Opposition firm on chilled meat export plan

WA Labor leader Mark McGowan says any move away from live exports will be well planned. Source: AAP

ANY moves away from live animal exports and towards more meat processing in Western Australia will be well planned and in consultation with the industry, Opposition Leader Mark McGowan says.

Mr McGowan, who on Sunday officially launched WA Labor's campaign for the March 9 state election, has said previously the party was committed to promoting a chilled meat industry as an animal welfare measure.

He reiterated that stance today but said live exports were a "fraught'' and "tricky'' issue given people's livelihoods were at stake.

"Naturally, you have to take all the steps you can to create more jobs in Australia, so that's why I'm talking more about processing meat in Australia as opposed to overseas,'' Mr McGowan said.

"What the state can do is work with proponents who might want to set up meatworks and help them secure labour to do so.

"You can't do anything without consulting industry and you need a roadmap on these issues to get some consensus about what needs to be done.''

In 1999, Mr McGowan introduced the state's second largest petition to parliament, seeking to strengthen animal welfare laws, with about 66,000 signatures.

"Then in 2002, we did it. We took our legislation through the parliament.

"My record in this area is proven.

"I have a strong view that animal welfare is important.''

While the 2002 legislation was much needed, Mr McGowan said he did not believe in mandatory penalties for animal cruelty.

"You have to leave discretion in the hands of the courts and maybe it needs more education.''

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Metronet plan is fantasy, says Premier

THE ambitious $3.8 billion Perth rail plan that's a centrepiece of Western Australia Labor's election campaign has been dismissed as fantasy by Premier Colin Barnett.

The campaign ahead of the March 9 poll moved up a gear on Tuesday, with Labor leader Mark McGowan unveiling a proposal to build a $731.5 million rail line to Perth Airport as part of the party's Metronet plan to ease Perth's growing congestion crisis.

But making his own announcement about free public transport for carers, Mr Barnett said parts of Labor's grand rail plan were unrealistic.

"Labor has released a transport plan with rail lines going everywhere, so it is up to Labor if they are to have credibility to come out and commit to which projects are real and which ones are fantasy and to provide accurate costings," Mr Barnett told reporters.

"Labor has vague ideas and maps that look like the London Underground when the rails are not going to look anything like that, and (Mark McGowan) is making promises that will connect every suburb in Perth.

"That is not reality - what you have now is a government that what it says it will do, it does, and it does it on time and on budget."

WA Labor on Tuesday revealed its Metronet plan would cost $3.8 billion over eight years but this figure did not include costings for rail cars.

Mr McGowan said the party had a track record of delivering rail projects in the state, referring to the Perth-to-Mandurah line, which was completed in 2007 under Alan Carpenter's leadership.

State treasurer Troy Buswell has previously claimed Labor's rail plan would cost $6.4 billion, a figure Mr Barnett said he was confident was more accurate than the Labor Party's costing.

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Bromley killer sentenced to life

Grandmother Helen Bromley, who was murdered at her Mandurah home in October 2010. Source: PerthNow

A WEST Australian man convicted of bludgeoning an elderly woman to death with a tomahawk and robbing her has been sentenced to life in prison.

Colin Peter Casey was sentenced in the Supreme Court today for the murder of 73-year-old grandmother Helen Bromley at her Mandurah home, south of Perth, on October 8, 2010.

Prosecutor Amanda Burrows said Casey went to Ms Bromley's home intending to steal money for drugs and when she confronted him on her patio, he panicked and picked up a tomahawk that was nearby.

When Ms Bromley told him she was going to call the police and turned to go back into the house, Casey struck her twice on the head and punctured her skull, causing blood loss and exposing her brain.

He then covered her body and stole some jewellery before fleeing, Ms Burrows said.

Casey's lawyer Mara Barone argued that while it was a violent offence against a defenceless woman, the attack was unplanned and Casey had had no desire to hurt her.

Ms Barone said the attack was a "callous overreaction" after Ms Bromley said she was going to call the police.

He had not struck her once she was down, she said.

"It was done not with any clear thought at all," she said. "It as an impulsive and panicked decision."

Ms Barone said her client was a functioning drug user until he started taking amphetamines and his "life fell to tatters".

