Historic beams halt quay work

The works down at Elizabeth Quay have uncovered what could be a very old jetty. Workers have uncovered some very old wood pillars. Source: News Corp Australia

Men's Shed overseer measures a wood pylon. Source: News Corp Australia

WORK had to be stopped on Perth's waterfront project this week after a "sizeable wooden beam" was dug up that may have major archaeological significance.

The Sunday Times was alerted to the discovery by workers concerned about the lack of protocols around heritage on the $2.6 billion Elizabeth Quay project.

Historians and the Opposition have seized on the find to renew calls for tougher measures on-site to protect the history of the esplanade area – which dates back to 1868 and is a permanent entry on the State Register of Heritage Places for its "very high historic value".

However, this would prove a nightmare for builders and cause delays to one of the Barnett Government's most important projects.

The Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority, who is running the project, confirmed last night the wooden beam "artefact" was located during excavation works at Barrack St jetty.

"Works in the area ceased immediately and Archaeological and Heritage Management Solutions attended (the) site to assess and catalogue the artefact," MRA chief executive Kieran Kinsella told The Sunday Times.

"Under instruction from AHMS, works are continuing in order to extract the timber for further assessment and preservation."

Mr Kinsella also revealed a "series of timbers" thought to be piles from the William St wharf dated about 1900 were found late last year.

The timbers were simply "donated to a local Men's Shed who indicated they would reuse the wood to make furniture".

Mr Kinsella said the State Heritage Office was advised of the find.

Men's Shed promotions officer Brett Pollock said they received about 30 wooden pylons, each a couple of metres long.

Some of the "magnificent timber" was now being used as seats around an oval at Tom Perrott Reserve in Mosman Park.

History Council of WA president Lise Summers said she was "flabbergasted" to learn how the timber pylons had been dealt with.

"That (find) should've been made public," she said.

"Anything to do with heritage they hide away in embarrassed silence."

Dr Summers said the newly discovered wooden beam could be part of the original Barrack Square jetty, dating about 1904.

"If they found it where they are dredging now that is very much in the City Baths area (a former public swimming facility dating back to 1898 of major historical importance)," she said.

Dr Summer called for the way heritage is dealt with at the Elizabeth Quay site to be overhauled.

Opposition heritage spokeswoman Margaret Quirk said the current strategy in place at Elizabeth Quay to protect the site's history was "toothless".

"This is a registered heritage site that is being destroyed without any regard to its significance," she said.

"Finds like this are simply an inconvenience to the Government who wants to just get on with the project."

Mr Kinsella said there were "significant strategies" in place to monitor the heritage and environmental values of the Elizabeth Quay site during construction of the inlet.

"The MRA has worked closely with specialist contractors Hocking Heritage Studio and AHMS, the SHO and a range of stakeholders to inform planning for Elizabeth Quay and assist in documenting the heritage values of the site," he said.

The Sunday Times approached Planning Minister John Day for comment but was redirected to the MRA.

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Greens are ‘toxic’: PM fires back

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has dismissed an attack by Greens Senator Scott Ludlam. Source: News Corp Australia

PRIME Minister Tony Abbott has labelled the Greens as "toxic" in his first salvo for next month's WA senate election.

Ahead of a visit to Perth this week, Mr Abbott fired back at a vicious attack by Greens Senator Scott Ludlam in federal parliament, in which he labelled the Prime Minister as "homophobic" and "racist".

The Prime Minister yesterday labelled the Greens and other minor parties who were contesting the fresh election as toothless tigers, whose major contribution to the Australian Parliament was to "attract media attention".

He said Mr Ludlam's attack was water off a duck's back.

"I am defamed every day in parliament, and I have learnt to be fairly oblivious to it I have got to say," Mr Abbott said.

"I think West Australians are fairly resistant to the kinds of toxins which emanate from the Greens."

Laughing he retorted: "I might have to have an extra half glass of good Margaret River wine tonight to console myself.''

WA Greens Senator launched a scathing attack on the Prime Minister during his final parliamentary speech ahead of the April 5 senate vote.

Senator Ludlam invited Mr Abbott to visit WA, but urged him to leave his "excruciatingly boring three-word slogans at home".

The speech concludes with Senator Ludlam telling the Prime Minister to take his "heartless racist exploitation of people's fears and ram it as far from Western Australia as your taxpayer funded travel entitlements can take you".

"Western Australians are a generous and welcoming lot, but if you show up waving your homophobia in people's faces and start boasting about your ever more insidious attacks on the trade union movement and all working people, you can expect a very different kind of welcome."

