carrying the drugs home.

The couple were due to be met on arrival, which set AFP officers into an investigation which led to a search warrant of a car and a room in Scarborough, where documents related to the con, more bags similar to the ones seized, and $15,000 in cash were found.

Australian Federal Police arrested a 38-year-old Canadian man at the airport that day and search warrants were carried out at a hotel in Scarborough.

The man was charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.

AFP Perth Airport Police Commander David Bachi said further investigations revealed a complex and highly-organised scam, in which older Australians are being targeted by a bogus Canadian-based tour company identifying itself as 'AUSCAN Tours'.

"The organisers of this scam went to great lengths to provide a façade of legitimacy. Thankfully the travellers contacted Customs and didn't dismiss their concerns, allowing us to make the arrest," Commander Bachi said.

"We will continue working with local and international law enforcement partners, targeting all elements of this drug syndicate."

ACBPS director of airport operations in Perth, Jan Hill, warned travellers about carrying luggage on behalf of someone else.

"If you've been asked to carry something on behalf of another person, make the right choice and alert local authorities," Ms Hill said.

"Do not allow another person to pack your bag and do not carry luggage on behalf of another person."

Anyone who has been offered a similar travel offer, or who has been the victim of a similar scam is asked to call 131 AFP or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

- with AAP

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'Demolition derby' at murder scene

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 24 Oktober 2013 | 22.16

The murder trial continues of the two men accused of killing businessman Peter Davis.

Murder victim Peter Davis, whose body was found at the Great Eastern Motor Lodge. Source: PerthNow

A MAN who was staying at the Rivervale motel when the body of Perth businessman Peter Davis was found has described seeing a "demolition derby" take place in the carpark the night before.

Bronston Haenow was giving evidence in the trial of brothers Ambrose John Clarke and Xavier Gerard Clarke who stand accused of murdering the 57-year-old.

Both have denied killing Mr Davis, whose body was found in the boot of his car which was parked at the Great Eastern Motor Lodge on May 31, 2011.

During the hearing today, Mr Haenow, who was testifying via videolink from Busselton, told the court he had been staying at the motel with his wife and daughter after flying in from Derby.

The former immigration detention centre officer said he woke up around midnight after hearing a loud "banging" sound.

When he looked out the window he told the court he saw two 4WDs "smashing into each other".

He said he remembered seeing a blue and a silver type car but could not recall which coloured car was trying to block the other from leaving but did recall that the one on his right was preventing the other car from exiting.

He told the court the cars then began smashing into each other up against the wall of the car park before ramming into other cars that were parked in the lot.

"It was like a demolition derby," he said.

Mr Hanow's wife Taylor also gave evidence today saying she witnessed both cars collide with each other.

She told the hearing she had also heard a loud banging noise just after midnight and went to the window, where she saw two 4WD-type cars ramming each other.

She said remembered seeing a light and dark coloured car and that there were two people in one vehicle because
she remembered seeing "two sets of legs" and one person in the other.

Mr Davis' son Kurt testified earlier this week that he had been searching for his father at the Great Eastern Motor Lodge when Ambrose Clark was a passenger in a blue Hilux that rammed his silver Tritan ute in the motel carpark.

Kurt Davis called police after the incident, who arrived at the scene and found his father's car in the boot of his Mitsubishi Pajero.

The trial continues.

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Dozens of hospital staff walk off the job

Protesters react to revelations jobs will be axed at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Source: PerthNow

Opposition health Spokesman Roger Cook at a press conference talking about redundancies at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Source: News Limited

Around 40 workers walked off the job at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital today, in response to revelations hundreds of positions are set to be axed at the facility.

The Sunday Times and PerthNow this month revealed between 200 and 500 FTE positions would be cut at the hospital.

United Voice WA Secretary Carolyn Smith said both the Barnett Government and the hospital were refusing to meet with the union about the proposed cuts.

"They are refusing to give us any information," she said.

"500 jobs going from SCGH is going to affect the level of patient care.

"It's going to mean people are going to have to work harder and longer.

"It means things are going to be missed."

Ms Smith said the Barnett Government was attempting to balance the State Budget by "ripping money out of hospitals."

"We have seen the Government over the last couple of months decide to balance their budget by ripping money out of schools and now we see money being ripped out of hospitals," she said.

"Unfortunately at the end of the day it's going to be the people of Western Australia that's going to suffer. It's going to be patients. It's going to be the people who and sick and expect good care in our hospitals."

Opposition Health spokesman Roger Cook said Health Minister Kim Hames had refused to detail the extent and timing of the cuts when question in Parliament.

"The staff at this hospital (are) not only working under trying conditions, trying to provide care for patients, are now working with a cloud over their heads; working with a lack of job security and that's just not good enough," Mr Cook said.

"We know why the Government is trying to axe jobs at this hospital.

