Rejected refugees' perks revealed

Asylum-seekers at the Topside camp in Nauru. Picture: Clint Deidenang Source: Supplied

A PREGNANT asylum seeker deemed a security risk by ASIO was offered free domestic help and childcare while another detainee has had drooping eyelids fixed by taxpayers.

An array of non urgent medical treatment provided to detainees has been revealed including a suspected war criminal who had his impacted wisdom teeth removed at no cost to him.

Details of treatment were contained in Ombudsman's reports on long term detainees and come as the government announced the latest asylum boat detected yesterday had 147 passengers on board, the biggest arrival since October last year.

Most of the detainees who have been given everything from free glasses and orthotics to dietary counselling to combat high cholesterol, have been rejected as refugees and are exhausting appeals or have received a negative ASIO security assessment.

In August last year immigration official offered the pregnant 33-year-old, whose third son was born in January, free "domestic assistance, occasional childcare support and assistance with (her daily) routine" on the advice of an occupational therapist and a psychologist.

The woman, who had attended ante-natal appointments at Fairfield Hospital while living in residential housing in the Villawood complex, rejected the offer.

She and her two sons arrived by boat in May 2010 and were in community detention, where she married her husband in April last year, until her release was revoked in April after ASIO delivered an adverse security assessment.

A 27-year-old Tamil Tiger had his impacted wisdom teeth extracted in June at Whyalla in South Australia, two months after he complained of dental pain.

He has been in detention since arriving by boat in December 2009 and was rejected as a refugee after Department of Immigration officials found "serious reasons for considering (the man) had committed a war crime or a crime against humanity."

A Department spokesman declined to comment on the man's case.The 38-year-old with drooping eyelids overstayed a business visa before being rejected as a refugee, prompting attempts to remove him.

While he has been in detention in Sydney, the man has had three rounds of surgery between December 2009 and January 2011 to correct his eyelids.

A Department spokeswoman said surgery was never provided for "purely cosmetic reasons."

Other cases include a 35-year-old with two wives who has been treated for everything from hearing problems to reflux and insomnia since arriving by boat in 2009.

"These cases, especially that of that of a suspected war criminal will do more than test the patience of the Australian public," Opposition Immigration spokesman Scott Morrison said.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Immigration said it had a "non delegable duty of care" to ensure the health and welfare of detainees and that care "is funded by the Australian Government."

She said treatment had to be clinically recommended by "health professionals such as GPs, dentists and medical specialists."

Meanwhile, the government is reportedly considering a plan to move families out of community detention onto bridging visas to save money in the May budget.

Families would be treated the same as single asylum seekers who receive about $440 a fortnight and some rent assistance to live in the community.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard would only say yesterday that a decision had not been taken.

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Homes lost as strike team battles fires

A fierce grassfire is burning out of control and threatening communities in Victoria's south-west, with unconfirmed reports of property losses

VICTORIA has been further hit by bushfires as a string of grassfires blazed across the state.

Up to 12 properties were feared destroyed in the most devastating fire, at Dereel, about 80km northwest of Geelong, after a blaze ignited at 11.34am yesterday and grew from 150ha to 1300ha in a few hours.

While the cause was unknown, Victoria Police spokeswoman Belinda Batty said the fire would be subject to a police probe.

"It's a possibility (that it's suspicious)," she said.

"The cause is not yet determined so we will be investigating."

The fire front swept across the 700-strong township, attracting a CFA strike team of more than 35 fire trucks and two aircraft.

At least four firefighters and one resident were injured, with paramedics reportedly treating more sufferers on the ground.

A house damaged by the fire in Dereel. Picture: Jon Hargest

Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen said the firefighters suffered airway burns while battling the Dereel blaze.

He said the firefighters were transferred to Ballarat Base Hospital.

CFA chief officer Euan Ferguson said the volunteer members were expected to be released overnight.

He said they were injured when their vehicle collided with a tree in thick smoke.

Mr Ferguson commended them for their quick-thinking actions to take shelter in their vehicle as the fire burnt around them.