WA will vote for six senators on April 5, after the bungled poll in September saw that result quashed.

West Australians have to go back to the polls after 1370 votes were lost.

After securing three senate positions at the September election, the Liberals are now in danger of losing one of those positions, which would make it even more difficult for Mr Abbott to pass legislation in the senate.

He currently holds 33 seats in the senate, but needs 39 to pass laws.

Mr Abbott said losing another Liberal senate position would make it more difficult to scrap the mining and carbon taxes.

"The election is important because the result will make it easier or harder to get rid of anti WA taxes like the carbon or mining taxes," he said.

In a pot shot at the Greens and minor parties, Mr Abbott said: "Ask yourself: What do minor parties actually get done, other than make it harder for government to do its job?

"Minor parties are much better at attracting media attention rather than getting things done.

"Don't vote for a minor party and in particular don't vote for a minor party that is going to be constantly with the Opposition.

"The Greens are really the second wing faction of the Labor Party – that's what they are.

"I think people want a strong voice in the federal parliament, rather than people who just make a noise. To do that, you need to vote for people who are part of government."

Mr Abbott said West Australians had every right to be angry about having to vote again.

"It is monumental incompetence,'' he said.

"I am annoyed. I think everyone is annoyed.

"I can't imagine they (Australian Electoral Commission) would make the same mistake twice."

Mr Abbott is expected to arrive in Perth late Monday.

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What worries kids: self image a primary concern

YouthCare chaplain Helen Hames at Hawker Primary School in Warwick. Picture: Theo Fakos Source: News Corp Australia

PRIMARY school students are twice as worried about their self image as their high school peers, WA research shows.

Primary pupils raised self concept and image as concerns with school chaplains during more than 2700 confidential discussions last year. This was compared with about 1100 in secondary schools.

And younger students were also more concerned about loneliness, violence and mental health issues.

But high school pupils were more likely to be raising issues around self harm and suicide, along with drug and alcohol use, and leaving home.

The latest report from YouthCARE, which provides chaplains to most of the 598 WA public schools now offering the service, details the reasons behind almost 100,000 school chaplain discussions in 2013.

Most children visited the school chaplain for a "general catch-up" (28,288), followed by issues relating to family relationships (15,750), followed by peer relationships (14,697) and bullying and harassment (7093).

Education Minister Peter Collier said the report revealed the "plethora of complex issues" that children took to school. "Gone is the notion that bullying is hitting someone in the shoulder or hitting someone in the arm," he said.

Mr Collier said almost 600 public schools now had chaplains, up from just 148 in 2007.

He denied they formed part of the "Christian indoctrination" of public schools, saying they provided a contemporary role that brought the public system into line with the private sector.

"There was a perception and I emphasise this, a perception, that private education provided more in terms of better quality pastoral care," Mr Collier said. "If we're going to do our job as a government, and do our job as a community, we must support to students who are bringing this plethora of complex issues with them on a day-to-day basis."

YouthCARE chief operating officer Fiona Beermier said many children turned to chaplains because "they're a non-disciplinarian within the school environment".

"While YouthCARE chaplains are Christian people, their role in the school is actually about providing pastoral care to the school community," she said.

LONLINESS STARTS AT HOME

HELEN Hames is working on the front-line in schools every day.

The nurse-turned-school chaplain counsels primary and secondary students at Hawker Park Primary School and Mirrabooka Senior High School.

Mrs Hames said even she was surprised by how often loneliness and self-esteem issues came up in young primary school children.

"Certainly young children do think about it perhaps even more than even I thought they would," she said.

"And I think perhaps people are so busy these days, they don't have as many people to express their feelings to because of time-poor situations or whatever it is going on at home.

"The main issues that I deal with are peer relationships and family relationships in primary schools.

"And then when we get into high school, we're dealing more with the bullying, the behavioural issues – and by that time of their life, a lot of the children have experienced some sort of grief and loss.

"I certainly find that if there are issues at home, children have trouble concentrating in class and participating in activities so having someone to voice their concerns with tends to help them settle in class and participate more actively."

Mrs Hames said personal battles, which had seen her overcome being adopted and abused, helped her connect with her students.

"I think it gives me more empathy towards children and it helps me to understand them a little bit better and help them work through their issues," she said.

"I am very busy as a chaplain. I have a lot of students, family members, members of the school community access the service and then I'm able to then refer them out to appropriate services, either within the school or outside the school."

