Would you like a tablet with that?

McDonald's are introducing a new app where customers can pre-order food before heading to an outlet. Picture: Stewart Allen Source: News Limited

MCDONALD'S has chosen WA to test drive a new My Maccas app for smartphones and tablets before rolling it out nationwide next year.

The app, which is now available for download, lets users order their meal before visiting a restaurant.

The takeaway giant's foray into smartphone technology follows a trend of more restaurants using the swipe of a screen to enhance their offerings.

People can order pizza from Domino's, Pizza Hut, or Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar through their individual apps, or source takeaway meals from nearby restaurants through Delivery Hero and Eat Now.

Social researcher Mark McCrindle said the apps were evidence technology was changing the way we eat.

"It's really adding to that unplanned approach that we take these days,'' he said.

Delivery Hero chief executive CJ Foo said Australia had one of the highest rates of smartphone penetration in the world.

"Fifty-one per cent of Australians use their phone to research restaurants and this trend impacts the way they order takeaway,'' he said.

McDonald's is offering a 50 per cent discount to all WA app users on December 6.

Curtin University researcher and public health expert Mike Daube criticised the new app as "irresponsible''.

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Brazen cash grab with her stiletto

A WOMAN tried to steal cash from a Morley restaurant after threatening staff with a stiletto on Friday night.

Video footage of the woman with her stiletto at the restaurant. Source: PerthNow

A WOMAN tried to steal cash from a Morley restaurant after threatening staff with a stiletto on Friday night.

Police say the woman entered a Japanese restaurant on Walter Rd in Morley and tried to open the till to steal money.

When the shop owner, Ben Wada, slammed the till shut, the woman grabbed a stiletto from her bag and threatened him.

"She said 'get the money from the till' and I said no, of course," Mr Wada said.

"She was getting more aggressive as she tried to get the cash out.

"It surprised me when she grabbed the shoe but I wasn't scared. I was just worried about the customers."

The woman fled the restaurant and went next to a cake store next door, where tried unsuccessfully to steal cash.

She is described as being 170cm tall, around 20-40 years old, with a medium build and long brown hair.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Grylls set to step down

Brendon Grylls is set to quit the National Party, sources say. Source: PerthNow

BRENDON Grylls is set to quit as leader of the WA Nationals, sources close to him say.

Informants yesterday claimed Mr Grylls had recently confided to Premier Colin Barnett and his closest colleagues of his desire to step down as leader.

It's understood Mr Grylls also wants to resign as a minister in the Barnett Government, but wants to see out his term as the member for Pilbara after winning the seat at the March 9 poll.

An announcement on his future is expected to be made soon.

Sources said the pressures of being party leader, Minister for Regional Development and raising a young family had been extremely challenging for Mr Grylls.

His decision to quit the safe National seat of Central-Wheatbelt to become the member for Pilbara had also put a considerable strain on his private life.

In an interview with The Sunday Times last year, Mr Grylls revealed he was contemplating retiring from politics.

He said his wife Susan had talked him out of quitting.

"I contemplated it (retiring from politics),'' Mr Grylls said.

"All politicians, because of the lifestyle and the pressure and the focus (on their lives), are constantly reviewing their futures. It is a tough task."

Mr Grylls won plaudits for securing the $1 billion-a-year Royalties for Regions deal. He demanded the deal as a condition for supporting Mr Barnett over Labor in 2008.

Up until this year, Mr Grylls' National Party held the balance of power in the Legislative Assembly, but that was lost when the Liberals won 31 out of 59 lower house seats at the March election.

Mr Grylls has previously nominated Water Minister Terry Redman as his replacement.

Through a spokesman, Mr Grylls declined to comment.

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Why Cousins is a red dirt hero

Former Eagles player Ben Cousins with Syrelle Hayes, 10, Erwin Parker, 12, and Darnel Burunga, 12. Picture: Richard Hatherly Source: News Limited

Travis Gaspar with Tarkyn Hayes (12), Rahim Hayes (11) and Uriah Hamilton (13). Picture: Richard Hatherly Source: News Limited

ABOUT 1400km north of Perth, in a town of fewer than 1000 people, Ben Cousins is a captain again.

The former Eagles champion and recovering drug addict is in Onslow as part of a community-funded mentor program trying to keep some of our most vulnerable kids in school through sport.

The Inspired Living Program is run by another former West Coast player, Travis Gaspar, and sees the pair and other athletes visit the Pilbara community every month for a year.

They've been described as "heroes" by Aboriginal elders in the community.

Cousins, who says he is in a good state of mind, isn't afraid to draw on his own experiences to teach the kids about making the right choices.

"They love their sport and that's the carrot that you dangle in front of them - whether it's footy, basketball or soccer - and from there you try to instil other things that are just as important," the father-of-two told The Sunday Times.

"Life is about making the right choices and that's what we're trying to teach them, from eating well to going to school.

"It's great to be a part of the ride with a core group of kids and watch them develop over a year. Education is the biggest thing."

Darren Glass, Ben Offereins, Ben Cousins and Travis Gaspar with the Onslow children. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

Cousins and Gaspar were in Perth on Friday preparing more than a dozen of the Onslow boys for a six-day trip to Canberra this week to compete in a national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander basketball competition. The Onslow program is being funded by the Buurabalayji Thalanyji Aboriginal Corporation.

The Thalanyji People are the traditional custodians of the land around the region.

Cousins said spending time with the teenage boys was humbling.

"I had a very privileged upbringing and it's great to be in a position to give back to some people who aren't so privileged," he said.

"We get just as much back from them.

"To learn about their culture and get a bit of red dirt on our sneakers is good for us.

"It's a breath of fresh air away from the city."

Cousins and Gaspar have previously worked on similar mentoring projects in the rural communities of Mullewa and Leonora through their company Advantage Coaching Academy.

Current Eagles captain Darren Glass and Olympian Ben Offereins are also part of the ACA and Onslow project.

Cousins said most of the kids still knew about his on field success.

"It's funny because it's not going to last forever," he said.

"The next batch of kids probably won't know who I am and it will go over their heads."

Aboriginal elder and BTAC director Frances Hayes said the kids loved spending time with the footballers.

"Ben is a hero to these kids," she said.

"They love him and Travis. It's all they talk about and they're always asking, 'When are they coming back?'"

Offereins said the strength of the program was repeat visits.

"So many times these sorts of programs are just a one-off," he said.

"There is no bond built and there's no respect. But with this program the kids see us coming back and they start to trust us."

Teenagers Tarkyn Hayes, 12, and Uriah Hamilton, 13, said they had their first trip to Perth through the project.

"Getting to travel is my favourite part," Tarkyn said.

Uriah said he wants to be a professional soccer player when he grows up.

www.acawa.com.au

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Fears prompt unsanctioned burn-offs

Armadale Deputy Chief Fire Control Offiicer Gavin Fancote in Bungedore Park (6kms from Bedfordale) which has 8 years of accumulated fuel load Source: News Limited

BUSHFIRE volunteers are so concerned about the build up of vegetation near homes they're conducting unsanctioned burn-offs.

City of Armadale deputy chief bushfire control officer Gavin Fancote confirmed "off the books" prescribed burns were happening in his area.

He said volunteers brigades were taking matters into their own hands.

The revelation comes as brigades complain bureauctraic red-tape had resulted in too little being done ahead of the imminent bushfire season.

"There is absolutely maximum risk at the moment in the Perth metropolitan area," one southern suburbs volunteer said.

"You could almost list every suburb - from Kwinana to Kings Park - and there are large patches of bush next to urban areas with no risk mitigation."

The volunteer said his colleagues felt uneasy every time they drove past homes surrounded by heavy fuel loads.

"If we had to attend an incident in some of those areas, you'd know you couldn't protect homes and lives as easy as what you could, and you'd have to put your own firefighters' lives in jeopardy," the volunteer said.

Roleystone Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade fire control officer Matt Plowman, who also confirmed the unsanctioned burns, said volunteers were forced to act because it was their job to protect communities.

He said some of the worst vegetation build-up was on government-owned property.

"It can be anything from 10 to upwards of 20 (tonnes per hectare)," Mr Plowman, who has been a volunteer firefighter for 15 years, said.

Fuel loads that exceed 5-7 tonnes per hectare are considered dangerous.

The Sunday Times visited several areas this week that were identified as risk zones by volunteer brigades, including Darlington, Mundaring, Kalamunda and Pickering Brook.

Pictures clearly show the build-up of vegetation close to homes.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has refused the media access to its database of high-risk fire zones.

In November 2011, 41 homes were destroyed when a prescribed burn got out of control in Margaret River.

After the blaze, the Barnett Government created the Office of Bushfire Risk Management to assess the risks of every prescribed burn before it can go ahead.

So far this year, the Department of Parks and Wildlife has met just one quarter of its prescribed burns target.

Opposition emergency services spokeswoman Margaret Quirk said the Barnett Government had refused to explain in detail why they were so far behind the burns target.

"They should be leading by example," Ms Quirk said.

"If they're letting fuel loads build up in areas which are close to the urban fringe then they're not taking the action they should be and questions about public safety need to be answered."

Ms Quirk questioned why DFES was being so reluctant to release information about high-risk areas.

In the past, a list has been provided to Parliament.

"It should be made public so residents can be fully aware of the risk in their area," she said.

DFES deputy commissioner Steve Fewster said the research was for "internal purposes only".

