Unis go to war in battle for the best

Ansley Tan from Singapore has just completed sports science at UWA. She wanted to study in Perth because she had heard about it from her friends. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

WA'S five universities are locked in a multimillion-dollar battle to attract the brightest students in the state and lure cashed-up foreigners to their campuses next year.

They are spending millions on marketing and promoting their courses both here and overseas and increasingly turning to the digital world to get their message out there.

And they are claiming everything from being the largest, oldest or newest campuses to boasting about having the brightest academics and the smallest class sizes.

With just three weeks until almost 16,000 WA school leavers will find out their university entrance scores, the major tertiary institutions are making their final pitch before main-round offers are made next month.

They have visited hundreds of schools and invited thousands of Year 12 students to their campuses, even offering face-to-face support as they compete for the high-school leavers who will represent up to 70 per cent of their enrolments next year.

Edith Cowan University vice-chancellor Kerry Cox said ECU was turning increasingly to digital marketing, such as the award-winning Me Project that matched students' interests with potential courses.

"ECU is the newest public university in the state, with modern facilities and courses relevant to the needs of our communities and industry," Professor Cox said.

"Our marketing reflects these unique strengths. Our target markets are going online for information on tertiary education now more than ever, so that is the space we need to be in."

ECU spent $8.4 million on advertising and marketing in 2011, followed by Curtin University $5.9 million, the University of WA $4.44 million and Murdoch University, just over $4 million.

Notre Dame University admissions and student services executive director Rommie Masarei said Notre Dame based acceptances on applicants' academic record, potential, contribution and interview. It offered "a personalised approach to education and relationships with staff", and smaller classes to support its commitment to pastoral care.

Murdoch University domestic recruitment and liaison director Tim Martin said Murdoch courses were "widely recognised internationally", with veterinary science the best-known. It also had the largest university campus in Australia, at 227ha.

A University of Western Australia spokesman said UWA used radio, TV, cinema, online, outdoor and print advertising to persuade school-leavers to consider studying at "the state's only world top 100 university".

Curtin University corporate relations and development vice-president Valerie Raubenheimer said Curtin reached out to high-school students as early as Year 10 through school visits, campus events, course guides and social media. Its new law degree was a particular focus.

Tertiary Education Minister Chris Evans said "going to university is a major investment of time and resources", so students should make sure they chose the one that best matched their needs.

"Above all, students should follow their interests and passions when they choose a course," he said. "Doing something they enjoy is more likely to lead to a rewarding career."

He urged students to log on to the "one-stop-shop" website My University.

From December 31, Year 12 students will be able to log on to the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre to obtain their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank. Main round offers for a university place will be made from January 17.

WHAT THEY WANT TO BE KNOWN FOR:

Curtin University: The Curtin Business School and its MBA, which is ranked in the top 50 in the world by The Economist, health sciences, humanities, science and engineering.

Edith Cowan University: Engineering, law, teaching, the WA Academy of Performing Arts, nursing, health science and sport science. Listed in the The Times Higher Education Top 100 Under 50 for 2012.

Murdoch University: Veterinary science, law, and the new Sir Walter Murdoch School of Public Policy and International Affairs, which opens next year.

Notre Dame University: Law, business and values-based education with a strong pastoral care program.

University of WA: WA's only university named in the world's top 100, after being ranked 96th in the 2012 Academic Ranking of World Universities.

22.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

WA company boss in tax bill battle

THE executive chairman of a WA-based company is locked in a battle with the Australian Tax Office over an alleged outstanding tax bill totalling almost $10 million.

A writ has been lodged in the Supreme Court by the Deputy Commissioner of Taxation against Allan Blood, the founder of Latrobe Fertiliser Holdings Ltd, which wants to use gas derived from coal as a fuel source to help make urea fertiliser.

The writ alleges Mr Blood, whose company is listed as being based in Hovea, owes the tax office $9,941,626.20 in unpaid income tax for the financial years of 2003, 2004 and 2005.

It says half ($4,984,233.09) is for the tax and added interest he owes for the past three years, while $1,583,715.47 is for failing to pay the shortfall interest charge and the rest $3,307,939.03 is for administrative penalties, plus interest.

