Disease warning for Bali travellers

The Aedes Albopictus mosquito which transmits the Chikungunya virus. Source: AFP

WEST Australians have been given yet another reason to be cautious about travel to Bali amid a dramatic increase in cases of a mosquito-borne tropical disease there.

The latest Health Department data shows 51 reports of chikungunya virus have been made in WA since the start of the year - the most on record for the illness, which can leave victims with aching joints and inflammation for months.

A department alert said the spike was "wholly attributable" to an increase in cases from people who had been to Bali.

"The vast majority of cases (92 per cent) reported recent travel to Indonesia, and among these, 94 per cent had been to Bali," the alert said.

"The remaining four chikungunya cases in 2013 acquired their infections in Papua New Guinea, Singapore and an unspecified location in South-East Asia."

Just 31 cases of chikungunya virus were reported by West Australians between 2008 and 2012, an average of six per year.

Australian Medical Association WA vice-president Michael Gannon said it was important West Australians took appropriate precautions when travelling to Indonesia.

"People travelling to Bali do need to think about it differently to how they would travel within their own state and within their own country and they need to really take those extra precautions," he said.

"The attitude of many West Australians when they go to Bali is that it's no different to going to Busselton or Mandurah, but it's a much more dangerous place and one of the things that makes it more dangerous is tropical diseases."

Similar to Ross River virus, symptoms of chikungunya virus during its acute phase, which typically lasts several days, include a fever, rash, headaches, nausea, vomiting and conjunctivitis.

He said West Australians travelling to Bali should ensure their vaccinations were up-to-date and be meticulous about handwashing.

"Use appropriate insect repellents, wear appropriate clothing and think twice before you travel to places where you are at greater risks," he said.

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TC Christine intensifies off WA's north coast

WA'S north is preparing for Tropical Cyclone Christine, after a tropical low intensified to cyclone strength late this evening.

The category one cyclone was named this evening today after wind gusts near the centre of the system intensified as predicted to 100km/h.

The weather system, which for the moment remains well off the WA coast, is expected heavy rain across coastal areas of the Kimberley and Pilbara in coming days.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a cyclone warning for coastal areas from Cape Leveque to Whim Creek, including Broome and Port Hedland.

A cyclone watch is current for coastal areas from Whim Creek to Exmouth, including Karratha and Onslow, and extending inland to Paraburdoo.

At 6pm, the weather system was estimated to be 310km north-north-west of Broome and

570km north-north-east of Port Hedland, and moving 12km/h parallel to the coast.

Gales with gusts to 100 kilometres per hour may develop on the west Kimberley coast between Cape Leveque and Broome during today.

Heavy rainfall is expected today and Sunday in coastal areas of the west Kimberley.

As the system begins to approach the Pilbara coast later on Sunday gales are expected to extend further west to Whim Creek, including Port Hedland.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has issued a blue alert for people in or near the coastal and inland communities of Dampier Peninsula to Onslow.

This includes people in Broome, Port Hedland, South Hedland, Whim Creek, Roebourne, Point Samson, Wickham, Karratha and Dampier and surrounding areas.

DFES has advised that 30 SES and VES volunteers from the Kimberley and Pilbara are on standbyand the Gibb River Road is closed from Lennard River to Wyndham.

Flood warning

The storm has also prompted a flood warning and people in Kimberley and Pilbara communities are being urged to prepare for heavy rainfall.

The Bureau of Meteorology advises that a flood watch for the west Kimberley has been issued and heavy rainfall is possible about the north and west Kimberley over the weekend.

For the next 24 hours, widespread rainfall of 70mm to 80mm with isolated heavier falls are forecast for areas from Broome to Kalumburu.

Rainfall during the past few days and the forecast rainfall for next 24 hours in the West Kimberley may cause significant stream rises with areas of flooding.

The rain is likely to extend into the Pilbara on Monday and Tuesday.

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Gen Demountable at primary school

Demountable classrooms such as these will be in two-thirds of primary schools next year. Source: News Limited

AN extra 114 transportable classrooms will be used to teach primary school students in 2014 - meaning two-thirds of public primary schools are now using them.

More than 400 of the state's 606 public primary schools will use demountable buildings next year, prompting concern WA students are becoming a "demountable generation".

An Education Department report to Parliament, in response to Opposition questions, shows an increase of 114 transportables, up from 1388 this year.

WA Primary Principals Association president Steve Breen described the situation as unacceptable. He pointed out that private school students were not educated in demountable classrooms.

"This is the question that needs to be answered - why do government schools have demountables and non-government schools don't have demountables?" he said.

"I don't think it's acceptable. If we are going to provide a first-class education system, we have to provide a first-class environment for students and teachers and support staff to work.

"Some of the schools in the northern suburbs and the southern belt and out past Ellenbrook, they have got some real problems.

"There needs to be greater co-ordination between government bodies. With these influxes (in student numbers), I think the Government knows where the students are going to go - they should be able to plan for those."

Shadow treasurer Ben Wyatt said the Government had "not done the basics in ensuring schools have the facilities to keep up with the state's booming population".

"Under Colin Barnett, WA kids are becoming a demountable generation," he said.

"Mr Barnett is happy to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on luxuries like Elizabeth Quay, while cutting essentials like school classrooms to pay for it. It will get worse because Mr Barnett has grossly underfunded the cost of moving Year 7 students into high schools."

Education Minister Peter Collier said transportable classrooms, had been used for decades in the public system.

Mr Collier said WA's growing population had "put some strain on the Education Department", but that pressure on primary schools would be eased in 2015 when Year 7s move into high schools.

He said that 29 secondary schools would also be upgraded "to ensure they can meet the demands of a growing school population".

Next year, Meadow Springs Primary School will have 23 transportable classrooms, followed by Makybe Rise Primary School with 22, Bletchley Park Primary School with 20, and Willetton Senior High School with 19.

Within public secondary schools, there will be 335 transportable classrooms in 2014 and 435 in 2015, up from 326 this year.

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Two-day Rotto swim on cards

Competitors hit the water for the 2013 Rottnest Channel Swim. Source: Supplied

PERTH'S Rottnest Channel Swim is set for a major overhaul, after a record number of applicants were turned away from the 2014 event.

The world's largest open water swim will get bigger under a plan to split it over two days or two concurrent races.

Rottnest Channel Swim Association president David Corney said a second starting line, in addition to the traditional Cottesloe Beach starting point, was the most favoured option.

The number of competitors who can take part in the 19.7km HBF Rottnest Channel Swim each year is determined by how many solo swimmers enter the race.

This year 274 are competing.

Each team or swimmer must be accompanied by a support crew boat and there is a cap on the number of boats allowed during the race.

