Six armed holdups in 14 hours

A BOTTLE shop and five petrol stations have been hit by armed robberies and police believe they were the work of one man.

Police from the Regional Investigations Unit are investigating the armed holdups that occurred between 8.49pm last night and 9.52am this morning.

The robberies began at 8.49pm last night with a holdup at the Craigie Tavern Bottleshop, on Eddystone Avenue in Craigie.

Further robberies occured at 12.51am at the Gull petrol station in Burswood; 3.50am at the BP service station on Main Street in Osborne Park; 4am at the Caltex Starshop, Wanneroo Road, Northlands; 9.33am at United Petroleum, Walter Padbury Boulevard, Padbury; 9.52am at Coles Express at the corner of Marmion Avenue and Marina Boulevard, Ocean Reef.

Police believe said the offender in the holdups used a syringe in at least one of the robberies and pretended to be armed with a gun in another.

The offender was described as being in his mid to late 20s, unshaven and wearing a dark coloured hoodie.

This afternoon, police advised that they were questioning a 35-year-old man in relation to the robberies.

There was another armed holdup at about 7.05am this morning at a Caltex petrol station in Madeley but police do not believe it is linked with the other six.

Anyone with information about the robberies should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Was he drunk? Buswell refuses to answer

Disgraced former Treasurer Troy Buswell is refusing to say what happened on that infamous night in February when he crashed his car and left behind a trail of destruction in Subiaco.

Former WA Treasurer Troy Buswell won't comment on claims he was drunk when he crashed his car.

PREMIER Colin Barnett has denied any notion of a 'cover up' or preferential treatment for disgraced former Treasurer Troy Buswell.

In Parliament today, Mr Barnett said he did not believe it was his job to ask whether Mr Buswell had been drinking - after the Vasse MLA admitted to crashing his ministerial car on February 23.

"Give me any evidence of interference in the police investigation," Mr Barnett told Parliament.

"I have simply acted as I have seen fit at each stage as information has become available.

"I do not excuse or condone in any way whatsoever what happened leading to the damage."

• EDITORIAL: Troy Buswell must go

• SNAPSHOT: Scandals through the lens

Opposition Leader Mark McGowan said Mr Buswell's comments this morning, where he refused to answer questions about the night of Feburary 23, was not good enough.

He also took a swipe at the Premier, who said part of the MP's punishment was losing his ministerial portfolio.

"Standards are so low in the government that we have a senior minister, driving, I think, blind drunk down the streets, risking lives, damaging property, and yet the premier says he does not have to explain himself," Mr McGowan said.

"And the police minister says he does not have to explain those events.

"That is not acceptable."

Do you think, using Mr Buswell's words, that "the matter has been dealt with"?

This morning, Mr Buswell refused to say what happened on that infamous night in February when he crashed his car and left behind a trail of destruction in Subiaco.

Addressing the media, Mr Buswell said he had been diagnosed with bipolar depression, but refused to answer questions on whether he was drunk on the night.

The Vasse MLA said he was "embarrassed" and "mortified" by what had happened, saying he believed a return to work would help with his rehabilitation.

• COMMENT: Buswell might as well have said nothing

• OVERSEAS TRIP: Buswell 'surprised' over $780 dinner bill

Asked why he did not speak to police about crashing his car into four other cars in Subiaco on his way home from a wedding in Kings Park, Mr Buswell said he had left it up to his lawyers to speak to investigators.

When questioned why he did not report smashing his ministerial car to the Premier or his office till March 9, the former Treasurer said he had been in hospital for several days after his "breakdown" on February 23.

Mr Buswell addressed Liberal MPs at a party room meeting this morning, some of whom have told PerthNow he needed to tell the "whole story" in order to gain any respect from the public.

Troy Buswell at his packed media conference outside of Parliament House. Picture: Marie Nirme. Source: Supplied

"Police have conducted a thorough investigation into a number of traffic accidents that occurred that night in Subiaco. Police formed a view they were caused by me, engaging in careless driving and I have accepted the consequences of my actions," Mr Buswell said.

"Police have investigated those matters ... I'm not a police officer and I'm not a lawyer from whom they would have received advice," he said.

"In my view, the matter has been dealt with."

"In relation to my health I have been diagnosed with bipolar depression, I have been receiving treatment for that from the 24th of February and that treatment is ongoing.

"I expect that treatment will continue for a long time to come.

"This has been a very difficult time for me and my family but all the advice I have from my doctor and others is returning to work is an important part of my recovery."

