Officer 'ran red light' before fatal crash

Police pursuit crash victim Sharon D'Ercole (right) with her daughter Lashay (left). Source: News Limited

THE police officer accused of dangerous driving causing the death of Dianella mother Sharon D'Ercole had already run through a red light moments before the fatal crash, a Perth Court has been told.

The officer, whose name is suppressed, this morning pleaded not guilty to the charge in his trial in the District Court.

VIDEO: Police pursuit victim remembered

GALLERY: Sharon D'Ercole's funeral

In his opening statement to the jury this afternoon, State Prosecutor Bernard Standish said the officer was a qualified pursuit driver when the crash occurred on April 12, 2012.

Mr Standish said on the day, the officer and his partner were driving on Morley Drive towards Perth when they had started to chase a black Audi that was listed as stolen on the police computer system.

The two cars came to the Alexander Drive intersection, which is divided in to two sets of lights between north flowing traffic and south flowing traffic.

Mr Standish said when the officers and the Audi came to the intersection, the two vehicles went through a red light.

He said the Audi then went through the second red light, with the police still in pursuit.

That morning, Mrs D'Ercole was driving also driving in Dianella, taking her 16-year-old daughter Lashay to catch a bus to the city to get her hair done.

Mr Standish said as the officers were going through their second red light, Mrs D'Ercole was driving along Alexander Drive to turn on to Morley Drive following a green light.

He said that was when the cars collided.

Mr Standish said the 50-year-old was pronounced dead at Royal Perth Hospital soon after the crash, killed by her injuries that included brain damage, a fractured skull, lacerations to her bowel, liver and kidney, and a pelvic fracture.

Lashay, who turned 16 on the day of the crash, was rendered unconscious on impact.

Mr Standish said the teenager would not be giving evidence at the trial because of her unconsciousness.

Police officers and eyewitnesses who were also driving at the intersection on the day will give evidence.

The trial is set down for 15 days.

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Vincent to be swallowed by Perth

Premier Colin Barnett and Local Government Minister Tony Simpson have released new local government boundary changes. Source: News Limited

THE City of Vincent will be swallowed up entirely by the City of Perth under a revised local government reform plan released today.

Crown Casino and the QEII Medical Centre will also be encompassed into the City of Perth under the new strategy.

Premier Colin Barnett and Local Government Minister Tony Simpson released the new proposals this afternoon, which will also see Kings Park and the new Perth Stadium at Burswood come under the City of Perth's watch.

The entire UWA campus, which is currently overseen by three separate councils, will also be brought into the City of Perth as part of the new plan.

"It is also important that the reform process begins with the City of Perth. These changes will give the city the status it should hold as a capital city with growing importance in the region," Mr Barnett said today.

"This model will enhance the city, bringing the emblematic features that are the city's great selling points under one administrative umbrella. A bigger City of Perth will also be better equipped to respond to the needs of a growing State."

Mr Simpson said under the new model, the northern boundary of the City of Perth would follow the current City of Vincent boundary along Green and Walcott Streets.

Mr Barnett added the changes, which are expected to take effect in mid-2015, signalled a new era for the State's capital.

"This is a pivotal step in the history of our city and the next step in the State Government's reforms, which will ensure that local councils are best equipped to meet the demands of a growing city," he said.

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Form: Melbourne Cup final field

2011 Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux works at Werribee. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

IT'S time to read up on the Melbourne Cup form and sort the contenders from the pretenders ahead of the race that stops a nation.

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MELBOURNE CUP FINAL FIELD: RUNDOWN OF ALL 24 RUNNERS

1 DUNADEN

(Mikel Delzangles) 8h By Nicobar - La Marlia (41:10-11-8)

Barrier: 1

Jockey: Jamie Spencer

Finished 1-1/4 length 2nd (58.0) Novellist 2400m Fr - Saint Cloud De Saint-Cloud slow track June 23 then ran 6-1/4 length 8th (58.0) Orfevre 2400m Fr - Longchamp Prix Foy slow track Sept 15. Outstanding French stayer who won this race (and the Geelong Cup) in 2011 then produced an amazing last-to-first performance to win the 2012 Caulfield Cup. He again came from well back under 59kg to beat ten rivals home in last year's renewal of this race and while yet to win since, he has been very competitive at the top level all over the world. Impossible to leave him out.

TAB betting

Opening price: $26

After Saturday's barrier draw: $26

Monday 6pm: $35

2 GREEN MOON

(Robert Hickmott) 7h By Montjeu - Green Noon (25:7-3-0)

Barrier: 10
Jockey: Brett Prebble

Wasn't suited with the slow pace when 4 length 9th (59.0) It's A Dundeel 1800m Caulfield Underwood Stks slow track Sept 21 then did his best work late when 7-1/2 length 9th (59.0) Shamus Award 2040m M Valley W.S. Cox Plate Oct. 26. Last year's winner and has been ticking over OK in his weight-for-age lead-ups which have generally not been run to suit. Goes up 3kg on last year's win but the stable appear to have aimed him at just the one target this spring and you ignore him at your peril. Key player.