Every solo competitor who registers is guaranteed a spot, while team and duo positions are determined by a ballot.

This year there was a 17 per cent increase in the number of solo entries (from 234 to 274), leaving just 157 duo places and 405 team places.

Organisers also received a record number of duo and team registrations. From the ballot, 27 per cent of applicants had to be declined, he said.

"That's the highest number ever," Mr Corney said.

"It's a good problem to have but it's a problem we are acutely sensitive to because we know the attraction of the event and it disappoints a lot of swimmers."

He said the association was considering a number of options with a decision to be made before April.

Running the event on Saturday and Sunday from 2015 - the event's 25th anniversary holding it on two consecutive Saturdays and twin starting and finishing lines were options being considered.

"Instead of having it all at Cottesloe, we would leave from elsewhere as well as Cottesloe and then have two finish lines," he said.

He said swimmers would be consulted before a final decision was made.

Mr Corney said preparations were "going well" for the February 22 event and he did not expect any negative impacts from the State Government's plan to install drum lines to catch sharks.

"We're always concerned (about sharks) but we don't see that as the highest risk of the event; we see boat safety as a far higher issue," he said

Floreat, City Beach and Leighton Beach were closed yesterday after shark sightings.

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Pollies' offices to cost further $3m

WA Premier Colin Barnett. Source: News Limited

TAXPAYERS are having to shell out an extra $3 million to refurbish offices for Barnett Government ministers, just 18 months after the same building underwent a $56 million facelift.

Dumas House in West Perth will undergo more work to accommodate two more ministers - Ken Baston and Bill Marmion. Other ministers are based there.

A spokeswoman for Premier Colin Barnett said the $3 million was money well spent and would be recouped in three years.

But the Opposition has described the expenditure as "outrageous", so soon after expensive refurbishments.

The $3 million, to be spent in 2014-15, was cited in the Government's recently released midyear financial projections statement.

Mr Barnett's spokeswoman said: "Two leases for offices currently occupied by ministers Baston and Marmion in London House and Allendale Square will expire in 2014, and will not be renewed.

"These two leases currently cost almost $1 million per year.

"The cost of fitout for the relocation of ministers at Dumas House will amount to approximately $3 million, meaning that the cost of this will be recouped in rent savings in just over three years.''

Government ministers previously in offices in St Georges Terrace were transferred to Dumas House in 2012.

Mr Barnett had the option of also moving to Dumas House, but instead built new offices for himself and his staff near Parliament House, at a further cost of $26 million.

Shadow treasurer Ben Wyatt said it was another example of extravagance and wrong priorities when the Government was taking the axe to projects such as light rail to bring debt under control.

"Colin Barnett always prioritises spending on himself and expects West Australians to cop cuts to frontline services to pay for it,'' he said.

Figures released in state parliament earlier this month showed that since November last year, security services for the Premier's offices at Hale House have cost taxpayers $555,023.

When utilities and gardening services are added, the bill rises to $720,660.

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Jobless Kiwis flocking to Australia

New Zealanders denied benefits as Australians in this country dwespite payingn taxes ... New Zealander Reiana Aiomanu with her two children, Billi-Amor McGie (10 months) and Jayla-Jane McGhie (2). Source: News Limited

JOBLESS Kiwis are flocking to Australia in search of work - and demanding the dole.

New Zealand migration to Australia has soared 40 per cent during the global financial crisis, as tens of thousands of South Pacific and Asian migrants use New Zealand as a back door to duck Australia's tough migration controls.

But Australia's welfare crackdown is forcing jobless Kiwi migrants to sardine into share houses with friends and extended family on the fringes of major cities.

Anglicare wants the federal government to lift its ban on unemployment and sickness benefits to recent New Zealand migrants.

Salome Swan, of Anglicare Southern Queensland, said jobless families were surviving on meagre Family Tax Benefit payments.

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Some Kiwi migrant families had 24 people sharing a single house, with just one person working.

"It's getting worse,'' Ms Swan said yesterday.

"There are lots of overcrowded houses with two or three families and lots of kids staying in one house.

"I've seen families just living on the family allowance, and the eldest child at high school is working at McDonalds to support them.''

New Zealand has now lost 12 per cent of its population to Australia, as Kiwis search for work and higher pay across the Tasman.

New Zealanders with a clean criminal record can live indefinitely in Australia on a "444 visa", which is granted automatically when they arrive.

But the 444 visa locks them out of the welfare benefits paid to citizens and "permanent residents'' - even if they have worked and paid taxes in Australia.

New Zealanders who have arrived in Australia since 2001 must wait 10 years to apply for the dole - which is cut off after six months - and their children cannot access the HECS loans scheme to attend university.

But they can receive a Disability Support Pension and Family Tax Benefits.

Ms Swan said it was unfair that New Zealanders had to pay tax while working here, but could not access full welfare benefits if they became sick or lost their job.

"If they find work it's fine, but it's lucky if they find work,'' she said.

"There are a lot more Samoans coming through - lots of Islanders have come from New Zealand and they can have more difficulties because of their poor language skills.''

Ms Swan said New Zealand-born high school students were not going to university because they could not afford the fees.

"The children who were brought up here don't want to go back (to New Zealand) and that means a lot of them end up homeless, or just hanging around and couch-surfing,'' she said.

Demographer Bob Birrell, of Monash University's Centre for Population and Urban Research, yesterday called for more controls on open-ended Kiwi migration.

"To allow this uncontrolled flow of New Zealanders when we've got far too many young people looking for entry level jobs is irresponsible,'' he said.

"The wage levels here are 10 to 20 per cent higher here.''

Immigration data reveals that 648,200 New Zealand citizens are living in Australia - up from 470,000 in 2007, before the start of the global financial crisis.

Nearly 85,000 Kiwi citizens were born outside New Zealand - meaning one in every eight of the migrants gained New Zealand citizenship before switching to Australia.

The statistics show that 10,592 New Zealanders were born in Samoa, 5269 in the Cook Islands and 2754 in Fiji.

Another 14,744 Kiwi citizens were born in Asia, 5842 in Africa and 2116 in the Middle East.

About 64,000 Australian citizens are living in New Zealand.

New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully urged New Zealanders to be aware of their welfare rights before moving to Australia.

"New Zealanders planning to move to Australia need to make sure they are aware of their rights and entitlements and make sure they have back-up if things do not go to plan,'' he said in a statement issued to News Corp Australia.

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Pompous Piers cops it from Lee

CNN talk show host Piers Morgan has faced up to an over from Brett Lee, and the results werent pretty.