Reading from a report, Ms Barone quoted Casey as saying he accepted that he had to be imprisoned for taking someone else's life and apologised to Ms Bromley's family.

"I can't even imagine what they are going through," he said. "I don't know how to say I'm any more sorry.

"I took a life so I deserve to give mine."

In her submissions, Ms Burrows said although Casey did not have a violent criminal history, he did have 44 convictions against him.

"It shows a continuing disregard for the law," she said.

In a victim impact statement, Ms Bromley's daughter said she felt separated from the world since her mother's murder.

"We've been in limbo for so long ... the nightmare never stops," she said.

"My family should never have been put through all this."

Casey was arrested on September 2, 2011 and has been in custody since then.

While Justice Eric Heenan sentenced Casey to life in prison, he deferred setting a minimum term until February 15.

Any sentence for the aggravated burglary charge will be served concurrently with the murder sentence.

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Premier's GST threat to Federal Liberals

WA Premier Colin Barnett has threatened to withdraw federal election funding with a commitment to GST reform. Source: The Sunday Times

WA PREMIER Colin Barnett has threatened to cut off funding to the federal Liberal party for the forthcoming election campaign unless he gets a promise on GST reform.

sAs the State Election battle in the west kicked off in earnest, Mr Barnett seemed intent on picking a fight with both Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott over the contentious GST reform review program.

Treasury secretary Martin Parkinson reportedly told the states and territories that there will be no substantive reforms to the system, which infuriated WA, Victoria and NSW who had wanted an overhaul so payments are calculated on a per capita basis.

Labor's rail plan to cost $3.8b

Opposition firm on chilled meat export plan

Barnett says Metronet is a fantasy

With WA claiming the boom state will receive 35 cents for each GST dollar collected in the west in 2015-16, Mr Barnett said without a promise from Mr Abbott, there could be consequences for the federal campaign.

"That will be a critical issue in a federal campaign. The last election, there was massive funding from WA toward the national Liberal campaign - that will be reliant on a commitment on GST,'' Mr Barnett said.

"The support the federal Liberals (get) from WA will depend on the GST issue.

"That is the number one issue for the federal campaign and he (Mr Abbott) knows my view very, very well.''

Mr Barnett, using a well-worn tactic of standing up to Canberra as his own election credentials were being scrutinised, fired several shots at the prime minister, accusing here of ignoring and dismissing WA.

"Julia Gillard makes speeches about reform in Australia, here was one of the most obvious and important economic reforms for the future of Australia,'' Mr Barnett said on Tuesday.

"Labor has ignored WA and the approach coming from Labor is to rob this state to fund other states.

"We have not got the result ... the consequence of it is that the Australian economy will not grow as quickly as it could.''

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Machete attacker gets three-year jail term

A 23-YEAR-OLD man who struck a Mercedes-owner in the head with a machete in a bid to steal the vehicle has been sentenced to three years in prison.

The District Court of Western Australia was told Lawrence John Cashin attempted to carjack the 24-year-old victim while he sat with his girlfriend parked on a street in the northern Perth suburb of Girrawheen on May 13 last year.

During the attack, Cashin threatened to kill the male victim and struck him with a machete on the top of his head and near his ear.

Throughout the ordeal, the victim's girlfriend was cowering on the floor of the car.

"The victim was screaming, the girlfriend wouldn't get out of the car, and ultimately you ran off," Judge Gillian Braddock said during the sentencing.

"Not only did the victim suffer the deep lacerations to the top of the head and the ear, to need to go to hospital and be treated there, it must have been a totally terrifying experience for them."

Judge Braddock said Cashin was at high risk of violent reoffending, given he had a traumatic early life and addictions.

He was beginning to realise the need to address his problems and was attempting to parent his girlfriend's daughter, so there was hope for reform but it wouldn't be easy, Judge Braddock said.

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DUI up but Skyworks revellers commended

A view of the Australia Day Skyshow on the Swan River from the QV1 building. Picture: supplied by PerthNow reader Brian Source: PerthNow

Nate Fox-Muhl ,7, from Karrinyup, celebrating Australia Day at Trigg Beach yesterday. Picture: supplied by PerthNow reader Arthur Muhl Source: PerthNow

WEST Australians were mostly well-behaved during the country's biggest Australia Day event on Perth's Swan River foreshore, with only a slight increase in the number of people caught drink driving.