TAB betting

Opening price: $14

After Saturday's barrier draw: $26

Monday 6pm: $35

Green Moon, ridden by Brett Prebble (left), works out with stablemate Thought Worthy. Source: News Limited

3 RED CADEAUX

(Ed Dunlop) 8g By Cadeaux Genereux - Artisia (40:7-10-6)

Barrier: 23

Jockey: Gerard Mosse

Finished strongly for 1-1/2 length 2nd (61.5) Royal Empire 2716m G B - Newbury Freer Stakes Aug. 17 before running 11 length 4th (62.0) Voleuse De Coeurs 2816m Ire - Curragh Irish St Leger Sept 15. Amazingly reliable stayer who in his past 10 starts has raced in seven different countries - Australia, Japan, China (Hong Kong), UAE, Singapore, Great Britain and Ireland. In that time, he has run 8th in the 2012 Melbourne Cup, finished 8th (of 17) in the Japan Cup, won the Hong Kong Vase, run 2nd in the Dubai World Cup and generally been competitive in most starts. Lost this race by a whisker in 2011 and connections would dearly love to atone here. Handles all types of going and must go in.

TAB betting

Opening price: $41

After Saturday's barrier draw: $41

Monday 6pm: $51

4 SEA MOON

(Robert Hickmott) 6h By Beat Hollow - Eva Luna (14:6-3-1)

Barrier: 7

Jockey: Steven Arnold

Looked unlucky to lose on protest when nose 2nd (60.0) Araldo 2520m Flemington Bart Cummings Oct. 5 then raced closer to the lead for 3/4 length win (59.5) Oasis Bloom, Simenon 2400m Caulfield Herbert Power Oct. 12. Imported stayer who has a victory over Dunaden and Red Cadeau at level weights at Ascot on his CV (over 2414m) although he is yet to win at G1 level. Digs in for the fight but will face tougher opposition here than in his lead-up races. Has been placed up to 2900 metres but last bit will be the test.

TAB betting

Opening price: $17

After Saturday's barrier draw: $15

Monday 6pm: $13

5 BROWN PANTHER

(Tom Dascombe) 6h By Shirocco - Treble Heights (17:7-3-1)

Barrier: 7

Jockey: Richard Kingscote

Followed 3-1/2 length win (60.5) Ahzeemah, Altano 3219m G B - Goodwood Cup Aug. 1 with 4-3/4 length 5th (59.5) Grandeur 2012m G B - Goodwood Greene King Sept 25. UK stayer who went to a new level with a dominant win in the G2 Goodwood Cup in August, beating Godolphin's class galloper Ahzeemah and leaving the likes of Mount Athos in his wake. That win stamped him as a key player in this race after he sat on a solid pace and fought off all challengers to win comprehensively. Looks to have settled in beautifully here and sure to be in the finish.

TAB betting

Opening price: $26

After Saturday's barrier draw: $19

Monday 6pm: $18

Sarah Lynam rides Fiorente (second from right) during a morning swim at the beach. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Limited

6 FIORENTE

(Ms G Waterhouse) 6h By Monsun - Desert Bloom (15:3-4-2)

Barrier: 5

Jockey: Damien Oliver

Missed the start and had to be eased early on before finishing 1/2 length 4th (56.5) Happy Trails 2000m Flemington Turnbull Stakes Oct. 5 then was game when finishing 1/2 head, long neck 3rd (59.0) Shamus Award, Happy Trails 2040m M Valley W.S. Cox Plate Oct. 26. Runner-up in this race last year (to Green Moon) and looks to have had a perfect preparation. Fought on determinedly in the Cox Plate after going forward and likely to settle further back here. Gives trainer a super chance to break her hoodoo in this race.

TAB betting

Opening price: $13

After Saturday's barrier draw: $7

Monday 6pm: $7

7 FORETELLER

(C J Waller) 7g By Dansili - Prophecy (36:10-4-1)

Barrier: 8

Jockey: Craig Newitt

Missed the start when 4 length 2nd (59.0) Atlantic Jewel 2000m Caulfield Caulfield Stks Oct. 12 then finished 1-1/4 length 4th (59.0) Shamus Award 2040m M Valley W.S. Cox Plate Oct. 26. Grand Sydney galloper who finished better than anything in the Cox Plate to finish on the heels of the placegetters. He's a proven G1 performer and while the trip is a query, he did run 5th (beaten 1.4 lengths) in the BMW (2400m) earlier in the year. Will give his all.

