Perth protest against Budget cuts

Angry Perth university students took to the streets today, joining tens of thousands of their counterparts across Australia in rallies against education cuts in the Federal Budget.

University students protest against the Abbott Government's education Budget cuts in Perth city. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: News Corp Australia

A young child takes part in the Budget protest. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: News Corp Australia

ANGRY Perth university students took to the streets today, joining tens of thousands of their counterparts across Australia in rallies against education cuts in the Federal Budget.

Protesters, hailing from most of Perth's universities, marched in the Perth CBD, holding banners and placards and chanting anti-Budget and anti-government messages.

They fear deregulated university fees and other changes will price people out of getting a higher education.

Even young children, who will not reach university age for many years, were part of today's march.

Police had a presence in Perth's CBD, but there were no ugly and violent scenes like those which developed in the eastern states.

In Sydney, a man was arrested after a flare was deployed and protesters clashed violently with police during the 10,000-strong march.

GALLERY: EDUCATION CUTS PROTEST

Meanwhile, in Melbourne police dragged protesters from a sit-in outside State Parliament during the rally.

Thousands of student protesters were faced with a heavy police contingent at Parliament as they vow to fight until cuts in the Abbott Government's Budget are "dead and buried".

It comes after Prime Minister Tony Abbott cancelled a visit to Deakin University as protests ramped up.

Universities will be able to decide how much they charge for degrees and students will be forced to repay government debts earlier as part of the Commonwealth's higher education overhaul.

Money it gives to universities for each course will also be cut.

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Rolf abuse tale ‘for cash’

A WOMAN who alleged she was sexually assaulted as a 15-year-old by Rolf Harris made the story up because she was in debt and needed to make "blood money" by selling her story, a London court has heard.

Aspiring theatre performer and child TV actor Tonya Lee had told Southwark Crown Court she was in London on a tour with a Sydney Theatre Company in 1986 when Harris, dining with the group, allegedly assaulted her.

She claims he ran his hand up her skirt after he asked her to sit on his lap and later when she came out of a toilet put his hands down her pants and penetrated her.

But cross examining the 43-year-old, Harris' lawyer Sonia Woodley QC put it to her she was unemployed, with three children and in debt to the Australian Tax Office as well as a laptop hiring company.

Ms Woodley said the debt to the ATO alone was $10,000, although Ms Lee said it was closer to $3000.

She then asked her if it was true she broke up with her partner of seven years Fian McDaid because he found out she was lying to Women's Day who had paid her $20,000 for her "spiced up" Harris assault story.

Ms Lee's voice cracked as she emotionally told the court that the couple broke up because he had allegedly bashed her as she tried to leave him, an assault for which she said he was subsequently charged and later jailed for three months.

She said her partner had been threatening to discredit her and her Harris assault claim if she did not drop her assault allegations against him.

She denied wanting to sell her story telling the court the contracting of celebrity publicist Max Markson was Mr McDaid's idea and she had never been motivated by money although she later accused Mr Markson of having "stolen" from her by not paying her the agreed sum for the story, which in total was $66,000 including tax.

"That was blood money, that's not money for frivolity or fun … I was not trying to make a quick buck," she said.

Initially Ms Lee had told the court she developed an eating disorder during the UK tour and lost significant weight after being assaulted by Harris the night the group had arrived in the UK.

But she later agreed that may have been wrong after Ms Woodley revealed the Harris dinner at the pub where the alleged assaults were supposed to have occurred was at the end of the trip not the start and the weight loss was suffered by other members of the troupe due to the distaste of the perceived poor quality of British food.

Ms Lee, who was once selected from 200 other young teenagers to star in a pilot TV program for the ABC in late 1986, said while she may have been wrong on the timeline the alleged assaults by Harris which she had detailed were accurate.

Ms Woodley raised numerous other alleged inconsistencies with Ms Lee's account during the lengthy cross examination including allegedly lying to police as to why she went to the media with her allegations before going to them.

Harris has pleaded not guilty to 12 charges of indecent assault.

The case continues.