Heaven help me: Troy Buswell during a press conference outside Parliament House in Perth. Picture: Marie Nirme. Source: Supplied

Asked whether he was drunk on the night, Mr Buswell said: "The police have conducted an investigation and charged me with a range of driving offences and I accept responsibility for my actions. I have no more comment to make around events surrounding those matters.

"I am embarrassed and mortified that this happened, and I apologise and will continue to apologise to those people whom this has impacted."

Asked why he did not speak to police, Mr Buswell said: "Like a lot of people in those circumstances where there was a police investigation I engaged a lawyer and that lawyer basically communicated on my behalf to police."

Mr Buswell said that following the crash he was in hospital for "some 10 days" and was not in a state of mind to report the crash to the Premier, till March 9 – when police contacted Mr Barnett and his office.

In relation to who would pay for damage to the ministerial car and other vehicles, Mr Buswell said: "As I understand it Risk Cover has indicated they will assess those accidents.

"They have sought additional advice from the WA Police force but I haven't had any other contact with Risk Cover.

Feeling the strain: Troy Buswell during a press conference outside Parliament House in Perth. Picture: Marie Nirme. Source: Supplied

"I will wait until I receive additional advice from the government insurer."

Mr Buswell would not commit to completing a full term.

"I want to get better and continue serving my constituents. At the end of the day they're two simple but challenging goals," he said.

"What I can guarantee is that my full focus is on getting better and my focus is on continuing to provide the very best level of service I can to my constituents."

Mr Buswell was spotted riding his bush bike to a gym in Northbridge. Later, he walked to Parliament.

He said he may apply for an extraordinary licence.

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Buswell ‘surprised’ over $780 bill

Troy Buswell and his chief-of-staff were living it large on a taxpayer-funded credit card, escaping to the French countryside during a 'fact finding.'

Former Treasurer Troy Buswell said he was surprised by $780 meal bill from his French ministerial trip. Source: News Corp Australia

The town of Vrigny in France, where Mr Buswell and two others shared a $780 dinner. Source: Supplied

DISGRACED former Treasurer Troy Buswell says he was "surprised" he racked up a $780 meal bill in the French countryside while on a taxpayer-funded trip to check out light rail.

As The Sunday Times revealed this week, Mr Buswell and his chief-of-staff Rachael Turnseck were living it large on a taxpayer-funded credit card, escaping to the French countryside during a "fact finding" light rail mission last year — at the same time that WA lost its prestigious AAA credit rating.

Credit card documents, obtained under Freedom of Information laws, show that the fallen Treasurer and Rachael Turnseck racked up almost $14,000 on hotels, meals, laundry and airport transfers during the two-week trip in August-September last year, which included time in Asia.

They dined at Tinquex where the bill for Mr Buswell, Ms Turnseck and Public Transport Authority director Mark Burgess's dinner blew out to more than $780.

At one point, Mr Buswell and Ms Turnseck toured the French countryside, staying at the tiny hamlet of Vrigny in the famous Ardennes region — which is world acclaimed for its fine dining and champagne houses, including Moet-Chandon and Veuve Clicquot.

"Well I was surprised to understand that particular amount, but more broadly in relation to government travel it is entirely appropriate for government ministers to travel," Mr Buswell told media today.

"That particular part of that trip I was in Reims (France). Why Reims — because they had a light rail system of similar scale to Perth.

"It had been delivered using a public-private partnership.

"It went through a mall through the city.

"In relation to the location, the spot where we stayed was in the greater Reims area.

"It was in a village which was a couple of decent drop punts from the edge of Reims.

"I didn't book the accommodation, that was just how it transpired."

Premier Colin Barnett is refusing to release the full report of Mr Buswell's trip, saying it will be tabled in parliament soon.

Mr Barnett is expected to announce a number of cash-saving measures in Thursday's State Budget after racking up a $20 billion state debt.

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Majestic manors at rock-bottom prices

This Bedfordale property is one of several sprawling estates that are up for sale in WA. Source: Supplied

A STRING of luxury country homes have hit the property market in the past few months, following the sale of embattled billionaire Ric Stowe's sprawling Bullsbrook mansion late last year.

Featuring 20 rooms, eight bathrooms, two pools, two helicopter pads and a polo field, the majestic Devereaux Farm, once valued at nearly $70 million, sold to mining services business owner Luke Herbert for $21.35 million in October.

A dozen or so of Perth's stately semirural homes, with land of more than 200ha in some cases and features such as indoor lap pools, libraries and expansive wine cellars, are currently up for sale.

• More WA Real Estate news

Garland International principal John Garland said more had been listed in the past few months than was usual for this time of year.