TAB betting

Opening price: $101

After Saturday's barrier draw: $26

Monday 6pm: $26

8 DANDINO

(M Botti) 7h By Dansili - Generous Diana (26:8-9-1)

Barrier: 4

Jockey: Ryan Moore

Followed 1/2 length win (54.0) Suntracer, Najjaar 2716m U S A - Arlington St Leger Aug. 17 with 1-1/4 length 2nd (56.5) Fawkner 2400m Caulfield Cup Oct. 19. Widely-travelled stayer who has finished further back than 2nd just once in his past seven starts. Stormed home to finish runner-up in the Caulfield Cup to indicate he has clearly adapted to our style of racing and the trainer will be keen to improve on last year's 3rd placing in this race with Jakkalberry. Meets many of his rivals very well at the weights here and makes strong appeal.

TAB betting

Opening price: $26

After Saturday's barrier draw: $9

Monday 6pm: $11

Nick Hall (right) celebrates winning the Caulfield Cup aboard Fawkner. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Limited

9 ETHIOPIA

(P G Carey) 5g By Helenus - Shona (13:1-1-2)

Barrier: 14

JockeY: Rhys McLeod

Finished 7-3/4 length last (59.0) It's A Dundeel 1800m Caulfield Underwood Stks slow track Sept 21 then followed up with 9-3/4 length 13th (56.5) Fawkner 2400m Caulfield Caulfield Cup Oct. 19. Since finished 2-3/4 length 4th (58.0) Ruscello 2500m Flemington Lexus Stakes dead track Nov. 2. Hadn't done much since his 2012 Australian Derby win and a 4th in the Cox Plate that year but indicated a return to form with a late finishing 4th in the Lexus on Saturday. Very rough place claims.

TAB betting

Opening price: $41

After Saturday's barrier draw: $71

Monday 6pm: $71

10 FAWKNER

(Robert Hickmott) 6g By Reset - Dane Belltar (20:9-3-3)

Barrier: 8

Jockey: Nick Hall

Got hampered near the 1400m and lost a plate when short neck, head 3rd (55.5) Happy Trails, Puissance De Lune 2000m Flemington Turnbull Stakes Oct. 5 then stormed home for 1-1/4 length win (55.0) Dandino, Dear Demi 2400m Caulfield Caulfield Cup Oct. 19. Produced a career-best performance to win the Caulfield Cup after an unlucky run in the Turnbull Stakes. Has gone to a new level this campaign and stable knows what it takes to win this race. Comes into calculations.

TAB betting

Opening price: $101

After Saturday's barrier draw: $15

Monday 6pm: $16

11 MOURAYAN

(Robert Hickmott) 8h By Alhaarth - Mouramara (41:5-8-5)

Barrier: 19

Jockey: Brenton Avdulla

Beat half the field home when 3-1/2 length 7th (59.0) Foreteller 1600m Flemington Makybe Diva dead track Sept 7 then raced on the pace before finishing 3 length 8th (58.0) Seville 2400m Randwick The Metro. Oct. 5. Since finished 8 length 7th (59kg) Side Glance 2000m Mackinnon Stakes on Saturday. Was 7th in this race last year and won the Sydney Cup three starts back over this distance lugging 58kg although this is a much deeper race. 8yo who only battled home in the Mackinnon on Saturday but he'll appreciate getting down in the weights and will run the trip out but place hopes look best.

TAB betting

Opening price: $41

After Saturday's barrier draw: $126

Monday 6pm: $126

Craig Williams aboard the flying Mount Athos at Werribee trackwork. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Limited

12 SEVILLE

(Robert Hickmott) 6h By Galileo - Silverskaya (19:2-6-1)

Barrier: 9

Jockey: Hugh Bowman

Followed 1/2 length win (55.5) Julienas, Sneak A Peek 2400m Randwick The Metro Oct. 5 with 5-1/2 length 7th (59.0) Shamus Award 2040m M Valley W.S Cox Plate Oct. 26. Has mixed his form since arriving from the UK 18 months ago but his best runs indicate a horse of some talent. Showed great fight to win the G1 Metropolitan two starts back when wore blinkers for the first time and his Cox Plate run looked the perfect lead-up for this race. Still a query at the trip but impossible to dismiss.

TAB betting

Opening price: $26

After Saturday's barrier draw: $21

Monday 6pm: $17

13 SUPER COOL

(M A Kavanagh) 4g By Fastnet Rock - Queen Mother (14:4-2-3)

Barrier: 13

Jockey: Corey Brown

No match for the first two when 4 length, length 3rd (58.0) Atlantic Jewel, Foreteller 2000m Caulfield Caulfield Stks Oct. 12 then far from disgraced when 3-1/4 length 5th (57.5) Shamus Award 2040m M Valley W.S. Cox Plate Oct. 26. Stuck on gamely in the Cox Plate and while he was runner-up in last year's VRC Derby over 2500 metres, his best form to date has been over shorter trips. Has a touch of class but will need things to fall his way.

