A fatal car accident involving two cars in Oakford. Picture: Matthew Poon Source: PerthNow
A WOMAN has died and a man has been airlifted to hospital after a horror crash in Oakford this afternoon.
Police and emergency services were called to the crash just before 2pm after two cars collided on Thomas Road.
The woman died at the scene and the man was taken by the RAC rescue helicopter to Royal Perth Hospital.
He is in a serious but stable condition.
INVESTIGATIONS are underway into whether a car was being pursued by police moments before it crashed into a power pole in Northam, killing a 20-year-old passenger.
Police attempted to stop the Holden Commodore on Stirling Street at about 7.45pm on Friday night but it crashed a short time later on the same 1.5km stretch of road.
A police spokesman said officers tried to engage the vehicle with lights and sirens.
The Internal Affairs Unit will investigate whether police were involved in an official pursuit and whether they followed correct procedures.
The death has put police pursuits back under the spotlight and comes just weeks after a stolen 4WD under police surveillance crashed into a taxi, killing the driver and his passenger.
Officers were tracking the stolen 4WD but called off the chase after the driver switched off his headlights.
WA Police Union President George Tilbury today said the latest fatality highlighted the need for new emergency driving legislation, expected to be passed through Parliament next week.
``The Northam death has reiterated the significance of passing this very important piece of legislation, which, I believe, will act as a strong deterrent to anyone who fails to stop for police,'' Mr Tilbury said.
``The serious penalties for evading police may have made the driver think twice before failing to stop in this instance.''
Under the new legislation, drivers who kill or injure someone while evading police will face a minimum 12 months in jail and those who drive recklessly while fleeing police will also face a mandatory sentence of at least six months.
The legislation is expected to be passed through Parliament in the final sitting days of the year.
Opposition Police Spokeswoman Michelle Roberts said the Labor Caucus would be willing to sit another week if more time was needed to pass the laws.
``(Police officers) need the community's support, they need the parliament's support, when they undertake urgent duty driving such as the pursuit they were involved in last night,'' Ms Roberts said.
``My colleagues want to support police officers in doing what's a dangerous and difficult job.''
Split Seconds performing at the Perth Arena. Picture: Richard Polden Source: PerthNow
Perth Arena opened for the first time. Picture: Richard Polden Source: PerthNow
PERTH'S newest entertainment venue finally opened its doors to the public last night with a free concert featuring local music acts.
Perth Arena's Plug Into Perth event was opened by local indie band Stillwater Giants, who secured their spot as the first band to play the venue via a community competition.
The evening also included performances by well-known Perth-born bands Sugar Army and Split Seconds as well as local hip hop artist Drapht, whose 2011 album Life of Riley debuted at #1 on the ARIA Album Charts.
The multi-purpose venue, which is expected to seat up to 15, 500 people for concerts, will be open for the general public to explore tomorrow as part of a free Access All Areas open day from 11am.
The main areas of the arena, the backstage areas and dressing rooms will all be open and the public will be allowed onto the main stage in between entertainment acts.
Sir Elton John and his band will officially open the Arena on Saturday.
POLICE are investigating the discovery of a woman's body in a car on the Great Northern Highway, outside Derby.
The 39-year-old was found in the car on the side of the road after what police believe was a domestic incident.
A section of the highway was closed while forensic officers examined the vehicle.
A police spokesman said a 39-year-old was assisting police with their inquiries.
They have asked for anyone who saw any suspicious behaviour on the highway, north of the Willare Roadhouse, between Friday afternoon and Saturday morning to contact police.
Sara Stanford and Stephanie Lethborg are both taking part on Sunday. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow
THE local tryouts for the world's sexiest sport start on Sunday.
Already big in the US, lingerie football is set for touchdown in Australia.
And, the concept's Perth promoter Armando Formica is hoping it will eventually attract up to 10,000 spectators for matches.
