Two WA killers released on parole

Brian Warren Dutton and Christopher Miles Thompson have been released on parole after being sentenced to life in the WA Supreme Court for separate wilful murders. Picture: File image Source: News Limited

TWO murderers – one who shot his brother and another man who killed a woman during a botched attempt to rape and kidnap another woman – have been released on parole.

The Prisoners Review Board has revealed that Brian Warren Dutton and Christopher Miles Thompson were last week released from jail – 20 and 26 years respectively after they committed their crimes. Both men were released on three-year parole orders.

Dutton was sentenced to life imprisonment for the wilful murder of his brother, who he shot in the chest with a shotgun in January 1994 during a dispute over household chores.

Thompson was also sentenced to life for wilful murder in November 1988, after he killed a woman by striking her to the head with a crowbar.

He was at the victim's house intending to rape and kidnap another female occupant, but was confronted by the unintended victim after he climbed onto the roof.

After killing that woman, Thompson tried to choke his intended victim and carry out his original plan, but the woman managed to resist the attack and call police.

Both men were handed 12-year non-parole periods in the WA Supreme Court.

Their parole was granted after the board recommended in a report to Attorney-General Michael Mischin that Governor Malcolm McCusker release Dutton to a three-year parole period.

In Dutton's case, his parole was granted because of "several gains" he had made in abstaining from illicit substances, gaining partial insight into his mental health illness and being prepared to access professional help.

A psychiatrist concluded Dutton's risk of violence had been reduced to moderate, the board stated in a summary of the decision.

With Thompson, the board stated he was assessed as being in the "low to medium risk category" in his most recent psychiatric report.

Psychological advice was that "any unnecessary delay in release may result in the prisoner becoming disaffected and increasing the risk of hopelessness, leading in turn to a negative impact on his mental preparedness for release."

The board also stated Dutton had completed an 18-month parole period in 2008, which was cancelled because he self-reported a substance abuse relapse and deterioration in his mental health.

In the board's summary it stated Thompson had successfully completed four years of a five-year parole order.

Both parole orders come with strict conditions, including complying with psychiatric treatment and engaging in employment and training as directed.

Dutton, who is banned from consuming alcohol, possessing illicit substances and entering licensed premises, has suitable and supportive accommodation on the outside with his mother and stepfather.

One of Thompson's parole conditions is to have no direct or indirect contact with his surviving victim or with family members of the woman he killed.

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Federal Budget: a 5-minute guide

THE Federal Budget is a massive tome, heavy on dry economic detail.

This year's budget was keenly anticipated, with Treasurer Joe Hockey warning Australians about the structural adjustments that the economy needed — and the "heavy lifting" that different sectors of the population would have to do.

Here is all you need to know about the 2014 Federal Budget, distilled into a quick five-minute summary.

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The Budget clangers you didn’t notice

Hockey's first budget has been well publicised, but what about the things you missed? Source: Getty Images

IT'S being hailed as the toughest budget in a decade with a $7 payment to see the doctor, debt tax on high-income earners and massive cuts to family benefits all due to become a reality.

But hidden behind the headline grabbing changes are a host of other measures designed to bring the government back into surplus. Here are some of the crucial items you might have missed:

MASSIVE FREEZE ON FOREIGN AID

They might call it "reprioritising" but foreign aid is one of the biggest sacrifices in this year's budget, providing $7.6 billion worth of savings as the government freezes the amount of money Australia gives in overseas development assistance (ODA).

MORE: What the Federal Budget 2014 means for you

It includes spiking plans to join the African Development Bank Group and International Fund for Agricultural Development, as well as capping ODA at five per cent of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's budget.

Afghanistan has been one of the largest recipients of foreign aid in the past, according to DFAT. Pictured, an Afghan boy looks for edible roots near a refugee camp in Sakhi, Afghanistan. Source: AP

World Vision Australia CEO Tim Costello said it's a massive blow for a sector that is already struggling.

"It is disheartening to see that the poorest people in the world will foot the bill for Australia's fiscal repairs," he said.

Charity groups are also reeling with Australian Council for International Development executive director Marc Purcell saying it's "incredibly disappointing" to see people struggling on $2 per day hit even harder by Budget cuts in Australia.

