Barnett won't budge on schools plan

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and WA Premier Colin Barnett shake hands after their meeing in Perth, despite not reaching a deal on education reforms. Picture: Richard Polden Source: PerthNow

WA will not be part of the Federal Government's education reforms despite a last ditch plea from Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

Premier Colin Barnett today officially refused the $920 million carrot, claiming that signing up to the plan would have effectively given Canberra control over WA schools.

However this afternoon's meeting between the Premier and the Prime Minister was not all bad, with Mr Barnett saying Mr Rudd was more "conciliatory" than his predecessor.

"It was a good conversation," Mr Barnett told reporters after the 90-minute meeting.

Pictures: Kevin Rudd's day in Perth

Gillard: I was loyal to Rudd

"Obviously we talked in detail about the disability care proposals. I am hopeful we can reach agreement on the trial site here in Western Australia. The Prime Minister has said he would have a look at that.

"We also talked about schools and the major point of difference was the way the Commonwealth legislation has been put together does give the Commonwealth a huge degree of control over education at a school level.

"I am happy to have more funding into schools, particularly those that might be disadvantaged. That is admirable.

"But the West Australian government will retain control and management of its school systems."

Earlier in the day Mr Rudd said it was "just nonsense" that the states would have to report to Canberra.

"Schools are run locally," he said.

"What we simply have done with other states is agree on a line of sight for the extra money that we put into schools so that school improvement plans can be developed and then measured over time, so that you get better education outcomes for each kid. It's actually a co-investment."

Under the Better Schools funding plans, WA would have received $920 million over the next six years. $590m would have come from then federal government and $330 from the state government.

Mr Rudd said this equated to just under a million dollars extra for every WA school.

However this was not enough to convince Mr Barnett.

Despite not signing up to the education reforms, the two leaders were able to reach some understanding over the federal Government's disability care program.

Mr Barnett said the Prime Minister had agreed to consider a similar program that is currently operating the state's south-west as a trial site for the national program.

The Premier also said he found Mr Rudd to be more open to different views compared to former PM Julia Gillard.

"He was far more conciliatory," Mr Barnett said.

"Julia Gillard was very difficult to get her to change her position on anything. Some might say stubborn.

"Kevin Rudd was at least very prepared to talk very frankly and openly about the issues and I appreciate that."

Mr Rudd later launched the candidate for Perth Alannah MacTiernan's official campaign. He will be the guest speaker at a private fundraising dinner at Crown Perth tonight.

22.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Perth man jailed for killing neighbour

Andrew Schimmel was killed in a stabbing attack by his neighbour Duran Leonard Nepean. Picture: Supplied Source: PerthNow

A MAN has been sentenced to eight years jail for killing his neighbour after he tried to intervene in a domestic argument.

Duran Leonard Nepean, 29, stabbed neighbour Andrew Schimmel six times with an ornamental knife in December 2011.

At the time, Nepean was involved in an ongoing, hours-long argument with his partner in their East Cannington home.

Mr Schimmel tried to intervene at the request of Nepean's partner, causing the two men to get into a dispute themselves.

At one stage Mr Schimmel punched Nepean to the head, rending him unconscious.

Mr Schimmel then went back to his house.

However, Mr Schimmel later heard more shouting from Nepean's house and he returned to the property.

When Mr Schimmel arrived, Nepean went into his bedroom and came back with the knife.

Tests later revealed both men had alcohol in their system and Mr Schimmel had traces of cannabis and methamphetamines.

In June this year, Nepean pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter.

In sentencing, Judge Lindy Jenkins told the Supreme Court it was likely Nepean was frightened when Mr Schimmel approached his house, but that this did not make Nepean's offence any less serious.

"By your actions you have unlawfully taken another young man's life," she said.

"Your offence is made more serious because of the amount of violence you used."

She said it was the duty of the courts to do what they could to deter young men from knife violence and therefore a prison sentence was warranted.
 