An evacuation centre established in Rokewood was moved to the Linton Recreation Reserve in Linton as the fire chewed through the battered country.

Embattled emergency services workers had more than one fire zone to conquer, with resources fighting a score of fires sprinkled across Officer, Mirboo, Derrinallum and Lismore.

Police from Ballarat and Bacchus Marsh were deployed to the major Dereel fire to help with evacuations.

Meanwhile, authorities were also bracing for forecast wind changes affecting a secondary fire in Dereel, with fears the blaze could affect Rokewood, Warrambine, Barunah Park and Barunah Plains.

Fire broke out 2km from Robyn Miles' Ferrers Rd home.

The Dereel local was stuck at the evacuation centre overnight after police blocked access to her street.

"It did scare me today, it's the closest I've come to losing my place," Ms Miles, 54, said.

Dereel fire in progress. Picture: Channel 9

"I didn't even know about it until my neighbour told me. I couldn't see or smell any smoke."

She said there were rumours a dozen homes were destroyed by the blaze. "If we find out it was arson ... " she said.

Ruth Uren, 67, said locals would want to rebuild.

"It's quite a bad fire for the area. It definitely took everybody by surprise but we're a strong community," Ms Uren said.

In the state's southeast, a grassfire raging through Officer, about 50km from Melbourne's CBD, expanded to 90ha, threatening Rythdale to Dalmore East and Cardinia.

It came as a 141ha blaze in Derrinallum was brought under control.

A fast-moving fire had threatened the communities of Hallston, Dickies Hill Junction, Allambee South and Berrys

Creek in the state's east.

The fire had burnt out 312ha.

Local resident Ruth Uren at a burnt-out house in Dereel. Picture: Hargest Jon

Local Dereel resident Robyn Miles talks about the bushfire. Picture: Hargest Jon

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HIV+ Liz: Unsafe sex is never ok

HIV+ peer education Officer, Liz Walker. Picture: Dominique Menegaldo Source: PerthNow

A DECISION many young women make led to a life-changing illness for Liz Walker.

Eight years ago, she decided to have unprotected sex with her long-term boyfriend.

She did not make the decision lightly; she had been checked for sexually transmitted infections (STI), was using a contraceptive pill and was in a monogamous relationship.

She thought she was covered.

But two years later, before entering a new relationship, she had a comprehensive STI test including blood tests and  found out she was HIV-positive, with the virus most likely unknowingly transferred by her previous partner.

Ms Walker said the diagnosis was initially overwhelming.

"I was really freaking out and didn't feel I could identify with any of those groups," she said.

Ms Walker said she could not come to terms with her diagnosis for a number of years and did not start medication immediately.

Since then, Miss Walker has accepted her diagnosis to the point she is now "openly positive".

"I think young people in the community can learn a lot from my story.

"I want people to know that you do need to have protected sex and more importantly you need to have regular STI checks and engage in conversation with partners regarding sexual health."

Living with HIV means Miss Walker takes three pills each day, which keeps her viral load undetectable and improves her immune function.

Read more about Liz's journey at inmycommunity.com.au

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Gillard warns she won't back down over Gonski

Protesters and supporters of live sheep export outside Thornlie Senior High School, in Perth's south-eastern suburbs, where Prime Minister Julia Gillard is holding a community cabinet meeting. Picture: Stewart Allen Source: PerthNow

PRIME Minister Julia Gillard has warned state governments to expect no compromises at next month's Council of Australian Government Meeting (COAG), saying she is determined to come away with a deal on the Gonski education reforms.

Speaking at the community cabinet meeting in Perth, Ms Gillard said the "end game'' had been reached in the debate between the federal and state governments on the proposed reforms, and she was not about to back down.

From a surprisingly welcoming audience of around 400 people, Ms Gillard was questioned on subjects as wide ranging as the Jandakot Airport to the return of the death penalty in Australia.

But it was on the debate with the states of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and the Gonski reforms that Ms Gillard showed her hard edge, saying she "deeply regretted'' not being able to roll out an NDIS scheme in WA later this year.