Police commended the public's behaviour during the various celebrations held for Australia Day, particularly at Perth's annual Skyworks, which attracted an estimated 300,000 people.

Commander Murray Smalpage said people were mostly responsible within the City of Perth's designated drinking zones in Kings Park and Langley Park.

"The message about responsible alcohol consumption seems to be having an effect and the community has come together to celebrate the spirit of our country without any significant issues,'' he said.

"We did, however, see a small increase in the number of people charged for excess 0.08 per cent and DUI (driving under the influence), which shows while the behaviour of people at the events was good, some may need to consider how they get to and from those events if they plan to drink.''

Compared to last year's figures of six people being caught with an alcohol reading of more than 0.08 per cent, this year there were 12 people caught.

Those with a reading of more than 0.05 per cent was also up from one last year to three this year.

People picked up for driving under the influence, which means an alcohol reading of more than 0.15 per cent, was also up from four in 2012 to eight this year.

Meanwhile, Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said the fireworks display was a spectacular and colourful event.

She said extra effort went into ensuring the success of the Skyworks this year due to the Elizabeth Quay construction work, which cut a large viewing section out of the foreshore.

"It's the biggest Australia Day event in the country and uniquely West Australian,'' Ms Scaffidi said.

"The pyrotechnics were dazzling, as always, and the new laser show was simply amazing.

"However, the real colour display was on the masses of people around the foreshore covered in Australian flags and face paint enjoying the 29th Australia Day Skyworks.''

FIGURES FROM WA POLICE ON AUSTRALIA DAY:
- Total arrests and summonses: 161
- Assault a police officer charges: 5
- Assault charges: 3
- Disorderly conduct: 44
- Drug offences: 8
- Move on notices: 202
- Liquor infringements: 88
- Traffic infringements: 237
- Excess 0.05 per cent: 3
- Excess 0.08 per cent: 12
- Driving under the influence: 8

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Perth beaches get $70m revamp

Premiere Colin Barnett announces the redevelopment at Scarborough Beach. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

THREE Perth beaches will be revamped with a $70 million state government investment that will see roads realigned to keep heavy traffic away and picnic areas established.

An initial contribution of $30 million has been provided to transform Scarborough beach and its surrounding areas.

Up to $40 million has also been set aside for the realignment of Curtin Avenue, south of the Marine Parade roundabout in Cottesloe, which will assist Leighton and Port beaches.

Premier Colin Barnett said the Scarborough works would include the beachfront, as well as the entire precinct through a collaboration between the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority, the City of Stirling and the private sector.

"Scarborough is a favourite tourist destination, but the area has recently suffered from a lack of new investment and a poor reputation, so this decision will help fulfil its enormous potential as one of the nation's best beaches," he said.

Works will include new pedestrian promenades along the beachfront, cycling paths, landscaping, a children's playground, public art, fitness equipment, barbecues, seating and shade along the beach, and improvements to access and car parking.

Mr Barnett said realigning Curtin Avenue, so it ran along the railway line and drew heavy traffic away from Leighton and Port beaches, would also open up more land.

"While there have been many improvements in the last decade at Leighton Beach, the Leighton Marshalling Yards remain a barren wasteland and potential danger for beachgoers," he said.

"The realignment of Curtin Avenue south of the Marine Parade roundabout will completely open up the area and bring back families and beachgoers to a revitalised beachfront.

"This is particularly significant for south of the river beachgoers, who have grown up loving Port and Leighton beaches, but have had to dodge cars and trucks to get to the ocean."

When completed, the revitalised beachfront will feature barbecues for families, swings and picnic areas.

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Arson squad probes ATM blasts

Police at Harbour Town on Wellington Street where an ATM was blown up late last night. Picture: Richard Polden Source: PerthNow

AN explosion at four ATMs in West Perth during the annual Australia Day fireworks display is being investigated by police.

The ATMs near Harbour Town Shopping Centre exploded half-way through the Skyworks event at about 8.15pm, police said today.

An assessment of the area suggested two ATMs were targeted, although four were damaged in the blast.

Several ATM's on the ground floor where damaged including the escalator and several shop facades.