22.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Search for CCTV of 'train oral sex'

The Public Transport Authority is investigating claims that a woman performed oral sex on a man in front of other passengers on an Armadale Line train yesterday. Picture: Sean Middleton Source: PerthNow

PERTH transport bosses are trying to trace CCTV footage to verify claims by a commuter that she witnessed a young woman performing oral sex on a man on a peak-hour train.

A witness to the incident, who only wanted to be known as Kerry, called into radio station 6PR this morning to say the incident occurred on the Armadale line about 5.30pm yesterday.

She also said transit guards had not intervened.

``We all make jokes about the Armadale line, it is so bad, and once again it's just proven to me that it's just getting worse and worse,'' she said.

The incident comes just weeks after PerthNow exposed the extent of foul language, sexist and racist comments and shameful behaviour on Perth's train network.

David Hynes, of the Perth Transport Authority, said officials were investigating the matter ``very seriously'', and would be attempting to access the CCTV vision to back up the claims.

``This is the sort of stuff people should not have to put up with, whether you're in the Hay Street Mall, or in Northbridge or on a train, so we'll be looking into it,'' Mr Hynes said.

``We have CCTV vision on all trains; we'll track down the carriage and download the vision, find out what we can and we'll be looking into it pretty seriously, including whether our transit guards could've behaved better.''

Locating the vision could take some time, as images can only be downloaded directly from the train's hard drive, which can only be done when the train is out of service.

The shocked woman commuter told 6PR: "I witnessed a group of young…middle aged people, sitting in the middle carriages on the Armadale line."

"I was a few feet down from them and in the corner there were two people, male and female with the female giving the older male oral sex, in front of everyone in the carriages.

"The other ones (in the group) were all drinking.

"It was quite intimidating, the kids there (in the group) were very vocal and a little bit aggressive."

Kerry said there were two school children on the carriage when the incident took place.

She said there were transit guards on the train in another carriage at the time, but they did not intervene and actually walked away from her after she confronted them as she got off the train.

"I don't want my children on the Armadale line…it's just so bad, it's getting worse and worse," Kerry said.

Opposition transport spokesman Ken Travers said the incident demonstrated the need for a text messaging service for passengers that people can use when they need help.

Currently passengers on Perth trains can call a dedicated number if they witness anti-social behaviour occurring.
"Who is going to ring that number and say there are two people having sex?" Mr Travers asked.

"What I have consistently said is to have a phone number the passengers can text to say we need assistance.

"This woman said she was too intimated to ring the (current) number.

"Yesterday's incident completely highlights the benefits of such a system."

 The PTA today hit back at calls for an SMS emergency system and said a trial in 2007 found it to be unsuitable.

"The SMS is unsuitable because there can be a delay between the text being sent and the information being received," spokesman David Hynes said.

"In practice, the information supplied via SMS was usually insufficient for our security people to know precisely where the incident happened.

"In the trial, we often had to send a message back to the passenger to get these details, this is not possible if the sending number is blocked which can be the case, especially with private phones even if it is not blocked, the passenger might not know the required details, or be in a position to respond to a text.

"In summary, our trial found that an SMS emergency service would be unreliable. An unreliable service is possibly worse than none at all as it leads to the expectation that help is on the way, when this may not be the case."

22.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Perth cops another night of wild weather

Wild winds, thunderstorms, heavy rain, and possible hail are forecast for Friday night. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

THE second part of a double-barrelled storm system will bring destructive winds, heavy rain and possible hail to Perth and the South West overnight.

The weather bureau is warning of thunderstorms, wild winds whipping up to 110km/h in parts, heavy rain and possible hail on Friday night.

It comes after a storm battered the metropolitan area and the South West in the early hours of Friday.

Friday night forecast

Cloudy. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms. Damaging winds possible. Possible hail and heavy falls. Winds westerly 30 to 40 km/h, decreasing to 25 to 30 km/h in the late evening.

Saturday forecast

Max: 19. Min: 9. Partly cloudy. Scattered showers contracting to the coast in the late afternoon. Isolated thunderstorms in the morning with possible hail and gusty winds. Damaging winds possible in the morning. Winds westerly 30 to 45 km/h tending southwesterly in the morning then becoming light in the late evening.