Asked about what impediments the WA Premier Colin Barnett had put in the way of the Gonski reforms, Ms Gillard renewed her attacks on state governments threatening to withdraw funding from schools.

"We are going to keep the dialogue open, but we are not going to put more money into schools only for state governments to take money out,'' she said.

"We are prepared to talk to get this done, but it can't be against a backdrop of states taking money out.

"We are in the end game of this now, and I am very determined to go to the COAG in April and come out with better deal for Australian children.''

Asked about the lack of co-operation from Mr Barnett on the NDIS, Ms Gillard said she did not believe there was "absence of will'' to support the scheme in WA.

"What we are arguing about is the governance structure - he does not want services governed remotely from Canberra and neither do I,'' she said.

Taking just 12 questions over 45 minutes, Ms Gillard also defended her position on the live export ban.

Flanked by ministers including Stephen Smith, Gary Gray, Kate Lundy and Mark Dreyfus, Ms Gillard fielded all but two of the questions, espousing her views on asylum seekers, the impact of a lower Newstart payment for single parents and the rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN) in Perth.

Communications minister Stephen Conroy confirmed the first homes to receive NBN coverage in Perth would be hooked up in June.

Ms Gillard will wrap-up her three-day tour of WA on Thursday morning.

Live export protests

Earlier, Ms Gillard slipped almost unnoticed past various protest groups waiting outside the community Cabinet meeting.

About 200 people in groups supporting and opposing live animal exports, as well as representatives of Vietnam veterans, lined the street outside the school, under the watchful eye of a heavy police presence.

But Ms Gillard's convoy was able to slide past the banner-waving protesters relatively unnoticed, despite fears of angry scenes on the PM's first trip west for more than four months.

Farmer Michael Trant, who runs the "Hadagutful'' protest campaign, said earlier he hoped to bring the farmer's plight to the notice of Ms Gillard.

"We want to make the PM aware of the problem WA farmers are facing since the new live exports regulation came in,'' he said.

"We are sick and tired of being knocked about because a few bad images get put across the media.

"We can't compete with an image of a cow getting its throat cut wrong. No-one likes that.

"Hopefully we can throw a few questions and some assurances something will happen shortly or it is not going to be pretty.''

The opposing view was put by Stop Live Exports rally organiser Katrina Love.

"We are in vehement opposition to live exports and we want to remind the PM that the majority of Australians are in favour of a phase out of live exports,'' Ms Love said.

"It is not about us versus them (the farmers) - both of us are directing our complaints to the government.''

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RBA tells homeowners to resist loans

RBA tells homeowners to save and not take on attractive home loans. Source: Supplied

HOUSEHOLDS are being urged to continue bolstering their saving and resist the attractive loans on offer from the major commercial banks by the Reserve Bank, as the economy works its way out of its historically high debt levels.

Despite financial stress and mortgage arrears falling in most parts of the country, the RBA said the household savings rate of just over 10 per cent, which is well above its 20-year average, must be maintained and debts paid down.

And the central bank's half-yearly Financial Stability Review warns investors the upward swing in global markets this year may only be temporary with the crisis in Cyprus a clear warning of the risks that still remain as the global economy works its way out of its financial hangover.

The RBA's increasingly optimistic outlook has seen JP Morgan yesterday push back its tip of another and final interest rate cut, to take the official cash rate to a record low of 2.75 per cent, from May to November.

This comes as the RBA confirms the cost of wholesale funding - the level at which banks borrow from each other - has dropped to its lowest level since the GFC began in 2008.

But instead of using this drop to lower borrowing costs for consumers, the banks have continued to strengthen their capital, funding and liquidity positions.

The Financial Stability Review also said that while ANZ accounted for a large part of the growth in Asia with its super regional strategy to generate 25-30 per cent of its business from the region by 2017 - all the big banks have increased their exposure in the past five years.

International Banking Statistics shows Australian banks assets in Asia has risen from $27 billion in 2007 to $112 billion at the end of last year.

But the report warned that while the more prudent approach of the post global financial crisis period has helped bring household debt-to-income ratio down from 153 per cent in late 2006 to 148 per cent it was still to high and paying down debt must continue to be priority.

