Barnett not swayed by wage protesters

PREMIER Colin Barnett says that while he is sympathetic towards workers on lower wages in the public sector, he will not be swayed by protesters.

Hundreds of health and education support workers rallied outside the Premier's office today demanding a higher wage increase after the State Government offered them a rise of $22 a week.

United Voice has been negotiating with the Health Department on a new wage deal for hospital support workers since May, and with the Education Department for a new wage deal for school support workers since August.

The Premier said both government departments were bargaining "in good faith'' with a view to providing workers with fair wage increases.

"Negotiations for hospital workers are now taking place before the WA Industrial Relations Commission, which is assisting the parties in trying to come to an agreement,'' he said.

"These negotiations are not being assisted by an overtly political campaign by United Voice alleging that the government has some secret privatisation agenda.

"This is despite assurances provided to the union confirming there are no such plans.''

Mr Barnett said he met with union officials and representatives from the two groups less than two weeks ago, and he hoped to resolve the matters before the end of the year.

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Heavyweight arrival the main event in Perth

Mike Tyson arrives at Perth Airport with his daughter Milan, flanked by security. PICTURE: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

Mike Tyson at Perth Airport with his daughter Milan, flanked by security. PICTURE: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

Mike Tyson at Perth Airport with his daughter Milan and wife, flanked by security guards and celebrity agent Max Markson. PICTURE: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

FORMER heavyweight champion Mike Tyson has arrived in town, touching down at Perth Airport amid tight security today.

Accompanied by his third wife Lakiha Spicer and his daughter Milan, the 46-year-old appeared happy and relaxed.

Tyson, who spent three years in jail for rape during the height of his boxing career and has fathered eight children to several different women, is here to speak about his life.

Guests at Crown Metropol were shocked to see Tyson strolling through the hotel's lobby this afternoon.

"Can anyone tell me what Mike Tyson is doing at #crownperth? Just passed him in the foyer!!!" tweeted Perth socialite and business woman Emma Milner.

Tyson will hit the stage at Perth Arena tonight for the Day of the Champions event, which has been heavily promoted by controversial celebrity agent Max Markson.

The boxer was a guest at Crown and enjoyed a buffet lunch at its all-you-can-eat Atrium buffet, where he tucked into some Indian cuisine.

Markson said that Tyson has commanded so much respect at each show that he receives a standing a ovation when he appears on stage and when he leaves.

"He's a fantastic entertainer," Markson said.

"He's funny, he makes you laugh and makes you cry.

"He's loved being in Australia and hopefully we'll bring him back next year."

Tonight is the last show of Tyson's Australian tour.

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Canning council suspended after 'free lunch'

City of Canning mayor Joe Delle Donne is under fire over a 'free lunch'. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

THE State Government has suspended the City of Canning after a damning report criticised the local mayor's "inappropriate'' power and highlighted long-term dysfunction.

WA's Local Government Minister John Castrilli said he was suspending the council and launching an inquiry to assess the issue.

The report, which was tabled in State Parliament last week, singled out Canning mayor Joe Delle Donne and councillor Bruce Mason for failing to disclose their relationship with a legal firm hired by the council that had treated the men to a 'free lunch' before they secured a contract.

Mr Delle Donne was also criticised for his decision to suspend chief executive Mark Dacombe without having the authority to do so or informing the rest of the council.

The embattled mayor refused to comments on the allegations except to say he looked forward to clearing his name.

Mr Castrilli said an inquiry panel would be appointed to inquire into the City and recommend whether to dismiss the council altogether.

"Having carefully considered the report and its recommendations, I have formed the view that during this process it would be inappropriate for the council to continue to act as the governing body of the City of Canning,'' the minister said.

A commissioner will be appointed to fulfil the role of the suspended council, the government said.

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One-punch trial hears closing addresses

VICTIM: Former Swans footballer Luke Adams arrives at District Court. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

ACCUSED: Dylan Winter, 20, accused of the one-punch attack on footballer Luke Adams. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

THE prosecution has begun its closing address as the District Court trial of the man accused of a one-punch attack on WAFL footballer Luke Adams draws to a close.

Dylan Gerald Wayne Winter, 20, has pleaded not guilty to grievous bodily harm over the punch on May 1 last year which left Swan District footballer Luke Adams in an induced coma for several weeks.