TAB betting

Opening price: $26

After Saturday's barrier draw: $41

Monday 6pm: $51

14 MASKED MARVEL

(Robert Hickmott) 6h By Montjeu - Waldmark (17:4-1-2)

Barrier: 2

Jockey: Michael Rodd

Just missed when short neck 2nd (59.0) Honorius 2000m Randwick Craven Plate dead track Oct. 5 then never a threat when 11-1/2 length 13th (59.0) Shamus Award 2040m M Valley W.S Cox Plate Oct. 26. Wasn't suited by the conditions in the Cox Plate and he's well weighted here on his best UK form which includes a win over the likes of Brown Panther and Sea Moon in the 2011 UK St Leger. Conversely, that was his last win and his career may have peaked back then. Take on trust.

TAB betting

Opening price: $61

After Saturday's barrier draw: $26

Monday 6pm: $35

Model Jess Gomes with trainer Chris Waller's Melbourne Cup hope, Hawkspur. Source: News Limited

15 MOUNT ATHOS

(L M Cumani) 7g By Montjeu - Ionian Sea (26:8-1-1)

Barrier: 22

Jockey: Craig Williams

Finished 8-3/4 length 8th (60.5) Brown Panther 3219m G B - Goodwood Cup Aug. 1 before running head 2nd (62.5) Harris Tweed 2816m G B - Goodwood March Stakes Aug. 24. Finished a luckless 5th in this race last year and stable are back to try to break their hoodoo in this event. Carries the same weight as he did last year and looked to be back in form at his most recent run before heading here this time. Definite threat.

TAB betting

Opening price: $21

After Saturday's barrier draw: $8.50

Monday 6pm: $9

16 ROYAL EMPIRE

(Saeed Bin Suroor) 5h By Teofilo - Zeiting (13:5-5-1)

Barrier: 11

Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy

Followed head 2nd (60.5) Prince Bishop 2414m G B - Kempton Park September Stks Sept 7 with 2-1/2 length 2nd (58.5) Secret Number 2414m G B - Ascot Cumberland Lodge dead track Oct. 5. Very consistent stayer but hasn't raced outside of G3 level to date. Three starts back he scored over Red Cadeaux and stablemate Lost In The Moment (6th in the 2011 Melbourne Cup) in the G3 Freer Stakes which is the same race Mount Athos won before finishing 5th in this race last year. Give some thought.

TAB betting

Opening price: $41

After Saturday's barrier draw: $15

Monday 6pm: $21

17 VOLEUSE DE COEURS

(M D Moroney) 5m By Teofilo - Vadorga (13:5-3-2)

Barrier: 21

Jockey: James McDonald

Followed 1/2 length 2nd (61.0) Royal Diamond 2816m Ire - Curragh St Leger trial Aug. 24 with 6 length win (61.0) Ahzeemah, Saddler's Rock 2816m Ire - Curragh Irish St Leger Sept 15. Nominated for the race when trained by Dermot Weld, this mare carried 61kg to win the G1 Irish St Leger by six lengths in September and meets the 4th placegetter from that race, Red Cadeaux, a kilo and a half better for beating it by 11 lengths. She is unbeaten in two tries at the trip and while she handles all conditions, she is a superior wet-tracker. Comes right into calculations.

TAB betting

Opening price: $41

After Saturday's barrier draw: $15

Monday 6pm: $15

Antoine Creton puts Verema through his paces at Werribee trackwork. Source: News Limited

18 HAWKSPUR

(C J Waller) 4g By Purrealist - Mollyhawk (23:7-6-0)

Barrier: 18

Jockey: Jim Cassidy

Had no luck when 1/2 length 5th (56.5) Happy Trails 2000m Flemington Turnbull Stakes Oct. 5 then was severely hampered in the early stages before storming home for 2-1/2 length 7th (54.5) Fawkner 2400m Caulfield Cup Oct. 19. Emerged as a potential spring contender during the Brisbane winter carnival when three successive wins culminated in victory in the G1 Queensland Derby. He has been luckless after drawing wide barriers in his two most recent lead-up runs including a superb effort in the Caulfield Cup after striking early trouble and being forced back to the rear of the field. Looks one of the key local hopes.

TAB betting

Opening price: $26

After Saturday's barrier draw: $13

Monday 6pm: $14

19 SIMENON

(W P Mullins) 7g By Marju - Epistoliere (32:6-4-6)

Barrier: 12

Jockey: Richard Hughes

Finished head 2nd (58.5) Ahzeemah 3299m G B - York Lonsdale Cup dead track Aug. 23 then was hampered near the 2000m before finishing 3/4 length, short head 3rd (56.5) Sea Moon, Oasis Bloom 2400m Caulfield Herbert Power Oct. 12. Irish stayer who mixes flat and jumps racing back home and he scored two wins at the 2012 Royal Ascot festival over 4000m-plus trips before finishing runner-up in this year's Ascot Gold Cup (4023m). Will be vastly improved by his Caulfield run and you know he'll be strong at the finish. Worth consideration.