WHAT'S WORRYING OUR PRIMARY STUDENTS:

Family relationships (11,578 visits vs 4172 in secondary schools)

Peer relationships (10,201 visits vs 4496 in secondary schools)

Bullying and harassment (4697 visits vs 2396 in secondary schools)

Self concept and image (2719 visits vs 1152 in secondary schools)

Loneliness (1497 visits vs 258 in secondary schools)

Violence (1197 visits vs 406 in secondary schools)

WHAT'S WORRYING OUR SECONDARY STUDENTS:

Self harm and suicide (1300 visits vs 458 in primary schools)

Academic issues (750 visits vs 632 in primary schools)

Sex and sexuality (609 visits vs 503 in primary schools)

Drug and alcohol use (540 visits vs 64 in primary schools)

Leaving home (250 visits vs 60 in primary schools)

TOTAL: 98,894 visits in 2013

Source: YouthCARE

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Inexperience kills on WA mine sites

New Zealander Wayne Fowlie with wife Raewyn and with family members was killed in February after an underground rock fall at Central Norseman Gold's Harlequin mine in the Goldfields. Source: Supplied. Source: Supplied

ONE in two workers killed on WA mine sites is under the supervision of inexperienced bosses in the job for less than a year.

And vehicles plunging over edges, runaway vehicles and collisions are the biggest killers, an analysis of mining deaths has revealed.

The most deadly occupations are fitters (nine deaths), haul truck drivers (five deaths), and technicians and service vehicle drivers (four deaths each), according to a study reviewing the 52 mining-related fatalities from 2000 to 2012.

The toll caused by inexperience and high staff turnover is also revealed in the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) report.

It showed just under half the workers killed were in their first year at a mine site or were performing a new role, and almost half of the fatal accidents involved supervisors in their first year on the job.

Onsite procedures were not complied with in two-thirds of fatalities, while there was no procedure in place at all in a quarter of mine site deaths.

It comes as Mines Minister Bill Marmion last week admitted a "cowboy" culture still exists in mining.

WA mines had a fatality-free year in 2012, but four workers have been killed on mine sites since. All four cases are still under investigation by the DMP and the results will remain confidential unless the employers are prosecuted.

New Zealand electrician Kurt Williams, 26, was killed while doing machinery maintenance in August and Perth contractor Allen Zuvela, 33, died from injuries he suffered at a heavy vehicle workshop in December, both at Fortescue Metals Group's Christmas Creek mine in the Pilbara.

Also in December, a 43-year-old mining contractor died at Newcrest Mining's Telfer goldmine after being struck by plastic piping.

And in February, New Zealander Wayne Fowlie was killed after an underground rock fall at Central Norseman Gold's Harlequin mine in the Goldfields.

The Sunday Times last year revealed nearly three WA mine sites a week were being shut down over safety breaches that could kill or seriously injure workers.

DMP resources safety executive director Simon Ridge said clusters of deadly accidents occurred at times when fatigue set in among workers.

"We believe high staff turnover can also further influence the number of accidents in the first year of a new role," he said.

Of the 52 deaths between 2000 and 2012, more than half occurred at gold and nickel mines and a third at iron ore mines, with 35 surface fatalities and 17 underground deaths.

The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union claimed workers at many mine sites were scared to complain about safety amid fears they would lose their jobs.

Mineral Council of Australia safety director Melanie Stutsel said the recent spike in fatalities highlighted the need for companies constantly to reinforce a culture of safety.

Mark Quinn who was killed at the Perseverance Mine in Leinster in 2006. Source: Supplied

PAIN OF LOSS IS 'NEVER-ENDING'

CASE STUDY 1

GRAEME and Marilyn Quinn say they will always carry the devastation and heartache of losing their son Mark to a WA mine site accident.

The couple say they have lived with "never-ending pain" since their 32-year-old son died when explosives blew up in a cannon he was assembling to free an ore blockage at BHP Billiton's Perseverance Mine in Leinster in 2006.

The coroner ruled his death was an accident but recommended better safety instructions on fuses. BHP pleaded guilty to failing to provide a safe working environment and was fined $50,000.

The company has said "we were, and remain, deeply saddened by the death of Mark".

But since then the Quinns have called for tougher fines and penalties so mining companies and contractors are held to account.

Graeme and Marilyn Quinn say they will never get over the grief of losing their son Mark, 32, an underground miner who died in an explosives accident in Leinster in 2006. Source: Supplied

"We'll bleed for the rest of our lives," Mr Quinn said.

"Our lives are stuffed. You don't enjoy anything any more. Things haven't got the same value. It's survival. You just try to get through. The zing of life it's gone.