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Boat doomed with ‘too many people’

Two Indonesian nationals accused of taking part in an ill-fated people smuggling voyage to Christmas Island which claimed more than 100 lives have pleaded not guilty.

Asylum seekers on top of the upturned vessel in June 2012. Source: Supplied

AN Indonesian fishing boat packed with more than 200 asylum seekers sunk because there were too many people on board, a Perth court has been told.

Navy officers who helped in the rescue of about 100 survivors of a fatal June 2012 voyage have given evidence in the trial of two Indonesian nationals accused of being crewmen in the people smuggling mission.

Boy Djara and Justhen Justhen went on trial yesterday fighting six charged each of trying to assist illegal non-citizens into Australia.

This afternoon, Lieutenant Clinton Walters, who was on HMAS Larrakia when the ship was involved in the June 21 rescue, told the court he watched on as one of the accused men was plucked from the sea in darkness after the initial recovery of survivors.

Lt Walters said he spoke to the rescued man for about half an hour the next morning in Indonesian.

He said during the conversation he asked the man why the boat sank and "too many people" was the response.

Lt Walters said he also asked if there were people underneath the sinking hull and was told there was "many".

He also told the jury he asked the man if he was the captain, and when the man said he was not, he asked where the captain was, where the boat left from and where did the passengers get on board.

Earlier this morning, the jury was shown video filmed from the HMAS Larrakia of the rescue of men clinging to the hull of the upturned boat.

The court was told on the day of the rescue, seas were reaching 2.5m and many of the survivors were struggling to stay on the hull or were dotted throughout the ocean in small groups.

The trial continues.

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Tony’s wink on phone sex gran

The Prime Minister has shared a wink with a radio host while taking a call from a phone sex worker.

Serious listening mode ... Prime Minister Tony Abbott hears Gloria's story. Picture courtesy of Sky News Source: Supplied

TONY Abbott was confronted today as he tried to sell his tough budget by an angry pensioner who says she must work on an adult sex line just to get by.

The woman's story was enough to make listeners sit up and take notice — but it was the prime minister's reaction, caught on video, that is gaining more widespread attention.

As caller Gloria introduced herself, saying "I work on an adult sex line to make ends meet", Mr Abbott winked and smiled in the direction of ABC Radio host Jon Faine (off camera).

As she continued, Mr Abbott broadened his grin for a few seconds — then looked straight at the camera and swiftly composed his expression.

Government spokespeople said the PM winked merely to reassure Mr Faine that he was happy to take the call.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has criticised the PM, calling him a "total creep".

"Rather than taking seriously her concerns of poverty and illness he gave a wink and a smirk, and all I have to say to the Prime Minister on this is what a creep. What a total creep," she said.

But Labor MP Graham Perrett came to Mr Abbott's defence, labelling the criticism "overkill".

"It's not the sort of question that you'd get every day. Not the sort of call you'd get every day," he told Sky News.

Watch the PM's reaction on the video above — and have your say below

One eye off the ball ... the PM Abbott winks as sex line worker Gloria introduces herself. His media advisors presumably groan. Picture courtesy of Sky News. Source: Supplied

Mr Abbott, who faced accusations of sexism — most notably by then-PM Julia Gillard — before the election campaign, then tried to deal with Gloria's stinging criticism.

The woman began by asking Mr Abbott, who had hit the airwaves to take questions from the public, whether he'd like his mother or grandmother to be in her situation.

"I'm a 67-year-old pensioner. Three chronic incurable medical conditions, two life threatening. I just survive on around $400 a fortnight after I pay my rent," she told him.

"I work on an adult sex line to make ends meet," the woman, who said she was from Warburton, added.

"Now that's the only way I can do it."

Happy to help ... Mr Abbott gives a wide smile as he braves Gloria's criticism of his budget. Picture courtesy of Sky News. Source: Supplied

The woman went on to quiz the prime minister on what she should "cut out".

"Food, electricity, firewood, Christmas, birthday presents to my grandchildren or should we all just die and get out of your way?"

He responded by saying he "absolutely" understood she was doing it tough and insisted she would still pocket carbon tax compensation even when it is axed.

"But you don't give a stuff though do you."