Sellers would normally wait until the season had broken and all the paddocks were green before putting their homes on the market, Mr Garland said.

But more were listing because of WA's transitioning economy and the desire to downsize.

Increased confidence from big sales, such as Devereaux Farm, and the addition of more buyers to the market were also key, Mr Garland said.

"There are people who are relocating due to the mining downturn, and there are more properties on the market," Mr Garland said.

"But on the flip side of that with the oil and gas interest looking to be big or bigger than the mining interest, there are people looking to shift here for that."

Other buyers who required "something above the norm" were businessmen who had found success in WA's mining boom and overseas buyers.

Buyers from South-East Asia, India, China, Europe, South Africa, and some from Canada and the USA, were looking to WA's big estates for space, lifestyle and future capital growth, Mr Garland said.

"Buyers are looking at places from 30 minutes from the city to an hour from the city," he said. "They don't need to be traditionally located in the western suburbs."

The view from a property in Bedfordale, which is attracting interest from overseas investors. Source: Supplied

Elders Real Estate agent Ian Henry said Perth's big estates weren't "running out the door", but prices were down on the height of the boom.

Mr Henry said the homes were often used by Perth's business elite as second homes or holiday getaways as an alternative to a long drive "down south".

For buyers seeking a big semirural property without the hefty price tag, there are nearly 100 homes of 2ha or more on the market for less than $1 million.

But the blocks were not for aspiring developers.

Chair of the Urban Development Institute of Australia's planning committee Jane Bennett said in most cases just one home could be put on a block, regardless of size.

"Sometimes an ancillary dwelling can be built," Ms Bennett said. "In a rural setting that might be a cottage separate to the main house."

Ms Bennett said anyone hoping to subdivide and develop should talk to their council or look up its town planning scheme, as regulations were different in almost every location.

Other policies which could affect planning were lot size, where amenities such sewage and water were located and bushfire provisions.

Ms Bennett said the recent gazetting of Mundaring's town planning scheme indicated a shift towards standardising the rules, but nothing had been articulated by the Department of Planning.

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Tour De Fridge: Drunk antics go viral

The binge drinking antics of reportedly up to 80 young Perth men on pushbikes has gone viral and has even made headlines in the UK.

WE already knew it, now the rest of the world knows it too – Perth is home to a lunatic breed of binge drinkers.

A video capturing the alcohol-charged antics of up to 80 young men on bikes has gone viral.

The 13-minute video on YouTube, called "Tour De Fridge — Ellenbrook 2014", has attracted more than 50,000 hits in its first week.

It shows a large number of young men dressed in silly outfits riding from one party to the next on pushbikes and drinking themselves stupid.

Drunken antics of Perth men was captured on a video titled "Tour De Fridge - Ellenbrook 2014" posted on YouTube.

It's believed the event occurred on Good Friday in and around Ellenbrook. It followed a similar event in 2013.

Some of the participants tried to perform stunts on their bikes while drunk.

At one point, a WA police car with two officers arrived at one of the houses.

Drunken antics of Perth men was captured on a video titled "Tour De Fridge - Ellenbrook 2014" posted on YouTube.

In another scene, a man somersaults off a roof into a small swimming pool.

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Deadly hospital errors soar

The report shows category-one events have been increasing since 2003-04. Source: Supplied

A pair of scissors that were left inside of a patient after surgery. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

ALMOST 300 people died or suffered injuries as a result of serious mistakes in WA hospitals last year, a new report shows.

The Health Department report found 107 people died and another 202 were injured as a result of severe hospital errors in 2012-13 – an increase of 77 per cent on the previous year.

"Moderate harm" caused by healthcare, rather than the patient's underlying medical condition, was also reported 6693 times, along with 9231 incidents causing minimal or no harm.

Among the more serious incidents were surgical instruments or other material being left inside patients on three occasions – including a "surgical pack retained following abdominal surgery" and medical swabs.

Surgery complications (23), misdiagnosis (23), medication errors (13) and patient falls (77) were among the most common causes of the 309 category-one events.

Another 84 of these incidents involved mental health patients – 47 of which resulted in "unexpected death" and 27 in absconding. Two patients were rendered unconscious while being restrained.

A WA Health spokesman said 33 of the 309 serious or "Severity Assessment Code 1" incidents had been declassified since the report was issued – meaning it had been determined that the hospital wasn't at fault.

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Green light for Roe Hwy truck toll

An Abbott Government source said it strongly favoured a toll on commercial heavy vehicles. Source: News Limited

WA is set to get its first toll road as part of a deal that would see the controversial Roe Highway extension in the southern suburbs go ahead with hundreds of millions of dollars from the Federal Government.