Starting her closing address this afternoon following an eight-day trial, State prosecutor Amanda Forrester told the jury Mr Winter was not acting in self defence when he punched Mr Adams and the strike was not a reasonable response to the situation.

The court had previously heard from witnesses that Mr Adams shouted out a comment across Lake Street to Mr Winter's friends Jake Ward and Kara Hagen on the night of the incident, after which a verbal altercation began and Mr Winter became involved.

Ms Forrester told the jury no independent witness had heard the exact words Mr Adams yelled and Ms Hagen did not remember what was said, though she believed it was directed at her, meaning it could not have been aggressive or offensive.

"It was nothing ... just another noise," the prosecutor said.

"The comment yelled across the road was absolutely nothing to justify what happened next.

"The reaction to it was completely and totally disproportionate."

Ms Forrester said Mr Ward reacted to the comment by swearing, yelling, and moving across the road towards Mr Adams, who called out to his friend who had continued walking up the road: "Come on Travie, let's smash these c****". 

The prosecutor told the jury the State's case was that Mr Adams did not advance on anyone and had defended himself against Mr Ward verbally, before Mr Winter became involved and threw the punch that caused Mr Adams to fall straight back and smash his head on the pavement.

Ms Forrester added that CCTV footage of the area around the time of the incident appeared to be obscured by the lights of a taxi.

She will continue her closing address tomorrow and the jury will then hear from Mr Winter's defence team before retiring to consider the verdict.

Earlier today, a Queensland-based forensic pathologist told the court Mr Adams had sustained "very severe" injures, which included a complex skull fracture, an extradural haemorrhage, a complicated skull fracture and haemorrhaging to the front of the brain.

Professor Anthony Ansford said the injuries were "highly likely to be fatal" and were more consistent with Mr Adams' fall to the ground than the blow which knocked him to the concrete pavement.

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Lucky escape as car dangles from car park

AN elderly Perth woman escaped injury after her car ploughed through a barrier at a multi-storey shopping centre carpark and was left hanging over the first level.

The vehicle smashed through a low brick wall on the first floor at the Warwick Centro shopping centre at about 12.30pm this afternoon.
 
The woman was not injured in the crash but her vehicle was left with the front wheels teetering over the barrier.
 
Police and a tow truck have been called to the shopping centre to remove the car.

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Teen's suicide plea: 'I don't see another way'

Carly Elliott was 20 when she committed suicide in March 2011 after being discharged from Fremantle Hospital as a 'low-risk' mental health patient. Source: PerthNow

• Alysha Devereux left desperate video messages
• Teen, 17, attempted suicide three weeks ago
• Mum says mental health system couldn't help

CLARKSON teenager Alysha Devereux, clinging to life after a suicide attempt, has left powerful video messages for authorities, pleading for help from the mental health system.

The 17-year-old childcare worker, now fighting for her life at Joondalup Health Campus, left videos on her iPad apologising for her depression.

Her mother Roxanne believes her daughter's intent was clear - to send a message about a frail and failing mental health system, as hospital authorities told her they feared her daughter was brain dead.

Alysha detailed her struggles in two videos, before asking her family to forgive her for "what I'm doing".

She was found unresponsive in the backyard of the family's home in Clarkson, north of Perth, three weeks ago after attempting to take her life.

"I've just watched a video about suicide and how it's not the only answer," she said.

"I have been through this more times than I can count. It's not like I have a bad life. I have a great life. I don't know why I always feel like this.

"I hate that what I'm going to do is going to affect so many people, but I just don't see another way out. There's nothing available for another way out."

After Alysha's suicide attempt, she was taken to the Bentley Adolescent Unit, a psychiatric institution. She was discharged the next day.

"She was in the waiting room, packed, with her bags waiting for me," her mother Roxanne said.

"I didn't get to speak to anybody. Nobody spoke to me. She just rang me and said 'come and get me'."

According to the latest research, six Australians take their own lives every day.

Last week a six-month independent review of WA's mental health services by Professor Bryant Stokes found they were severely understaffed, with the system under considerable stress, leaving vulnerable patients to fall through the cracks.

If you or someone you know may be at risk of suicide contact Lifeline 13 11 14, beyondblue 1300 22 46 36, or Salvo Care Line 1300 36 36 22.