"My son is dead and nothing will bring him back, but a tiny fine like that for a company making billions of dollars – it's like the price of a stubby to them. It's nothing."

BHP said, in the event of a serious incident, it provides wide-ranging support to affected family members and colleagues.

Electrician Kurt Williams, who was killed in August at Christmas Creek mine, with his mother Diane Andrew. Source: supplied. Source: Supplied

DAILY GRIEF IS MOTHER'S SAD ROUTINE

CASE STUDY 2

NEW Zealand electrician Kurt Williams came to WA's Pilbara to make his fortune in the mines.

But the 26-year-old was sent home in a coffin after just a year when he was crushed while doing machinery maintenance in August at the Christmas Creek iron ore mine run by billionaire Andrew Forrest's Fortescue Metals Group.

His mother Diane Andrew now grieves daily at the shrine she has made to Kurt in her Auckland backyard.

"I can't begin to describe the pain," she said. "It's all about what I won't get to enjoy with Kurt anymore."

"I won't get to see how handsome he looks on his wedding day.

"I won't get to see that proud glint in his eyes when he hands me his firstborn baby.

"I can't give him any more advice, whether he wanted to listen or not. I can't have a drink or joke with him again. I can't worry about him anymore.

"I can't tell him how proud I am of him and how much I love him. I can't have one of his big cuddles. All these things I won't get to do with Kurt are breaking my heart."

Ms Andrew said she still didn't know exactly how Kurt was killed.

"It's under investigation, they are limited as to what they can tell me. I don't really know what happened and if it could have been avoided," she said.

"Kurt was all or nothing so he went over there so he could earn the big money, (but) I didn't worry about him. He was very sensible, safety-conscious person."

Mr Williams' death was one of a series of incidents at Christmas Creek. In October, a truck driver had his leg amputated and in December contractor Allen Zuvela, 33, was killed at the mine's heavy machinery workshop.

Ms Andrew said: "Has (Kurt's) death been in vain? At least if he'd died and no more deaths were going to happen... but the fact that they're still happening and there are injuries… there's something wrong with the safety."

But Fortescue chief executive Nev Power said safety was a core value and he wanted to "make it absolutely clear that no-one on a Fortescue site is ever expected to do anything that compromises safety".

The Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) ordered the company to tighten safety procedures and its investigation into Mr Williams' death is ongoing.

DEATHS SINCE 2012:

● New Zealand electrician Kurt Williams, 26. Fortescue Metals Group's Christmas Creek mine. August 2013.

● Perth contractor Allen Zuvela, 33. Fortescue Metals Group's Christmas Creek mine. December 2013.

● A 43-year-old mining contractor. Newcrest Mining's Telfer goldmine. December 2013.

● New Zealander Wayne Fowlie, 59. Central Norseman Gold's Harlequin mine. February 2014.

THE SCENARIOS:

● Runaway vehicles

● Vehicles over edges

● Vehicle collisions

● Electrical contacts

● Rock falls

● Pit wall failures

● Tyre handling

● Incorrect use of fall arrest equipment

●Departure from original equipment manufacturer

●Poor procedures

Source: Department of Mines and Petroleum

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WA home burglaries a national high

Speaking about WA's high burglary rate, Police Minister Liza Harvey says "West Australians have had enough". Picture: File image Source: News Limited

WA homes are more likely to be broken into than properties in any other state, according to new statistics that have prompted Police Minister Liza Harvey to say "West Australians have had enough".

Data obtained by Ms Harvey's office reveals there are 4472 burglaries across WA for every 100,000 households – 55 per cent higher than the national average.

It is the second worst rate in the country behind the Northern Territory.

In NSW, the rate is just under 3000 per 100,000 households. In SA, it's nearly as low as 2000 per 100,000.

WA also has the highest rate of attempted break-ins for any state at 3442 per 100,000 households. The national average is just 2261 per 100,000.

The data, contained in the Report on Government Services, comes as new police figures reveal the most common time of day for burglaries is actually 6am–9am.

WA homes are more likely to be broken into than properties in any other state, according to new statistics. Picture: File image

The most common item stolen from WA homes is cash followed by rings and laptops.

Ms Harvey said "West Australians have had enough".

"We all have the right to feel safe and be safe in our own home," she said.

"It is now time as a state we make the victims of home burglaries the priority."

Ms Harvey said she looked forward to bringing the "toughest home invasion laws in the country" into Parliament shortly.