The Sunday Times can reveal the Barnett and Abbott governments have been working on an agreement ahead of the Federal Budget that would see the Commonwealth pay for the bulk of the $600 million project on condition that a toll on commercial heavy vehicles using the road is introduced.

The Premier has repeatedly said he is against the introduction of tolls to alleviate traffic congestion in WA.

But, it is understood his government is open to a toll that doesn't affect "mums and dads".

The 5km extension – which connects Roe Hwy from the Kwinana Fwy in Jandakot to Stock Rd in Coolbellup – is considered the most contentious road project in WA.

Environmentalists and the Opposition argue it is a waste of money and will cause significant damage to the sensitive Beeliar Wetlands.

Where the proposed Roe 8 road will be built.

But supporters say it is necessary to get heavy trucks travelling to and from Fremantle Port away from suburban areas and reduce traffic congestion on major roads like Leach Highway.

Main Roads predicts up to 75,000 vehicles could use the extension every day by 2031.

Premier Colin Barnett said late last year the project would not be built "in this term of Government".

However, The Sunday Times has been told by several Liberal sources the Federal Government is willing to pay for the "bulk" of the project if Mr Barnett agrees to the introduction of the toll.

The deal would be contained in the Federal Budget on May 13.

Transport Minister Dean Nalder, whose electorate could benefit from the Roe Hwy extension, confirmed he was in "ongoing" discussions with the Abbott Government about the project.

His office also confirmed it was "exploring" what contributions the commercial heavy vehicles industry could make in exchange for "increased productivity and road use".

Would you support a freight toll to extend Roe Highway?

An Abbott Government source said it strongly favoured a toll on commercial heavy vehicles. Mr Nalder has not ruled out such a toll.

"Our position on tolls is very clear: There will not be a toll for private cars," Mr Nalder said.

"I would expect any additional charge to the freight industry would need to be a win-win for government and industry."

A spokeswoman for federal Treasurer Joe Hockey said: "We don't comment on Budget speculation."

Labor's transport spokesman Ken Travers said it would "open the door" to the State Government introducing more toll roads across WA.

"Mr Barnett promised public transport at the last state election and that is what he should be demanding Mr Abbott funds for WA," he said.

In the state's north, a concessional loading scheme sees some mining companies pay for a special permit to carry extra loads.

Transporters pay a set number of cents per tonne per kilometre when they run on state roads. This funding is then used to maintain the road.

WA Treasurer Mike Nahan, whose Riverton electorate is also affected, said the Barnett Government would welcome a "significant contribution" from the Abbott Government.

The Greens' Lynn MacLaren said the Liberal governments had signed up for a "large environmental battle".

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Disgraced Troy was living it large

Troy Buswell and his chief-of-staff were living it large on a taxpayer-funded credit card, escaping to the French countryside during a 'fact finding.'

Election coverage in the seat of Vasse in Western Australia. pictured is Liberal Candidate Troy Buswell Source: News Limited

TROY Buswell and his chief-of-staff were living it large on a taxpayer-funded credit card, escaping to the French countryside during a "fact finding" light rail mission — at the same time that WA lost its prestigious AAA credit rating.

Credit card documents, obtained under Freedom of Information laws, show that the fallen Treasurer and Rachael Turnseck racked up almost $14,000 on hotels, meals, laundry and airport transfers during the two-week trip in August-September last year, which included time in Asia.

At one point, Mr Buswell and Ms Turnseck toured the French countryside, staying at the tiny hamlet of Vrigny in the famous Ardennes region — which is world acclaimed for its fine dining and champagne houses, including Moet-Chandon and Veuve Clicquot.

They also dined at nearby Tinquex where the bill for Mr Buswell, Ms Turnseck and Public Transport Authority director Mark Burgess's dinner blew out to more than $780.

Vineyards near Fuisse, Burgundy, in France Source: Supplied

The region, although well known for its French champagne and culinary experiences, is, according to the State Opposition, less famous for its public transport infrastructure. "While there are no trams or light rails operating in outlying villages like Vrigny, the major regional centre of Reims does have a tram — one of 26 tram or light rail transit systems operating across France," shadow treasurer Ben Wyatt said.

"Let's not forget that Mr Buswell went on this junket days after presenting the 2013-14 Budget where he abandoned election promises, cut services and increases State taxes.

"I think any Western Australian would be aghast that Mr Buswell demanded cuts to frontline services, then dashed off to the champagne headquarters of France to spend $781 for a meal."