Piers Morgan salutes the crowd after facing an over from Brett Lee in the MCG nets. Source: Getty Images

IT wasn't the fields or the beaches on which his beloved Winston Churchill urged the fight, but Piers Morgan can at least say he never surrendered.

Facing "overwhelming odds" - and Brett Lee bowling in excess of 130km/h - the outspoken former Fleet Street editor turned CNN talkshow host put his arm, ribs, back and just about every part of his body where his mouth has been for weeks.

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Piers Morgan salutes the crowd after facing an over from Brett Lee in the MCG nets. Source: Getty Images

Morgan, who told his 3.8 million Twitter followers how soft his beloved English cricket team had become, recently urged the batsmen to "grow a pair" and that he'd "love" to face Aussie speedster Mitchell Johnson.

Never one to back down from a challenge, that escalated into a brief - albeit very painful - net session against Lee at the MCG on Friday, with at least 2000 baying Aussie fans, including Johnson and Peter Siddle, looking on.

Morgan was sat on his rump, bowled and struck three times in one fiery over in which Lee extended himself to "about 85 per cent" capacity.

Piers Morgan tries to sledge Brett Lee during their over in the MCG nets. Image: Channel 9 / WWOS Source: Supplied

Lee said he'd done a "public service" by inflicting a bit of pain.

"He got hurt but he didn't get maimed, so that's a positive step," the former Aussie paceman said.

"You have to give full credit to the guy - he's going to be really sore tomorrow.

"He has a serious, serious bad lump on his wrist, he got a couple (in the) ribs, one on the back - that noise it made was a sickening blow.

"But he kept on going, so you have to take your hat off to the guy.

"The biggest smile around the ground was from Mitchell Johnson I think. I looked over at Mitch and he gave me a wink, he was quite chuffed."

Piers Morgan falls to the ground after a bouncer from Brett Lee. Image: Channel 9 / WWOS Source: Supplied

Lee later tweeted a picture of what appeared to be Morgan's arm complete with a nasty bruise.

Morgan joked he felt "like Brian Close in 1976" after the West Indies left him bruised and battered, but said it hadn't changed his opinion about the English batsmen.

"No. It's made me reassess what you need out here on an Ashes tour and that is courage, fortitude and a Churchillian spirit of never giving in despite overwhelming odds," he said.

"It was quite intimidating - a big crowd and the Aussies all came out to watch a proper Pom with a bit of guts to him and I think they were all quite impressed.

"I think Johnson was pleased he wasn't bowling at me.

"I came to do a job - I knew I wouldn't hit him, particularly, but I thought if I could just survive an over, I'd make a point on behalf of all the England fans who'd paid to be here, which is you just have to show a bit of stiff upper lip."

Brett Lee congratulates Piers Morgan after the Englishman faced an over of his bowling in the MCG nets. Source: Supplied

Morgan said West Indian stars Viv Richards and Chris Gayle had advised him to advance down the pitch to upset Lee's length.

"Unfortunately, despite (Lee's) nice-guy image, he's a very nasty piece of work," Morgan said afterwards having been iced for growing bruises.

"But he saw me coming, he loved the crowd and he speared it straight into my guts, my hands and everything - a deliberate attempt to maim me.

"And that's despite his own mother telling him this morning not to hurt this guy, whoever he is.

"But my central point was not to score big runs, but to survive the over intact and as you may have seen by the way I was beckoning him like Rocky Balboa, the faster he bowled, the harder he hit me, the more I told him to crank it up.

"That's what I call British spirit and that's what I want to see from the England team going forward.

"I hope (England coach) Andy Flower is watching, because I showed more guts in that 10-minute session than his team have shown in four Test matches.

"So I'm ready, ready for the call."

On Twitter, his efforts won some praise from Chris Gayle.

Morgan is a cricket tragic, who is always keen to let his feelings be known on Twitter, especially during Test matches.

It was on the social media site that today's novelty contest was allegedly born, after Morgan unleashed on Alistair Cook when he lost his wicket in Adelaide.

Morgan slammed the England captain's "reckless stupidity" and called him "pathetic". The former village cricketer later claimed he would relish facing Aussie paceman Mitchell Johnson and that England's batsmen needed to "grow a pair".

Professional courtesy led to Lee firing back at Morgan, wondering how he would cope facing the sort of deliveries Johnson was unleashing and offering to let him find out in the MCG nets.

Morgan replied: "Game on".

Chris Rogers and Steve Smith have embarked on a rebuilding mission after Australia lost three early wickets in their first innings at the MCG.

Dave Warner and Shane Watson are both dismissed before lunch, after Mitchell Johnson earlier helped bowl England out for 255 on day two at the MCG.

Unsurprisingly, there was plenty of Twitter trash talk ahead of today's showdown.

Morgan posted footage of himself getting in the ring with boxer Manny Pacquiao as well as a link to Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar hitting Lee for three boundaries in an over in 2008.

Lee replied that it was likely to more resemble footage of him smashing Tendulkar on the helmet with a bouncer.

Other cricketers and sporting stars were quick to join in, including former Formula 1 driver Mark Webber, who received a sharp retort from Morgan.

To add to the showmanship, Morgan even claimed he had to sign a personal indemnity form sent by Channel 9.

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SHARK PLAN: Baited beaches will cost $1m

There has been widespread criticism of the Government's plan to kill sharks that come close to shore.

THE WA Government's controversial new catch and kill shark policy is likely to cost taxpayers around $1 million this summer.

Premier Colin Barnett today revealed the estimated figure as the locations of the 72 baited hooks which will be used to lure sharks was announced today.

From January 10, WA Fisheries will deploy baited drum lines along five locations in the Perth metropolitan area - Ocean Reef/Mullaloo, Trigg/Scarborough, Floreat/City Beach, Cottesloe/North Cottesloe and Port Leighton - and off three beaches in the state's South West - Old Dunsborough, Meelup/Castle Rock and Gracetown - where the most recent fatality occurred.

The announcement comes as the Government put out its tender for professional fisherman to "humanely" destroy sharks caught by the drum lines.

Today Mr Barnett and new WA Fisheries Minister Ken Baston confirmed sharks caught by the drum lines that had not already died would be shot by firearm and discarded at sea.

The WA Government today revealed the metropolitan and South West beaches which will be drum-line baited for large sharks.

They also said anyone who tried to sabotage baited drum lines by either stealing the bait, hooks or interfere with contracted commercial fisherman would face a $20,000 fine.

Commercial fisherman will monitor the drum lines for 12 hours a day, seven days a week. They will then rebait the hooks overnight, it was also revealed today.

The WA Government has copped harsh criticism from conservationists over its controversial new plan, despite similar measures already in operation in New South Wales and Queensland.

