Rinehart loses Rhodes Ridge appeal

Gina Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting has lost its bid to retain a 25 per cent stake in the Rhodes Ridge iron ore project. Source: The Daily Telegraph

GINA Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting has failed in its bid to claw back a 25 per cent stake in the Rhodes Ridge iron ore project after its appeal was today dismissed.

A 2010 court order forced Hancock to relinquish its 25 per cent per cent stake in the project, increasing Wright Prospecting's interest to 50 per cent.

Hancock Prospecting had claimed the 1984 agreement was superseded by a 1989 agreement, but today the company's appeal was dismissed by the WA Court of Appeal.

The ruling honoured an agreement between Ms Rinehart's father Lang Hancock and his business partner Peter Wright in 1984 that involved the carve-up of their various mining assets.

Mr Wright died in 1985 and Mr Hancock died seven years later.

Rio Tinto owns the other half of the Rhodes Ridge project, situated east of the mining giant's West Angelas operations and south of its Hope Downs joint venture with Hancock.

In the judgment, Justice Carmel McLure reflected on Mr Hancock's fears that there would be stoushes between the men's descendants.

"The genesis of this dispute is an agreement entered into when the men were in the 70s and Mr Hancock was concerned that the hitherto harmonious and cooperative relationship between the partners would not survive the changing of the guard to the next generation who would take control of the corporate vehicles,'' Justice McLure said.

"As this litigation demonstrates, Mr Hancock's concern was soundly based.

"The intention and purpose of the 1984 agreement is unambiguously clear."

A Wright Prospecting spokesman said the company welcomed the ruling.

"Throughout this matter and the previous matter in the Supreme Court, Wright Prospecting's focus has been to enforce and protect its rights to 50 per cent of the Rhodes Ridge joint venture,'' he said.

Hancock's legal team indicated that the company would oppose three orders in today's judgment that it needed to take instruction on, and would be the subject of submissions explaining why it did not believe the orders were appropriate.

Justice McLure gave the Hancock team until November 13 to lodge the submissions while Wright had until November 20 to respond.

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Arrest made after car rebirthing raids

CAR SCAM: Gang Crime Squad police have raided three locations in Welshpool and Kewdale to bust a car rebirthing outfit. Picture: Stewart Allen Source: PerthNow

A MAN has been arrested and nine Toyota Prados have been seized by West Australian police investigating a car rebirthing syndicate.

A police spokeswoman said the gang crime squad had executed three search warrants in the eastern suburbs of Kewdale and Welshpool on Tuesday morning and seized nine Prados.

Some of the vehicles had been stolen and some had been used for parts, the spokeswoman said.

A man had been arrested and was assisting police with their inquiries.

Police and the Motor Trades Association of WA have this year repeatedly warned buyers of second-hand cars to be cautious about their purchases amid mounting evidence of a substantial car rebirthing industry in Perth.

In many cases, odometers had hundreds of thousands of kilometres wiped off while safety features such as airbags were not connected. 

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Child run over in shopping centre carpark

INJURED: A child has been taken to Princess Margaret Hospital after being run over in a Booragoon shopping centre carpark. Source: PerthNow

A TODDLER has been run over by a car in a shopping centre car park in Perth's southern suburbs.

The 2-year-old child was run over just after 2.20pm at the Booragoon shopping centre.

St John Ambulance treated the child at the scene for bruising to the leg, but no further treatment was needed.
 

 

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Crown pushes for Perth gambling gateway

James Packer with Guillaume Brahini, owner of new complex restaurant Bistro Guillaume, at Burswood. PICTURE: Theo Fakos Source: PerthNow

James Packer at the Crown AGM at Burswood. PICTURE: Theo Fakos Source: PerthNow

CASINO operator Crown wants to make Perth a major gateway for mass-market Chinese gamblers following the success of casino hotspot Singapore.

Crown chairman James Packer said Perth's proximity to Asia and shared time zone placed it in an ideal position to capture the outbound tourism growth from Asia, but other Australian cities need not worry.

"While Sydney has always been Australia's gateway for international tourists, Crown's investment in Perth provides us with an opportunity to make Perth an equally important gateway into Australia," Mr Packer told Crown's annual general meeting in Perth on Tuesday.

Crown's planned 20-storey casino resort complex, which is due to be completed in 2016, would attract the rising Asian middle class and guarantee long-term prosperity for Crown Perth and Western Australia, he said.

"The cake is only going to get bigger, with enough pieces for all of us," Mr Packer said.

Crown is spending almost $3 billion on its Perth and Melbourne casinos.