Mr Formica says contenders can tryout in ``little bike shorts and sporty tops'' but will be expected to wear bloomers and bras if they make the team.
``It won't be that revealing once they wear their shoulder pads, arm guards, socks and shoes,'' he said.
``You see a bit of cleavage and their belly and the top of their leg and that but really that's all you see.''
Applicants will be tested for speed, agility, strength and focus at George Burnett Park in Karawarra, from 1-4pm.
Chevron's Gorgan Gas Project at Barrow Island in our North-West. Source: PerthNow
CHEVRON'S agreement with the Federal Government to import 150 foreign workers for its Gorgon LNG project if it can't find enough locals has angered a union, which says Australia's labour shortage is a myth.
The Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union's West Australian secretary Steve McCartney says there's plenty of available labour, now that BHP Billiton has curbed its planned Pilbara expansion and with jobs at Fortescue's Cloudbreak mine winding down.
Additionally, there was a huge youth unemployment problem south of Perth that could be at least partly alleviated if Chevron were to train the semi-skilled, he said.
Instead, the US energy giant could spend up to four months arranging 457 visas for semi-skilled foreign workers, time that could have been used to train locals.
"It's really short-sighted. I'm disappointed in the government (for granting the visas) and Chevron,'' Mr McCartney said today.
However, both WA Premier Colin Barnett and a spokesman for federal Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said the imported workers represented "a very small number'' considering there were more than 4,000 people working on Barrow Island, where the Gorgon project was being built.
"There's nothing secret or unusual about this arrangement. It has been handled as per any other request through the Labour Agreement Program,'' the spokesman said.
"We'll be ensuring that Chevron and its contractors use the government's Resources Sector Jobs Board to recruit locally before any overseas workers are brought in under the arrangement.''
A spokeswoman for Mr Bowen said the agreement for Gorgon had been approved earlier this year and required a high degree of proof from Chevron on the immediacy of genuine skills shortages, including evidence of ongoing and genuine efforts to recruit local workers.
A Chevron spokeswoman said the company's goal was to source all labour from the Australian resident workforce. She said the agreement was only a contingency plan.
If it was implemented, the 457 visa workers would receive no less than the rates of pay and benefits of Australian employees in equivalent roles, she said.
FRESH INQUIRY: A Forensic expert on Lloyd Rayney's defence team calls for an independent inquiry into her murder. Source: PerthNow
CLEARED: Lloyd Rayney yesterday with daughter Sarah before he heard Justice Brian Martin find him not guilty. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow
AN inquiry or even a royal commission into the way West Australian police handle high-profile murders should be conducted, a top Perth barrister says.
Jonathan Davies, who has helped expose injustices in WA's legal system including the infamous John Button and Darryl Beamish cases, said today the Rayney case was yet another example of mistakes being made by police.
But he said it was unlikely an inquiry into the Rayney case would be held.
Lloyd Rayney was acquitted yesterday of killing his wife Corryn in 2007, ending his five-year ordeal to prove his innocence and renewing speculation about who committed the murder.
The conduct of police investigating the case was criticised by presiding judge Justice Brian Martin, who said their behaviour "ranged from inappropriate to reprehensible'', although he believed there was nothing to suggest the probe was not thorough.
Aside from a substantial legal bill, Mr Rayney is now left with an incomplete defamation case related to comments by Senior Sergeant Jack Lee, head of the major crime squad, who told journalists shortly after Ms Rayney's death that her estranged husband was the "prime'' and "only'' suspect.
Mr Davies said the police had fixated on Mr Rayney and other lines of inquiry might have emerged if they had taken a broader approach.
However, he acknowledged police faced public pressure to come up with a suspect in murder investigations.
While Justice Martin had found WA police "very wanting in approach'' to the investigation, they didn't make a habit of it or have a poor philosophy, Mr Davies said.
But there had been a few ham-fisted efforts, including the Andrew Mallard and Mickelberg cases, he said.