"While DFES continues to monitor, review and engage a number of at risk communities, all communities and householders near bush need to consider the potential impact of bushfire," he said.

A DPaW spokeswoman denied prescribed burns were happening "off the books" because volunteer firefighters were frustrated by delays.

"DPaW routinely invites local volunteer bushfire brigades to participate in the implementation of departmental prescribed burns," she said.

"Prescribed burning in WA involves many players as part of a shared responsibility.

"As part of its prescribed burning programs, DPaW identifies land for which it has management responsibility that is suitable for fuel reduction and forms a candidate list of prescribed burns.

"These burns are then prioritised on risk management principles and burned when suitable and safe conditions prevail.

"Following a wet September, DPaW has carried out spring prescribed burns throughout the south-west forests, including the Perth metropolitan area in the Swan Region."

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Killing emus may benefit humans

Killed by London college for research ... The emu, pictured at Werribee Zoo, is on the Australian coat of arms. Source: News Limited

A BRITISH medical institution has defended its use of medical testing on Australia's national emblem, the emu, saying studies could provide answers to human illnesses including musculoskeletal and hip-joint problems.

Forty-four UK universities and medical research centres yesterday released their annual summary of animal research experiments, which in the past 12 months involved the deaths of more than 1.3 million animals.

But this year among the usual lists of mice, rats, fish, chickens, frogs and birds were experiments on 124 monkeys and six emu.

The inclusion of the Australian national coat or arms icon has particularly sparked fury from one animal group, which claimed there could be no benefit from testing on the flightless bird.

The Royal Veterinary College in London admitted killing all six emus in the past year but said it was important as the ideal human-like model to study orthopedic issues.

A spokeswoman for the prestigious college told the Herald Sun the bird grows to 40kg in 18 months without any musculoskeletal issues and it was important to understand why.

"Emus are of interest scientifically because they are bipedal and large like humans and previous studies have suggested they might be an ideal model species for looking at orthopedic issues such as hip joint problems for human applications," she said.

She said past studies had looked at upper legs but to complete the picture the college needed to understand lower leg growth and how the "stresses and strains" change.

"This work has potential applications to diverse areas including growth and leg health in humans as well as direct applications to sporadic leg problems in emus and other birds," she said, adding it could also help answer why some birds developed bone deformities.

The emus were sourced from a UK farm that sells feathers, oil and leather.

Veterinary Surgeon and scientific consultant for the Humane Research Australia and UK Animal Aid Dr Andre Menache said claims tests could benefit humans was wrong.

"Saying because the emu is bipedal like humans is like saying dogs have two eyes like humans so lets test them for the benefit of humans," he said.

"Its great to satisfy someone's academic curiosity but in terms of helping human disease, the science shows the chance of that happening is close to zero."

Dr Menache said to suggest tests on one species could help another was contrary to natural evolutionary biology laws.

He said DNA development had made it easier to find human cures from human tissue but even using biological human waste from hospital biopsies required more paperwork than 100 mice so researchers did what's easy.

According to figures released yesterday, a total of 1,329,013 animals were killed between July this year and last with mice accounting for 73 per cent. The University of Edinburgh had the highest toll followed by Cambridge and Oxford universities.

Kings College London, Imperial College London and Stirling University in Scotland also performed experiments on more than 100,000 animals each.

22.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Crash trial cop: I thought it was safe to go

Police officer Constable Gareth Hopley has pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Dianella mother Sharon D'Ercole. Source: News Limited

A POLICE officer accused of dangerous driving causing the death of Perth mother Sharon D'Ercole last year has told a District Court jury his partner on the day was like his brother and he would never have risked his safety.

Constable Gareth Hopley, 29, is on trial in the Perth District Court over the fatal April 12, 2012, crash.

Mrs D'Ercole, 50, died from multiple injuries after the Toyota Corolla she was driving collided with the police Ford Territory Constable Hopley was driving while he was pursuing a stolen black Audi through the Alexander Drive, Morley Drive intersection.

The mother of three was driving her youngest child, Lashay D'Ercole to a bus stop for an appointment in the city.

Sharon D'Ercole, far right, with daughter Lashay, 16, and her family.

It was Lashay's 16th birthday and earlier this week, in a statement read to the jury, her evidence was she could not remember the collision at all.

Const. Hopley started giving evidence yesterday afternoon and was cross-examined by prosecutors this morning.

Prosecutor Bernard Standish put it to the officer that his "brief look to the left just didn't cut it."

Police pursuit victim Sharon D'Ercole

Const. Hopley replied that his partner and passenger in the vehicle at the time was "like a brother to me" and he would never have risked his or the public's safety.

"I deemed it safe to go through," he said.

"I would never have gone through that intersection had it been unsafe."

Const. Hopley said he was following police intercept conditions at the time, while waiting for permission to continue the chase.

He said he did not think it was unsafe for him to go through red lights under those conditions.

Yesterday, when he gave evidence her broke down when describing the moments after the impact which left Mrs D'Ercole fatally injured.

The trial continues.

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Chevron slur prompts feisty scenes

Barrow Island, the home of Chevron's Gorgon Gas Project. Picture: supplied Source: News Limited

THE State Opposition has suggested there may be a link between Chevron's $64 million Elizabeth Quay land purchase and its bid to secure more ground on Barrow Island for the Gorgon gas project.

The suggestion prompted feisty scenes in the WA parliament today when the Barrow Island Amendment Bill 2013 was read for the second time.

If passed, it will allow the American oil and gas giant to expand its 300 hectare footprint on the Class A Nature Reserve by a further 34 hectares, but further environmental offset requirements will not be imposed.

Premier Colin Barnett discussed the matter, along with the Elizabeth Quay land purchase, at a single meeting with Chevron.

Today, opposition spokesman for state development Bill Johnston asked the Premier to explain whether there was any connection.

That sparked an angry response from Mr Barnett, who was admonished by the acting speaker for shouting across the chamber at Mr Johnston.

Opposition leader Mark McGowan then jumped in, saying the Premier was being asked fair questions.

"We're not alleging that you acted improperly," Mr McGowan said, having earlier said Mr Johnston was raising "a serious matter of propriety".

"To avoid any perception or any feeling that those two issues may have been inappropriately linked ... just provide an explanation.

WA Premier Colin Barnett has bristled at questions over a meeting he had with resources company Chevron. Picture: file image Source: News Limited

"It is a simple enough thing for you to do and that's why I'm suggesting that you should do it."

But acting Planning Minister John Day said all of the land sale negotiations had been entirely proper.

"There is simply no evidence that I'm aware of - I'm sure it doesn't exist - of an improper relationship to this transaction and other approvals that may be given to Chevron," Mr Day said.

He said Chevron had expressed an interest in buying CBD land more than two years ago, after the WA government had decided to proceed with Elizabeth Quay, whereas the bill amendment was introduced this year.

The state government has said the land deal - the first at the new waterfront development and a record for the CBD at about $9200 per square metre - was at a better than expected price.

"Given the quality of the development, I think it is a good outcome for Chevron and a good outcome for the state," Mr Day said.

Mr McGowan said further environmental offsets should be required of Chevron if the bill is passed.

"If you're going to do something in an environmentally pristine area, you need to make it up somewhere else, he said.

"It is an A class reserve."

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Grandma caught in $12m ice bust

Australian police seize 10 kilograms of methylamphetamine with an estimated value of $11.2 million and arrest four people in Sydney.

Police allege the grandmother supplied 10kg of methamphetamine. (Pic: AAP / file) Source: AAP

A SYDNEY grandmother accused of supplying $12 million worth of ice has wept violently in court as she was told that she could face life in prison.

Lu Jing Yu, 39, faced Kogarah Local Court on Thursday where police alleged she was supplying 10kg of methamphetamine, or "ice".

The Carlingford mother-of-five and grandmother cried as she was told that a conviction could carry a maximum penalty of life behind bars.

Her young children, one aged only 11, wept as their mother applied for bail and was assisted by a Mandarin interpreter.

[DEADLIER THAN EVER: WELCOME TO THE NEW ICE AGE]

Slim, dressed in three-quarter black jeans and a striped polo shirt, Yu didn't look like a grandmother while sitting in the dock.

The court heard she was in a car with her husband Wenping He on Wednesday.

Her husband dropped her off and she got into another car.

He, 42, was allegedly caught by police with the 10kg of ice in a TV set stored the boot of the car at Arncliffe on Wednesday afternoon. The drugs have an estimated street value of $12 million.

Police allegedly found $50,000 in US dollars and $20,000 in Australian cash at the family's Carlingford home.

Her barrister told the court that although the prosecution had an "extremely strong" case against her husband, Yu didn't know what was in the boot of the car and was not present when a supposed drug deal was taking place.

Both were charged with the large commercial supply of the prohibited drug ice, along with another man, Dong Pei Wang and a third man who faced Liverpool Local Court.

Wang and He are also accused of supplying 995.7 grams of ice on October 22 in Mascot.

Yu was granted bail but won't walk free until police determine a $600,000 surety is legitimate, the court heard.

She will have to surrender her passport, not leave NSW and report daily to police.

Wang and He didn't apply for bail, it was formally refused and they will face Central Local Court later this month.

Officers also raided two brothels, as well as homes at Liverpool, Campsie, Carlingford, Hurstville and Chipping Norton on Wednesday afternoon after swooping on the drug deal at Arncliffe earlier in the day.