"It's because they have mismanaged the state's finances and because they have lost the AAA credit rating and as a result of that hospital workers in this hospital are now faced with redundancies and having their jobs axed.

"And patients at this hospital are now faced with cuts to their services."

In a response to PerthNow earlier this month, Mr Hames confirmed the hospital was overstaffed and that about 200 jobs were expected to be impacted.

"It is essential that taxpayer funds are managed responsibly to ensure hospital staffing levels match demand for patient care, and current staffing levels at SCGH exceed those required for the hospital's projected patient numbers," he said.

"SCGH is considering a range of strategies to responsibly manage its budget and staffing levels. "Patient safety remains the top priority, and SCGH will ensure that staffing levels are such that patient care will not be compromised.

"Strategies being considered include a reduction in staff achieved through natural attrition, expiration of contracts and transfer of staff to other hospitals."

He said the opening of the Fiona Stanley Hospital would "contribute" to the redistribution of staff.

Hames refutes United Voice

Today, Mr Hames came out swinging against claims he refused to meet with United Voice, saying the union has a "long history" of inflammatory comments and deception.

"My experience with United Voice is they deliberately garble messages to create the fervour that they want to get and the media attraction that they want to get," Dr Hames told the media.

"You guys know them, you have seen them do it over and over again; this is just another example."

He also denied claims he has refused to meet with the union.

"In terms of the meeting, they did write to me to request a meeting to clarify it and I said why don't you meet the director of North Metropolitan Health Service," he said.

"Meet him because he is the one co-ordinating it and he can explain to you exactly what he proposes to do.

"In fact my understanding is that he invited them and he hasn't had a response."

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Secret explanation of JFK's killing

Colin McLaren at his restaurant and accommodation Villa Gusto Source: News Limited

Historians and former Secret Service agents have created a documentary shedding new light on the JFK assassination.

COLIN McLaren got the bad news the week he started at the police academy: his much-loved Uncle Neil had been killed in a shooting accident.

Neil McLaren was a sensible and seasoned shooter but he'd made a mortal error, getting into a car after a shooting trip without checking his shotgun. The car hit a bump, the gun went off and he was dead.

His nephew always had that loss hanging over him. He would spend years living dangerously in heavy squads and undercover jobs, dealing with the Walsh St murders and infiltrating Australia's Calabrian mafia. He carried guns, but carefully. He knew mistakes could be fatal.

During his time in the force, a policeman called Neil Clinch was shot dead by a policewoman aiming at an "offender" - who was, in fact, a householder fearing the police in his backyard were intruders.

Then there was Constable Clare Bourke, shot dead at Sunshine police station by a policeman fooling around with an "empty" pistol.

Meanwhile, plenty of other incidents went unreported, such as the one in which a future Assistant Commissioner and another cop were chasing a suspect in Windsor. One of them accidentally shot a passing taxi. The bad guy escaped; the innocent cab driver surrendered immediately.

Anyone who has handled guns knows mistakes happen - and that we don't always hear about it. McLaren was reminded of that in 1992 when he took a trip to New York to recover from a tough year investigating the "Mr Cruel" child abductions.

He picked up a book in Times Square for the flight to Chicago. The book, Mortal Error, outlined how a ballistics expert called Howard Donahue had proved beyond reasonable doubt that John F. Kennedy was hit in the head by a hollow-point bullet, not the conventional military rounds fired seconds earlier by Lee Harvey Oswald.

Donahue identified the origin of the fatal hollow-point - a Secret Service agent with an assault rifle in the open-top escort car behind the President's. The iconic Zapruder film of the Dallas motorcade shows the alarmed Secret Service man clutching the weapon as he tries to stand just after Oswald's shots strike from above.

The force of a simple story that fitted the facts satisfied McLaren's detective instincts. To an expert, the bullet fragments revealed a tragic accident caused by Oswald's crazy assassination attempt. This was no convoluted conspiracy theory, of which there were many, including the one peddled by Oliver Stone in his fictionalised hit film JFK. It seemed common sense.

But a dry, factual ballistics analysis was never going to compete for public attention with Kevin Costner starring in Stone's fictionalised entertainment.

McLaren realised the case needed an independent investigation to test if the other evidence supported Donahue's conclusion that Secret Service agent George Hickey had accidentally finished what Oswald had begun. Who better to do it than an outsider: an Australian investigator with no axe to grind?

McLaren was keen but first he had to see out his police career and finish other projects. He wrote two successful books based on his undercover work and built his hospitality business from scratch in northeastern Victoria.

Nearly five years ago, he started on the JFK project. As a detective, he says, he was happy to go "where the evidence takes us". He bought a 26-volume set of the official Warren Commission report. Then the 5000-page Assassination Records Review Board finding of 1993, which lifted secrecy provisions on material from 28 Government agencies.