The US rate peaked at 133 per cent during the sub-prime boom.This more cash-conscious approach has however seen household's mortgage buffer surge to over 20 months - this is scheduled repayment plus interest - in the past five years.

"Housing loan arrears rates have continued to improve across most parts of the country and other indicators of household financial stress remain low," the RBA report said.

"Nonetheless, household indebtedness and gearing remain around historically high levels. It would therefore be undesirable from a financial stability perspective if households were to exhibit less prudent behaviour than they have over the past few years.

"This increasingly conservative approach to family finances has seen the net worth of the average household rise to $721,000 - this includes property assets, superannuation and savings in the March quarter.

It is back from a low of $632,000 in mid-2008 but still below its 2007 peak of $772,000 before the crisis hit.

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Perth husband betrayed by Chinese wife

A Perth man was betrayed by his Chinese wife who left him weeks after gaining permanent residency. Picture: AFP Source: PerthNow

A PERTH man, left betrayed and with sexually transmitted diseases, is warning others not to fall for the same tricks he did.

In April 2010, someone he now knows as the "madam" of a brothel introduced him to a Chinese woman, whom he married later that year.

On New Year's Eve in 2012, less than three weeks after she gained permanent Australian residency, she left him - with genital warts and herpes.

It was then the signs fell into place: her ready cash, her late nights "at the casino" , her two mobile phones and her "friendship" with the madam, who once lent her $2700 for one visa application.

"I obviously had feelings for the woman, and turned a blind eye to a lot of things," he said.

The man's screens for other diseases came back clear, but the HIV test result will take several weeks.

Read more about this story at inmycommunity.com.au

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Mercedes Corby bashed by five men

The sister of Schapelle Corby has left hospital after being treated for an assault in Bali. Courtesy: Nine News

• Suffered a broken nose and bleeding in one eye
• Has undergone surgery to repair damage to her nose
• She has left the Kasih Ibu hospital in Denpasar

MORE details have emerged about Schapelle Corby's sister Mercedes who was mugged and brutally assaulted by a group of men trying to rob her of her handbag in Kuta, Bali.

Mercedes told News Ltd from her hospital room in Denpasar that she was mugged for her handbag in a robbery believed to involve five people.

"It was a mugging for my handbag," Mercedes said. "I'm on the mend," she said.

Mercedes, 39, suffered a severely broken nose and bleeding in one eye when she was assaulted by the group of Indonesian men as they tried to snatch her handbag in a Kuta street.

According to Kuta police, Mercedes' husband, Wayan Widiartha, made a police report about the attack on his wife to the Kuta station on Saturday morning.

But that initial version did not contain any allegations that Mercedes had been the victim of an attempted bag snatch or robbery.

Police sources said Mr Widiartha had reported that his wife was on the way home from a birthday party at 12.30am on Saturday when she heard some people making derogatory comments about her in the  Balinese language which she understood.

Police said Mr Widiartha told them that at this time she stopped to argue with them and was punched and injured. The incident occurred in Poppies Lane 11 in Kuta, a busy sideroad off the main street of Jalan Legian.

Police said that they had not heard, except from the media, about the claims that men had tried to rob Mercedes of her handbag.

They have yet to formerly interview and take a statement from Mercedes, saying they are waiting until she is well enough.

Wayan said his wife was resting inside and he denied suggestions that the couple has split up.

Mercedes Corby and her Balinese husband Wayan Widiartha pictured at Kasih Ibu Hospital in Denpasar today.

Staff say that she arrived at the hospital suffering a broken nose.

She has since had surgery to repair her severely broken nose. Mercedes earlier today left the Kasih Ibu hospital in Denpasar, Bali's capital, where she had been staying in a private room.

Mercedes' Balinese husband Wayan Widiartha and her two children are currently at the hospital visiting her and it is believed she may be discharged today.

Mr Widiartha confirmed his wife was robbed by seven people in Kuta and that she was injured while trying to fight them off and stop them from stealing her handbag.

Mercedes Corby's text message confirming the assault.