DFES warning

At 3:30pm the Bureau of Meteorology advises that a cold front lies just off the west coast with an associated deep low to the south of the state.

The front will move across the region this evening and the deep low will move towards the southern coastline towards sunrise on Saturday.

The passage of the front is likely to result in widespread damaging winds to 110 kilometres per hour that could result in damage to homes and property over an area west of a line Kalbarri to Dalwallinu to York to Bunbury extending to west of a line Kalbarri to Paynes Find to Hyden to Bunbury in the evening.

This system is likely to produce high sustained winds and frequent squalls with showers and thunderstorms.

Conditions are expected to ease towards midnight as the front moves inland and weakens but as the deep low approaches the south coast, showers and thunderstorms are again likely to produce widespread damaging winds to 110 kilometres per hour that could result in damage to homes and property over an area southwest of a line Gingin to York to Walpole between 4:00am and 10:00am.

Small hail is also possible with thunderstorms.

Large swells will lead to dangerous surf conditions which could cause significant beach erosion along the west coast south of Kalbarri.

SES crews kept busy

SES volunteers are on standby ahead of the oncoming severe weather.

The SES received 22 requests for assistance in the Perth metropolitan area caused by the Friday morning storm activity, including eight calls from Wanneroo and five from Mandurah.

The most significant damage was a patio blown off a house in Heathridge and a chimney collapse in Como.

Southern capes, Perth coast lashed by high winds

The South West capes and Perth coast were lashed by high winds early on Friday morning with Cape Leeuwin recording a maximum gust of 98km/h at 8.35am with consistent gusts up to 82km/h since about 6am.

Nearby Cape Naturaliste has also been buffeted by 50km/h-80km/h winds most of the night with a top gust of 78km/h at 8.40am.

Rottnest Island has been buffeted by gusts to 96km/h mid-morning after repeated gusts up to 85km/h from around 9.45am. Ocean Reef recorded a gust of 89km/h at 10.09am after an earlier 82km/h gust.

Mandurah was blasted by 65km/h wind gusts.

DFES warned residents in the south-west of corner of WA to prepare for dangerous weather last night.

See PerthNow weather for the latest live radar, storm warning and seven-day forecast

Mt William, in the Dwellingup state forest, had the state's highest fall with 36mm.

In the South West, most centres recorded 10mm to 20mm with Boyanup 23mm, Henty Brook 22mm, Collie 21mm, Witchcliffe 18mm and Busselton 15mm.

Rainfalls, between 5mm-12mm got through to the Great Southern, while farmers in the Central Wheatbelt got 5mm-10mm. Grain growers will by buoyed by recent rains which have revived hopes of a successful harvest.

RAINS ADD LITTLE TO DAMS

Despite heavy rains in the last two weeks, Perth's dam levels remain at their second lowest since 2006.

A Water Corporation spokeswoman said recent rains had made "minimal difference" to the dam levels, which currently sit at 155.66 gigalitres.

In 2011, the July dam levels were at their lowest since 2006, with just 149.27 gigalitres.

"The ground is just so dry, it's acting like a sponge, there's no run off," the spokeswoman said.

She said in the last few years, run off from winter rains had been so lacking, rainfall was no longer the primary water source for Perth which is why there had been such a large investment in desalination plants.

22.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Boy, 11, dies 'driving to meet bus'

A young boy died last night in WA's Great Southern after the car he was driving on a rural property hit a tree and overturned.

An 11-year-old boy has died in the car he was driving on a farm in Frankland River, about 340km south-east of Perth. Source: PerthNow

A YOUNG boy died last night in WA's Great Southern after the car he was driving on a rural property hit a tree and overturned.

The incident occurred about 4.30pm in the small town of Frankland River, about 340km south-east of Perth.

It is believed 11-year-old boy and his nine-year-old sister were driving on the property's driveway to meet the school bus when they crashed.

The girl was flown to Perth for medical treatment to an arm injury.

Frankland River is a small farming community about 46km west of Cranbrook, and 18km north of Rocky Gully.

In a separate incident late yesterday a 27-year-old Margaret River man died after the Holden Commodore he was driving hit a tree in Binningup, about 150km south of Perth.