A total of seven people have been charged as a result of the work of Strike Force Nemo, targeting ice imports from Columbia, police say.

The latest raids follow arrests in August resulted in 40kg of ice being seized.

Police expect to make further arrests.

22.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

2013 Draft: Power Rankings

SuperFooty draft experts Jay Clark and Sam Landsberger discuss the top 30 prospects.

Dom Sheed could be a bargain for the Eagles. Source: Supplied

THE AFL's official number crunchers select the top 30 players from across the country based on their performances in recent years.

If Champion Data was picking from a schoolyard this is how next week's national draft order would look.

It only includes players who appeared at the national Under-18 championships.

Our own draft experts Jay Clark and Sam Landsberger also run their eye over the rankings and how they might compare to the actual draft.

COLLINGWOOD is set to steal a top-three draft talent for the second year in a row.

After welcoming boom ruckman Brodie Grundy at No. 18 last year they are again shaping as the big winners of the first round with dual All-Australian defender Matthew Scharenberg firming as the Pies' No. 6 selection.

The 190cm backman was this week flown to Melbourne by the Demons in the hope he could slip to their No. 9 pick.

In a Herald Sun exclusive, Champion Data ranked Scharenberg the third-best player in the pool.

But the Dees hopes of landing the rebound king appear dashed with the Pies closing on a ready-made Heath Shaw replacement.

Greater Western Sydney is set to take Tom Boyd with pick no.1 in the national draft. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Supplied

1. TOM BOYD

No opponent has been able to compete against Boyd in a contest. The most powerful junior forward since Tom Hawkins. Accurate set-shot.

WE SAY: The Giants will forget about missing out on Buddy Franklin when this bloke blossoms.

Sandringham Dragons midfielder Josh Kelly is likely to score a place at GWS with pick two in the 2013 AFL Draft following an outstanding TAC Cup season.

2. JOSH KELLY

The best midfielder in the country. Kelly is a ball magnet able to win inside and outside ball and has exceptional skills on both sides.

WE SAY: Melbourne may rue giving this running machine away. Looks a 200-game star.

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3. MATTHEW SCHARENBERG

Elite intercept player and ball-winning defender. Has the capacity to push into the midfield. Reads the play exceptionally well.

WE SAY: Sliding down the draft order, making him one of the steals of the draft. Queries on feet issues scaring some clubs.

SCROLL DOWN FOR JAY AND SAM'S PHANTOM DRAFT

4. DOM SHEED

The No. 1 ranked midfielder at the national carnival. A stoppage player who breaks away from congested situations and kicks goals.

WE SAY: Eagles should get Sheed at 11, but Lions thinking long and hard.

Classy Oakleigh Chargers midfielder/forward Jack Billings will hope his distribution and polish around goal will prove too much for clubs to refuse in this year's AFL Draft.

5. JACK BILLINGS

A creative and dangerous half-forward, earning back-to-back All-Australian honours. Creative by foot and clever overhead.

WE SAY: Can amaze up forward but potential lies in the midfield. Saints looking to pull trigger at No. 3.

6. LEWIS TAYLOR

Brent Harvey-clone dominated his two seasons in the TAC Cup. Taylor's ability to distribute the ball by foot on either side of his body is supreme.

WE SAY: Only 173cm but as a pure footballer he's top five. GWS, armed with pick 14, watching closely.

7. LUKE MCDONALD

Rebounds from defence with penetrating left foot. Wins own ball and is smart going forward.

WE SAY: It will be a sexy halfback line when McDonald and Shaun Atley are breaking lines next year.

James Aish could head to the Dogs. Source: Supplied

8. JAMES AISH

Like Andrew Gaff a wingman with exceptional skills. But if the ball doesn't find him he may struggle.

WE SAY: A surprise to see him so low. Dogs salivating with pick 4, but can get tagged.

9. KADE KOLODJASHNIJ

Creative rebounding defender likened to Grant Birchall. Run-and-carry specialist who will push into the midfield.

WE SAY: Athletic backman is beautiful to watch. Suns in love with his rebound game.

Ben Lennon will hope his razor sharp right boot will be the difference over his fellow AFL hopefuls at this year's National Draft.

10. BEN LENNON

Overhead marking supreme but top strength is his booming right foot. Best suited as a third tall forward.

WE SAY: Tigers praying he slips to 12. Not a genuine midfielder but a weapon on the flanks.

11. MATT CROUCH

A stoppage beast who thrives in traffic. Ball-winning machine averaging 38 disposals in TAC Cup. Knocks on his kick.

WE SAY: Queries over his running ability could see him slide to join brother Brad.

12. LUKE DUNSTAN

A big-bodied strong midfielder whose No. 1 strength is his stoppage work. Ranked elite for clearances at championships.

WE SAY: Looks a cheap get in the 20s. Could emulate Ollie Wines' impact.

A big-bodied midfielder with a precise kick, Sandringham Dragons star Christian Salem is expected to be a top 15 AFL Draft pick in 2013.

13. CHRISTIAN SALEM

Classy midfielder is silky on his left side. Doesn't need huge numbers to cut apart teams due to high efficiency.

WE SAY: Averaged 145 SuperCoach points, justifying interest from Lions, Dees and Pies.

14. CAM MCCARTHY

Contested marking machine with a big tank. Could be a unique key forward who pushes up to the wing.

WE SAY: Shades of Matthew Richardson. Lions (pick 7) could pip the Pies.

15. MITCH HONEYCHURCH

Damaging midfielder hits the scoreboard. The only TAC Cup player to average more than 20 disposals and two goals a game.

WE SAY: Clubs have him far lower but shapes as a value pick. Dogs keen at 42.

16. MICHAEL GIBBONS

A clearance specialist who averaged 118 SuperCoach points, 23 disposals and five tackles across 41 matches. Hit the scoreboard, booting 31 goals.

WE SAY: A shock given clubs expected Gibbons to be a late-round chance.

Nathan Freeman in action. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Limited

17. NATHAN FREEMAN

Unique ability to win clearances and contested footy but can also breakaway with super pace. Hasn't kicked a lot of goals.

WE SAY: Luke Shuey-type would add much-needed speed to Lions onball division.

18. MARCUS BONTEMPELLI

Consistency the big issue. Struggled for Vic Metro but dominated some TAC Cup games onball. His size and skill allow him to play as a midfielder or forward.

WE SAY: Finds time like Scott Pendlebury, but Pies going cold. One for Mick.

19. TRENT DUMONT

Doesn't win huge numbers but Dumont's class and poise under pressure a highlight. High disposal efficiency.

WE SAY: All-rounder who hurts the opposition. Could sneak into the first round.

20. MICHAEL APENESS

Big man from a rugby background who plays forward/ruck like David Hale. Hasn't played much footy but takes a strong grab.

WE SAY: One of the few big men in the draft but ACL recovery a worry for some.

21. DARCY HOURIGAN

Mid-sized forward who thrives in marking contest and is elite at ground level. A proven goalkicker, averaging almost two a game across 51 matches.

WE SAY: Strong like Jack Darling. Had bumper carnival before SANFL form fizzled.

22. BILLY HARTUNG

Weapons include elite ball use and a huge tank. Can burn sides with speed up the wing and wins most of his possessions uncontested.

WE SAY: Saints have done a lot of work but late mail could see him slide into the 20s.

23. TOBY NANKERVIS

Ready-made ruckman overlooked at last year's draft. Wins the ball, pushes forward and produced similar numbers to Brodie Grundy last year.

WE SAY: Nankervis and Rory Lobb are the two best genuine rucks. Dons might pounce.

24. ZAK JONES

Plays like brother Nathan (Melbourne) but with more pace. Contested ball winner is aggressive through the backline and midfield.

WE SAY: In the frame for Tigers at 12 and Cats at 16 but won't get past the Suns at 20.

PICK ME: Exclusive videos, analysis and interviews of leading 2013 draft prospects

25. BLAKE ACRES

Injury-hit utility kept to 11 games this year. Classy ball use and at 189cm can play anywhere. Strong overhead.

WE SAY: Clubs are divided but he fits Geelong's mould. Dockers watching.

26. ZACH MERRETT

Lethal left foot does damage across half-forward, like brother Jackson at Essendon. Has midfield potential but best suited kicking inside 50.

WE SAY: Hawks love their sharp left-foot kicking. Strong talk they'll go Dayle Garlett at 24.

27. JAMES TSITAS

Pressure king who excels at stoppages. Dominated every competition this year, including a 128-point TAC Cup SuperCoach average.

WE SAY: Bit of a surprise this high but Tsitas runs both ways and is a big team man.

Jay Kennedy-Harris shapes as your classic AFL small forward and appears a tantalising prospect for clubs at the 2013 AFL Draft.

28. JAY KENNEDY-HARRIS

Best small forward in the draft who wins ball inside 50 and creates scoring opportunities. Showed in the TAC Cup he's now got midfield capabilities.

WE SAY: Think Jake Neade. Excellent tackler who can defy height (173cm).

29. BLAINE JOHNSON

Was WA's second-leading goalkicker at the carnival. In-between size makes for a tough match-up on lead or overhead.

WE SAY: Booming right foot is a weapon outside 50. Later pick.

Darcy Gardiner is regarded as the best key defender in the 2013 AFL Draft and is expected to go in the first round.

30. DARCY GARDINER

Clearly the best key defender of the draft and when involved in a one-on-one contest rarely gets beaten. More of a lockdown stopper than a creative backman.