"There is some structural damage to the building and this will require further assessment before it is deemed safe," a police spokesman said.

The arson squad are investigating the incident and inspecting CCTV footage.
 
Arson squad Detective Sergeant Dave Gorton said glass and debris was blown across both floors of the centre.

 
"Two security officers at the centre were shaken from the blasts...they rang DFES and police," he said.

Nearby residents reported hearing two loud explosions.

Police are trying to determine if the blasts were planned to go off during the Skyworks and they believe the offenders walked into the centre with the explosives.

This attack on ATM's is not believed to be related to other recent ATM blasts.

Police say the explosives used in this attack are different from other cases, however the type of explosive used is yet to be determined.

The shopping centre is closed today and possibly will remain closed tomorrow.

Police have warned that using explosives is a danger to the public and the people handling them. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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WA's new grand slam champion

Local duo Matthew Ebden and Jarmila Gajdosova clinches the Australian Open mixed doubles title in their first grand slam tournament playing together.

Australia's Jarmila Gajdosova and Matthew Ebden kiss the trophy after defeating Lucie Hradecka and Frantisek Cermak in the mixed doubles final. Source: AP

AUSTRALIAN Matthew Ebden wasn't ringing to wish compatriot Jarmila Gajdosova a Merry Christmas when he tracked her down in the US early last month.

Ebden wanted Gajdosova to partner him in the Australian Open mixed doubles. She agreed to play and then the pair had to ask for a wildcard into the field.

Both now have "grand slam champion" on their tennis CVs after the pair capped a dream week on Rod Laver Arena this afternoon.

Ebden and Gajdosova worked brilliantly together to beat Czech pair Frantisek Cermak and Lucie Hradeska 6-3 7-5 in 73 minutes.

"I chased her up. I got hold of her number from a secret person, and she was over in America and I just texted her hoping that she would she would be available to play or wanted to play" Ebden said.

"She has been to the semi-finals of other grand slams twice with another partner who she sometimes plays with, but he wasn't available.

"So she said, 'All right, let's do it'.

"It feels amazing. You never know how many chances you'll get to play a grand slam final.

Matthew Ebden and Jarmila Gajdosova celebrate their win in the mixed doubles final. Source: AP

"So to come out with a win in our first final and get a title straightaway and to become grand slam champions is an amazing feeling and something we'll always have.

"Hopefully we can both use this is as a springboard and give us some confidence looking forward to Davis Cup and Fed Cup, and for the rest of the year for singles, too."

It's a positive start to 2013 for Gajdosova, who has a career-high 25th singles ranking, but watched it plummet to the current 166 following the death of her mother last year.

"I think it's something that every girl or guy are dreaming when they are little. I know it's mixed, but it's still a grand slam title," she said.

"You can tell your kids, 'Oh, I won a grand slam and I won in Australia', which is very special.

"You will have something forever, so it definitely means a lot.

"Let's hope it's not the first and let's hope it's not just the mixed."

The pair had to hold their nerve in a tense second set after breaking Cermak's serve in the opening game to grab the advantage.

It fell to Gajdosova to step up and serve out the match. She watched two match points disappear, one with a tentative double fault, before a Cermak forehand return flew long and the Aussie pair embraced midcourt as grand slam champions.
 

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Woman, police dog hurt after break-ins

A POLICE dog was injured and an elderly woman hospitalised following two burglaries south of Perth this morning.

A 76-year-old woman was confronted by three dark skinned males who forced entry into her home at 12.20am in Mensa Close, Rockingham.

The callous thieves fled the woman's home with some of her property.

The theft left the woman in shock and she was taken to hospital.

Rockingham Police and a Dog Squad unit attended to the crime and their inquiries led them to a residence in Shoalwater.

While at that location officers disturbed a burglary in progress on a residence in Hawkers Street.

Two offenders were chased and during apprehension police dog Vector received a serious laceration to his head.

Although injured, Vector managed to bite one of the offenders who was also tasered by police.

Vector was taken to the Murdoch University Veterinary Hospital for emergency treatment.

He had a number of staples applied to his wound.

The injured offender was also taken to hospital for treatment.

Five people have been taken into custody for questioning.

Anyone with information regarding either of these incidents is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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