When Mr Faine asked her to "keep it nice", Gloria hit back.

"But I don't feel very nice about you Mr Abbott."

As discussion of the incident spread, one of the show's producers issued a tweet saying the wink was a surprise to his team.

"We were as surprised as anyone!" Dan Ziffer posted.

Mr Abbott's sister later tweeted:

Other readers on social media have questioned if Gloria was just a pensioner - or if she was possibly Labor affiliated.

Last week, Mr Abbott was questioned on TV by a pensioner named Vilma Ward, who was later outed as a staunch ALP supporter and one of former prime minister Kevin Rudd's biggest fans.

But it's no laughing matter ... back to serious mode with a glance at the camera. Picture courtesy of Sky News. Source: Supplied

Mr Abbott said he was just reacting to his radio host when he winked and smiled.

A spokeswoman for Mr Abbott told Fairfax Media the wink was to assure the presenter he was happy to proceed with the call, but the Prime Minister later told Perth's 6PR radio that he was simply reacting to Faine's facial expression.

"It was a reaction to Jon, really," Mr Abbott told Fairfax radio.

"Obviously it was an interesting call from someone who had an interesting story.

"Jon was smiling at me and I responded to him."

The confrontation came during a robust morning for the PM, who had earlier been forced to cancel a university visit over planned protests.

Other callers also got stuck in over last week's budget, which Mr Abbott defended strongly.

Stella from Geelong said she had voted Liberal since she was 18 but she took the PM to task for lying about introducing new taxes and making her feel like an "idiot".

"What I cannot accept is myself and other intelligent voters being condescended to by a politician who won't answer a straight question," she told him.

"That's the last thing I would want to do," Mr Abbott replied, conceding the fuel excise, which will go up as he restores indexation, is a tax.

"I don't want him to play games with words. Just come out and be honest," the caller declared.

Another claimed the $7 co-payment to see the doctor was a "mean thing to do".

"I don't think you're looking after our people here," he said, accepting the fuel tax hike was necessary but not the increased GP fee.

"This is purely picking on people who can't afford it and who are needy."

Mr Abbott "cross-examined" the voter, asking "was Bob Hawke picking on people" for introducing the Medicare levy.

"This is an important reform," he said, insisting there will be a strong safety net.

Open for discussion ... Tony Abbott was ready for tough questions as he hit the airwaves today. Source: News Corp Australia

Mr Abbott also copped hard questions from talkback callers on 3AW's Mornings with Neil Mitchell.

"Chantelle", a home and community care worker, called in to say she was worried about her job as her organisation was on a three-year contract with the local council.

"We have a three-year contract but we don't know what's going to happen after that three years," she told the Prime Minister.

Mr Abbott replied: "Look, I have a three-year contract as well and I don't know what's going to happen after three years."

"You'd probably get out on a bit more money than Chantelle," Mr Mitchell interrupted.

"That's a fair point Neil," Mr Abbott said. "We all have to live with uncertainty. It's not nice and sometimes you've got a sick feeling in the pit of your stomach when you contemplate your future.

"But nevertheless the Commonwealth government is tackling its issues because we have got to get the debt and deficit problem that we were left under control.

"Other levels of government are doing what they think is best as they wrestle with their particular problems."

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Hostage ordeals: victims held captive in cars

A Perth woman is in hospital recovering from a hostage ordeal.

A 35-year-old man was bashed, tied up and left in the boot of a car for 12 hours.

Police are investigating two separate hostage cases – one which saw a woman assaulted and held captive in her own car, while a man was bashed and left in his own car boot for 12 hours. Source: News Limited

POLICE are investigating two separate terrifying hostage ordeals in Perth, which involved both victims being held captive in their own cars for long periods.

A young woman is recovering in hospital tonight with a 10cm wound to the back of her head after two women forced their way into her Lynwood home in the early hours of this morning.

Nine News reported the victim was assaulted, tied up and put in the back of her own car. The offenders then drove around with the victim tied up in the back.

The victim managed to escape about 11am and call police, while the offenders are still on the run after dumping the car at the BP service station in Huntingdale.