TAB betting

Opening price: $26

After Saturday's barrier draw: $18

Monday 6pm: $16

20 IBICENCO

(P G Moody) 6h By Shirocco - Iberi (21:4-3-2)

Barrier: 17

Jockey: Luke Nolen

Found trouble near the 1200m and stewards queried the run 4-3/4 length 12th (53.5) Seville 2400m Randwick The Metro. Oct. 5 then scored neck win (56.5) Verdant, Moudre 2400m Geelong Cup heavy track Oct. 23. Import who won last year's Sandown Cup over this distance and returned to his best last time on a heavy track in the Geelong Cup. His only poor run this campaign has been in The Metropolitan when he found trouble in the run and he could be the surprise packet here given his ability to run the trip out. Not the worst.

TAB betting

Opening price: $61

After Saturday's barrier draw: $61

Monday 6pm: $51

Dear Demi is a great lightweight hope for owner John Singleton. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: News Limited

21 VEREMA

(A De Royer-Dupre) 5m By Barathea - Vermentina (12:4-2-1)

Barrier: 3

Jockey: Christophe Lemaire

After 3/4 length win (55.0) La Pomme D'Amour, Goldtara 2800m Fr - Longchamp Prix De Nieuil July 13 scored 1/2 length win (58.5) Joshua Tree, Dance Moves 3000m Fr - Deauville Prix Kergorlay dead track Aug. 18. Interesting mare who is trained by the same trainer as 2010 Cup winner Americain. Only started racing 18 months ago and she has put together successive wins at G2 level leading into this while her only run over this trip resulted in a 3rd in the Dubai Gold Cup in March. Has come a long way in her 12 starts and ticks a few boxes here. Major player.

TAB betting

Opening price: $26

After Saturday's barrier draw: $12

Monday 6pm: $14

22 DEAR DEMI

(C E Conners) 4m By Dehere - Shirley (28:6-5-6)

Barrier: 16

Jockey: Chris Munce

Jumped awkwardly before finishing 2-3/4 length 8th (54.5) Happy Trails 2000m Flemington Turnbull Stakes Oct. 5 then was eased in the early stages before running 1-1/4 length, nose 3rd (53.0) Fawkner, Dandino 2400m Caulfield Cup Oct. 19. Another big effort when rearward in transit, switched back to the fence and closed intently when clear on winner for 3/4 length 2nd (56.5) Side Glance 2000m Flemington Mackinnon Stks Nov. 2. Caught the eye in the Caulfield Cup when she stormed home for third and was a bit unlucky in the Mackinnon. Won the VRC Oaks (2500m) here last year and she is on track to pull out a big run in this. Blowout chance.

TAB betting

Opening price: $101

After Saturday's barrier draw: $19

Monday 6pm: $18

Bottom weight Ruscello puts in courageous performance to claim the Lexus Stakes along the rails from Let's Make Adeal as the two come away to fight out the finish. The five-year-old comes into $41 from $301 for the Melbourne Cup.

23 TRES BLUE

(Ms G Waterhouse) 4h By Anabaa Blue - Tres Ravi (10:4-2-1)

Barrier: 20

Jockey: Tommy Berry

Followed 3/4 length win (56.0) Montclair, First Mohican 2500m Fr - Deauville Prix De Reux dead track Aug. 4 with head win (53.5) Penglai Pavilion, Slow Pace 2500m Fr - Deauville Gp Deauville dead track Aug. 25. Emerging French stayer who is now with Gai Waterhouse. Comes through different form lines to many of the other international runners but he clearly has plenty of talent. Must be included.

TAB betting

Opening price: $81

After Saturday's barrier draw: $19

Monday 6pm: $21

24 RUSCELLO

(Ed Walker) 5g By Cape Cross - Sea Picture (18:5-3-4)

Barrier: 24

Jockey: Chad Schofield (a)

Following 1-1/4 length, 3/4 length 3rd (61.5) Cat O'Mountain, Castilo Del Diablo 2213m G B - Kempton Park (95) Sept 6 ran short head 2nd (58.0) Backbone 2000m Caulfield (84) Oct. 16. Made most of the running and kept on courageously for short neck win (54.0) Let's Make Adeal, Araldo 2500m Flemington Lexus Stakes dead track Nov. 2. All-the-way winner in the Lexus on Saturday (in slow time) but can expect a great deal more pressure in this. Place perhaps.

TAB betting

Opening price: $101

After Saturday's barrier draw: $41

Monday 6pm: $51

###

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Buswell rejects 'queue-jumping' claims

Transport Minister Troy Buswell, who is accused of organising a 'highly unusual' driving test. Source: PerthNow

TRANSPORT minister Troy Buswell has come under fire after admitting he directed his staff to help arrange a practical driving assessment for his son.

The Sunday Times revealed yesterday that the State Opposition will use Thursday's Budget Estimates hearings to get further details about the "highly unusual" driving test Mr Buswell arranged in October last year.

Mr Buswell refused to answer questions put to him by The Sunday Times last week, but today admitted to reporters that he had made the request because he had "sat on the phone for hours and hours trying to get an assessment and was unable to get through".