It seemed clear that key players had strived to save the Secret Service huge embarrassment by hiding the fact that Kennedy's brain (which vanished immediately after autopsy) had been pulped by one of their own bullets.

Book cover - JFK The Smoking Gun , Colin McLaren Source: Supplied

McLaren traced 22 witnesses who saw Kennedy shot. Ten had smelled gun smoke and 12 of them saw it at ground level near the Secret Service car. Hickey normally drove but had been handed the weapon because the security detail was shorthanded.

Witnesses revealed they had been intimidated and gagged before and during the Warren Commission hearings in 1964. But now they could tell all.

McLaren worked with a Canadian production house to film a documentary, which will be aired in North America and Australia (on SBS) next month to follow this week's launch of his book JFK: The Smoking Gun. Hickey died in 2011, which makes it easier to tell the story without the fear of a lawsuit. Hickey had attempted to sue Mortal Error's publishers but failed.

McLaren knows that the fact most Americans don't believe the official account of the assassination does not guarantee they will "buy" what he calls his "brief of evidence". But when he launches a three-week publicity tour of the US and Canada today (including the David Letterman show and a Wall Street Journal interview) at least he gets the chance to argue it was a fumbling accident, not a murky assassination conspiracy.

Diehard conspiracy theorists might consider the fact that in September 2006, a Secret Service agent accidentally fired his shotgun while guarding the visiting Iranian President. It would the Secret Service years to acknowledge that embarrassing fact, now the subject of a book.

Then there's the scandal of the death of an all-American hero, the former NFL footballer Pat Tillman who became a patriotic poster boy for the Afghanistan campaign when he quit a $3 million football contract to join the army after the 9-11 attacks.

Tillman's enlistment was such a public relations coup that when he was killed by a trigger-happy American soldier in 2004, the cover-up ran from his own commanders to the White House. Tillman's family were lied to for months about who killed their son. Which would make perfect sense to the Secret Service bosses who apparently covered up George Hickey's blunder for 50 years.

One thing is certain: guns go off in the darnedest ways and places. When Lee Harvey Oswald was a marine, he once accidentally shot himself in the leg with his service pistol.

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Fortysomething mums on the rise

A new study suggests, older, richer and more educated women are more likely to drink alcohol while pregnant. Courtesy: Chat Room, Nine News Now

More Australian women are having babies later in life. Source: Supplied

More Australian women are waiting until later in life to become mothers.

Figures just released show a significant jump in the number of births last year to mums aged 45 to 49 - a record 736 children in 2012, up from the then record 661 born in 2011.

The continuing social trend means mothers over the age of 40 are now more common than teenage mums. While ten years ago there were 3,838 more babies born to teenagers than women over 40, the older category now exceeds the younger by 1,854 births.

"There are a number of factors for this," said Bjorn Jarvis, from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. "It includes education, legislation, employment opportunities as well as economic conditions."

Peter McDonald, professor of demography at the Australian National University, said women were placing a greater emphasis on other aspects of their lives when they were young.

"Women want to pursue their careers, education and interests and babies get in the way of them," he said.

However, Prof McDonald doubts the social change will start producing mothers over the age of 50.

"I don't think many women would want a baby in their 50s," he said.

Instead, he predicts the age of mothers will "level out" as the next generation of women do the opposite of their mother.

"In the past the pattern was to get married, have babies and then work," Prof MacDonald said. "Now work comes before babies. The next generation is less likely to delay births like their mothers are."

Collette Dinnigan with daughter Estella (l) and son Desmond (r). Picture: Sunday Style Source: Sunday Style

The ABS report shows more than 309,000 babies were born in Australia in 2012, increasing almost 8,000 from the previous year.

The national fertility rate grew to 1.933 (1.933 births for every 1,000 women), an increase of 10.1 per cent from 1.756 a decade ago.

"This is just below the replacement level of 2.1," explained Mr Jarvis. "But in the 1950s the fertility rate was around 4. We have seen a dramatic social change since that time."

In other trends, multiple births are down, with only 4,480 women giving birth to twins, triplets or more.

But there is a rapid growth in the number of foreign-born parents starting new families in Australia. The number of babies born in Australia to foreign parents, both from the same country, was 54,588. This has more than doubled from 26,055 recorded in 2007.

Victoria was the state with the biggest baby increase, jumping 5,961 since 2011, while New South Wales saw the biggest decline with 546 less babies.

Tasmania was the only other state with a decrease in births.

Nationally, Wyndham in Victoria was the region with the single biggest baby boom, increasing by 643 births since 2011.

March continues to be the most popular month for births in Australia with 25,798 babies born, making June the most productive month for conception.

And for names, parents were going with Charlotte and William as the top choices in 2012.