At the 2013 state election, the Barnett Government promised to introduce laws forcing judges to impose at least 75 per cent of the maximum prison sentence available for adult offenders who commit serious physical or sexual assaults in a home invasion.

Edith Cowan University criminology lecturer Natalie Gately said wealth discrepancy among West Australians fuelled the high rate of burglary.

Dr Gately said Perth's hotter temperature also increased break-ins.

"Perth's hot climate means than many people live an outdoor 'alfresco' lifestyle," she said. "So they are often out the back, and many times there is an ease of entry for opportunistic burglars.

"Also, many people seek relief from the hot days and nights by leaving doors and windows open, another known security risk."

WA police Inspector Dominic Wood said 30 per cent of home burglaries were to obtain car keys.

"WA has the largest percentage of immobilisers fitted to vehicles which means thieves generally need access to car keys to steal a car ," Insp. Wood said.

Researchers at Edith Cowan University interviewed 69 alleged burglars in 2012 to find out the tricks of the trade.

Sixty-six per cent said they usually entered a home through open doors or windows.

VICTIM OF BREAK-INS

WA: 4472 per 100,000 households

National average: 2873 per 100,000 households

VICTIMS OF ATTEMPTED BREAK-INS

WA: 3442 per 100,000 households

National average: 2261 per 100,000 households

(From the Report on Government Services)

TOP FIVE MOST COMMONLY STOLEN ITEMS

Money — 5.2%

Jewellery Rings — 5.0%

Portable Laptops/Notebooks — 4.2%

Mobile Phones — 3.3%

Necklaces — 3.3%

MOST COMMON TIMES BURGLARY OFFENCES OCCUR

6am-9am — 16%

9pm-midnight — 15.6%

MOST COMMON ENTRY POINTS

Doors — 67.4%

Windows — 31.0%

FIVE TIPS

• Simply locking your doors and windows is the first and biggest deterrent.

• Keys should never be left in door locks as nearby window panels could be smashed to access those keys.

• If valuables like keys wallets and phones are not left in view a burglar is more likely to leave your house alone.

• Consider leaving a light or other "sign of life" when you are out in the early evening and it is starting to go dark.

• Lock all doors with your key and leave with the key. Don't just flick the latch. If it is hard for a burglar to get back out through a broken window they will struggle to get out safely quickly and with big amounts of property.

Source: WA Police

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Woman admits fertility fraud

A Perth woman has admitted to forging her estranged husband's signature so she could use a stored embryo to get pregnant. Picture: Think Stock Source: News Limited

A PERTH woman has admitted to forging her estranged husband's signature so she could use a stored embryo to get pregnant.

Megan Jane Hooper, 41, pleaded guilty to one charge of document fraud in Perth Magistrate's Court.

The court had previously heard how Ms Hooper and her husband had created several frozen embryos in 2007, and the couple had a child in 2009 following IVF treatment.

Police claimed that in late 2010, she said she wanted to have a second child, but her husband was against it.

After the couple parted ways, Hooper forged her husband's signature on a fertility clinic consent form in 2011, giving her access to one of the frozen embryos and allowing her to proceed with her plan.

Hooper was handed a conditional release order for six months, fined $500 and given a spent conviction.

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West Coast sticking by jailed Newman

THE career of West Coast footballer Murray Newman could be in doubt after he was found guilty of grievous bodily harm.

WEST Coast is standing by footballer Murray Newman, who is spending his first night in jail after being sentenced to 12 months for a nightclub attack.

In a statement, the club says it wants to keep Newman on the rookie list for 2014.

Despite a plea for mercy by Newman's lawyer that a jail term could end his AFL career, Judge John Staude decided the 20-year-old should serve time in jail.

Newman was convicted by a jury last year in the Perth District Court of causing grievous bodily harm when he broke the jaw of Brett Marris, then aged 20, in November 2012.

Newman, then 18, had a ``deep grudge'' against Mr Marris who had slept with the AFL player's girlfriend, Judge Staude found.

West Coast Eagle Murray Newman has been jailed for a nightclub attack which broke a man's jaw.

After weeks of threats from Newman on Facebook, including telling Mr Marris to ``start digging a grave'', the pair saw each other at the Library Nightclub in Northbridge.

Newman was sober but ``angry and agitated'' when the pair fought briefly before bouncers broke up the fight, the court heard.

He must spend six months behind bars before being eligible for parole.

In the statement issued this afternoon, West Coast chief executive Trevor Nisbett said the club did not condone Newman's actions but would continue to support him despite his "10-second loss of control".

The victim of the attack, Brett Marris, leaves court.