Police say the man was travelling south on Old Coast Road about 7pm when he lost control and hit a tree on the centre median strip.

The man, who was the only person in the car, died at the scene.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or the vehicle prior to the crash is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The latest deaths bring the road toll this year to 94, compared to 100 at the same time last year. It is believed the 11-year-old's death won't be counted in the statistics as it occurred on a farm.

 

22.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

The filthy rich who own Australia

Low turnover on the BRW list is testament to how astute wealthy families are at protecting their money Source: News Limited

• Smorgon family again claim title as most prosperous
• Worth a whopping $2.64 billion
• Combined wealth of top three families is $6.84 billion

AUSTRALIA'S super rich aren't a new breed, with three old-monied families retaining their long-held reign as the nation's wealthiest dynasties.

The Melbourne-based Smorgon family, which originally amassed its fortune from meat processing and more recently steel, has been the most cashed-up clan on the BRW Rich Families List for 15 years.

They are worth a whopping $2.64 billion, but even rich-listers are feeling the resources pinch with the Smorgon's wealth edging up only slightly from $2.63 last year.

Fellow Melbourne families, retailing billionaires the Besens and the investment diversified Liberman are in second and third place respectively on the list.

The trio's combined wealth is $6.84 billion, down from $6.98 billion last year.

While second and third place has changed slightly since 2008, it has been the same three families at the pointy end of the BRW list for years.

Highly diversified holdings such as theirs is sometimes crudely referred to as "parasitic wealth" as it creates compounding funds, without much need for new or outside investment and development.

The average wealth of the returning families on the list of 50 is up 1.5 per cent, with the cooling of the resources boom, and difficulties in the beef industry hurting their well-lined hip pockets.

Property remains one of the key investment sectors for Australia's wealthiest families, and this year the Whites of Ray White Real Estate return to the list after an absence in 2012.

The Young family at number 48 provide the list with its most unusual inclusion. Angus and Malcolm are founding members of the legendary rock and roll band AC/DC, while their brother George is a highly successful songwriter and producer.

Unlike billionaires Gina Rinehart, Clive Palmer and James Packer, the ultra-wealthy on BRW's Rich Families List are not widely recognised.

However, BRW editor James Thomson says more than 70 per cent of Australian companies identify as family businesses.

"Family businesses are going through difficult transitions at the moment as second, third and even fourth generations emerge, often with very different goals to their parents," Mr Thomson said.

"More and more of the wealthiest families are moving assets to fourth and even fifth generation family members and families face the challenge of diversifying assets and accommodating expanding pools of claimants."

Mr Thomson said low turnover on the list is testament to how astute wealthy families are at protecting their money. They tend to ride out bumps - like the global financial crisis - much more smoothly than most investors, he said.

FAMILY- WEALTH- INDUSTRY

Smorgon-$2.64bn-Investment

Besen-$2.1bn-Property, retail

Liberman-$2.1bn-Investment

Myer-$2.01bn-Investment, retail, property

Wilson-$1.83bn-Retail

STATE- NUMBER ON LIST

New South Wales 23

Victoria 16

Queensland 10

Western Australia 3

South Australia 3

Northern Territory 1

Overseas 1

###

22.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

Perth fuel prices to hit record high

Perth petrol prices will hit a new high on Thursday. Picture: Sorbello Alf Source: PerthNow

THE price of fuel in Perth will hit a record high on Thursday.

Fuelwatch is advising drivers to fill their tank this evening, before the metropolitan average for ULP reaches 160.6cpl tomorrow.

The previous highest daily metropolitan average for ULP was 160 cpl in July 2008 when the ULP price peaked at 172 cpl at Mundijong.

Tomorrow the highest ULP price will again be at Mundijong, where motorists will pay 165cpl.

Most Coles Express, Caltex and Caltex Woolworths sites will hike their ULP price by 14 cpl up to 163.9 cpl. Most BP and Gull sites are increasing their ULP price to 161.9 cpl and Peak sites are going up to 160.9 cpl. There will be over 30 Perth sites selling below 150 cpl.