WE SAY: Linked to GWS at 14 but will slide to Saints or Lions.

HOW JAY CLARK AND SAM LANDSBERGER PREDICT THE TOP 30

1.Greater Western Sydney Tom Boyd (KF)

2. Greater Western Sydney Josh Kelly (Mid)

3. St Kilda Jack Billings (Fwd/Mid)

4. Western Bulldogs James Aish (Mid)

5. Gold Coast Kade Kolodashnij (Def)

6. Collingwood Matthew Scharenberg (Def)

7. Brisbane Nathan Freeman (Mid)

8. North Melbourne Luke McDonald (Def/Mid)

9. Melbourne Christian Salem (Mid)

10. Collingwood Cameron McCarthy (KF)

11. West Coast Dom Sheed (Mid)

12. Richmond Ben Lennon (Fwd-Mid)

13. Carlton Marcus Bontempelli (Mid)

14. Greater Western Sydney Lewis Taylor (Mid)

15. Sydney Rory Lobb (Ruck)

16. Geelong Blake Acres (Mid)

17. Fremantle Michael Apeness (KF)

18. St Kilda Billy Hartung (Mid)

19. St Kilda Darcy Gardiner (KD)

20. Gold Coast Zak Jones (Def/Mid)

21. Port Adelaide Jarman Impey (Fwd)

22. Brisbane Trent Dumont (Mid)

23. Adelaide Matthew Crouch (Mid)

24 Hawthorn Zach Merrett (Fwd/Mid)

25. Brisbane Daniel McStay (KD)

26. Essendon Patrick Cripps (Mid)

27. Gold Coast Jake Kolodjashnij (KD)

28. Brisbane Luke Dunstan (Mid)

29. Greater Western Sydney Tom Cutler (Def)

30. North Melbourne Jay Kennedy-Harris (Fwd)

22.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

The 15 worst movies of all time

Cast members Adam Sandler, Kevin James, David Spade, Salma Hayek and Taylor Lautner speak about their experience filming Grown Ups 2 in this featurette.

Two Adam Sandlers in one movie - that's two too many. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

AFTER almost two decades of bad Adam Sandler movies, the man behind some of the worst films ever made is stepping down.

But not Sandler himself, rather his partner-in-(film)-crime, Jack Giarraputo, who started the production company Happy Madison with the actor in 1995.
Deadline reports Giarraputo is retiring from film production to spend more time with his family.

Although Gawker reports the real reason he's bowing out is "ostensibly due to the fact that he realised he was responsible for putting Adam Sandler movies out into the world."

While the pair have found some box office success with movies such as Billy Madison and Grown Ups, they've also released some stinkers in their time.

Anyone remember Little Nicky, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry or most recently That's My Boy? All terrible, terrible films.

Mandurah students in 'fight club'

WATCH: A new Facebook page of videos allegedly of Mandurah boys fighting has been created hours after one was removed from the site.

Mum 'driving slowly' when killed

SHARON D'Ercole was 'driving about 25km/h' when a police car crashed into her, while a suppression order over the officer charged has been lifted.

But possibly the worst one of all was Jack and Jill which not only starred Sandler in one atrocious role, but two - with the star playing squabbling twins. That two Sandlers too many.

The film was universally panned, receiving just three per cent approval on Rotten Tomatoes and a user rating of just 2.6. It doesn't get much worse than that.

Oh, except for these films:

Glitter: Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

Glitter ... Mariah Carey's 2001 semi-autobiographical movie was universally panned by the critics, with one critic commenting "Only Mariah Carey could play herself in a movie and f*** it up." Glitter not only damaged Carey's career, but may have played a factor in her highly publicised breakdown.

Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever ... "Get Blown Away" says the tagline on the DVD cover ... by how utterly horrific this movie is? Rotten Tomatoes editors ranked this 2002 film starring Lucy Liu and Antonio Banderas as the worst-reviewed film listed on their website. 100 per cent of critics flagged it as "rotten" with an average rating of 2.6 / 10. Not a single person who saw this movie enjoyed it.

Gigli. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

Gigli ... Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's 2003 effort only grossed $6 million, making it one of the biggest box office bombs ever made. Reviewers dubbed the film "The ultimate turkey of all time," after a notorious scene in which Lopez's character invited Affleck to perform oral sex on her saying: "It's turkey time ... Gobble, gobble." It was too awkward for words.

Jaws: The Revenge. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

Jaws: The Revenge ...The fourth film in the Jaws series, made in 1997, ignored the events of the preceding and more successful Jaws films, daring to tempt fate with another instalment. At the end, the shark is heard to "roar" repeatedly (which is biologically impossible) before being hit with a sailboat. What a plot.

Pinocchio. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

Pinocchio ... A boy puppet played by a 50 year old man with a receding hairline just wasn't enough to win over audiences in this 2002 remake of the classic. The dismal character failure led one critic to comment "If you saw Benigni's Pinocchio at a public park, you'd grab your kids and run and then probably call the police."

The Hottie and The Nottie. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

The Hottie and The Nottie ... Paris Hilton's 2008 film was critically lambasted with just a five per cent rating from Rotten Tomatoes. The film was also a commercial flop, grossing only $1,067,710, well below its $9,000,000 budget. An expensive little experiment that was a definite "nottie" with audiences.

I Know Who Killed Me. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

I Know Who Killed Me ... Lindsay Lohan's 2007 flop earned nine Razzie nominations in 2008, and successfully took home eight of them (breaking the record previously held by Showgirls and Battlefield Earth). On a budget of $12 million, the film only made back $7.5 million during its run in theatres and set a precedent for many Lindsay Lohan films to come.

Battlefield Earth. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

Battlefield Earth ... Rotten Tomatoes critics sung a near-unanimous rotten song for the bizarre 2000 film adaptation of the L. Ron Hubbard novel John Travolta and Forest Whitaker. It went on to become one of the most notorious flops in film history. TIME magazine called it "the worst movie in living memory" while The New York Daily News called it "one of the darkest, ugliest, most uninvolving and incomprehensible major-studio fantasies I've ever seen."

Christmas With The Kranks. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

Christmas with the Kranks ... "No! Ho! Ho!" is right on the money. Make it stop. Some say that Tim Allen deserves his own subcategory in any discussion of the worst movies ever made, but this 2004 shocker rates an honourable mention. One critic commented the Kranks was "bad enough to make you wish Bill O'Reilly's imagined War on Christmas was real." It got just a five per cent approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

Alone In The Dark. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

Alone in the Dark ... The critics consensus was that this 2005 film was inept on almost every level and they should have seen it coming seeing as it was a horror-film video game adaptation with Christian Slater and Tara Reid in the lead roles. It took a measly $5,132,655 at the box office and got a one per cent approval rating. They're still trying to track down the one person that said it didn't make their brain bleed.

Meet The Spartans. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

Meet the Spartans ... This 2008 flop scored a lousy two per cent on Rotten Tomatoes and one of the lowest average ratings in history of 1.8. One reviewer in The Sunday Herald gave the film a score of zero, while another Australian newspaper review described it as being "as funny as a burning orphanage".

Son Of The Mask. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

Son of The Mask ... Billed as a movie that should never have been made in the first place, 2005's Son of The Mask proved the reason why some sequels should never get the go-ahead, especially when they're missing the very character who spawned the original. Filmcritic.com. called it "an awful, unoriginal, infuriating, and endless mess" while The New York Post deduced "Parents who let their kids see this stinker should be brought up on abuse charges."

Catwoman. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

Catwoman ... Despite taking $40 million at the US box office, the 2004 remake of Catwoman starring Halle Berry managed to only score just 3.2 out of ten from 65,000 user ratings. It was voted as one of the most poorly executed film adaptations and "arguably the worst superhero film ever made." It was in all effect, Berry bad.

Twisted. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

Twisted ... One critic wrote of this 2004 thriller starring Ashley Judd and Samuel L Jackson, "Twisted is so bad I'm embarrassed to have seen it and therefore am a bit ashamed to write even an unkind review." Another added, it's a "horrible waste of talent, time and money." It was another absolute stinker which managed just a one per cent approval rating.

Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2 ... There was certainly nothing super about Superbabies, with the movie recieving the single lowest rating of any movie on IMDb. The movie achieved a rock-bottom score of just 1.7 out of ten from over 21,000 poor unfortunate people who actually sacrificed one and a half hours of their lives to watch it. The 2004 movie, starring Angelina Jolie's dad Jon Voight took just $9 million at the box office. One user said the movie "rates a negative 600000000000000000000000 for idiocy and stupidity and wastage of funds," while another said the film "stinks higher than a 5 day old dirty diaper".

What is the worst movie you have ever seen? Tell us in the comments below.

22.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mum 'driving slowly' when killed

Constable Gareth Hopley, pictured outside the Perth Magistrates Court earlier this year, is on trial for dangerous driving causing the death of Dianella mother Sharon D'Ercole. Source: News Limited

A MOTHER-of-three killed on a Perth road was driving about 25km/h when a police car crashed into her while it was chasing a stolen vehicle.

Constable Gareth Hopley, 28, is on trial in the Perth District Court charged with dangerous driving causing the death of Sharon Ann D'Ercole in April 2012.

His identity had been suppressed but that has now been lifted after the Court of Appeal refused to extend the order today.