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Demetriou: Buddy great but risky

Lance Franklin in his new colours. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: DailyTelegraph

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou says the nine-year deal Lance Franklin has signed is "risky"' for the Swans but he's over the moon to have the code's biggest star in Sydney where he can have the greatest impact in the battle of the codes.

Next door to Franklin's new home at the SCG both Alessandro Del Piero (Sydney FC) and Sonny Bill Williams (Sydney Roosters) will be in action.

While the Giants needed Franklin much more than the Swans, Franklin will still be leading the AFL's push in the harbour city.

"Absolutely it is good for the code to have Lance Franklin in Sydney,'' Demetriou told The Daily Telegraph.

"He's a star, he's one of the biggest names playing the game.

"From the code perspective it is tremendously positive he's in Sydney."

Missing out on Franklin was a blow for the AFL's newest team but Demetriou thinks the Giants have recovered well in the trade period and they will still benefit from having the superstar forward in the same city.

"I think missing out on Buddy could be a blessing for them," Demetriou said.

"It's freed up money to pursue (Shane) Mumford and Heath Shaw who are both great gets.

"Jed Lamb is another and they have managed to keep their No.1 draft pick in (Tom) Boyd and trade for the second pick.

"They have (Jeremy) Cameron and they have (Jonathon) Patton coming back. I think it's all upside for the Giants.

"With those three forwards — Cameron, Boyd and Patton — they will be a very exciting team.

"The fact Buddy is in Sydney is good for the Giants because he's in this market and he will be a drawcard.

"He's probably going to help them sell out their first game when they play the Swans."

While Franklin's mere presence is promoting the AFL in Sydney neither his management nor the Swans have approached the game's governing body about an ambassadorial role in the growing market.

"I don't know if Buddy is interested in doing any ambassadorial roles, he's not the sort of guy who you think would," Demetriou said.

"Any person who is of value we will consider."

During the week Giants CEO David Matthews called Franklin's nine year contract with the Swans 'irresponsible.'

The AFL's integrity department investigated the deal and despite its length found there was nothing wrong with it.

"It's a bone fide deal," Demetriou said.

"The Swans have acknowledged it's got risk attached to it we've acknowledged it's got risk attached to it.

"We don't see many nine year deals but it is what it is. They are aware and have acknowledged in writing the money has to go into the cap for all of the nine years."

The signing of Franklin has been described by some as a loosening of the Swans' famous no-dickheads policy but the AFL boss believes the assessment is unfair on the former Hawk.

"I don't share these views about his off field behaviour, I'm not privy to information about that," Demetriou said.

"In my conversations with Buddy I've found him to be a good person. He's a larger than life figure, he's very charismatic.

"He'll probably do what most footballers do when they come to Sydney, he'll settle in well and be a great contributor because people adjust pretty well here."

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Abbott won't support sister's marriage

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 23 Oktober 2013 | 22.16

A bill to legalise same-sex marriage has passed the Legislative Assembly in the ACT.

Tony Abbott. Source: News Limited

TONY Abbott says he will "do the right thing" and attend his gay sister's wedding but could never support the marriage.

And his sister Christine Forster's engagement to partner Virginia Edwards will not dim his Government's fight against the country's first same-sex marriage laws in the ACT.

"If there's a ceremony of some kind, yes, I will be there with a present," the Prime Minister told 3AW of his sister's upcoming nuptials.

"I'll do the right thing."

But while wishing the couple well, he revealed he saw no way he could ever change his mind and support same-sex marriage.

"I am a traditionalist on this," he said.

"From time immemorial in every culture that's been known, marriage, or that kind of solemnised relationship, has been between a man and a woman."

The Abbott Government will challenge new ACT legislation, which will see the first gay weddings in December, arguing they are unconstitutional and clash with federal marriage laws.

Their passage came the same week Ms Forster revealed her engagement and spoke of her hope the couple may one day marry in their home state of NSW.

Despite his feelings, Mr Abbott said the High Court challenge was a legal one, not a moral one.

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Missing mum last seen in white car

AN update on the case of missing Perth mother Helen Rocha.

POLICE have confirmed they are treating the disappearance of Perth mother Helen Rocha as a suspected homicide.

Police believe missing woman Helen Rocha travelled in a vehicle similar to this on September 26, the day she disappeared. Picture: Supplied Source: PerthNow

Helen Rocha, 40, was last seen on September 26. Her disappearance is being treated as a suspected homicide. Picture: Supplied. Source: PerthNow

POLICE have released a description of the car missing mother Helen Rocha was last seen in when she left her Willagee home nearly four weeks ago.

Major Crime Squad Detectives believe Ms Rocha was in a small white car, similar to the one pictured, when she left her home in the late morning of September 26.

Detectives believe she was in the company of a man and travelled to Kwinana, Parmelia and Orelia that day.

She has not been seen since and police are now treating the case as a homicide investigation.

Yesterday, police searched a rubbish tip south of Perth as part of their investigation into Ms Rocha's suspected murder.