Mr Buswell said members of the public were also able to call on his office to contact the department on their behalf.

Today, he told PerthNow there was no 'special arrangement' for his son.

"I reject any suggestion that I was involved in directing the department how to use their resources," he said in a statement.

"My office made a request to the Department of Transport after I could not make a booking with DoT's call centre, despite attempts to do so.

"The booking and how it was arranged operationally was entirely at the discretion of DoT.

"The Department scheduled that test approximately four weeks later. It was one of 62 assessments in Busselton in 2012 and one of 11 sole assessments conducted by a Regional Transport Officer who is based in Busselton.

"Furthermore, advice from the Department of Transport is that it is not uncommon in regional areas for sole driving assessments to occur, or for them to be conducted by RTOs rather than driving assessors."

Mr Buswell said that his ministerial office regularly assisted members of the public who experienced difficult booking a driving test.

"In 2012, my office contacted the Department of Transport regarding driving tests on 51 occasions on behalf of people who experienced difficulty booking a driving test," he said.

"Twenty-seven of those requests were made by MP's electorate offices on behalf of constituents, including eight from Opposition MPs.

"In the first six months of this year, my office has referred 60 enquiries on practical driving assessments to the Department."

Premier Colin Barnett defended Mr Buswell's actions, saying he was a father as well as a minister.

Opposition accuses Minister of queue-jumping

Opposition transport spokesman Ken Travers said today that Mr Buswell had abused his position as a minister by "jumping the queue" for a family member.

He said Mr Buswell had directed his staff to contact the Department of Transport, which resulted in a senior staff member in Perth organising a "special arrangement".

"What occurred in Busselton on the 12th of October 2012 was not normal run-of-the-mill behaviour for the Department of Transport," Mr Travers said.

"On the day in question, the normal driving assessors in Busselton were located and conducting tests in Margaret River.

"There normally would not have been a practical driving assessment undertaken in Busselton.

"It was as a result of the intervention by the Minister's office at his direction that results in this test being put in place."

Mr Travers called on the Transport Minister to release details of other examples of his office putting in place special arrangements for frustrated parents.

"Every parent in Western Australia that has sat on the phone waiting to try and get an appointment has suffered the same frustration that he has, but they don't have the option that Mr Buswell resorted to," he told reporters today.

"Let people call 6552 6440 and see how many parents can get a special arrangement put in place for their child."

Mr Travers said the incident was a test for Premier Colin Barnett.

"He needs to make it clear what are his ministerial standards," he said.

"(Mr Buswell) should not be able to, as a minister, get a special arrangement put in place for his son.

"If this is such a normal way of behaving…why did it take an article in the media where he refused to comment for him to finally offer this as his defence?

"This is an abuse of the ministerial code of conduct."

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White pointer circles boat for hours

A white pointer shark circles a boat and bites its motor off West Beach, Adelaide. Courtesy Youtube/Brz Boxer

A BOATIE has captured vision of a white pointer shark circling his boat and having a chomp at its engine propeller off West Beach.

Woodville West fisherman Clayton Arnold captured the incredible vision while fishing about 4km off of West Beach on Saturday morning.

It shows the shark repeatedly but calmly circling the boat and at one point even having a gentle chomp on the engine propeller.

Mr Arnold said he and a friend had ventured out to a regular fishing spot about 6.30am, only to be joined by the creature.

"I normally put my GoPro camera down in the water to the bottom to check what is down there," he said.

Surfer checks camera after surfing to find a great white shark lurking underneath…and a possible dolphin protector. Courtesy Live Leak

"I pulled it back up and we saw this."

Mr Arnold said the shark would circle a few times then disappear for a while before returning.

"He would leave for a few minutes and then he would come back," he said. "He stayed with us up until about midday.

"When he wasn't there, we were catching fish, so we actually got a good feed of fish as well."

Is he crazy? Californian surfer-dude Mike Durrand paddles out to get some footage of two great white sharks.

Mr Arnold said they never felt threatened by the shark and he was even comfortable putting his camera in the water with his hand to get some of the vision.

"I really like sharks," he said. "I don't want to make it sound like it was menacing or for people to be scared by it ... it was just intrigued."

The white pointer is one of several sharks that have been spotted off the coast of Adelaide and Fleurieu Peninsula beaches over the past few days.

On Saturday, the Westpac Surf Lifesaving helicopter herded four sharks close to shore at Normanville back out to sea.

Todd Robinson says he didn't believe 'all the hype' about sharks until he almost became the latest victim of an attack while diving for crayfish off Hillarys yesterday morning.

A 2m-long shark was also spotted only 20m off Maslin Beach on Saturday.

On Sunday afternoon, a further three sharks were also spotted close to shore at Normanville and another at Moana .

Surf Lifesaving South Australia general manager of commercial operations Shane Daw said the sightings were to be expected at this time of year.

"We know from our years of being involved and our research we are going to get fish moving through the water at this time of year," he said.