A boost of overseas tourist numbers to Perth would benefit all of Australia's cities and the tourism sector.

Crown's decision to target middle-class tourists contrasts with its pursuit of high-roller Chinese tourists at its Melbourne Crown casino and proposed luxury hotel and casino at Sydney' Barangaroo development.

The Perth spend comes two years after Singapore completed two large resort casinos at a cost of $13 billion and boosted economic growth by 15 per cent thanks largely to Chinese tourism.

Mr Packer said Crown's new 500-room luxury six-star resort hotel could transform Perth in a similar way.

In 2011, Western Australia achieved seven per cent growth in international visitor numbers, the highest rate in Australia, and Chinese visitors to Western Australia increased by 57 per cent.

The rising middle class in China was estimated at over 300 million people, Mr Packer said.

Asked what he thought of the federal government's Asian Century White Paper, Mr Packer replied "good".

His comment came minutes after Crown survived a shareholder vote on executive pay which could have led to a board spill.

Shareholders overwhelmingly voted in favour of Crown's executive pay report for the 2011/12 financial year despite Crown making no changes to its executive pay policy.

At last year's meeting, 55 per cent of shareholders voted against Crown's pay report, delivering the company its first "strike".

Crown reported revenue, excluding VIP program play, was up eight per cent in the first 17 weeks of the financial year compared to the same period a year ago and non-gaming revenue was 5.9 per cent higher.

Mr Packer joked about concerns that Mr Craigie's base salary of $2.98 million was significantly higher than that awarded to chief executives of larger companies such as the Commonwealth Bank, BHP Billion and Rio Tinto.

"I agree he's overpaid, but I can't get him to do it for any less," he said.

While he holds about 48 per cent of Crown's shares, Mr Packer was not allowed to vote on the remuneration report.

Crown shares closed five cents lower at $9.38.

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OZ Lotto jackpots to $100m

BIG DOLLARS: WA Lotto players are queueing for tickets in tonight's $70 million jackpot Lotto draw. Source: PerthNow

THE OZ Lotto jackpot failed to go off again tonight, sending the Division 1 jackpot skyrocketing to a record $100 million on Melbourne Cup day.

Tonight's numbers were: 4, 5, 8, 16, 21, 26, 31 (Supp: 32, 41).

More than one third of the nation had a ticket in tonight's draw but all were luckless again, leading to the biggest jackpot in Australian lotto history.

OZ Lotto has been without a Division 1 winner since one lucky soul claimed a $13 million win on August 28.

Although there were no Division 1 winners, 255,586 WA players won prizes in the draw's other divisions, including two players set to pick up a $53,228.30 Division 2 prize.

Soaring ticket sales in the last eight weeks of the OZ Lotto jackpot run has also helped Lotterywest to raise an estimated $16 million for the WA community.

It is expected that next week's jackpot draw will raise a further $9 million for the local community.

Lotterywest chief executive officer Jan Stewart said the record breaking $100 million draw is likely to create great excitement across the nation, with Lotterywest expecting to sell 1.2 million tickets for the draw.

"We're sure this draw will capture the imagination of Lotto players around the State as they participate in the largest jackpot in Australian Lotto history," Ms Stewart said.

Earlier today, Lotto outlets reported queues outside their stores in the countdown to tonight's draw.

Next Tuesday's $100 million jackpot will be the biggest ever offered, with tonight's $70 million jackpot the second largest prize.

If one player takes out the Division 1 prize pool, it will be the largest Lotto prize ever won in WA.

The record currently stands at $30 million, which was won in 2007.

Tickets are available until 5pm next Tuesday from Lotterywest retailers across WA or from www.lotterywest.wa.gov.au

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Asbestos forces Fremantle police to move

HEALTH FEARS: The discovery of asbestos in the roof of Fremantle Police Complex has forced officers out. Source: PerthNow

ASBESTOS found in the roof at Fremantle Police Complex has forced officers to relocate.

Staff at the Fremantle Police Complex are moving to leased accommodation after proposed works to replace the air conditioning plant at the station identified asbestos in the roof structures.

While the asbestos does not pose an existing problem, staff cannot remain there during the removal process.

Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan said parts of the Fremantle Police Station were built in 1897 and heritage listing had prevented any major structural improvements to bring the facility up to modern standards.

He said the relocation was unavoidable but there would be no interruption to police services in the south metropolitan police district.

General duties officers and detectives will remain in the Fremantle CBD at leased premises in High Street and prosecuting officers will be located at the Queensgate Centre in William Street.