MORE: Nine things you won't believe they're cutting

ARTS BUDGETS SLASHED

No matter which way you cut it, the arts community in Australia just got a bollocking. The government has pulled a whopping $97.1 million in funding over four years which had been slated for the arts.

Screen Australia, the primary body for local film and production is set to lose $25.1 million. The $10 million Australian Interactive Games Fund will also be killed.

Meanwhile, the Australia Council, which provides funding and grants to local artists, will have $28.2 million slashed from its ledgers. The Attorney-General's department will also drain $33.8 million in arts funding.

There are fears gems like Muriel's Wedding might not make it to the screen under cuts to arts funding. Source: News Corp Australia

Giving people money to throw specks of paint at a canvas may seem frivolous in comparison to healthcare cuts but let's not forget its place in a national culture. President Lyndon B Johnson, on creating the US National Endowment for the Arts said: "Art is a nation's most precious heritage. For it is on our works of art that we reveal to ourselves and to others the inner vision which guides us as a nation. And where there is no vision, the people perish."

Screen Producers Australia executive director Matthew Deaner said: "Their investments trigger millions of dollars of local and international financing into productions which employ thousands of Australians."

GONSKI IS GONE-SKI

The Gonski school funding agreement will be unwound, amid plans to slash $80 billion from health and education funding over a decade.

This includes cutting $20 million from the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership, scrapping a $21 million centre for quality teaching and learning Labor had promised, reducing funding for the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, as well as a host of other measures that will affect students and teachers.

Federal funding for education and health will be cut. Source: Supplied

States have hit back at the news this morning, claiming federal funding cuts from health and education are a "hospital pass" that assumes they will pick up slack.

"What they did was pass a spending problem to the states — they didn't provide the income solution," New South Wales Premier Mike Baird told ABC radio.

MORE: Your Budget questions answered

COUNTLESS JOBS TO GO

Treasurer Joe Hockey has said 16,500 jobs will go but there are fears this number could be as high as 25,000 once budget cuts, asset-sell offs and outsourcing are taken into account.

The Australian Tax Office will take the lion's share with 4700 positions gone in a series of wideranging cuts which will affect organisations from the National Library to the Defence Force.

Hockey has said 16,500 jobs will go but unions fear it could be much more. Source: Supplied

Community and Public Sector Union national secretary Nadine Flood said the Budget was a "con job" for workers with organisations like the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, Customs and CSIRO already groaning under their workloads.

The public broadcaster is also in the firing line, with the ABC losing $120 million from their bottom line over four years. It comes on top of cuts to SBS and the Australia Network and ABC managing director Mark Scott said it would inevitably lead to redundancies and fewer services.

"We will need to make funding cuts while trying to also save money to invest in new priorities to ensure the ABC remains a compelling feature of the Australian media landscape."

MORE: Abbott breaks election promise with cuts to ABC and SBS

MAJOR SPENDING ON SCHOOL CHAPLAINS

Nearly a quarter of a billion dollars went to a program that provides chaplains for schools, despite the fact its future is before the High Court.

The school chaplain scheme will provide $243.8 million over four years to allow schools to apply for a $20,000 grant towards the cost of employing a chaplain. An additional $4000 is available to schools in remote areas.

Nearly quarter of a billion dollars will go to providing school chaplains, but the move may be blocked in the High Court. Source: News Limited

But Queensland father of six Ron Williams has fought the issue in court, saying "there is no place in public schools for any form of missionaries or evangelists or anything that isn't secular."

Experts think the case will have far-reaching effects for the Commonwealth's ability to provide funding for a range of programs. Even the Scripture Union's chief executive Peter James acknowledged it's controversial.

"People are divided on it. But I am not sure that people who are opposed to the program necessarily understand what chaplains do in schools. It's not a clerical role, it's not a theological role — it's a caring role."

MORE: The Federal Budget, a five minute guide

NO MORE CONTIKIS ON THE GOVERNMENT

Currently, if you're overseas while you're studying, you still collect Youth Allowance. Not anymore.