"Heaven knows the cops have a complicated and overwhelming task, but sometimes I think we put such pressure on them, that we force them down paths of error,'' Mr Davies said.
"We need to find out what's going wrong with these cases and we need to learn by our mistakes.
"Mistakes have been made and police seem to shrug their shoulders and get on with it.''
However, it was unlikely an inquiry or royal commission would be conducted, he said.
"I think the government of the day closes ranks.
"Law and order is a football that's used whenever it suits the government of the day, trying to drum up electoral support and be seen to be doing something.
"But when it comes to actually addressing the core issues, the core difficulties that face criminal justice and police services, they've shown themselves to be reluctant to respond.''
WA Premier Colin Barnett said an inquiry was not needed.
"We don't need an inquiry but I'm sure the police commissioner will look at that. The police minister will also look at that and the attorney-general,'' Mr Barnett told reporters.
"Did the police fail in their role in the prosecution?
"I'm not really confident to comment on that but obviously there will be some review.''
Also today, Robin Napper, a forensic expert who worked on Mr Rayney's defence team, called for an independent investigation into Ms Rayney's murder.
"We are almost desperate to get an independent team in from outside the state, take all the information. This can be solved,'' Mr Napper told ABC radio.
O'Callaghan saying nothing on Rayney acquittal
WA Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan has stayed tight lipped on Mr Rayney's acquittal.
Mr O'Callaghan refused to say if officers criticised for their conduct in the case would be stood aside while the prosecution considers whether to appeal the not-guilty verdict.
Police said yesterday they would make no comment on the matter for three weeks, which is how long the prosecution has to make its decision.
Mr O'Callaghan today again declined to comment.
"I will do nothing until I get advice from the State Prosecution Authority,'' he said.
"It's in their hands. They might have it for another 21 days. I will make no further comment.''
The Law Society of WA yesterday said the verdict had shown that the right of citizens to a presumption of innocence and a fair trial was fundamental to the maintenance of the rule of law.
Perth Arena is set to open next weekend and today Nine News took a look inside.
THE controversial $550 million Perth Arena has the potential to become the city's equivalent to the Sydney Opera House, West Australian Premier Colin Barnett claims.
Years overdue, hundreds of millions of dollars over budget and boasting an architecture that has already violently divided opinion in the city, the arena finally opens its doors to the public on Friday for a free sound check concert for local residents.
Despite the finishing touches still being placed on the exterior of the angular amphitheatre, which sports a retractable roof that can open in seven minutes, it will be officially christened by Sir Elton John next Saturday night.
The opening concert will bring up the curtain on the most contentious construction in Perth since Richard Court's Bell Tower in 2000.
According to Graham Partridge, chairman of the venue manager VenuesWest, the 15,000-seat multipurpose arena will become one of the world's best entertainment facilities as soon as it opens its doors.
But during a tour of the facility, Mr Barnett went one step further, claiming that as the years go by the architectural oddity could be placed on a par with the Opera House and its iconic shells.
"It has been contentious at times, it cost more than anticipated, it took longer to build but the final result is simply brilliant,'' Mr Barnett said.
"This is an iconic venue for Perth for many years to come. The arena is a work of art itself.
"While it has cost more than it should, it is so good and will be so popular and so well used it will be a bit like the Sydney Opera House.
"It cost more than it was meant to, but we would not be without it.''
The venue has 36 luxury appointed corporate suites, a 680-bay underground car park, five dedicated function spaces and space for touring trucks, which can drive directly onto the arena floor.
Following Sir Elton on November 10, the Arena has already secured appearances by Pink, One Direction, Nicki Minaj, Jennifer Lopez, Matchbox Twenty, The Wiggles, Nickelback, Mike Tyson and Russell Brand, along with anchor tenants Perth Wildcats NBL team and the Hopman Cup tennis tournament.