Forensic and traffic officers will move to nearby Bibra Lake and the South Metropolitan District Crime Team will investigate volume crime from Myaree.
 

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Six-star style for the rich at the Terrace

Model and actress Emma Booth will open the new $20m Terrace Hotel on Thursday. Source: PerthNow

THE rich and famous have a new place to land in Perth - the six-star, paparazzi-proof Terrace Hotel.

Dressed by red-carpet designer Aurelio Costarella, WA-born actor Emma Booth will launch the $20 million St Georges Tce hotel on Thursday.

She will sip French champagne with the city's elite, including Premier Colin Barnett, luxury real estate boss William Porteous, former owner of The Colonnade Wayne Teo, designer Zara Bryson, media personality Basil Zempilas and Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi.

Architect and stylist Jean-mic Perrine compared the hotel with the Raffles Hotel in Singapore and the Old Savoy in London.

He said a private entrance, high security and a secret exit would help attract celebrities.

"We know that a lot of people want to stay incognito - security is important so we've got strategies in place," he said.

Perrine said the calibre of hotel guests would enrich Perth.

"We're going to get a lot of artists, fashion people and business people who like luxury boutique hotels mixing with Perth's social and business community," he said.

"That's a fantastic dynamic, and a rare one in Perth. You don't usually share a space with George Michael or whoever."

The hotel is owned by Hospitality Inns' Chris Pye and another unnamed WA family.

Rooms in the 1890s heritage-listed building range from $480 to $1215 a night. It will open on November 5.

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Acid attack victim 'was shaking with pain'

A Merriwa man was doused with paint and acid by a man who broke into his house as he slept on his couch.

Acid attack victim Peter Nelson is being treated for chemical burns to his face and neck. Picture: Nine News Source: PerthNow

A 69-YEAR-old man who was doused with paint and acid by a man who broke into his Merriwa home overnight was asleep on his couch when he was attacked, it has been revealed.

Peter Nelson was sleeping in his Dunmore Circuit home at about 2.30am this morning when a man broke in and threw paint and phosphoric acid into his face.

The intruder escaped with the man's car keys but not his car, while Mr Nelson was left in extreme pain before he was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital for treatment on chemical burns to his neck and face.

Today, he told Nine News his glasses saved his eyes but the pain became excruciating: "The pain got worse and worse over the next 35, 40 minutes until I was shaking with the pain of it."

Mr Nelson said people were no longer safe in their own homes: "I'm sort of vulnerable in the fact that I'm older and weak and disabled."

Police who attended the break-in say the fumes caused by the acid and paint mixture were so strong that officers were overcome and had to go back outside to breathe.

Detective Senior Constable Jamie Paterson said: "The intruder has found the paint and the acid in the victim's carport  … armed himself with it, he's come into the house and found the man sleeping on his couch in the lounge room."

"He (the victim) has half woken up and the offender has just thrown this stuff onto him while he was still sitting in his chair.

"The homeowner didn't even get to confront him or say a word to him…it's an absolutely vicious and cowardly attack on a vulnerable person.

"He was in no position to defend himself."

Police are still hunting for the attacker who was seen heading towards Dalvik Park. He is described as dark-skinned, about 170cm tall, aged in his early 20s and was wearing dark clothing.

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

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Rock It needs to find new energy source

Headline act The Black Keys rocked the festival. PICTURE: Thomas Roy Photography 2012 / www.facebook.com/trpmedia Source: PerthNow

Concertgoers braved the weather to enjoy the Rock-It festival. PICTURE: Thomas Roy Photography 2012 / www.facebook.com/trpmedia Source: PerthNow

FOR a festival that claims to be the "king-size, kong-size concert of the year" Rock It should probably pack a little more punch.

Returning to its home soil at Arena Joondalup after a three year hiatus, the all-ages event clearly still had a few kinks to iron out before it could be considered to stack up against the sizable buffet of music experiences now available to Perth punters.

For those familiar with the previous 10 instalments, the formula hasn't changed but perhaps now it needs to - it's one big name act supported by a day of quality Australian music, focused around one main stage with a simple to follow, laid-back timetable.

With its relatively relaxed vibe, free of the typically disrespectful festival crowds, it has all the makings of an enjoyable all-day event but in reality, despite some decent acts, it still seemed to fall underwhelmingly short of its potential.

Opening with the catchy tune Golden Revolver, Fremantle indie pop stars San Cisco delivered something of a lacklustre set.