Ms Rocha, a married mother of two, was last seen leaving her Willagee home with a man just before midday on September 26.

It has been reported the family was sent a text message from Ms Rocha's mobile phone the following day, which used 'wrong language.'

Major Crime Squad detectives and forensic officers searched a landfill facility in Henderson on Tuesday.

"This is one of a number of areas searched as part of the investigation," a police spokesman said.

"Detectives are continuing their appeal for information regarding Helen Rocha."

"Anyone with information that can assist, regardless of how insignificant they think it may be, is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000."

Police used heavy machinery to search the tip, but it's understood they did not locate any items of interest.

Her bank accounts have not been accessed.

Yesterday, police issued a fresh plea for the public to come forward with information.

Detective Senior Sergeant Greg McDonald of the Major Crime Squad said police held grave concerns for Ms Rocha's welfare.

"Helen has been out of contact with her family for almost a month now and that behaviour is extremely unusual for her," Det-Sen-Sgt McDonald said.

"By all accounts she is a very devoted mother, she keeps in constant contact with her children.

"For her not to contact her children for this length of time is one of the greatest areas of concern to us."

Det-Sen-Sgt McDonald said police knew the identity of the man she left her Willagee home with on September 26, but wouldn't be drawn on whether police had questioned the man.

"We are hoping that someone out there has seen something that will help us so we can help them (Helen's family)," Det-Sen-Sgt McDonald said.

The iPad, iPhone and coin purse Ms Rocha is believed to have been carrying have not been found.

Yesterday, police and SES volunteers searched bushland in Bertram as part of the investigation into Ms Rocha's disappearance. A home in Parmelia was also searched earlier this month.

Ms Rocha has an olive complexion, around 157cm tall with a slim build, black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black top, black tights and black runners.

Anyone who may have seen Ms Rocha or has seen suspicious activity particularly in isolated or bush locations in Parmelia, Orelia or Kwinana should contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Train crashes into bus in Maddington

Part of the Armadale train line was closed today when a bus and a train collided

Witnesses say the bus was stuck in traffic before the collision. Picture: Josh Jerga, Channel 9. Source: Twitter

The city-bound train has left the scene after it was involved in a collision with a bus. Picture: Josh Jerga, Channel 9. Source: Twitter

A SECTION of the Armadale train line was shut down in both directions this afternoon after a train and bus collided at a Maddington crossing.

The crash happened at about 2.40pm when the train, carrying about 50 people, collided with the bus.

There were no passengers on the bus and the driver was shocked but uninjured.

The Department of Transport said no serious injuries were reported among train passengers.

"Trains on the Armadale Line have been stopped in both directions so investigators can attend the scene," a spokesman said.

"Replacement buses will operate between Cannington and Gosnells stations until further notice.

Normal services have since resumed but delays are still expected.

Public Transport Authority investigators will prepare a report into the incident.

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'Sorry Katy', Seven were 'bullies'

Promo from Sunday show on Channel Seven featuring Katy Perry

CHART topper Darren Hayes has called Australian TV show Sunday Night "bullies" after their divisive Katy Perry interview.

Perry got an assistant to tell guest interviewer Jackie Frank to change her line of questioning twice after the interview touched on her love life and, in Perry's view, not enough on her new album Prism.

Seven's Sunday Night promoted their interview by teasing "What did we ask Katy Perry that had her minders shutting us down?"

After it aired Twitter feedback included "I think the whole of Australia just went off Katy Perry" and retweets of Perry's comment to her minder "can we talk more about Prism?"

Others savaged Frank, who Hayes said was "not responsible" for the tone of the interview.

Katy Perry in her interview with Sunday Night. Picture: Still from YouTube Source: Supplied

"I watched the interview online and I saw something that has been bothering me, as an Australian living overseas, for about 15 years," Hayes wrote on his Tumblr page.

"There is a tone, and a quite nasty one, to the piece that sadly has come to epitomise mainstream Australian media that I must presume is only obvious to those who don't live there. It is, quite literally, bullying. Yet it presents itself as the victim.

"It's a seductive and insincere friendly pat on the proverbial couch to sit down and have a lovely cuppa and an honest chat. But there's a knife just behind the cushion and it's waiting to come out. It's almost like a sort of a sticky flytrap - sweet and inviting but ultimately an ambush."

Hayes also criticised Sunday Night's habit of airing footage captured before the interview officially 'starts'.

Singer Darren Hayes apologies to Katy Perry. Source: Supplied

The program has scored international exposure from two previous `pre-interview' moments.

First a pregnant Beyonce was filmed sitting down to talk to Molly Meldrum - movement of her dress was used to create an online theory she had a fake baby bump. Footage of the interview was shown around the world. Sunday Night also made headlines globally when Meldrum's friend Elton John was quoted slagging off Madonna when the musician reportedly thought the interview had yet to start and he was gossiping to a pal.