A report by Bond University for WA Fisheries in 2005 explicitly recommended against using baited drum lines or shark nets in WA because of the risk to other marine life as well as the cost.

Premier Colin Barnett holding a hook which is part of the baited drum line that will be used to catch and kill large sharks as part of the WA Government's control policy.

When asked by PerthNow if the Department of Fisheries and its scientists supported the new measures, regional manager Tony Cappelluti, replied: "This is a government policy and we support the policy and we are going to play a very big role, we are determined to make sure it works."

Mr Barnett also made it clear the catch and kill policy was a government decision, not WA Fisheries.

"This is a policy decision of government and Fisheries have the responsibility of implementing it," he said.

"I understand that particularly in the research community that people do not support the killing of sharks but we have to face as a government a balance of the issue.

Popular Scarborough Beach will be among a selection of metropolitan beaches which will be drumline baited.

"Seven fatalities in three years says to me and my cabinet colleagues is that we must act. And it's no different than what happens in NSW and QLD. The way this is being done in WA, it has been designed to only catch the large sharks which are likely to be a threat."

And while Mr Barnett could not reveal whether the contracted fisherman would be given a quota, he said the public would be updated on the number and types of sharks caught over the summer.

On Tuesday, the WA government called for professional shark fishermen to apply to patrol the state's waters and kill any shark bigger than three metres spotted in the designated zones.

After the death of surfer Chris Boyd in Gracetown last month, Mr Barnett said the WA government "had to intervene more directly".

The death of Gracetown surfer Chris Boyd has triggered the state Government's shark strategy.

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Authorities probe roof death

Authorities are investigating if electricity played a part in the death of a man in his 70s in the roof of a Ledge Point home this morning. Picture: File image Source: News Limited

AUTHORITIES are investigating if electricity played a part in the death of a man in his 70s in the roof of a Ledge Point home this morning.

EnergySafety and Western Power inspectors are assisting police to investigate the death and have indicated at this stage it is unclear if electricity was involved.

The man was believed to have been in his own roof space when he died.

EnergySafety thoroughly investigates electricity and gas related incidents in WA, with a view to preventing them in the future.

EnergySafety acting executive director Michael Bunko gave his sincere condolences to the man's family.

"Although it is still unclear how this man died, I take the opportunity to remind people of the lethal electrical dangers when working in roof spaces and the importance of turning off the electricity main switch at the main switchboard before venturing up into the roof space," Mr Bunko said.

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Man killed by lightning strike on Fraser Coast

A YOUNG boy survived a freak lightning strike which killed a man on a beach near Fraser Island Friday night.

The pair was on the beach at Inskip Point between Beagle and Sarawak camping grounds, two popular tourists destinations, when the lightning struck the man about 6.15pm.

It's believed they were among a group of people on the Fraser Coast beach when the lightning hit.

The man died on the beach while the young boy was not seriously injured.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokeswoman said the boy was alert and conscious when he was taken to Gympie hospital as a precaution.

Manager at the Rainbow Beach Holiday Village Annette Cochrane, 50, said thousands of tourists were at Inskip Point when the lightning struck.

"There are about 3000 people out there at the moment, it is absolutely packed. Rainbow Beach is packed these holidays," she said.

The national park area, which is at the northern tip of Rainbow Beach and is where the ferry barge to Fraser Island is located, is a popular destination for camping.

Last night, a quick but powerful storm hit the area.

"We did have a lot of lightning and at one stage the doors were rattling with thunder," Ms Cochrane said.

"The sky was really black, then we got the thunder and lightning and it was very muggy."

"It didn't last long but it must have been pretty bad out there on the beach," she said.

Ms Cochrane has lived in Rainbow Beach for 16 years and never heard of a fatal lightning strike in the area before.

"It is shocking, it's terrible."

Ashleigh Hunter, from the Rainbow Beach Hotel, said locals and tourists were shocked by the news.

"Everyone is really sad and shocked and pretty upset," she said.

"We heard the strike and then the ambulance went past and we heard one of the customers say that there was a man fishing (when he was struck by lightning)..."

Inskip Point is about 250km north of Brisbane.

The storm came as Queensland's southeast was being warned of extreme weather over the weekend.

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Injured solo sailor rescued off WA

70-year-old sailor Terry Renton was rescued off Lancelin. Picture: @9newsPerth/Twitter Source: Supplied

Man rescued from this yacht 50km off Lancelin. Picture: @Westo_9/Twitter Source: Supplied

Lancelin Sea Rescue has picked up a 70-year-old injured one sailor who activated his EPIRB distress beacon about 60km west of Yanchep. Source: News Limited

AN injured 70-year-old lone sailor has been picked up by a Lancelin Sea Rescue vessel and brought to shore.

The sailor activated his EPIRB about 9.30am today off the coast about 100km north of Perth.

The rescued man is 70-year-old sailor Terry Renton, who told Ten News he was hit by the boom on his yacht yesterday.

It is understood the sailor has a back injury and set off his EPIRB when he realised he was unable to continue to sail his boat.

Mr Renton said he launched the EPIRB when he could not get any help through his two-way radios.

The RAC Rescue chopper was also called in to assist the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) search for Mr Renton.

He was found about six nautical miles (11km) off the coast of Ledge Point, 120km north of Perth.

Mr Renton has been transported back to Lancelin by sea and a Lancelin Volunteer Sea Rescue vessel is towing his unmanned yacht.

It is believed the man will be assessed by a medical team once he has been brought ashore and could be transferred to hospital depending on the severity of his injury.

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Paragliding emergency in Albany

A person has been injured in a paragliding incident near Albany this afternoon. Picture: File image. Source: News Limited

A MAN has been injured in a paragliding incident near Albany this afternoon, with emergency workers rescuing him from a cliff face.

The RAC Rescue helicopter has been sent to the incident on Sandpatch Road, in Sandpatch, for assistance.

Career Fire and Rescue Service firefighters and Department of Fire and Emergency Services State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers from Albany were at the scene.

Police say the 26-year-old was paragliding in Sandpatch, near Albany, when something went wrong.

A spokesman for the Department of Fire and Emergency Services said crews were working to raise the trapped man up the cliff face.

The rescue helicopte assisted at the incident, but was not required as the paraglider was transported by road.

The spokesman said firefighters and volunteers from Albany used confined space rescue techniques to remove the man from the cliff face.

A police media spokeswoman said the man's injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.

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Boat sinks in Mosman Bay

A boat has sunk in Perth's Swan River near Mosman Park. Picture: File image Source: News Limited

A BOAT has sunk in Perth's Swan River near Mosman Park.