He said the incident happened just as Mercedes was getting on her motorbike and the Indonesian men had tried to steal her handbag.

He said his wife, who had a black belt, had fought back and was then helped by a friend.

An angry Mr Widiartha said Kuta was becoming dangerous and needed to be cleaned up.

Mr Widiartha also denied rumours that he and Mercedes have split up, a move that could put Schapelle's parole bid in danger.

Mercedes Corby suffers broken nose during attack by bag snatchers on a Bali street. Courtesy of Nine News.

"We are still together. We are still in love," he told News Ltd from his central Kuta home this afternoon.

Mr Widiartha said his wife was inside their home, resting, after being discharged from hospital.

A hospital staff member earlier told news.com.au Mercedes had been initially expected to stay for up to four days.

"She is OK," she said. "We've already operated.

Mercedes Corby's husband Wayan Widiartha seen today at Kasih Ibu Hospital in Denpasar with their children.

"Some of the family (is here)."

Mercedes's mother Rosleigh Rose confirmed the incident to news.com.au, but said her daughter wanted privacy.

"She's asked for privacy at the moment. I can't say any more," she told news.com.au. "I'll just get upset. I don't want to talk about it."

Mercedes lives in a traditional Balinese compound home in central Kuta with her two children and her husband.

Mercedes has been living in central Kuta since her younger sister was arrested and jailed in 2005 for smuggling 4.2 kilograms marijuana into Bali inside a body board bag.

In recent months she has been fighting for Schapelle, 36, who has always claimed she is innocent and was set up by a smuggling ring,  to be released on parole and either allowed to live with her in Bali or return to Australia.

Sources close to the family vigorously denied reports today that Mercedes and her husband had separated, which would place Schapelle's parole bid in doubt.

Reports today claimed Mr Widiartha had not lived in the family compound in Kuta for some months and was living elsewhere.

An important part of Schapelle Corby's parole bid, under intricate Indonesian parole laws, is the promise that she could live with Mercedes and Mr Widiartha if released.

The couple would help her financially, with her "morale" and oversee her education as "a responsible citizen".

Sources said the couple have not split, but had rented a second property in Kuta because they needed more space.

Their original family compound had become too well-known and their neighbours were angry that it was the centre of attention, the sources said.

Muggings of tourists have become common in Kuta and sources close to the family said the incident had nothing to do with Schapelle.

The gang did not manage to take her handbag.

According to one Australian man who says he witnessed the event in Bali,  "she had blood all over her face and her eyes were closed". 

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Southern Cross at hoax inquest

A student of a nursing college places a candle in front of a picture depicting nurse Jacintha Saldanha, during a candle-lit vigil organized by a local politician in Bangalore, India. An inquest into the apparent suicide of Saldanha, who was duped by a hoax call from Australian DJs about the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge, heard she had left three notes. AP /Aijaz Rahi Source: AP

THE radio broadcaster involved in the royal hoax call that tricked a nurse days before she took her own life will be a party to her inquest amid accusations the prank contributed to her death.

Mother of two Jacintha Saldanha was found hanged in her apartment in the nurses' quarters in central London last December, three days after unwittingly putting 2Day-FM DJ's posing as royal family members through to the hospital ward where the Duchess of Cambridge was recovering from severe morning sickness.

Yesterday at the reopening of the inquest at Westminster's Coroner's Court, Southern Cross Media applied to be a party to proceedings with the media group's lawyer Maya Sikand saying the hoax may have had "perceived consequences".

Ms Sikand said her clients had apologised for the "unforeseen and totally unintended consequences" of their actions and subsequent death but she was "dancing in the dark" in terms of how their involvement will materialise and likely witnesses to be called but recognised there was great public anger at her clients for the tragedy.

She also said it could be Southern Cross could assist in recommendations for future in terms of "lessons learnt".

Their inclusion into the proceedings, which will start proper on May 2 and is set down for two days, were granted.

The 46-year-old Ms Saldanha's husband Benedict Barboza, 49 and their children Junal, 16 and 14-year-old Lisha were present in court.