Sunday Night now regularly airs pre-interview footage of celebrities, including Perry asking Frank if her laryngitis was "contagious" while applying her lipstick.

Hayes says celebrities don't expect everything they do on film in an interview situation will be aired.

Sunday Night interviewer Jackie Frank is forced to move on after touching on a subject Katy Perry doesn't want to discuss. Picture: Still from YouTube Source: Supplied

"Especially with a pre-recorded television interview it is widely accepted that as the crew sets up, cameras roll but the final edit will only use the footage in the context of the interview. If you need to stop for a drink of water, a tissue or in Katy's case, to nervously look at a publicist because you're uncomfortable with a question being asked - it is presumed this will not make it to air. Not because you're trying to convey a false image. But because you're all professionals and you've agreed prior to the tone of the piece and presumably the subject matter. There's a level of trust involved. A subject will give their time and hopefully reveal some sincerity - but within the boundaries of an understanding the piece won't become a hatchet job.

Watch the interview here:

"Bear in mind, I don't know if there were any prior agreements made before this particular interview - it is possible Katy had a list of 'please don't go there' questions. It's possible she didn't. But one thing I'm certain of, there must have been a level of trust from both sides. This is built up when both teams talk - various conversations in the weeks leading up to this interview about the tone, about how the guest would be treated and about a certain level of professionalism. To take these offcut sections of tape, the 'wild footage' that included awkward moments in the broadcast then overlay ridiculous cartoon graphics and dramatic pauses to coincide with disparaging 'boo' voiceovers is not what anyone at this level of broadcasting expects.

"What result does it have? In Australia the media gets to say 'Ooh Katy Perry is a b**ch!' From an outsider's point of view? It just makes Australian media look mean and it casts opinions about our country that I don't think are or should be true. We're better than this. Sorry Katy."

Channel Seven has been approached for a response to Hayes' criticisms.

Katy Perry continues to succeed across music charts around the world. Source: Getty Images

You can read the full letter Darren Hayes wrote from his Tumblr page below:

I watched an Australian television interview with Katy Perry and I cringed.

Not because of anything Katy Perry said or did. But because of the way the interview was presented.

Let me preface this by saying, before I viewed the interview I had read several negative remarks on twitter from Australian journalists or record industry types about how badly Katy had come across in the piece.

Something didn't quite ring true for me and I watched the interview online and I saw something that has been bothering me, as an Australian living overseas, for about 15 years. There is a tone, and a quite nasty one, to the piece that sadly has come to epitomise mainstream Australian media that I must presume is only obvious to those who don't live there. It is, quite literally, bullying. Yet it presents itself as the victim.

It's a seductive and insincere friendly pat on the proverbial couch to sit down and have a lovely cuppa and an honest chat. But there's a knife just behind the cushion and it's waiting to come out. It's almost like a sort of a sticky flytrap - sweet and inviting but ultimately an ambush.

The journalist, an editor of a Woman's Magazine Jackie Frank, is a highly regarded and very successful woman with years of experience at the highest levels of print media. She is not responsible for the tone of this piece.

I think Jackie's intentions seemed good and at times she seemed embarrassed that her questions made her guest uncomfortable.

No, I think the problem with this piece lies with whoever produced the final cut. From space it's pretty obvious the network had decided this interview would run like a tabloid piece. Disappointing really given the standard you should expect from such an esteemed journalist as Jackie Frank. It's jarring because the piece is confusingly slapped together moments of flattery, patronising empathy (via dramatic text overlay) and the occasional cheap shot.

The interview begins almost immediately with a moment before Katy thinks the cameras are rolling: she appears to be asking the room to be quiet.

To put this into perspective you have to understand some basic agreements that exist between media and guests that are not necessarily public knowledge.

Especially with a pre-recorded television interview it is widely accepted that as the crew sets up, cameras roll but the final edit will only use the footage in the context of the interview. If you need to stop for a drink of water, a tissue or in Katy's case, to nervously look at a publicist because you're uncomfortable with a question being asked - it is presumed this will not make it to air. Not because you're trying to convey a false image. But because you're all professionals and you've agreed prior to the tone of the piece and presumably the subject matter. There's a level of trust involved. A subject will give their time and hopefully reveal some sincerity - but within the boundaries of an understanding the piece won't become a hatchet job.

Bear in mind, I don't know if there were any prior agreements made before this particular interview - it is possible Katy had a list of 'please don't go there' questions. It's possible she didn't. But one thing I'm certain of, there must have been a level of trust from both sides. This is built up when both teams talk - various conversations in the weeks leading up to this interview about the tone, about how the guest would be treated and about a certain level of professionalism. To take these offcut sections of tape, the 'wild footage' that included awkward moments in the broadcast then overlay ridiculous cartoon graphics and dramatic pauses to coincide with disparaging 'boo' voiceovers is not what anyone at this level of broadcasting expects.