Mr Blood was the founder of Australian Power and Energy Ltd, which was involved in the development of the $5 billion coal to gas to liquids and power project in Victoria in the late 1990s.

APEL was then bought by Anglo American Group.

Mr Blood then set up Australian Energy Company and developed the Latrobe Fertiliser project.

The Sunday Times contacted Mr Blood about the tax office claim.

He said he was unaware of the writ being lodged, but confirmed he was having ongoing discussions with the tax office.

"I have an ongoing situation with them," Mr Blood said. "The last I heard and this was just a week ago was that there would be some sort of appeals process and (they would) not decide until sometime in January this year.

"But I know nothing of it (the writ). We obviously will get some sort of official advice.

"We have an ongoing discussion with them (the tax office) and we will continue to have that ongoing discussion."

The Sunday Times contacted the tax office but was told, by law, it was unable to comment on any matter concerning a person's tax liabilities.

22.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

Stars tune into gas rally

Rally at Cottesloe Beach against the James Price Point gas hub in the Kimberley. Picture: Stewart Allen Source: PerthNow

LOCAL music stars John Butler and Missy Higgins were among hundreds of people at Cottesloe Beach who protested over the proposed $35 billion James Price Point gas hub near Broome.

The rally, held in the heart of Premier Colin Barnett's electorate, was one of five throughout the nation as part of efforts to stop the development. Others were held in Adelaide, Melbourne, Hobart and Broome.

Last month, the state's environmental watchdog approved the proposed gas hub, but those who oppose it have raised concerns about damage to the coastline, dinosaur footprints and marine life.

Wilderness Society spokesman Peter Robertson said the event was just the start.

"As we move into the state election, groups like the Wilderness Society are pretty determined to make sure that James Price Point and the Kimberley feature in the campaign," Mr Robertson said.

He said 2013 was also the year Woodside and the joint-venture partners would have to make a decision about whether to invest in the project further or ask for an extension to their lease, which expires in June.

He claimed there was already strong indications that the companies were not favouring the site following the release of a report by industry analyst J.P. Morgan which said using a floating LNG plant as an alternative would save about $9 billion.

22.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Gyrating' Buswell at it again

Troy Buswell was involved in a scuffle at a party. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

TREASURER Troy Buswell was left nursing his wounds after a scuffle with a prominent Perth businessman in another drunken joke-gone-wrong.

Today, The Sunday Times can reveal details of the incident involving Mr Buswell and Kailis Bros managing director Nicholas Kailis, which until now has been a closely guarded secret.

Just 12 months after promising Premier Colin Barnett he would be on his best behaviour following a series of embarrassing pranks, including the infamous chair-sniffing scandal, the then-housing and transport minister jokingly forced himself on Mr Kailis at a function in December and "dry-humped" him, allegedly moaning in mock sexual pleasure.

Worse for wear after a day on the grog, Mr Buswell refused to get off and Mr Kailis retaliated.

The Sunday Times was told a dazed Mr Buswell his glasses bent from the tussle then got off Mr Kailis before being taken away by his then-girlfriend, Fremantle independent MP Adele Carles.

Ms Carles this week declined to comment on the altercation, but after The Sunday Times confronted her with details, she confirmed it happened and said it had been a major factor in her decision to break off her two-year-relationship with Mr Buswell in March this year.

"The incident shocked me," she said. "I lost respect for Troy and I ended our relationship soon afterwards."

Mr Buswell yesterday responded: "I confirm I attended a private function with friends, over 12 months ago. I have no further comments about my private life other than to categorically deny this version of events."

On the day of the incident Mr Buswell and a group of Perth businessmen, which included property developer Nigel Satterley, mining magnate Chris Ellison and Mr Kailis, attended a lunch hosted by property tycoon Russell Gibbs.

They then went back to Mr Satterley's Peppermint Grove mansion, where wives and partners were lunching.

Ms Carles said her former partner had phoned her to pick him up from the Satterley mansion.

She said the incident happened about 20 minutes after she got there.

"I was at my home he rang me and asked me to pick him up from Nigel's," Ms Carles said.

"He (Mr Buswell) was drunk."