Their legal representative John Cooper QC did not object to Southern Cross being party to the hearing since he said the radio station had claimed it had contacted the hospital "four or five times" to seek permission to broadcast the hoax but the hospital had been adamant that no call was received.

He said those facts were likely to be in dispute.

Mr Cooper also asked whether Ms Sikand would be representing the two DJs behind the hoax Mel Greig and Michael Christian, who posed as the Queen and Prince Charles when they rang the King Edward Hospital.

Mr Cooper also indicated he would be asking how it was Ms Saldanha came to be working effectively as a receptionist and whether that was in her contract

Coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox abruptly adjourned the hearing for the two lawyers and two others representing the hospital and the police service to meet immediately in her chambers for a discussion.

After proceedings continued sometime later, Dr Wilcox said there would be four witnesses including the duty nurse, whose name is suppressed, and the hospital's boss John Lofthouse.

She also indicated her hearing would not be a "court of adversity" but a court of inquiry to allow a cause of death to be recorded and not other issues.

Outside court, family spokesman Keith Vaz said the inquest would mark the beginning of the end of the case.

He said the family was still suffering from the loss of their beloved mother and wife and the weeks before the inquest would be hard, not least of all because the two children had crucial exams to prepare for.

He said last Sunday would have been Ms Saldanha's 47th birthday.

He said the family specifically wanted him to thank the police for their thorough investigation and the media for respecting their privacy in this difficult time.

The duchess' hospitalisation with acute morning sickness last December made headlines around the world with details of how husband Prince William rushed her to hospital after a weekend away with her parents when she could not stop throwing up.

The dash to King Edward VII Hospital then forced the palace to prematurely reveal the duchess was pregnant.

Jacintha Saldanha's family arrive at Westminster Coroners Court for the inquest into her death. Picture: Charles Miranda

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Ellen wants to call Australia home

Ellen and Portia talk to Tracy Grimshaw of A Current Affair at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Melbourne. Vision courtesy of Nine.

• Star says she could imagine herself living in Australia
• The welcome from fans has been overwhelming
• VIPs attend the black-tie cocktail in Melbourne

TV STAR Ellen DeGeneres said she could imagine living in Australia one day as she and wife Portia de Rossi attended an exclusive cocktail party in Melbourne.

"I shouldn't put it out there, but I can see us living here one day,"she told the crowd at the Grand Hyatt Hotel where 300 VIPs graced the red carpet for the black-tie event hosted by Premier Denis Napthine.

"Not for a while as I've got shows to do, but I can see it happening,"  she said. "This is the most incredible trip, I will never forget it."

The event featured prominent business, entertainment and sporting figures including Qantas CEO Alan Joyce, Sonia Kruger, John Bertrand, Shane Jacobson, Magda Szubanski, Lisa Wilkinson, Hawthorn footballer Josh Gibson and many more.

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi pictured on the red carpet at the Grand Hyatt. Picture:  Julie Kiriacoudis

Ms DeGeneres was asked her thoughts on host Premier Napthine who earlier today told 3AW he didn't support gay marriage.

"There are people who don't support it and people who do, politicians or not it doesn't make me judge them, as a human being," she said.

"That's his opinion, I obviously think he is wrong, but he will come around," she added.

The Premier welcomed DeGeneres at the cocktail party, telling the audience he admired her style.

Brynne Edelsten was among the VIP crowd at the cocktail party. Picture:Julie  Kiriacoudis

"I am a great fan. I remember watching your show Ellen and thought it was one of the best shows of its time,"Napthine said.

He also made reference to Portia and said the people of Geelong wanted to say a special hello.

"I was in Geelong yesterday and the people of Grovedale wanted to say hello," he said.

Ms De Rossi said next time she arrives she definitely would take Ellen to her home town of Geelong.

Magda Szubanski also made an appearance at the black-tie event. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis

Ms DeGeneres also said she has been humbled by the support her Australians fans have shown, despite her recent illness which initially forced her to postpone her trip.

"I was supposed to be here early so thank you , I got a bit sick," she said.  "I'm back and I'm healthy."