It was reported that police believe the victim and offenders are known to each other.

In the other frightening incident, it was reported a 35-year-old man was bashed, tied up and left in the boot of his own car for 12 hours in the Midland area.

The victim confronted a group of three men at the Stratton Shopping Centre on Sunday night after his wallet was stolen and was bashed, tied up, gagged and put in the boot, Nine News reported.

Police are unsure exactly what happened next but the car – a gold Toyota Corolla – was driven about 1km away and left at the Midland Sports Complex.

A worker heard banging coming from the boot the following morning and immediately called triple zero.

Anyone with information on either incident is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Buswell probe: Legal advice released

The State Solicitor's Office told WA Police there were "no reasonable prospects" of convicting disgraced former treasurer Troy Buswell of drink-driving. Source: News Corp Australia

THERE were "no reasonable prospects" of convicting disgraced former treasurer Troy Buswell of drink-driving, according to a letter to WA Police from the State Solicitor's Office.

Documents relating the February car crash that derailed Mr Buswell's political career have been released publicly today, following a parliamentary committee hearing examining the police investigation into the incident.

A letter from the State Solicitor's Office, dated March 31, has been released, which details legal advice for police on the possible charges for Mr Buswell.

FULL DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED TO THE COMMITTEE:

- STATE SOLICITOR'S ADVICE TO POLICE

- POLICE DAMAGE REPORT OVER BUSWELL'S CAR

- MINIBUS DRIVER'S STATEMENT TO POLICE

- BUSWELL'S FORMER CHIEF OF STAFF'S STATEMENT TO POLICE

- POLICE INSPECTOR'S FULL WITNESS STATEMENT

In the letter, senior assistant state counsel John O'Sullivan says the prospects of Mr Buswell being convicted of drink driving or dangerous driving in court were low, given the available evidence.

The police statements of Mr Buswell's former chief-of-staff Rachael Turnseck, who was at a wedding with Mr Buswell the night of the crash, and those of other witnesses have also been released online.

It comes after the Community Development and Justice Standing Committee heard yesterday that the initial police response to the incident, which was phoned in by a witness, took just nine minutes.

The committee was also told by senior WA police officials that police were unsuccessful in contacting Mr Buswell after the car crash was made public by a media report in March, and did not know where he was until they saw a photograph of him in Busselton in a newspaper.

Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan told the hearing that even if Mr Buswell had admitted to drink-driving on the night, police would still not have been able to charge him with it.

"There was insufficient evidence and there was contradictory evidence, so it's very, very difficult to charge someone with a drink-driving offence after the fact," he said.

Mr Buswell entered an endorsed plea of guilty to 11 charges last month — including careless driving, failing to stop and failing to report — and was fined $3100 and banned from driving for 12 months.

He stepped down from his treasury and transport portfolios after the incident was reported in the media, citing a mental health breakdown at the time.

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Storm dumps 85mm on Bunbury

A STRONG cold front has dumped 85mm of rain on Bunbury and will bring more rain to Perth and the south of the state.

Bunbury recorded 52mm overnight to 9am today — with more than 30mm falling in an hour early today — and has had another 33mm since.

Nearby Ferguson Valley recorded 66mm to 9am, while Dardanup and Collie had 57mm and Donnybrook 47mm.

Falls in other centres appear to be more sporadic and isolated, but many recorded 20mm-30mm.

More than 32mm was recorded in Bunbury in a torrential downpour from 6.20am to 7.20am.

By early afternoon Bunbury had recorded 85mm and more showers are possible.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a Severe Weather warning for the South West early today, which was later extended to the South Coast and Great Southern — from a line from Windy Harbour, to Collie and east to Bremer Bay.

An earlier warning for people in the Bunbury/Busselton region has been cancelled.

"The Bureau of Meteorology advises a cold front and mid-level disturbance is currently crossing the southwest of the state. Conditions are expected to ease by the afternoon.

"The front is likely to cause heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding this morning that could result in damage to homes and property.

"This is typical weather for this time of year but could damage homes and make travel dangerous. Thirty two millimetres has been recorded in Bunbury in the hour to 7.20am.