A boat carrying up to 12 people capsized in the river when it was tied to other vessels for the annual Raft Up event, Seven News reported.

Water Police said no one was injured in the incident.

People tried to stop the boat from sinking and towed it to shallow water.

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Christmas cut to Corby's sentence

22/0fp Source: News Limited

AUSTRALIAN drug trafficker Schapelle Corby has had her sentence in an Indonesian prison cut by two months as part of an annual Christmas remission program, an official said today.

Ika Yusanti, the justice ministry prisons spokeswoman, said she was receiving the reduction for "good behaviour".

However the official was tight-lipped about the 36-year-old's prospects for parole amid speculation she may be released from jail on the resort island of Bali in the near future.

The island's corrections board in August recommended Corby for early release from the notorious Kerobokan jail but the process has been bogged down by bureaucratic wrangling.

Corby was sentenced to 20 years in jail in 2005 for smuggling 4.1 kilos (nine pounds) of marijuana into Bali the previous year.

But she has received several remissions and a sentence cut of five years from the president after she filed an appeal for clemency.

If granted parole, Corby would still be bound to the island and obliged to report regularly to authorities. She would live with her sister on Bali under the terms of the parole agreement.

If she continues to receive the usual sentence reductions during her parole period, she could be free to return home to Australia by mid-2015.

Renae Lawrence -- part of a group of Australian drug traffickers known as the Bali Nine jailed at Kerobokan -- also had her sentence cut by two months. She was originally jailed for 20 years.

Under the Christmas programme, the justice ministry granted 8,429 prisoners across the country sentence cuts.

Sentences are routinely cut in Indonesia to mark major religious celebrations and the country's independence day on August 17.

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Renegades choke on small chase

The Melbourne Renegades have blown their attempt at a small chase, allowing Perth Scorchers to post their first win of the BBL season with a drama-packed finish.

Scorchers new recruit Yasir Arafat celebrates the wicket of Peter Nevill. Source: News Limited

VETERAN import Yasir Arafat produced a remarkable display with the ball to lead the Perth Scorchers to an unlikely six-run win over the Melbourne Renegades at the WACA Ground.

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In his Big Bash League debut, Arafat snared 3-15 from his four overs to help turn the game on its head after the Scorchers had stuttered to just 7-117 from their 20 overs.

With the Renegades needing 13 to win off the final over, Alfonso Thomas held his nerve to deny Aaron O'Brien, leaving paceman Andrew Fekete to try and hit a six off the final ball to force a bowl-off.

But he could only produce a swing and a miss, with Thomas helping make amends after leaking plenty of runs at the death during Perth's tight loss to Brisbane just four days earlier.

Arafat, 31, produced a fine performance with the ball barely 72 hours after arriving in WA as a replacement for West Indian Dwayne Smith.

With the Renegades seemingly cruising at 0-38 after four overs, Arafat claimed the prize scalp of Aaron Finch (15) to spark the visitors' collapse.

Alfonso Thomas celebrates the wicket of Tom Cooper. Source: News Limited

When Mitch Marsh (2-15 off four overs) produced a rare double-wicket maiden, the Renegades were labouring at 4-58 and the upset was on.

Arafat returned to claim two late scalps with his right-arm pace and send the crowd of 15,953 into a frenzy.

The win marked the lowest score defended in a 40-over game in BBL history, with no sixes hit by either side.

Earlier, the Scorchers suffered a remarkable 14-over boundary drought through the middle of their innings as they limped to their paltry total, with Nathan Rimmington (2-14 off four overs) bowling an unrelenting line and Muttiah Muralidaran (1-13 off four) perplexing his opponents.

Simon Katich had no problems finding the boundary in the first five overs, belting five past the rope before feathering one through to the keeper on 29 to hand Tom Cooper a rare wicket.

But Muralidaran and Aaron O'Brien quickly put the clamps on, bowling a disciplined line to restrict the scoring to singles.

Peter Nevill and Tom Cooper celebrate the wicket of Simon Katich. Pic: Paul Kane Source: Getty Images

Shaun Marsh (31) and Sam Whiteman (4) then fell trying to lift the run rate, with both players caught on the boundary.

Mitch Marsh (16 off 27) had plenty of plays-and-misses as he struggled to recapture his form from his side's opening clash on Sunday.

He was bowled during a wicket-maiden from Rimmington, and the inexperienced Scorchers lower order was unable to provide any late burst to leave the side in a precarious position at the innings break.

Follow all the action from the vital clash right here, with our live blog, featuring social media updates and commentary on all the big moments!

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Four hurt as BA plane hits building

A British Airways jet crashed into a building just before takeoff at Johannesburg's main airport, injuring four. Picture: Harriet Tolputt Source: Supplied Source: Supplied

A BRITISH Airways aeroplane carrying 202 people struck an office building at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport with its wing while taxiing for takeoff, slightly injuring four people, aviation authorities say.

The Boeing 747-400 en route for London Heathrow Airport on Sunday night took a runway that was too narrow for the plane, said South African Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) spokeswoman Phindiwe Gwebu today.

"This resulted in the aircraft's right-hand wing impacting the office building," she told AFP.

The control tower "told them to take one taxiway and they took another one. They took a wrong one," said Gwebu.

Passenger John Hart told the BBC: "We were just taxiing along and then boom!"

He said the captain described it as a "little incident" but everyone on the right-hand side of the plane could see what had happened.

Four people inside the building were lightly injured, but the 185 passengers and 17 crew on board were unharmed during the late-night accident, according to the CAA.

"Four ground-handling employees who were in the building at the time experienced minor injuries," Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) said in a statement.

A photo taken by a passenger from the cabin showed the aircraft's giant wing wedged into a quarter of the length of the small building.

Harriet Tolputt, head of media for international humanitarian organisation Oxfam, posted the pictures to Twitter.

"BA plane crashes into building at J Burg airport. No one injured only the pilot's pride," she posted, complaining that first-class passengers were evacuated before the rest.

The stuck plane had still not been able to take off by Monday morning. All the passengers were taken to a nearby hotel, according to ACSA.

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CCC slams police, releases assault video

CCTV captures Broome Police dragging a man into his cell.

FOOTAGE of a former WA policeman apparently punching and kneeing a prisoner in the head has been released after a lawyer for the constable failed in a court bid to suppress the video.

The footage was first revealed during public hearings held by the state's corruption watchdog examining alleged misconduct by police at the Broome watch-house.

The Corruption and Crime Commission hearings came after two alleged violent assaults this year involving the same policeman, whose name has been suppressed.

His lawyer had lodged a Supreme Court injunction against the public release of the footage.