Going on holiday and keeping your Youth Allowance won't be possible anymore. Source: Supplied

The government will not pay you for time spent overseas unless you're on exchange with another educational institution or it's a family emergency. Wandering through Hogwarts at the Harry Potter theme park does not count as exchange.

MORE: Uni changes to hit students hard

BIG BUCKS FOR IMMIGRATION

Indonesia will receive nearly $87 million over three years to manage the asylum seeker population living in the country, as the government turns their attention to processing the back log of asylum seekers in Australia.

The government claims the success of Operation Sovereign Borders has reduced the number of boats which will allow them to save $2.5 billion over five years and close nine detention centres around the country. One in South Australia could even be turned into an aged-care facility, according to Assistant Infrastructure Minister Jamie Briggs.

Tony Abbott's government says Operation Sovereign Borders will allow them to make billions in savings. Source: Getty Images

Migration Institute of Australia's President Angela Chan said while some of the changes are positive, there are some "dark shadows" that need explaining.

"While the Institute is pleased that the Family Stream will focus on meeting the increasing demand for close family reunions by having additional partner and child places, it is alarming that these additional places will be made available as a result of the cessation of new applications from the other family and parent (non-contributory) places," she said.

Overall, Australia's migration intake will remain at 190,000 in the 2014/15 financial year.

ROUGH DEAL FOR ENTREPRENEURS

Plans to scrap eight programs worth $845 million over five years will cut the local start-up scene and send more Aussie entrepreneurs to Silicon Valley, according to advocates.

The Budget includes plans to scrap Commercialisation Australia, which has provided more than $200 million in funding to local start-ups, as well as the Innovation Investment Fund, which connects start-ups with venture capital.

Becoming a tech start-up just got a little bit harder with plans to cut funding groups. Source: News Limited

Instead, an Entrepreneurs' Infrastructure Program will cost $484.2 million over five years but

start-up accelerator River City Labs boss Steven Baxter is not convinced.

"Australia invests a fraction of what other developed countries do funding tech start-ups, and the budget has provided no solid proof that the government intends to rectify this," he said.

The government also revealed plans to stop funding the technology research body National ICT Australia (NICTA) from 2016.

OTHER THINGS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:

• $90 million to find missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. It's the first time the government has put a number on the search cost.

• Up to $500 million for a new icebreaker ship and $9.4 million to maintain Australia's presence in Antarctica.

• The School Kids Bonus will be scrapped.

• Three kids is no longer a "large family." It's been redesigned to be one with at least four kids before you start getting the large family supplement on Family Tax Benefits.

Large family? I don't think so. It takes four children to be eligible for large family supplements nowadays. Source: News Limited

• $19 million over four years will go to the Australian Drug Commission to continue the Good Sports Programme aimed at building a culture of responsible drinking at a grassroots level.

• It's been revealed the cost of someone losing a few bits of paper at the WA Senate election cost $23.2 million. No wonder heads rolled at the Australian Electoral Commission over the debacle.

What do you think of the Budget 2014? Leave a comment below or continue the conversation on Twitter @newscomauHQ

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Why thin may soon be in

Is Perth ready for the super skinny home? Source: Supplied

IS Perth ready for the skinny house?

At a recent forum in Perth the idea of a super-slim home with a 4.5m frontage — about the length of an average car — was put forward as a possible way of the future.

Just when we thought lot sizes could not shrink any further, Perth builders have already begun offering homes that are 5m wide.

But will the industry, as it has in Queensland, shed a few more centimetres and squeeze down to a 4.5m frontage?

• More WA Real Estate news

The Urban Development Institute of Australia WA hot topics forum Does It Fit? How We Deal With The Shrinking Lot Size was shown projects such as the controversial Fitzgibbon Chase development in Queensland with its narrow home options.

Builder Ausbuild's joint managing director Matt Bell said the Fitzgibbon Chase skinny homes were a big hit and gave first homebuyers the chance to move into an area less than 15km from the Brisbane CBD that would normally have been out of their price range.

Economic Development Queensland director of residential Peter Smith said the government development offered lot sizes from 45sq m.