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Shunting vehicle to ease tunnel congestion

TOUGH UNIT: A new tunnel shunt vehicle to be used to ease congestion if there is a breakdown in the Graham Farmer Freeway  tunnel. Source: PerthNow

FREE FLOWING: Graham Farmer Freeway. Source: PerthNow

TRANSPORT Minister Troy Buswell today launched a mobile "shunting machine" that will patrol the Graham Farmer Freeway tunnel in an effort to reduce congestion caused by accidents.

Mr Buswell said the new Incident Response Service (IRS) for the Northbridge tunnel would operate in a similar way to those used elsewhere in Australia.

"Work crews will patrol the Graham Farmer Freeway between Loftus Street and the Swan River, responding to incidents that affect traffic flows from Monday to Friday between 6am-6pm," Mr Buswell said.
 
"This service will help clear vehicles involved in crashes or breakdowns in the tunnel and relocate them to a safe area.

The idea is to make sure traffic flows can be returned to normal as quickly as possible to reduce congestion during peak times.

"The critical message is that motorists and passengers must stay in their cars for their own safety, and telephone 13 ROAD (13 7623) for help.

"Travel times should be made more reliable for all road users as this service will minimise disruption caused by breakdowns or crashes in the tunnel."

The front of the IRS vehicle has a soft foam "push pad", which shapes itself to the design of the affected car before moving it to a safe location away from traffic.  Road users who have their vehicles relocated will be advised by the IRS operator as to what they need to do to successfully move their car.

The IRS is part of "Active Traffic Management" identified in the Perth Central Business District (CBD) Transport Plan - a State Government initiative to improve congestion management on Perth city roads and the freeways.  Active Traffic Management will allow Main Roads to play a more active role in keeping traffic in the tunnel moving as efficiently as possible.

"This service will be expanded into a second stage which will look at vehicles covering the Perth CBD road network and Mitchell and Kwinana freeways from Reid to Roe highways," the Minister said.
 

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Christian axed for smashing changerooms

Dan Christian has damaged changerooms on three separate occasions after being dismissed ... this season. Picture: Getty Images

SOUTH Australia has suspended ace allrounder Dan Christian from its upcoming Sheffield Shield match with Victoria, starting Friday, for repeated dressing room damage.

SACA Director of Cricket Jamie Cox today revealed the sensational ban, confirming Christian would not be a part of the Redbacks team to take on the Bushrangers at the MCG after damaging change rooms in SA's past three matches at Adelaide Oval, Blundstone Arena and the WACA.

Cox said Christian's outbursts, following batting dismissals, were in conflict with "the values and standards required" at the Redbacks.

"While playing against the Tasmanian Tigers at Adelaide Oval, Daniel was given a verbal warning for damaging the change rooms after he was dismissed," Cox said.

"This ill-disciplined behaviour post-dismissal occurred again in Hobart, where the Blundstone Arena change rooms were also damaged, and at that time Daniel was given a written warning and was fined his match fee. On both occasions he has apologised and paid for the cost of repairs.

"Disappointingly, despite these two prior warnings, a similar incident occurred after a dismissal in Perth for a third consecutive time.

"Whilst in isolation none of these incidents are hanging offences, the cumulative effect has seen this action as necessary. Everyone experiences pressure and disappointment at work, but that's not an excuse for bad-tempered behaviour that includes damaging property."

Christian has scored 173 runs at 21.6 in four Sheffield Shield matches this summer. He also has nine wickets at 41.4, third only behind Chadd Sayers and Joe Mennie.

Cox said the ban would only affect the upcoming four-day game against the Bushrangers.

"Daniel has an obligation to himself, his teammates and to cricket to uphold the values and standards of our team and the game," Cox said.

"First-class cricket is an emotional game, however everyone experiences pressure at work. Daniel's repeated inability to curb his behaviour after he is dismissed leads us to believe that some time away from state cricket will be of benefit to him.

"He will train with the Emerging Redbacks squad and is contractually available for grade cricket this weekend."

Redbacks v Vic Bushrangers (starting Friday)
Squad: Johan Botha, (captain), Callum Ferguson, Travis Head, Phillip Hughes, Michael Klinger, Tim Ludeman, Joe Mennie, Gary Putland, Sam Raphael, Kane Richardson, Alex Ross, Chadd Sayers.