The two-week jaunt to Europe and Asia happened just after last year's August State Budget and during September — the same month WA lost its AAA credit rating.

It is understood that two public servants — the head of Fisheries and the managing director of the Public Transport Authority — also went on the taxpayer-funded trip.

Premier Colin Barnett promoted the trip as "investigating light rail systems in Europe".

Prior to taking the trip, Mr Buswell told West Australians a "very tough fiscal environment" required "short-term belt tightening".

He had also announced that "non-essential" government travel would be temporarily banned to help WA "live within our means".

The full cost of Mr Buswell's trip is not known.

The office of Mr Barnett yesterday refused to release a report on the trip, which was submitted in January.

A spokeswoman said the report would be "tabled shortly".

The August-September study trip to Switzerland, France and Germany with stopovers in China was the former treasurer's second trip looking at light rail.

In 2011, he visited Germany, Singapore, Sweden and Norway — costing the taxpayer $33,559.

But in December last year, Mr Buswell shelved the light rail project after a review of the state's finances.

Mr Wyatt called on Mr Barnett to "immediately release the entire details of the cost" of the trip.

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Covert cameras to catch hoons

Ballajura mums Rachel Paplinski and Jo Samata, who live near a notorious hoon hot spot, welcomed the move with WA's Police Minister Liza Harvey. Source: News Limited

HOON drivers wreaking havoc in Perth suburbs will have nowhere to hide with covert cameras set to be deployed in known hot spots.

The Sunday Times can reveal funding for the covert cameras strategy – a 2013 election commitment – will be included in Thursday's State Budget package.

● BUDGET: Green light for Roe Hwy truck toll

Up to 24 state-of-the-art covert cameras will be bought at a cost of $170,000 over four years.

What they look like is a closely guarded secret and Police Minister Liza Harvey refused to say if the cameras were miniature or if they would be mounted on street infrastructure.

But she said the devices will be deployed wherever they are needed and will work like CCTV cameras, filming for hours or days on end.

Footage from the cameras will be used in court to convict hoons for their crimes.

Ms Harvey said the first set of cameras will be in use by the end of the year.

"People are sick and tired of hearing people hooning up and down their suburban streets," she said.

"What hoons are not considering when they behave like they do is that if they lose control of their vehicle, particularly in a built-up area, they can collide into a house and there can be a family sleeping in there. They are not thinking about that in that one testosterone-charged moment where they decide to put their foot down.

"It drives people crazy (and) the message to anybody thinking of driving recklessly in our suburbs is now clear – we will catch you with these new cameras and we will take your car off you."

WA Police State Traffic Commander Alf Fordham said: "We constantly investigate and identify these hoons and make no apologies for targeting them, and we will use every resource we can to take them off the roads and protect the lives of innocent road users. Reckless driving behaviour represents one of the biggest dangers on WA roads and serial hoons demonstrate a complete lack of regard, not only for their own lives but also the lives of every other innocent road user in the state."

Ballajura mums Jo Samata and Rachel Paplinski, who live near a notorious hoon hot spot, welcomed the move.

"I think it's a great initiative. We are surrounded by parks, schools and blind spots yet there are all these people hooning around," Mrs Samata said. "Anything that can make our roads safer and deters this kind of behaviour is only ever going to be a good thing."

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When the Wildcats met a shark

A Perth Wildcats fishing trip took a very different turn today when the championship winning basketballers came face to face with a shark off Rottnest.

The shark that circled a boat with Perth Wildcats players on board off Rottnest. Picture: Ten News Source: Supplied

IT was a meeting between wild predators, but the shark had the home court advantage.

Perth Wildcats players had a close call during a fishing trip off Rottnest today when a shark circled their boat for about 15 minutes.

The championship basketballers had a tale to tell after their trip, with captain Damian Martin describing seeing the beast, which was wider than the back of their boat, up close as a "surreal and amazing experience".

The encounter was captured on video and posted on social media.

"It came right up to the boat and tried grabbing one of the fish that was on the lines," Martin told Ten News.

Perth Wildcats captain Damian Martin and teammate Jesse Wagstaff talk about their close call with a shark. Picture: Ten News Source: Supplied

"Incredible experience, Jesse (teammate Jesse Wagstaff) has no boat legs, so he's holding onto the boat with one hand, trying to capture it on video with the other.

"It came in twice, it came from the side to try to get the fish and then the second time we thought it had gone and it came from what seemed like under the boat so it surprised us all.

"It was amazing, I've never seen Jesse shake so much in my life, so it was a good experience."

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