Ms D'Ercole, 50, died from multiple injuries while her 16-year-old daughter, who was a passenger, has no memory of the incident.

Engineer Grant Johnston told the court he estimated Ms D'Ercole was travelling at 25km/h at the time of impact and had just driven through a green light where the speed limit was 60km/h.

He estimated the police car had been travelling at 75km/h at the point of impact, the court was told.

Mandurah students in 'fight club'

WATCH: A new Facebook page of videos allegedly of Mandurah boys fighting has been created hours after one was removed from the site.

Mum 'driving slowly' when killed

SHARON D'Ercole was 'driving about 25km/h' when a police car crashed into her, while a suppression order over the officer charged has been lifted.

Mr Johnston said the average perception and response time for drivers was 1.5 seconds, with the fastest expected response to take about 0.5 seconds to 0.75 seconds.

Assistant Police Commissioner Michelle Fyfe, who has almost 30 years' experience and is a qualified pursuit driver, testified that there was a strict policy for police pursuits.

Ms Fyfe was previously the commander of the state traffic operations and ordered a review and update of the police emergency driving policy, which was implemented in 2010.

She said the policy allowed police to begin pursuits and seek authorisation from the police communications controller - who is the duty inspector - to continue if a person was fleeing.

The policy allowed police to speed and pass through stop signs and lights, she said.

The court had previously heard Hopley was trained to the highest level of pursuit driving.

As he chased the stolen Audi, his pursuit car's lights and sirens were activated.

The trial before a jury continues.

22.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Man charged over freeway flip-out

An out of control driver stomped on cars, headbutted windows and threw himself through windscreens on a Perth freeway

A MAN who head-butted and jumped on several moving cars on the Kwinana Freeway on Monday night has been charged with a string of offences.

It will be alleged the 34-year-old man crashed his Mazda ute into an unattended Volkswagen in the emergency lane of the Kwinana Freeway near Canning Bridge just after 7pm.

The man then ran into oncoming traffic, jumped on the bonnets of some cars and threw himself head first into the windows of others.

Windscreens and windows of several cars were damaged, forcing traffic to stop which caused a major backlog on one of the city's main highways.

Eye witnesses later took to social media to report the incident.

One person posted "dashcam" footage of the man on the internet.

Last night police charged the Gwelup man with 11 counts of damage.

Mandurah students in 'fight club'

WATCH: A new Facebook page of videos allegedly of Mandurah boys fighting has been created hours after one was removed from the site.

Mum 'driving slowly' when killed

SHARON D'Ercole was 'driving about 25km/h' when a police car crashed into her, while a suppression order over the officer charged has been lifted.

After the man's arrest he was taken to Fremantle Hospital for a mental health assessment. He is due to appear in court later this month.

22.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Nobody forced to have sex: Montagna

Stephen Milne leaves the Melbourne Magistrates' Court this afternoon. Photo: Hamish Blair\ Source: News Limited

SAINTS star Leigh Montagna has given evidence that no one was forced to do anything against their will on the night a woman says she was raped by ex-teammate Stephen Milne.

"It was all very friendly," he said of the night.

Montagna has been giving evidence in the rape case involving his Milne.

Former St Kilda player Justin Koschitzke also gave evidence earlier today at Melbourne Magistrates' Court.

The court has heard the woman who claims she was raped by Milne felt used on the night she had consensual sex with Montagna and was allegedly sexually assaulted by Milne.

A female friend of the complainant told Melbourne Magistrates' Court today that after the events at the home shared by Montagna and Koschitzke, the complainant sent Montagna a text message saying the night was a mistake and that she felt she'd been treated like "a footy slut".

Mandurah students in 'fight club'

WATCH: A new Facebook page of videos allegedly of Mandurah boys fighting has been created hours after one was removed from the site.

Mum 'driving slowly' when killed

SHARON D'Ercole was 'driving about 25km/h' when a police car crashed into her, while a suppression order over the officer charged has been lifted.

The friend said the alleged victim was "hysterical".

"She said she felt used," the female friend, who cannot be identified, told the committal hearing.

The friend told the court she heard the alleged victim say "no" several times.

Milne is charged with four counts of rape. Photo: Hamish Blair

The friend, who cannot be identified, today told Milne's committal hearing: "I knew there was a problem."

She has told the court how she and the alleged rape victim exchanged smiles with Milne and Montagna at a St Kilda Family Day and hooked up with the two footballers that night outside a St Kilda nightspot.

It was suggested they all return to Montagna's home and play pool but sexual encounters happened at the house after it was suggested there were no billiard balls, Melbourne Magistrates' Court was told.

Milne, 33, of Cheltenham, is charged with four counts of rape.

The offences are alleged to have occurred in the early hours of March 15, 2004, at the Highett home shared by Saints players Montagna and Justin Koschitzke.

The complainant, then a 19-year-old university student, and her female friend, both sober, had met an intoxicated Milne and Montagna after they were refused entry to the St Kilda nightspot following the club family day.

At the Highett home before the alleged offending, Montagna and the alleged victim had consensual sex and Milne and the female friend also had consensual sex, the hearing was told.

Today, the female friend told the court she briefly had consensual sex with Montagna after having had the consensual sex with Milne.

Saint Leigh Montagna followed by ex-teammate Justin Koschitzke outside court yesterday.

The court heard that, while sharing a bed with her friend and the two footballers in a darkened room, the complainant then began kissing Milne, mistakenly believing it was Montagna.

As things progressed the alleged victim believed she was having sex with Montagna, Melbourne Magistrates' Court has been told.

It is alleged she repeatedly told Milne, while believing he was Montagna, that she did not want to have sex.

Milne allegedly replied: "Do you want me to be a good guy about this?"

The court heard she replied: "Yes, I do not want to have sex."

The alleged victim only realised the sexual encounter had been with Milne when her friend opened the bedroom door, allowing light to creep into the room, the court heard.

The young woman felt sick and cried after the realisation, Prosecutor David Cordy told the first day of the committal hearing yesterday.

Montagna later sent the young woman a series of apologetic text messages, Mr Cordy said.

The court heard one said: "Sorry 'bout what happened tonight. I thought you knew it was him and not me", and another, "He (Milne) thought you knew it was him that was with you, not me. Sorry."

Montagna also allegedly texted that Milne "was real drunk and didn't mean it".

Milne told police there was no way the alleged victim believed he was Montagna, and that he thought she was jealous.

The complainant's mother yesterday told the hearing it was her understanding that when Koschitzke's girlfriend asked who the two girls were she was told "just a couple of dirty girls".

The complainant was cross examined in a closed court yesterday.

The hearing, before Magistrate Peter Reardon, continues.

22.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mandurah students in 'fight club'

A NEW Facebook page sharing videos allegedly of Mandurah boys fighting has been created hours after one was removed from the social networking site. Warning: Distressing images

A screengrab from the video on Facebook showing the alleged 'fight club'. Source: PerthNow

A NEW Facebook page sharing videos allegedly of Mandurah boys fighting has been created hours after one was removed from the social networking site.

A page promoting the teen 'fight club' was made on Monday and garnered almost 4000 likes before it was taken down.

Late last night a new page was created and has already received more than 1000 likes.

The videos on the new page appear to be in public parks, however at least one video on the removed page was believed to be at a school.

It is understood police and the Department of Education are looking in to the matter.

Mandurah students in 'fight club'

WATCH: A new Facebook page of videos allegedly of Mandurah boys fighting has been created hours after one was removed from the site.

Mum 'driving slowly' when killed

SHARON D'Ercole was 'driving about 25km/h' when a police car crashed into her, while a suppression order over the officer charged has been lifted.

22.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Crazed man headbutts moving cars

A man is being assessed in hospital after headbutting several cars on the busy Kwinana Freeway in WA. Courtesy DashCamsOnline/YouTube

A MAN'S dashcam has caught the moment a driver lost control on a Perth freeway and decided to take it out on the moving traffic - using his head.

He can be seen headbutting several moving cars, smashing windows and throwing himself head first through the windscreens of others.

The shocking incident happened after the man crashed his Mazda ute into an unattended Volkswagen which was parked in the emergency lane of Kwinana Freeway in Perth.

Witnesses report the agitated man got out of his vehicle and ran into the oncoming traffic, jumping on the bonnets of some cars before smashing everything in sight.

The dramatic outburst forced traffic to stop and caused a major jam on the city highway.

Eye witnesses took to social media to report the incident, with one posting the dashcam footage of the man on YouTube.

A police spokeswoman said inquiries are continuing into whether alcohol or drugs were involved.

The man is being assessed at Fremantle hospital.

Police said no charges had been laid and inquiries were continuing.

Things got wild on Monday night in Perth. Source: Supplied

22.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Perth man looks exactly like Gosling

Ryan Gosling on the left, Grant Hazell on the right. Photo: Supplied Source: Supplied

RYAN Gosling is the man that every woman wants and every guy wants to be.

But being the Hollywood heart-throb isn't just a desire for 35-year-old Grant Hazell, it's his full time job.

The former British policeman, who relocated to Perth a few years ago with his wife and two kids, is now a professional lookalike.

It was his wife who first noticed Hazell's similarities to The Notebook star and she decided to send photos of her hubby to modelling agencies.

He was hired instantly and now earns more than $300 an hour for appearances.