What result does it have?

In Australia the media gets to say 'Ooh Katy Perry is a b**ch!'

From an outsider's point of view? It just makes Australian media look mean and it casts opinions about our country that I don't think are or should be true.

We're better than this. Sorry Katy.

22.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

Defence force started 'mega-fire'

Every hour where bushfires in the NSW Blue Mountains don't flare will be a bonus for firefighters.

A DEFENCE explosives used in an army training exercise last week caused the monstrous Lithgow bushfire that destroyed a large number of homes, the Rural Fire Service said last night.

The revelations could potentially expose Defence, and taxpayers, to compensation payouts to the Blue Mountains property owners of at least three homes destroyed in the 33,000ha blaze.

Premier Barry O'Farrell last night said: "I haven't seen any detailed report on the issue but it's an issue I certainly intend to raise with the PM."

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Dozens of fire trucks and SES vehicles travel down the M4 motorway towards the bushfires in the Blue Mountains. Video courtesy of news.com.au reader.

An RFS spokeswoman confirmed a joint investigation with Defence had found the State Mine fire started on the Defence range after explosive devices on the range triggered the blaze.

But the RFS stressed that there was no fire ban last Wednesday afternoon so Defence did not breach any ban by holding the training exercise at its Marrangaroo Army Range.

"Investigations have determined the State Mine fire near Lithgow was started as a result of live ordnance exercises on Marangaroo Army Range," a spokeswoman said. "There was no total fire ban in place."

Fires at Springwood in the Blue Mountains. Aircrane brings some relief. Source: News Limited

The Defence Department was refusing to confirm the finding, saying the investigation was continuing.

Attorney General George Brandis said last night the government and the ADF are taking this matter very seriously and would cooperate with the NSW authorities, including the police.

A Defence spokeswoman last night said she could not confirm that Defence had caused the fire.

"The investigation is ongoing," she said.

Blue Mountains mayor Mark Greenhill was "not happy at all" about the source of the fire which has destroyed three homes.

"I would have hoped on a day like that which was a dry day, a hot day, with the winds - the Australian military would have known it wasn't a good time to be igniting,. The fire has caused great concern to my community," he said.

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Mia Freedman sparks rape furore

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 22 Oktober 2013 | 22.16

The calm before the Twitter storm for Mia Freedman. Source: News Limited

MEDIA personality Mia Freedman has come under fire over an article she posted about rape prevention on her website Mama Mia.

The journalist was inundated with thousands of tweets in response to the post, which implies that women who consume alcohol are more likely to be sexually assaulted than women who don't.

"It's probably come as a real shock to the ones who were raped by boyfriends or friends that just not drinking would have prevented it," tweeted Daily Life columnist Clementine Ford.

"Dear Mia, Please come to work with me and talk to rape victims and tell them to their face they could have prevented it," added Tracy Shoshan. ‏

Freedman was quick to respond: "So today, apparently I'm 'victim blaming'. Please."

In a later tweet she said: "Interesting that those being most abusive on @TwitterAU to me about this post do not have daughters."

A wide range of women have got involved in the online debate, including Diversity Council Australia CEO Nareen Young - "the job of criminal lawyers is to defend their clients, and that's what they do. Good work Mia. Helping us lose" - and The Project's Em Rusciano, who tweeted in defence of the former Cosmopolitan editor.

Some of the most heated comments came from users offended that Freedman said advice about sexual assault was different for mothers than non-mothers.

"Tell Mia I haven't got a daughter but I *have* been cross examined in County Court about my own assaults. I think I qualify," said user Little Lion.

"Guys, you aren't allowed to have opinions on women and victimisation unless you're raising daughters on the North Shore. Okay?" added Ford.

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Outlaw Bandidos establish WA chapter

Brothers in arms: The Bandidos outlaw bikie gang has established itself in WA, "patching over'' Rock Machine bikies. Source: HeraldSun

Bandidos bikies during a procession for the funeral service of their slain leader Rodney Monk in Sydney. Picture: Brad Newman Source: The Sunday Mail (Qld)

EXCLUSIVE: THE Bandidos outlaw motorcycle gang have "patched over" another WA bikie gang Rock Machine over the weekend, police have confirmed.

The "patch over'' deal means the Bandidos, which originated in Texas in 1966, now have a WA chapter.

Confirmation of the patch over deal comes after PerthNow revealed yesterday how several senior eastern state based Bandidos members flew into Perth on Sunday.

It's understood those members met with WA Rock Machine bikies who were later "patched over'' into a Bandidos "probationary chapter."

The eastern state based Bandidos members arrived in Perth just before 3pm on Sunday.

Dozens of police officers were at the Perth domestic airport to monitor them as they arrived.
It's understood they have now left WA.