She said Mr Buswell was on top of Mr Kailis in Mr Satterley's lounge room. "He (Mr Kailis) was wrestling with him and yelling that kind of stuff. I don't recall the exact words Mr Kailis used but it was to the effect of, 'get off, get off'.

"He was trying to get him off.

"I did attempt to pull Troy off of Kailis and I called to Troy, 'get off him, get off him', but to no avail.

"I was no match for Troy and neither was Kailis."

She said Mr Buswell was "dazed" after being struck on the side of his face, and was left with damage to his eye glasses.

"He then got off of Kailis", she said, and they left.

Ms Carles said she warned Mr Buswell on the way home that she would not cover up the incident if it became public. "He didn't say a whole lot in the car."

"I said to him, 'if this gets out, I won't protect you. I won't be covering this up'."

Ms Carles added: "The next morning I said to Troy as soon as he woke up: 'You better apologise to Nigel and Nicholas and the other people at the party. And then he got up and started making calls."

When contacted by The Sunday Times on Friday, Mr Kailis said: "I am at a staff party at the moment and I don't have time to discuss what you are talking about.

"And what you have just said is incorrect." When told of the eyewitness account, he said: "I just said, I don't care what you have."

Mr Satterley confirmed Mr Buswell and a group of business people had been at his home in December last year, but said he knew nothing of the incident.

"I know nothing," he said.

Mr Buswell has had a controversial career since entering politics in 2008.

He has previously admitted snapping a Labor staffer's bra as a drunken party trick.

And in 2008, he lost the leadership of the Liberal Party after revelations by The Sunday Times that he sniffed the chair of a female staffer as part of a prank.

In 2010, he resigned as Treasurer after his affair with the then-Greens MP was revealed.

Despite resistance within his own ranks, Mr Barnett reinstated Mr Buswell to his Cabinet in December 2010 before promoting him to Treasurer this year saying, according to sources, "this is your last chance".

22.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

Off-duty cop's car impounded

A SPEEDING off-duty cop has been caught doing more than double the legal limit in in Melbourne's south-east.

The Leading Senior Constable from a southern region police station has been suspended with pay after being detected speeding in Clayton last night.

Highway Patrol police clocked the officer, allegedly travelling at 122kmh in a 50kmh zone in Garden Rd around 10.15pm.

His car will be impounded for 30 days and he's expected to be charged on summons with driving offences.

The Ethical Standards Command today suspended the officer from duty with pay.

The officer will be subject to an internal disciplinary inquiry.

Road Policing Command Superintendent Neville Taylor said everyone in the community had a duty to uphold the road laws.

"We expect all motorists to behave responsibly on our roads, regardless of who they are," he said.

"No one is above the law and if you do the wrong thing you will be caught and penalised."

 
 

22.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

Fatal pursuit passenger jailed

The scene of the fatal crash that left a mother dead after police pursued a stolen car. Source: PerthNow

The scene of the fatal crash that left a mother dead after police pursued a stolen car. Source: PerthNow

Lashay and Sharon D'Ercole. Source: PerthNow

A MAN who set fire to a stolen car involved in a fatal police pursuit hours earlier has been jailed for more than five years by a Supreme Court judge.

James Stuart Edmonds, 22, was the passenger in the stolen Audi being chased by police through Perth earlier this year.

As officers sped after the V6 sedan, their car ploughed into a car driven by Dianella mother Sharon D'Ercole.

The 50-year-old was killed and her 16-year-old daughter Lashay injured when the police Ford Territory allegedly ran a red light and slammed into their Toyota Corolla while pursuing the Audi in the northern Perth suburb of Dianella on April 12.

The Supreme Court was today told that in the aftermath of the crash, Edmonds took the car to a street in East Perth and set it alight using tissues stuffed into the petrol tank.

Spraying perfume onto the flames to accelerate the blaze, Edmonds then left in a taxi.

The court was told he was later caught after a photo of the blaze was found on his phone, although the 22-year old denied that in court.

Edmonds admitted starting the fire, and also pleaded guilty to various other charges.

Prosecutor Darryl Carlson told the court Edmonds was clearly trying to destroy any link between him and the crash that had killed Mrs D'Ercole when he set the fire.

"He was well aware of the accident. That was at the forefront of his mind,'' Mr Carlson said.