Thursday's cheapest ULP will be available for 147.8 cpl at Caltex Woolworths outlets in South Lake, Canning Vale, Clarkson and Greenwood.

Tomorrow's metropolitan average price for LPG will be 78.4cpl

For more information go to fuelwatch.wa.gov.au
 

22.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

WA economy to slow

The WA economy is facing a slowdown, according to the CCI WA. Picture: Supplied

WA'S peak business body says economic growth will ease in the next two years as business investment continues to slow down.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA today released its quarterly outlook downgrading the state's economic growth to 5.75 per cent in 2013-14 from 6.5 per cent previously forecast.

The chamber, which has lobbied both State and Federal Governments to help deal with the high cost of doing business in the state, said a second wave of investment projects was less likely because of the "high cost environment".

CCI WA chief economist John Nicolaou said while there was a strong investment pipeline many of the projects were moving to the final stages of construction and business investment levels would return to "normal levels".

Business investment jumped by 10 per cent in 2012-13, fuelling the state's economic growth of 6.25 per cent, according to CCIWA predictions.

Though investment in expanding projects may be over the business body expects the additional capacity created to result in a 9 per cent growth in exports during 2013-14 and 8 per cent in 2014-15.

Dwelling investment, which grew by 4 per cent in 2012-13, is also tipped to jump by 8 per cent this financial year and 2 per cent the following year.

The state's booming population will also help increase consumer spending, forecast to grow by 4.5 per cent in 2013-14 and 2014-15.

Unemployment was also predicted to average 4.5 per cent over the next two financial years.

Despite that CCIWA warned the decline in business and consumer confidence was a potential risk to the state's economic growth.

"An extended period of low confidence could work to reduce investment, particularly in the SME sector, as well as spending and dwelling investment by consumers," it said.

However, Mr Nicolaou said the lower rates of growth in coming years were not "a cause for alarm" as the fundamentals of the economy remained strong.

"We have an environment of low interest rates, increasing incomes, strong population growth and low unemployment," he said.

"This is already providing the conditions for stronger activity across other sectors of the economy, which will set us on a more sustainable growth over the longer term."
 

22.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

Queen meets Britain's new baby prince

Prince William said his son has "his mother's looks, thankfully" as he and Kate made their first public appearance with their son, Britain's new prince. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).

QUEEN Elizabeth II paid a private visit on Wednesday to Prince William and his wife Kate to meet their newborn son, her great-grandson who will one day inherit the throne.

The 87-year-old spent just over half an hour at Kensington Palace in London where the still unnamed infant, the third in line to the throne, was spending his first day after leaving hospital.

The queen had said Tuesday she was "thrilled'' about the latest addition to the family.

Wednesday's meeting was the first between the queen and her new heir, and she became the first British monarch to meet a third-generation direct heir since Queen Victoria a century ago.

The monarch, wearing a turquoise floral outfit, made the visit without her husband Prince Philip, 92, who is convalescing following exploratory surgery on his abdomen last month.

Afterwards, William, Kate and the baby left the palace in a Range Rover, bound for the home of Kate's parents Michael and Carole Middleton in the village of Bucklebury, west of London.

William is taking two weeks' paternity leave from his job as a Royal Air Force search-and-rescue helicopter pilot, and palace officials said he and Kate would now spend "private and quiet time for them to get to know their son.''

Queen Elizabeth II has become the first British monarch to meet a third-generation direct heir since Queen Victoria a century ago. Picture: Philip Toscano

Palace officials said Prince Harry has also been to see his new nephew whose name hasn't been revealed yet. That could take anything from a few hours to several weeks - the queen did not announce the name of William's father, Prince Charles, until a month after his birth in 1948.

The new parents had earlier returned to Kensington Palace, where Pippa Middleton was introduced to her nephew – and took her boyfriend Nico Jackson along to meet him too.
 
The couple drove to the Palace to greet the newborn prince as he was being settled into his new home. They were among the first to meet him in private and were able to give him a longed-for cuddle, The Daily Mail reports.