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Accused: 'I just didn't want him to hit me first'

Dylan Winter, 20, accused of attacking Swans footballer Luke Adams. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

INJURED: Swans footballer Luke Adams arrives at Dylan Winter's District Court trial. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

THE man accused of punching Luke Adams in Northbridge last year told police he was defending himself after the big footballer had threatened to "smash" him.

Dylan Gerald Wayne Winter, 20, has pleaded not guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to the talented Swan Districts ruckman and his defence lawyer says he punched Mr Adams in self defence.

In a video record of interview with police filmed the night after the incident -- which was today played to a District Court  jury -- Mr Winter is seen telling detectives that he punched Mr Adams because he did not want to get hit first.

The incident in Northbridge on May 1 last year left Mr Adams fighting for his life in an induced coma. He required major surgery and has made a remarkable recovery, but will never play football again.

Mr Winter took part in the filmed police interview on the night of May 1 and into the early hours of the next day after officers executed a search warrant at his Secret Harbour house that day and arrested him.

In the video, Mr Winter, 18 at the time, told detectives he had been drinking at a city hotel with friends before they headed to Northbridge that night.

He said he believed he had drunk about 10 cans of Canadian Club, and was "six out of 10" drunk.

The group left the hotel about 10pm and went to the Library nightclub in Northbridge.

Mr Winter said they were kicked out after some of his mates got into a fight with the bouncers, and he and several others in the group were issued with move-on notices by police.

Mr Winter told the officers he was walking down Lake Street ahead of his friends Jake Ward and Kara Hagen when he heard yelling and turned around to see two men, who he did not know, shouting at Mr Ward.

He said he saw the two men start walking across the street towards Mr Ward and went over to tell them to back off because he believed a fight was about to happen.

"The only reason I stepped in was because there were two guys to one of my mates," he said to the detectives.

"These guys were wanting to fight him. They were starting to walk across the road."

Mr Winter said the taller man -- Mr Adams -- threatened him so he punched him.

"He got up in my face and said 'I'm going to smash you', so I took a swing," he said.

"I just didn't want him to hit me first."

Mr Winter said Mr Adams fell straight backwards and was knocked unconscious.

"I didn't think I was going to be able to do what I did because he was bigger than me," he said.

"I didn't think I hit him that hard.

"It all happened too quick."

Mr Winter said he then ran away from the scene because he was "scared" of being caught by police and later met up with friends at the hotel room they were staying in.

When asked by arresting officer Detective Sergeant Stephen Coelho how hard he hit Mr Adams on a scale of 1 to 5, he said it was a three.

Mr Winter said Mr Adams had not punched him.

"I just wanted to stop a fight from happening and I ended up getting into a bad situation," he said.

"I know what I did was wrong."

Numerous times throughout the filmed interview he stated he had "never done anything like that before".

When asked if he thought his friends Jake Ward and Kara Hagen were in any danger, Mr Winter said he thought a fight was about to start and he wanted to stop it.

"I didn't want any of this to happen," he said, while reaching for tissues.

Mr Winter also told police he had been doing Muay Thai training almost daily for a couple of months.

In a second, shorter record of interview shown in the court, Mr Winter is asked if he made a conscious decision to hit
Mr Adams, to which he responded that he had and it was a "stupid decision".

The trial continues. 
 
 

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Father dies teaching L-plate son to drive

A father was killed in a tragic traffic crash while teaching his son to drive.

TRAGEDY: A man has been killed in the South West while teaching his teenage son to drive. Source: Herald Sun

A 49-YEAR-old father was killed in a tragic traffic crash in the South-West last night while teaching his young son to drive.

The man was a passenger in the Toyota Hilux when it lost control on the Ludlow Hithergreen Road in Ludlow, about 210km south of Perth, around 6.30pm last night.

Police say the Hilux hit a tree.

The 49-year-old man was taken to hospital but later died.

"Tragically its believed the deceased man was teaching his teenage son to drive at the time," a police spokeswoman said.

Police say the 49-year-old father was going to be transferred to Perth for further medical treatment but died in a Bunbury hospital from his injuries.

The 16-year-old boy driving received minor injuries in the crash.

It's believed the father and son live near the Busselton area.

RAC chopper sent to Cataby crash

The RAC Rescue has been sent to car crash near Cataby, about 110km north of Perth.
 
Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service from Gingin, Lancelin and Moora are at the scene of the crash, where a car has gone off the road and hit a tree, about 25km south of of the small settlement of Regans Ford.
 

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