"We are out looking for them now too so the number of sightings we are seeing is not a surprise."

Mr Daw said sharks were likely to continue to be spotted in these areas while fish moved through.

In the event of a shark sighting, swimmers are advised to leave the water as quickly and calmly as possible.

You can watch the full video here.

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Shark alarm in Perth's north

Bodyboarders ordered out of the water at Trigg Beach after the sighting of the Tiger Shark. Picture: Jodi-Lea Kershaw Source: PerthNow

MORE sharks are spotted at northern suburbs beaches than anywhere else in Perth.

Helicopter patrol data obtained by The Sunday Times reveals 76 per cent of the 104 shark sightings made in the 2012-13 financial year were at northern suburbs beaches.

The biggest number was recorded at Scarborough and City beaches, where seven sharks were spotted, followed closely by Floreat, Swanbourne and Trigg, which each had six.

The 104 shark sightings were recorded by Surf Life Saving WA's metropolitan helicopter patrol at 45 beaches, 29 of them in the northern suburbs.

The figures include a "feeding frenzy" of 20 tiger sharks at Trigg Beach, which has been counted as one incident.

Tiger sharks were the most-sighted variety, accounting for almost 40 per cent of sightings.

Great white sharks were spotted at City Beach (2), Floreat (1), Fremantle (1), North Cottesloe (1), Leighton (1) and a beach on the Cambridge-Stirling border (1). There were four great white sightings at Rottnest Island beaches.

Other varieties included bronze whaler (3) and hammerhead (18).

In 30 sightings the type of shark could not be identified.

SLSWA chief executive Paul Andrew said a number of factors could influence shark sightings, including tagged sharks setting off "responders".

"Just off City Beach, for example there is one of those responders," he said. "Tagged sharks will set those off as well, which will then result in, if the helicopter's not there, it being called out and so forth."

Floreat and City beaches were closed on Friday after tagged sharks were detected by the Department of Fisheries.

Fisheries Minister Troy Buswell said the WA Government had provided "unprecedented investment" in shark research and shark mitigation funding.

"The Liberal-National Government has allocated more than $20 million over four years to 2015-16 for shark hazard mitigation strategies, aimed at reducing the risk of shark attacks against WA beachgoers," Mr Buswell said.

"The network, which extends from South Australia to WA, uses about 320 receivers positioned in the seabed and 20 satellite receivers to monitor tagged sharks.

"In recent weeks our scientists have tagged five white sharks and nine bronze whaler sharks, which takes the total number of sharks part of the tagging program to 335 (141 white sharks, 175 whaler sharks and 19 tiger sharks).

"The satellite receivers can give real time information on the presence of a tagged white shark, information which can be monitored 24 hours a day by the public."

The Barnett Government this month announced that a $165,000 shark-proof enclosure would be installed for a one-year trial at Old Dunsborough Beach in the state's South-West.

It will be 300m long, will extend 100m offshore and be made of heavy gauge mesh.

University of WA Oceans Institute associate professor Nathan Hart said the barrier would only hold up in calm conditions, making it unsuitable for use at any of Perth's metropolitan beaches. But he said the beach-by-beach approach was "sensible".

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Hold new WA poll soon, says Truss

Candidates from the Greens and Australian Sports Party have been elected to the Senate in a WA recount.

Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss. Source: News Limited

Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss says any fresh Senate election in Western Australia should be held as soon as possible.

Mr Truss says a new poll would certainly carry many of the characteristics of a by-election.

"If there is a new election and that will be a matter for the courts to decide, it needs to happen as quickly as possible,'' he told ABC television on Sunday.

That way there would be as little distance as possible between the atmosphere and issues that decided the election in September and what would be on the table when a new poll is held, he said.

After a protracted count, the Australian Electoral Commission finally declared the WA Senate result on Saturday.

Because of the close result in the initial count, which gave the final two places to Labor and the Palmer United Party (PUP), there was a recount.

That gave the final two spots to Greens Senator Scott Ludlam and Wayne Dropulich of the Australian Sports Party.

But that recount didn't include 1375 missing votes and PUP head businessman Clive Palmer says he will launch a legal challenge to the result, likely to end with a fresh poll.

Mr Truss said the situation was a debacle.

"The whole event is a huge embarrassment for the Australian electoral system and we must make sure it doesn't happen again,'' he said.

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Adventure World castle gutted by fire

The Abyss is a custom Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter with 630 metres of track. The ride's vertical lift hill takes riders to a height of 30 metres before dropping 30.5 metres in a 100°, beyond-vertical drop.

The Adventure World castle has been gutted by fire. Picture: Bohdan Warchomij Source: PerthNow

ADVENTURE World's iconic castle has been destroyed by fire.

Firefighters were called to the theme park at 11.50pm on Saturday night with reports the fibreglass castle was alight.

About 20 officers worked to bring the blaze under control, which caused $500,000 damage.