When that bid failed, an appeal was lodged, which was also dismissed, and the policeman decided on Monday not to pursue the matter in the High Court.

The CCC tabled its report into the matter and the video in parliament on Monday afternoon, as planned, and criticised police for failing to intervene.

CCTV footage showed an 18-year-old man with his head seemingly pulled back by the force of a neck hold.

At one point, both his feet are off the ground and he is seen slumping, although there is insufficient evidence to conclude he lost consciousness.

He is then taken to a padded cell and stripped naked by five police officers.

Three weeks later, the same officer is seen on camera punching and kneeing a 31-year-old man after the detainee hit him in the nose.

The officer is later seen throwing the detainee to the floor, face down while his hands are cuffed behind him.

He is then left face down and unresponsive.

The report concluded the actions of the former constable, who resigned in May, might constitute criminal assault.

The CCC has formed "opinions of misconduct" against him for both incidents and an evidence brief is being prepared.

Nine other officers were also criticised for failing to intervene and report the incidents.

The report also revealed a widespread failure in supervision and failure to render assistance, including medical care.

When the 31-year-old man was released from prison 10 days after the incident, he went to hospital where he learned he had a fractured finger and a haemorrhage to his eye, the CCC said. "The WA police manual expressly warns against leaving a detainee lying face down with hands restrained behind their backs due to the risk of positional asphyxia," the report said.

A series of recommendations for police include highlighting techniques to help officers de-escalate violence in lock-ups, options for ensuring vulnerable detainees receive medical assessments, and additional training for officers with supervisory responsibilities in lock-ups.

The report concludes that failure of supervision may be a systemic issue for WA police.

But WA Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan outright rejected that finding.

Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan. Source: News Limited

"The Corruption and Crime Commission has looked at two incidents, there are thousands of lock up admissions in Western Australia every year," he said.

"If find it difficult how you can draw that sort of conclusion from two incidents alone, so we reject that particular suggestion out of hand."

Mr O'Callaghan said the assaults against the two men were regrettable and disappointing.

He said he had personally apologised to the Aboriginal victim, known as D4 in the report, in May this year.

However, Mr O'Callaghan criticised the commission for the time it had taken to release it's report, hindering any possible police charges.

He said internal investigators notified the CCC of the incidents.

Once the Commission started its own investigation it prevented police from continuing their own.

"The CCC investigation has taken too long, there is clearly an offence and yet the former officer involved has still not bee charged," Mr O'Callaghan said.

Three currently serving officers remain stood down in relation to the incidents.

Two are facing loss of confidence proceedings and the third may also be served with a loss of confidence notice.

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Dad takes son for barefoot ride

A father was charged after he was caught riding a motorcycle with his five-year-old son sitting on the fuel tank. He was caught by the new WA Police unmarked motorcycles. Source: Supplied

A FATHER has been fined for riding his motorcycle with his five-year-old son sitting on his lap and leaning on the fuel tank in Perth yesterday.

The man was caught riding with his son, both in shorts and T-shirts and the son barefoot, on Scarborough Beach Road about lunchtime on December 22 in Innaloo.

He is one of the first people to be charged by officers riding on the new unmarked police motorcycles fitted with helmet cameras to record drivers offending on WA roads.

The man was charged with carrying a passenger on his lap. He was fined $100 and one demerit point.

A police spokesman said police inquiries into further charges, such as riding with a passenger under the age of eight, were continuing.

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Boy, 16, charged over Balga assault

A 16-YEAR-OLD has been charged as teenager fights for his life in Royal Perth Hospital after being found with life-threatening injuries near bushland in Balga yesterday.

A TEENAGER has appeared in the Perth Children's Court charged with grievous bodily harm and remanded in custody over the assault of another teen in Balga overnight.

Sixteen-year-old Quinn De Campe, from Duncraig, is fighting for life in Royal Perth Hospital after he was found on a walking track in a bush reserveear the corner of Maitland Road and Kinley Place.

Police this morning charged another 16-year-old boy, from Balga, with grievous bodily harm.

He has appeared in Perth Children's Court and will reappear on January 6.

Clement Wetnhiak, 19, found the 16 year old yesterday and his friends helped perform CPR. Pictures: Wil Russell

Officers allege the victim and the accused know each other and had arranged to meet at Princess Wallington Reserve on Sunday.

This morning at the scene 19-year-old Clement Wetnhiak said he and his two friends came across Quinn while riding their pushbikes.

Mr Wetnhiak said the teenager appeared to have been badly beaten.

A 16 year old boy was attacked on this walkway in bushland at Balga.

"His face was bashed in, he was bleeding and he couldn't move," Mr Wetnhiak told PerthNow.

"He was just laying there. Then they (my friends) gave him CPR but he was not responsive so we called the ambulance.

"We thought he was dead. His eyes were half shut and he wasn't moving.

Police are coming the area where a 16 year old boy was found with life threatening injuries.

"The ambulance officers gave him CPR for, like, 15 minutes and after that they found a pulse.''

Mr Wetnhiak described the 16-year-old as a white male.

Police were called and the victim was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital with what police have described as "life threatening injuries."

A hospital spokesman said this morning the boy was in a critical condition.

Three other juvenile boys from Warnbro, Westminster and Marangaroo are in custody and are assisting police with their inquiries.

Police are asking for any witnesses who may have been in the area between 1pm and 2pm yesterday.

Anyone with any information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Lazy man's last-minute gift guide

Shoppers are expected to splurge more than $8.7b on gifts and decorations in the week before Christmas.

UH-oh, you've left it to the last minute - again.

But fear not. Time-poor males hustling depleted shopping shelves for gifts can avoid the Christmas Eve madness by following the Herald Sun's Lazy Blokes' Christmas Survival Guide.

A stampede of dishevelled men will be embracing the hallowed final minute gift-buying as shopping centres close in the evening following their marathon overnight operations.

And beware. The relationship fallout with spouses who receive ill-conceived presents can't be rescued by a festive kiss underneath the mistletoe.

>>> MORE: DEFENCE FORCE CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS AT SEA

>>> READ: MEN INVADE SHOPS IN PRESENT PANIC

>>> MORE: BOXING DAY SALES START EARLY

>>> READ: LITTLE MIRACLES HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

Reporter Jonno Nash with his genius last-minute Christmas gifts. Source: News Limited

>>> THINK OF A LAST-MINUTE GIFT IDEA WE'VE MISSED? TELL US IN THE COMMENTS BELOW

Supermarket juggernaut Coles can salvage the most bleak-looking Christmas with colourful summer flower arrangements ranging between $9-$25.