The real Ryan Gosling on the left, and the lookalike on the right. Photo: Supplied Source: Supplied

But it hasn't been all been smooth sailing for the doppelganger, who admits his Hollywood looks have resulted in some unwanted attention from female fans, including one who stopped him in the street demanding a photo.

"She told me she had seen all my movies and that she was in love with me," Hazell said to the Daily Mail.

"When I said I wasn't actually him, she didn't believe me. It was a surreal conversation."

If your party or event needs a Gosling injection, Hazell can be hired through Jo Jo's entertainment agency.

22.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Local councils slashed from 30 to 15

Perth's councils will be slashed from 30 to 15 under the WA Government's plan for local government reform

WA mayors are split over proposed council merges.

WA Local Government minister Tony Simpson, pictured with Premier Colin Barnett earlier this year, has announced the proposed model for a reduced number WA local governments. Picture: file image. Source: News Limited

THE number of councils in Perth will be slashed from 30 to 15 under the State Government's plan for local government reform released this morning.

Despite an earlier plan to slash the number of metropolitan councils to 14, the government has decided on 15 after deciding not to amalgamate Fremantle and Melville.

The government's blueprint will now be submitted to a Local Government Advisory Board for further considerations, with Local Government Minister Tony Simpson making a final decision mid next year.

Aside from an expanded Perth, which includes the City of Vincent, proposed new local governments will be created from mergers between:

-The high growth City of Gosnells and the City of Canning

-The City of Bayswater and the Town of Bassendean

-The City of Belmont and the Shire of Kalamunda

-The City of South Perth and the Town of Victoria Park

-The City of Swan and the Shire of Mundaring

-The City of Kwinana with the City of Cockburn, shifting the northern border of the City of Cockburn further south.

As well, the government proposes:

-Retaining the City of Fremantle with the suburb of North Fremantle and the Town of East Fremantle

-Expanding the City of Melville to take in parts of the City of Cockburn, the City of Fremantle and the City of Canning

-Seven local governments (Cambridge, Claremont, Cottesloe, Mosman Park, Nedlands, Peppermint Grove and Subiaco) in the western suburbs into one, plus the suburbs of Wembley Downs, Churchlands and part of Woodlands

-Retaining part of Mt Lawley, including the aquatic centre and golf club, in the City of Stirling

Shifting the City of Armadale southern boundary to take in the high growth urban areas of the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale

-Shifting the Shire of Murray border northwards to take in the rural areas of the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale

-No changes to the boundaries for the cities of Rockingham, Wanneroo and Joondalup.

Mr Simpson said he would make a final decision on the proposed changes mid next year.

He said ratepayers and councils still had a chance to make submissions to the LGAB, which he said was an independent board.

He said he would either "reject or approve'' the LGAB's recommendations - but denied the government was forcing amalgamations.

"It's a sign of a flexible and consultative government that we have listened to the views and taken suggestions on board,'' Mr Simpson said.

"We've invested four months in refining our preferred model and now it's over the LGAB to gather input from local governments and communities and conduct a thorough review to final recommendations to me next year.

"Reform is happening.

"The local government sector ready for it.''

A map showing the WA Government's proposed local government reform. Under the proposal, the number of Perth councils will be cut from 30 to 15. Source: Supplied

22.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Surfer nudged by shark off Trigg

A surfer has told of his close encounter with a shark off Trigg beach today

File photo. A great white shark forced the closure of Trigg beach this afternoon. Picture: Supplied. Source: News Limited

A SURFER has told of his close encounter with a great white shark, which prompted the closure of Trigg Beach today.

Trigg Beach was closed this afternoon when a four-metre shark was sighted 50m offshore.

At 3.45pm the beach was re-opened, about an hour after the shark was reported.

Shaun Daly, 19, said the shark nudged him in the water.

"It was massive, it was a big boy," Mr Daly said.

"It full on went for me, I would have been chomped fully, it full-on knocked me off my board... it was going for the kill."

Mr Daly then caught a wave back to shore.

"I'm frothing to be alive, I guess," he said.

Despite the scare, Daly said he would be back in the water tomorrow.

22.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Plea for gran missing in typhoon

Reina Salvo Nelson, a Melbourne woman missing in the Philippines after the typhoon. Source: Supplied

THE family of a Melbourne grandmother missing in the typhoon-devastated Philippines are desperate for help to find her.

Reina Salvo Nelson, 58, has been missing since Thursday, when she contacted relatives to tell them of the storm heading her way.

Her six children are praying for her and hoping for good news.

But they fear for her safety after losing all contact.

The Wyndham Vale woman had been holidaying in the coastal town of Carigara and had been due to go to Tacloban on her way back to Melbourne.

Carigara was hit hard by Typhoon Haiyan, and up to 10,000 people are feared dead in Tacloban.

Ms Nelson failed to arrive back in Melbourne on Monday.

Daughter Mary Stewart said family and friends had been unable to get any information.

"We don't know what to think, we're just worried,'' she said.

"If there is no power, no transport, no water, what has she got?''

Ms Stewart said half her siblings were too stressed to watch horrifying vision of one of the worst storms on record.

Reina Salvo Nelson and her family. L-R: Jennifer Stewart, Murray Nelson, Mary Stewart, Alfred Iudica, Joereina Iudica, Reina Salvo Nelson, Gerald Salvo Nelson, and Marianne Nelson. Source: Supplied

The others had endured sleepless nights searching for answers online and through news reports.

"She said so casually there was a typhoon coming, and she was just going to stay in my aunty's house,'' she said.

"All we can do is hope that she didn't go to Tacloban, because that was the hardest hit.''

There are also fears for the aunt, Werribee woman Francis Salvo, on holidays visiting family in Carigara, which is about a 50 minute drive from Tacloban.

Another of Ms Nelson's daughters, Jennifer Stewart, said if her mum had survived she could be going through hell.

"The airport has been demolished in Tacloban and the roads are still covered in debris and powerlines. And what depresses me is that my mother has no way home,'' she said.

"The latest update was about food shortage, and the repairs on getting the power up and running is estimated to around January.

"It is horrible.''

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman Jenna Hand said last night more than 900 calls had been made to its 24-hour consular emergency centre inquiring after the whereabouts of Australians in the Philippines.

Australian consular officials in the Philippines and Canberra were "following up on the whereabouts of Australians and on cases of concern.''

She said three additional consular officials were being deployed to the Philippines.

peter.rolfe@news.com.au

22.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Driver killed in horror truck crash

A truck driver has died and several others are injured in a horror crash on Great Eastern Highway, early today.

A TRUCKIE has died and several others are injured in a horror crash involving two trucks on Great Eastern Highway, about 50km east of Perth, early today.

The crash happened about 5.15am near Carter Road, when it is believed the two trucks collided head-on on a bend.

One of the truck drivers died at the scene.

The other driver and his female passenger were injured and taken to Royal Perth Hospital.

A truckdriver has died in a head-on crash near Beechina, about 50km east of Perth.

The RAC rescue chopper was sent to the scene and airlifted an injured woman to Royal Perth Hospital.

One of the first people on the scene, a man who was on his way to work but did not want to be named, told PerthNow the driver of one of the trucks had escaped with just a cut to his face.

According to the witness, one truck was heading east towards Northam and the other truck containing a man and a woman was heading towards Perth

A truckie has been killed and Great Eastern Highway has been closed off after a collision between two trucks, one carrying pool chemicals. Picture: Will Russell

"The male driver of the Perth-bound vehicle had a cut to his face but was able to walk and talk ok, (he was) very shocked and very lucky," the man on the scene said.

"The male driver of the vehicle travelling east would have died instantly.

"The female passenger was asleep in the sleeper cab, she was badly injured but was removed from the vehicle due to the leaking fuel and the chemicals from the Perth bound truck all over the road.

A truckdriver has died in a head-on crash near Beechina, about 50km east of Perth.

"She was airlifted as I departed the scene."

One of the trucks was carrying pool chemicals, some of which came off the truck and spilled across the highway.

Great Eastern Highway near Carter Road has been closed in both directions and will remain closed for several hours due to the chemical spill-clean-up.

A truckie is dead and Great Eastern Highway has been closed off since just after 5am following a head-on collision between two trucks. Picture: Will Russell

Road users should allow extra travel time or use alternative routes where possible.

A truckdriver has died in a head-on crash near Beechina, about 50km east of Perth.

Meanwhile, a 34-year-old man has died in Royal Perth Hospital this morning after he was hit by a truck in Osborne Park just after 7am.

Police say the man was struck near the corner of Main and Hutton Streets about 7.20am.

He was taken to RPH with life-threatening injuries and died several hours later.

Anyone who saw the accident is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333000.

22.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hot 50: Boom 'burbs in your city

A home at Kilda West for sale for $1.85m. Prices in the suburbs have grown by 27.3 per cent over the past year. Source: Supplied

UNITS in Lilyfield in Sydney, Belmont in Perth and St Clair in Adelaide have recorded the highest price growth of all capital city suburbs with median prices rising as high as 50 per cent over the past 12 months.

The top 50 suburbs from RP Data reveals units in Lilyfield jumped by 50 per cent this year from a median sale price of $480,000 to a whopping $720,000 this year.

Units in Belmont in Perth were selling for $327,500 in 2012 but this year, their median sale price is $477,750 - growth of 45.8 per cent. In third position is Gregory Hills in outer Sydney, where apartments are currently selling around $489,900 which is 44.1 per cent higher than last year. Saint Clair in South Australia is next with units now 43.6 per cent more expensive at $405,000.