"I've wanted to come to Australia for a long long time, before meeting Portia."

Swisse boss Radek Sali praised Ms DeGeneres after her performance in front of thousands of fans at Birrarung Marr.

"I don't know how you have the energy, I'm fried from sitting in the front row," he said.

Ms DeGeneres said the support has been incredible in Australia, and she promised to return.

"We will be back," she said.

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Freed hostage bans wife from seeing him

Australian former soldier Warren Rodwell thanks Philippine officials, friends and family for their help in his release after being held hostage by Abu Sayyaf militants for 15 months. Jessica Gray reports.

Miraflor Gutang wife of Warren Rodwell. Photo: Supplied Source: Supplied

Australian hostage Warren Rodwell recovers after being released by militants following 15 months in captivity. Picture: AP Source: AP

THE Filipino wife of freed hostage Warren Rodwell - who claimed she had to sell her house to help pay his $94,000 ransom - has been blocked from seeing her estranged husband.

It has emerged that Miraflor Gutang, who was married to Mr Rodwell soon before he went missing, has fled her Mindanao home to seek refuge with family after Mr Rodwell reportedly denied a request to see her.

Ms Gutang, 29, could not be contacted yesterday for comment and sources reported that she was hiding out in Naga City.

The pair is believed to have fallen out before Mr Rodwell was kidnapped and the couple has not spoken to each other since Rodwell was released on Saturday.

Warren Rodwell is released in Pagadian City in the southern Philippines, 15 months after he was taken captive by rebels from the Abu Sayyaf group.

News Limited can also reveal that Filipino investigators and senior officials are looking into the possibility that the high-profile al-Qaida linked group Abu Sayyaf was not involved in Mr Rodwell's 15-month kidnapping ordeal.

Mr Rodwell, who is still recovering from emaciation, has already undergone questioning by detectives from the anti-kidnapping unit who were keen to talk with him as soon as possible about any clues he could provide.

ADFAT spokesman last night said there had been "various claims" about who was responsible for the kidnapping, which had been picked up by media outlets.

Kidnapped man Warren Rodwell has offered his heartfelt thanks to Australian and Filipino authorities.

"The kidnappers made every effort to hide their real identities ... we cannot be certain of the accuracies of these public claims (by the group responsible)," he said.

It is believed that other splinter Islamic groups or opportunistic locals could have targetted Mr Rodwell and this is being investigated by senior Filipino police led by Senior Superintendent Renato Gumban.

DFAT said it would continue to support Mr Rodwell, 54, as he recovers his strength.

They will also provide ongoing assistance for his sister Denise and brother Wayne - who helped co-ordinate and put up the ransom money.

The family of freed Australian hostage Warren Rodwell have thanked Philippine and Australian authorities.

The former Australian soldier could remain in Manila for up to two weeks depending on his health and the Philippines' famous Easter week celebrations - where major government departments and stores across the country shutdown - are also likely to cause some delay.

Sources said Mr Rodwell - who is staying at an undisclosed location - was keen to get back to Australia as soon as possible after his ordeal.

His captors had initially threatened to kill him unless a $US2 million ($1.93) ransom was paid.

Through a strategy of using Mr Rodwell's wife Miraflor as a front for negotiations, the ransom was eventually settled for $94,000 in a deal brokered by Al-Rasheed Sakalahul, the vice-governor of the southern Philippine province of Basilan.

On the weekend, Ms Gutang claimed she had to sell her home, a water filling station and a vehicle to help fund Mr Rodwell's ransom.

Australian hostage Warren Rodwell (C) who was recently released talks arrives at the Manila International Airport in Manila on March 25, 2013. Australian Warren Rodwell said on March 25 he was overwhelmed, happy and thankful at finally being free after 15 months as a hostage of Islamic militants in the southern Philippines. AFP PHOTO/NOEL CELIS Source: AFP

It is believed that Mr Rodwell's Australian based family provided the bulk of the funds.

Mr Rodwell was released by his captorsnear Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur on the weekend.

He was put in a boat in the early hours of the morning and had to paddle his own way to shore.

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