But it's likely the bouquet, which could be nicely coupled with a generous box of chocolates, could tragically be in a limp and lifeless state as the pre-December swarm of organised gift-givers get in first for the most aesthetic floral ensembles.

Nevertheless there's a solution. With tomorrow's temperatures expected to swell to a scorching 31C, blame the heat for the plant's dehydrated appearance.

Another relationship-saving gift could be Tupperware.

Sure it's not high on Santa's wish list but a sixpack of plastic storage containers ranging between 200ml to 2L can secure leftover turkey from lunchtime's feast to be enjoyed during the Boxing Day Test cricket match.

Shop with a plan and always know what you're looking for. Source: News Limited

Smart. And females love the cricket, too.

Be careful when you venture into the cosmetic section.

Olay's anti-ageing cream, valued at $29.99, could complement her cabinet littered with endless supplies of artificial-coloured goo.

But be armed with a list of defensive responses. When your partner rips apart the snowman-printed wrapping paper she's likely to bark: "What? You think I'm looking older?"

Bottle-Os can be a quick fix gift haven.

If you're on a budget, buy a newly-formed boutique-branded brew that can pass as a lavish drop that's been fermenting for decades. This way you look like a generous wine connoisseur.

Make sure your support team is up to the task. Source: News Limited

Chemists stock a wide range of bottled, nose-flaring potions called perfume.

Avoid the popstar-endorsed brands. A spray of Justin Bieber's Someday can allegedly send you into a fatal career free fall in just 12 months.

Purchase products that flippantly use affluent language.

For example, the luxury cleansing sponge, priced at $7.15, can suggest you've splurged on your beloved.

You can also grab a handful of cleansing products at 7/11 and assemble them into a handmade hamper.

Roll on Dove deodorant ($4.99), Impulse Illusions Roses & Sandalwood antiperspirant ($6.79) and a four-pack of soap ($5.99) can cast you in the magnanimous light of Father Christmas.

A YouTube-guided giftwrapping tutorial can give the impression you've taken the time to handwrap your gifts.

>>> THINK OF A LAST-MINUTE GIFT IDEA WE'VE MISSED? TELL US IN THE COMMENTS BELOW

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Public in the dark over light rail trip

Treasurer Troy Buswell announced this week that the $2 billion MAX light rail system had been delayed by three years - shunted until after the next election in 2017. Source: News Limited

TAXPAYERS are still waiting on Troy Buswell to file a report on his fact-finding mission to Europe to ``investigate light rail systems", even though Premier Colin Barnett said it would be delivered two months ago.

And details on the cost of the trip have not been disclosed either, prompting outrage from the Opposition, who say the Treasurer and his staff went on the "jaunt" in August knowing full well the government could not afford to deliver on the election promise.

Mr Buswell announced this week that the $2 billion MAX light rail system had been delayed by three years - shunted until after the next election in 2017.

The August study trip to Switzerland, France and Germany with stopovers in China was actually the Treasurer's second fact-finding trip looking at light rail. In 2011, he visited Germany, Singapore, Sweden and Norway.

Both Mr Buswell and Mr Barnett this week refused requests from The Sunday Times to release details of the August trip, which is believed to have cost taxpayers around $50,000.

Labor leader Mark McGowan said "the secrecy" was outrageous, especially in light of this week's announcement that the Barnett Government was dumping the showpiece election commitment.

"He knew before the election that he didn't have the money to pay for Max Light Rail yet he was happy to spend taxpayer money jaunting around Europe looking at trams." Mr McGowan blasted.

"What has Mr Buswell got to hide? Why won't he come clean and release full details of this latest European trip?

"WA taxpayers have a right to know and they expect their leaders to be accountable.

"The Premier himself promised readers of The Sunday Times that Mr Buswell would submit a report on his overseas travel within two months of the completion of the trip but now four months has passed.

"Where is that report? Has it been released? Why can't Mr Buswell give it to The Sunday Times?"

Mr McGowan added: "We know that Mr Buswell spent $33,560 just two years ago on a business class trip to Europe with one staffer to look at light rail.

"Taxpayers deserve to know how much this trip has cost them.

"If earlier reports are correct that Mr Buswell took at least three other people with him (in August), the travel bill could be twice as much as last time.''

Mr Buswell was joined by his chief of staff Rachael Turnseck and possibly two other staff for the August trip.

At the time, the Premier said ministers are required "to submit an overseas travel report to the director-general, Department of the Premier and Cabinet, within two months of the completion of the trip''.

But a spokeswoman for Mr Barnett said this week: "The Premier has no comment to make regarding Mr Buswell. Details of the cost of the trip will be released in due course.''

The spokeswoman would not say whether Mr Buswell had completed his report.

Mr Buswell failed to answer or even acknowledge questions put to him by The Sunday Times.

.

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Climate fighters cut off

Federal Attorney General George Brandis. Source: News Limited

THE head of WA's only public interest environmental legal centre says a Federal Government funding cut "threatens its very survival".

A $10 million cut in funding to Environmental Defenders Offices (EDO) means the centres will receive no federal funding from July 1.

EDO WA convenor Hannes Schoombee said grassroots groups would struggle to take on government and business.

The EDO was recently involved in the successful court challenge to the approval given for the James Price Point gas hub in the Kimberley.

The cuts were this week announced as part of the Government's midyear budget update.

Federal Attorney-General George Brandis said the Government had prioritised funding of legal financial assistance to frontline services.

In WA, the EDO is losing 75 per cent of its funding - $150,000 this financial year and $400,000 next year.

Dr Schoombee said $300,000 had already been earmarked to set up an office in Broome.

He said the jobs of the EDO's solicitors were also under threat.

"It's a major blow that comes at a crucial time when important laws that guarantee clean air, clean water, a safe climate with proper measures against climate change and to preserve biodiversity are being purposefully dismantled," he said.

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Virtual bitcoin to buy Perth home

This is the Perth hills home whose seller is stating that the house can only be bought for bitcoins. Source: Supplied

Biscotti are one of the local places accepting Bitcoins as payment. Pictured is Alex Morgan with Zoe Ravensberg. Source: News Limited

FOR SALE: A five-bedroom Perth Hills property for $1.4 million that overlooks a lake and has air-conditioning, a pool, timber decking and even a wood-fired pizza oven.

The only catch: the owner must be paid in a digital currency known as bitcoin.

The sale, which would make the property the first in Australia to be sold for bitcoin, is the latest sign WA is embracing digital dollars.

But even bitcoin enthusiasts have been shocked by the offer, as the value of the currency fluctuates wildly.

More WA Real Estate news

The price of a single unit, which can be traded in online exchanges or "mined" through powerful computers that crack complex algorithms, has surged tenfold since the start of the year, hitting a high of more than $1000 last month before falling heavily.