The incredible shrinking home — frontages are shrinking but how small can they go? Source: Supplied

"From the outset, EDQ has looked at ways of being more sustainable," Mr Smith said.

In WA, the UDIA has found while the average lot has shrunk by more than 30 per cent in Perth in 20 years, while the size of the average house as a proportion of the lot has gone from a quarter to more than 40 per cent.

WA builders and developers have embraced narrow-lot design, with Subiaco and East Perth leading the way.

Revolutionary in their time, those 8m and 10m-wide frontages are now looking roomy by comparison to the next generation of narrow lots.

When is a home too skinny?

New "cottage row" single-storey homes with 5m frontages on lots of 150sq m at estates in areas such as Ellenbrook, Butler and Alkimos, are already on the market in Perth.

A Mitsubishi Pajero — it's longer than some new home frontages. Source: News Limited

As for the 4.5m frontage-frontier, modest family wagon the Mitsubishi Pajero is by comparison longer at 4.65m, according to Wikipedia.

But Hot Topics forum speaker, BGC Residential chief executive Kelvin Ryan, put in a word of warning.

"Everyone's saying that to hit affordability, we have to make lots smaller," Mr Ryan said. "Just because something's smaller and more affordable, doesn't mean it's value for money."

Developers and builders in Perth were given the go-ahead to build on lots as small as 100sq m last year.

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Rolf Harris’ card to alleged victim

A woman who alleges Rolf Harris indecently assaulted her has rejected suggestions she instigated relations.

Show of solidarity ... veteran Australian entertainer Rolf Harris arrives with his daughter Bindi, left, and wife Alwen Hughes, right, at Southwark Crown Court in London. Source: AP

FOR one of Rolf Harris' alleged victims, the card he sent said it all and was among the final moments she had contact with the TV star.

The woman was 29 years old in 1994 when Rolf Harris, now 84, sent her a card featuring a dog on the front and the words "All I need to know about life I learned from my dog".

INDECENT ASSAULT TRIAL: Rolf Harris' victim accused of lying

FAMILY FRIEND: Rolf Harris allegedly sexually abused me for years

On the front was a series of learnings including "If you stare at someone long enough eventually you will get what you want; When it comes to having sex, if at first you don't succeed, beg; 'Be aware of when to hold your tongue and when to use it; Always leave room in your schedule for a good nap; A cold nose in the crotch can be effective; When you do something wrong always take responsibility as soon as you are dragged out from under the bed; If it's not wet and sloppy it's not a real kiss."

Denies indecent assault charges ... a card from Rolf Harris to his alleged victim which was presented to court. Source: Supplied

Inside the card Harris spoke of suffering a bout of vertigo and he drew a couple of illustrations of himself with his head spinning.

The woman told the court she disliked the card and became anxious as she saw it having a "sexual intent".

"It had a very sexual tone to it," she said as the card was shown to the jury.

Inside the card ... evidence of correspondence between Rolf Harris and his alleged victim given to the court. Source: Supplied

The woman had been in a sexual relationship with Harris up to that point, she says since the age of 13 and he says since she became 18.

Also tendered was the card Harris sent the alleged victim's father begging for forgiveness and admitting the affair was wrong but denying it began when she was a child.

Admitted a sexual relationship since the age of 13 ... evidence of correspondence between Rolf Harris and his alleged victim presented to court. Source: NewsComAu

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Budget reaction: Premier slams WA GST cut

The news from Canberra is not good news for families.

Premier Colin Barnett. Source: News Corp Australia

WA Premier Colin Barnett has taken aim at the Medicare co-contribution included in this year's Federal Budget and is angry about another cut to the state's GST share.

The Liberal leader said the budget was a "strong attempt" to reduce the national deficit and ultimately debt, and he welcomed federal contributions to infrastructure projects in WA.

But he was disappointed WA was the only state to have its GST revenue cut.

"I think it is an insult to the people of this state," Mr Barnett said.

"I'm disappointed about that. That's still something that must be corrected."

Opposition Leader Mark McGowan said the lower GST share was no surprise and being used by Mr Barnett as a smokescreen to cover the fact the Liberals were stripping away values such as universal healthcare that Australians held dear.