The best growth suburbs are a grab bag of apartments in areas of increasing urban density, and high end houses close to the city.

The most affordable property in the list is Smithfield Plains in South Australia, where the median price of a unit is just $215,000. This however, is a 43 per cent increase in price from last year. The most expensive high-growth suburb is Peppermint Grove in Perth, where houses leapt by 38.7 per cent to a whopping $3,537,500.

Other million plus suburbs with strong growth include houses in Kyle Bay in Sydney, where median prices grew 30.4 per cent to $1,372,500, St Kilda West in Melbourne where homes are now $1,655,000 (growth of 27.3 per cent) and Mount Pleasant in Perth which grew 30.4 per cent to $1,200,000.

Nineteen of the top 50 suburbs were located in NSW, three were in Queensland and five in Northern Territory, while South Australia had 10. There were only two in Victoria - units in Dromana (28.4 per cent) and houses in St Kilda West in 50th place and just one in Tasmania, where property price growth has long been in the doldrums. In the southern capital, the sought after Battery Point, with its old world charm on the edge of the CBD reported 28.5 per cent growth.

"It's a really varied bunch with a heap of cheap and cheerful suburbs together with high end premium areas close to the city," said senior research analyst at RP Data, Cameron Kusher.

"It shows that it's been the low end and middle end suburbs that have been strongest to date with the highest growth and most of these top growth suburbs are in the more affordable ranges."

But Mr Kusher said the data revealed the prestige market was also back on the move.

"Over the past six months, there has been quite a lot of strength in premium housing market - not the absolute top end but between $900,000 to $3m."

But while the figures showed every suburb in the top 50 had grown by more than 20 per cent, continued growth at that level should not be expected.

"The highest growth - 30 to 50 per cent growth - is hard to maintain year on year," Mr Kusher said.

He said he expected more suburbs in Brisbane and Adelaide to enter the list next year, while Melbourne would also be better represented.

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Explosives accused faces Bunbury court

A BUNBURY man has been charged over the discovery of several suspicious packages in the South West.

Police and army detonate a suspicious package in Australind last month. A man has been charged with possession of the explosives. Source: News Limited

A 33-year-old man has appeared in a West Australian court over the discovery of highly volatile explosive chemicals.

Ben Roberts was charged over the weekend with five counts of making or possessing explosives in suspicious circumstances.

He appeared briefly in the Bunbury Magistrates Court this morning and the case was adjourned until November 19 when he will make a bail application.

A member of the public found about 3kg of the substance TATP (acetone peroxide) hidden underwater near a jetty at Leschenault Estuary in Australind last month.

A second package was found at the same site 36 hours later, and both were destroyed in controlled detonations.

A third suspicious package was found at a disused caravan site at Peppermint Grove Beach last Friday, but police have not confirmed what it contained.

TATP, also known as "Mother of Satan", was used in the London terrorist bombings in 2005.

It is created through a chemical reaction between hydrogen peroxide and acetone, is highly volatile, and particularly susceptible to heat, friction and shock.

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Pregnant Gale 'excited and thrilled'

Megan Gale posted her sonogram to Instagram this afternoon. Source: Supplied

SUPERMODEL Megan Gale is expecting her first child with boyfriend Shaun Hampson.

The 38-year-old star posted a picture of her sonogram on Instagram.

"I'm so excited and thrilled to announce that my boyfriend Shaun and I are expecting our first child together and I'm 13 weeks pregnant," Gale wrote.

"We have prayed for this beautiful little soul to come along and now it's happened we could not be more thankful and we can't wait to be parents. SO looking forward to meeting you our little angel."

Gale's boyfriend Shaun Hampson, 25, plays AFL for Richmond.

The Perth born beauty has had a string of high profile romances. She dated Italian model Marzio Canevarolo for years before picking up with one of Australia's favourite funnymen, Andy Lee. The pair began dating in 2006 giving hope to gangly men countrywide. But the relationship was not to last with the couple breaking up in 2010.

Shaun Hampson and Megan Gale at the Caulfield Cup. Source: News Limited

Two months later, Gale was linked to Hampson.

At first Gale refused to talk about her new relationship, and for the first time in her career was branded "stony-faced" and a "diva".

"He's a professional athlete who has to focus on what he does," she told Sunday Magazine at the time. "I didn't want to do anything wrong by him or the club. My heart was in the right place trying to protect everyone, but it didn't win me any favours. That was a hard thing to deal with."

She said the very young Hampson (who is now 25) dealt with all the media pressure impressed her. "I was a bit overwhelmed, but he handled it in a very mature way," she said. "Some guys would have taken off like a rocket, some might have been outside posing with their top off - you just don't know!"

Shaun Hampson and Megan Gale at the Carlton Best and Fairest. Source: News Limited

Gale is adamant the 13-year age difference has been irrelevant. "If someone knows what they want out of life, it doesn't matter if they're 23 or 43. If they treat me well and make me laugh, that's enough," she explained. "Throwing around labels such as 'toyboy' or 'cougar' is unfair. You're defining someone without seeing past who they really are."

Does the age gap matter when it comes to planning a future together? "I don't plan a lot," she said. "I think you have to be a bit flexible. If you put limits on what you want to do, and when, you only set yourself up for disappointment if you don't achieve it. You don't know where life is going to take you."

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Aussie tells of post-typhoon horror

Mark Kita was with his fiance Lovella were in a hotel when Typhoon Haiyan hit at its most furious. They are at the Cebu airport waiting to catch a flight to Manila. Picture: Daniel Hartley-Allen Source: News Limited

TACLOBAN is now a toxic city of the dead, according to Australian Mark Kita, who was with his fiancé Lovella Montecina in a hotel when Typhoon Haiyan hit at its most furious.

"On Friday morning, by 6.30, we didn't feel safe because the whole building was wobbling," he said of the moment the biggest storm in recent history struck the XYZ Hotel in the island city's downtown.

"We went downstairs and while waiting for out breakfast the storm surge came in, pushed in the windows and came up to the second floor," he said.

"The building lost roofing and glass, but the shanties along the coast were all destroyed. In that one area alone they're saying there's 1000 dead."

Looters are now battling police and Mr Kita said the sound of gunfire has rung through the past two nights.

Mr Kita, from Bendigo, was on holiday visiting Lovella, who he will marry in coming months.

After the storm struck they walked together 10km from the hotel to her parents' house, past scenes of unimaginable destruction, with the corpses of people and animals lining the streets.

"Yesterday when we were walking back from the hotel they were picking up bodies in trucks. There's a stench throughout a lot of the city," Mr Kita said.

The pair said they scrambled to catch a flight out of Tacloban to the neighbouring island of Cebu, lucky to get aboard a commercial plane that had just delivered water and food.

They said there was nothing left for them in the city of around 100,000 except for a constant sense of danger.

At Cebu airport Australians were making their way to Manila and trying to reach home. Remy Mills, 49, from Mernda in North Melbourne, was holidaying in the Moving Pig Hotel in Lapu Lapu, on the island of Cebu.

"When it hit hard, we went in the basement," said Ms Mills, who has lived in Australia for 30 years. "It was so scary," she said after the luxury hotel lost its roof. "I grew up in the Philippines but I have never experienced that before."

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How much should politicians be paid?

The Salaries and Allowances Tribunal has commissioned a survey on politicians wages. Colin Barnett says he supports the review. Source: AP

OFFICIALS have finally come up with a poll West Australians will want to vote in: How much should politicians be paid?

About 400 people across the state will be asked what they think politicians are worth - ranging from less than $78,000 a year to more than $208,000.

They will also be quizzed on how many days they believe parliament sits each year and how many hours MPs work, and asked to compare a backbencher to a school principal, police senior sergeant, small business manager, mid-sized company chief executive, lawyer or "other".

How much do you think politicians should be paid? Comment below or tweet us @perthnow

The Salaries and Allowances Tribunal is commissioning the survey as part of its review into MPs' salaries and entitlements, at a time when public perception of those entitlements is at an all-time low after a string of controversies exposing dodgy expense claims.

Desperation as 10,000 feared dead

TORMENTED survivors of a typhoon that may have killed more than 10,000 have been left to rummage for food through debris scattered with corpses.

Joanne Lees almost destroyed case

THE lawyer who prosecuted one of Australia's most notorious killers Bradley John Murdoch reveals the victim's girlfriend almost ruined their case.

SAT chairman Bill Coleman said the public had "unfortunately" offered "very few responses" to the tribunal's submission process in the past, prompting it to commission a wide-ranging public survey.

"This will better inform the tribunal and supplement input from MPs and other research conducted by the tribunal," he told The Sunday Times.

He said the review would be completed next year, allowing the tribunal to "consult widely, consider a range of economic data and examine all aspects of the work of MPs" before handing down its next pay decision.

Curtin University and Edith Cowan University political analyst Harry Phillips said the "traditional Australian outlook" was highly critical of parliamentarians. But the reality was 70-hour working weeks, and "by and large, they're a very dedicated group of people who have one solitary objective of a better society".

Senior political analyst Jack Gregor, former chairman of the Commission on Government, said the recent string of questionable MP entitlements had harmed the public's perception of politicians, "but that probably isn't the real measure of what politicians usually do".

"They spend hours and hours and hours on the job, and they do a social service in their electorates because they can get access to people and get things done . . . but that's not the general public perception," he said.