Judge Staude did not accept that Newman was acting in self-defence against a taller man.

``You struck Marris precisely because he would not rise to your challenge for a fight,'' Judge Staude said.

``You were the aggressor, not he.''

Judge Staude was also critical of Newman for only showing remorse after the verdict.

West Coast Eagles representatives leave the District Court after player Murray Newman was sentenced today. Picture: Stewart Allen

``This was not a spontaneous or instinctive reaction to a situation you did not expect, but a consequence of you developing an antipathy towards Mr Marris over a period of time,'' he said.

While Judge Staude accepted the sincerity of Newman's letter to his victim in which he said he did not intend to fracture Mr Marris' jaw, the judge did not accept the claim that Newman did not intend to confront Mr Marris.

Judge Staude noted that Newman had a supportive family and that his football career was important to him, citing a letter from Mr Nisbett who said he was pleased with Newman's progress.

He also referenced a victim impact statement from Mr Marris explaining his anxiety and fear of encountering Newman again.

Brett Marris in hospital after his jaw was broken by West Coast Eagle Murray Newman. Picture: Channel Seven

Judge Staude accepted the crime was at the lower end of the scale in terms of grievous bodily harm and that Newman had no prior record.

Defence lawyer David Grace argued the victim's pain did not last more than a few days.

Mr Grace said Newman had begun ``buckling down'' and said he was ``pleading for mercy'' on behalf of his client for a spent conviction because a jail term could end his AFL career, but the prosecution said deterrence was paramount.

Mr Nisbett said the club unreservedly accepted the court's decision.

The club does not condone Murray's actions, or similar violent acts, but will continue to support him," Mr Nisbett said.

"As we have done throughout this case, we will continue to work closely with the AFL on this difficult issue.

"We would like to retain Murray on the club's rookie list for the 2014 season as the club believes that it will be an important part of his rehabilitation and his re-integration to society – and football – upon his release.

"Since this incident occurred, Murray has been exemplary around the club, and is deeply sorry for his actions.

"That 10-second loss of control obviously now has dire consequences for Murray as he will spend at least the next six months in jail."

Mr Marris told Nine News today that he wanted to move on from the incident and was "happy to see the back of it."

He said he had recovered well from the attack. Mr Marris said there was no place for violence on Perth streets.

Newman played four games for the Eagles in his debut season in 2012, but spent last year playing in the second tier WAFL.

He also has a permanent restraining order against him and cannot be within 25 metres of Mr Marris.

Newman was supported in court during the trial by West Coast teammates including captain Darren Glass, Dean Cox, Nic Naitanui and Josh Kennedy.

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MPs slam Rinehart's ‘entitlement’ views

Gina Rinehart's criticism of Australia's "entitlement" mentality has drawn return fire. Picture: File image Source: Supplied

AS she predicted, Gina Rinehart's criticism of Australia's "entitlement" mentality has drawn return fire, with left wing MPs inviting her to leave the country, and leave the nation's battlers alone.

Ms Rinehart, who's worth almost $20 billion, took aim at welfare recipients and the political left for spending the "bottomless pit" of revenue created by mining.

The mining tycoon predicted "forests and splinters" of articles from "people boiling with rage that I dare challenge their bottomless pit and belief money doesn't have to be earned before it is spent mentality".

And she was right.

Former Labor leader Mark Latham accused Ms Rinehart of double standards.

"She wants to be a bigger welfare recipient herself," Mr Latham told the Seven Network.

WA Labor MP Alannah MacTiernan says Gina Rinehart "just doesn't get what has made Australia such a safe place for her to make her billions." Picture: File image

"She's against social welfare but she's very much in favour of business welfare for herself.

"I think that's an appalling double standard. There is no bottomless pit of money and that should apply to Gina as much as the people she's bagging today."

WA Labor MP Alannah MacTiernan said Ms Rinehart "just doesn't get what has made Australia such a safe place for her to make her billions".

"Enterprise and achievement is built on education, inspiration and opportunity, not by bringing in truckloads of overseas workers so that Ms Rinehart can live in even greater grandiosity and have even bigger pearls, if that is at all possible," Ms MacTiernan said.

And Greens Deputy Leader Adam Bandt said Ms Rinehart was "a threat to Australian egalitarianism".

"Gina Rinehart is full of suggestions about how to balance the budget, but none of them involve her paying a fairer share of tax and all of them involve getting the rest of us to pay more," Mr Bandt said.