Adventure World's Abyss rollercoaster a scary thrill

No guests were in the park at the time.

A Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokesman said investigators had determined the blaze was caused by the fireworks lit that night for the park's second Fright Night Halloween celebrations.

The final Fright Night will go ahead tonight, but the fireworks have been cancelled.

The castle was one of the original attractions in the park, which was opened 31-years-ago.

Adventure World chief executive officer Mark Shaw said there had been plans to redevelop some of the older exhibits, but he could not confirm what would be done with the castle.
 

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LAX shooting suspect faces death

Paul Ciancia, the alleged LAX airport shooter, has been charged with murder and may face the death penalty.

Authorities say Paul Ciancia, 23, pulled a semi-automatic rifle from a bag and shot his way past a security checkpoint at Los Angeles Airport, killing a security officer and wounding others. Source: AP

US PROSECUTORS have filed a murder charge against the suspected gunman in the deadly shooting at Los Angeles International Airport, and he could face the death penalty.

Authorities arrested 23-year-old Paul Ciancia after the attack in which federal security officer Gerardo Hernandez, 39, was killed.

Five other people were wounded, including two other federal security officers.

Ciancia has also been charged with commission of violence at an international airport.

He was shot four times by airport police and remained in hospital on Saturday, but there was no word on his condition. He was wounded in the mouth and the leg, authorities said.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is planning to review its security policies in the wake of the shooting but administrator John Pistole did not say if that meant arming officers.

Transportation Security Administration officer Gerardo Hernandez was shot dead during the rampage. Source: AP

Authorities say Ciancia was determined to lash out at the TSA, saying in a note he wanted to kill at least one of its officers.

It's not clear why he targeted the agency, but a note found in his duffel bag suggested the 23-year-old unemployed motorcycle mechanic was willing to kill almost any airport security officer he could confront with his AR-15 semi-automatic rifle.

``Black, white, yellow, brown, I don't discriminate,'' the note read, according to a law enforcement official briefed on the investigation but speaking on condition of anonymity.

The note also mentioned "fiat currency'' and ``NWO,'' possible references to the New World Order, a conspiracy theory that foresees a totalitarian one-world government.

Ana Hernandez, wife of Gerardo Hernandez, during a press conference in Porter Ranch, California. Source: AP

Ciancia had moved to LA from New Jersey where on Friday his father called police, worried about his son after he sent texts to his family suggesting he might be in trouble or even harm himself, at one point even saying goodbye.

New Jersey police called LA police who sent a patrol car to Ciancia's apartment. There, two roommates said they had seen him a day earlier and he appeared to be fine.

By that time, gunfire was already breaking out at the airport, prompting passengers to drop to the floor or run for their lives.

Ciancia had walked into the airport, pulled the rifle from his bag and began firing at TSA officers.

Travelers are screened by TSA agents after Terminal 3 was re-opened a day after the shooting. Source: AFP

Leon Saryan of Milwaukee said he was cowering in a corner when the shooter approached.

"He looked at me and asked, 'TSA?' I shook my head no, and he continued on down toward the gate. He had his gun at the ready and, but for the grace of God, I am here to tell about it,'' Saryan said.

Airport officials said Terminal 3 was open again as of early Saturday afternoon after a prolonged shutdown that was particularly troublesome for those hoping to head to the East Coast or across the Pacific Ocean, including hundreds of Australians and New Zealanders.

About 1550 flights with 167,000 passengers were affected, airport spokeswoman Nancy Castles said in a statement on Saturday.

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Horses, dogs hunt for explosive clues

Police divers on the scene in Australind on Friday, after two suspicious packages were found. Picture: Jordan Shields Source: PerthNow

POLICE dogs and horses have joined the hunt for who was responsible for putting two batches of the deadly explosive TATP in a West Australian estuary.

The police presence was still high at Australind near Bunbury today as the investigation continued into who might have placed the highly volatile chemical in the Leschenault estuary and why.

The Australind jetty was reopened to the public yesterday, with State Crime Commander Scott Higgins saying police are comfortable the area is now clear.

However, a broader search of the area will continue on Monday and the public is being urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.

"Residents in Australind will continue to see a high-level police presence in their community as additional officers remain in the community conducting the investigation,'' Cmdr Higgins said.

The explosive - widely used by terrorist organisations in recent years - was discovered in Australind, south of Perth, early last week.

Police initially believed the crystalline substance found by a member of the public on Tuesday night was for making drugs, and so it was transported to Perth to be stored at the major crime headquarters in the city centre.

But when the nature of the substance was discovered, buildings were evacuated and the explosives were delicately transported before controlled detonations at a Perth racetrack.

Navy divers were back in the water on Friday morning, with a second suspicious package prepared for controlled detonation.

TATP, known as "Mother of Satan'', is highly volatile and can be manufactured from household ingredients.

It's believed three kilograms of the chemical was found at Australind. Each of the explosives in the 2005 London bombings weighed at least 2.5kg.

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