The SAT launched the inquiry "to address the pay gap that exists here in WA" after Canberra MPs were awarded a 31.3 per cent pay rise last year.

Premier Colin Barnett has welcomed the review.
 

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Joanne Lees almost destroyed case

Why does British backpacker Peter Falconio's execution death and the abduction of his girlfriend Joanne Lees by Bradley John Murdoch in the remote NT outback tap into our worst nightmares?

MORE than anything, Rex Wild QC needed Joanne Lees to give him a performance, to show a little concern and a maybe a little heartache.

The trial of Bradley Murdoch was getting heavy coverage in Australia and England. Wild did not want the amateur psychoanalysts in the media commentating too freely on Lees' strangely cold and distant demeanour.

Such a big case demanded theatre, not just for the media but for the jury, and Lees was not giving it.

But the hulking Bradley John Murdoch, who stood accused of point-blank executing Lees' boyfriend, Peter Falconio, on July 14, 2001, thought he could.

Joanne Lees wrote a book about her terrifying ordeal.

Desperation as 10,000 feared dead

TORMENTED survivors of a typhoon that may have killed more than 10,000 have been left to rummage for food through debris scattered with corpses.

Joanne Lees almost destroyed case

THE lawyer who prosecuted one of Australia's most notorious killers Bradley John Murdoch reveals the victim's girlfriend almost ruined their case.

Things were going badly for his team. Murdoch needed to take the stand and testify, to try and win back some of the ground lost as the evidence stacked overwhelming against him.

Accused of point-blank execution ... Bradley John Murdoch, surrounded by police, was found guilty of the 2001 murder of missing British tourist Peter Falconio. AFP/David Hancock Source: News Limited

Murdoch might have been an efficient killer, but he was a bad actor. When Wild hit him between the eyes with his first question in cross-examination, Murdoch looked appalled and insulted, like Wild was being downright ungentlemanly.

Nearly destroyed their case against Bradley John Murdoch ... British tourist Peter Falconio's girlfriend Joanne Lees who escaped the abduction and attempted kidnapping. Picture: Supplied

PICTURES: OUTBACK KILLER BRADLEY JOHN MURDOCH

"Where did you bury Peter Falconio?" Wild demanded, springing the question without any legal foreplay.

The big man reeled, looking to the jury for understanding. Murdoch's lawyer, Grant Algie, rose, objecting. But that's why everyone was there.

Wild: "You've buried a body, haven't you?"

Murdoch: "No I have not."

"You buried Peter Falconio, didn't you?"

"No I did not."

Yes he did.

A risky witness ... Joanne Lees leaves the Darwin Supreme Court after giving evidence in the trial of Bradley John Murdoch in to the murder of Peter Falconio. Picture: Peter Bennett Source: News Limited

Murdoch, who was arrested in South Australia and extradited to Darwin 10 years ago this week, was tried and convicted in late 2005. The question of the whereabouts of Falconio continues to nag at those who were involved in securing his conviction, as it does his family.

Wild, who has since returned to private practice, told the jury that one day Falconio would be found. He believed it at the time, but has since cooled on the idea.

"It was a line I used in front of the jury because I wanted them thinking that," he says. "I wanted the jury to think, 'His body's out there. He's not walking around.'

"I still get people who talk to me and say, 'Where is he?' I say, 'He's dead, for Christ's sake.'"

Wild says he's never spent a second wondering if Murdoch was the wrong man. "Never," he says. "But it would be nice if there was a body."

Wild reveals that it was hard work getting Lees from England to Darwin for the trial.

"There was absolutely no case without her," he says. "There were phone calls made in the middle of the night to get her to come. She didn't want to come to testify.

"When you're in England, a long way away, you might think you don't have to."

Wild could never quite fathom Lees, and for that reason considered her a risky witness. It was not that he ever doubted her, but the prosecution team found it impossible to impress upon this singularly forceful personality that they possibly knew best.

She insisted on absolute control of her image - to the point of absurdity, by refusing to walk in the Supreme Court's front doors and instead arriving lying down on the back seat of a Commodore sedan, hidden under a jacket.

Throughout the trial, Wild's team was worried that Lees presented an aura of superiority and defiance that wasn't playing well. They wanted less of that from her.

"Yeah," says Wild, "but she wasn't going to give it. It was all explained to her: be yourself; let it all hang out; the jury will want to see your raw emotions. But no. Stiff upper-lip. It was not as though she was an upper-class girl - she was middle class. But she was not going to let these people get at her."

Lees knew best.

"I thought she was strikingly like Lindy Chamberlain in that respect," says Wild. "She was focused and completely cool and people might misread that and misunderstand that. People want some sympathy and tears and some lowering of the guard.

"But if you talk to the people who were there at Barrow Creek that night, she showed plenty. And she was totally believed by the truck drivers who rescued her and by Les Pilton (owner of the pub)."

Wild considers himself old-fashioned, in some respects, so when police unearthed emails that showed Lees had a fling with a guy named Nick, while working in a bookshop in Sydney, it troubled him.

Again, it wasn't that he thought her a suspect: it was her attitude. "Talking that through with young people, they said to me: that sort of thing happens. And yet I thought that showed a certain coolness about her. She was annoyed they found out, but she wasn't embarrassed."

She had upset the Falconio family by initially refusing to see them when they flew to Alice Springs after the murder; and during the trial, Peter's two brothers Paul and Nick had nothing to do with her until the very end.

One of Australia's most notorious killers ... Bradley John Murdoch has never admitted he killed Joanne Lee's boyfriend Peter Falconio in July 2001. Source: News Limited

Lees frustrated the prosecution because they believed she was a heroine who had made a remarkable and courageous escape. They couldn't get that across. Lees sat back, imperious, radiating a clear sense of distaste for all these northern cowboys.

There were fears she could derail attention from the man in the dock and invite such personal dislike as to imperil the case.

"Potentially, but it didn't happen," says Wild. "She was such a terrific witness as to the facts. And she's a good-looking young woman. It didn't matter in the end.

"I think she didn't quite behave as people expect their victims and their heroines to behave," says Wild. "The big thing that turned people around was the acting out in the court, where she got out of the cables."

This key moment arrived as Lees was being cross-examined by Murdoch's lawyer, Grant Algie, who ridiculed the notion she could have got her hands, which were secured tight with Murdoch's trademark cable-tie handcuffs, from behind her back.

"He laughed at her," says Wild. "And he said, 'All right, I'll leave it there.' And the judge said (to Algie): 'No, you won't. You've challenged her. The witness will do it.'

"There was a break. We went outside and she said, 'I'm not going to do it.' I said, 'Why not?' She said, 'I'm not going to be made a spectacle of.' That's the way she was. And I said, 'It'll look terrible if you don't.'"

Frustrated prosecution ... Joanne Lees, former girlfriend of missing British backpacker Peter Falconio, whose body has never been found. Source: News Limited

Lees relented. She sat, in the well of the court, hands tied behind her back with a necktie. She stood and instantly and effortlessly brought her hands to her front.

On the witness stand, finally Lees had let her hair down - literally - and wept when prodded by the judge to try and describe the terror she felt that night.

Two young British travellers, trundling along in an old Kombi in the empty outback night; pulled over by a friendly Aussie bloke and suddenly your boyfriend is missing and you've got a bag over your head.

You are punched in the head and trussed up and quite certain you are to be raped and killed. Your one mistake is to escape and survive: in the minds of some, you have become the suspect.

When Lees cried, the jury finally had the reasons they were looking for. This was not acting, but it was the performance Wild needed.

Then she wrote a book. After two years solid work on Murdoch's prosecution, Wild's team got no thanks.

"I was not surprised but disappointed that she dismissed the work we'd done in the case in one short sentence. Towards the end of the book, she said: 'I suppose I should thank the prosecutors. But then again, they were only doing their job.' Full stop."

They had put Lees up in a nice apartment, flown a friend out from London to be with her during the trial, given her victim support, personal security guards, paid for the kind of clothes that would make her presentable to a jury.

Most of all, they had believed her.

"That got no mention," says Wild. "That's pretty hurtful."

That said, Ms Lees' negative view of Australian law enforcement wasn't aided by the gruelling interview police put her through soon after Falconio's death in 2001 in which she was treated as a suspect or the fact that it was due to the investigation that the emails between her and her short-term lover, Nick, came to light

Wild is these days on the other side of the fence, defending clients in Darwin's Berrimah prison, where Big Brad is serving 28 years with no chance of parole. He hopes he doesn't run into Murdoch.

"I wouldn't like to see him, face to face," he says. "He's a big bastard. I'm scared of him. A nasty bloke."

They shift Murdoch between Darwin and Alice Springs prisons, to try and break his power. For some reason, the bloke with a tattoo of a black man being lynched on one arm seems to have a way with people.

"If there's a leader in the jail system, he's it," says Wild, who believes Murdoch plays a double act of maintaining his innocence while giving the menacing impression he's a killer.

Wild says he had a great uncle who was killed at Villers-Bretonneux in WWI. His body was found. His wife has a great uncle who was killed in the same conflict. His body was not. All he has is a name.

"I've got a grave, a body," Wild says. "It means a bit more. The Falconio family never got it and I suppose Joanne's never got it either."

Wild doubts Murdoch will ever tell. "I don't think so. Even on his deathbed, he'd probably say, 'There's something I always wanted to say: I didn't do it."

paul.toohey@news.com.au

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