"The car was burned in an attempt to cut off any chance of him being associated with the car and the pursuit.''

The court was told that before and after the fatal crash, Edmonds had been caught by police driving another stolen car, in possession of stolen property and in possession of drugs on three occasions.

He also admitted being unauthorised to drive either of the stolen cars as he was on a learners permit at the time.

Defence lawyer Henry Sklarz said Edmonds was a recovering drug addict whose addiction had reached crisis point in the weeks leading up to the crash.

Burning the car had been a "futile attempt'' to hide his involvement, Mr Sklarz said.

"The attempt only drew attention to the vehicle,'' he said

Judge Ralph Simmonds sentenced Edmonds to four years in prison for the arson, and a further one year and seven months for the other offences.

He was also fined $200 and disqualified from driving for 12 months.

He will be eligible for parole in three years and seven months, backdated to October.

A senior WA constable is facing charges of dangerous driving causing death following the chase.

A 41-year-old man was charged with stealing the Audi involved in the pursuit, but the charge was dropped in September 2012 due to a lack of evidence.
 

22.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

Milk industry 'struggling to survive'

PRICE WAR: Farm gate prices have to increase to ensure the sustainability of the industry, farmer says.  Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

WA DAIRY farmers are being paid so little for their milk that the industry will struggle to survive, a new report has found.

A report prepared for the dairy section of the WA Farmers Federation has found that farm returns in the 2012 financial year were "inadequate to sustain the industry" because the farm gate milk price was between 40 and 42.5 cents a litre.

Though the report did not recommend an acceptable return for the industry, it did suggest farmers needed between 45 and 65 cents a litre for their milk.

To maintain cash flow throughout the 2012 financial year, the report found a "typical" family operate dairy farm did three things:

* Reduce personal remuneration or cut back on paid labour

* Allow assets to depreciate without replacement

* Sold assets such as replacement heifers to fund working capital.

"All three strategies create problems in the future – health/life balance issues,  rundown equipment and reduced herd numbers," it said.
 
"These problems in turn create an inability to respond positively to improved milk prices and the businesses become self limiting."

 WA Farmers dairy section president Phil Depiazzi said the report confirmed what farmers already knew and proved that farm gate prices had to be increase to ensure the sustainability of the industry.

He said he would be take the report to the major processors – Brownes, Harvey Fresh and Lion – as well as the major supermarkets.

"We will seek meetings with these companies to ensure they are fully aware of the effect their policies and strategies are having on the farm," he said.

"I ask Western Australian consumers to support local farmers by purchasing WA-based processor-branded dairy products," Mr Depiazzi concluded.
 

22.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

WA bushfire started by humans

Bremer Bay Volunteer Marine Rescue Service on the water at the Doubtful Island Peninsula fire on the South Coast of WA. Picture Bremer Bay Volunteer Marine Rescue Service Source: PerthNow

Pictures from the Bremer Bay Volunteer Marine Rescue Service of the fire at Doubtful Island Peninsula on the South Coast of WA. Picture Bremer Bay Volunteer Marine Rescue Service Source: PerthNow

A BUSHFIRE on a remote West Australian peninsula was likely caused by humans, not lightning as initially thought, the incident controller says.

The fast-moving bushfire on Doubtful Island Peninsula triggered an emergency alert on Friday morning and efforts were swiftly under way to evacuate eight people staying there in a fishing shack as firefighters worked on containment lines.

All eight campers who rushed to the beach for refuge were offered evacuation by boat, but by late afternoon, the fire had burnt out the peninsula and the immediate danger had passed.

Incident controller Roger Armstrong said it was a positive outcome thanks to the work of firefighters and favourable winds that pushed the blaze to where it could burn no more vegetation.

"The ignition point was in a fortunate position for us. If it had been slightly further to the west, it would have been more difficult,'' Mr Armstrong told AAP.

"The wind was particularly in our favour.

"Basically, it started in a narrow neck of a peninsula that bumps out into the sea and the wind was pushing it straight down the peninsula, so all we had to do was keep it on that peninsula and not let it get back onto the mainland.''