"If Gina Rinehart thinks Australians are paid too much and have health care that's too good, she's welcome to leave." Writing in a resources magazine, the billionaire espoused her admiration of former British PM Margaret Thatcher, while saying Australia was "living beyond our means".

"Australians have to work hard or actually harder and smarter to create the revenue to be able to pay that bill ... something has to give - we can't do it all," Ms Rinehart said.

In her column titled 'The Age of Entitlement - has Consequences', Ms Rinehart urged action from politicians, saying "now is the time to change some thinking and urge leadership". "The left don't want to address the issue. Instead they get hysterical and personal about who speaks out," she wrote.

Rinehart this week tumbled 10 places on the latest Forbes Magazine global rich list, despite getting richer in the past year. She was easily Australia's richest person on the list, ahead of 208th-ranked James Packer with $US6.5 billion.

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Perth secure minor premiership

Damian Martin finished with 18 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and five steals. Source: Getty Images

THE Perth Wildcats secured the NBL minor premiership – and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs – following an 81-69 win over Townsville.

Damian Martin produced a magnificent all-round performance to again lead his side, while James Ennis provided the dazzle and the knockout blows late to help settle the contest.

Martin flirted with a triple-double before finishing with 18 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and five steals in his best game of the season.

Ennis (20 points) and the evergreen Shawn Redhage (18) were also important as the Cats registered their fourth straight victory.

Martin gets off the ground to lay up with his left hand despite being up against Jacob Holmes. Source: Getty Images

Perth had a late scare when Matt Knight hit his head on a baseline advertising board after jostling for a rebound.

The big man – who missed six weeks after he suffered successive concussions earlier in the season – left the court but appeared to be all right.

Townsville was led by Russell Hinder and Josh Pace, who scored 13 apiece, but simply couldn't find enough offensive grunt to trouble the Cats.

The clash between the NBL's top and bottom sides looked exactly that early, with Perth racing to a 10-2 start in the opening minutes.

The visitors channelled the experience of Hinder and Steve Markovic to claw back the deficit and hang tough for most of the opening half, with the two sides level just three minutes from the main break.

The woolly visage of Matt Knight is a picture of intensity as he pulls down a rebound. Source: Getty Images

But paced by Martin, a stagnant Perth began to find its groove in transition. The Cats skipper produced a fine around-the-back pass to set up a thunderous Jermaine Beal slam, before Beal returned the favour with a pinpoint alley-oop pass to Ennis moments later.

An offensive putback by Martin on the half-time horn gave the home side a 45-37 advantage at intermission, and they pulled further clear upon resumption.

Ennis produced a huge block on Pace to deliver an emphatic defensive statement, before a pair of Drake U'u threes from either side of the court pushed the margin out to 12.

Ennis then sealed the deal with two early baskets in the final term – including a long-range triple from the top of the arc – to ensure Perth would send its fans home happy.

The Wildcats now prepare for a potential playoff preview matchup with the 36ers in Adelaide, while Townsville heads to the City of Churches for the second leg of their 'Doomsday Double' roadtrip tomorrow.

In tonight's other game, Melbourne produced a stunning 44-point final term to overcome a 14-point three-quarter-time deficit and beat New Zealand 97-84.

Follow Chris Robinson on Twitter: @CJKRobinson

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Pistorius said ‘it’s fine’ after shots

Oscar Pistorius has shielded his ears as he heard evidence about attempts to save Reeva Steenkamp's life.

The accused ... Oscar Pistorius, second right, arrives at the high court before the start of the fifth day of his trial. Source: AP

Day four of the Oscar Pistorius murder trial in South Africa saw testimony from one of the first people on the scene. Nathan Frandino reports.

OSCAR Pistorius told security at his estate that "everything is fine'' shortly after shots were reported from his home on the night his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp was killed.

"Mr Pistorius said to me 'security, everything is fine','' security guard Pieter Baba testified about what the athlete told him on the phone.

"That's when I realised that Mr Pistorius was crying,'' he added.

Pistorius called Mr Baba back.

"He just started crying over the phone. That's when the line went off again.''

The guard, who spoke to Pistorius by cellphone after driving to his house, then described seeing the athlete coming down the stairs with Steenkamp in his arms.

"I saw Mr Pistorius coming down with Reeva. My lady I was so shocked that I couldn't even think for a few moments,'' he said.

"I got such a fright seeing Oscar carrying Reeva down, after he had told me everything was fine.''

Earlier, an ex-girlfriend of Oscar Pistorius testified that the Paralympian star sprinter often carried a gun with him and once fired at a traffic light after a confrontation with police.