That was in response to Mr Barnett flagging the possibility of the state government introducing a fee for emergency department visits if the Medicare co-payment drove patients with non-urgent ailments to hospitals.

Combined with last week's state budget, it was clear the Liberals were moving towards a US approach to welfare, Mr McGowan said.

"It's pretty mean," he said.

But the Premier said any emergency department fee would be introduced "reluctantly".

He also said the decision to lift the retirement age to 70 was "a sensible policy" but adjustment should be made to rules around access to superannuation so people in their mid-60s could still have access to those funds.

Mr Barnett said the deficit levy would affect WA more than other states as its resources sector meant there was a high proportion of workers earning more than $180,000 a year.

And the reintroduction of fuel excise indexation would be also felt strongly in the state because West Australians travelled longer distances, he said.

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Pavlich had ‘unfinished business’

Matthew Pavlich will play his 300th game this weekend against Geelong, saying he remained committed to Fremantle because he had unfinished business with the club yet to win a premiership. Source: Getty Images

MATTHEW Pavlich says he ''strongly considered'' moving home to South Australia during his career, but always decided to remain at Fremantle because he had unfinished business.

Pavlich, 32, will become the first WA-based player to reach the magical 300-game milestone when the Dockers host fierce rival Geelong at Patersons Stadium on Saturday night.

The greatest player in Fremantle's 20-year history said he and the club had grown up together.

"We've both had our teething problems. We've matured together, we've had some ups and downs, we've had some great moments and now we find ourselves both in a situation where hopefully we can propel and have great success,'' Pavlich said.

POST A TRIBUTE TO PAVLICH

The six-time Doig medallist said he strongly considered moving home to Adelaide during his career and also received offers from Victorian clubs.

"Realistically it never got too far down that path because of the commitment I had to the club and the faith they had shown in me,'' he said.

"I wanted to repay that and I knew there was some unfinished business at the football club and I wanted to be right at the forefront of that.

"Mum and Dad instilled some really strong values in me and that was if you start something and you think it's worthwhile enough, you may as well stay the course and stick it out and I've certainly thought that's the case at Fremantle.''

Matthew Pavlich celebrates one of his 598 goals. Picture: Daniel Wilkins. Source: News Corp Australia

Pavlich spent two nights in hospital in intensive care after collapsing following repeated 1km sprints during his first training session at Aquinas College in late 1999.

"I was a pretty sheepish 17-year-old after that for a couple of weeks, very embarrassed about it,'' he said.

"It certainly wasn't the right way to start an AFL career.''

He has better memories of his first match, against Melbourne at the WACA Ground in Round 5, 2000, where he played alongside childhood idol Tony Modra.

"I just remember being so excited to start my career. I lined up alongside Mods in the goal square, who was a childhood hero of mine growing up in Adelaide.

"The ball landed in my lap in the first 30 seconds and I kicked a goal and then David Neitz came down and played on me not long after that and I hardly got a touch.

"It was sharp reminder of the reality of AFL.''

Pavlich believed it was a combination of dedication and luck that had enabled him to reach the milestone.

"I've been pretty lucky. I think that's the first point to put on the table,'' he said.

"I've been lucky with injuries. I've played with a lot of guys over the journey that have had horrific luck with injury.

"Although I've had my fair share — nine operations and plenty of little niggles along the way — I've been pretty lucky in general.

"But certainly the level of professionalism that's required to play week-in, week-out for 15 years, and travel the way we do, it's taken a lot of mental application and ensuring that I'm up to speed and dotting every 'i' and crossing every 't' ensuring that my body and preparation is right.''

Pavlich will share his milestone with friends and family travelling from Adelaide for the game, and said it would be most special for his parents and wife Lauren.

"It means a lot to my loved ones,'' he said.

"They've seen all the hard work, all the extra ice baths, the days spent down at the beach, the extra yoga sessions, the corkies, limping around post-game, during the week getting up to play, the mental anguish — the rollercoaster ride that is the AFL.

"It will probably mean a lot to (wife) Lauren, the great support she has been, and to Mum and Dad as well.