The big stage seemed to swallow the talented youngsters and, vocally, they failed to hit the right notes as they made their way through their ever-appealing repertoire of songs including Lover, Fred Astaire, Rocket Ship and hit single Awkward.

As the band and their music are likable and full of potential, knowing drummer Scarlett Stevens was suffering a sore throat, and having seen them play a number of decent gigs throughout the year, I'd like to chalk this one up to an off day.

Next up on the main stage, Brisbane band Last Dinosaurs delivered an enjoyable set which included a well orchestrated Sophie Ellis Bexter cover amongst their own material, including song Sunday Night, while WA indie rock band Emperors delivered strong vocals and loud tunes over at Kongs Rock 'N' Roll Shack. 

Irritatingly, sounds were clashing all over the place – both that of the two stages and that of the recorded music playing in the Jack Daniel's White Rabbit Saloon, which would have otherwise been a cool concept.

As the miserable weather cleared off, Australian rockabilly chick Lanie Lane took to the stage oozing her jazz-blues vibe and owning her strong and unique vocals for a mesmerising slot that included The Devil Said and What Do I Do? 

Perth-born band The Panics were vocal about their enthusiasm for playing to a home crowd and, despite a few vocal hiccups, it seems the feeling was mutual.

The audience lapped up a string of songs from the pop rock exports such as the much-loved track Don't Fight It, older number Twin Sisters and Confess.

WA favourite and roots legends John Butler Trio brought a whole new energy to the main stage

Opening with an oldie but a goodie, Pickapart, the gifted instrumentalists tore through a set that included Don't Wanna See Your Face, Mystery Man and Treat Yo Mama.

Demonstrating more instrumental complexity than you'd typically expect from a three-piece, including a few amazing solos, charismatic Butler switched between electric guitar, acoustic guitar, banjo and slide guitar techniques throughout the set while bassist Byron Luiters also incorporated double bass and didgeridoo and drummer Nicky Bomba gave a thrashing performance.

The crowd chimed-in, clapped along and danced to favourite singles One Way Road, Better Than and, of course, Zebra.

The stage lighting really kicked-in as yet another proud WA export, Birds of Tokyo shook off the dust and delivered a super sleek and polished set for their first show after a quiet year in tour terms.

With sharp vocals and tight instrumentals the band made their way through songs including Plans, Silhouettic, Broken Bones and newbie This Fire.

At about 8.30pm, international headliners The Black Keys and their touring band finally made their way on stage exuding an electric energy and opening with hit Howlin' For You.

The talkative and animated American rock duo, comprised of vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney, treated the enthusiastic crowd to an ear-burstingly loud set featuring guitar riffs that vibrated through the chest and impossibly fast-paced drum beats.

From older material such as Thickfreakness, Your Touch, I Got Mine and Girl is on My Mind to newer tunes Gold on the Ceiling, Dead and Gone, Little Black Submarines and Lonely Boy, the band kept the crowd involved, engaged and eager for more.

One of the only disappointments in their set was that there was no encore, preventing fans from squeezing a little extra time in with the band.

While it's great to see an independent, WA-owned and operated event with a focus on quality local music as well as keeping things simple and affordable, the organisers will likely need to bring something bigger and better to the table to keep punters interested in the future.

The day may not have been marred by any major flaws but there was also a lack of major highlights to help make it memorable.

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Shark brains similar to humans - scientists

Researchers say sharks have highly developed sensory systems and relatively large brains like humans. Source: PerthNow

SHARK brains share several features with human brains, which could help researchers working on a shark repellant, scientists at the University of Western Australia (UWA) say.

Researchers say sharks and other cartilaginous fish have highly developed sensory systems and relatively large brains.

A special edition of the journal Brain, Behaviour and Evolution focuses on research about the brains of sharks and other cartilaginous fish, including rays and sawfish.

Editor Kara Yopak from UWA's Oceans Institute said the studies suggested people may have more in common with sharks than previously thought.

Dr Yopak said sharks and their relatives represented the earliest jawed vertebrates.

"Despite broad divergence, there are a number of common features of the brain that evolved at least as early as cartilaginous fishes and persist across all vertebrates," she said.

"For instance, one of the papers shows that with great white sharks, the area of the brain that receives visual input is quite large, and suggests the relative importance of vision in these animals is quite high.

"This information may direct researchers' efforts towards targeting the visual system when developing repellants for sharks."

Another paper suggested the cerebellum - which controlled motor movement and appeared first in early sharks - was an important evolutionary advancement that led to aspects of higher neural function in vertebrates including humans, Dr Yopak said.

AAP anr/rlm/nl

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