An emotional Samantha Taylor, who met Pistorius in 2010 when she was 17 years old, tearfully described the sprinter as someone familiar with guns, prone to fits of anger and an unfaithful boyfriend.

Ms Taylor took to the stand on Friday, testifying that in 2010 on the way back from a day trip to a popular city getaway Pistorius was in a car that was pulled over by the police for speeding.

When a police officer inspected Pistorius's weapon, left on a seat when he exited the car, Pistorius became angry, "Oscar shouted at the policeman and said he shouldn't touch his gun,'' said Ms Taylor.

He later shot at a traffic light, "out of spite after being stopped.''

"He was angry at the police after being stopped, thereafter when they wanted to fire a shot they found it funny,'' she said, referring to Pistorius and a friend who was with him at the time.

The firing of the weapon is one of three firearms charges Pistorius faces in addition to a charge of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day 2013.

Frequently breaking down in tears, Taylor recounted the history of the pair's troubled relationship.

Taylor said they met at a rugby match and later "he added me on Facebook.''

Their relationship ended in 2011, Taylor claimed, because "he cheated on me with Reeva Steenkamp.''

Feeling the pressure ... Oscar Pistorius gestures in the dock on the fifth day of his trial. Source: AFP

Ms Taylor also dismissed the defence's assertion that witnesses heard Pistorius and not Steenkamp scream on that February 14.

"That is not true, he sounds like a man'' when he screams, she said.

Earlier Dr Johan Stipp was asked questions about how much time elapsed between the gunshots and screams that he heard on the night of the murder.

Dr Stipp was asked about the number of screams, based on two separate statements he gave.

The defence wanted to show that Dr Stipp's statements did not match the evidence he gave on the sequence of events he witnessed and heard in his bedroom.

Mr Roux implied that screams would not have carried as far as the inside of Dr Stipp's bedroom, and used sound tests conducted on February 27 to back up his point.

Earlier Judge Thokozile Masipa started proceedings by telling the public and press: "if you misbehave, you will be chucked out."

OSCAR PISTORIUS MURDER TRIAL DAY 4: Oscar — 'I shot her ... I shot her'

Reeva Steenkamp, 29, a model and TV reality personality, was shot dead by the Olympic and Paralympic athlete Pistorius, fondly known as "The Blade Runner", on Valentine's Day last year.

Pistorius is pleaded not guilty to murder and says he mistook his girlfriend for an intruder.

Yesterday, Pistorius struggled to cope with the first detailed, public description of the immediate aftermath of the shooting at his home in Pretoria.

As Steenkamp lay dead or dying in his home, a weeping, praying Pistorius knelt at her side and struggled in vain to help her breathe by holding two fingers in her clenched mouth, witness radiologist Johan Schipp told the high court in Pretoria.

"'I shot her. I thought she was a burglar. I shot her,''' Dr Stipp recalled Pistorius saying in the minutes after the fatal shooting.

Tough gig ... Barry Roux, legal representative for Oscar Pistorius, speaks on the fifth day of his trial. Source: AP

"Oscar was crying all the time.

"He was praying to God: "Please let her live.'"

"It was obvious that she was mortally wounded,'' Dr Stipp said as he described what he saw at Pistorius' villa.

"At the bottom of the stairs ... there was a lady lying on her back on the floor.''

"I tried to assist her.'' Dr Stipp said. "I tried to open an airway.''

Gone too soon ... Reeva Steenkamp poses on set in Jamaica during the shooting of the reality show Tropika Island of Treasure. Source: News Limited

"She had no pulse in the neck, she had no peripheral pulse. She had no breathing movements that she made."

OSCAR PISTORIOUS MURDER TRIAL DAY 3: Pistorius fired gun in restaurant

Sitting on a courtroom bench, Pistorius bent forward and put his hand over his face, then moved them to cover both ears, as Dr Stipp spoke. He stayed that way for a while, even when one of his lawyers reached back and touched him on the head.

OSCAR PISTORIOUS MURDER TRIAL DAY 2: Pistorius breaks down in court

OSCAR PISTORIUS MURDER TRIAL DAY 1: What really happened

WHAT THE OSCAR PISTORIUS MURDER TRIAL WILL CENTRE ON

Dr Stipp also testified that he saw a bathroom light on at Pistorius's house and a figure moving from right to left as a woman screamed.

The defence case is that all the screams came from Pistorius.

The state is seeking to convince the court that Pistorius had an argument with Steenkamp before Pistorius fired the shots that killed her.

Celebrity couple ... Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp. Source: AFP

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