"It clearly highlights there has been an enormous amount of dedication on my behalf and desire to continue to play at a high level and represent the footy club, but I think Mum and Dad and Lauren will really get the most out of seeing me run out there on Saturday.''

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$3m fire at City Beach shopping centre

Fire investigators are trying to find the cause of a $3 million fire which tore through the Boulevard Shopping Centre, City Beach. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: News Corp Australia

FIRE investigators are this morning trying to determine the cause of a fire that tore through a Perth shopping centre, causing $3 million damage.

The fire, which is believed to have started at the rear of the Boulevard Shopping Centre at City Beach, was reported just after 1.15am this morning.

Three shops were alight when firefighters arrived.

A fish and chip shop, a pharmacy and a butcher's shop have been destroyed in the blaze, but shops at the front of the centre are believed to be opening this morning.

Fire investigators at the Boulevard Shopping Centre, City Beach. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper

Firefighters at the scene reported to WA Police that "most of the shopping centre is on fire", and that the fire appeared to be spreading through the roof cavity.

A spokesman from Department of Fire and Emergency Services said it took an hour to contain the blaze and several more hours to extinguish it.

About a third of the shopping centre was damaged in the blaze, with the estimated damage bill $3 million.

Boulevard Shopping complex pharmacy owner Lisa Eldon is comforted outside her burnt-out shop.

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Killer terrorised ex before murder

Selina Bello (centre) with her family at the WA Supreme Court for the sentencing of James Payet. Picture: Bohdan Warchomij Source: News Corp Australia

A PERTH court has heard how the man who stabbed his ex-wife to death and attacked his pregnant stepdaughter in a Como hair salon had terrorised his former spouse for months before her murder.

James Bill Payet appeared in the Perth Supreme Court this afternoon where he formally pleaded guilty to murdering Angela Ferullo, 43.

He also officially admitted to grievous bodily harm against Ms Ferullo's 23-year-old daughter Selina Bello and wounding customer Peggy Kew as they tried to intervene in the frenzied attack.

As well, Payet pleaded guilty to one count of deprivation of liberty and bodily harm with intent against Ms Ferullo's housemate Laurence Kemp.

James Bill Payet, who has pleaded guilty to murdering his ex-partner, Angela Ferullo, in her Como hairdressing salon.

Ms Bello was five months pregnant at the time and she has since given birth to a healthy baby boy, Emilio.

Payet faces a life jail term and will learn his fate on Friday.

During today's sentencing hearing, prosecutor Linda Petrusa told the court how Payet had waged a violent campaign against his ex-wife before the fatal attack on June 24 last year.

Angela Ferullo was murdered in her Como Salon in June 2013.

The couple had a violent marriage and had broken up two years before Ms Ferullo was killed.

The pair had been in a 12-year relationship and, although they separated in 2011 after Ms Ferullo had an affair, she allowed him to live in her house.

In March 2013, Payet had come to Ms Ferullo's home and threatened her with a hunting knife, telling her he would slit her throat if she told the police.

In the months leading up to June 24, Payet also sent a series of abusive texts to Ms Ferullo over her parenting of her youngest daughter.

He also sent texts to Ms Bello, and the two women were told by Payet that he would "decimate" anyone who crossed him.

Ms Petrusa said on one occasion, Ms Ferullo spent a night with her new boyfriend in a hotel and when Payet found out he went on a rampage.

She said Payet burnt Ms Ferullo's wedding dress and made her believe her had disposed of her mother's ashes.

Ms Petrusa said on June 23, Payet got into Ms Ferullo and Mr Kemp's home without them knowing, hiding in the roof space with two hunting knives, water, food and Ms Ferullo's mother's ashes.

Selina Bello with her baby son. Picture: Channel 9 Source: Supplied

The next morning – the day she was murdered – Ms Ferullo had planned on filing a violence restraining order against Payet. She went to her daughter's hair salon so that after Ms Bello was finished with a customer, the two could go to court and file the documents.

When she left home, Payet came down with the two knives and started to threaten Mr Kemp for information about where his ex-wife was.

Mr Kemp eventually managed to escape by jumping a fence, but Payet came after him.

Mr Kemp only got away after throwing his mobile phone at Payet and running off a second time.