Perth businessman Bret Treasure, 53, chairman of the Australian Web Industry Association and a board member of Bitcoin Australia, believes it's the first bitcoin house sale in Australia.

"The seller obviously believes the value is going to appreciate because to mine that much bitcoin you would need a bloody supercomputer," he said.

Mr Treasure's son, Leo, 28, last year took out a $20,000 loan to buy bitcoins.

He now owns "a bit over 1000" bitcoins, worth about $750,000.

He is also importing Australia's first bitcoin kiosks, which will allow people to exchange cash for bitcoin.

The first of the ATM-like facilities, which credits a user's virtual wallet in their smartphone, will be installed next month at Spacecubed, a shared work space on St Georges Tce.

Others are planned for Frisk Small Bar in Northbrid ge and Fremantle's Treasure Gallery.

Bar Biscotti, on the ground floor of the CBD's Bankwest building, this month became Perth's first traditional business to accept bitcoin.

Customers buy drinks and food by scanning a QR code with an app on their smartphone, with all bitcoin users receiving a 5 per cent discount.

Six businesses in Perth are accepting bitcoin, according to the CoinMap website.

But Associate Professor David Glance, director of UWA's Centre for Software Practice, could see little value in businesses adopting it.

"The currency is so volatile that it's almost useless as an electronic currency at the moment," said Prof Glance, who owns two bitcoins he bought for $10 each in 2011.

"You could buy a cup of coffee and two minutes later the cost of that coffee was three times what you paid for it."

UWA Winthrop Professor of Economics Ken Clements said the bitcoin's long-term viability would be determined by its rate of inflation.

"It's uncertain what their supply is going to be in the future, so it's uncertain what their value is going to be," he said.

WHAT IS BITCOIN?

Bitcoin is a decentralised digital currency launched in 2009 by a programmer who goes under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. It can be exchanged through a peer-to-peer network without the need for a financial institution.

WHO ISSUES BITCOINS?

Bitcoins are not issued from a central bank in the same way as dollars are printed. Instead, the currency is awarded to users of Bitcoin software, known as miners. The miners use computers to perform complex calculations which are needed to confirm Bitcoin transactions.

HOW DO YOU BUY BITCOINS?

Bitcoins can be bought from currency exchanges for those who don't have computer hardware to mine for the currency. These exchanges allow users to buy and sell bitcoins for other real world currencies.

WHAT ARE THEY WORTH?

Fuelled by speculators, the value of Bitcoin fluctuates wildly. In late November the price surged to more than $1000 (AUS) per Bitcoin, more than 10 times its value at the start of the year. As of Friday, a single Bitcoin cost about $750.

WHERE CAN YOU SPEND THEM?

Bitcoin can be used for private transactions between users, but a number of businesses are also adopting the currency. Bar Bescotti, in the CBD, lets customers make purchases by using an app on their smartphone.

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Perth hospital to be understaffed

The interior of the new Fiona Stanley Hospital Intensive Care Unit. Source: Supplied

The new Fiona Stanley Hospital emergency triage for adults. Source: Supplied

The new Fiona Stanley Hospital staff work station. Source: Supplied

WA's new flagship hospital will be short by 115 full-time medical staff when it opens - under the best case scenario.

An internal report obtained by The Sunday Times shows there is a "high risk" Fiona Stanley Hospital will face extensive staff shortages across a number of specialities, including burns, obstetrics and almost all areas of nursing.

The hospital was due to open in April next year, but the Barnett Government has been forced to push that back to staged openings from October.

The document reveals the Government is looking at several ideas to stretch staff at the hospital. These include getting nurses and doctors to work across multiple health sites in the area, increasing the number of foreign and junior doctors and asking employees to broaden their areas of expertise.

Other hospitals in the south metro area face impacts with the Health Department conceding its "once-in-a-generation" shake up of the South Metropolitan Health Service is still mostly unplanned.

State rehabilitation services, currently housed at Shenton Park, and the Royal Perth Hospital burns unit will be among the services to relocate to FSH between October 2014 and April 2015.

Even if all clinical staff working at these and other moving services make the switch with their respective units the new hospital faces a "clinical staff gap" of 115 full-time equivalent staff.

A SMHS spokeswoman refused to confirm the projected shortage to The Sunday Times because she said workforce planning was still in progress.

But she conceded a number of areas had been identified as "of concern". These included burns, obstetrics, ultrasound operators and many areas of nursing such as neonatal, emergency medicine and theatre.

The spokeswoman also confirmed forcing staff to work across multiple sites was being considered.

It is projected the new $2 billion hospital, which reached practical completion this month, will require 3208 full-time health staff when it's fully up and running. These include 727 medical appointments, 646 medical support staff and 1835 nurses and midwives.

Opposition health spokesman Roger Cook said it was "extraordinary" that the Government still didn't have definitive plans on how to staff a big hospital due to be treating emergency patients by early 2015.

"The hospital, which will remain patient-less for the next 12 months, looks like it will also lack the staff it needs to deliver proper health services," he said.

"The failure in workforce planning has been a hallmark of this Government's governance of the health system. "

The Sunday Times has been asking the Health Department for details of its plans for the SMHS reconfiguration since October. Each time the agency replied that details were yet to be finalised.

The Sunday Times this week obtained the latest working document under Freedom of Information laws - a "draft" report written in December 2012.

Australian Medical Association WA vice-president Michael Gannon said doctors were concerned about the "absence of detail" being provided by the Health Department.

"Although it might have appeal to a bureaucrat in East Perth (head office) to have someone where they can, at the push of a pen, redeploy to Rockingham or Fiona Stanley or Bentley (hospitals), that doesn't show respect to people who work in those places," he said.

Health Services Union WA state secretary Dan Hill said the report showed a "lack of appropriate and timely planning" by the Health Department.

"I think it's a real concern for the community," he said.

An extra $75 million has been allocated by the Barnett Government for the commissioning of the FSH and reconfiguration of SMHS, according to the midyear budget review released this week.

But it said the true cost of delivering this reform was unknown.

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Fisherman swept off rocks near Albany

Albany surf and sea rescue crews helped police find a man who was swept off rocks near Albany yesterday evening. Picture: file image Source: News Limited

A 56-YEAR-OLD fisherman has died after being swept off rocks near Albany yesterday evening.

About 7pm a fellow fisherman saw the man fall into rocks and be swept out to sea at Nanarup Beach.

Albany surf and sea rescue crews assisted police in searching for the man who, when found, could not be revived.

The Inglewood man was believed to be holidaying in the region.

Man dies in diving accident off Point Peron

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