PERTH ARENA FACTS
- The venue will hold up to 13,910 spectators for tennis events, 14,846 for basketball and a maximum of 15,500 for concerts
- The retractable roof can be opened or closed in seven minutes, three times faster than the roof at Rod Laver Arena
- Visitors will be greeted by The Pendant, a curved array of 88 flat- screen TV screens suspended from the 22m- high roof
- It will be the home of the Hopman Cup mixed tennis tournament, and the Perth Wildcats NBL basketball team
- The controversial angled design of the arena was based on the Eternity Puzzle created by controversial British MP Christopher Monckton and intended to be impossible to solve
- Taking inspiration, the triangular puzzle pieces which bedeck the arena exterior form the map of Australia on the western side, with a red and a white striped mast marking the WA border
- A photovoltaic array on the roof can generate up to 111kW of power
- The new arena has cost a whopping $548.7m - after an original estimate of $160m
- Each seat has an individual air- conditioning vent underneath
- Unsigned Perth band Stillwater Giants will be the first band to play there after winning a community competition to pick a local band to christen the new stage
- The accompanying 'Arena app' for smartphones helps plan your trip to the venue, alerts you if a car bay is available and guides you to your seat.
RESIDENTS in inland parts of Western Australia's Gascoyne and western Pilbara are being warned of severe fire danger on Saturday.
In the Gascoyne, the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a severe fire danger rating which takes in the Shires of Cue, Meekatharra, Mount Magnet, Murchison, Sandstone, Upper Gascoyne and Yalgoo.
A severe fire danger rating is also in place in inland parts of the Shires of Carnarvon and Shark Bay, the far western part of the Shire of Menzies and the western edge and southwestern tip of the Shire of Wiluna.
In the Pilbara, a severe fire danger rating is in place for the inland part of the Shire of Ashburton.
Very hot, dry and windy conditions are forecast for all the affected areas.
Any fire that does start and take hold will be unpredictable, very fast-moving and difficult for firefighters to control, the Department Fire and Emergency Services has warned.
Residents are being asked to watch for signs of fire and to call triple zero if they see flames.
"Have your bushfire survival plan and kit ready,'' the DFES said on Friday.
"Keep up to date with bushfire information through local radio, websites and TV. Do not wait for a warning before you act.''
The safest option for anyone not prepared to the highest level was to leave bushfire risk areas early in the day, the DFES said.
Residents can check the Fire Danger Rating for their area by visiting www.bom.gov.au or calling 1300 659 213.
One of the world's most luxurious ocean liner, Voyager, has visited Port Hedland. Picture: MegaZoi/Flickr
UP to 3000 passengers on one of the world's most luxurious cruise ships have gained an interesting first impression of Australia after cruising into one of its busiest ports.
Up to 3000 passengers on one of the world's most luxurious cruise ships have gained an interesting first impression of Australia after cruising into one of its busiest ports.
On the Australian leg of its latest round-the-world voyage, the 311-metre mega liner Voyager of the Seas made Western Australia's Port Hedland its first call on Friday.
The vessel manoeuvred its 64,000 tonne hull into a harbour that will export about 240 million tonnes of iron ore this year.
The idea was to show off the might and power of the world's largest bulk export port, although the image of manganese, iron ore and Dampier Salt is far removed from what the passengers might have expected from their first view Down Under.
"This not only enhances local tourism and economic benefits to the town, but also gives tourists a chance to see firsthand the operations of one of the world's busiest ports,'' Port Authority chief executive Roger Johnston said.
Voyager is one of the world's largest floating hotels, featuring 15 decks, 10 pools and 14 bars, clubs and lounges.
It also has the world's first ocean-going rock climbing wall, mounted on a funnel, and an ice-skating rink.
It is the first time the mega liner, one of the largest cruise ships to visit Australia, has berthed at Port Hedland.
The port received its first two cruise ship visits last year and is expecting a further five cruise ships this financial year.