Payet then borrowed a friend's car, telling him he was picking up a motorcycle, but instead drove to Ms Bello's salon.

As he arrived, his stepdaughter tried to lock the front door while her mother ran to the back.

Payet came inside asking Ms Bello where her mother was, and when she said she did not know, he grabbed her by the throat and threw her to the ground.

Ms Petrusa said Ms Bello pleaded "Dad, Dad, the baby don't."

Ms Ferullo came out, throwing herself on her daughter and Payet started to strike her.

Hair salon customer Peggy Kew, who tried to fend off James Payet as he attacked Angela Ferullo, at the Supreme Court today. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: News Corp Australia

What ensued was a violent attack that left Ms Ferullo with wounds to her arms, chest, lungs and abdomen. The fatal blow was a stabbing wound to her left upper limb.

During the attack, Ms Bello's customer Peggy Kew tried to intervene and was hit to the jaw by Payet.

Ms Petrusa said Payet then turned the knife on himself before running off, only arrested after he went to hospital for treatment later that day.

The court was told a 72-hour police intervention order – meant to offer some measure of protection to Ms Ferullo – was in place at the time of the attack.

But Ms Petrusa said Payet's life sentence should include a tough non-parole period, saying the attack was persistent and particularly cruel because it was witnessed by the victim's daughter and others were hurt.

Payet's counsel Laurie Levy said his client had genuine remorse for his crimes. He said Payet had come from a physically and emotionally violent family, subjected to routine humiliations from his father because of his bed-wetting.

He said he had a history of domestic violence, depression and drug use – both illicit and prescription, including steroids.

Mr Levy said at the time of the attack, Payet had come off his anti-depressant medication.

He said Payet had tried killing himself soon after the murder and when he failed he turned his phone on and got a message from his son. His son told him he would much rather visit his dad in prison than not at all.

Flowers laid outside the scene of the Como hair salon in June last year. Picture: File image Source: News Limited

In February, after Payet pleaded guilty in the Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court, Ms Bello posted on Facebook that her family could "finally move forward from the hell we have endured."

"Mum, not a day goes by that we don't think about you and the great loss we have experienced, hopefully now you can rest easy knowing that justice has and will be served love you always x," she wrote.

In an interview with A Current Affair, Ms Bello said her mother had a premonition that her ex-husband would end her life.

"There were times when she did sort of say 'He's going to kill me' or 'He's going to hurt me, Selina'," she said.

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Police focus of Buswell crash probe

A parliamentary committee will hold an inquiry into Troy Buswells car crash scandal.

A parliamentary committee will hold an inquiry into the car crash scandal that involved former WA treasurer Troy Buswell. Picture: file image Source: News Corp Australia

A PARLIAMENTARY committee will hold an inquiry into Troy Buswell's car crash scandal.

The inquiry will be held by the Community, Development and Justice Standing Committee, chaired by Labor MLA Margaret Quirk.

Parliament was told today the review would be conducted on May 19, with Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan called upon to give evidence.

But Mr Buswell will not be called upon to give evidence, the committee has announced.

It will examine:

● Police communications and integration of information related to the incident.

● Investigations undertaken by police officers on the night in question.

● The nature of demand for police attendance on the night in question.

● The subsequent conduct of the investigation and collection of evidence.

● The decision to prosecute, the charges laid and legal advice sought.

"As this is a review of police procedures and operations, the committee will call on the police commissioner and police officers involved in the investigation to appear at the hearing, but will not require the member for Vasse to give evidence," Ms Quirk, said in a statement this afternoon."

Mr Buswell crashed his ministerial car and four other vehicles in the early hours of February 23, after attending a wedding in Kings Park.

He was fined and lost his licence for a year, after being prosecuted by police.

Police went to his home in the early hours of February 23, after receiving a phone call from a witness, but did not interview the Vasse MLA.

Mr Buswell and his then chief of staff, Rachael Turnseck did not report the crash to the Premier — or members of his staff — until March 9.

Apart from Ms Quirk, the committee comprises Liberals Chris Hatton and Ian Britza, and Labor's Tony Buti and Mick Murray.

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