While nannies and nursemaids have always played an important role in the lives of royal children, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are to depart from tradition with their son. Kate will look after the young prince without the help of a full-time nanny for the foreseeable future.
 
A Palace aide confirmed for the first time that the Duchess intends to do without a nanny, saying household staff were "not aware" of any plans to hire one.
 
Asked if the Duke and Duchess would have any help getting used to parenthood over the coming days, the aide said: "They have both got families that will care hugely for this baby."
 
The Duchess has made clear that she plans to spend a great deal of time with her own family. Michael and Carole Middleton have recently bought a Georgian manor in rural Berkshire.

Her mother Carole, who Catherine is very close to, has been described as a "Tiger mum", and is expected to be a "Tiger Granny" with her young grandson.

Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge' new-born baby boy seen in a car seat outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London on July 23, 2013. AFP PHOTO / CARL COURT Source: AFP

Earlier today, the moment the world had waited for emerged, as Prince William and his wife emerged from St Mary's hospital to show off their son and the future king - and now you can experience the moment as if you were there.

Britain's Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge hold the Prince of Cambridge, as they pose for photographers outside St. Mary's Hospital exclusive Lindo Wing in London. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Barely a day old, the son of Prince William and wife Kate was shown to the world from the steps of  St Mary's hospital in London about 7.15pm local time (4.15am AEST).

With the cheers of well-wishers ringing in their ears, the royal couple could not contain their joy as they broke from protocol and walked out of the Lindo Wing to face the world's media and chat about their new addition.

With our special 360-degree panorama and video (above) we put you front and centre at the historic moment. It's easy to use: Just click on four arrows to expand then use your arrow keys – or finger if on a mobile – to guide it around.

PICTURE: Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images

Kate, wearing a blue Jenny Packham polka-dot dress, was holding the boy first before passing him to her husband.

The Prince of Cambridge, makes his public debut outside the Lindo Wing of St. Mary's Hospital, in London. The boy will be third in line to the British throne. (AP Photo/John Stillwell, Pool)

"He's a big boy, quite heavy, we're still working on a name so we will have that as soon as we can," William gushed as at least a thousand spectators cheered wildly from behind a police cordon.

When asked about his experiences so far William said "well he had a good pair of lungs on him that's for sure."

The prince confirmed the bub was overdue and quipped "I will remind him of his tardiness when he is older."

Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge shows off their newborn baby boy to the world's media outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London. Source: AP

Kate, cradling Prince Cambridge, said it had been an experience.

"It's been very emotional, it's such a special time. Any parent will know what this feeling is like."

Kate shows off her new prince.

Staring down at his baby boy, William later said "he's got her looks thankfully" to which Kate replied "no, no, I'm not sure about that".

Prince William then joked about his own hair loss saying "he's got way more than me thank God."

The unnamed baby raised a tiny hand above his white blankets.

William said the couple were "still working on a name".

Kate revealed her husband had changed his first nappy to which William proudly agreed.

The new prince continues to inspire and delight social media, check out our live blog below on the global reaction to the royal newborn then scroll on for more colour from the baby's first public appearance.

Britain's Prince William, carries the Prince of Cambridge to the car as they leave St. Mary's Hospital exclusive Lindo Wing in London where the Duchess gave birth on Monday July 22. Photo: Joel Ryan/Invision/AP Source: AP

After a while William carried his son back into the hospital and re-emerged a short time later with the bub in a car capsule which he installed without mishap. 

He appeared to breathe a sigh of relief after successfully getting it all in before the three of them drove off to start their new life as a family.  

 Kate's sister Pippa was reportedly waiting for them at Kensington Palace.

The young family's first public appearance together has been the moment that the world's media and crowds of onlookers had been waiting for, and the photographs snapped today are likely to be reprinted for decades as the baby grows into adulthood and his role as a future king.

The appearance recalls a similar appearance three decades ago, when Princess Diana and Prince Charles carried the newborn William out to pose for photographs on the same steps in 1982.