The fire was initially thought to have been started by a lightning strike - considering that's what happened in nearby Bremer Bay earlier this week - but it was now clear humans had caused it, Mr Armstrong said.

The fire began close to the shack where the eight campers, who had been there for several days, were staying, he said.

"We've got a fire cause investigation going at the moment,'' Mr Armstrong said.

"Now that we've got a bit more intelligence, it's likely to be a human-caused fire.''

Mr Armstrong said the experts who investigated fire causes could determine the point of ignition to ``within metres''.

It was likely the cause would be confirmed on Saturday, he said.

Mr Armstrong said he was confident remaining spot fires would remain contained.

"We'll mop it up tomorrow and hand it back to local government,'' he said.

The sight of smoke had been worrying for Bremer Bay residents, who had only just been let back home after the much bigger bushfire near the town this week, Mr Armstrong said.

Are you near the fire? Do you have any pictures? Email us here

22.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

Innocent man dies after highway feud

Customs officer Mark Noormets, a volunteer firefighter, was killed in the Byford crash. Picture: Supplied. Source: PerthNow

The scene of a fatal crash in Byford today taken by the Nine News Perth helicopter.PICTURE: Nine News Perth Source: PerthNow

An altercation between two drivers near Perth has led to the death of another man, whose vehicle collided head-on with one of their cars.

POLICE are continuing investigations into a suspected road rage incident between two drivers in Byford that led to the death of an innocent man, whose vehicle collided head-on with one of their cars.

Police believe two men in seperate vehicles were involved in an incident shortly before 2pm yesterday.

One of the vehicles, a Great Wall ute, then drove off and shortly after smashed into another car, a Nissan X-Trail SUV, that was travelling in the opposite direction along South Western Highway in Byford, on Perth's southeastern fringe.

The driver of the Nissan X-Trail, 51-year-old father-of-two Mark Noormets, was killed in the crash.

The 35-year-old driver in the other car was airlifted to Royal Perth Hospital.

The 61-year-old driver who was involved in the earlier altercation left the area and is now helping police as Major Crash officers continue their investigations today.

Anyone with information or who saw the incident is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

22.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

Twist in WA man's Malaysian drug case

Perth man Dominic Bird is facing the death penalty in Malaysia. Source: Supplied

THE police officer behind the arrest of a Perth man facing a possible death sentence in Malaysia has admitted to selling the drugs, which he allegedly obtained from the accused, to his informant.

Serious allegations of corruption have been levelled in court against Inspector Luther Nurjib, the undercover police officer who arrested Perth man Dominic Bird, 32, in March for allegedly supplying 167 grams of methamphetamine.

Bird faces a mandatory death penalty if convicted.

Insp Nurjib today admitted he had taken RM1200 ($A375) from an informant which he used to allegedly buy a five gram sample of methamphetamine from Bird.

He then gave the drugs to the informant.

Insp Nurjib did not report the transaction to his superiors.

Asked by Bird's lawyer, Muhammad Shafee, if the informant had played a "key role'' in the alleged drug deal, the police officer replied: "Correct.''

"When you took the RM1200, did the informer know you would give him the five grams?'' Mr Shafee asked.

Insp Nurjib replied: "Correct.''

"You confirm on this day you bought the drugs and sold them to the informer?'' Mr Shafee asked.

Inspector Nurjib again replied: "Correct.''

Earlier in the Kuala Lumpur High Court trial, questions were also raised about the lengths the undercover officer went to in pressuring Bird to supply the drugs.

Insp Nurjib also admitted on Friday to having faced disciplinary action in the past for having stolen a Rolex watch from a suspect in another case.

The revelations are likely to have implications for Bird's chances of winning an acquittal, with Mr Shafee later saying Insp Nurjib's credibility had been destroyed.

"The way (the police) behave with informants is so loose,'' Mr Shafee said outside the court.

"He took the money from the informer who may be a drug trafficker himself.''

"So a police officer is dealing with a drug trafficker in order, according to him, to fix another drug trafficker.''

Mr Shafee said there were also now questions over the possibility of more widespread corruption in certain sectors of the police force.

"It's total abuse in the worst form in an anti-narcotic unit,'' he said.

The trial was adjourned until February 13.

22.16 | 0 komentar | Read More