"The bad weather is expected to move in an easterly direction and should clear by this afternoon.''

Perth is set for a cool, showery day with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting a 90 per cent chance of rain with the chance of a storm.

The Bureau radar shows the bulk of the rain band passing across the South West, south of the city.

If the rain reaches the southern agricultural areas, it will be more good news for farmers who have had fantastic opening rains, boosting prospects of a good grain-growing season.

In the Great Southern, Kohonup had 16mm to 9am, but other centres are yet to receive any significant rainfall.

In the metropolitan area, falls to 9am were light, with most suburbs getting less than 5mm. By 11am Mandurah had nearly 20mm, while Perth has had just 2mm and Swanbourne, Jandakot and Champion Lakes 4mm.

Dwellingup, just 97km south of the city, has had 28mm.

In the south of the state Mt Bartker has had 20m and Rocky Gully, west of Mt Barker, has had 13mm, but looks set to receive substantially more as they front moves across the southern half of the state.

Perth can expect a week of cool, showery weather with showers or rain forecast through the week, with maximums around 20C. Thursday could be the wettest day, with showers tipped to increase late in the day with the chance of a storm.

PERTH: THE WEEK AHEAD

Tuesday

Max 22C

Few showers, chance of a storm.

Chance of any rain: 90%

Wednesday

Min 14C

Max 23C

Shower or two.

Thursday

Min 15C

Max 22C

Showers increasing. Late storm risk.

Friday

Min 14C

Max 20C

Few showers.

Saturday

Min 14C

Max 20C

Shower or two.

Sunday

Min 11C

Max 19C

Cloud clearing.

Monday

Min 12C

Max 20C

Partly cloudy.

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Indon pair deny 100-death voyage charges

Asylum seekers on the upturned vessel in June 2012. More than 100 men died at sea. Source: Supplied

Indonesian nationals Boy Djara and Justhen Justhen are on trial in the Perth District Court. Source: Supplied

TWO Indonesian nationals accused of taking part in an ill-fated people smuggling voyage to Christmas Island which claimed more than 100 lives have pleaded not guilty.

Boy Djara and Justhen Justhen are on trial in the Perth District Court having pleaded not guilty to one charge each of assisting a group of five or more unlawful non-citizens into Australia and five charges each of assisting a group of five or more unlawful non-citizens into Australia in a way that gave rise to danger of death or serious injury.

The pair are the only two surviving crew members from a June 2012 capsizing that saw more than 100 men die at sea.

In his opening address to the jury, Commonwealth Prosecutor Alan Troy told the court that on June 21, 2012, Australian authorities were alerted to a vessel capsizing in international waters.

About 4.58am, an Australian Customs aircraft spotted a capsized vessel, 110 nautical miles from Christmas Island.

Dozens of people in life jackets were spotted clinging to the wreck or to floating debris.

Mr Troy said despite the incident being in Indonesian rescue waters, Australia took control of the situation because they were the ones called for help by people on board the boat via a satellite phone.

Mr Troy said it was alleged Mr Djara and Mr Justhen used a GPS unit to help steer a wooden fishing vessel, about 15m-20m long and 3m-5m wide, packed with 210 passengers, before it started taking on water.

The passengers were all males, and of the 108 who survived, most were from Pakistan, some from Afghanistan and one from Iran.

There were also four crew members on board.

Two of the crew members, a man aged in his 40s or 50s who primarily steered the boat and a man in his 20s who looked after the engine, both died in the capsizing.

Mr Troy said on June 18, 2012, "more than 200 non-Indonesian males gathered on a beach in the middle of the night."

"They got on to speedboats and smaller boats controlled by Indonesian men who were not the accused and were delivered to the larger vessel moored in deeper waters," Mr Troy said.

Mr Troy said it will be alleged there were concerns too many people were coming to the boat and when one of the accused tried to stop more passengers coming on board, he was shoved back onto the larger boat.

"The vessel was grossly overcrowded," Mr Troy said.

He said the boat had only been sailing for a short time when it had become stuck on a sand bank three kilometres from land.