Princess Diana and Prince Charles leave St Mary's Hospital with a newborn Prince William in 1982. Source: AP

Earlier, Prince Charles and Camilla came to visit their grandson at 5.30 pm local time. Dozens of hospital staff were brought out the front of the Lindo Wing moments before he arrived in a Jaguar.

The first in line to the throne had said earlier he couldn't wait to meet the third in line to the throne. "Have you had a long wait?," he asked hospital staff and media standing by the entrance.

Their arrival was met with euphoric rock-star screams from onlookers. Charles and Camilla were clearly delighted at being able to visit their grandchild and the reception they received as they smiled broadly and waved to the crowd.

Prince William Duke of Cambridge and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge depart The Lindo Wing with their newborn son at St Mary's Hospital on July 23, 2013 in London, England. (Photo: Stuart C. Wilson/Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

Midwife Judith Robbins could not believe her luck as she was escorted to the front of the barriers by the steps of the Lindo Wing to await the exit of the royal couple.

The Midwifery Sister from St Mary's Hospital has seen many babies in her time but this one was special.

The unthinkable happened as the batteries in her camera ran out just as the couple emerged from the hospital to show their baby.

"I didn't get a photo because the batteries died," the sister said with a laugh after the couple had left. "I was here for the last two hours. But I had a little tiny glimpse of the baby yes."

The midwife said the whole experience was special whether or not it was recorded on a photograph.

The massed ranks of the media capture the moment the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leave the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London, with their newborn son. AP Photo/Steve Parson Source: AP

"It really was so special, they are all special (babies) but it was a real privilege to have this baby, this wonderful new monarch that is going to be, to be delivered here in our hospital is just amazing.  There are a lot of hospitals in this country but they came to us and that is pretty lovely."

As each hour passed after lunchtime the crowds outside the Lindo Wing doors grew. Mothers with babies, tourists, nearby office workers, students and the idly curious.

Some climbed on post boxes or high steel picket fences for higher vantages. Others simply held their mobile phone cameras in the air and aimed in the general direction of the doors to see what was happening.

It rained off and on throughout the afternoon but it didn't seem to make a difference to the numbers.

Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge show their new-born baby boy to the world's media outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in Londo. AFP / ANDREW COWIE Source: AFP

Many came after hearing on the radio confirmed reports Kate's hairdresser Amanda Cook Tucker had earlier arrived at the hospital as had a royale aide carrying a baby capsule. Many understood that could only mean one thing.

Then about 7.20pm the new royal family emerged. Kate and Wills stood in the middle of the road to chat to the press and wave to the adoring crowds to the utter delight of all, their words barely audibly over the cheers and screams.

After the royals left, tourist Mohsin Mokaram yelled "I got them, I got them" as he scrolled back through his mobile phone and saw a blurry blue dress image of Kate in the distance.

"I'm so happy I saw them," the special effects technician said.

"I love the royals, I always read about them and it was so good to see them now."

Lisa Sharpe, another midwife standing outside waiting for the couple, described the baby as stunning.

"What we saw looked absolutely gorgeous and you wouldn't expect anything else... beautiful boy. I was very honoured to be part of this and witness over the last couple of weeks all the preparations. Obviously today seeing the happy new family going home healthy ... is what a midwife likes to see."

Another tourist, Jilly Bryant, caught a glimpse of the royal couple. "I think I will have goose bumps for hours and hours," she said.

Many in the crowd said one of the loveliest moments was seeing Prince William drive his family home himself.

Prince William the Duke of Cambridge and wife Kate holds their new-born baby boy in front of the world's media outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

"I was not planning on shouting out 'congratulations' or whoop wooing, but you kind of got absorbed in the moment really. It just happened, that spontaneous reaction," Ms Sharpe said.

The royal baby was earlier visited by Kate's parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, who described him as "absolutely beautiful."

"They are both doing really well and we are so thrilled," Carole Middleton said.

Asked if she had suggested a name for the baby, she replied: "Absolutely not!"

Kensington Palace said Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, gave birth to the 8 pound, 6 ounce (3.8 kilogram) baby boy at 4.24pm on Monday, triggering an impromptu party outside Buckingham Palace and in front of the hospital's Lindo Wing.