Speculation has been brewing since 2011 Rock Machine has been paving the way for the Bandidos to set up in WA because of the close relationship between the two clubs.

Yesterday, a WA police spokeswoman said police were "monitoring the activities of the Rock Machine" after representatives from the Bandidos arrived in Perth on Sunday.

Today, WA Police Gang Crime Squad Acting Inspector Jeff Christmas confirmed the Bandidos had patched over the Rock Machine in WA.

"We can now confirm that the Bandidos have a chapter in Perth and the Rock Machine do not," Act-Insp Christmas told Perth Now.

"It's the same people involved so there has not been any change in the actual numbers in the gang, just a different name.

"WA police are monitoring the movements of this gang as with all OMCG (outlaw motorcycle gangs) in this state and will take the appropriate action as required."

In the past few days the Bandidos' website has been claiming to have set up a WA chapter.

"We welcome Bandidos West Coast probationary chapter Perth," reads one post on the club's website.

Another post on the website reads: "Big Fat Congratulations to West Coast Probationary Chapter Perth for your new status in our glorious Nation!!! Step up to the plate, job well done brothers!."

The Bandidos emerged in Australia in August 1983 following a split from another bikie gang, the Comancheros.

In 1984 two Bandidos members were shot dead during a shootout with the Comancheros in the south-western
Sydney town of Milpera, in what later became known as the "Milpera massacre."

The bloody gun battle also left four Comancheros dead as well as an innocent teenage girl.

|Just last week, WA police confirmed another bikie gang called the Mongols had patched over the Finks bikie gang in Western Australia.

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Abbott's fire chief sticks up for him

Tony Abbott says the sympathies of the nation are with the victims of the unfolding bushfire crisis in NSW.

Darryl Pearson, Trent Dowling, Tony Abbott and Tim Eliott pictured when they competed in the Toughest Firefighter relay event. Source: News Limited

TONY Abbott's rural fire chief has labelled as "complete rubbish" and "disrespectful" attacks on the Prime Minister joining his brigade on the weekend to help fight the devastating NSW bushfires.

Trent Dowling, who is the captain of the Davidson NSW rural fire brigade, yesterday slammed critics of Mr Abbott, saying he often pulled more than his own weight when on patrol and had been a loyal volunteer for more than ten years.

"I think it's all just complete rubbish and it is 100 per cent disrespectful to any volunteer out there helping to battle the fire," Mr Dowling told News Corp from the fire front yesterday.

"He is just a normal guy doing what he always does with us. People should just leave it alone as it's wearing pretty thin."

Mr Abbott has faced criticism since he joined his local fire service for a 14-hour night shift on Saturday to help with back burning near Bilpin in the NSW Blue Mountains.

His service was not publicised by his media office and they did not issue a statement until several blurry photos appeared on social media.

RFS Volunteer Tova Gallagher said she couldn't believe her eyes when she saw Prime Minister Tony Abbott decked out in his NSWRFS uniform. Source: Supplied

Mr Dowling said the Prime Minister had earned the respect of his local fire crew and had been a loyal volunteer since he first joined in October 2000.

He said Mr Abbott had even been appointed deputy captain two years in a row but had to step down from the duties when he became opposition leader in 2009.

"That wasn't because he didn't want that position, it was simply because with his extra workload he would be away from home more often," Mr Dowling said.

"Tony is an extremely fit guy and pulls his weight out there; in fact he often pulls more than his own weight.

"He has the total respect of the members and wasn't there for a photo opportunity."

Mr Dowling said many of the Davidson crew were "really p----- off" that Mr Abbott was facing criticism and his service was of such interest to the media.

"He is just one normal person doing what he always does. We've got people here in the canteen who are working from 4am till after 5pm just to feed our people," he said.

"We should be praising and talking about our back of house heroes, not unnecessarily dumping a whole lot of criticism on one guy who is just helping out."

Are people who criticise Tony Abbott firefighting efforts really disrespecting volunteers? Comment below.

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Police search rubbish tip for missing Perth mum

AN update on the case of missing Perth mother Helen Rocha.

POLICE have confirmed they are treating the disappearance of Perth mother Helen Rocha as a suspected homicide.

Helen Rocha, 40, was last seen on September 26. Her disappearance is being treated as a suspected homicide. Picture: Supplied. Source: PerthNow

POLICE have searched a rubbish tip south of Perth today as part of their investigation into the suspected murder of Helen Rocha.

Ms Rocha, a married mother of two, was last seen leaving her Willagee home with a man just before midday on September 26.

It's believed she then travelled by car to the vicinity of Parmelia, Orelia and Kwinana that afternoon.

It has been reported the family was sent a text message sent from Ms Rocha's mobile phone, which used 'wrong language.'

The text was reportedly sent the day after she went missing.