Mr Troy said the two accused helped throw ropes to Indonesian fishermen who eventually pulled the stuck boat free.

He said at least one of the accused warned passengers not to make any references that they were travelling to Australia to the fishermen helping.

On the fourth day, the boat ran into trouble again.

Mr Troy said a passenger saw water fill the engine room, it started to tip to the right and then it rolled.

He said it will be alleged the life jackets on board were inadequate and did not float well, some even ripped in the panic.

There will also be evidence that the boat did not have any corking or stuffing between it's wooden planks, causing water to come in.

Mr Troy said it will be alleged Mr Justhen was saved after the initial rescue operation and told some of his rescuers he had been paid five million Indonesian rupiah to take part.

This afternoon, crew members from a customs aircraft that spotted the vessel on the day before and the day of the capsizing gave evidence.

One of the men, electronic observer Paul Wetering, was on the plane on June 20 — the day before tragedy struck.

Mr Wetering said the boat was sitting low in the water.

"For us that would mean it was probably fairly laden," he said.

Mr Wetering told the jury he saw "quite a few objects on the deck" and it was not until he saw a person walking that he realised all of the objects were people.

Kym Epping was in command of the surveillance flights on both days.

He told the jury on June 21 when they found the upturned vessel, people were clinging to the hull and were floating in the sea.

"There were survivors in an oil slick," he said.

The trial continues.

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What would you ask Colin Barnett?

Colin Barnett at the Marie Antoinette Cafe in Cottesloe with reporter Yasmine Phillips for PerthNow's Coffee with Colin segment. Picture: Marie Nirme Source: News Corp Australia

GOT a question for WA Premier Colin Barnett? Now's your chance to ask it.

Perthnow readers are being given the opportunity to pick the questions they believe Mr Barnett should answer in the third instalment of Coffee with Colin.

Mr Barnett will sit down with Perthnow on Thursday morning and answer the five questions readers most want answered.

Coffee with Colin: Public transport fares will rise

'It's about time Perth grew up and became a more vibrant city'

He'll also have to response to one "wildcard question" chosen from readers' comments so suggest a question below or on the Perthnow Facebook page.

In the first Coffee with Colin, Mr Barnett told West Australians who believe Perth's new stadium and the Elizabeth Quay should pay the price for education cuts to "get a life."

In the second instalment, he confessed he'd known Treasurer Troy Buswell "drank too much."

Vote below to have your say on what questions we ask the Premier on Thursday.

VOTE: Which questions should we ask the Premier?

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Speaker defends $27k furniture bill

The WA parliamentary Speaker has defended spending almost $27,000 on furniture for his office at a time when the public service is being made to tighten its belt.

Parliamentary Speaker Michael Sutherland has defended spending almost $27,000 on office furniture. Picture: Stewart Allen Source: News Corp Australia

THE WA parliamentary Speaker has defended spending almost $27,000 on furniture for his office at a time when the public service is being made to tighten its belt.

Michael Sutherland was asked about the furniture during Senate estimates hearings today, with an indignant opposition immediately calling a media conference about the boardroom table, 12 occasional chairs and a four-seater sofa bought for the Speaker's Suite.

"This is an outrageous amount of money to spend on a table and chairs and it shows just how arrogant and out of touch this government is with ordinary people," Labor's spokeswoman for finance Rita Saffioti said.

"Western Australians will be angry their taxes are being spent on indulgences for the Speaker when families are struggling and going without."

Mr Sutherland said the opposition had created a storm in a teacup as the purchase was budgeted in 2012/13.

He said the furniture was made locally and great value for money.

"The framemakers were in Malaga, the upholstery was done in Dunsborough, the table – which is not a heavy dining room-type table, it's on aluminium legs – was re-used from another table and is West Australian wood," Mr Sutherland told 6PR Radio

Mr Sutherland said the Speaker's Suite was being increasingly used for meetings and decent furniture was necessary when hosting visiting dignitaries.

"This is the premier public building in the state," he said. "There's furniture in the Speaker's Suite that is over 20 years old."

● Extravagant or appropriate? Give us your take on the Speaker's furniture bill.

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