The palace said on Tuesday that "mother, son and father are all doing well this morning".

As celebratory lights, gun salutes and other tributes were unleashed in Britain and abroad, William thanked staff at St Mary's Hospital "for the tremendous care the three of us have received".

"We know it has been a very busy period for the hospital and we would like to thank everyone - staff, patients and visitors - for their understanding during this time," he said in a statement. 

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Tomic called to testify on assault

Picture taken inside court today of Bernard Tomic, John Tomic and Thomas Drouet. Picture: Charles Miranda Source: News Limited

TENNIS ace Bernard Tomic yesterday faced a volley of questions from prosecutors in Madrid in the opening day of a hearing into allegations his father headbutted his tennis practice partner outside a hotel in Spain.

The 20-year-old world number 41 was called to the stand as a witness to crucially reveal what his father Ivica 'John' told him in the moments after the fight which left Frenchman Thomas Drouet unconscious, with a broken nose and injured vertebrae.

His evidence came after that of his father, who is charged with one count of actual bodily harm, burst into tears as he was questioned on the stand about the incident.

The court heard on May 4 Drouet was found unconscious about 3.30pm outside a hotel in Madrid after an altercation with Tomic Snr but the Judge Jacobo Vigil Levi heard two very different versions as to who hit who. The case was adjourned with Mr Levi reserving his decision for another day.

Bernard Tomic did not see the fight but gave evidence about how his father came rushing into the hotel reception area and said "he hit me". Tomic was also asked about what he told police who arrived at the scene a short time after the fight.

"Is it true when police arrived you told them your father attacked Thomas Drouet?" prosecutor's asked the tennis star.

"No I didn't say that, I said there was a situation and that was it, mind you the police English was very bad," he said.

"I was checking in (to hotel) and all of a sudden my dad came in with blood on his face saying 'he hit me'."

He then described how he went outside and saw Drouet lying unconscious with people around him.

Bernard Tomic, looking nervous as he stood to give evidence, was asked a number of times about those crucial moments after the assault and what his father told him.

He replied with the same answer that he knew nothing of the situation and his father was "very stressed" after so he never asked him what happened.

He was asked whether at any time his father recognised he hit Drouet and he replied "no".

Earlier in a sensational moment, Tomic Snr with the court's permission re-enacted the point at which he says Drouet punched him and pulled him around in a clash he alleges was provoked by the 30-year-old Frenchman.

"He grabbed me and he pulled me around to him, and he tried to hit me and then he fell, I don't know how he fell," Tomic Snr said.

"There were some people there and I said 'he hit me', he fell down I don't know how. Then I went into the hotel reception and I saw Bernard and I say to him 'he hit me and fell down I don't know how'."

When he was asked whether it was true he admitted to police hitting Drouet, Tomic Snr burst into tears with audible sobs and wiping away tears said it was not true.

"I never said I hit him ... they had a translator on the phone ... they all spoke bad English, I didn't hit him and I didn't say I hit him," he said.

The police officer at the scene, identified only through his badge number 10480 said he understood both Tomics very well and what they said that day.

"Bernard Tomic said that the person that attacked was his father and his father was now in the reception," the officer said.

"I went to talk to Tomic (Snr) and he told me himself 'he attacked him' with my English level I understood perfectly what he was telling me. He was telling me "I hit him" and he mimicked actions.

The officer said he only did High School level English but he understood and also followed Tomic's mimicking on that day as he was spoken to.

"With his mimic I understood perfectly," he told the court and then described the original mimic by Tomic ducking a punch and headbutting Drouet.

A second officer also gave evidence that Tomic Jnr told her how his father headbutted Drouet although admitted her English was not great.

Drouet also gave evidence and recounted how it was Tomic called him outside, they had an argument and Tomic spat in his face. He said Tomic then turned away for a second before turning back and headbutting him.

Two doctors also gave evidence. A decision is likely in two to three weeks.

Bernard Tomic sits outside the courtroom moments before hearing into the alleged assault of practice partner Thomas Drouet by his father John Tomic. Picture: Charles Miranda Source: News Limited

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